Next
If 2024 was the Year of Ideas, then 2025 must (finally) become the Year of Execution. It feels like embarking on a startup journey all over again, armed with bold ideas to transform martech and disrupt adtech. The excitement is palpable, and I often find myself reflecting on the early years of IndiaWorld—venturing into uncharted territory with little certainty but immense hope of creating something innovative and impactful.
These ideas have been years in the making, and their emergence has been anything but linear. It feels like climbing a series of peaks, only to discover more “mountains beyond mountains.” With each idea that is thought through, the next horizon comes into view. What began as concepts like Martech 2.0 and Email 2.0 has evolved and expanded into an interconnected vision of NeoAdtech, NeoMartech, NeoESP, NeoMails, and NeoSaaS. (Somewhere along the way, I must admit, I’ve developed a fondness for the word ‘neo’!)
But ideas alone aren’t enough—they need to be brought to life. Converting this vision into products, revenues, and real-world impact is my defining challenge for 2025. It’s a daunting task, but also an exhilarating one. Just as those early days with IndiaWorld required grit, creativity, and perseverance, this next chapter demands the same. And with these ideas as my compass, I’m ready to take on the climb.
As I look ahead, there are a few aspirations, reflections, and challenges I’d like to take on:
- Building Netcore into an enduring, great company: I believe we’ve made great strides, but we still have a way to go. I keep asking myself, What does AI-first marketing truly look like? What defines an AI-first B2C or D2C business? And, most importantly, Can we enable brands to create profipolies—profitable monopolies built on retention and sustainable growth? These questions will shape much of what I focus on in the coming year.
- Writing my next book: The idea of starting another book has been on my mind. It feels like the right time to distil and share my thoughts, weaving together the themes of innovation, entrepreneurship, and marketing for a new era.
- Spending more time with friends: I’ve come to realise that I spend far too much time in my own company. While introspection has its place, I should also focus on nurturing relationships with friends. I often think of the closing line from the poem I love: “I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.” While I find solace in my own company, perhaps it’s time to strike a better balance.
- Learning something unexpected: I’d like to challenge myself to learn something completely outside my comfort zone—something I’d never have imagined pursuing.
- Travelling more: It’s been too long since Bhavana, Abhishek, and I have taken a real vacation together. I’d like to make time for meaningful travel that allows us to explore, reconnect, and create lasting memories.
- Exploring high-quality fiction: While I do a lot of reading, it’s largely focused on business and thrillers. I’ve realised I’m missing out on the depth and richness that great fiction can offer. Expanding my reading horizons could bring fresh perspectives.
- Listening to podcasts—and perhaps starting one: Podcasts are such a powerful medium for storytelling and knowledge-sharing. I’d like to make time to listen to some great ones, and perhaps even consider starting my own.
- Giving back in a systematic way: I feel it’s time to think about how I can contribute meaningfully to society. Giving back has always been important to me, but I want to make it a more deliberate and structured part of my life.
- Reviving the ideas of Nayi Disha and Dhan Vapasi: Sometimes, I wonder if I could bring these ideas to life, creating a pathway toward a truly free and prosperous India. They remain close to my heart, and I feel there’s potential for them to inspire real change.
These thoughts form the essence of what I want to explore in the coming year—balancing professional goals with personal growth, relationships, and impact. It’s an exciting, slightly daunting, but ultimately fulfilling set of challenges that I’m eager to take on.
As always, lots to look forward to. Wish you all a Very Happy 2025.
