Question: Dev Pragad, at just 36, you have changed fortunes. NewsweekAn alien media brand that was on the brink of a $25 million loss at the time, you turned it into a highly efficient, digital-first, profitable enterprise with revenue approaching, as you just said, $100 million. More than a million.
So on to this transformation Newsweek Something that students will notice. Coming from a Young King alumni, what lessons do you want to take away from the students?
Young, students are used to seeing older people achieve such greatness and may still admire them. I would think that, but they would think, ‘Well, they’ve spent so many years of their lives achieving all this greatness’.
But to do so much at such a young age is something that is massively inspiring to this generation of students and young people around the world. What closing thoughts would you offer the students? In your routine, in your normal, humble, and very thoughtful way, what do you want students to leave?
Dev Pragad: First, thanks to technology, age is actually an advantage because digital and technology have completely disrupted many sectors. Today, someone who can code can start a business in their bedroom.
The number of billionaires who are in their 30s or multi-, multi-millionaires who are in their 30s has exploded simply because people who can leverage their talents, empowered by their ambitions, it’s tremendous. It’s up to you what you can do.
So I would strongly encourage everyone to think about their age because there is so much data available, you can leverage data, and access technology to make better decisions in a way that Be faster and more agile than those who are not used to it. This framework for working.
Historically, you thought you had to gain experience and so on. All of that is true, but with access to some new skill sets, I think age can actually be an advantage.
So keeping that aside, the next thing is about your desire and your confidence and good guidance to make things happen. I am very privileged to have had the right opportunities at the right time and have had great mentorship and people giving me advice and guidance.
So if you’re hungry enough to have it all and have the right desire, I think you can safely say the sky’s the limit. Of course, you should have the humility to know when you’re pushing something that isn’t working. You must have common sense; Otherwise, you just come across as ignorant, not even arrogant, really ignorant.
So it has to be – it goes back to the ying yang – confidence and humility. Confidence to push when push comes to shove and humility to pull back, seek advice, and counseling and guidance. I think these are some of the salient features that I would really recommend to aspiring students and leaders.
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