IndusGuru The Expertise Network

BUILDING A FREELANCE EXPERT PLATFORM FOR PROFESSIONAL TALENT

In our endeavor to exhibit new and innovative enterprises that have come out with unconventional services to benefit the customers, we came upon the profile of IndusGuru Network Partners which is making a mark in the consulting industry. The company works on a unique business model and runs on an impressive strategic roadmap.

We decided to arrange a virtual meeting with the leadership panel, in conversation with Shanu Malkani and Deepak Malkani (co-founders) we discussed various aspects of their business model. Let’s dive into the excerpts of the conversation held with them.

THE PREFACE

Indusguru was founded in Jan 2016, with the objective of helping Freelance, Independent experts access a wide range of interesting business consulting opportunities and freelance roles . They began by aggregating a network of freelancing industry experts sourced from 6 major domains- Strategy, Finance, Marketing, Operations, IT and HR.

Today, their network is enriched with profoundly skilled industry experts across 30 industry segments that can provide invaluable services to their clients’ businesses. Any specialist who has been empaneled on their platform has over 10-15 years of experience in the specific field. . Before bringing each industry expert on board, they facilitate a process of curation that involves a one-onone video call interview to assess their area of specialization and overall expertise.

Undeniably, the pandemic has fueled their business model that thrives on full-time freelancing. Today, IndusGuru serves Large Corporates, Consulting firms, SMEs, startups and Non-Profits, etc, as an online marketplace for expert consulting across the industry. What has set them apart from other ventures is the in-depth subject matter expertise and diverse business specialization under a single roof.

The business operations are simple, transparent and efficient with an emphasis on customer service. IndusGuru is a curated platform based on a freelancing business model, that helps bridge the gap between an independent professional talent pool and clients that seek industry and functional expertise.

Freelancing is the new normal, that has pervaded every sector today and our business has achieved considerable growth owing to this market trend. “The sense of freedom, independence and flexibility one gets from freelancing is unique and our platform is aimed at fueling its growth and acceptance across the business community,” shared the founding duo.

VALUES DRIVING THE BUSINESS

Building close working relationships with clients is the underlying value that subtly drives the business at IndusGuru. From understanding their project consulting needs to suggest a reliable set of experts, the company is known to perform as per the client’s requirements and budget.

The insights and understanding of the skills across their network expertise have helped them chart an effective path to their client’s success. In order to confirm the selection, the leadership team arranges several client-consultant meetings and engagement sessions. Likewise, diligence is also done to ensure a strong cultural fit between the expert and the client organization.

THE 4C APPROACH

The value proposition offered to the end client by IndusGuru could be summarized as 4Cs. Let’s acknowledge those-
• Curated Network- A robust curation process by the company ensures IndusGuru experts deliver better services.
• Convenience- An effortless access to online profiles and project posting making it a single store for diverse business expertise.
• Choice- The flexibility to engage and choose from the pool of experts that strive to make a difference to their end clients.
• Cost Effectiveness- An unrivaled professional assistance that comes at a budget-friendly price. The clients are benefitted from avoiding the huge overheads of big consulting firms.

MEET THE BRAINS BEHIND INDUSGURU

DEEPAK MALKANI

Deepak owns a career spanning 27+ years where he honed his competence in Management Consulting, leading and growing diverse consulting practices in Accenture and PwC. Accumulation of so much insight and this experience inspired him to establish IndusGuru.

Being an engineer and an MBA from VJTI and IIM Calcutta, he is an avid believer in a peoplefirst approach to expanding the growth of his business. On a personal front, he is an individual who is fond of playing Tennis, reading books, and watching sci-fiction movies.

SHANU MALKANI

Shanu has more than 24 years of experience in technology consulting and has held senior client-service leadership positions at prestigious firms such as Siemens Information Systems and Accenture. Being a professional engineer, she has headed IndusGuru since its start, wearing many hats, including those for finance, human resources, legal, and marketing.

As a leader, she is an expert multi-tasker who organizes and completes both her personal and professional to-do lists with efficiency. She has established a rapport of credibility and
trust with both clients and professionals that has boosted the company’s growth over the years.

THE SIGNING NOTE FROM THE FOUNDERS

“IndusGuru strives to provide professional talent with flexible work opportunities – including consulting projects, advisory roles, and contract roles – in India and globally. As we are planning to cross geographical borders with our future plans we believe our venture would emerge to become a holistic platform to promote the competencies and expertise of Indian industry experts.

We also plan to bring global talent on board with us as we spread our wings across the international market. Additionally, we are planning to tap more deeply into digital technology expertise to grow and scale our business in the coming years.”

IndusGuru The Expertise Network