Raghav Bagai - If Someone Is on Track With Their Life and Career Goals, Then Doing Further Education Just for the Degree Is Perhaps Not the Best Decision (Co-Founder - Sociowash)

                                               

If you have an understanding of the job/are a constant learner - reading on the internet, discussions, etc. then one doesn't really need a degree. I know of no story where an extremely talented (experienced) person didn't get a job because of a degree.


Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing. 

Well, I have born and been bought up in Delhi. I was a more-of-an introvert in school (Modern School Barakhamba) but decided to change that up in College (Hansraj College). 

Took up many societies and also joined AIESEC. I went on to become the president for AIESEC and that instilled a sense of confidence. From there on worked in a political startup for a year before taking the plunge of starting something of my own.


When and how did you get clarity on what you wanted to do? 

Well, the clarity was always there about starting something of my own - what was always the question. Leading people in college/AIESEC and building a startup, made me realize that this is what I like to do - solving problems and building things. What I want to do has been an ever-growing/evolving process. 

We started off with something else completely (i.e working on personal brands for individuals) and grew to work with brands. Now we are passionate about doing work that lasts and is also excited to train more people in Digital. So yes, what I want to do is a continuing journey of self-exploration.


Studies today show that an organization can lose INR 10 lakh (~ $17,000) on average on a wrong hire or for hiring someone with a false degree. The only tried and tested way to prevent frauds is via a thorough background verification process. Download SpringVerify's e-book for a comprehensive guide to Employee Background Verification in India.


What does your typical workday look like? 

Well, it starts off around 9 with black coffee (super important) and getting ready for the day. It's also time to have a quick look at my investment portfolio. Around 10ish onwards is very things start going crazy (mostly meetings/discussions/calls) and well the day goes on till 7ish. 

Post that I wrap up some self-dependent work till 9. This is followed by a workout to destress from the day and then family time and Netflix.


Several global companies have come out and thrown their support behind not needing a formal education. What is your opinion about this? 

Well, I do believe education is important (if done right) however yes, it's not an end-all. Talking about basic formal education, yes, it's important to get the basics in place and of communication, understanding, and dealing in a team. 

With respect to higher education and the frenzy of necessarily doing post-graduation, this is something I believe is quite over-rated. The degree and education are great to kickstart your career but perhaps not much from there. 

If you have an understanding of the job/are a constant learner - reading on the internet, discussions, etc. then one doesn't really need a degree. I know of no story where an extremely talented (experienced) person didn't get a job because of a degree. 

Personally speaking, I'm an economic honors graduate and not an MBA. MBA was always a backup plan to kickstart life if the business didn't work. Not so much because of the curriculum rather for the networking and the opportunity to kickstart life afresh. 

If someone is on track with their life and career goals, then doing further education just for the degree is perhaps not the best decision.


How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume? 

Well, this one is a big no-no. If that perhaps hasn't been hired then the chances of hiring get diminished by quite a bit however before ruling them out, I believe it's important to understand why they did such an act and take an action accordingly. Either way will be surely giving them strong feedback about correcting this for their future.


What are some of your typical challenges and how have they evolved over time? 

Well, the challenges in a growing company are always evolving. Initially, it was about getting clients to make ends meet, then once we had a bit of a brand in place- it was about getting the right talent and now it's about making the company ready to scale up by focussing on empowering the team and by building in processes in the company.

                             

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs or those eyeing the top job? 

Well if you are ambitious and are ready to work hard you can achieve whatever you aim for. If you can execute, you can do it all. Personally speaking, I don't consider myself gifted or extremely talented in anything, in particular, the only ability I have is to be able to focus, work hard and execute stuff and that has rewarded me a little bit over the last few years of my life.


Which is your favorite book and why? 

Difficult to say a favorite one but one of the best would be, 'Thay will never work: The birth of Netflix'. Its' because of how it presents the fascinating story of Netflix and gives in some important suggestions - which I could relate to.