Human Agenda

From our conversation with him, we highlight some of the most interesting takeaways:

• On history:Dheeraj is a history buff who is simultaneously driven by a constant pursuit of progress. Searching for patterns throughout time is his way of conceptualizing new ideas, which often emerge simply by reflecting on the past.
• On a balanced life:He is a strong advocate for a balanced life based on the principles of breathing well, sleeping well, and laughing often. It is important to stand up for yourself and your values. It wasn't until he arrived in the United States that he realized the meaning and power of the words “no” and “less.” Dheeraj is a major proponent of essentialism, which means the “disciplined” pursuit of less—though this is always easier said than done.
• On diversity: For him, diversity is not just about gender, skin color, or cultural background; it is also about diversity of thought and the different ways people work, create, and approach processes for action and decision-making.
• On leadership:The decision of whether to stay with the company he built as an investor or to dedicate himself to developing a new business idea elsewhere was not difficult for Dheeraj. Most people struggle with this because of the belief that the company you start and run is like your child and you cannot simply walk away. Dheeraj says there comes a time when it is necessary to move on.
• On business customers and clients: In this context, he prefers to emphasize pleasure—even enjoyment. The key is to think about customers constantly. In the Business-to-Business (B2B) segment, we often hear that you can offer a subpar service because the customer doesn't have much choice. Once companies implement your solution and adapt their business processes, it becomes harder for them to decide on changes. They prefer to persevere; some even prefer to suffer. Dheeraj points out that most decisions in this segment are not driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO), but by the fear of worsening an existing situation (the fear of failing). Furthermore, many fear that they could lose their job due to a wrong decision more than they desire a promotion. For him, the only true path to success is to meet with clients, talk to them, understand them, and look them in the eye.
• On Artificial Intelligence: Managers and employees need not be afraid, because with its help, they will be able to achieve more insightful and better results. With more intelligent machines, opportunities are created for people to rise to a higher level and devote more time to solving complex and demanding problems. Perhaps this will restore work-life balance. If artificial intelligence can give us back some of our workdays and weekends, it will likely benefit our families, our health, and the planet in general.
• On talent search and recruitment: He looks for curiosity in his future colleagues, because such people are like mushrooms—they quickly absorb new knowledge. Humility is also important, as they must be aware that they do not yet know everything. In addition, determination and a strong desire to constantly learn and acquire new knowledge are key. Dheeraj is always looking for people who have faced significant trials in life, as this kind of experience solidifies and shapes a person into a strong individual.
• On the value of DevRev: Dheeraj noted that they have no physical assets. All they have are people and program code. Therefore, it is essential to choose people who will best integrate into the company, its culture, and its values, and then educate them and foster their development. It doesn't always work out, so sometimes you even have to say goodbye to someone.
• On the myth of personality and the company:Your personal beliefs are your private matter. If you broadcast them through company platforms, you risk angering half of your customers and at least half of your employees. You need to be aware of this.

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Ultimately, we must nurture our curiosity, humility, and thirst for knowledge, striving for a vision that benefits humanity rather than focusing on partisan political agendas. This is what matters in today's world. Therefore, we should focus not only on business-to-business (B2B) relationships but on relationships between people. That is why we advocate for a #HumanAgenda!

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Thank you, Dheeraj.

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