I recently caught a podcast with Kunal Shah, the guy who started CRED, and wow, he dropped some serious wisdom! He wasn’t just talking business; he was giving us a super clear peek into how things really work. From selling stuff to building an amazing team, he just made so much sense. If you’ve ever wondered about making it big, you’ll want to hear this.
Selling: A Skill Everyone Needs
In his early days, he sold small items like mehndi cones. He learned fast that persuasion—being able to convince people—is key. Seriously, he thinks it’s vital for everything in life. He even mentioned that many of us in India aren’t naturally good at it, maybe because we haven’t often had to persuade others just to get by.
His advice is spot on: Watch people who are great at it. And don’t be scared to ask for help! He said selling isn’t about tricking; it’s about finding a win for everyone involved. I think that’s a pretty smart way to look at it.
Drop the Shame, Grow Faster
Here’s something deep: Kunal said that being afraid to ask for help or even to push your own ideas often comes from feeling insecure or “ashamed.” He figures that people who aren’t afraid to go after what they want, even if it feels a little “shameless,” actually grow way faster. And get this: he also noted that folks who get easily offended might not be honest with themselves, which really stops them from growing.
Building a Killer Team
If you’re in charge, or even just part of a team, Kunal’s advice on company culture is gold. To get everyone comfortable speaking up, he suggests some easy but powerful moves:
- Always let new folks ask questions—their fresh eyes are a gift!
- Treat feedback like a present.
- He even sits down with new hires at CRED early on to hear their thoughts.
- And here’s a big one: Have meetings just for listening to feedback; no arguing allowed. Smart, right?
CRED’s Core Rules
Kunal laid out CRED’s main values, and you can see why they work:
- Earn Trust: Always be someone people can rely on.
- Good Judgment: Make smart calls, even when things are fuzzy. Like launching that big ad campaign during COVID.
- High Agency: Be the person who makes things happen, not just waits around.
- Keep Learning: Always grow and change.
- Find the Truth: Always look for what’s real, no matter who says what.
How CRED Picks Its People
CRED looks for folks who fit their values. They actually like hiring “expounders“—people whose own startups didn’t quite make it. Why? Because these folks often know their weak spots, are open to advice, and are super driven. Kunal stressed that you want people who want to do well, not those who need constant pushing.
Investing: The Real Reason
Finally, Kunal gave a clear take on getting money from investors. He said investor cash just helps you grow faster, but you do give up some ownership. His advice: Only seek funds if your business has a huge market and solves a unique problem. Investors want big wins because, let’s be honest, lots of new businesses don’t make it.
My honest thoughts? This podcast is packed with super clear, no-nonsense advice. Kunal Shah isn’t just for business gurus; his ideas are useful for anyone trying to get ahead and build something cool.
Definitely check out this podcast! If you want to hear it straight from Kunal Shah, I really suggest you give it a listen. You’ll walk away with some great ideas you can use right away.
