On this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie interviews Sriram Subramanian, co-founder, and CEO of Link to Any. They talk about his journey from senior roles at PayPal and HP to building a SaaS platform that streamlines integration for SMBs in the hospitality, retail, and service industries. Sriram shares insights on sales, product innovation, and leadership—emphasizing autonomy, cultural fit, and pushing for excellence. He also discusses fundraising, AI’s evolving role in business, and his involvement in the nonprofit Where Are India’s Children. This conversation offers valuable lessons on scaling a business and staying ahead in the tech landscape.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize hiring for cultural fit and raw talent. Employees who align with the company culture and exhibit potential can be groomed to meet the company’s needs, often outperforming hires based on credentials alone.
• Empower your team by clearly defining areas of ownership and demonstrating trust in their ability to execute. This minimizes the need for micromanagement and encourages a sense of responsibility and innovation.
• Develop a culture where team members are pushed to excel but in a respectful and supportive manner. Encourage transparency and accountability within the team, promoting a collective drive towards achieving company goals.
• Ensure a balance between pioneering new technologies and maintaining the stability and satisfaction of current offerings. Allocate resources and timelines effectively to both innovate and meet existing client expectations.
• When raising funds, choose investors who can offer strategic advice and operational support, not just capital. Ensure they have a solid reputation and can provide valuable insights and stability during turbulent times.
• Embrace new technologies like AI to enhance service offerings and operational efficiency. Lead your organization in fostering a culture of rapid learning and adaptation to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market.

Quote of the Show:

• “Creating a culture of autonomy is very important, especially in early stage settings, for employees to know they have the power and control to do things right and not be micromanaged.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriramlinkfounder/ 
• Website: https://linktoany.com/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change 
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797  

This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency. 

Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com