Jan 2017 – Apr 2017 · 3 mos · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• The Wadeshwar Group of Companies, the owner of the iconic "Wadeshwar" brand of QSRs, is a 40-year old group of enterprises, having eating establishments in over 8 locations across Pune and Ahmednagar and 5 independent companies. It has been on an expansion spree since 2012, growing at over 100% annually. Recently, a strategic decision was taken to pause and consolidate before resuming expansion, and using that time to create and fortify processes, future growth strategy, operational optimisation, and some other corporate and other restructuring and reengineering to ready the company for another spurt of high-speed growth in the near future.
• I (through Druid Systems) was appointed to assist and handhold this transition and consolidation, where I worked directly with the leadership and management of the group.

Mar 2014 – Jun 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos · Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad Area

• saXam was India's first Partnered Realty model for real estate funding, development, and sales. It was launched in Pune on 02 December 2014, and was to be extended throughout India soon thereafter.
• I helped co-create the structure and the business plan. I was also involved in recruitment, training, creation of marketing collateral, designing the sales strategy, and the market roll-out. I oversaw the legal, compliance, and regulatory issues, managed vendors, and created & implemented processes for sales (both field and telephonic), operations, HR, and administrative functions.
• Throughout the conceptualisation, planning, designing, implementation, and operations stages, I worked closely with the founders and leadership to make sure that saXam's vision of "many people, small amounts" is met.

May 2013 – Present · 13 yrs · Pune District, Maharashtra, India

• At PrashiXan, I work at the intersection of learning, systems thinking, and human development, reimagining what education could feel like if we centred the learner instead of the system. At PrashiXan, I lead strategy, programme design, and partnerships across children’s education, teacher training, and school transformation. In parallel, I have spent over a decade counselling entrepreneurs, students, corporate professionals, and creative artists, helping them gain clarity, navigate complex transitions, and align their decisions with a deeper inner compass. My focus is always on building spaces, whether institutional or individual, that are humane, intelligent, and quietly transformative.

Jan 2013 – Apr 2013 · 3 mos · University of Pune

• A Pune-based start-up assisting the state government on setting up the largest water park in the world.
• Advice on varied issues related to business, commercials, branding, processes and operation. Working in tandem with the Science & Technology Park, University of Pune, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and the Government of Maharashtra

Aug 2011 – Present · 14 yrs 9 mos · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Druid Systems helps entrepreneurs and founders study and (re-)engineer their systems, processes, and business objectives to reduce inefficiency and increase profitability.
• Recent Clients:
• P.S.Athavale & Co, Pune: Efficiency audit, process optimisation.
• Japalouppe Equestrian Centre, Talegaon: Process auditing, helping create SOPs, POSH sensitisation, leadership coaching.
• UMCA Rich Tree Academy, Toronto: Process and technology auditing.
• An indicative list of past clients/jobs:
• RJ Sangram Khopade, Pune: Messaging & communications strategy and implementation for his socio-political campaign for Lok Sabha 2024.
• Chateau Vert, Mumbai: Processes and systems for manufacture and marketing of vegan spreads.
• Jeet Aerospace, Pune: Coordination of the training for advanced flying, through which 650+ pilots have been trained so far.
• Government of Maharashtra, MTDC via the Science & Technology Park (STP), University of Pune: DPR for a water-based theme park in Sindhudurg.
• sMall, Pune: Online strategy and roll-out plan.
• Moneylife Digital, Mumbai: Mobile app.
• P.S.Athavale & Co, Melbourne: Re-branding, communication, and collateral.
• Wadeshwar, Pune: Corporate and operational strategy, process reengineering, and communications.
• PSA Counselling Services, Singapore: Formation of Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) and applying for the Certificate of Registration with the RBI.
• Xtraband Networks, Hyderabad: Launch of innovative public Wi-Fi services.
• Chunawala Constructions, Dehradun: Processes/systems and marketing for a Rs.120 Crore project at 51 Rajpur Road.
• Apex Multicons, Pune: Viability testing, compliance, coordination/liaison, agency coordination, resource planning, financial simulation & modelling, and execution planning for a new realty business.
• DSS World, Pune: Bid documentation/presentation for various tenders and potential customers.
• National Society for Clean Cities, Pune: Social media management for the ‘Save The Hills’ campaign.

Aug 2011 – Mar 2012 · 7 mos · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Creation of iPad application for a Mumbai-based publication
• Design and Specifications
• Vendor Selection, Liaison, Release and Documentation

Apr 2011 – Mar 2013 · 1 yr 11 mos · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Strategy, Branding & Positioning for International Expansion and Back-Office Services
• Change Management
• Process and Procedures

Mar 2011 – Mar 2013 · 2 yrs · Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

• On board of advisers regarding:
• Branding, Creative, Pricing, Positioning, Go-to-Market Strategy

Jan 2007 – Jan 2011 · 4 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Advertising & Public/Media Relations,Media Buying, Marketing & Market Research, Creative & Creative Strategy and Online Reputation Management

Jan 2007 – Jan 2011 · 4 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Legal Process Outsourcing, Loan Default/Recovery Legal Documentation
• Main clients: ICICI Bank, Saraswat Co-Operative Bank, HDFC Bank

Jan 2007 – Jan 2011 · 4 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Intellectual Property Consultancy
• Copyrights, Patents, Protection, Litigation regarding Creative Work, Design, Trademarks, Source Code, Formulae etc
• Owner of all IP within the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Owner of brands like Sporta (energy drink), eLabTool (ERP Software), CutSmart, Karbonn, Kolorr, Blakkink, IndoGenuity, Inzpyrd, Kavatch, IndoThreadz, Chaibaz, ConvertaPro, Sytarra, Fabutexx, Dyceros, Alchemis, EgoMate, IndoLastique, etc

Jan 2006 – Jan 2011 · 5 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Outsourcing Services for Non-Core Staff
• Recruitment, Hiring, Temping and Staffing
• Financial & Accounting Services, Funding and Sourcing of Funds
• Administrative & Facilities Management Services
• Processes and Standardisation Services

Dec 2005 – Mar 2021 · 15 yrs 3 mos · Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad Area

• Abhijit Air Safety Foundation (AASF) was formed as a tribute to the Late Flt Lt Abhijit Gadgil, who made the ultimate sacrifice during a routine mission over the Western borders of India, his MiG-21 crashing due to multiple-instrument failure on a moonless night in the deserts of Rajasthan on 17 September 2001. His family fought the government for 7 years (since he was blamed for the crash and called a bad pilot) to regain his honour posthumously before it was acknowledged that it was indeed the machine that failed due to faulty spare parts and bad maintenance.
• Jeet Aerospace Institute (JAI), formed under the aegis of AASF, conducts Jet Orientation/Transition Training (JOT/JTT), Crew Resource Management (CRM), and Multi Crew Coordination (MCC) classes for commercial pilots transiting from single pilot, single engine, propellor aircraft with analogue cockpits to multi crew jets with glass cockpits. Till date, over 650 pilots have passed out of JAI and are flying in various corners of the country.
• I have been a trustee of AASF in the initial years and a coordinator for the programs since inception. I manage the administrative and non-technical aspects of the courses as well as assist in liaison work with the government agencies like DGCA.

Jan 2005 – Jan 2011 · 6 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Pre-production R&D ERP Software for the Organic Chemistry Industry

Jan 2003 – Jan 2011 · 8 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• International Sourcing
• Metal Scrap, Rare Earths, Electronics, Cardboard, Rubber, Metal, Surfactants, Furniture, Fabric, Hosiery, Elastics

Jan 2003 – Jan 2011 · 8 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• An offshoot of Lateral Thought Pharma Private Limited
• Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Medical Equipment, Medical Consumables, Exports to unregulated markets, Medicines for Lifestyle Diseases

Jan 2002 – Jan 2011 · 9 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Part of the IndoGlobal Group of Companies
• Subsidiary of IndoGlobal Gulf FZC, Sharjah, UAE
• Holding company for over a dozen businesses and ideas
• Offices in India, UAE, China (Hong Kong) and Australia
• Over US$50 million turnover through parent company in UAE
• Over 200 employees

Jan 2000 – Jan 2003 · 3 yrs · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

• Reporting directly to the Chairman concerning:
• Branding, Communication, Training, Sales Aids, Design, Sourcing, International networks, New initiatives roll-out

Jan 1998 – Jan 2000 · 2 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Sakal Group of Newspapers: Launch of www.esakal.com
• TechoSmart.Net Private Limited: Providing back-end support for negotiations with the Indian Cellular Service Provider (AT&T, Pune) and the other operators in and outside India as also liaising with the government agencies and the investors
• Zen Plus Networks: Acting CEO. Bootstrapping operations and negotiating with the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the cable operators’ union
• Drishti Systems Private Limited: Advisory capacity for setting up an Network Service Provider in Hyderabad
• Taruni Systems: Principle consultant during the first months of starting up. A partner/vendor in other capacity
• Unicure Remedies Private Limited: Pharmaceutical exports to non-regulated markets for medications pertaining to lifestyle diseases

Jan 1994 – Jan 1998 · 4 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• Manufacturer of electromagnetic relays
• Suppliers to PLC, Control Panel, Power Supply manufacturers locally
• In-house product design
• In-house machine tool design
• Later (Post 1996), India dealer for a multinational Chinese relay manufacturer (RAYEX)

Jan 1990 – Jan 1994 · 4 yrs · Pune, Maharashtra, India

• 'The Gang' was a loose partnership between friends in college to supply printed t-shirts and sweatshirts branded with college logos and having funky designs and/or prints. These were bought from the source in South India and printed & sold in Pune
• The company later went on to assemble and sell computers to local buyers. The sourcing was from Mumbai and simple maintenance (limited to replacement of parts) was also offered
• In the days when computers and software were novelties in the Indian market, we also offered outsourced writing of presentations and articles related to the computer industry
• 'The Gang' was mainly an experiment in commercial ventures and served as an alternative to a formal Business Administration course