Kalyan Jagnani: A Leadership Role That Empower Others
Kalyan Jagnani
Co-Founder
KNEX Solutions is a boutique financial advisory firm offering customized solutions to its valued clients. The firm has been handholding its clients as a partner in their growth process. KNEX Solutions brings versatility in end-to-end business management practice with specialization in corporate finance and turnaround practice (handling financial stressed situations faced by clients). The company has been successfully providing out-of-box solutions by leveraging its past experience.
In an exclusive interview with CEO Insights Magazine, Kalyan Jagnani, Co-Founder, KNEX Solutions walks us through his personal and professional journey along with the unique traits of the company.
Throw some light on your professional background and experience. What inspired you to venture into the finance domain and what drives you today?
I am a Chartered Accountant by education and training, and I have worked in corporate finance and investment banking for nearly two decades. During my corporate experience, I realized that SMEs are critical to our country's progress and future. However, due to a lack of finance, they are unable to scale up. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now account for over 40 percent of India's GDP and exports. And, in order to achieve our goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, we as a country must boost SMEs' growth. This idea gave birth to KNEX Solutions, a company whose aim is
to help small businesses receive the funding they need to develop.
Witnessing the progress of businesses in which we have contributed to their success fuels our zeal and passion. Furthermore, my team's enthusiasm motivates me to come up with new ideas, better our performance, and deliver more.
What were the major challenges you have encountered so far in your journey? What did you learn from them and how did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?
The fact that SMEs are promoter dependent as they are the only decision-makers, poses significant issues. Promoters are proficient in their businesses. They do, however, have a major lack of knowledge about numerous financial instruments that can assist them in obtaining more funding for their expansion. We strive to persuade the promoters that there are products and solutions available that they and their team can leverage to drive a successful business. As a coach and advisors, we work with promoters to help them realize little victories in order to build trust and transparency. When the promoters see the difference and recognize the impact we can make, they open up and make us a part of their integral team.
How would you define KNEX Solutions as an organization and its position in the market?
KNEX Solutions is an organization with the objective to help companies flourish and the Indian economy accomplish its goals. We provide a wide range of products that can be tailored to fit the specific need of corporates. Our products are one-of-a-kind, designed to fulfil the distinct needs of each individual client. We take pleasure in providing the best solutions, and we don't believe in selling; instead, we wish to help clients achieve their financial objectives.
How has been your response to the challenges posted by the covid-affected market and the need for new strategies? How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
COVID created an immensely tough time for businesses in India. The pandemic brought the economy to its knees and made the business
Witnessing the progress of businesses in which we have contributed to their success fuels our zeal and passion. Furthermore, my team's enthusiasm motivates me to come up with new ideas, better our performance, and deliver more.
What were the major challenges you have encountered so far in your journey? What did you learn from them and how did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?
The fact that SMEs are promoter dependent as they are the only decision-makers, poses significant issues. Promoters are proficient in their businesses. They do, however, have a major lack of knowledge about numerous financial instruments that can assist them in obtaining more funding for their expansion. We strive to persuade the promoters that there are products and solutions available that they and their team can leverage to drive a successful business. As a coach and advisors, we work with promoters to help them realize little victories in order to build trust and transparency. When the promoters see the difference and recognize the impact we can make, they open up and make us a part of their integral team.
We take pleasure in providing the best solutions, and we don't believe in selling; instead, we wish to help clients achieve their financial objectives
How would you define KNEX Solutions as an organization and its position in the market?
KNEX Solutions is an organization with the objective to help companies flourish and the Indian economy accomplish its goals. We provide a wide range of products that can be tailored to fit the specific need of corporates. Our products are one-of-a-kind, designed to fulfil the distinct needs of each individual client. We take pleasure in providing the best solutions, and we don't believe in selling; instead, we wish to help clients achieve their financial objectives.
How has been your response to the challenges posted by the covid-affected market and the need for new strategies? How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
COVID created an immensely tough time for businesses in India. The pandemic brought the economy to its knees and made the business
suffer. As they say each crisis brings multiple opportunities, we took the same strategy, engaged with SME owners, and educated them about numerous traditional and creative structures that may aid their business. This method instilled in them a sense of optimism and hope. We shouldered and partnered the responsibilities and helped our clients not only to sustain during the pandemic time but also help them scale up and take the lead in the market.
How do you keep up to date with changes in financial sector trends to steer your organization towards the future?
There is no substitute to knowledge and that is the driving factor behind KNEX Solutions. KNEX stands for Knowledge Exchange. We keep ourselves updated about the new regulations and its implications from regulators and experts in the industry. We always try to stay relevant with the changing market dynamics. We, being in the midst of the businesses and regulators, brainstorm and derive built-to-suit solutions for our clients. We at times discuss our ideas with financial institutions and lenders and help them develop innovative products for businesses. Continuous reading, discussions, meetings, webinars, and different other interactive platforms help us to remain abreast of all developments in financial sectors.
Share a piece of advice/suggestion to the budding leaders who would like to set a benchmark in their career especially in finance operations?
Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future; it is a continual calculation, an instinctive exercise in foresight.
Kalyan Jagnani, Co-Founder, KNEX Solutions
Kalyan is a business leader with over 20 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Operations Management, Capital Markets, Strategy Research, Ratings and Business Finance with a proven track record of leading, growing, and managing profitable business units.
He is currently partnering with Financial Institutions to encourage the growth of entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of the nation.
•Hobbies:Reading business articles, watching business related movies and grooming and coaching entrepreneurs
•Favorite Cuisine: I am not foody, and I just eat to fuel myself
•Favorite Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Favorite Travel Destination: keep exploring India
•Awards & Recognition:Entrepreneur of the year by Indian Achievers Award Forum
How do you keep up to date with changes in financial sector trends to steer your organization towards the future?
There is no substitute to knowledge and that is the driving factor behind KNEX Solutions. KNEX stands for Knowledge Exchange. We keep ourselves updated about the new regulations and its implications from regulators and experts in the industry. We always try to stay relevant with the changing market dynamics. We, being in the midst of the businesses and regulators, brainstorm and derive built-to-suit solutions for our clients. We at times discuss our ideas with financial institutions and lenders and help them develop innovative products for businesses. Continuous reading, discussions, meetings, webinars, and different other interactive platforms help us to remain abreast of all developments in financial sectors.
Share a piece of advice/suggestion to the budding leaders who would like to set a benchmark in their career especially in finance operations?
Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future; it is a continual calculation, an instinctive exercise in foresight.
Kalyan Jagnani, Co-Founder, KNEX Solutions
Kalyan is a business leader with over 20 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Operations Management, Capital Markets, Strategy Research, Ratings and Business Finance with a proven track record of leading, growing, and managing profitable business units.
He is currently partnering with Financial Institutions to encourage the growth of entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of the nation.
•Hobbies:Reading business articles, watching business related movies and grooming and coaching entrepreneurs
•Favorite Cuisine: I am not foody, and I just eat to fuel myself
•Favorite Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Favorite Travel Destination: keep exploring India
•Awards & Recognition:Entrepreneur of the year by Indian Achievers Award Forum