One look at the profound career of Manish and you would get an idea about his perseverance and determination. He has always been an enterprising person with expertise in equities research, emerging markets, investments, portfolio management and business development. After completing his B.E in mechanical engineering, he went on to complete his Ph.D. in mechanical from Johns Hopkins University.He then started his career at McKinsey and Company as a management consultant. Over the years, he gained ample experience.
All this expertise formed the perfect blend, which made him launch his latest startup, Skrilo limited. Skrilo is a full suite mobile marketing platform. Within a short span of time, the platform has generated huge buzz around its name. The campaigns on the Skrilo mobile platform offer a non-intrusive approach to marketing.
Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.
Skrilo is a mobile marketing platform that empowers businesses to launch their own campaigns in a targeted manner while rewarding the users for voluntary and active engagement. The campaigns on the Skrilo mobile platform offer a non-intrusive approach to marketing. The Skrilo app user comes onto the app with a mindset of “show me what you (business/brand) got”. In the process of engagement, the consumer accrues free opportunities toward an algorithmic run random reward
program with meaningfully sized prizes at zero cost.
What inspired you to build the above product/ service?
I have always aspired to innovate and make a meaningful dent in the universe. A spark of a meditative moment lent itself to an idea that is a global first in the mobile marketing space. The novelty of the idea, its potential impact and the essence of truly creating a win-win across the stakeholders – brands, business, and consumers alike; drove me to build Skrilo.
What is your life mantra?
We become what we think about.
What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
Getting the right team together with shared values, passion, and integrity. Ensuring that the administrative process in a company set-up is properly adhered to is cumbersome, necessary and a distraction for product and innovation focused minds!
How did you overcome those challenges?
I would not like to refer to challenges as challenges – just lessons and learning’s along the way. The entire team worked together to find the right answers to march forward. I believe, with persistence, grit and collective efforts we can overcome the roadblocks along the way.
Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.
Skrilo has launched post its seed round wherein it has raised capital from overseas high net worth individuals and family offices.
How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?
Skrilo believes in empowerment. We entrust and empower the entire team to lead in their respective capacities. I believe in Robin Sharma’s approach of Leadership without Titles. Also, Skrilo believes in full transparency and is open to sharing view and ideas without fear. A company where each member has a voice should not fear brain drain.
According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?
Creativity, grit, and commitment.
Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?
Love Asana as a project management tool.
Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.
Focusing at the task on hand.
Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.
Working late nights
Answer in less than 50 words
• One tip to success:
Grit.
• One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:
Living life trying to avoid mistakes is like trying to reach a destination without making the journey.
• One most important lesson that you have learned till now:
Dream up a future but come back to live in the present.
What are your plans for next 3 years?
Establish as a go-to mobile marketing solution for brands.
If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?
I would probably do the same all over again.
Share a quote that inspires you the most.
“Power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength” by Marcus Aurelius, Meditations