Samrat Parasnis - Co-Founder & CRO - ThoughtMinds

Summary

In this engaging discussion, Samat, the co-founder of Thought Minds, shares insights into their innovative sales enablement platform. He emphasizes the importance of customer collaboration in product development and the company's bootstrapped growth approach. The conversation highlights the future of sales enablement, driven by AI and knowledge management, and the need for critical feedback from users. Samat also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, stressing the value of starting early and expressing a hopeful wish for his startup's future success on the NASDAQ. The dialogue blends personal anecdotes with strategic insights, making it a compelling listen for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The platform is designed for customization rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, emphasizing its tailored nature for users.
• 🚀 The CoE team includes co-founders with complementary backgrounds in technology and sales, combining expertise to create the platform.
• 💼 The team consists of about 45 employees, with a majority based in Kochi and some involved in client engagements in the U.S.
• 💡 The company is currently bootstrapped and profitable, focusing on organic growth without immediate funding needs.
• 🔍 Future features include advanced AI analytics and machine learning for better negotiation and objection handling.
• 📈 Knowledge is highlighted as a key differentiator in sales enablement, focusing on providing accurate and unbiased information.
• 🤝 Customer feedback is crucial for product development, with the team actively seeking critiques to improve their tool.
• 📚 The speaker is a published author, having written a thriller titled *The Assignment*, showcasing a passion for writing alongside business.
• 🎯 The company is looking for talent in business development, marketing, and AI/machine learning to support future growth.
• 🏆 The speaker's aspiration is to have their startup listed on NASDAQ, aiming for significant recognition and success in the industry.

Q & A

Who is the CEO of Thought Minds and what is his background?

The CEO of Thought Minds is Rish, who has a strong technology background. He previously founded RapidValue, which grew significantly and was sold to another company in Chennai.

What is the primary expertise that Samat brings to Thought Minds?

Samat brings extensive B2B sales experience, having previously set up a company focused on sales outsourcing and outreach.

How many employees does Thought Minds currently have and where are they based?

Thought Minds has about 45 employees, primarily based in Kochi, with some team members in the U.S. working on client engagements.

What types of positions is Thought Minds looking to fill?

Thought Minds is looking to fill business development roles, marketing positions, and roles that require expertise in AI and machine learning.

What is the current funding status of Thought Minds?

Thought Minds is currently bootstrapped and has not needed to raise funds since their customer engagements are profitable, allowing for reinvestment in the business.

What upcoming features are being developed for Sales Minds?

Upcoming features for Sales Minds include enhanced negotiation and objection handling capabilities, leveraging AI analytics and machine learning to improve sales strategies.

What does Samat believe is crucial for sales enablement in the future?

Samat believes that knowledge, specifically recent, accurate, and unbiased information, will be the key differentiator in sales enablement.

What kind of feedback does Thought Minds seek from potential customers?

Thought Minds is looking for constructive criticism from customers to improve their product, rather than just positive feedback.

What personal writing achievement did Samat mention during the interview?

Samat mentioned that he is a writer and has published a thriller titled 'The Assignment' on Amazon, which he wrote while traveling for work.

What advice does Samat give to young entrepreneurs?

Samat advises young entrepreneurs to start their journeys earlier in life, as he began his own entrepreneurial path at nearly 40 years old.