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LATEST EPISODE
CONFESSIONS OF AN INDUSTRY LEADER
Episode 1 · Jan 18, 2026
53 min
EPISODE 1
CONFESSIONS OF AN INDUSTRY LEADER
From Assistant Product Manager to CIO — The Full Story
In the series premiere of Confessions of an Industry Leader, Vivek Agrawal sits down for an unusually candid conversation about career, money, and the real lessons behind a 13-year journey from Assistant Product Manager to CIO of IndiaMART — India's largest B2B marketplace.
This is not a highlight reel. It covers early money mistakes, what it actually takes to build a meaningful career, why most career advice is wrong, and the honest story of leaving a senior role to start something new.
Especially relevant for young professionals, aspiring leaders, and anyone thinking seriously about career and financial growth.
What Vivek Covers
53 minutes of honest conversation — no fluff, no prepared answers.
Trailer
A preview of what's coming in this episode.
Introduction
Who is Vivek Agrawal — the version beyond the LinkedIn headline.
What This Podcast Is About
Why 'Confessions of an Industry Leader' exists and who it's for.
Childhood & Education
Growing up in Begusarai, Bihar — and the foundation it built.
First Job & the Journey to IndiaMART
The early career decisions that led to one of India's most significant B2B platforms.
From Assistant Product Manager to CIO
The 13-year IndiaMART story — how an assistant product manager became Chief Information Officer.
Leaving the CIO Role
The real reason behind the departure — and what came next.
Money Journey: Early Mistakes & Key Learnings
The financial errors most professionals make — and how to avoid them.
Why Everyone Needs a Personal Balance Sheet
A practical framework for understanding your financial position clearly.
From First Investments to the First ₹1 Crore
The milestones, the mistakes, and the mindset that got there.
Asset Allocation: Then vs Now
How Vivek thinks about money differently today versus 10 years ago.
Skills a 20-Year-Old Must Build Today
Practical, unvarnished advice for early-career professionals in a fast-changing workforce.
Interest vs Passion in Career Choices
The distinction that changes how you think about your career.
'Iska Scope Bahut Hai' — Myth or Reality?
Honest take on how young professionals choose careers for the wrong reasons.
Practical Ways to Double Your Salary
Specific, actionable approaches that actually work.
How to Make Yourself Layoff-Proof
The skills and habits that make you indispensable.
The Real Power of Networking
Why most people network wrong — and what works instead.
Who Is Vivek Agrawal Beyond Titles & Designations
The personal side — family, values, and what really matters.
This Episode Is For You If...
Young Professionals & Early-Career Employees
If you are in your 20s and want honest career advice — not motivational fluff — this conversation will give you a clear-eyed view of what actually matters.
Aspiring Leaders & Managers
If you are working towards your first leadership role and want to understand what the journey really looks like from someone who made it.
Anyone Thinking About Career & Money Together
Vivek covers both career growth and financial decisions in the same conversation — because the two are inseparable.
HR Leaders & CXOs
For those thinking about talent, skill development, and how to build teams that are workforce-ready for the decade ahead.
A New Show Is in the Works
Vivek is building his own show — conversations with leaders, founders, and professionals about the real work of growing a career and building a life that matters.
Long-form Conversations
Deep, unscripted interviews with leaders worth listening to.
Leadership & Technology
The real stories behind building products and teams at scale in India.
Career & Growth
Honest frameworks for professionals serious about the next level.
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Invite Vivek to Your Podcast or Panel
Vivek is available for guest appearances on podcasts, panel discussions, and leadership events — covering technology leadership, career development, financial growth, coaching, and the journey from corporate to entrepreneurship.
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