Remote Work: Rajat Mishra of Prezent On How To Successfully Navigate The Opportunities & Challenges Of Working Remotely Or From Home
An Interview With Doug Noll
While transitioning from on location to remote work, clear communication becomes paramount. First and foremost, ensure that expectations are communicated clearly. Encourage regular check-ins, team meetings, and utilize collaboration tools to maintain connectivity.
As a part of our series about the things you need to successfully work remotely, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rajat Mishra.
Rajat is the founder and CEO of Prezent — the #1 communication success and presentation productivity platform for enterprise teams. Powered by ASTRID AI — the multi-disciplinary business communication AI. With Prezent teams supercharge communication effectiveness by 80%, save 70% on presentations and reduce agency costs by 60%. Prezent serves tens of thousands of professionals in 80+ F2000 companies.He is also the President of PREZENTIUM, a tech-enabled presentation services firm for F2000 companies.
Prior to Prezent, Rajat was a Senior Vice President at Cisco Systems where he had P&L responsibility for Cisco’s $14B CX business, led a 1000+ person team and was responsible for the Strategy, Product Management and Marketing functions. He has served in leadership roles at Mu Sigma, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft Corporation.
He is the executive producer of “Think Deeply. Speak Simply” podcast. An active philanthropist, he is on the leadership council of No Kid Hungry and advisory board of Adruta Children’s Home. He has spoken at CES, VentureBeat and Start Up Grind. He has also been quoted in Forbes, Inc., Nasdaq, CRN, etc.
He holds an MBA degree in strategic management from Wharton, achieving Director’s List honors, and a BSc degree in computer science and engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), where he achieved Dean’s List honors.
Rajat has been named to Wharton Business School’s “40 under 40”, Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40” and Cisco’s Amazing People. He holds three patents in AI and software automation.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. What is your “backstory”?
When I was young, I developed a speech impairment. This made me insecure and despite doing well in school and my career, I avoided leadership roles.
My journey through corporate America unveiled parallels between my personal communication challenges and broader business communication issues. I became aware that the struggle extended beyond individuals to various functions and stakeholders. Organizations struggled with standardization & consistency while leaders lacked a scalable communication training model. Brand teams were exposed to fines and copyright risks, and agencies proved to be sluggish and costly.
Recognizing the need for a solution, I envisioned a tool, methodology, and training approach. This vision led to the birth of Prezent- an intelligent communication success platform that understands business communication needs and makes effective communication accessible to everyone.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
There’s one particular story from my early days as a software engineer in Germany that taught me a significant lesson. During my internship, I noticed locals manually collecting data points. I was very eager to help, so I offered to create a script to automate the process.
I spent the whole day pouring my energy into the script. Finally, on a Friday evening, I ran it with confidence, promising results by Monday morning. However, Monday took an unexpected turn.
I was summoned to a meeting with my boss’s superior. I thought my script was a game-changer and had impressed the higher-ups. But the reality was different. The script unintentionally caused a denial of service attack on Microsoft, prompting complaints.
Instead of applause, I received criticism. Despite the disappointment, I didn’t let it crush my spirit. The experience taught me a crucial lesson: Seeking better ways and pushing boundaries isn’t always smooth; sometimes, you face setbacks.
I did not let the setback defeat me. I brainstormed on how to tweak the script to prevent future issues. Determined to find a solution, I challenged the norms, acknowledging that it’s not always easy.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I worked as a junior partner at McKinsey, I had to travel a lot and help different clients. Once, I went to Korea and started talking to an executive at a local company. After 30 minutes
of an engaging and serious discussion with him, I realized I had mistaken him for someone else from a different company. Surprisingly, he still found our conversation interesting and valuable.
This experience showed me that in strategy consulting, discussions can be broad and vague. It also highlighted the challenges of little sleep and constant travel.
What advice would you give to other business leaders to help their employees thrive and avoid burnout?
Stress and burnout come less from the actual work and more from fixating on the outcomes — questions like, will it meet expectations? Is it good enough? The results are often beyond our control, but what we can control is our actions.
By shifting your perspective to find enjoyment in the journey, the focus turns to the actions within your control. Doing an excellent job on each task becomes the priority, and whatever results follow are accepted as they come.
Ok, let’s jump to the core of our interview. Working remotely can be very different than working with a team that is in front of you. This provides great opportunities, but it can also create unique challenges. To begin, can you articulate for our readers a few of the main benefits and opportunities of working remotely?
The benefits of remote working, particularly through our experience at Prezent, are numerous. By embracing a remote work model, we’ve effectively tapped into a global talent pool, fostering diversity within our team. This not only brings a richness of perspectives but also enhances our creativity and problem-solving capabilities.
Our remote work structure has significantly contributed to creating a positive work environment. Team members experience less mental stress and report higher productivity. The absence of the daily commute has allowed individuals to establish their comfortable home workspaces, leading to a healthier work-life balance.
Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of remote work is evident for both the company and its employees. Team members save on commuting expenses, renting a house in an expensive city, office attire, etc., contributing to their financial well-being. Simultaneously, the company benefits from reduced expenses associated with renting office space and managing physical workspaces.
Remote working has also enhanced the job satisfaction of our people as they appreciate the flexibility and trust placed in them. This has inculcated a sense of responsibility and ownership in the work.
Can you articulate for our readers what the five main challenges are regarding working remotely?
Challenge 1
Sustaining and strengthening the company culture poses a greater challenge.
Maintaining and reinforcing the company culture becomes more difficult when employees are not physically present, and this challenge is amplified when onboarding new team members in a virtual setting. Without a proper understanding of the company’s values and way of doing things, nurturing a cohesive and united team becomes a difficult task.
Challenge 2
The absence of face-to-face interactions can initially lead to communication challenges.
When face-to-face interactions are absent, communication can suffer due to the lack of non-verbal cues, making it harder to convey emotions or intentions accurately. Misinterpretation of messages becomes more common, potentially leading to misunderstandings or confusion among individuals communicating remotely.
Challenge 3
Team building could take a lot of deliberate effort in a remote work environment.
In a remote work setup, team building requires intentional and concerted effort. Physical distance poses a challenge for team members to have spontaneous interactions, which hampers the natural development of rapport and trust. Due to limited face-to-face contact, there are fewer opportunities for casual bonding, making it difficult to cultivate a healthy work culture.
Challenge 4
In a home workspace, maintaining focus on work can be challenging.
Remote work brings about focus challenges as individuals have to deal with numerous distractions like household responsibilities, mobile notifications, and interruptions from family or pets. In the absence of a formal office setting, maintaining concentration demands a high level of discipline and the establishment of clear boundaries to effectively navigate and minimize these disruptions.
Challenge 5
Internet connectivity issues can sometimes be challenging.
Dealing with internet connectivity problems can be a significant challenge. Unstable connections disrupt work, causing delays in tasks, meetings, or data access. These issues hinder productivity and communication, requiring troubleshooting and alternative arrangements, impacting work efficiency during outages.
Based on your experience, what can one do to address or redress each of those challenges? Can you give a story or example for each?
Challenge 1
Establishing company culture
Solution- To create and keep a strong company culture when working remotely, it’s important to come up with proactive strategies. Management should document company guidelines and values that everyone should follow. Having regular video conferencing, and recognition for cultural contributions can enhance remote collaboration.
During the onboarding process for new employees, implementing video onboarding programs, mentorship systems, and interactive platforms fosters a strong sense of connection. Incorporating feedback mechanisms and periodically addressing potential challenges ensures employees feel supported and aligned with company values, even in a virtual environment.
Challenge 2
Communication gap
Solution- Leverage video conferencing tools to facilitate virtual face-to-face interactions. Schedule regular video meetings for team discussions, updates, and project collaborations to bridge the communication gap.
Challenge 3
Team-building challenges
Solution- Implement periodical virtual team-building activities such as online games, virtual happy hours, or team challenges. Allocate time in meetings for casual conversations to foster a sense of companionship and strengthen team bonds. At Prezent, we organize a get-together every six months to ensure we bond with the whole team in person as well.
Challenge 4
Lack of work-life harmony
Solution- I don’t believe in work-life balance as it implies a trade-off. Rather one should try looking at them together in a more holistic way. The solution lies in establishing clear working hours and effectively communicating them to the team. Emphasize the importance of taking breaks and downtime, and encourage everyone to unplug after work hours. Educate on the significance of setting boundaries to distinguish between work and personal life, fostering a sense of harmony where both aspects complement each other seamlessly.
Challenge 5
Internet connectivity issues can sometimes be challenging.
Solution- Ask your team members to use the most reliable network and if possible, use a backup like a mobile data network to support in case of need. In cases where connectivity hampers meeting participation, designate a teammate to handle tasks or relay important information.
Do you have any suggestions specifically for people who work at home? What are a few ways to be most productive when you work at home?
Consider maintaining a daily journal to organize tasks and prioritize them. Try to apply the ‘Eat the Frog’ method for increased efficiency which means completing the toughest task first, so the rest of the tasks appear simple and quick to finish.
A structured schedule is key. Allocate specific times for meals and breaks to preserve a healthy work-life harmony while maintaining productivity. This approach fosters an organized and effective remote work routine.
Block dedicated, distraction-free time in your calendar for focused work, ensuring no interruptions during those periods.
Recognize phones as potential distractions in the digital era. Resist the temptation to deviate off course during work hours. Be responsive to your team during work hours to keep momentum on moving projects forward.
Can you share any suggestions for teams who are used to working together on location but are forced to work remotely due to the pandemic? Are there potential obstacles one should avoid with a team that is just getting used to working remotely?
While transitioning from on location to remote work, clear communication becomes paramount. First and foremost, ensure that expectations are communicated clearly. Encourage regular check-ins, team meetings, and utilize collaboration tools to maintain connectivity.
Another crucial aspect is providing the necessary tools and technology for seamless remote collaboration. Ensure your team has access to reliable communication platforms, project management tools, and any resources required to perform their tasks effectively.
It’s also vital to foster a sense of companionship. Despite the physical distance, create opportunities for team bonding, whether through virtual team-building activities, casual online meetups, or initiatives that promote a positive team culture.
Addressing potential obstacles involves acknowledging the challenges that come with remote work. Few of the team members may feel more isolated than the others. Therefore, promote open communication and address mental health concerns. Establish clear expectations regarding work hours and task priorities to maintain accountability.
Lastly, be adaptable. Remote work is an adjustment, and feedback from the team is invaluable. Regularly check in to understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made. Flexibility and responsiveness will be key in ensuring a successful transition to remote work during these unprecedented times.
What do you suggest can be done to create an empowering work culture and team culture with a team that is remote and not physically together?
I will answer with the practices that we follow ourselves at Prezent. We follow three key practices to ensure the success of our remote team. Firstly, we place a strong emphasis on our company values and mission, ensuring that they serve as guiding principles for every team member. This not only aligns us toward common goals but also fosters a shared sense of purpose.
Secondly, we prioritize humanizing our connections and communication. Despite the virtual setting, we make a deliberate effort to maintain a personal touch in our interactions. This means we prioritize open communication and active listening, making sure we recognize the person behind the role. We hold a virtual monthly meeting at Prezent, where everyone joins in for updates. We take the opportunity to welcome new team members and celebrate birthdays. We even sing a happy birthday song to those who share their birthdays in the same month. It adds a personal touch to our virtual gatherings.
Lastly, we understand the importance of periodically connecting in person, even if virtually. Every six months we organize get-togethers both in the US and in India. This allows for a more personal and real-time exchange, reinforcing our team’s cohesiveness and strengthening the bonds we’ve built through our shared objectives and values.
You are a person of great influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Despite the common belief that business communication should come naturally due to our ability to speak and write, the reality is that mastering effective business communication is a skill that requires learning and refinement.
Interestingly, 72% of business professionals believe they excel at business communication. Ironically, 72% of executives feel their teams need significant improvement in this area. This natural bias often results in people neglecting to invest in enhancing their business communication skills. Unfortunately, this underinvestment leads to reduced effectiveness, lower morale, and an annual loss of over $1 trillion due to decreased communication productivity.
Just like sales, marketing, or engineering, business communication is a skill that can be cultivated. After analyzing millions of slides, we have identified the six keys that make great communication truly effective: Audience Empathy, Structured Storylines, Training + Enablement, Relevance to Context, Industry Insight, and Design on brand. We have woven these six keys into ASTRID AI, our business communication AI designed for the modern professional.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson is “Your deepest desire is your destiny.”
This wisdom is explained beautifully in a paragraph from the Upanishads (Hindu scriptures): ‘You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny.’
Understanding one’s deepest desires can be challenging. For me, this clarity emerged during a near-death experience in 2020, where a 30-minute period left me convinced that my life was at its end. Facing mortality brought two profound realizations. Firstly, the precious time I might lose with my family. Secondly, the potential unfulfilled mission of democratizing great business communication.
Luckily, I survived with some injuries and committed to living life to the fullest with my family and pursuing my mission. Now, I lead an integrated life, involving my family (wife, kids, and parents) in both businesses — Prezent and PREZENTIUM. I cherish a deep connection with the remarkable team we’ve built.
I feel blessed and grateful to be able to do what I want to do alongside the people I value- a privilege that not many people have.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
For the latest on Prezent, you can visit our website at Prezent.ai. We regularly announce new product updates, upgrades, and changes on the homepage. If you’re interested in media mentions and awards, the News & Press section has you covered.
For in-depth content on Prezent products and broader business communication topics, we have dedicated sections for blogs and Zenpedia.
Additionally, you can find me on LinkedIn, where I actively discuss Prezent, business communications, and share insights and tips on presentations, public speaking, leadership, and more. Feel free to connect with me there for ongoing updates and valuable information.
Rajat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajatbmishra/
About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.
