Building human-centric solutions
About My Role at UST
Transforming the disconnected GenZ into a productive workforce
"Two years ago, I was handpicked to revitalize UST’s fresher program—a key pillar of our talent strategy—at a time when the pandemic had disrupted our engagement model. Leveraging my entrepreneurial experience, I rebuilt this cornerstone initiative from the ground up, addressing both operational challenges and strategic opportunities.”
My Purpose
Empower future entrepreneurs
I want everyone to chase their dreams without being afraid of judgments, failure, and loneliness. I am driven to build an interdependent ecosystem that helps aspiring entrepreneurs solve massive world problems.
Transformational Results Delivered
Working closely with top management, improved several critical business KPIs
Revenue Growth
Achieved a 100% increase in revenue over two years, showcasing the effectiveness of fresher engagement strategies.
Enhanced Revenue per Employee
Boosted average revenue contribution per fresher, reflecting improved productivity and value creation.
Optimized Time-to-Bill
Reduced onboarding duration from 7 months to 4 months, accelerating workforce readiness and business impact.
Reconnected Talent
Re-engaged over 1,500 freshers post-pandemic through targeted initiatives, fostering a culture of belonging and contribution.
Empowered Career
Growth
Enabled over 500 freshers to advance to their next career level through VisionQuest and continuous upskilling programs.
Increased Agility
Leveraged the Internal Gig Work platform to provide freshers with diverse challenges and drive cross-functional collaboration, ensuring organizational agility and innovation.
Key Initiatives at UST
Working closely with top management, my expertise helped in the training and early career development of over 400 graduates at UST.
VisionQuest
VisionQuest is a peer-driven learning community that enables individuals to reconnect with their technical aspirations, experiment with aspirational roles, and grow within a supportive ecosystem.
Helped over 500 freshers transition into higher-value roles, resulting in accelerated career growth and enhanced organizational impact.
Addressed dissatisfaction in legacy roles by equipping participants with cutting-edge skills and aligning them with future-ready opportunities.
Collaborated with organizational leaders to design VisionQuest as a scalable program aligned with business goals and talent strategies.
Saved organizational costs by reducing reliance on external hires for advanced roles, leveraging in-house talent instead.
Campus Program Structuring
Structured the campus program to help freshers transition into their professional career, right from the training period to initial two years of their career at UST.
Innovative Training Approaches: Revolutionized training methods by transitioning to an exclusively offline training format, implementing stringent assessment policies for trainee retention, and introducing NLP-based programs for improved talent development.
Strategic Contributions: Directly reported to the VP of Strategic Initiatives, Vinod Katha, marking him as one of the youngest core team members.
Leadership Collaboration: Worked closely with two VPs of Talent Supply Chain, showcasing his ability to operate at high management levels.
Committee Involvement: Integral role in the campus grad deployment, utilization, and engagement committee.
Hackathon Initiative for Campus Graduates
Led a groundbreaking Hackathon for campus graduates at UST in collaboration with the product team. This initiative was pivotal in enhancing the technical and problem-solving skills of the participants.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Graduates demonstrated a significant 20% self-rated improvement in their technical abilities.
Fostered a Culture of Learning: Successfully introduced 84% of participating graduates to their first Hackathon experience, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Technological Versatility: Encouraged graduates to utilize a diverse range of technologies, highlighting their adaptability and refusal to be confined to a single language or tool.
Product Life Cycle Workshop Initiative
Introduced comprehensive Product Life Cycle based workshops designed to provide campus graduates with a detailed understanding of the entire product development process.This initiative not only enhanced the graduates' understanding of product management but also prepared them for real-world challenges, aligning with UST's broader goals of fostering innovation and professional development.
Improved Lifecycle Understanding: Guided the participants from concept ideation to product end-of-life, offering a complete view of the product journey.
Market Analysis Skills: Trained freshers in assessing market trends, understanding customer needs, and conducting competitor analysis for informed decision-making.
Strategy Development: Aided in the creation of strategies for product development, focusing on discovering new opportunities.
Problem-Solving Expertise: Equipped participants with skills to address challenges at each product lifecycle stage.
My Driving Force
Übermensch 💪
Übermensch comes from the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche outlined in his 1883 book 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra.Übermensch is about overcoming the existential nihilism in the world. An overman (Ubermensch) is an individual who is so heroic and has such inexorable will that he can create his moral compass, independent from the homogenous moral code.For the said person, morality is a creative act, for he revalues all pre-existing morality and norms.
You're designed for greatness.
Humanity's primary goal is to create 'great humans' (Ubermensch) who drive humanity's progress and evolution.Everyone's designed to be that person. You just need the right direction. Even you...
Skills & foresight are your weapons.
I am a blockchain expert who knows a thing or two about entrepreneurship. I use my skills to solve humanity's problems.I help others to realize their potential by unearthing powerful skills within their personality.
You're not alone in all this.
There are others before you, in the past, who've felt the same agony, and there will be people after you in the future, too.You're not alone in your journey. You have to find the right partner/co-founder/mentor.
Keen to know more?
Let's talk...
I am excited to talk to you...
I have always loved talking about ideas. Thanks for reaching out. I can't wait to call you and understand more about working together.Give me some time, and I will contact you soon! Meanwhile, feel free to read more about my work and check out the free resources on the website.If it's urgent, drop me a text at +91 97457 33348 or email at u.s.ananthakrishnan@gmail.com.
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You seem to have a keen interest in knowing about me….
Let me tell you
who I really am…
You can decide later if you think I can help you with your entrepreneurial journey after hearing me out! You can decide later if you think I can help you with your entrepreneur journey after hearing me out!
My Story
Discovering myself
As a child, I was always fascinated by the 'greatness of man'. And when I got the chance, I started the pursuit of greatness through the world of coding.I always wanted to create something that brought a change in the world, but like every young mind pursuing greatness and happiness, I stayed in my own world.This changed when I joined college. I felt I could put my energy, drive and acquired knowledge to good use.But like everything in life, here too, I had to find my calling, carve out a plan, and make the best out of available opportunities.Graduating in a country where grades are everything — for parents, teachers, even your peers can be stressful, especially when you're chasing bigger things in life — like finding a purpose.But I was fortunate to have got the support of everyone around me — parents, professors, friends, and even fellow students.Early in my life, this support system made me realize a vital piece of information — you cannot achieve greatness alone. You always need solid support in life — professionally and personally, too.The support I got from everyone made me chase opportunities that others can only dream of while studying in a government college.
Flirting with an Opportunity of a Lifetime
Chasing the Hackathon dream
In my first year, I found a friend, a companion in my neighbourhood — Azhar Sham, a UI design enthusiast and a genuine human.Together, we realized that instead of waiting for opportunities to knock on our door (and chase greatness), we'd have to break a sweat ourselves.
The world I come from doesn't appreciate (and offer) practical exposure and opportunities in college. So, I started looking for options and eventually found the exciting world of coding Hackathon.With Azhar, I co-founded AbleAlly — a super-focused team dedicated to solving world problems using our tech know-how (and maybe win a few hackathons in the process.Our first tech team consisted of five people – Azhar took care of Product Design & UX, Adarsh Ratna JS, Vignesh Gopan & Sharath Vinod took care of the frontend/backend coding while I took care of the strategy and management.
And our gamble worked well too.
| Event | Organizer | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Hackathon | Babel Cover in association with Blockchain Association of Ireland and Epic Knowledge Society | First runner up |
| Hackathon | DORAHACKS | Second runner up |
| NIPP Blockchain Challenge 2018 | LTI Powered by NASSCOM | National-level finalists |
| IBC Hack 2018 | International Blockchain Congress | National-level finalists |
| Blockathon 2018 | TCS | Finalists |
| Hackathon | Finastra | Finalists |
| Ideathon | Allianz | Finalists |
| Enginx 2018 | TCS | Round 4 Qualifiers |
A Gamble That Worked Really Well
AbleAlly’s Achievements
Throughout my college years, I participated in several hackathons with AbleAlly.We ideated and launched three production-ready blockchain projects — a blockchain-based certificate issuing validation system for universities (BIoCERT), an intelligent health care system powered by hyper ledger fabric and a compliance management system.As a result of our solutions, we became runner-ups in global hackathons organized by prestigious organizations like Babel Cover, DORAHACKS, NASSCOM, International Blockchain Congress, TCS and Allianz.
Way Ahead
Beyond college...
Like every particle with potential energy, I too had to transform — move towards something concrete, just like kinetic energy.And what does one do in India when they have something to show off right after college?He takes up a job. And like millions of others, I also signed up for a job right after college. The prospect of a fixed paycheck lured me in.But for the person I am, a conventional job wasn't the right way forward. So, in 2020, when the whole world was under lockdown, I took a self-realization journey.An online course on NLP triggered a new perspective in my brain about the world. It made me rethink my purpose, work, and the way I approached things. I started reading more and more. Found the works of Jordan Peterson,Friedrich Nietzsche,Carl Jung, and Franz Kafka.I realized that I am not what I am trying to be — I can't fit in the world in the conventional form and want to do something for the greater good and the world.
The Future for Me
Supporting entrepreneurs
Since the early days, I have strived for a better tomorrow than today.When people tell me about their dreams, my instant response is to try and help them reach their goals.The same thought (and my lockdown reflections and reads) made me start building an interdependent ecosystem where I (and others) can help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.Nietzsche and Kafka died extremely unhappy, wanting to show that they didn't die in vain. I don't want to be like them and hence, strive to use my journey to offer you a guiding light and a companion you can trust (and share your dreams with).
I am more than a consultant & companion
I am a team builder, supporter, and entrepreneur on-board
Having worked for years in the industry, I am experienced in driving a mindset shift and building an entrepreneurial ecosystem within companies, universities, and organizations.
Work Experience
As a Fresher Engagement Manager
UST
As a Fresher Engagement Manager at UST, I worked closely with fresh tech graduates. I led the design and implementation of the campus program, overseeing the training and early career development of over 400 graduates.
Collaborated closely with top management, including direct reporting to the VP of Strategic Initiatives.
Played a pivotal role in the campus graduate deployment, utilization, and engagement team.
Introduced innovative training policies, including NLP-based engagement programs for talent segmentation.
Orchestrated the onboarding of campus graduates, ensuring their smooth transition into the organization.
Facilitated over 25 leadership connections, exposing graduates to diverse business domains. Reconnected over 500 campus graduates during the pandemic, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
Deployed 100+ graduates to various projects, matching their skills and interests with organizational needs.
Conducted skill validation assessments to maintain the quality of talent within the organization.
Offered career coaching to graduates, aiding them in aligning their career aspirations with organizational policies.
Developed and led several Product Life Cycle workshops, enhancing understanding of product development from concept to end-of-life.
Initiated and organized a Hackathon in collaboration with the product team, driving innovation and skill development among graduates.
"Ananthan's innovative approach in structuring our campus program has been nothing short of transformative. He not only redefined our training strategies with his offline and NLP-based methods, but also significantly enhanced our talent deployment and engagement processes. Ananthakrishnan's strategic insights and direct contributions have been vital in shaping our young talents' careers. His dedication and expertise are truly commendable, making him an invaluable asset to our team."
- VP of Talent Supply Chain, UST
Work Experience
As a consultant entrepreneur
Outfox Entreprises
Serving as a management consultant since Nov 2020
Responsible for building the development team
Working towards refining the business idea
Supporting innovation consulting initiatives
Providing marketing consulting
"Ananthan is a treasured part of our team at Outfox. His expertise has helped us achieve phenomenal growth in the last two years.”
-General Manager @ Outfox
Work Experience
As a co-founder
AbleAlly
Started AbleAlly with my co-founder Azhar Sham during our college time. We're focused on reinventing the high-school education system to nurture the next generation of careerists and entrepreneurs.
Skills & Expertise
I build ships to sail the turbulent tides of entrepreneurial sea.
Using my experience as a consultant entrepreneur, I help other entrepreneurs, students, and enthusiasts create products to solve world problems. Apart from the standard professional skills, here's what helps me get into the shoes of an aspiring entrepreneur and find the most suitable solution.
Empathy
I always try to understand where a person is coming from. While consulting, I get into their shoes and see if I can actually add any value to their journey.
Talent Scouting
I am good at talent scouting and helping companies (and students) find the right talent for building a tech/product development team.
Straightforwardness
If I can't help someone directly, quickly admit that I am not the right person and connect them to a better mentor.
Googling
Researching in the age of Google is an art as well as science. I am a self-acclaimed pro at finding the correct answers and opportunities nimbly and quickly.
Networking
Not everything can be found online. I believe in offline networking and have a network of mentors, professionals, and industry experts. This network becomes helpful in finding the right solution for entrepreneurial problems.
Mentorship
I can help someone find the right mentor or serve as a mentor until an entrepreneur doesn't have a clear direction.
Are you looking for more info?
I know it's hard to decide if I am the right person or not. Take a copy of my complete profile and decide in your own sweet time.
I am always up for a challenge
Solutions designed & deployed to date
Here are a few products and solutions I have worked on over the past few years.
Working On
Solving the problem of talent mismatch
Designed for Universities
AbleTest
AbleTest is powered by the Big 5 personality model and identifies the best career path for a student based on his inherent personality traits.
Designed for Corporates & Universities Alike
Industry Replication Model
A product development methodology designed to replicate real-world scenarios and workflows to deliver practical, on-the-job exposure.
Past Projects
Successful solutions powered by blockchain
Disrupting Healthcare Industry
Smart Healthcare System
Blockchain Certification
BLoCert (Blockchain Certification)
A blockchain-based certificate validation and authentication system for universities
Simplifying International Trade
Compliance Management System
AI & blockchain-powered compliance management for global transactions.The system automatically validates and initiates an international trade transaction if a smart contract adheres to international compliances/rules/regulations.
Mentorship Solution
FastClass
A rapid mentorship solution designed for students, universities, and institutions.
Resources & Links
Check Out My Public Library
I have gathered my insights over these years by reading books, interacting with mentors, watching videos, and even more. These insights gave me a lot of clarity about who I am, my purpose, and what problems I want to solve.I have collated my knowledge in this library for everyone to access for free. See if you can find your calling and purpose here, too.
Blogs
LOCKDOWN OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Get in touch with Ananthan
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Do you know?
Your Current Corporate Culture Needs a Total Overhaul
‘Your people’ leaving you for other organizations isn’t a ‘growth problem’. It’s a cultural problem. Don’t believe me? Here are some facts:
59%
of corporate employees are not happy at work.
- Business Standard
86%
of Indian employees might resign in the next six months - LiveMint
57%
57% of employees feel disrespected at work
- PewResearch
Post-COVID
Why is everyone leaving their job?
The great resignation, high attrition rates, and low employee engagement levels didn’t happen, instantly. COVID-19 was just a trigger point of realization for millions of employees.While you keep debating about the problem, let me tell you something:The attrition problem isn’t about money or ‘growth’ or not being paid enough.The problem is deeper.It’s associated with the way an organization understand a human’s personality, purpose, and need hierarchy.Three concepts that explain this problem:
Maslow's Need Hierarchy
People’s actions are driven towards meeting the next level of needs once the lower needs are fulfilled.
Greatness of Humanity
People have finally started realizing their need for ‘greatness’ and trying to find their own path.
A Troubling Scenario for Any Modern Organization
Back in 2020, I started researching the problems that would loom as we spend more time indoors. And I realized, that the more time we spend with ourselves, the more we’ll understand our personality.That realization was frightening in itself. Because the more a human starts understanding his inherent needs and wants, the more detached he becomes from ‘whatever he’s doing right now’. Probably, the reason why many people are leaving jobs post-COVID.But thankfully, I realized another thing — If you can create a purpose-driven role based on a human’s personality, that takes them closer to the greatness within their mind, they’re better equipped for success — as an independent creator (entrepreneur), as well as a careerist.I envision using my insights, knowledge, process, and methodology to help build a better work culture for modern organizations.
I envision
Driving change by building a better, more fulfilling professional ecosystem
My experience of building teams, working with others and consulting hundreds of students as a mentor made me confident about driving change.Analyzing the dipping interest in ‘work’, I started developing projects, solutions, and resources to create an interdependent ecosystem to engage employees in a way that suits their personality, as well as esteem and self-actualization needs.My goal is to build fulfilling work profiles and an ‘appreciative’ work culture where everyone can see their real impact in the ‘big picture’.The result — employees feel more attached, and valued at work, and are closer to their actual needs in the hierarchy.
How will I make it happen?
I have been working on AbleAlly which strives to make work meaningful for everyone. I have adopted a two-pronged approach that involves:
AbleTest
Analyzing the best role or work profile based on an individual’s personality and psychography using the BIG5 personality model.
Industry Replication Model
Structuring any team or group of individuals in a way that aligns everyone’s skills, interests, and ‘inner calling’ with a ‘singular organizational goal’ i.e. development of a market-ready product/solution.
Benefits & Use Cases
IRM is designed to help everyone contribute to the bigger picture without keeping themselves (and their goals) ‘at the bay’. While for a professional with an entrepreneurial mindset, it means finding the right people for the job, for the careerists, it means finding ‘meaningful projects’ to hone their skills that would take them closer to their actual goals.Collectively, AbleTest & IRM can help reduce dissatisfaction, improve engagement and reduction in overall talent attribution rates
Meaningful employment and ‘job profiles’ based on a professional’s inherent personality
Higher employee engagement rates and eNPS (employee Net Promotor Score)
Discovery of entrepreneurial talent within teams for leadership positions and greater responsibilities
Faster resource identification for new, innovative development projects
Working on IRM since 2020
I have personally employed the IRM methodology to solve employee engagement problems at several startups. I even helped professionals find their calling and become better careerists.
What enterprises say about me?
"Ananthan is a treasured part of our team at Outfox. He makes it a point to guide anyone in his team in the right direction, which help us increase our eNPS.”
-General Manager @ Outfox
What my team say about me?
I'm glad I worked with him. He was more like a friend rather than a corporate manager which made me feel less stressful at work, and perform better.
- Team Member, AbleAlly
-
I want
Everyone should ‘find their calling’ and ‘excel professionally’ at the same time
I work as a consultant at IEDC cell at University College of Engineering where I talk with many students, early-stage startup owners, and ambitious individuals. Most are confused when it comes to picking up a job role, or starting their own venture.Through my developments in AbleTest and IRM, I want to provide a data-driven direction for everyone to find their real calling, and achieve greatness. And in the process, build some amazing products and add value and solve several world problems, without being dissatisfied.
Building Human-Centric Solutions at UST
My initiatives were critical to engage a highly-disconnected GenZ workforce and turn them into a productive contributor at this growing organisation.
Strategic Milestones: A Journey of Transformation
Building Rapport
Established trust through one-on-one connects and group discussions, bridging the gap between freshers and leadership.
Seamless Deployment
Designed a scalable SOP for deployments and created a dedicated fresher talent pool for focused mentorship.
Standardized Processes
Designed a scalable SOP for deployments and created a dedicated fresher talent pool for focused mentorship.
Redefining Training
Reimagined training programs to align with business priorities and future-ready skills.
Accelerating Deployment
Achieved 100% deployment of trained freshers to live projects, maximizing workforce utilization.
Reducing Time-to-Bill
Delivered a 50% reduction in time-to-bill (from 9 months to 4 months), driving faster ROI.
Celebrating Success
Reinforced trust in the program through initiatives like Fresher Spotlight and Tech Town Halls.
Set up Futuristic Initiatives
Launched VisionQuest, empowering 500+ freshers to achieve career advancements and solve real-world business challenges.
Launched Internal Gig
Work Platform
Introduced an agile platform enabling freshers to contribute to short-term, high-impact tasks across departments. Enhanced exposure to cross-functional challenges