Dr. Malpani

A dimly lit office corridor in an Indian startup hints at the challenges of conducting reference checks.
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Chapter 9. References: The Conversation Founders Skip

This chapter explains why Indian founders often skip reference checks and how to conduct them effectively. It helps founders understand the importance of thorough reference conversations. Quick Summary Founders skip references due to awkwardness and fear of losing candidates. Effective references…

A hiring manager reviews candidate resumes in a startup office, with a colleague on a video call, reflecting a structured hiring process.
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Chapter 8. Pillar Three: Select with Evidence

This chapter from the series ‘How to Hire A Players: A Guide for Indian Founders’ focuses on selecting the right candidates based on evidence rather than intuition. It outlines a structured interview process to identify top talent effectively. Quick Summary Use structured interviews to avoid rely…

A flat-lay of a desk with business cards, a smartphone, and glasses, illustrating proactive talent sourcing strategies.
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Chapter 7. Pillar Two: Source Before You Are Desperate

This chapter discusses the importance of proactive sourcing in hiring A Players for Indian startups. It provides strategies for building a strong talent pipeline before the need becomes urgent. Quick Summary Start sourcing talent before the need becomes urgent to avoid desperation. Prioritize ref…

Close-up of a brass door handle symbolizes creating a scorecard for hiring A Players in an office setting.
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Chapter 6. Pillar One: Write the Scorecard

This chapter explains how to create a scorecard for hiring A Players in your company. It helps Indian founders understand the importance of results-focused hiring. Quick Summary A job description lists activities; a scorecard lists results. Write the scorecard before engaging recruiters or candid…

A founder in an Indian office reviews a scribbled whiteboard, illustrating the structured Four-Pillar hiring framework.
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Chapter 5. The Four-Pillar Framework

This chapter introduces the Four-Pillar Framework, a method for hiring top talent effectively. It guides Indian founders on how to systematically identify and secure A Players for their teams. Quick Summary Gut feeling is not an effective hiring strategy. The A Method consists of four sequential …

View into an Indian startup office discussing hiring mistakes; blurred figures converse behind an ajar glass door.
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Chapter 4. Mistakes Indian Founders Repeat

This chapter discusses common hiring mistakes made by Indian founders, focusing on ineffective interview styles and biases. It helps founders recognize and avoid these pitfalls to improve their hiring process. Quick Summary Founders often rely on pedigree or family connections instead of objectiv…

Notice board in an Indian startup office with blurred papers, symbolizing the challenges of bad hires in India.
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Chapter 3. What a Bad Hire Really Costs in India

This chapter discusses the true cost of a bad hire for Indian founders, emphasizing the visible and invisible expenses involved. It highlights cultural and legal factors that make the consequences of poor hiring decisions particularly severe in India. Quick Summary Bad hires in India can cost one…

Diverse employees in a startup office discuss in warm light, reflecting on A Players hiring theme.
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Chapter 2. A Players Hire A Players

This chapter discusses the importance of maintaining high talent standards in a company. It highlights how hiring A Players can influence a company’s success and warns against the pitfalls of hiring B and C Players. Quick Summary A Players attract other A Players and set high standards. B Players…

Indian startup founders discuss hiring strategy around a wooden table, with bright sunlight highlighting their workspace.
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Chapter 1. Hiring Is the Founder’s Real Job

This chapter discusses the critical role of hiring for Indian founders, emphasizing why founders must personally manage early recruitment. It highlights the importance of building a team of A Players to ensure long-term success. Quick Summary The most important business problem is who does the wo…

Close-up of a leather briefcase on a startup desk, symbolizing the challenges of hiring for Indian startups.
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Preface: Why Good Indian Startups Die of Bad Hires

This preface introduces the book ‘How to Hire A Players: A Guide for Indian Founders’. It highlights the critical importance of hiring the right talent for startup success in India. Quick Summary Hiring the right people is crucial for startup success. Founders often make hiring mistakes due to pr…

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