20 Career Tips To Me From 20 Years Ago

Mainak Dhar

On July 1, 1996, exactly twenty years ago to the day, I entered an office for the first time ever in a full-time job and began my career in the corporate sector. On that day as I contemplated what my boss would be like, what work I would be given, and indeed, what was for lunch, I don’t think I would have imagined the journey that lay ahead of me. After twenty years, ten bosses, five moves, four kilos, and a journey that has spanned experiences across many different businesses and countries, I am back where it all began – Mumbai. Did I ever imagine I’d be working in the corporate sector for twenty years? To be honest, perhaps not, but back then a time horizon of a couple of years was long term thinking. As I think back to that twenty-two-year-old me sitting in the reception, waiting to collect my visitor ID badge, if I had the chance, what would I say to myself? Here’s an attempt.

dogs at work

Meet 17 Indian Startups That Allow Pets In The Office

OfficeChai Team

One of the toughest parts of being away at work for 12 hours a day is being away from your pet. Most people shy away from keeping pets, or are forced to give up their pets to shelters because of work commitments. While most companies abroad allow pets, in India it still remains a much desired perk. However, many startups across the metros are taking matters of the fur into their hands, and welcoming pets into their offices. (Or cafes and studios for that matter.) Here’s some of the startups in India that are pet friendly, along with the pets that grace their offices.

Pakistani Startups Inspired By Every Top Indian Startup

OfficeChai Team

India’s neighbour and archrival, Pakistan has a counterpart for every top Indian startup there is, right from Flipkart to Naukri.com to Zomato. Pakistani startups may have a long way to go in terms of investment rounds, the look and feel of the website and app, and market penetration, the presence of these established startups is a handy reckoner of its potential. And while India is sometimes accused of following US and China models of startups, it’s in a way redeeming to say that many of India’s homegrown startups have inspired the same in its neighbour country.
Here’s a look at top 12 Pakistani startups, along with their Indian inspiration.

Things Every Bangalorean Needs To Do Right Now To Save The City

OfficeChai Team

Everyone is a part of contributing to the legend that Bangalore is, as much as the mess it’s come to be. And so the onus of helping this once glorious city restore its rightful title also rests with us. Yes even us urban professionals with a 9 to 5 jobs because the bad news is there are no invisible elves that will fix the city for us. The government isn’t efficient enough to turn this city around overnight. The responsibility of cleaning up after us doesn’t lie with some anonymous good hearted volunteers from NGOs.

The good news is, if all of us did our bits, however little, we should see change. Good news is people are doing it. So, here’s a simple list of things, all of us, can within our capacity help.

Cookaroo, A Food Startup That’s Thriving Amidst Troubled Food Startups

OfficeChai Team

Food startups have been in the news for all the wrong reasons these days, but Cookaroo is not your average food startup. Cookaroo aims to create value by bringing trusted restaurants and customers together, with its ready to eat, affordable and everyday meals. So whether it’s simple dal-chawal or a butter chicken meal, Cookaroo serves those for whom the everyday meal is a challenge. We met with the co-founders of this Bangalore based food startup to know what makes it tick.