Meet The Team

Arun brings in over 2 decades of experience in General Management, Sales and Marketing, with reputed MNC and Indian organisations like Hewlett Packard, Godrej and HCL. In his last stint before changing gears and becoming an entrepreneur, he was the Country Manager for the Business PC category for Hewlett Packard India.

Having been a part of multiple teams and having worked in different geographies, he is a firm believer about the “team” being the competitive advantage between companies. An extremely approachable leader & facilitator, his enthusiasm and passion is infectious. Arun is an Engineer & MBA, who is certified in MBTI, Emergenetics & LSP. He is also a TEDx speaker.

An avid reader and writer, he couples this with his field experience and passion for training – while delivering programs to clients. Arun has facilitated several workshops around Leadership, Innovation & Team work for the senior most teams at companies like Hindustan Unilever, CGI, Tata Group, Pepsico, Sears to name a few. He has also been a keynote speaker at companies like Asian Paints, Zavenir Daubert, Hewlett Packard on a variety of topics like, “What motivates people at work?” to “What brings value in a sale?”.

Arun contributes regularly to different leading journals. Some of his recent publications include:

1. 10 ways to inspire your team – Human Capital
2. 4 Common leadership mistakes to avoid – Thought Perfect
3. Can a leopard change its spots? – People Matters
4. The power of play – The Hindu, Business Line
5. Leadership Lessons from the Giant Skip – Domain-b.com
6. Experiential Team building needs adoption by Asian companies – Asiabiz Today
7. 5 Mantras to create the right workplace experience – Business World
8. Using Legos for problem solving – People Matters
9. IT through the FMCG lens – Dataquest India

Rakesh brings in close to 2 decades of rich experience across Corporate sales and marketing, Product management, Business development and Facilitation. His last stint before changing gears as an entrepreneur was as the Country Product Manager for Hewlett Packard India.

Rakesh holds a graduate degree in Electronics and Communication engineering and a Post Graduate Degree in Management from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He is accredited in administering profiling tools like the MBTI, FIRO-B and is also certified in the LSP methodology. His passion and high energy are some of the things anyone who has interacted with him will vouch for. Rakesh is also a TEDx speaker – you can see his engaging talk out here.

An avid sports follower, amateur snooker and cricket player – he is the biggest fan of Roger Federer we know of. A most voracious reader, if you ever need a book recommendation, look no farther. From fiction, non-fiction, military strategy, adventure, business classics – he consumes it all with equal glee.

Rakesh has facilitated a wide variety of experiential workshops over the last decade spanning team building, leadership and innovation. Some leading organizations that have benefited from his expertise include Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Tata Communications, PepsiCo, DHL, Alstom, Audi, Barclays amongst others.

He is also a good writer and has also contributed to many external publications that include:

• Three tips to foster a culture of innovation in SHRM
• Five ways for effective team visioning in SHRM
• Smartphone Leadership

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Easily bored? More like easily intrigued! With 33 years of work experience under his belt, Strangway’s professional journey has been as diverse as a buffet. From chasing adventure travel to flipping burgers in his own restaurant, he stumbled upon the world of learning and development and realized, ‘Hey, this isn’t so bad!’ Most of his life lessons happened along the way – like learning that ‘patience is a virtue’ while trying to get a stubborn printer to work. Armed with a computer science degree from St. Stephen’s College (the Ivy League of Delhi) and certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt and Emergenetics Certified Associate (India), he’s one that didn’t choose his path; rather the path chose him! Joining FocusU right from its inception, it’s been a wild ride – one that’s anything but boring!

As Director of Operations, Strangway, with his sleeves all rolled up, orchestrates the chaos, ensuring that the show goes on. This team is the engine that drives FocusU, responsible for executing workshops, building lasting relationships with clients, and creating a thriving community of freelance trainers and facilitators-` The FLAP community. This team also has the unsung heroes who make sure everyone’s travel arrangements and stay are in order, because let’s face it, who wants to deal with airlines when they could be learning something new, or being more productive? In short, this is the team where the rubber meets the road, and the magic happens.

Experience at FocusU:

As one of the pioneers of FocusU, it’s been a wild ride since the very beginning. Like white-water rafting down a turbulent river, with someone always ending up taking an unexpected swim! The stories are endless, the laughter contagious, and the camaraderie stronger than duct tape. From exhilarating moments to hilarious mishaps, we’ve experienced it all. It’s been one helluva journey filled with countless lessons and lifelong friendships, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Uma is the founder of FocusU Mauritius, and wears multiple hats multiple functions in the organization.

She has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Mauritius , and a Masters in Tourism from the University of Monash, Australia.

With over two decades of work experience, she has worked for over 17 years in the hospitality industry in various levels – waitress, tourism promotion office, sales and marketing manager, and business development manager. Her passion is giving people an experience to discover themselves, and unleash their hidden potential, while having a good dose of laughter and fun. She has also been a part time lecturer.

Before joining Focus U, Uma was the Business Development Manager in a well known Training Institution and had the opportunity to conceptualize and meet up with various clients from various industries across the island. Within the hospitality industry, she has had the opportunity to travel a lot across the world to meet up with different cultures, as well as host national events that had international coverage in the media.

Uma is passionate, creative and authentic e by nature and her joy is derived by making people have a lifetime experience and an aha moment.

When she’s not working, she spends half of her free time on self care – meditation, walking, dancing, yoga, nature and the rest of her free time with her family. With a husband and two children, life is a bliss. She also enjoys walking on the sandy beaches around the island, yoga and reading.

What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?

I created FocusU 5 years ago, as I felt there was a need for a different approach to learning in Mauritius. With clients, repeating over and over, that despite all training done, we do not see much difference in our employees.

I felt there was something missing, and then I came across FocusU Engage, and as I explored through a visit to India, I realized this is what is missing in Mauritius, learning via experiential learning.

After Covid, even the clients started to feel the need to challenge the status quo, and were keen to test waters with experiential learning methodology for learning, engagement,offsite, process facilitation, mergers etc.

How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?

An organization where we preach what we tell to the world! Who would believe the message if we don’t believe the messenger?

We practice Radical candor as a practise to show that Feedback is part of our culture

We practice recognition as a practise to show that we value the work everyone does

We provide flexi leaves and work from home to show that we value the person behind the colleague

We offer Mental wellness leave once per month to show that we value self care

These are just a few practices that form part of our daily lives….

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

Everyday is a unique day!

We are always rooting for each other, and we care about each other….

We make life matter …..

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About Tarika

After 15+ years of experience in the development sector, Tarika switched to “personal development” taking up the role of “Director, Marketing” with FocusU (in March 2022).

On any given day, you will find her dabbling her time between planning our next marketing campaign, analysing our customer data, improving the ROI on our ads, motivating our team to star in reels and more.

A quiet worker, her colleagues (even friends & teachers, in school, for that matter) have always commended her for her dedication and focus. Hard Work is truly her mantra!

She is a big believer in lists (no matter how nerdy that sounds 🙂 ). According to her, lists ensure “things get done”, that all those conversations in meetings are eventually translated into action. Else, it’s all talk and no action!

Outside of FocusU, Tarika lends her editing skills to those in need – working with students and young professionals on college applications and non-profits and (small-time) entrepreneurs on funding proposals.

She is also a big believer in alternative healing and is a Reiki, Magnified Healing and Essential Oil practitioner.

A waterbody, she loves swimming – always managing to get sun-burnt in Goa! An environment-lover, she maniacally ensures that all plastic generated at her home makes it to the recycling center!

If you ever need a buddy for a trek in the monsoon or just to spend some time amidst nature, she’s the right person to call!

How has life at FocusU been different?

FocusU has changed my approach to work culture and leadership. I’ve learnt that you don’t need to be aggressive, loud, or hardcore to be a leader. It is possible to lead from your heart while still holding high standards.

I’ve also become much more intentional about learning – both professionally and personally. I read more, take more courses, and actively seek opportunities to grow because I’ve realised that as a leader, you will never arrive (and I’m totally okay with that realization) – there is always more to learn and always scope to be more.

So, more than anything else, FocusU has humbled me.

How would you describe the culture to a friend in one honest sentence?

It’s probably the most understanding workplace I’ve experienced – you can be human, you can be yourself, and you can take time off when ill, or even just to enjoy life-outside-of-work, without guilt, as long as you take responsibility for your work.

What keeps you here?

This organisation has its heart in the right place. It’s growing, and it genuinely wants its people to grow along with it.

4+ years in, I continue to learn, stretch myself, and be challenged in new ways. That’s what keeps me here.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

Someone who enjoys the more stereotypical side of corporate life – office politics, gossip, winning at all costs, prioritising numbers over people, or getting ahead by putting others down.

FocusU isn’t perfect, but it genuinely tries to put people, learning, and relationships at the centre of how work gets done.

With a Bachelor’s in Mass Media from Wilson College and a Master’s in Marketing from JBIMS, she began her career in Marketing and Sales. But her true calling was in L&D, so after earning a few key certifications, she transitioned into a full-time L&D role. Now at FocusU, she’s a full-stack People Success professional on a mission to transform the HR function. The first step is to not call humans, “resources”, hence the name – People Success.

Armed with business experience, she brings a nuanced understanding of both people and business challenges, aligning them seamlessly. Her team and she drive impact through strategic initiatives like OKRs, Pulse surveys, and human-centric policies like PETurnity leave and the Care policy, all while upholding FocusU’s unconventional culture and values.

She doesn’t fall for ‘group-think’ and has a knack for balancing care with candor. Her innate curiosity drives her to understand the “why” behind things, making her a lifelong learner.

She firmly believes that constantly upskilling and learning keeps her grounded and connected and hence even after almost 2 decades of experience she enrolled herself into a course at ISB.

Not having mentors early in her career, she now helps students and young professionals find their paths and help them be more.

When she’s not busy at work, you’ll find her on road trips, playing with her furry boys – Hector and Lego, diving into meaningful conversations, or indulging in home decor projects.

For her, FocusU isn’t just a workplace – it’s a journey of self-discovery, growth, and connection. Almost seven years in, she’s still here because of the authentic, soulful people and the shared values that make FocusU special.

What’s a piece of work here you’re genuinely proud of – and what made it hard?

One thing I am proud of is helping keep the FocusU values alive and relevant over the last eight years.

The hardest phase was during COVID, when we moved to a fully remote setup. I was worried about how people would experience the culture FocusU is known for. But watching people who joined us during that period not only understand our values but become ambassadors for them has been incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my belief that culture is not built by proximity, it is built by consistency.

Describe a time the feedback culture here genuinely helped you.

Our pulse surveys and listening sprints have often challenged my assumptions about what people need.

The feedback we have received through those forums has directly shaped policies, benefits, ways of working, and even made us re-examine one of our values when it no longer felt fully relevant. The feedback culture works because people don’t just listen but are willing to act on it too.

How would you describe the culture to a friend in one honest sentence?

A place that gives you the safety to be yourself, while constantly challenging you to become more than you thought you could be.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

Someone who wants every step defined for them, prefers being managed closely, or values perfection > progress.

People who are comfortable with ambiguity, take ownership, and are willing to learn as they go are likely to thrive in FocusU.

Girija joined as Learning partner and facilitator and is now a Director at Focus U Mauritius.

She has a degree in Human Resources Management from the University of London, and a Higher National Certificate in Public Relations from UNISA. She is currently finishing her MBA in Leadership and Management from York St John University, in association with Robert Kennedy College, Zurich. She is a certified NLP coach and is also in the process of completing her coach accreditation.

With over two decades of work experience, she has worked for over 17 years in HR in various sectors: Shipping, Retail, BPO, ICT etc. Her passion is people and more specifically leadership development, team engagement and coaching. She has had extensive experience working with professionals at different levels of the organization and has a good understanding of learning needs and requirements.

Before joining Focus U, Girija was the HR Director in a multinational IT company, and had the opportunity to work with senior leaders as well as HR professionals in various European countries and was given the chance to co-create HR solutions for the teams.

Girija is genuine, empathetic and compassionate by nature and her joy is derived by seeing people around her grow and succeed.

When she’s not working, she spends most of her free time with her family. With a husband and three children, life rarely gets boring. She also enjoys walking on the sandy beaches around the island, yoga and reading.

What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?

I joined Focus U in September 2022, after over twenty years in the corporate world. With an expansive background and experience in HR, I had been very blessed to have worked in various industries and sectors and been given the opportunity to try many new things within the profession. I felt though that it was time for me to leave the corporate world behind and try to create an impact in a different way.

I came across Focus U as a client about 2 years back and was really impressed with the truly unconventional way learning was being instilled. So when I was asked if I was interested to join after I had resigned from my full time job, it was not a hard decision for me! Focus U presented a vey unique opportunity for me to create meaningful impact to people around me, and I did not want to miss out on this.

How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?

As an outsider, it can sometimes be very hard to understand the Focus U culture, simply because it is very different from any other corporate I had seen before. At Focus U, the backbone force driving everyone’s behavior is the values: CHOPS (Care, Humility, Ownership, Passion and Safety). But underlying these behaviors is genuine care and compassion for one another. It is very rare to find such authenticity amongst people.

Another unique factor is the emphasis placed on learning – every Focus U colleague is strongly encouraged to enhance their own knowledge and learning by reading books, or researching new trends, watching videos etc and sharing with others. This is a clear example of ‘Walk the Talk’. We help organisations in their learning journeys, but that can only happen when this is a strong sense of ‘Learning’ in our own organisation.

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

Besides what I have already shared, we have what we call ‘Hygge’. The word Hygge (pronounced as ‘hue-guh’) comes from a Danish word meaning “to give courage, comfort, joy”. Hygge is really about the small steps we take towards our family at work. It’s about doing small acts of kindness, celebrating special moments, celebrating success and so on.

Focus U is a company where your colleagues remember your anniversary or your children’s birthdays and sending small gifts over, amongst others. Work life balance is a real action that is enforced by everyone, not just a statement. A lot of emphasis is also placed on the mental wellbeing of colleagues! All these and more are what makes this company so special!

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About Me:

How It all Began:

I always had an unconventional view of the world. Being successful in life for me was to choose something that made me happy. I was always academically brilliant but had more inclination towards dance. Despite being a graduate in Economic Honors, I chose a career that went beyond academics…I chose to Dance and that is where it all began!

Picture abhi baaki hai:

I truly put on my dancing shoes in college. This is where I got a chance to prove my potential as a dancer and be appointed as the president of my dance team. This is that once chance that gave me the taste of what it is like to be a leader and what is the importance of team work. For a spectacular show the most important element is to make a team of excellent dancers work together as one unit.

And that is when I joined Shiamak Davar’s Institute to upgrade my dance skills.

And 5…6…7…8…

I successfully completed my one-year training program with Shiamak and became a part of its team. Shiamak gave me wings in the truest sense, I performed in the best of the shows domestic as well as internationally and it was learning on its own. From learning how to engage the audience, to entertainment, to planning and execution and also from selling the company’s batches to parents and maintaining relationships with them…I got an exposure in all. I wasn’t just an instructor; I was the face of Shiamak for my clients.

And dreams do come true… I got a chance to perform with my favourite… Shahrukh Khan!

But I wasn’t done…

The Universe Conspires:

My urge to learn and expand my horizons got me into getting certifications as a yoga and fitness instructor. To make it wholesome I also got a certification in health and nutrition. That is when I decided that I wanted to use my knowledge and help people. I wanted to spread happiness and the importance of being fit and active to the world. I made this a purpose and dived into starting my own venture. The Pandemic hit hard but when you have the intent to make this world a better place, nothing can stop you! I survived the worst of times, continued teaching online and today I am successfully managing a staff of 5 and making several people fit and happy.

The only things that’s constant is change:

With times and situations changing so dynamically and waves rising up and down, I realized the importance of networking and communication. Running my own studio taught me some powerful management lessons… what truly is sales, what is negotiation, what is it to understand a client’s need, what is customization as per needs and above all what is it to build and maintain long term relationship. I value client satisfaction, I value encouraging my team to follow my vision, I value quality and I worship hard work.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do before FocusU?

FocusU has played a great role in shaping who I am today. One thing I will always be grateful for is learning how to work with people while creating psychological safety around them. It also taught me the power of humility. FocusU gave me a safe space to learn, the freedom to make mistakes, and the trust to learn from them.

Have you been able to follow your own interests? How?

Yes. One of the things I value most about FocusU is the opportunity to wear multiple hats.

When I wanted to build and lead a category, I was trusted with leading the Masterclass portfolio, where I got the opportunity to interact with business leaders, athletes, and celebrities and bring many of them into our portfolio. When I wanted to lead a sales region, I was given the opportunity to become Alliance Manager for South India, where I contributed to a 190% revenue growth in the Hyderabad region.

Since I come from a performing arts background and have a special place for the stage, I was also given opportunities to facilitate programs.

Beyond my core roles, I was trusted with initiatives such as the Stanford Transformation Program core team and the Innovation Council, allowing me to leverage both my analytical and creative sides in shaping ideas and strategy.

How would you describe the culture to a friend in one honest sentence?

If you are looking for a safe space to learn, grow, and be yourself, FocusU is your destination.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

Two kinds of people may find it difficult to thrive at FocusU:

First, leaders who come with the mindset of giving orders to subordinates. FocusU believes in working together because people are committed to a shared purpose, not because they are told to.

Second, highly ambitious people who are looking for rapid movement up a traditional corporate ladder. Given the lean nature of the organization, growth may not always come through titles or hierarchy, but through ownership, learning, and impact.

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Ayushi is a Client Advisory Manager at Focus U.

She hails from Bombay and is an MBA Graduate from The University of Mumbai.

Before being a part of the FocusU family, Ayushi had a brief stint with a private sector bank as an Assistant Manager (Branch Banking). Post which she took a career break to take on the duties of a mom!

She is an easy-going person and loves to hear stories and experiences of people around her. She believes that it is the best way to learn and the best way to grow! Motherhood has gifted her with some extra patience, empathy, and a lot of good listening skills.

In her free time, she loves to play her guitar, read some book, or just play board games with Reyansh. She enjoys singing and is exploring gardening as a hobby.

What’s a piece of work here you’re genuinely proud of – and what made it hard?

The Women in Tech program stands out for me. While we didn’t eventually win the opportunity, the process of designing it was incredibly meaningful. It involved extensive reading, research, and conversations to better understand the experiences and challenges women face in the technology industry. What made it hard was moving beyond assumptions and building something that was both relevant and impactful. The journey taught me a lot and broadened my perspective in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Describe a time the feedback culture here genuinely helped you.

A few years ago, I received feedback that I needed to manage my time and energy better to avoid burnout. At the time, I was saying yes to almost everything and taking on more than I could sustainably manage. The feedback helped me become more intentional about prioritization, setting boundaries, and focusing on what creates the most value. It wasn’t easy to hear, but it has helped me become more effective and sustainable in the long run.

What has surprised you most about being here?

What surprised me most was how consistently the values are lived in everyday work. The culture of care is real, people check in on each other, step in when someone needs support, and genuinely want colleagues to succeed. At the same time, there’s a high degree of trust. People are encouraged to take ownership, make decisions, and experiment without fear of blame if outcomes aren’t perfect. That balance of accountability and psychological safety has been both refreshing and motivating.

What keeps you here?

The learning. Every year has brought new industries, new client challenges, new responsibilities, and new opportunities to stretch myself. The pace of learning and the variety of experiences have ensured that I continue to grow both professionally and personally.

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He has more than 25 years of experience in General Management, Marketing and Sales in blue-chip MNCs (Baxter, Zimmer Biomet, Teleflex) and Indian healthcare Companies like Sun Pharma and Micro Labs. Also, another significant experience has been working with cross-cultural, regional and global teams with reporting into matrix structures.

This deep engagement has greatly helped him understand and work with the aspirations, challenges, and opportunities of a diverse group of corporate professionals.

With an Ikigai defined for himself as “Rise and help others excel,” he finds his calling in working with people and helping them shine in their endeavors. The same spirit inspired him to work with young minds at Narsee Monjee and prepare them well for entering and influencing the fast-growing Healthcare Industry.

He is also a certified trainer for Professional Selling Skills and believes that we all keep influencing various people around us and thus, sales is but a natural process.

In the Healthcare space, he has piloted a Mobile Learning Center to take the OT experience to Tier 2/ Tier 3 towns for Orthopedic Healthcare professionals to sharpen their craft. The initiative won him the Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Leadership.

“I have been fortunate to have my learning shaped through interesting long term and short term courses by some of the very reputed Institutes like Chicago Business School, XLRI, ASCI and IIM(B)” says Sanjay.

An avid reader, he also writes poems and blogs. Travel and music make him happy. He also enjoys traveling to many parts of the world, understanding people and cultures across borders.

Describe Your Experience At Focusu

I joined FocusU a year back and if I were to give a word to the past one year in my professional life, I would call it a “metamorphosis” year. I understood myself better, tried things which I have never done before. started awkward, got great guidanceand feedforward to expand skills and to improve.

What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?

I experienced the joy of learning at focus you. as I learnt various leadership frameworks, I realized how well they all are interconnected! This interconnectedness suddenly hits you as a revelation and creates a map in your mind, of leadership as it ought to be. Every new thing you learn thereafter effortlessly sits on the map and makes it richer.

What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?

It doesn’t even seem like work anymore. You get to do things you are passionate about you contribute and feel a joy in doing so.

What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?

Unwavering trust which team members have on each other

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

The work which we get to do here, the influence we bring to the lives of so many professionals helping them to be a better version of themselves.

What Attracted You To Focusu?

The class of Facilitators and their humility.

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A person with a perennial smile on his face, he is the stand-up comedian in the team. With him around, there is never a dull moment – whether at office or during any of the FOCUS programs. The positivity that he brings in rubs off on everyone around – FOCUS Facilitators and workshop participants!

When he is not busy cracking jokes and making people laugh, he can be seen deeply immersed playing around with new gadgets. Technology and gadgets are his second love. His first love being the full moon (we cannot reveal more).

Post his graduation from Delhi University, Sanchit worked as a retail representative in Hewlett Packard for 3 years. In his own words, “I never thought of becoming an Instructor in FocusU, but the moment I heard about the concept of Adventure, Play and Learning coming together, I could not stop myself from joining FOCUS”.

Sanchit is an active sportsman, who loves playing cricket and volleyball.

His motto in life has always been”To make his own presence and work count”. He does much more than that in his work here at FOCUS.

Describe a time the feedback culture here genuinely helped you

At FocusU, feedback is referred to as feedforward. When I first heard the term, I remember wondering, “What difference does it really make?” Over the years, however, I’ve come to understand and experience the power behind it.

I’ve received feedforward many times at FocusU, but one piece has stayed with me for years: “Shera, you need to read more books and learn new words.”

It sounded simple at the time, but I took it seriously. Because of that suggestion, I started reading regularly, explored a wide range of books, and developed a genuine love for learning new words. What began as a small improvement area gradually became a habit.

Looking back, I can clearly see how that one piece of feedforward helped me grow—not just in communication, but also in the way I learn and express myself. That’s the beauty of honest feedforward: it doesn’t dwell on the past; it helps you build a better future.

What has surprised you most about being here?

One thing that has always surprised and inspired me is how we continue to evolve, adapt, and reinvent ourselves. Whether it’s our business approach, our taglines, or the way we engage with clients, we are never afraid to challenge the status quo.

At times, it feels like we’re a group of teenagers—curious, energetic, and always ready to jump into a new ocean of opportunities. We don’t cling to old ways of doing things simply because they’ve worked in the past.

What I admire most is our willingness to experiment, fail fast, learn quickly, and move forward. Every challenge becomes a learning opportunity, and every change becomes a chance to grow. That mindset of continuous adaptation is what keeps us relevant, innovative, and excited about the future.

How would you describe the culture to a friend in one honest sentence?

I never feel the need to explain FocusU’s culture to anyone. The smile on my face, the pride I carry, and the growth I’ve experienced over the years speak far louder than words ever could. It is reflected in the way we work, the way we support one another, and the way we celebrate each other’s successes.

For me, FocusU’s culture isn’t something that needs to be described; it’s something that is felt and experienced every single day.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

I believe everyone has the opportunity to grow, evolve, and create a meaningful life for themselves.

If you start believing that you have arrived, that you know everything, and that there is nothing left to learn, then growth comes to a halt. And honestly, with that mindset, you may find yourself in the wrong organization.

That hunger to learn and grow is what keeps us moving forward.

Neeraj is giving thought on his profile, meanwhile you can read his experience at FocusU

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What’s a piece of work here you’re genuinely proud of – and what made it hard?

I’m proud of earning the trust of my clients and building partnerships that have led to meaningful impact and repeat opportunities. It wasn’t easy—making a career transition into learning and development meant I had to continuously learn, deeply understand my clients’ context, and consistently show up with value. The warmth, trust and confidence my clients have placed in me have made the journey incredibly rewarding.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do before FocusU?

Hold a room.

Before FocusU, I could present and influence—but facilitation is different. It requires letting go of your own agenda and working with what’s in the room. I can now design and facilitate complex, multi-day learning experiences, read group dynamics in real time, and coach participants in the moment—none of that was in my toolkit before.

I’ve also learned to challenge senior leaders with confidence, not just deliver to them. And perhaps equally valuable, I’ve made peace with failure and difficult moments—even learned to laugh at them. Things don’t always go to plan, and holding that lightly has made me a better facilitator and a better human.

How has life at FocusU been different?

It’s been one of the few places where I’ve felt trusted to bring my authentic self to work. I’ve been encouraged to experiment, learn from mistakes, wear multiple hats, and pursue areas I’m genuinely passionate about. That level of ownership and trust has helped me grow professionally and personally.

What keeps you here?

The people, the culture of learning, and a freedom that’s rare in a professional environment. I enjoy working with colleagues who genuinely care about each other and about doing meaningful work. Equally important are the co-founders—the ease of working with them, the lightness and transparency they bring, and their unwavering commitment to putting culture above everything else make FocusU a place I genuinely want to be part of.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

Someone looking for rigid structures, fixed job boundaries, constant direction, or a very formal workplace may find it challenging. FocusU is a great fit for people who enjoy ownership, continuous learning, adaptability, a sense of humour, and contributing beyond what’s written in their job description.

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He holds a diploma in Hospitality Studies from the Association of Business Executives (London) and carries 20+ years’ experience navigating into an industry where personalized service and standards of quality are core elements.

Always eager to embrace new and exciting opportunities, he enthusiastically decided to share his wealth of expertise with the next generation. His journey led him to coach students at the prestigious Hotel School of Mauritius. Later, he seized the chance to contribute to a social integration program through a literacy project for adults, embarking on a profound human adventure. This experience offered him invaluable insights into people’s innate capacity to learn and evolve into their best selves.

Ashwan recognizes that change is a natural cycle for every business, emphasizing the importance of adaptability to new environments and methods for long-term sustainability. He remains committed to continual learning and personal growth, rooted in the belief that humility should be the starting point of every individual’s journey. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ashwan’s life orbits around cherished moments with family, friends & loved ones, traveling and spiritual practice.

Describe Your Experience At Focusu

It feels safe to be among people who genuinely care about your well-being. Every day is an adventure with new trails to explore and fresh challenges to live up to. Even on a bad day, you come back home with a smile on your face knowing your team members had your back. The organization adapts to changes quickly and tries on new things standing firm in its belief that there is no such thing as failure but only learning instead.

What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?

Home is where the heart belongs.

How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?

It is like a laboratory of experiments where everyone comes up with a new idea after having read a book, seen a movie, undergone an experience or having had an epiphany. There are no barriers to sharing candidly one’s opinions and the diverse mindsets all align with the CHOPS values creating a culture of positive happenings. Focus on your strengths but don’t forget to work on your weaknesses.

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

The space given to everyone to grow and bloom and the fact that people depict an inner talent in you that you yourself never really paid attention to. Developing capabilities is a key element which eventually serves a greater purpose. The onboarding process is unconventional and engaging. The co-founders set the example all the time, they are very inspiring and approachable despite their workload. Our director is very caring and always on the lookout to find creative ways of doing things.

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Passion for inner growth and transformation has been Nirupama’s driving force. Having the inherent faith that every human being has beauty, capabilities and great potential within their core, she strives to create and promote a nurturing culture that gives every person the opportunity to blossom to their fullest potential

She believes in living life in the present moment with commitment and enthusiasm. Having an artistic orientation, she loves to create Art and collectibles!!

Being a social service enthusiast, she has conducted several Health and Happiness workshops through the voluntary activities of the Art of Living. Early morning yoga and meditation sessions are her non-negotiable activities for the day!!

Describe Your Experience At Focusu

I have recently joined FocusU as Operations and Client Experience Manager. Right from Day1, the team has exuded such warmth and care that I already feel I belong here for years. The values of CHOPS are embedded within every aspect of work and life at FocusU and that resonates with me at so many levels. The team truly believes in “We before Me” and it is uplifting to see each one pitching in and supporting the other in all aspects of work and life.

What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?

The most important factor was the human approach and the way the whole hiring process was conducted. It went much beyond just interviews but rather felt like conversations with friends and well wishers. Also, the culture and CHOPS played an important role as well.

How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?

It is a beautiful symphony of diverse mindsets, opinions, approaches and ideas that blend seamlessly into creating something wonderful. We focus on strengths and believe in empowering each other. It is a space for creativity to blossom and ideas to flourish.

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

I love the flexibility and the autonomy given to everyone. There is a solid onboarding process in place that helps to integrate new joinees seamlessly into the organization. A lot of guidance and mentorship is given which goes a long way into developing capabilities. In a way, all teams reflect each other in terms of responsibility, ownership and care. Everyone is extremely approachable, including the cofounders; which is so inspiring.

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Shubham is a Client Advisory Associate at FocusU.

Shubham hails from Kolkata, West Bengal, and is a graduate in Tourism Studies. He has previously worked for two edtech companies before joining FocusU, contributing to the operations and customer success and relationship management teams.

Shubham has a deep urge to travel and has journeyed to more than 48 destinations, both within India and abroad. His core strengths are integrity and ownership, which he brings to every aspect of his work.

Before joining FocusU, Shubham’s diverse experiences in the edtech industry have equipped him with a unique blend of skills in operations and customer relationship management. His passion for travel not only broadens his horizons but also enriches his interactions with clients and colleagues alike.

During his free time, Shubham enjoys spending quality time with his family. While he doesn’t have a specific hobby, his love for traveling remains a significant part of his life.

Shubham’s dedication to his work, coupled with his passion for exploration, makes him an individual who is always keen to learn and try everything. He firmly believes in the company’s tagline, “WE BEFORE ME,” and strives to uplift everyone around him.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do before FocusU?

I have learned to take real ownership of work from start to finish. Earlier I would think of my role as completing the task in front of me; now I can run a piece end-to-end — coordinating with clients, managing the data and CRM behind it, and keeping the moving parts aligned, while actually understanding how it ties back to the bigger picture. That shift from “doing tasks” to “owning outcomes” is probably the biggest thing FocusU has given me.

What has surprised you most about being here?

How transparent the leadership is. Coming in, I expected the usual layers where you filter what you say depending on who’s in the room. Here it’s the opposite. You can ask a question, raise a concern, or push back at any level and you’ll get a straight, honest answer. That openness sets the tone for everything else, and it’s not something I expected to find so consistently.

How would you describe the culture to a friend in one honest sentence?

It’s a place where people genuinely show up for each other every day, where you’re trusted to do good work without someone constantly looking over your shoulder — and that trust is felt in how the team works.

What keeps you here?

Honestly, it’s the everyday experience of working here. The teammates are supportive, the conversations are honest, and there’s real freedom to take ownership and grow. Leadership being transparent means you always know where you stand, and the team makes it a genuinely positive place to come to every day. That combination — trust, openness, and good people is rare, and it’s what keeps me invested.

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About Samyuktha

A native Coimbatorian, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Ramalingam. My journey began at The Camford International School and continued in Chennai, where I earned a degree in Accounting and Finance followed by a master’s in Human Resource Management.

I seized every chance to hone my leadership and management skills during school and college, including a transformative summer program at UMass Lowell focused on managerial leadership. My internships with Ernst and Young in talent acquisition and L&T Construction in Learning & Development added practical experience to my academic foundation.

After a brief stint at L&T Construction as a PGT HR, I returned to Coimbatore and found my place in the FocusU family as a Learning Assistant, contributing to the gamification design team.

I find joy in the little things and believe in giving 100% effort, no matter the task. Weekends are spent at our ancestral farm, irrigating trees and indulging my love for farming. Naturally sociable, I easily make friends but keep a close-knit circle of trusted companions, with my mom being my best friend. My insatiable hunger for learning new things is what fuels my passion and keeps me moving forward.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do before FocusU?

I am far more comfortable taking ownership of complex projects, managing diverse stakeholders, and navigating ambiguity. Most importantly, I’ve learned to approach challenges with confidence, curiosity, and a solution-oriented mindset.

How has life at FocusU been different?

FocusU has given me the freedom to learn by doing. I’ve been trusted with responsibility early on, encouraged to experiment, and supported through both successes and setbacks. That trust has accelerated my growth in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

What keeps you here?

The people. I work with individuals who genuinely care, challenge me to grow, and are always willing to lend a hand. The culture of CHOPS makes FocusU a place where I feel valued, supported, and inspired.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

FocusU is best suited for people who enjoy taking initiative, embracing uncertainty, and continuously learning and evolving. Those who prefer rigid structures and clear-cut boundaries may find it less comfortable.

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In every person, there lies a hero waiting to rise, a leader ready to unlock the greatness within. My journey has been a quest to help individuals and teams discover that truth. With over 11 years in the transformative field of experiential learning, I’ve been on a mission to craft experiences that do more than educate—they elevate. Whether it’s guiding a fresh graduate stepping into the corporate world or a global leader seeking to sharpen their edge, my goal has always been the same: to help them see that they are capable of far more than they realize.

Life is the ultimate classroom, and like a skilled architect, I draw lessons from every moment. Whether I’m playing football, where strategy meets spontaneity, or immersing myself in the awe-inspiring documentaries on National Geographic, I find that the world offers endless opportunities to learn, grow, and inspire. These moments of insight shape the way I approach my work, turning every workshop into a journey of self-discovery and peak performance.

I believe in the power of potential, the idea that each of us is meant to do something remarkable. My passion is to help others tap into that power, to guide them as they unleash their full capacity and step into their own greatness. Because when we elevate ourselves, we elevate the world around us—and that’s the true mark of a leader.

I’m proud of the fact that over the last 10 years I’ve been able to reinvent myself multiple times within FocusU – from facilitator, to facilitator coach, to category manager.

Each transition was hard because it required me to build on what I was already good at while simultaneously learning something new. Every new role came with a different set of challenges and expectations, and I had to become comfortable being a beginner again.

Have you been able to follow your own interests? How?

Over the years, I’ve been able to learn new behavioural science topics I am interested in to facilitate a wide variety of workshops. More recently, I’ve enjoyed exploring experiential learning products and discovering world-class activities from around the world that we can bring into our portfolio.

What keeps you here?

Freedom.

I like balancing individual contribution with collaborating as part of a larger team, and I’ve been given that space here. I also enjoy working with smart, grounded colleagues who genuinely care about doing good work.

Who would not thrive at FocusU?

If you’re a very rigid person, you may find FocusU stressful.

We’re a highly agile organisation. We frequently change the way we do things, redefine problems, and regroup in new ways to solve them. Someone who prefers a highly structured environment with clear playbooks for everything may find it challenging to adapt.

Simran has taken a unique career path, eventually discovering her passion for instructional design. She holds a master’s degree in English literature and language and a postgraduate degree in instructional design. Since the age of 18, Simran has been gaining experience in various roles, honing her skills. Before joining FocusU, she worked as an instructional designer in the AR/VR field but was looking for an opportunity that better matched her professional goals and personal interests, which led her to FocusU.

Simran loves diving into new topics and exploring them in-depth. She takes a systematic approach to learning and enjoys discovering new tools and applications. Her personality and values are deeply influenced by her family

Experience at FocusU:

What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?

The respect and genuine interest shown throughout the interview process were commendable and indicative of a healthy and thriving organization, which led me to this fantastic decision.

How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?

FocusU’s culture is rooted in the core values of CHOPS, which connect to everything we do here. It isn’t just a page of values or something printed on a leaflet; it’s an impactful and truly practiced belief system.

What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?

The values are upheld in every aspect, whether in meetings or general catch-ups. Everyone associated with the team is genuinely interested in helping and setting you up for success.

What Do You Like Best About Working Here?

The chance to learn and explore more about the field and the team. Despite being remote, I’ve found so many interesting anecdotes with almost everyone that it doesn’t feel like I haven’t known the team for a long time.