C R ANIL KUMAR, Founder at Pathfinderz Consultancy

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

C R ANIL KUMAR : As a Learning & Development Consultant by profession things were going pretty with Continuous training assignments until March 2020. The 1st Phase of Lockdown was the big disruptor and most households started feeling the heat of insufficient Cash-flow to be able to run the show and became dependant on loans.

Due to lack of project shifted my focus on upskilling by reading books, blogs,

research online, enrol for new courses from experts on the domain to be able to understand

the game of business and then identify my strengths and the relevant Niche which I am strong & Authentic in which is the Pain Area for most people in the Society today, but are

reluctant/hesitant to speak out or seek assistance.

Lack of proper education right from school age and also the traditional approach of

not openly discussing within the family members is the prime challenge.

Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Pathfinderz Consultancy?

C R ANIL KUMAR : Pathfinderz Consultancy was setup in the Year 2015 with a vision to be a leading  Talent provider for MNC’s and MSME’s where we would train the fresh graduates on the  basic employment etiquettes and then refer them for placements with the companies  empanelled with us. 

But due to the tough competition and a lack of clear framework or a business game plan could not succeed in the market. 

The Relaunch of Pathfinderz Consultancy in 2024 would be serving customers both Individuals and Organizations on Financial Wellness, Life Skills, & Need Based Trainings for  Organizations. 

Our Services are categorised into 3 Segments based on requirement (details of which are  available on the website (www.pathfinderzconsultancy.com) 

1. Training 

2. Consulting  

3. Staffing 

Great Companies: What makes Pathfinderz Consultancy different from hundreds of other similar service providers?

C R ANIL KUMAR : The “Unique Selling Property” can be explained in 3 stages based on the needs and  choices of the individuals. 

Stage 1: Get empanelled with tier 2 Colleges Arts & Science Colleges in my city which could not afford a Training & Placement Team. Here we support and coach the final year students on the “EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS” to help them get a job which was at a  minimal charge and was to be collected after their placement. 

Stage 2: To provide long term personal support to interested candidates especially the segment who are stuck in their employment without professional growth.

Stage 3: To provide contract staffing support to ITES companies/ Domestic Contact Centers  where we provide the basic Learning & Development support.  

Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

C R ANIL KUMAR :

Struggles: 

Navigating the entrepreneurial journey has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by  hurdles that tested resilience and adaptability. Insufficient capital became a looming shadow,

hindering the initial strides. It limited the scope of executing grand plans and necessitated

constant financial juggling, often impacting growth opportunities. 

The absence of a clear goal sheet acted as a compass without direction, leaving

decisions wavering in uncertainty. Without defined milestones, progress felt haphazard, making it challenging to measure success or recalibrate strategies. 

The absence of a mentor was like traversing uncharged waters without a guide. The wisdom, advice, and network that a seasoned mentor provided were sorely missed. It led to  reinventing the wheel. Learning from mistakes rather than insights, and elongated periods of  trial and error. 

The business idea, brimming with potential, lacked a solid game plan for  implementation. The absence of a structured roadmap made each step feel like a gamble,  increasing the risk of faltering or veering off-course. 

Investing in unnecessary infrastructure proved to be a costly misstep. It drained  resources that could have been channeled more effectively elsewhere, diverting attention and  funds from core business development. 

However, each challenge became a classroom, offering invaluable lessons. The  scarcity of resources nurtured innovation and taught resourcefulness. The absence of a goal  sheet emphasized the importance of meticuluous planning. The lack of mentorship  highlighted the significance of guidance and networking. The improper game plan  underscored the necessity of a strategic roadmap. The investment in unnecessary  infrastructure illuminated the importance of prudent financial decision-making. 

Despite these struggles, the journey persists, armed with newfound insights, resilience

and a clear vision. Each setback has become a stepping stone towards a more informed, adaptive, and ultimately successful entrepreneurial path. 

Challenges: 

Struggling to find the right connection, I navigated a labyrinth of leads, oftern missing  the mark. My quest was hindered by a dearth of training in deciphering client psychology,  leaving me adrift in understanding their needs and desires. When presenting my pitch deck, I  inadvertently drowned my audience in a deluge of unnecessary information, obscuring the  essence of my proposal. 

Despite these hurdles, each setback served as a crucible for growth. I honed my skills,  endeavoring to forge meaningful connections with leads, delving deeper into the intricate  workings of client psychology. Learning from the pitch deck debacle, I refined my  presentations, distilling them to their essential components, ensuring clarity and resonance.

The impact on personal relationships sparked a realization: success transcends mere  financial gains. It hinges on a delicate balance between ambition and nurturing meaningful  connections. Embracing the mantle on a one-man army, I strived to harmonize my vision,  aligning it with tangible goals while anchoring myself in the values that underpin genuine  success: understanding, empathy and resilience.

Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Pathfinderz Consultancy?

C R ANIL KUMAR : The Challenges and Struggles that I was able to sail through during the last 7 years  has given me a clear picture and also would like to be greatful to the nature for having the  lockdown which has actually helped me as I was able to deep dive into my strengths and  capabilities and create this unique framework . 

Vision for Pathfinderz Consultancy is to be listed in the Top Fortune 500 Companies of India/World in the financial domain. 

Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

 C R ANIL KUMAR : The market today has opened up the horizon for each one of us to be an entrepreneur  due to lack of jobs being created, work pressure for Mid-Career professionals, Need for  Upskilling due to disruptive & Volatile conditions after the impact of AI& ML, which has  created a picture of people starting their own entrepreneurial journey which inface is a  fantastic decision but please consider the below factors before you take that 1st step. 

1) Create a vision for next 5 years 

2) Ensure you have sufficient cashflow in business till you attain breakeven which could  be a maximum of 5 years. 

3) Do not mix Personal & family expenses as Business Expenses and use the Capital. 4) Sign up for a right mentorship program and engage a mentor/personal Coach who has  the relevant credibility and is authentic.