In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta sits down with Akshat Seth, MD & CEO of BirlaNu. They deep dive into the 170-year legacy of the CKA Birla Group and how one of India's oldest conglomerates is transforming for the modern age. Akshat shares his personal journey from a decade in management consulting to leading major operating businesses in healthcare and manufacturing.

If you are interested in business strategy, how large groups manage synergies, or want career advice on making the leap to the C-suite, this conversation is for you. We also discuss the massive rebranding of HIL to BirlaNu and the future of sustainable construction in India.

Key takeaways

• The Quality Litmus Tests: Akshat uses the "Family Test" for healthcare (treat patients like family) and the "Home Test" for manufacturing (make products you'd use in your own home) to ensure excellence .

• From Consultant to CEO: The transition requires shifting from pure strategy to execution—specifically the ability to build businesses from scratch (0-100) and scale mature ones (100-1000) .

• Rebranding HIL to BirlaNu: The rename wasn't just cosmetic; it signals a strategic shift to connect with modern consumers who demand technology and sustainability .

• Conglomerate Strategy: The CKA Birla operates on professional management where individual CEOs run companies, bound together by shared values rather than micromanagement .

• Sustainability is Essential: Green manufacturing is no longer a differentiator but a "hygiene factor" necessary to compete in global markets like Europe and the US .

• Hiring Checklist: For leadership roles, Akshat prioritizes three traits: Hunger for growth, Ownership of the business, and Culture Match .

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Did you know that the addictive McDonald's Piri Piri mix or the Sour Cream & Onion flavor of Balaji Wafers were created by the man sitting in this chair? 🍟😲

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta sits down with Ajay Mariwala, the visionary behind VKL Seasonings and Food Service India (FSIPL). Ajay is the "Secret Sauce" of the Indian food industry—literally! He shares the untold story of how his team beat global multinationals by a "mile and a half" to become India's #1 seasoning company.

From flying to Valsad to pitch a new flavor to the owners of Balaji Wafers to turning his mother's pickle recipe into ITC Bingo’s iconic Achari Masti, Ajay reveals exactly how billion-dollar flavors are invented.

We also dive deep into the brutal reality of the restaurant business. If you dream of opening a cafe, you need to hear Ajay’s "Head vs. Heart" advice , why 35% is the magic number for food costs , and the unique "Toilet Test" you must do before buying a franchise.

Takeaways

1. The Creator of Icons: Ajay’s team is responsible for creating the McDonald’s Piri Piri mix and Balaji Wafers’ Sour Cream & Onion flavor, beating global competitors.

2. The QSR Golden Ratio: For a Quick Service Restaurant to be viable, food costs must stay between 33-35%. Rent should always be the second highest cost, not the first.

3. Head Over Heart: Don't open a restaurant just because you love food. You need a 24-month cash runway because most restaurants fail in the first 9 months due to quality inconsistency.

4. The "Toilet Test": The best way to judge a franchise's operational discipline isn't the food—it's the hygiene. If the toilet is clean, the kitchen is likely clean too.

5. The Tier-2 Opportunity: Expansion in major metros (Mumbai/Delhi) is slowing due to high rents and saturation. The real ROI is now in Tier 2/3 cities where rents are 8-12% (vs. 15-20% in metros).
   
   From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.
   
   Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more
   Watch full episodes right here on YouTube
   Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com
   
   Connect with Anupam Gupta:
   Twitter: @b50
   Instagram: @b_50
   LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta
   
   Follow IVM Podcasts
   We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

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Anupam Gupta and Vishal Bhargava dive deep into selecting the right property. Vishal explains why apartments should have a minimum of 650 sq ft carpet area for a 2BHK and warns against the deceit of sample flats (no doors, small beds). They expose the Amenity Illusion (swimming pools are "item numbers") and the low quality of construction from branded developers, who often prioritize timely delivery over quality. They discuss Bombay's enduring strength (waterfront, 24/7 energy) versus the "race to the bottom" in Gurgaon, and the extreme tenant profiling happening in markets like Bangalore. Don't fall for the "inventory of choice" fear—there is always supply, so Don't Rush! #MumbaiRealEstate #PropertySelection #BuilderQuality

Takeaways-

• 1. Rule of 35 & 5-20-30-40: Buy a house only after 35, following the 5x annual income, 20-year loan max, 30% down payment, 40% EMI limit rules.

• 2. Location vs. Address: Prioritize a good Location (e.g., Dharavi connectivity) over a vanity Address (Pali Hill), as location eventually becomes the address.

• 3. Builder Due Diligence: Check the builder's delivery history and the interest rate their lender charges to assess risk.

• 4. Property Specs: Aim for a minimum 650 sq ft carpet area for a 2BHK and beware of deceptive sample flat tricks (small beds, no doors).

• 5. Investment Strategy: For aggressive investment, bet on migration to convert a "bad address" (good location) into a "respectable address."

• 6. Small Ticket Investment: REITs are preferred over Fractional Ownership due to liquidity, despite REITs offering less asset-specific focus.

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Indian Equities gave 0% returns recently while Gold soared 40%. Should you switch? In this episode, Sandeep Bagla (CEO, Trust MF) reveals the $26 Trillion Global Mistake central banks made and why Inflation is the only indicator you need to watch. We also expose the "FD Lie"—why your fixed deposits might be losing value—and reveal the future AI-enabled strategy that could disrupt the market. Topics: Gold vs Equity, Debt Fund Secrets, The Small Cap Bubble.

Takeaways

• The "Inflation + 2%" Rule: Bond yields simply track Expected Inflation + 1.5-2%. Master this single variable, and you understand 80% of the debt market.

• The "Duration" Cheat Code: Beat FDs by buying Long Duration (Gilt) Funds before rates fall. It’s about capturing capital appreciation, not just locking in rates.

• The "Granular" Safety Net: Why no crash despite FII selling? The ₹28,000 Cr/month SIP flow. These are sticky ₹3,000 micro-investments that don't panic-sell like institutions do.

• The "Small Cap" Illusion: A ₹35,000 Cr giant is still labeled "Small Cap" in India! Don't be fooled—the explosive growth is often in the actual small companies that big funds are too large to buy.

• The DIY Trap: Investing is a specialized job. Don't gamble your family's future on DIY stock picks. Follow Buffett’s advice: Trust professional managers with 90% of your wealth.

• The "Gold Signal": Gold beating Equity by 40% signals inflation fear, not a broken market. Do NOT sell your stocks—simply extend your time horizon to 5 years.

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In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with V. Srivatsa, Executive Vice President and Fund Manager at UTI AMC. He shares profound lessons from his 20-year career , discussing the psychological traps of feeling like a "hero" in a bull market and a "zero" in a bear market.

Discover the single biggest mistake retail investors make with their SIPs , why avoiding mistakes is more important than finding a multi-bagger , and the two modern buckets of value investing. He also explains the "behavioral gap," referencing a UTI mid-cap fund that grew 30x, yet 80% of the original investors missed out.

This is a masterclass on investor psychology, market cycles, and building long-term wealth.

From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTube Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com
Connect with Anupam Gupta:
Twitter: @b50 Instagram:
@b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta
Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

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In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Dr. Karthik drops a truth bomb about the Indian financial ecosystem: most traditional wealth managers are just product distributors (pharmacists), not true advisors (doctors).

This episode is an investigation into the $30 Million investor mindset. We explore the Wild West of the booming wealth management industry and why SEBI regulations are crucial.

• The Big Mistake: Why complexity is the biggest issue for millionaires.

• The Correction Myth: Why those predicting a correction for 5 years have been wrong (and what assets are currently overvalued).

• The Red Flag: If you don't understand it, don't invest in it (specifically targeting unlisted/unregulated platforms).

Don't let recency bias or a friend's startup pitch ruin your long-term plan. Watch, learn, and apply the principles of the Entrust Family Office process to your own savings.

• Advisor Role: Your banker is a "Pharmacist" (sells products); look for a "Doctor" (fee-based advisor) who provides a holistic financial blueprint.

• Invest Smart: 80% of long-term returns come from Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA). Focus on your canvas (SAA) first, not the paint (stock picks).

• Bucket Your Wealth: Structure your money into clear goals: Protection (for certainty), Growth (for compounding), and Philanthropy.

• Simplify: Avoid over-diversification. Complexity and excessive product overlap are major mistakes even for the Ultra HNI.

• Check Expectations: Don't let a great year create unrealistic expectations. Tune down equity return forecasts to realistic long-term averages.

• Cardinal Rule: Never invest in what you don't understand, especially high-risk, unlisted, or unregulated products.

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In this exclusive and powerful episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with Shripal Shah, the Managing Director and CEO of Kotak Securities, to decode the seismic shifts in the Indian financial market. Shah delivers a stark, data-driven warning on the Futures & Options (F&O) segment, revealing the alarming statistic that over 90% of individual traders incur losses.

He also details the new investment mindset, explaining why "equity has become the new fixed deposit" and how the industry is pivoting from high-brokerage models to the digital-first, low-cost platform Kotak Neo. Shah walks through the mechanics of the powerful, yet underutilized, Margin Trade Facility (MTF), showcasing how Kotak is offering it at a disruptive 9.69% interest. This is a must-listen masterclass for anyone trading in the Indian stock market, from a beginner opening a Demat account to a seasoned derivatives trader.

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Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more
Watch full episodes right here on YouTube
Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com


Connect with Anupam Gupta:
Twitter: @b50
Instagram: @b_50
LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta


Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is AI a bubble, or is it the future? Shalini Sankarshana, MD of Planview Inc. India, joins Anupam Gupta on Paisa Vaisa to discuss the most disruptive forces in business today: AI and Global Capability Centers (GCCs). Planview, a leader in strategic portfolio management, is now an AI transformation partner, and Shalini dives into how this technology will make some jobs "irrelevant" while creating new opportunities. She also shares fascinating case studies of how Planview enabled a capital markets giant and a two-wheeler manufacturer in India to accelerate their digital transformation journey. A must-watch for tech enthusiasts and business leaders!

Audience Takeaways:

• Shalini's candid take: why the current frenzy is an AI bubble and what happens when it bursts.

• The transition of GCCs from cost centers to crucial innovation hubs in India.

• The importance of having world-class aspirations for Indian businesses.

• How Planview provides the "glue" that connects top-level strategy to execution in large organizations.

• Key career skills to focus on that will be relevant even as AI transforms the tech job market.

• A look at booming investment opportunities in the Indian BFSI and HealthTech sectors.
  
  
  From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.
  
  Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTube Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com
  
  Connect with Anupam Gupta:
  Twitter: @b50
  Instagram: @b_50
  LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta
  
  Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.