Divakar, has an overall of 18 years of experience, with 14+ in Market Research. He has worked in Client Services, Operations, and off-shore operations centre setup and management, but also HR, finance, and IT. He is multitasking, always open to new endeavours and tasks, a quick learner, goal-oriented, setting small goals, achieving them, then moving to the next one, and slightly workaholic.
But who is the man behind the title?
He was challenged to answer a few tricky questions during the interview, now let's see how he did.
If you could be a crayon, what color would you be? What’s the meaning behind it?
I would be the colour “black”, because it can blend in with any colour easily, leave its impression and enhances the tone & depth of that colour, and if you want to allow it, then it has the capacity to completely take over the other colour. Similarly, I can easily blend in with anyone, get accustomed to the other person’s needs, and work accordingly to bring value to their work.
And, if you want me to completely take over something, I can do that too, if you give me time and space to do it. 😊
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
I would usually think about how I would like to get to my destination quickly.
What’s your favorite ‘90s jam?
“Everybody” by Backstreet Boys, Maine Pyar Kiya title song (it’s a Hindi song),
“They don’t care about us” by Michael Jackson, “Mysterious Girl” by Peter Andre, and a lot more by various singers, in different genres. As a kid, I loved watching music videos, I do it even now in my free time.
What’s the last tv show you watched?
"Lucifer" on Netflix. I also finished watching "Suits" and "Money Heist".
What are you known for?
My honesty, integrity, and dedication at work. I love doing what I’m doing today, and I’ll be forever grateful to all my peers who’ve given me the chance to excel at my work at different stages of my career.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that it’s not put up in your resume?
As a leader, I’ve always worked towards keeping my team happy. It’s not in my resume, but if you ask any of my current or old team members, I’m confident everyone will say they enjoyed being in my team, and if given a chance they probably wouldn’t mind doing it again.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
There’s no trick for productivity, just get up and do it.
But, one thing I always try to do is – to find an easier, quicker, automated solution for repetitive tasks.
It involves a one–time effort, but in the long run, it makes your day–to–day work easier and saves time.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Watching any tv-show makes me feel more relaxed after a busy and stressful day. 😊
What three words would your friends use to describe you? Why?
I think my friends would probably say that I am...
Brutally honest (I don’t sugarcoat things if it’s for the betterment of something or someone).
Loyal (I don’t let go of my friends, even if I don’t talk to them for years, whenever I do, I’d do it with the same warmth. The time gap in conversations does not matter to me, the excitement of talking to an old friend is what does.)
DJ (there’s PJ then comes DJ, I sometimes make the worst jokes of all time, and my friends still laugh at them.
Not sure if they’re laughing at the joke or my timing of cracking that joke, or me. It just comes naturally, like a born talent. 😁)
What’s the first concert you ever went to?
I have never been to one.
If you had to pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose? Why?
I enjoyed it differently at different stages of my life.
I’d want to be 24 again, that’s when I met my better half (my wife), or be 28 again, that’s when the one who calls me dad came down from God’s arms to bring warmth in our arms, a smile on our faces and tears of joy in our eyes.
I sometimes want to go back to school, to do all the mischievous things again.
But, I enjoy being in my current position of work and life, so I’m happy with my current age.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
I don’t think my life is interesting enough for a book. So unless someone promises to buy a million copies of that book, I wouldn’t even start it. 😉
What was your first job?
My first job was as a customer support executive in an inbound call center for the biggest mobile telecom provider in the country at the time (back in 2002).
What do you do at DataDiggers and in what circumstances would I come to you for something?
I work as Director in the Integration, Products and IT department for DataDiggers.
If you’re looking for the most agile, adaptable team of developers ready to API one of the largest pool of proprietary panel markets in the MR industry, then you need to get in touch with me immediately.
Or, if you have your own panels but not enough clients to serve those panels to, and don’t want to spend millions of Euros in development, then also you can reach out to me, and we can find you a suitable API solution.
Who is your hero?
I like meeting and talking to different people and pick up different learnings from those conversations, from their experiences in life, at work, etc.
If anyone can teach me something that makes me a better person in life, then that person is a hero for me at that moment of my life.
I don’t want to follow in anyone’s footsteps but learn from everyone to make a good life for me, my loved ones, and also contribute to developing a good society where our future generations can prosper.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I’d love to live in Eastern Europe, preferably Romania, if not then Denmark, Poland or some other nearby country. I have many reasons for this choice. The beauty of the entire region; the perfect climate – a variety of seasons; warm, loving, and respectful people; but most of all to be closer to my DD family.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Little, sweet with milk. At least 2 cups a day. 😊
Do you have a work best friend? Who is it?
I wouldn’t name one, else the others might get hurt.
But, no one can replace Paula and Daniel as they gave me the opportunity and then all the opportunities to explore all areas of business and excel at it.
How do you pick yourself back up after making a mistake at work?
Accept the mistake, find a solution, and promise yourself to never repeat it.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned in your current position?
The best thing that I’ve learned throughout my career, and it’s not limited to this position, is that there’s no end to learning, you just have to find new ways to learn new things.
Ask your boss for more opportunities, come up with ideas and ways to implement them. If you have a strong plan with a good workable roadmap to see it through, you could find your breakthrough to the next level.
What’s the best clothing item you’ve ever bought?
I like to suit up for certain occasions. Delhi’s weather doesn’t allow you to experiment too much with clothing choices, but I like to wear my suits when I get the chance.
If you could recommend me 5 movies, what would those be?
All parts of the Fast & Furious series;
All parts of the National Treasure series;
All parts of the Rocky series;
Any Jackie Chan movie – easily the best entertainer for the entire family;
All parts of the Hot Shots series.
What’s your motto?
In general – “Live and let live.”
At work – “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”