Leaderspeak
You are a Leader
Just one or many qualities can make a great leader.
For personal as well as organisational leadership, let's identify at least one leadership trait in us, and build it.
While trying to understand how leaders have defined leadership, I discovered that the definition of a leader and expectations from a leader can have a vast range. And that one leader can have multiple qualities, or just one great quality. I also understood that leadership qualities needed might change from situation to situation. I also realised that a person with a great strategy can be a leader, and a person with just a great heart can also be a leader.
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I gathered that a person who can see farther than others see is a leader, and a person who learns from history is also a leader. I realised that there are hundreds of definitions and quotes describing a leader. But most important realisation for me was that for personal as well as organisational leadership, let's identify at least one leadership trait in us, and build it
In the tapestry of human history, leaders have emerged as beacons of change, direction, and progress. The definition of a leader transcends the mere act of command; it encapsulates vision, inspiration, empowerment, and the ability to translate dreams into reality. Author Leroy Eimes said that a leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see and who sees before others see. In a world abuzz with complexities, leaders possess the unique gift of simplification. Armyman Gen Colin Powell opined that great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.
A leader's greatest achievement lies in igniting the flames of ambition and aspiration in those they lead. President John Quincy Adams said that a leaders' actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. On similar lines former US First Lady believed that a leader takes people where they want to go and a great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be. With a high focus on empowerment, Bill Gates declared that in the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.
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The evolution from individual success to nurturing the success of others is a hallmark of leadership. Business leader Jack Welch's insight captures this transformation when he says that before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
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True leaders lead from the front, showcasing unwavering determination and sacrifice, even in the face of adversity. Author George Orwell asserted that the leaders who offer blood, toil, tears, and sweat always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time.
In today's realm of uncertainty, leaders assume the role of dealers in hope. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte propounded that a leader is a dealer in hope, and will instill optimism and resilience in their followers. They are torchbearers through darkness, driving others forward with a beacon of possibility.
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In the amalgamation of leadership lies the fusion of strategy and character. Another US army man, Gen H. Norman Schwarzkopf defined leadership as a combination of strategy and character, and if a leader has to be without one, be without the strategy. This emphasized that strategy, while vital, must be grounded in the bedrock of unwavering character. Leaders are not defined by what they say, but by the impact of their actions. Motivational speaker Stephen Covey's insight was that what a leader does has far greater impact than what the leader says. Thus leadership is about rolling up sleeves, and not just proclamation.
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Clearly, the essence of leadership seems to be in lots of qualities. For instance, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said that innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. He believed that leaders don't tread the beaten path, they carve new trails, illuminating the way for others to follow.
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In conclusion, in a world where the definition of leadership is as varied as the stars in the night sky, these quotes form the mosaic of its essence. So let's identify at least one leadership trait in us, and work on it.
Ibrahim Ahmad
Managing Director
Latest Wins
A dynamic nonprofit nestled in the heart of vibrant Philadelphia, dedicated to crafting a future where everyone's economic dreams find a home. This organization doesn't just embrace diversity; it champions it. Their mission? To harness the incredible power of immigrant integration, enabling people to immigrate to the US and become confident agents of change. Infoglen is setting up their Salesforce system to capture the end-to-end journey of the candidate till the immigration process is complete.
A Quick Introduction To Our Newest Client
Welcome Aboard
Hanuma Prasad
Inside Sales Manager, Kadapa
Your Favorite Quote: “Fate helps those who try to help themselves.”
If you could write a book about your life, what would be the title: Silence Is Not A Sign Of Weakness
What is it about joining Infoglen that you look forward to the most:
I look forward to learning things about Salesforce, which is an ocean of opportunities for growth. It is interesting for me to work on a new area with respect to prospecting, selling and building a network.
Your Favorite Quote: "There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do."
If you could write a book about your life, what would be the title: Play Hard, Work Harder
What is it about joining Infoglen that you look forward to the most:
​I look forward to working closely with the extremely talented team here in San Jose.
Cole Pammer
Sales Intern, San Jose
Team Engagement
For Nurturing Your Mental, Physical & Spiritual Well-being
Infoglen Employee Assistance Program
We're excited to announce the launch of Infoglen's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a self-help portal – Ethika, aimed at nurturing your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Infoglen EAP is a confidential service providing personalized, free counseling across the following domains such as parenting, finances & taxes, nutrition and more. Whether you seek stress management, relationship improvement, or work-life balance, the Infoglen EAP Program is here to help.
Beyond counseling, Infoglen EAP offers exclusive discounts on health check-ups, vision & dental packages, and online medicine purchases. Additionally, you can enjoy daily guided meditation sessions for relaxation.
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Accessible 24/7 online and via phone, Infoglen EAP covers you and your immediate family. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your well-being at work and beyond.
Webinars
Dr. Preeti Nanda Sibal
CEO - Medi Skool Health Services
Sustainable Rapid Fat Loss Method
On 18 August, Infoglen organized a webinar on ‘Sustainable Rapid Fat Loss Method’, conducted by Dr. Preeti Nanda Sibal, CEO of Medi Skool Health Services. The session covered tips on:
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Understanding the harmful lies and myths around fat loss
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Different methods to achieve the desired results in fat loss
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Detailed strategies and diet plan to attain fat loss goals
Gaston Dsouza
Training Specialist & Motivational Speaker
Problem Solving: The Answer Is You
On 25 August, Infoglen organized a webinar on ‘Problem Solving: The Answer is You’, conducted by Gaston Dsouza, a training specialist and motivational speaker. The session covered how effective problem solving skills lead to efficient utilization of time and resources, better response to changing client/business needs, risk anticipation and self management.
Infoglen Giving
Plastic Free July Challenge
Plastic-Free July is a worldwide movement that encourages individuals and organizations to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics throughout the entire month and build a lifelong habit. As part of its GreenGlen initiative for climate action & sustainability and its recently launched SWEEP project, Infoglen participated in the global Plastic-Free July challenge. The objective was to enable Infogleners to join the challenge, create awareness about plastic pollution, provide resources and support to make plastic free choices, by organizing check-in sessions where team members can come together and share their plastic free journey.
Here’s a round up of all the activities we organized during the Plastic Free July Challenge:
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First Check-In: During our first check-in on 5 July, we calculated our plastic footprint, reflected on our plastic consumption habits and set actionable goals for the month to cut down on our plastic waste.
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Workshop on Living Plastic Free: On 11 July, we arranged a special workshop by Garbage Free India (GFI), an organization dedicated to waste management. GFI shared invaluable insights and provided the necessary information about types of plastic, alternatives to plastic and practical tips on reducing plastic.
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Plastic Clean Up Drive: On 22 July, team members from Pune, Mumbai and Ahmednagar, came together to participate in a plastic clean-up drive organized by Infoglen in Pune
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Last Check-In: On 28 July, we discussed learnings – what worked, what didn't, areas of improvement, etc. The session was an opportunity to pause, self-reflect and share takeaways from the experience.
Even though the Plastic Free July month is over, we don’t want to stop with our efforts to remove plastic from our lives. Here are some resources to help you continue on the plastic free journey.
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We’ve also started a Google Space ‘Infogleners for Plastic Free Living’ for all those interested in staying connected, sharing and learning with others about their plastic free journey. If you’d like to join the group, drop a message to Aamena Ahmad.
Events @ Infoglen
Infoglen Salesforce Crest (Gold) Partnership Celebrations
In the last few weeks, Infoglen has celebrated its remarkable achievement of attaining the Salesforce Crest (Gold) Partnership status, across locations: San Jose, Pune, Bangalore and Gurugram. The celebrations have been a testament to the unity and spirit that defines our incredible team. Teams got together for cake cutting, fun & games and team bonding activities.
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The celebration event in Gurugram was of special significance with senior leaders attending from different corners of the globe. While some joined us in person, others participated virtually, bridging the distance with their unwavering enthusiasm.
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The festivities started with inspiring keynote addresses by two luminaries - our Managing Director, Ibrahim Ahmad, and our Co-Founder & COO, Saba Ahmad. Saba's presence, all the way from San Jose, made the occasion extra special, symbolizing the seamless collaboration between our international teams. The leaders' heartfelt speeches motivated everyone to continue surpassing limits and consistently exceeding expectations.
The jubilation was sweetened by the ceremonial cutting of a celebratory cake, followed by a series of engaging games, heartwarming conversations, and a mouth-watering feast. As the day unfolded, a friendly cricket match provided a perfect arena for Infogleners to showcase their remarkable teamwork, fostering connections and crafting shared memories.
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As we reflect on this achievement, we are grateful to our exceptional team, our valued clients, our flourishing partnership with Salesforce, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. The journey to Crest Partnership has been a testament to our unwavering commitment, and we eagerly anticipate the horizons that await us.
Success Story
Infoglen Optimized Salesforce for Google Acquisition Marketing Team
Infoglen optimized Google’s legacy Salesforce system and improved the efficiency of its sales team up to 40%.
The Problem
CPU timeout errors due to bulk update/processing of data in the org
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No option for a mass update on opportunity & ownership transfer
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Slow opportunity page performance resulted in a loss of revenue
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Need of incall engagements to improve conference call outcomes for the sales reps
Solution
Integrated Google Meet with Salesforce to automate meetings scheduled in the barkeep (Google’s internal tool) saving manual hours of redirecting calls/ meeting notes
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Integration with Google Internal Telephony tool and Salesforce using REST API to improve collaborative call experience and remove post-call administrative work for the sales reps
Streamlined Account & Opportunity management to maintain customer information, track potential deals through opportunities & use it for forecasting future opportunities resulting in improved upsell/cross-sell
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Built custom functionality to improve the mass transfer of ownership on opportunity records and reflected it on related records
Built a custom functionality to upstream or downstream the opportunities based on predefined criteria to provide the right customer with the right solution
Consolidated, reconstructed, and optimized the code to enhance system performance and increase test code percentage to 80+
The Delighted Client
Congratulations to Aman for receiving client appreciation on the Bazaarvoice project!
The Content Manager at Bazaarvoice expressed their positive experience working with Aman Sharma, our Senior Salesforce Consultant, on Community case routing updates. Aman quickly grasped project requirements and existing setup. Aman collaborated effectively, conducting thorough testing before the live launch. The client appreciated Aman's consistent and effective communication throughout the process.
Bazaarvoice is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that provides software services to collect and display several types of user-generated content (UGC). Aman is working primarily on the client’s pricing and packaging requirements for Salesforce CPQ, integrations with NPS Survey App, technical improvements, Apex related tasks, etc.
Tech Talk
The Power Of Vlocity
Salesforce’s acquisition of Vlocity empowers enterprises by faster roll-out and better customer experience
Salesforce is the world’s #1 CRM application helping organizations to interact with their customers in a whole new way. Although Salesforce has been able to help enterprises achieve success and generate greater revenue, it lags behind when we talk about the industry-specialization. Overcoming this limitation, James Ramsay and his team, in 2014, built industry-specific CRM solutions called Vlocity. The company's software provided cloud applications that helped companies to deliver unified, industry-specific customer experiences in customer-centric industries. Vlocity served companies in the communications, media and entertainment, insurance, health and other industries. The applications had pre-embedded industry-specific functionality, best practices and business processes to make adoption and integration easier.
In 2020 Salesforce acquired Vlocity and it was able to add Vlocity’s industry-specific CRMs to its existing products, known as Salesforce Industries. The acquisition of Vlocity gave Salesforce a leg up on new vertical solutions. Broadly speaking, the 12 current industry clouds, namely - FinServ, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Communications, Consumer Goods, Public Sector, Retail, Manufacturing, Media, Transportation & Hospitality, Automotive, Energy & Utilities, Education, Philanthropy, Non-profit, Sustainability etc, make headway in the Vlocity applications. These expand the existing Salesforce data model and provide out-of-the-box solutions that speak the language of their industry.
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Why would a company need Vlocity?
The end consumers have various touch-points - mobile phones, tablets, desktop devices etc, where they want to interact with our offerings in today’s world.
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A company using Salesforce at its core and trying to offer the same experience to its consumers on various platforms may have the flexibility to either custom develop from scratch or use an existing pre-built solution. Custom development is, no doubt, more pliant but adds the cost of consultation and development along with the maintenance cost to compete with the changing markets. Vlocity, on the other hand, provides the flexibility for faster market launch, higher ROI and staying ahead of the competition.
With the Vlocity acquisition by Salesforce, the Salesforce Industries Cloud gets 3 releases in a year in-sync with the Salesforce releases, helping the customers stay ahead of the market and ensuring seamless integration with their other clouds and upgraded APIs to connect with the other systems.
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In summary, Salesforce's acquisition of Vlocity in 2020 was a game-changer for CRM. Vlocity's industry-specific solutions addressed a key gap, enhancing customer interactions across various sectors. This acquisition birthed Salesforce Industries, with 12 industry clouds, offering ready-made, highly specialized CRM solutions. Vlocity's value lies in its speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, enabling companies to stay competitive. In essence, this partnership revolutionized CRM by providing tailored solutions to industries, optimizing customer experiences.
Danish Hoda
Lead Salesforce Consultant
Security First
Tips From Infoglen's IT Security Handbook
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Ensure installation of Trend Micro Antivirus/ Forcepoint Websecurity on all Infoglen systems with regular signature updates.
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Ensure that the Operating System is updated with the latest updates/patches.
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Don't leave the laptops unattended with sensitive information on the screen.
What's Cooking?
Aamras Shrikhand: A Mango Yogurt Dessert By Chef Ranveer Brar
Try out the popular dessert from western India, made from ripe mangoes blended into a smooth and sweet pulp, served chilled. A delightful fusion of creamy yogurt and luscious mango puree that captures the essence of summer in every spoonful.
Ingredients
For Aamras:
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2 large size Alphonso mangoes, cut into cube
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â…“ cup Caster sugar
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For Shrikhand:
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600 gms Hung curd
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â…“ cup Caster sugar
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1 cup Prepared Amras
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6-7 Saffron strands
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¼ cup Alphonso mangoes, cut into cube
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Peeled and sliced almonds for garnishing
Directions
For Aamras:
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In a bowl, add mangoes and caster sugar.
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Now, with the help of a hand blender, blend this mixture until smooth in texture.
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For Mango Shrikhand:
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In a bowl or earthen pot, add hung curd and with the help of a whisk or spoon, whisk it nicely until smooth in texture.
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Now, add caster sugar, prepared aamras, saffron strands, mangoes and mix it well.
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Garnish it with mango cubes and almonds.
To share your favorite recipes with all Infogleners, send it to us at
InfoQuiz August
Questions
When did Salesforce acquire Vlocity?
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In which city was the Plastic Clean Up Drive conducted during the Plastic Free July Challenge?
What is the name of the Google project where Infoglen is streamlining sales processes?
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Please email your answers to: aamena@infoglen.com & shivangi@infoglen.com to win a PRIZE
Hint: Most answers can be found in this issue of InfoBuzz!
Answers of July InfoQuiz
How can sales representatives use voice-enabled Salesforce CRM?
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Sales representatives can effortlessly update customer records, log activities, and create tasks while on the go, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual typing. This allows them to allocate more time to building relationships and closing deals, boosting overall sales productivity.
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How many trees did Infoglen plant to celebrate World Rainforest Day 2023?
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500
Pankaj Sachdeva
Winner of July InfoQuiz
Celebrations
Birthdays
Shruthi Ravi
1st Aug, Sunnyvale
Amodini Bakshi
2nd Aug, Delhi
Areeb Hashmi 9th Aug, Lucknow
Fenil Shah
9th Aug, Pune
Siddhartha Gupta
12th Aug, Delhi
Maharshi Oza
12th Aug, Bangalore
Katie Caygill
13th Aug, San Jose
Mukul Kumar
27th Aug, Noida
Kanika Malkani
29th Aug, Jaipur
Work Anniversaries
Charli Kashyap
5 Years
Vamshi Krishna
4 Years
Eric Levine
2 Years
Up Close & Personal with Shripad
Shripad Pulujkar, our Head of Presales from Pune, shared insights from his personal life
Shripad Pulujkar
Head of Presales
IB: What is the sweetest memory from your childhood days?
SP: I've got loads of sweet memories from my childhood days! But one that really makes my heart all fuzzy is the time we celebrated Diwali as a family. The whole house would be buzzing with excitement. We'd clean and decorate every nook and cranny, making sure it looked like a mini palace. The best part was definitely the FOOD! Oh boy, my mom and grandma would whip up the most mouth watering delicacies ever.
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But what made it all extra special? It was the time spent together. Bursting crackers with friends and cousins, laughing till our stomachs hurt, and sharing that grand feast with our loved ones - it was pure bliss. The warmth of family, the joy of celebrating together, and the simple pleasures that make life so beautiful. It's something I'll cherish forever.
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IB: What is your time management mantra?
SP: If you don’t prioritize, everything seems urgent and important. If you define the single most important task for each day, almost nothing seems urgent or important.
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Oftentimes, it’s just a matter of letting little bad things happen (return a phone call late and apologize, pay a small late fee, miss a minor deadline on a non-critical project, delegate a small task and accept a minor mistake, etc.) to get the big important things done.
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IB: What is a hidden talent you have?
SP: I've always been great at reading body language. It's like having a superpower in understanding what people aren't saying.
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IB: If you could get a new skill in 10 minutes, what would it be?
SP: Doing magic tricks.
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IB: What is your favourite pastime?
SP: Reading! Not necessarily a book but anything that tickles my interest. Along with physical and digital books, I am a pro-consumer of Quora, Reddit, Webtoon, Blogs, etc but never a piece of news. I hate the news, especially the form it has taken in this modern day and age.
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IB: What if you had six months of paid vacation? Where would you travel?
SP: Island-Hopping in the Pacific! I am drawn to the beauty of tropical islands. I will consider exploring places like Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Hawaii. Enjoy stunning beaches, clear waters, and a relaxed island atmosphere.
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IB: What are the kind of books you like to read or movies you like to watch?
SP: I mostly read non-fiction books (but not biographies). For fictional reading, I prefer comics or Webtoons. I do not prefer commercialized cinema following the same formula. I love watching out of the box movies even if they are boring sometimes. Low budget action thrillers are my guilty pleasure.
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Some of my recent favorites (not the most favorites) -
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Non-fiction: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (I didn’t believe it when people reviewed it as a Bible of the 21th century. I was wrong)
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Fiction: Everything is Fine (cute or scary? I will let you decide)
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Movie: Her (This movie was sitting in my watchlist for 8 years, so annoyed that I didn’t watch it until recently. This is a love story we didn't ask for but a love story we deserve)
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TV Show: Twisted Metal (Just a guilty pleasure! They had me at cars and guns and then they mounted guns on the cars and started racing.)
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IB: What's the one thing you like about Infoglen?
SP: Warmth! I've reiterated this sentiment on numerous occasions, and I'll continue to do so - Haroon, Saba, and Ibrahim are exemplary leaders with genuine compassion. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to be guided by such remarkable individuals.
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I can name at least a hundred more things I like about Infoglen but you asked me to stop at one!
Editorial Board: Chief Editor - Fenil Shah; Editor - Aamena Ahmad; Designer - Roshan Kandari - Tarun Gupta
We welcome your suggestions/ideas - aamena@infoglen.com
Infoglen LLC, 100 Century Center Court, Suite # 301, San Jose, CA, 95112
Email: contact@infoglen.com, Phone: +1 408 642 5329