Ravi Kikan Appointed Chief Marketing Officer at HONO

Aditya Thakur took helm as Sr Director – Business Development at BetterPlace, a leading workforce management and compliance platform enabling enterprises to build reliable, scalable, and trusted frontline workforces. With a strong focus on technology-led trust, efficiency, and employability, the company plays a critical role in strengthening India’s blue- and grey-collar workforce ecosystem. Before joining BetterPlace, Aditya Thakur built a high-impact career across NewGen Gurukul, Grow0to10, 1Lattice, Awign, StartupLanes, LancerGuru, OysterConnect, Sookshm: Your Growth is our Business, Hector Beverages, iYogi, and Convergys. Across these organizations, he was widely recognized for scaling revenue, building GTM engines, advising startups on execution discipline, and driving sustainable business growth through structured sales and strategy frameworks. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Asian Institute of Management and completed a Leadership with AI certification from Indian School of Business, reflecting a strong blend of business leadership, startup acumen, and AI-driven strategic thinking. With this appointment, Aditya Thakur brings execution-focused leadership, startup-first mindset, and growth-driven vision that are set to accelerate BetterPlace’s business expansion, strengthen market partnerships, and drive long-term value creation across the workforce technology ecosystem. #execpulse #EXECPULSE #VahaanBazarPrivateLimited #vahaanbazar #Leadership #CorporateNews #CLevelMoves #BusinessUpdate #IndustryInsights

Ravi Kikan appointed as Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at HONO. In this role, he is working on building a multi-country, multi-module global HRMS enterprise platform, leading global go-to-market strategy, growth, and brand expansion for modern HR and enterprise businesses. He also serves as Advisory Board Member at nasscom insights and Board Advisor at Earth5R, supporting sustainability-led business models and strategic communication frameworks that connect impact with scalable growth. Previously, he was Global Chief Marketing Officer at United We Care India, where he led global GTM, digital sales, and product marketing for AI-driven mental health solutions, and earlier Director – Marketing, Online Sales & Growth at ZingHR, establishing international expansion and channel programs. His career also includes leadership roles at Plus Offices, Panaesha Capital, and Indiabulls, along with mentoring startups through MentorEdge (CIIE-IIM Ahmedabad) and authoring multiple startup-focused books on Amazon. With experience across HRTech, healthtech, fintech, proptech, and startup ecosystems, he brings cross-industry growth and transformation expertise to HONO. #LeadershipAppointment #HRTech #GrowthMarketing #GTMStrategy #CXODrive

As businesses grow, marketing decisions start carrying greater weight, from market positioning to growth strategy. Many organisations realize they need the experience and perspective of a #CMO, but bringing one in full-time may not always be the most practical step. This is where Fractional CMOs come in. They offer seasoned CMO expertise at a fraction of the cost, without the commitment of a full-time role, helping businesses bring strategic marketing direction exactly when it is needed. If you are looking for a #FractionalCMO for your business, IndusGuru Network Partners can help. Our platform connects businesses with seasoned fractional leaders who bring years of experience to solve unique business challenges. To learn more, visit https://www.indusguru.in or reach out to us at info@indusguru.in. Follow us at IndusGuru Network Partners. #IndusGuru #IndusGuruGlobalConsultants #FractionalHiring #Marketing #IndependentConsultants #ChiefMarketingOfficer #India

In today’s business environment, growth is no longer confined by geography. It moves across markets, across systems, and often across complex global realities that demand both precision and foresight. At CorporateConnections® Baroda, our upcoming Chapter Meeting brings this into focus through a conversation on #globaltrade, logistics, and strategic business growth. The Spotlight Presentation will feature Mr Mitesh Pandya, Founder of Almighty Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd, who will share insights from the world of shipping, logistics, and freight forwarding. His perspective goes beyond movement of goods and into the thinking required to navigate global trade. From managing evolving shipping routes to adapting to geopolitical shifts, the session will explore how businesses, especially SMEs, can position themselves more strategically in an increasingly interconnected world. Complementing this, the evening will also feature CC Hacks by Mr Himadri Shailendra Sinha (ICF Professional), Managing Partner at Countrywide Learning Systems, on OKR – The Growth Hack Behind Great Companies. This framework has helped organisations bring clarity to ambition by translating big goals into structured priorities and measurable outcomes. In a landscape where direction often determines momentum, such clarity becomes a true advantage. What makes these sessions meaningful is not just the content, but the environment in which they unfold. When #leaders come together with openness and intent, conversations move beyond information and begin to shape perspective. At CorporateConnections® Baroda, these are not just meetings. They are spaces where leaders step back, think deeper, and engage in conversations that influence real decisions. Looking forward to an evening of insights, learning, and meaningful business conversations.

Honoured to be presenting at the upcoming CorporateConnections® Baroda Chapter Meeting! 🌐 Through my journey with Almighty Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd, I have come to believe that global trade is as much about strategic thinking as it is about moving goods. I look forward to sharing perspectives on navigating shipping routes, freight forwarding, and the geopolitical realities that impact businesses — especially SMEs — in today's interconnected world. Grateful to CorporateConnections® Baroda for creating a platform where leaders engage in conversations that truly matter. See you in the room! 🙏 #GlobalTrade #Logistics #FreightForwarding #CorporateConnections #SME

🌐 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 by Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Digital marketplaces and platform businesses are transforming industries connecting multiple stakeholders, enabling seamless transactions, and creating entirely new business ecosystems. 📘 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟯-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 is designed to help leaders understand how to design, coordinate, and scale multisided platforms while managing complex stakeholder relationships and platform dynamics. 🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: ✔️ Pipelines vs Platform business models ✔️ Market-making and value creation in digital platforms ✔️ Coordinating multiple stakeholders across platform ecosystems ✔️ Managing disintermediation and platform competition ✔️ Scaling and sustaining multisided platform businesses 👥 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱? • Co-founders and Entrepreneurs building marketplaces • Senior Leaders designing platform-based business models • Managers transitioning organizations from pipeline to platform strategies 🎓 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. Saral Mukherjee 📅 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 Programme Dates: 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟬𝟰 – 𝟬𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Early Bird Discount Deadline: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Last Date to Apply: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🔗 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: https://lnkd.in/d7dka897 #IIMAhmedabad #IIMA #IIMAExEd #ExecutiveEducation #DigitalPlatforms #PlatformBusiness #MarketplaceStrategy #PlatformEconomy #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #PlatformLeadership #TechLeadership #PlatformInnovation

Ravi Kikan has been appointed as Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at HONO, where he will lead the mission to build a multi-country, multi-module global HRMS enterprise product. Based in Gurugram, Ravi is responsible for scaling HONO’s global footprint, driving product innovation for modern HR needs, and overseeing growth strategies for progressive businesses worldwide. This appointment follows his impactful tenure as Global Chief Marketing Officer at United We Care India, where he was a founding team member and played a key role in launching “Stella,” the world’s first Generative AI-powered digital human virtual coach for mental health. With over two decades of experience in the tech and digital ecosystem, Ravi has established himself as a respected growth leader, startup mentor, and author. Earlier, he served as Director of Marketing, Online Sales & Growth at ZingHR (backed by Tata Capital Growth Fund II), where he built the global marketing function from the ground up and led a major corporate identity transformation. A prominent figure in the startup ecosystem, Ravi is an Advisory Board Member at NASSCOM Insights and a long-standing mentor with MentorEdge (IIM Ahmedabad). He is also the author of best-selling books including How To Validate Your Startup Business Idea and Bounce Back Now. By combining deep expertise in Generative AI, HRTech, and global go-to-market strategy, Ravi now spearheads HONO’s international growth mandate and next phase of expansion. Global Entrepreneurs Today wishes him continued success in this exciting new chapter. #LeadershipUpdate #ChiefMarketingOfficer #GrowthLeadership #HONO #HRTech #HRMS #GenerativeAI #StartupEcosystem #DigitalTransformation #CareerMilestone #GlobalGrowth #GlobalEntrepreneursToday

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗲𝘀 recently highlighted a clear structural shift in leadership roles. Roles are becoming more 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 and 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 and companies are increasingly turning to fractional leaders to bring in targeted expertise without committing to permanent structures. Some recent use cases we see at IndusGuru Network Partners -  1. A 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗠𝗡𝗖 engaging an #InterimCHRO as an urgent backfill to tackle a time-bound HR agenda to implement new labour codes  2. A 𝗣𝗘 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 engaging an #InterimCFO to take charge of the value sustaining / creating agenda at an HealthTech investee company 3. A privately held 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 firm that needs a #Fractional CHRO to implement their new performance management system Any situation - where s𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 / 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹. If you are looking for a 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 or 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺 leader for your unique business needs, reach out to us at info@indusguru.in. Follow us at IndusGuru Network Partners Shanu Malkani Neha Jain Sarma Garimella Anand Raman Vikas Shinde (SPHRi) Lalit Dutt Vinay Singhal Arun Gupta CA Vaishali Bhandari Payal Hemdev #IndusGuru #IndusGuruGlobalConsultants #FractionalHiring #Leadership #ExecutiveHiring #FractionalCXO #Hiring #Forbes #India

Had the privilege of sitting across one of India's most quietly powerful builders today —Dr. Anand Deshpande Founder of Persistent Systems. He built a $1.4 billion company from a 350 sq ft office in Pune with just $21,000. But what struck me most wasn't the numbers. It was his softness. His humility. The way he spoke about building — slowly, deliberately, with purpose. Some powerful leadership insights from Mr. Anand Deshpande at today’s Creators Conclave held at the Persistent office, Pune. 1. Paint the picture – Set the goal Leaders must clearly visualize the future. When the goal is well defined, the market begins to move towards you. In business, capturing even 20% of a well-defined market can establish true leadership. The key is to define the market correctly and position yourself so the market naturally gravitates to your strengths. 2. Leadership means expanding the market If your company already holds more than 50% of a market, the challenge is not just defending it — but growing the market itself. True leaders create new opportunities rather than competing in limited spaces. 3. The journey from “Me” to “We” Great organizations move beyond individual success. It is about working with people, not for personal recognition. The company remains at the center — balancing ownership with professional management. 4. The importance of mentors and governance Strong organizations build systems of accountability through mentors, Boards of Directors, and advisory boards. Regular quarterly engagement ensures strategic guidance, discipline, and long-term thinking. The man who built one of India's greatest tech companies reminded a room full of creators that we are building something too. Don't underestimate what you're doing. Build it like a business. Persist. Thank you, Dr. Deshpande. This one stayed with me. 🙏 Leadership, ultimately, is about vision, collaboration, and accountability. Also special thanks to my friend Ajay Kautikwar for inviting me to this amazing conclave. Thank you deAsra Foundation for organising this event. Presented a book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick to Dr. Deshpande. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #Learning

As we accelerate into Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation, the ultimate competitive advantage won't actually be our technology. It will be the "Human Operating System" running it. Thank you to MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune and BeingHR for the invitation to join this Round Table. I am incredibly looking forward to Friday's conversation in Gandhinagar about how we balance rapid technological change with the timeless need for Emotional Intelligence, adaptability, and human-centric leadership. If you are attending the Conclave this Friday, please come say hello!