Podcasts about zoho

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Introducing Connected Records & Workflows Zoho Books: August 2025 Updates Zoho Desk: Response Time Report Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-367/   

A version of this essay has been published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/shadow-warrior-from-crisis-to-advantage-how-india-can-outplay-the-trump-tariff-gambit-13923031.htmlA simple summary of the recent brouhaha about President Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on India as well as his comment on India's ‘dead economy' is the following from Shakespeare's Macbeth: “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Trump further imposed punitive tariffs totalling 50% on August 6th allegedly for India funding Russia's war machine via buying oil.As any negotiator knows, a good opening gambit is intended to set the stage for further parleys, so that you could arrive at a negotiated settlement that is acceptable to both parties. The opening gambit could well be a maximalist statement, or one's ‘dream outcome', the opposite of which is ‘the walkway point' beyond which you are simply not willing to make concessions. The usual outcome is somewhere in between these two positions or postures.Trump is both a tough negotiator, and prone to making broad statements from which he has no problem retreating later. It's down-and-dirty boardroom tactics that he's bringing to international trade. Therefore I think Indians don't need to get rattled. It's not the end of the world, and there will be climbdowns and adjustments. Think hard about the long term.I was on a panel discussion on this topic on TV just hours after Trump made his initial 25% announcement, and I mentioned an interplay between geo-politics and geo-economics. Trump is annoyed that his Ukraine-Russia play is not making much headway, and also that BRICS is making progress towards de-dollarization. India is caught in this crossfire (‘collateral damage') but the geo-economic facts on the ground are not favorable to Trump.I am in general agreement with Trump on his objectives of bringing manufacturing and investment back to the US, but I am not sure that he will succeed, and anyway his strong-arm tactics may backfire. I consider below what India should be prepared to do to turn adversity into opportunity.The anti-Thucydides Trap and the baleful influence of Whitehall on Deep StateWhat is remarkable, though, is that Trump 2.0 seems to be indistinguishable from the Deep State: I wondered last month if the Deep State had ‘turned' Trump. The main reason many people supported Trump in the first place was the damage the Deep State was wreaking on the US under the Obama-Biden regime. But it appears that the resourceful Deep State has now co-opted Trump for its agenda, and I can only speculate how.The net result is that there is the anti-Thucydides Trap: here is the incumbent power, the US, actively supporting the insurgent power, China, instead of suppressing it, as Graham Allison suggested as the historical pattern. It, in all fairness, did not start with Trump, but with Nixon in China in 1971. In 1985, the US trade deficit with China was $6 million. In 1986, $1.78 billion. In 1995, $35 billion.But it ballooned after China entered the WTO in 2001. $202 billion in 2005; $386 billion in 2022.In 2025, after threatening China with 150% tariffs, Trump retreated by postponing them; besides he has caved in to Chinese demands for Nvidia chips and for exemptions from Iran oil sanctions if I am not mistaken.All this can be explained by one word: leverage. China lured the US with the siren-song of the cost-leader ‘China price', tempting CEOs and Wall Street, who sleepwalked into surrender to the heft of the Chinese supply chain.Now China has cornered Trump via its monopoly over various things, the most obvious of which is rare earths. Trump really has no option but to give in to Chinese blackmail. That must make him furious: in addition to his inability to get Putin to listen to him, Xi is also ignoring him. Therefore, he will take out his frustrations on others, such as India, the EU, Japan, etc. Never mind that he's burning bridges with them.There's a Malayalam proverb that's relevant here: “angadiyil thottathinu ammayodu”. Meaning, you were humiliated in the marketplace, so you come home and take it out on your mother. This is quite likely what Trump is doing, because he believes India et al will not retaliate. In fact Japan and the EU did not retaliate, but gave in, also promising to invest large sums in the US. India could consider a different path: not active conflict, but not giving in either, because its equations with the US are different from those of the EU or Japan.Even the normally docile Japanese are beginning to notice.Beyond that, I suggested a couple of years ago that Deep State has a plan to enter into a condominium agreement with China, so that China gets Asia, and the US gets the Americas and the Pacific/Atlantic. This is exactly like the Vatican-brokered medieval division of the world between Spain and Portugal, and it probably will be equally bad for everyone else. And incidentally it makes the Quad infructuous, and deepens distrust of American motives.The Chinese are sure that they have achieved the condominium, or rather forced the Americans into it. Here is a headline from the Financial Express about their reaction to the tariffs: they are delighted that the principal obstacle in their quest for hegemony, a US-India military and economic alliance, is being blown up by Trump, and they lose no opportunity to deride India as not quite up to the mark, whereas they and the US have achieved a G2 detente.Two birds with one stone: gloat about the breakdown in the US-India relationship, and exhibit their racist disdain for India yet again.They laugh, but I bet India can do an end-run around them. As noted above, the G2 is a lot like the division of the world into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence in 1494. Well, that didn't end too well for either of them. They had their empires, which they looted for gold and slaves, but it made them fat, dumb and happy. The Dutch, English, and French capitalized on more dynamic economies, flexible colonial systems, and aggressive competition, overtaking the Iberian powers in global influence by the 17th century. This is a salutary historical parallel.I have long suspected that the US Deep State is being led by the nose by the malign Whitehall (the British Deep State): I call it the ‘master-blaster' syndrome. On August 6th, there was indirect confirmation of this in ex-British PM Boris Johnson's tweet about India. Let us remember he single-handedly ruined the chances of a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine War in 2022. Whitehall's mischief and meddling all over, if you read between the lines.Did I mention the British Special Force's views? Ah, Whitehall is getting a bit sloppy in its propaganda.Wait, so is India important (according to Whitehall) or unimportant (according to Trump)?Since I am very pro-American, I have a word of warning to Trump: you trust perfidious Albion at your peril. Their country is ruined, and they will not rest until they ruin yours too.I also wonder if there are British paw-prints in a recent and sudden spate of racist attacks on Indians in Ireland. A 6-year old girl was assaulted and kicked in the private parts. A nurse was gang-raped by a bunch of teenagers. Ireland has never been so racist against Indians (yes, I do remember the sad case of Savita Halappanavar, but that was religious bigotry more than racism). And I remember sudden spikes in anti-Indian attacks in Australia and Canada, both British vassals.There is no point in Indians whining about how the EU and America itself are buying more oil, palladium, rare earths, uranium etc. from Russia than India is. I am sorry to say this, but Western nations are known for hypocrisy. For example, exactly 80 years ago they dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, but not on Germany or Italy. Why? The answer is uncomfortable. Lovely post-facto rationalization, isn't it?Remember the late lamented British East India Company that raped and pillaged India?Applying the three winning strategies to geo-economicsAs a professor of business strategy and innovation, I emphasize to my students that there are three broad ways of gaining an advantage over others: 1. Be the cost leader, 2. Be the most customer-intimate player, 3. Innovate. The US as a nation is patently not playing the cost leader; it does have some customer intimacy, but it is shrinking; its strength is in innovation.If you look at comparative advantage, the US at one time had strengths in all three of the above. Because it had the scale of a large market (and its most obvious competitors in Europe were decimated by world wars) America did enjoy an ability to be cost-competitive, especially as the dollar is the global default reserve currency. It demonstrated this by pushing through the Plaza Accords, forcing the Japanese yen to appreciate, destroying their cost advantage.In terms of customer intimacy, the US is losing its edge. Take cars for example: Americans practically invented them, and dominated the business, but they are in headlong retreat now because they simply don't make cars that people want outside the US: Japanese, Koreans, Germans and now Chinese do. Why were Ford and GM forced to leave the India market? Their “world cars” are no good in value-conscious India and other emerging markets.Innovation, yes, has been an American strength. Iconic Americans like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Steve Jobs led the way in product and process innovation. US universities have produced idea after idea, and startups have ignited Silicon Valley. In fact Big Tech and aerospace/armaments are the biggest areas where the US leads these days.The armaments and aerospace tradeThat is pertinent because of two reasons: one is Trump's peevishness at India's purchase of weapons from Russia (even though that has come down from 70+% of imports to 36% according to SIPRI); two is the fact that there are significant services and intangible imports by India from the US, of for instance Big Tech services, even some routed through third countries like Ireland.Armaments and aerospace purchases from the US by India have gone up a lot: for example the Apache helicopters that arrived recently, the GE 404 engines ordered for India's indigenous fighter aircraft, Predator drones and P8-i Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. I suspect Trump is intent on pushing India to buy F-35s, the $110-million dollar 5th generation fighters.Unfortunately, the F-35 has a spotty track record. There were two crashes recently, one in Albuquerque in May, and the other on July 31 in Fresno, and that's $220 million dollars gone. Besides, the spectacle of a hapless British-owned F-35B sitting, forlorn, in the rain, in Trivandrum airport for weeks, lent itself to trolls, who made it the butt of jokes. I suspect India has firmly rebuffed Trump on this front, which has led to his focus on Russian arms.There might be other pushbacks too. Personally, I think India does need more P-8i submarine hunter-killer aircraft to patrol the Bay of Bengal, but India is exerting its buyer power. There are rumors of pauses in orders for Javelin and Stryker missiles as well.On the civilian aerospace front, I am astonished that all the media stories about Air India 171 and the suspicion that Boeing and/or General Electric are at fault have disappeared without a trace. Why? There had been the big narrative push to blame the poor pilots, and now that there is more than reasonable doubt that these US MNCs are to blame, there is a media blackout?Allegations about poor manufacturing practices by Boeing in North Charleston, South Carolina by whistleblowers have been damaging for the company's brand: this is where the 787 Dreamliners are put together. It would not be surprising if there is a slew of cancellations of orders for Boeing aircraft, with customers moving to Airbus. Let us note Air India and Indigo have placed some very large, multi-billion dollar orders with Boeing that may be in jeopardy.India as a consuming economy, and the services trade is hugely in the US' favorMany observers have pointed out the obvious fact that India is not an export-oriented economy, unlike, say, Japan or China. It is more of a consuming economy with a large, growing and increasingly less frugal population, and therefore it is a target for exporters rather than a competitor for exporting countries. As such, the impact of these US tariffs on India will be somewhat muted, and there are alternative destinations for India's exports, if need be.While Trump has focused on merchandise trade and India's modest surplus there, it is likely that there is a massive services trade, which is in the US' favor. All those Big Tech firms, such as Microsoft, Meta, Google and so on run a surplus in the US' favor, which may not be immediately evident because they route their sales through third countries, e.g. Ireland.These are the figures from the US Trade Representative, and quite frankly I don't believe them: there are a lot of invisible services being sold to India, and the value of Indian data is ignored.In addition to the financial implications, there are national security concerns. Take the case of Microsoft's cloud offering, Azure, which arbitrarily turned off services to Indian oil retailer Nayara on the flimsy grounds that the latter had substantial investment from Russia's Rosneft. This is an example of jurisdictional over-reach by US companies, which has dire consequences. India has been lax about controlling Big Tech, and this has to change.India is Meta's largest customer base. Whatsapp is used for practically everything. Which means that Meta has access to enormous amounts of Indian customer data, for which India is not even enforcing local storage. This is true of all other Big Tech (see OpenAI's Sam Altman below): they are playing fast and loose with Indian data, which is not in India's interest at all.Data is the new oil, says The Economist magazine. So how much should Meta, OpenAI et al be paying for Indian data? Meta is worth trillions of dollars, OpenAI half a trillion. How much of that can be attributed to Indian data?There is at least one example of how India too can play the digital game: UPI. Despite ham-handed efforts to now handicap UPI with a fee (thank you, brilliant government bureaucrats, yes, go ahead and kill the goose that lays the golden eggs), it has become a contender in a field that has long been dominated by the American duopoly of Visa and Mastercard. In other words, India can scale up and compete.It is unfortunate that India has not built up its own Big Tech behind a firewall as has been done behind the Great Firewall of China. But it is not too late. Is it possible for India-based cloud service providers to replace US Big Tech like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure? Yes, there is at least one player in that market: Zoho.Second, what are the tariffs on Big Tech exports to India these days? What if India were to decide to impose a 50% tax on revenue generated in India through advertisement or through sales of services, mirroring the US's punitive taxes on Indian goods exports? Let me hasten to add that I am not suggesting this, it is merely a hypothetical argument.There could also be non-tariff barriers as China has implemented, but not India: data locality laws, forced use of local partners, data privacy laws like the EU's GDPR, anti-monopoly laws like the EU's Digital Markets Act, strict application of IPR laws like 3(k) that absolutely prohibits the patenting of software, and so on. India too can play legalistic games. This is a reason US agri-products do not pass muster: genetically modified seeds, and milk from cows fed with cattle feed from blood, offal and ground-up body parts.Similarly, in the ‘information' industry, India is likely to become the largest English-reading country in the world. I keep getting come-hither emails from the New York Times offering me $1 a month deals on their product: they want Indian customers. There are all these American media companies present in India, untrammelled by content controls or taxes. What if India were to give a choice to Bloomberg, Reuters, NYTimes, WaPo, NPR et al: 50% tax, or exit?This attack on peddlers of fake information and manufacturing consent I do suggest, and I have been suggesting for years. It would make no difference whatsoever to India if these media outlets were ejected, and they surely could cover India (well, basically what they do is to demean India) just as well from abroad. Out with them: good riddance to bad rubbish.What India needs to doI believe India needs to play the long game. It has to use its shatrubodha to realize that the US is not its enemy: in Chanakyan terms, the US is the Far Emperor. The enemy is China, or more precisely the Chinese Empire. Han China is just a rump on their south-eastern coast, but it is their conquered (and restive) colonies such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Manchuria and Inner Mongolia, that give them their current heft.But the historical trends are against China. It has in the past had stable governments for long periods, based on strong (and brutal) imperial power. Then comes the inevitable collapse, when the center falls apart, and there is absolute chaos. It is quite possible, given various trends, including demographic changes, that this may happen to China by 2050.On the other hand, (mostly thanks, I acknowledge, to China's manufacturing growth), the center of gravity of the world economy has been steadily shifting towards Asia. The momentum might swing towards India if China stumbles, but in any case the era of Atlantic dominance is probably gone for good. That was, of course, only a historical anomaly. Asia has always dominated: see Angus Maddison's magisterial history of the world economy, referred to below as well.I am reminded of the old story of the king berating his court poet for calling him “the new moon” and the emperor “the full moon”. The poet escaped being punished by pointing out that the new moon is waxing and the full moon is waning.This is the long game India has to keep in mind. Things are coming together for India to a great extent: in particular the demographic dividend, improved infrastructure, fiscal prudence, and the increasing centrality of the Indian Ocean as the locus of trade and commerce.India can attempt to gain competitive advantage in all three ways outlined above:* Cost-leadership. With a large market (assuming companies are willing to invest at scale), a low-cost labor force, and with a proven track-record of frugal innovation, India could well aim to be a cost-leader in selected areas of manufacturing. But this requires government intervention in loosening monetary policy and in reducing barriers to ease of doing business* Customer-intimacy. What works in highly value-conscious India could well work in other developing countries. For instance, the economic environment in ASEAN is largely similar to India's, and so Indian products should appeal to their residents; similarly with East Africa. Thus the Indian Ocean Rim with its huge (and in Africa's case, rapidly growing) population should be a natural fit for Indian products* Innovation. This is the hardest part, and it requires a new mindset in education and industry, to take risks and work at the bleeding edge of technology. In general, Indians have been content to replicate others' innovations at lower cost or do jugaad (which cannot scale up). To do real, disruptive innovation, first of all the services mindset should transition to a product mindset (sorry, Raghuram Rajan). Second, the quality of human capital must be improved. Third, there should be patient risk capital. Fourth, there should be entrepreneurs willing to try risky things. All of these are difficult, but doable.And what is the end point of this game? Leverage. The ability to compel others to buy from you.China has demonstrated this through its skill at being a cost-leader in industry after industry, often hollowing out entire nations through means both fair and foul. These means include far-sighted industrial policy including the acquisition of skills, technology, and raw materials, as well as hidden subsidies that support massive scaling, which ends up driving competing firms elsewhere out of business. India can learn a few lessons from them. One possible lesson is building capabilities, as David Teece of UC Berkeley suggested in 1997, that can span multiple products, sectors and even industries: the classic example is that of Nikon, whose optics strength helps it span industries such as photography, printing, and photolithography for chip manufacturing. Here is an interesting snapshot of China's capabilities today.2025 is, in a sense, a point of inflection for India just as the crisis in 1991 was. India had been content to plod along at the Nehruvian Rate of Growth of 2-3%, believing this was all it could achieve, as a ‘wounded civilization'. From that to a 6-7% growth rate is a leap, but it is not enough, nor is it testing the boundaries of what India can accomplish.1991 was the crisis that turned into an opportunity by accident. 2025 is a crisis that can be carefully and thoughtfully turned into an opportunity.The Idi Amin syndrome and the 1000 Talents program with AIThere is a key area where an American error may well be a windfall for India. This is based on the currently fashionable H1-B bashing which is really a race-bashing of Indians, and which has been taken up with gusto by certain MAGA folks. Once again, I suspect the baleful influence of Whitehall behind it, but whatever the reason, it looks like Indians are going to have a hard time settling down in the US.There are over a million Indians on H1-Bs, a large number of them software engineers, let us assume for convenience there are 250,000 of them. Given country caps of exactly 9800 a year, they have no realistic chance of getting a Green Card in the near future, and given the increasingly fraught nature of life there for brown people, they may leave the US, and possibly return to India..I call this the Idi Amin syndrome. In 1972, the dictator of Uganda went on a rampage against Indian-origin people in his country, and forcibly expelled 80,000 of them, because they were dominating the economy. There were unintended consequences: those who were ejected mostly went to the US and UK, and they have in many cases done well. But Uganda's economy virtually collapsed.That's a salutary experience. I am by no means saying that the US economy would collapse, but am pointing to the resilience of the Indians who were expelled. If, similarly, Trump forces a large number of Indians to return to India, that might well be a case of short-term pain and long-term gain: urvashi-shapam upakaram, as in the Malayalam phrase.Their return would be akin to what happened in China and Taiwan with their successful effort to attract their diaspora back. The Chinese program was called 1000 Talents, and they scoured the globe for academics and researchers of Chinese origin, and brought them back with attractive incentives and large budgets. They had a major role in energizing the Chinese economy.Similarly, Taiwan with Hsinchu University attracted high-quality talent, among which was the founder of TSMC, the globally dominant chip giant.And here is Trump offering to India on a platter at least 100,000 software engineers, especially at a time when generativeAI is decimating low-end jobs everywhere. They can work on some very compelling projects that could revolutionize Indian education, up-skilling and so on, and I am not at liberty to discuss them. Suffice to say that these could turbo-charge the Indian software industry and get it away from mundane, routine body-shopping type jobs.ConclusionThe Trump tariff tantrum is definitely a short-term problem for India, but it can be turned around, and turned into an opportunity, if only the country plays its cards right and focuses on building long-term comparative advantages and accepting the gift of a mis-step by Trump in geo-economics.In geo-politics, India and the US need each other to contain China, and so that part, being so obvious, will be taken care of more or less by default.Thus, overall, the old SWOT analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. On balance, I am of the opinion that the threats contain in them the germs of opportunities. It is up to Indians to figure out how to take advantage of them. This is your game to win or lose, India!4150 words, 9 Aug 2025 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe

Zoho launches its own large language model—Zia LLM—built in India, designed for business, and powered by privacy-first AI agents that redefine what digital employees can do. Zoho is taking a bold step into the AI future with the launch of its own large language model (LLM) and a suite of enterprise-ready AI agents, all developed in-house—not in Silicon Valley, but in India. In this conversation, Zoho executive Chandrasekhar “LSP” joins Your Tech Report to unpack what makes Zoho's approach to AI different—and why it could reshape how businesses automate, analyze, and serve customers. With its own infrastructure, private data policies, and “no AI tax” pricing model, Zoho aims to give businesses control over their data, their automation, and their outcomes. LSP explains how Zoho's custom-built LLMs are trained on licensed datasets, operate within customer firewalls, and are tailored to specific business contexts—unlike consumer LLMs from OpenAI or Google. We also dive into Zoho's digital employee framework, the Zoho Directory's access guardrails, and the new Zia agent marketplace, which enables developers to create and monetize AI agents. From speech recognition to interoperability across platforms, this episode offers a deep look into Zoho's vision for AI—one grounded in privacy, performance, and purpose. 0:00 – Zoho's Big AI Announcement 3:25 – Why Zoho Built Its Own LLM from Scratch 8:40 – Privacy by Design: No Data Sharing, No AI Tax 12:20 – Digital Employees vs Traditional Agents 16:10 – Zoho Directory & Enterprise Guardrails 21:15 – Zia Marketplace and Multi-Agent Workflows 27:10 – Speech Recognition and Low-Resource Language Support 31:00 – Staying Grounded Through the AI Hype 35:45 – Zoho's Vision for Accessible, Affordable AI 38:00 – Zoholics Conference Preview #ZohoZia #AIPrivacy #LLM #DigitalEmployees #EnterpriseAI #YourTechReport #Zoholics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring how nonprofit fundraisers can adopt the disciplined mindset and tools of the startup world— with special guest Jeffrey Fidelman, CEO of Fidelman & Co..  Jeffrey, whose firm delivers "fundraise-as-a-service" to early-stage companies and emerging managers, shares a structured and data-informed approach to relationship-building that challenges many long-held assumptions in the nonprofit sector. This fascinating discussion will challenge nonprofit professionals to rethink the very architecture of their fundraising systems by borrowing proven tactics from startups—without sacrificing the human touch.At the core of Jeffrey's message is the idea that fundraising is a systematic process, not a single pitch or magical conversation.Jeffrey maps out a dual-layer approach to fundraising: the quantitative layer, involving workflow, analytics, and consistency; and the qualitative layer, which focuses on personalization, trust, and long-term relationship development. He draws comparisons between nonprofit fundraising and sales funnels in the for-profit world, urging nonprofits not only to expand the top of the funnel, but to improve conversions at the bottom—where so much potential is lost.A key takeaway for nonprofit leaders is the importance of tech-enabled tracking and experimentation. Jeffrey introduces the concept of hypothesis-driven outreach, advising organizations to run structured experiments over 60–90 days and adjust based on data. He explains how simple tools like Google Sheets or CRM platforms like HubSpot and Zoho can help nonprofits monitor donor progression, email open rates, and reply rates—unlocking previously invisible insights.This rich conversation also addresses transparency, both internally and externally. Jeffrey critiques the secrecy often surrounding fundraising data within nonprofit teams and stresses the importance of shared pipelines and consistent communication. As he explains, success lies in setting expectations early and “being an extension of the team, not a black box.”On segmentation, Jeffrey contrasts mass marketing with targeted outreach, arguing that larger gifts demand deep personalization. He recommends nonprofits resist the impulse to blanket every potential donor and instead invest time in researching each prospect—"go on their LinkedIn, learn about them”—to craft meaningful connections.Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Making electric transport viable across multiple sectors; new Ulaa browser from Indian software company Zoho targets enterprises and those seeking more privacy; Photo ID is being increasingly used for authentication – but does it work? Lester Kiewit speaks to Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of Worldwide Worx and Editor-in-Chief of Gadget.co.za. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we talk about: Zoho Bigin: Zia Agents in Bigin Zoho Sign: Delegate Signing Now Available Zoho Forms: New Zoho Books Integration Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-366/   

This week we talk about: Zia Agents Release Updates Zoho Projects: Custom Business Calendars Zoho Books: Blueprints for Custom Modules Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-365/   

Microsoft Released Patches for SharePoint Vulnerability CVE-2025-53770 CVE-2025-53771 Microsoft released a patch for the currently exploited SharePoint vulnerability. It also added a second CVE number identifying the authentication bypass vulnerability. https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2025/07/customer-guidance-for-sharepoint-vulnerability-cve-2025-53770/ How Quickly Are Systems Patched? Jan took Shodan data to check how quickly recent vulnerabilities were patched. The quick answer: Not fast enough. https://isc.sans.edu/diary/How%20quickly%20do%20we%20patch%3F%20A%20quick%20look%20from%20the%20global%20viewpoint/32126 HP Enterprise Instant On Access Points Vulnerability HPE patched two vulnerabilities in its Instant On access points (aka Aruba). One allows for authentication bypass, while the second one enables arbitrary code execution as admin. https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw04894en_us Revealing the AppLocker Bypass Risks in The Suggested Block-list Policy AppLocker sample policies suffer from a simple bug that may enable some rule bypass, but only if signatures are not enforced. While reviewing Microsoft s suggested configuration, Varonis Threat Labs noticed a subtle but important issue: the MaximumFileVersion field was set to 65355 instead of the expected 65535. https://www.varonis.com/blog/applocker-bypass-risks Ghost Crypt Malware Leverages Zoho WorkDrive The Ghost malware tricks users into downloading by sending links to Zoho WorkDrive locations. https://www.esentire.com/blog/ghost-crypt-powers-purerat-with-hypnosis

This week we talk about: Zoho Projects: Q2 2025 Updates Zoho Show: Zia AI Added Zoho WorkDrive: Zia Hubs Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-364/   

A Moneycontrol analysis shows that recently several stocks have responded positively to leadership changes. Also in this edition: exclusive interviews with Apollo Hospitals Managing Director Suneeta Reddy and Zoho CEO Mani Vembu. We have details on India's plans to set up a 100 qubit superconducting quantum computing facility, how Delhi's universities are running large deficits, and why PE funds are increasingly investing in family-owned businesses. All this and more in today's Moneycontrol Editor's Picks.

In today's Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack why Zomato-parent Eternal's stock jumped despite a 90% drop in profit. India's quantum dreams take shape with a 100-qubit project. We dive into why family-run businesses are turning to private equity. Then, the AI ouroboros problem, can models trained on AI-generated data stay smart? And finally, Zoho bets on vertical SaaS with its Zia LLM and domain-specific agents. Tune in for the day's biggest tech and startup stories.

Welcome to The Daily Lawyer® Podcast -  and another powerful episode in The General Counsel Series, proudly presented in collaboration with Zoho Sign. Today's guest is Anubhuti Agrawal, Senior Counsel - Development South Asia at Hilton with an impressive career across leading global companies, including Cargill.  With deep legal and leadership experience, Anubhuti brings a refreshing voice to this conversation, where she talks about:  ✅ How the GC role has shifted from oversight to foresight ✅ Building confidence through clarity, not complexity ✅ Why agility, humility, and people skills now matter as much as legal knowledge ✅ What she learned by walking out of a hostile negotiation room ✅ Legal tech, digital signatures, and the real barriers to adoption ✅ Motherhood, mentorship, managing teams, and making lists Whether you're a young lawyer, a seasoned GC, a woman balancing ambition and caregiving, or someone rethinking how law fits into business, this episode will leave you wiser, steadier, and smiling. Connect with us:     Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in  Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/?hl=en   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan/    Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music.   Presented in collaboration with Zoho Sign -  A comprehensive e-signature solution built for Indian businesses.   Connect with Zoho Sign:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zohosignofficial/  X: https://x.com/zohosign?lang=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zohosign/  YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwgS4wSq0SWx1nWI6ZOdLA  Explore: https://www.zoho.com/sign/  #AnubhutiAgrawal #Hilton #GeneralCounsel #LegalLeadership #TheDailyLawyer #ZohoSign #LegalPodcast #InHouseCounsel #WomenInLaw #LeadershipWisdom #LegalTech

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Advanced Zia & Manual Scoring Now Available for All Modules Zoho Creator: Centralized Payment Gateways Hub Now Live Deluge: Introducing the New FTP Task for Secure File Transfers Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-363/   

What if one of the world's most respected tech companies, selling in over 180 countries, with 25 offices across the globe, wasn't built in Silicon Valley or Bangalore, but from a small village in Tamil Nadu called Tenkasi? In this episode of Raw Talks with VK, we sit down with Mr. Raju Vegesna, the Chief Evangelist at Zoho Corporation, for a deeply honest, philosophical, and powerful conversation in Telugu. This is not just a startup success story; it's a blueprint for building with integrity, vision, and an unshakable connection to roots.Raju takes us through his personal journey and his connection with CBN (Chandrababu Naidu), including the viral tweet after Chandra Babu Naidu's arrest. He shares how he first met Sridhar Vembu, Zoho's founder, and how that meeting shaped a decades-long partnership based on values, simplicity, and service to the country. He talks about how Zoho made the bold decision to stay bootstrapped, carry zero debt, and invest in long-term thinking instead of chasing short-term valuations. We discuss how Zoho, unlike many other companies, built its offices in rural areas like Renigunta, with the belief that villages don't need to be emptied to build cities, and that innovation doesn't have a pin code.From losing 400 clients to rejecting an acquisition offer from Salesforce, Raju walks us through the philosophy that helped Zoho survive and thrive. He breaks down the purpose behind Zoho Schools, where dropouts and underprivileged youth like, security guard Abdul Alif, are trained to become full-fledged software engineers. He explains why they don't provide degrees, only skills, and why many graduates today ask if they too can join this alternative education model.We dive into how culture acts like the "character of a company," why they avoid traditional corporate structure, and how they've managed to operate without ever doing layoffs. Raju opens up about how design, interior choices, and even sofa arrangements affect team dynamics and why they design everything in-house to nurture culture. He also touches on Zoho's product journey from launching Zoho Writer before Google Docs, to making Zoho Mail one of the top 3 email platforms globally, to building a CRM that now sees large-scale migrations from other platforms.This conversation also takes a wider lens on India's startup ecosystem. Raju shares his views on entrepreneurship and patriotism, India's engineering graduate crisis, and the philosophical mindset shift we need to stop waiting for Western validation. We discuss how AI and robotics are not just tech trends but tools for digital and national sovereignty, and how real disruption is only beginning. He compares the state of Tier 1 Indian cities with Tier 3 cities in the U.S., and asks the question: can we build from here and still lead the world?With memorable stories like the early Ameerpet startup days, co-founder disagreements, and incidents where clients once rejected them harshly, this episode offers a full-spectrum view of the mindset and mission behind one of India's most inspiring companies. For aspiring entrepreneurs, tech dreamers, and anyone who believes in building with purpose, this episode isn't just a conversation, it's a call to action.If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a global company out of a village, this might be for you. Whether you're dreaming of staying bootstrapped, creating real impact, or building from Bharat, this story is proof that it can be done.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen. Today, we're exploring how cutting-edge technologies like customer experience platforms, Artificial Intelligence, and enterprise security are revolutionizing business operations. With AI's increasing integration and the growing importance of customer privacy, we'll dive into how these tools are becoming more accessible and effective for businesses.Joining us today is Chandrashekar LSP, Managing Director at Zoho Canada. Zoho Corporation is a leading technology company offering over 55 apps across key business categories. Today, we'll discuss Zoho's updated Customer Experience Platform, the role of AI in driving value and privacy, and the introduction of Ulaa Enterprise Browser with enhanced security. Let's get started!Key Highlights:1. Zoho Deepens Customer Experience Platform, Adding Generative AI and Workflow Orchestration Capabilities Powered by Zia: Chandrashekar will explain Zoho's "CRM for Everyone" initiative, focusing on how Zia's generative AI and workflow orchestration capabilities set Zoho apart from competitors.2. Zoho Artificial Intelligence Differentiation: Customer Privacy and Value: Chandrashekar will discuss how Zoho ensures its AI models are not trained on consumer data, emphasizing the company's commitment to privacy and value in today's AI landscape.3. Zoho Introduces "Ulaa Enterprise" Browser With Enhanced Security and Granular Control Options: Chandrashekar will explain how Ulaa Enterprise addresses gaps in enterprise security, balancing robust security with a user-friendly experience, making it a significant solution in modern cybersecurity.4. How CRM for Everyone Changes CRM's Role Across Departments: Chandrashekar will explain how "CRM for Everyone" is transforming CRM's utility beyond sales and customer service to departments like finance, legal, and marketing.5. Ulaa Enterprise: Reducing IT Overhead and Improving Browse Speed: Chandrashekar will share how Ulaa Enterprise helps businesses reduce IT overhead while enhancing browsing speed, all without compromising security.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

This week we talk about: Zoho Commerce: Introducing Zoho Commerce 2.0 Zoho Desk: Introducing Playground, an Exclusive Test Environment Zoho Sign: Introducing WhatsApp Integration Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-362/   

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: View Lookup Modules' Data within a Canvas Page Zoho FSM: Now Included in Zoho Flow Zoho Marketing Plus: Use Zia (AI) to Create Marketing Projects Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-361/   

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Cross-Module Criteria Now Available in Custom Views Zoho Analytics: Invitation-Based User Access Now Live Zoho FSM: Smart Scheduling Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-360/   

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Split View in CRM For Everyone Zoho CRM:  Clearout.io Now Integrates with Zoho CRM Zoho Desk: Custom Action Buttons on Ticket Interface Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-359/   

Neste episódio do Vamos de Vendas, mergulhamos nos bastidores da liderança comercial em empresas globais — e como líderes no Brasil podem conciliar diretrizes internacionais com as realidades do nosso mercado. Para essa conversa, recebemos Thiago Schioppa, Diretor de Vendas na Zoho Brasil, com mais de 15 anos de experiência em construir e liderar times comerciais de alta performance.Com uma trajetória que envolve formação de equipes, gestão de canais e vendas diretas, Thiago compartilha seus aprendizados liderando uma operação brasileira dentro de uma gigante global da tecnologia.

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Timeline View Zoho CRM: Rich Text for Notes  Zoho Desk: Chat-to-Ticket Timers Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-358/   

In this episode of PayTalk, we're joined by Prashant Ganti, VP of Global Strategy and Alliances for Zoho's finance and operations business unit, who shares insights on transforming payroll from a back-office function into a strategic business asset. This episode explores how payroll professionals can showcase their critical importance to organizational resilience and leverage that visibility for career advancement. Prashant offers practical strategies for communicating strategic value, embracing data-driven storytelling, and preparing for the future of payroll technology. Do you have thoughts or questions about how payroll can transform an organization? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation by reaching out via email at podcasts@payroll.org or sending a message to the PayrollOrg Facebook page.

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Enhanced Date Filters with 'Previous' and 'Next' Operators Zoho Sign: AI-Powered E-Sign Assistant Now Live Zoho Sprints: Mobile App 2.0 Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-357/   

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: NextGen New and Improved UI Zoho Desk: Cross-Department Parent-Child Ticketing Zoho CRM: Queries Now Supported in Custom Related Lists Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-356/   

This week we talk about: Zoho Payments: Now Available in the US Zoho WorkDrive: 5.0 Zoho Recruit: Introducing the Reviews Sub-Module Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-355/   

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This week we talk about: Zoho Books: May 2025 Updates Zoho CRM: Cadences Enhancements Zoho CRM: Zia Usage Data & Event Mapping for Smarter Churn Predictions Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-354/   

Why you should listenDiscover how AI can continue conversations in your tone—without sounding robotic or off-brand.Learn how to win more deals by replying faster, even when you're not online.Get clarity on what AI can handle in outreach—and where your human touch still matters.If you're still stuck doing manual outreach—or your LinkedIn automation tools leave you hanging once someone replies—this episode is your upgrade. I sit down with Casey O'Toole from LinkyBot.ai, who's built a smarter AI assistant that doesn't just start conversations but keeps them going in your voice until the prospect books a call.Casey shares how LinkyBot helps SaaS Consulting Partners like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho agencies move from ghosted messages to real pipeline by automating LinkedIn conversations after the reply—without putting your brand at risk. We talk personalization, tone training, inbox management, and how AI actually frees you to focus on strategy and closing.About Casey O'TooleCasey is an innovative leader in the tech consulting space, specializing in SaaS partnerships and digital strategy. As the driving force behind LinkyBot.ai, Casey empowers businesses to leverage AI-driven solutions for streamlined operations and enhanced client engagement. With a passion for bridging technology and business growth, Casey's insights are a game-changer for tech consultants and SaaS partners looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.Resources and LinksLinkybot.aiCasey's LinkedIn profileCasey's Facebook profileFollow Casey on Instagram: @linkybot_aiYotutube Channel: LinkedIn AlchemistPrevious episode: 606 - Beyond the Owner Bottleneck: Systematizing Your SaaS Consulting Firm with AI with Andy ForbesCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Introducing Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) Zoho Desk: Community Module Revamp Zepto Mail: New In-depth reports Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-353/   

Neste episódio do Vamos de Vendas, exploramos como influenciadores B2B e comunidades podem se tornar pilares estratégicos na geração de demanda em mercados complexos. Para essa conversa, recebemos Weverton Soares, gerente de marketing do Zoho CRM e idealizador do CRM Zummit – o maior evento de CRM da América Latina –, que compartilha bastidores valiosos sobre como marcas podem crescer com autenticidade e conexão real com seus públicos.

In today's Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Zomato reports a 78% drop in quarterly profit as quick commerce disrupts its core food delivery business. Zoho halts its $700 million chip manufacturing plans citing lack of a tech partner, marking another blow to India's fab goals. Meanwhile, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen backs India's creative economy powered by AI, and PM Modi hosts top global CEOs to pitch India as the next global creative powerhouse. Tune in for the latest updates in tech and startups world!

This week we talk about: Zoho FSM: Avalara Integration  Zoho Inventory: Assemblies and Kits Zoho Payroll: Now included in Zoho One for US Editions  Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-352/   

Why you should listenLearn why tech isn't the real reason outbound fails—and how messaging rooted in insight changes everything.Discover how to craft Permissionless Value Propositions (PVPs) that prospects want to read before they know your name.Understand how to guide clients beyond tools like Clay and Apollo and into high-impact GTM strategies.If your clients aren't getting results from outbound, the problem isn't the tools—it's the messaging. In this episode of the Paul Higgins Podcast, I speak with Jordan Crawford from BlueprintGTM.com, who shows us how to flip the script on outbound by building data-backed messages that resonate. Jordan shares how vertical SaaS companies are generating replies by engineering relevance at scale, structuring insights into high-value messages, and rethinking personalization entirely. Whether your clients use Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot or another CRM, this episode will help you position your services as a growth driver—not just a tech install.About Jordan CrawfordJordan Crawford is an advisor at companies like Clay and Tennr, and works with startups to help them design data-driven messages that are independently valuable to their prospects for vertical SaaS companies.Resources and LinksBlueprintgtm.comCannonballgtm.comCannonballgtm.substack.comJordan's LinkedIn profilePrevious episode: 603 - Unlock 95% Open Rates with SMS withLee WeinbergerCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

This week we talk about: New App - Zoho LeadChain Zoho Cliq: Unfurl Handlers Zoho Desk: AI Integration for IM Chats Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-351/   

You could, in many ways, picture India's tech businesses venturing into the global stage in waves. First, there were the services companies. Your Wipros and Infosys and the like. Then, startups such as Zomato, Oyo, and Ola took their shot. The third wave was headlined by SaaS companies like Zoho and Freshworks. What does the fourth wave look like? What does the future hold for companies making the jump? This week's episode of Two by Two was our attempt to answer some of those questions. Our guests for the podcast ended up adding quite a bit more. Mohit Kumar is founder and CEO of Ultrahuman, best known for its smart rings which compete with the likes of Oura and Samsung, but also offering a wide range of other devices and products for health-conscious buyers.Lal Chand Bisu is the co-founder and CEO of Kuku FM, a mobile-first premium audio platform hosting content in multiple Indian languages.Two very different companies, with one bold bet in common: they chose to take their products global. Welcome to episode 34 of Two by Two.–Book your tickets for The Ken's first subscriber event – https://the-ken.com/event/beyond-the-first-order/–Additional reading:Kuku FM chooses not to be the hero in its own storyPocket FM had 10 million listeners in India. Yet it hit pay dirt elsewhere–This episode of Two by Two was produced by Hari Krishna. Rajiv CN, our resident sound engineer, mixed and mastered this episode.If you liked this episode of Two by Two, please share it with your friends and family who would be interested in listening to the episode. And if you have more thoughts on the discussion, we'd love to hear your arguments as well. You can write to us at twobytwo@the-ken.com.

Primera Muthoni, team lead at Analytics Business Center, discusses the pivotal role of technology and innovation in driving economic growth. She highlights the importance of investing in human capital, digital literacy, and an innovative workforce. Muthoni shares insights from her diverse career spanning engineering, marketing, and product management, emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI tools in various sectors such as marketing, finance, and agriculture. She also addresses the opportunities in fintech, agri-tech, healthcare, and education for achieving a middle-class economy by 2040. Additionally, Muthoni touches on the significance of mentorship and collaboration in business growth and reveals how her company partners with Zoho to support digital transformation for businesses in Uganda.00:00 Introduction to Human Capital and Technology00:53 Meet Ms. Primera Muthoni01:57 Journey into Communications05:42 From Engineering to Marketing07:30 The Importance of Technology in Business12:26 AI in Marketing and Beyond16:59 Empowering Ugandan Businesses18:20 Opportunities in Uganda's Tech Space20:45 The Role of Digital Literacy22:27 Future Projects and Collaborations24:29 Achieving a Middle-Class Economy by 2040Follow up with her on X and LinkedIn nn her name!Share your feedback and inquiries at onugandapodcast@gmail.com or call/WhatsApp +25678537996. PODCAST DISCLAIMER. The views and opinions expressed in the episode are those of the individuals. They do not represent or reflect the official position of the ON Uganda Podcast, so we do not take responsibility for any ideas expressed by guests during the Podcast episode. You are smart enough to take out what works for you. As of 18.09.24

In the category of better late than never, we found the missing recording file with Vijay. Enjoy!Show Notes:In this episode of "AI with Maribel Lopez," host Maribel Lopez sits down with Vijay Sundaram, Chief Strategy Officer at Zoho, at Zoho Day 25 in Austin, Texas. They discuss Zoho's strategic evolution and approach to AI.Key Highlights:Zoho's Market Evolution: Vijay explains how Zoho has expanded from primarily serving small and medium businesses to increasingly being adopted by larger enterprise customers worldwide. This evolution has happened naturally as their products became more sophisticated and larger customers discovered them.Enterprise Adaptation Challenges: To serve enterprise customers, Zoho had to make changes in three areas:Technology (their strength as a product-driven company)Operations (building expertise in account management, solutions consulting, etc.)Transitioning from an inbound to outbound business modelAI Implementation Strategy: Vijay clarifies that while generative AI has recently captured public attention, Zoho has been implementing various AI technologies (machine learning, NLP, video recognition) for over a decade. Much of this AI has been "headless" - working behind the scenes in applications rather than through conversational interfaces.Three Levels of AI: Zoho approaches AI implementation through:Contextual AI within business applicationsInteractive AI for specific purposesExpert-level insights that enable non-experts to gain valuable business intelligencePlatform Approach: By integrating applications and creating a comprehensive platform, Zoho can leverage data across domains (finance, sales, HR, operations) to provide more valuable AI-driven insights.AI Market Shift: Vijay predicts that AI differentiation will increasingly move from foundational models to the application layer, where companies like Zoho can add value through their access to business data across domains.Privacy and Security: Zoho maintains a strong stance on privacy (no trackers on their websites) and has built a "trust layer" into their platform to ensure proper data access controls for AI interactions.

Why you should listenDiscover why SMS and MMS messaging drastically outperform email—and how you can use that insight to drive real engagement and results for your clients.Learn how to easily integrate messaging into top CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho—no dev team required. Ideal for SaaS Consulting Partners looking to expand their service offerings.​​Hear how one business use SMS to boost attendance and revenue—and get a glimpse into what's next with Rich Communication Services (RCS) and AI-powered automation.Email open rates are declining. If your clients aren't seeing replies from their outreach, it's time to rethink the channel. In this episode, I sit down with Lee Weinberger, sales leader at Sinch Engage, to explore how SMS and MMS messaging is transforming client engagement—especially for CRM-integrated partners like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho. Lee breaks down why mobile-first communication isn't just the future—it's the now. If you're a SaaS Consulting Partner looking to expand your offer stack or boost results for your clients, this is the episode for you.About Lee WeinbergerLee Weinberger leads the sales team at Sinch Engage, a solution of communications tools for businesses. They specialize in conversational and automated messaging for SMS/MMS/RCS which exists as a stand-alone web product and an integrated tool into the leading CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, Netsuite, Active Campaign, Shopify). Sinch also provides Email and Voice functions to round out the suite of communications functions. Lee resides in Denver CO, and sells into the North American market, but Sinch as a company has a global reach with offices around the world.Resources and LinksEngage.sinch.comMessagemedia.comLee's LinkedIn profileTalk to LeeEmail Lee at: Lee.Weinberger@sinch.comPrevious episode: 602 - Stop Forcing Marketing You Hate—Play to Your Strengths InsteadCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Introducing ABM Zoho PDF Editor: Latest Enhancements Zoho Writer: Advanced Document Structuring Features Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-350/   

What happens when creativity meets sharp market insight?In this episode, Raffic Aslam (ex-Creative Director at Zoho) breaks down the 3 campaigns that defined Zoho's global marketing playbook:1️⃣UAE VAT Campaign – A masterclass in cultural targeting that unlocked a new market via a single character: Kutty, the Malayali accountant.2️⃣ Made in India for the World – A bold declaration of Indian innovation for a global SaaS audience.3️⃣Super Bowl Ads – Frugal but fierce, this campaign helped Zoho stand out in a sea of enterprise giants.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction02:15 – The birth of the Zoho logo06:30 – Why simplicity & color made the logo unforgettable08:37 – Branding vs. Performance Marketing14:25 – Campaign 1: UAE VAT Campaign – Meet “Kutty”20:45 – Lessons from targeting expat accountants23:02 – Campaign 2: Made in India, Made for the World27:00 – Building pride in Indian-built software30:55 – Campaign 3: Zoho's Super Bowl Ad Strategy35:10 – How Zoho kept it frugal but memorable38:00 – Branding advice for SaaS founders41:20 – Final takeaways for startup marketers

This week we talk about: Zoho Campaigns: Bot Filtering Zoho CRM: Prompt Builder Brings Custom AI Actions to CRM Buttons Zoho CRM: Build Custom Modules with Natural Language Prompts Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-349/   

CRMs! Do you need one? What is a CRM Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system? You asked I am delivering! What part do CRMs play in driving business success (and customer relationship success... and sales success... and pipeline success... and you get the point.) Whether you're a solopreneur, a small business owner, or managing a large team, understanding and implementing the right CRM can be a game-changer for your business. We explore a variety of CRM options including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and ActiveCampaign, highlighting their unique features, price points, and functionalities. I emphasise the importance of cloud-based CRMs for secure data storage and easy accessibility. Learn about crucial CRM functionalities such as email automation, lead scoring, pipeline management, and data segmentation. Discover why clean data and proper implementation are vital for maximising the benefits of your CRM system. This episode also sheds light on overcoming common challenges businesses face, such as transitioning from Excel spreadsheets and ensuring team buy-in. Tune in to gain actionable insights on selecting, setting up, and effectively using a CRM to enhance your customer journey, streamline your sales processes, and ultimately boost your business growth. If you need personalised advice on choosing the right CRM for your business, feel free to reach out. Happy listening!DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER - https://becchappell.com.au/content-planner/Instagram @bec_chappellLinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team.How to work with me:1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation4. Get me on your podcastThis podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

This week we talk about: Zoho Creator: New CoCreator powered by Zia Zoho Flow: New iOS app Zoho Notebook AI Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-348/   

Is it time for investors to move beyond the valley when analyzing India?Dev Khare, Partner at Lightspeed agrees. He shares with us an interesting view on two funding models:The Silicon valley model begins with raising millions of dollars & going through huge negative cashflow for years. Hopefully building a great product or maybe even creating a new market. And a few years later, comes out with super fast growth & revenue potential of millions & billions of dollars.Whereas, in the Compounder model companies raise little to no funding in early days. They don't go to negative cash flow, instead growing slowly. Not at 3x ,but at 50% and keep at it for some 10 years building a large company. Thus becoming profitable in a few years following a slow J curve, and raising rounds only to accelerate growth.India has built exceptional companies in the software industry following this model. But, we can all sense that lack of approval for India's enterprise products, which we can confidently say has been achieved in the consumer markets.With 13+ years at Lightspeed, Dev has backed companies like PhysicsWallah, Razorpay, PocketFM, ShareChat, Darwinbox, Portkey.ai, Qure.ai, and Accel Data. Prior to VC, Dev started as a product manager then founded his company Covigo, a developer platform for mobile applications.This episode promises an interesting discussion on building companies in enterprise.0:00- Trailer1:12 - Early days at Lightspeed India8:11 - Learning curve of an Investor11:52 - How OYO fixed supply when Airbnb didn't16:37 - Is organic acquisition now the norm?19:02 - India must rediscover its AI edge20:20 - Compounder v/s silicon valley companies23:26 - Why Freshworks & Zoho chose mature markets?27:40 - Can India create SAAS category leaders?29:18 - Enterprise startups cap at 30%33:07 - How a $3.2B company found its niche37:42 - AI services & AI led services40:37 - Lightspeed's Investment thesis45:34 - Why we have 70% second-time founders?48:18 - Will ITC & Jio acquisitions set a trend?52:37 - Are software IPOs sparse?55:34 - India's enterprise buyer market is small1:04:47 - Missed investments & Lessons1:06:28 - Why is India having a lag effect in AI?1:10:19 - Has India built global enterprise products?-------------Hi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journeys from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys. Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text

This week we talk about: Zoho CRM: Data Sharing Enhancements  Bigin: Form Field Validations Zoho Social: Introducing Linkthread Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-347/   

This week we talk about: New Bundle: Zoho Projects Plus Zoho Analytics: March 2025 Enhancements Zoho WorkDrive: TrueSync Instant Sync (Beta) Our Implementation, Read, Code Share, and Tip of the Week Read the show notes: https://zenatta.com/episode-346/   

Romanian Distillery Scanning for SMTP Credentials A particular attacker expanded the scope of their leaked credential file scans. In addition to the usual ".env" style files, it is not looking for specific SMTP related credential files. https://isc.sans.edu/diary/Romanian%20Distillery%20Scanning%20for%20SMTP%20Credentials/31736 Tool Updates: mac-robber.py This update of mac-robber.py fixes issues with symlinks. https://isc.sans.edu/diary/Tool%20update%3A%20mac-robber.py/31738 CVE-2025-1723 Account takeover vulnerability in ADSelfService Plus CVE-2025-1723 describes a vulnerability caused by session mishandling in ADSelfService Plus that could allow unauthorized access to user enrollment data when MFA was not enabled for ADSelfService Plus login. https://www.manageengine.com/products/self-service-password/advisory/CVE-2025-1723.html Android March Update Google released an update for Android addressing two already exploited vulnerabilities and several critical issues. https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2025-03-01 PayPal's no-code-checkout Abuse Attackers are using PayPal's no-code-checkout feature is being abused by scammers to host PayPal tech support scam pages right within the PayPal.com domain. https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/scams/2025/02/paypals-no-code-checkout-abused-by-scammers Broadcom Fixes three VMWare VCenter Vulnerabilities https://github.com/vmware/vcf-security-and-compliance-guidelines/tree/main/security-advisories/vmsa-2025-0004

I hate CRMs. I know I need one—I'm doing more coaching, getting more inbound leads, and ranking in the top three organic search results for podcast coaches on Google.But no matter how many times I've tried HubSpot, Zoho, or whatever the flavor of the week is, they've never fit into my workflow.So I did a totally normal, not weird thing: I built my own CRM.In this episode, I walk through the simple system I set up using Notion, Todoist, Make.com, and my website. I'll share why I built it this way, how it automates lead tracking and follow-ups, and why reducing friction is the key to sticking with any system.Plus, I'll show you how you can apply this same approach to streamline your own processes—without forcing yourself into tools that don't work for you. For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/464Top TakeawaysThe best CRM (or any tool) is the one you'll actually use—start simple and build on tools you already know.If you struggle with sticking to a system, it's likely because it doesn't fit your natural workflow. Adapt the system, not yourself.Don't limit yourself because of past experience. There is lots of flexibility in the apps we use today, and you can take advantage of that.Show NotesScreenshots I posted on LinkedInAutomations DatabaseNotionTodoistMake.comGravity FormsWant to see the automations I use? Get access to my 40+ Automations Database at streamlined.fm/automation.Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.comFeeling stuck? Check out my unstuck sessions at https://casabona.org/unstuck ★ Support this podcast ★

Send us a textWith free-tier offerings mask hidden costs and complex pricing structures, Pipedrive positions itself as a streamlined, value-driven alternative. Unlike HubSpot, which often surprises users with significant upcharges, or Zoho, which nudges customers toward bundled solutions, Pipedrive maintains transparent pricing with a strong focus on sales pipeline management. While many CRMs require costly external add-ons for essential features like CPQ, AI-driven workflows, and document integration, Pipedrive incorporates sales-focused automation, reporting, and integrations without excessive complexity. Its user-friendly interface, predictable cost structure, and built-in sales enablement tools make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking a scalable yet cost-effective CRM solution.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Pipedrive CRM's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Pipedrive CRM might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Pipedrive CRM.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Eric in Lewiston, Maine, asks how to use last year's data to create and accurate sales plans and evaluate software tools (like CRMs and ZoomInfo) to make those goals happen. Sales planning is vital—without a roadmap, you're just hoping your revenue targets magically come to life. If you haven't defined clear performance metrics—like call activity, lead generation, conversion rates, or daily prospecting targets—then you don't really have a plan. You have a wish list. Looking Back at Last Year: Which Metrics Matter? Eric wanted to know which metrics from the previous year he and his team should be analyzing to inform this year's targets. The short answer? All of them, if they are metrics that matter to your business goals. Consider: Conversion Rates from Inbound Leads Speed to Lead (How fast are you following up?) Outbound Touches vs. Opportunities in Pipeline Opportunities-to-Proposal Ratios Proposal-to-Closed Deals Ratios Upsells, Cross-Sells, and Expansion Deals By mapping out how each step in your funnel converts to the next—calls to first appointments, first appointments to proposals, proposals to closed deals—you can see exactly where to focus in the new sales year. Maybe you need more first appointments. Maybe you need to tighten up your proposals so more of them convert. Or maybe you're missing upsell opportunities with existing clients. Data points you to the gaps. Pro Tip: Once you understand your ratios, you can decide if you're aiming to improve them by, say, 25% (a stretch goal) or if you're reaching higher. However, be careful not to “fix” one area and inadvertently break another. Success in sales is about balance across the entire funnel. Choosing the Right CRM: Beware of Overkill Eric also mentioned his team's struggle with an outdated CRM that's not built for strong tracking. As they look ahead, they're weighing big guns like Salesforce. But here's the deal: Salesforce is an excellent platform—if you're a larger organization with the bandwidth, budget, and complexity to justify it. For smaller teams (like Eric's with just two salespeople), adopting a massive enterprise CRM can be overkill. Zoho, Pipedrive, Nimble, and HubSpot are great alternatives for small-to-midsize sales teams. They're user-friendly, more cost-effective, and far simpler to deploy. The rule of thumb? Choose a CRM that matches your current size and selling process. The last thing you want is to waste months configuring a powerhouse system that nobody uses because it's too big or too confusing. Making Sense of “Big Data” Tools Like ZoomInfo Eric's final question was about whether to invest in a data-intelligence tool (e.g., ZoomInfo, Apollo, LeadIQ) to identify new leads and tap into “intent data.” My take: ZoomInfo: This is what we use at Sales Gravy, and we love it. It delivers reliable data, helps us expand into new verticals, multi-thread inside target accounts, and dramatically speeds up our list building. Intent Data: Tools like ZoomInfo can show you who's actively looking for solutions like yours. While it's not perfect, it can be a game-changer for prioritizing outreach to the prospects most likely to buy. Beware the Shelfware Trap: If you invest in a high-end data platform, make sure you have a solid plan (and the discipline) to use it consistently. It's easy to drop serious money on software and then let it collect dust. Pro Tip: Start with a limited number of “power users” on your team who will commit to mastering the tool. Then expand usage as you integrate it into your sales workflow. How We Made It Work: A Cautionary Tale We've been using ZoomInfo for years. Early on, we blew through a lot of money because we didn't fully implement it. It wasn't until we got serious—trained our people, integrated it with our CRM, and held each other accountable—that we started seeing results. Today, ZoomInfo is essential to how we prospect, grow pipeline,