Project Zero: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Accelerating Change

April 8, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ Leave a comment

In today's business landscape, the pace of change isn't just fast—it's unprecedented. Generative AI has revolutionized business operations, creating opportunities and challenges that seemed like science fiction mere years ago. Meanwhile, geopolitical complexities—from fractured supply chains to escalating trade tensions—demand constant organizational pivots. This isn't simple technological and political disruption—it's a perfect storm of compounding … Continue reading Project Zero: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Accelerating Change

5-Year Career Plan: The Plan About Making the Plan

March 20, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ Leave a comment

At the start of the year, during the first team meeting, the team leader went round the room asking everyone one thing they are going to start, stop and continue this year – be it at work or outside. As the meeting notes claim, I stated that I would create a 5-year career plan, start … Continue reading 5-Year Career Plan: The Plan About Making the Plan

FOBO: The fear of becoming obsolete

March 14, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ Leave a comment

In 2024, a Gallup survey revealed that twenty-two percent of workers feared their jobs would become obsolete due to technology, up from 15% in 2021. If the study were repeated today, I'd bet that percentage would be closer to twenty-five. Since ChatGPT first shook the world in November 2022, the pace of change has accelerated … Continue reading FOBO: The fear of becoming obsolete

Defying Corporate America’s Diversity Retreat

March 7, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ Leave a comment

In a significant shift across corporate America, many companies are stepping back from their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives; but one company is going against the grain having launched a head turning campaign. In February, Elf Cosmetics launched a campaign called So Many Dicks. Turns out, there are more men named Dick (including Richard, … Continue reading Defying Corporate America’s Diversity Retreat

Always On interviewing

February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ 1 Comment

I completed a decade at Amazon on 16th February 2025 and two of the many conversations that followed led to some deep introspection. The first was a discussion with a colleague who joked about now being stuck with the organization for good and being unable to get out (she says she speaks from experience). The … Continue reading Always On interviewing

Workforce Planning: HC to NNACV

February 18, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ 1 Comment

Recently, I encountered a new term in workforce planning that caught my attention: NNACV (Net New Annual Contract Value). As someone who's been tracking the increasing focus on workforce planning, this shift in headcount accounting intrigued me. In the age of efficiency, it is only natural that the biggest expense on the balance sheet undergo … Continue reading Workforce Planning: HC to NNACV

2025: The trends and non-trends

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ 4 Comments

It’s the season of the internet running amok with predictions for 2025, be it astrology, finance, markets or HR. While I haven’t been consistently publishing my list of trends as I do my word of the year, here are two reasons why this is one set of predictions you shouldn’t miss: I’m not trying to … Continue reading 2025: The trends and non-trends

2025 word of the year: Show up

January 22, 2025 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ 1 Comment

You didn't think after seven years of sharing my word of the year, I'd break the tradition, did you? Streaks are one of the, if not, biggest motivators of mankind and not just anecdotally. Countless research studies show that maintaining a streak can drastically increase the likelihood of habit formation and achievement of goals. If … Continue reading 2025 word of the year: Show up

Customization, personalization and individualization

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ Leave a comment

On’s Cloudboom Strike LS is creating history at the Paris Olympics. Their groundbreaking spray on shoes are a glimpse into the future; a future of individualization. The concept, however, is not new. Once upon a time, long before mass production, tailored clothes and bespoke footwear were the norm. Trusted tailors and cobblers would meticulously measure … Continue reading Customization, personalization and individualization

Rethinking your career portfolio

August 6, 2024August 6, 2024 ~ Ankita Poddar ~ 1 Comment

To say that the world of work is undergoing a tectonic shift would be an overstatement, but there are changes nevertheless. Socioeconomic circumstances such as interest rate increases, a laser focus on cost, and remote work, coupled with Geo-political shifts like ongoing supply chain disruptions, increased political unrest and opposition to immigration, are definitely accelerating … Continue reading Rethinking your career portfolio