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The Career Starter Kit

The Career Starter Kit

Written by: The Career Starter Kit
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 Where industry leaders help you go from new hire to high performer. Imagine if you could have a corporate leader as an onboarding buddy to your career. You could ask them the big questions about how to grow fast. You could ask them tips on how to navigate everyday work situations - how to disagree with your manager or give a crisp leadership update? That's The Career Starter Kit.The Career Starter Kit Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Master Cross-Functional Collaboration: Amazon Director (Finance & Product), Amit Banda

    Master Cross-Functional Collaboration: Amazon Director (Finance & Product), Amit Banda
    Jul 7 2025
    Amit Banda, Director of Product Management and Finance at Amazon, was one of Amazon India's first finance employees, where he shaped foundational innovations like Cash-on-Delivery and built the country's first fulfillment center. Today, Amit leads global finance product teams into the future of finance through AI-driven automation.In this episode, Amit shares:• Why finance isn't the approval police—it's about spotting blind spots and enabling smarter bets for business teams• The simple yet powerful "see it, fix it" mindset Amit leveraged to pivot from finance to product management• How to use the writing things down technique to clear misunderstandings with partner teams and strengthen collaborationIf you've ever wondered how to get work done with partner teams or truly partner with finance, this episode is for you.In The Career Clinic, Amit answers your real career questions like:• How do I get approvals from Finance without getting blocked?• My manager has favorites—how can I still get seen?• How do I handle a boss who micromanages?…and so much more.Some takeaways:1. Finance isn't there to say no—they’re there to help make smarter business decisions🗣️ "The role of finance is not approvals; it’s spotting blind spots, helping the business measure the right metrics, and making sure our experiments are disciplined."2. See it, fix it: The ownership mindset to career growth🗣️ "Don’t wait for someone else to solve a problem you see—step up, write down your solution, and take ownership. This is how opportunities open."3. Conflicts with other teams aren't setbacks—they're chances to align🗣️ "Before escalating, pause and clearly write down each team's perspective. When you write things down, you understand each other better. You'll be surprised how often misunderstandings clear up just by writing each of your POVs down."4. Good collaboration starts before problems do🗣️ "Bring other teams into the loop early. Agree together on goals and milestones so everyone feels involved, not like they're just checking boxes."5. The best way to build influence is to walk in other teams' shoes🗣️ "Spend real time with your colleagues from other teams. The better you understand their day-to-day challenges, the more you'll genuinely help each other.""6. Your peer network is your strongest hidden asset🗣️ "Meet your peers once a quarter or even once in 6 months or once a year. Make a list, calendar it and make the effort to meet. You don’t know who will be where in 10 years, you don’t know who can help you how in 10 years."Where to find Amit Banda:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitbandaIn this episode, we cover:01:46 – From Big Bazaar to Entrepreneur to Amazon: How I Landed My First Big Break07:37 – Role of Finance: Not just looking at numbers, but driving better business bets10:53 – Every Role is a Building Block—Why Breadth Pays Off Later22:02 – How Peer 1:1s Can Secretly Boost Your Career24:50 – How Finance can be Strategic Partner (not just Budget Approver)26:16 – How to Quickly Understand the Business as a New Team Member29:26 – How to Work Smarter with Your Finance Team (Even if Numbers Aren't Your Thing)31:36 – What Every Young Professional Should Know About Money & Budgets32:51 – How to Get Your Ideas Approved by Finance (Without Friction)36:50 – How Finance Helps Business Balance Risk & Growth39:08 – Promotions, Growth, and the 40-Year Career Marathon42:29 – The Career Clinic: How Do I Get Work Done with Partner Teams?47:46 – How Do I Get Credit Without Sounding Petty?50:10 – My Manager Has Favorites—What Do I Do?51:49 – How Do I Say No Without Damaging Relationships?54:33 – Is Visibility Overrated? How to Stand Out the Right Way57:45 – Fast Track: Habits, Mistakes, and Mindsets for Career SuccessReferenced:Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson https://www.amazon.in/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-Amazing/dp/0091816971/ Editing and production: GreyLabs Media
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Building a 10x Career: Tapojoy Chatterjee, VP Product at Swiggy

    Building a 10x Career: Tapojoy Chatterjee, VP Product at Swiggy
    Jun 5 2025

    Tapojoy Chatterjee is Vice President and Head of Product at Swiggy Food and Dineout Experiences. Before Swiggy, he spent nearly a decade at Amazon, where he helped build the Amazon Ads business in India, launched miniTV, and even holds a US patent.

    In this rich, candid conversation, Tapojoy shares:

    • His 3-step playbook to stay ahead of paradigm shifts like AI

    • The 4 habits that quietly compound into career breakthroughs

    • Using side projects as powerful tools to bridge skill gaps

    • Exactly what it takes to get promoted—whether you're at a lean startup or a layered org

    If you want to learn what it takes to build a 10X Career, this episode is for you!


    In The Career Clinic, Tapojoy answers your questions about cross-functional collaboration and execution, providing clear frameworks to tackle tricky workplace like:

    • How to unblock projects when the other team won’t budge

    • How to say no at work without sounding defensive

    • How to update leadership the smart way

    • How to hold peers accountable without ruining relationships


      Some key takeaways:

    • Raise your hand before you think you’re ready: From his first school computer class to product management at Amazon—Tapojoy didn’t wait for perfect readiness. He jumped in, learned fast, and delivered.

    • Compound curiosity into a career advantage: Intentional, curiosity-led learning from side projects and observation is as powerful as formal training.

    • Build a bias for execution: Credibility comes from consistent delivery—track records matter.

    • Take intentional career bets: Be deliberate about placing smart bets on growing trends. Early risk-taking has limited downside, but exponential upside.

    • Master saying no (and yes): Protect your energy by learning to decline clearly, transparently, and kindly—show trade-offs clearly.

    • Promotions differ by company size: Understand that promotions in startups rely heavily on your direct impact with founders, while large orgs demand cross-functional visibility and wide stakeholder support.

    • Reflection is a career accelerator: Don’t wait for annual reviews. Regular self-reflection (weekly or daily) sharpens judgment and growth.


    In this episode we cover:


    Referenced:

    • The CEO Factory by Sudhir Sitapati https://amzn.in/d/akQtm8F

    • The Lean Product Playbook by Dan Olsen https://amzn.in/d/hThFJrP

    • Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove https://amzn.in/d/2t6mAlC

    • The Power of Moments by Chip Heath & Dan Heath https://amzn.in/d/iYbL9yk


    Editing and production: GreyLabs Media https://www.instagram.com/greylabsmedia/

    Recording: https://riverside.fm/
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Turning a Rough Start into a Remarkable Career: ex P&G Vice President, Priyamvada Srivastava

    Turning a Rough Start into a Remarkable Career: ex P&G Vice President, Priyamvada Srivastava
    May 20 2025

    Priyamvada Srivastava, former Vice President & Country Manager at Procter & Gamble, is an ICF certified leadership coach. Priya started her career at P&G after pivoting from academia to sales, and faced a tough first year that fundamentally reshaped how she approached her work.


    In this episode, Priya candidly shares:

    • Why her first year was a disaster: the critical conversation she never had with her manager (but you should)

    • The three habits of top-performing new hires: based on Priya's years leading P&G’s new hire onboarding

    • Why your manager is one of three people in life you don’t get to choose—and practical steps to make that relationship thrive

    If you’re transitioning from student life to working life, or if your career didn’t start the way you hoped, this episode is for you.

    ________________

    In The Career Clinic, Priya answers your career questions on how to manage your manager, including:

    • The "ways of working" conversation every new hire must have—setting clear goals and expectations from day one

    • The three-bucket method for giving smart updates: show what’s under control, where you need some guidance, and where you're completely blocked

    • 4 steps to managing your manager

    …and so much more


    Some key takeaways:

    1. Doing well in school doesn’t prepare you for doing well at work: “I knew how to ace exams. I didn’t know how to align with a manager.”

    2. Not aligning with your manager can undo your effort: “I thought hitting the target was enough. But I’d never even had a goals discussion.”

    3. Be open to hard truths—feedback isn’t judgment: “I tell my manager: Don’t sugarcoat it. I’ll feel bad for 30 seconds, then I’ll get better.”

    4. Fear of judgment holds you back more than getting judged ever will “If you don’t speak, they’ll still judge you—just without context.”

    5. Your manager is one of three people in life you don’t get to choose—so make the equation work: “Don’t wait for them to change. Adapt to their style to get what you need: goals, feedback, teaching, resources.”

    6. Use the three-bucket method to give updates that build trust: What’s on track (just FYI); Where you need input; Where you’re blocked and need help

    7. Get your hands dirty to learn fast: “Spend less time on Excel. Be on the ground. Go where the action is.”

    ________________

    Where to find Priyamvada Srivastava: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyamvada-srivastava

    ______________

    Timestamps:

    (00:00) Introducing Priyamvada Srivastava

    (02:49) Choosing her field: From academia to sales

    (04:25) Prep Mode on: How to land your dream job

    (06:25) My first year was a disaster—here’s what I learned

    (10:25) Your manager: single most important relationship atwork for young professionals

    (14:25) “This is what you’re not good at” – when feedbackhits you

    (21:43) Three habits of high-impact new hires

    (24:25) FJPs: Tool to focus on most impactful work

    (24:25) Courage at work: “If you don’t ask, the answer isdefinitely no”

    (29:09) Work-life integration starts with your calendar

    (32:33) Last in my batch to get promoted: what it taught me

    (34:55) Why Priya left a VP role to become a coach

    (37:20) The Career Clinic: your questions, Priya'sadvice

    (37:35) The “ways of working” chat every new hire shouldhave

    (38:06) Updates your manager actually wants: The 3-bucketmethod

    (41:28) Don’t freeze in meetings—here’s what to say

    (43:10) Leadership reviews without the panic spiral

    (45:20) Learning to grow at work: how to go about it

    (49:32) Fast Track: Rapid-fire insights to bookmark

    (52:30) Book and blog recommendations

    ______________

    More from The Career Starter Kit:

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCareerStarterKit

    Newsletter: https://thecareerstarterkit.substack.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareerstarterkit/


    Submit your career queries to The Career Clinic: https://forms.gle/MYC9XmpqeF5MUJbe8

    ____________________

    Production and Editing: https://www.instagram.com/greylabsmedia/

    Recording: https://riverside.fm/
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    54 mins
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