Produced By - No Strategy Just Story: Growing on LinkedIn with Honesty and Heart | 131: Anu Chandrasekar

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

Anu Chandrasekar is a Product and Transformation Consultant who helps banks deliver payments and operational changes that make life simpler for real people. With nearly 20 years in digital transformation, she’s especially passionate about bringing practical AI into workflows, not to replace humans, but to free them to do the work that actually matters. She blends strategic thinking with delivery to help teams move faster and work smarter across complex environments.Alongside her consulting work, Anu is a career coach and speaker who champions thoughtful leadership and community over noisy hustle. What began as honest reflections on LinkedIn has grown into a meaningful platform where thousands connect over clarity, confidence and progress that feels true to who they are. In this episode, Anu shares how embracing change has helped her rebuild with intention. If you’re redefining success in your next chapter, this conversation will remind you that moving forward doesn’t have to be loud, just honest, consistent and human.Connect with Anu:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-chandrasekaran-/Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: believing in angels and connecting the dots01:02 – Intro and welcome01:26 – Meet Anu: mum of 3, transformation consultant, writer02:52 – Her surprising dream of being Britney Spears04:10 – From India to London: how she built her life abroad06:00 – Adjusting to life in a new country with two young kids08:12 – Staying strong when it gets overwhelming10:00 – What real positivity means to her11:11 – Books that changed her: The Secret & The Kite Runner13:12 – Finding light: spirituality, candles, and crystals14:03 – Why she started posting on LinkedIn15:50 – From job break to purpose: how writing helped her heal17:48 – Showing up without chasing metrics or followers19:40 – Building a kind and loyal community on LinkedIn21:53 – Sharing value without pretending to be perfect24:10 – Why LinkedIn is a game-changer for visibility25:56 – Taking a break for family — and why it matters26:30 – Public speaking fears, stage anxiety, and what helps28:54 – Using her voice to empower women in tech and AI30:46 – Learning from the right people on LinkedIn32:15 – On listening to podcasts and staying inspired33:45 – Painting, walking, cafés: how she recharges offline35:00 – Favourite books and authors beyond self-help36:52 – Navigating the job market and staying hopeful40:54 – How to reach Anu & what she’s working on next42:48 – Final thoughts and a message of encouragement Connect with Tomas:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠Unproduced:Newsletter: https://unproduced.substack.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unproducednotesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033Ddo8ibDlLYoaP7FFLIWMore:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠The Podcast Club: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/25420030/Tools & gear that support the show:Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKRiverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/vDnDodFavikon: https://www.favikon.com?fpr=tommenRa Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19JamX: https://jamx.ai/podcasters-offer?ref_id=e02d48af-ef66-4e76-b804-c2e8d282a8bfSome links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You will actually understand life is so big and whatever trivial problems that we are thinking, there's always somebody who's going through a lot worse than us. And there are definitely people who will be a lot better than us. At this point, if you're just living in the present and understanding. But all that said, always believe that everything is falling in place. There could be sometimes when things don't, but the dots always connect from the back. It also always happened for me, Tom. I really believe that.

So I believe in angels, something good in everything I see. I keep saving that. I really truly believe that. I believe that is something good at everything I see. So it's not that I'm just making it up because it's a podcast. You know, you just leave things for now, like you just breathe. And sometimes I just think, believe in crystals. I do some religious, like how you light a candle.

We light something called. Before we dive into today's episode, please hit that subscribe button. Your support helps us grow and inspire more people on their journeys. Thank you. Hello, Anu, thank you for joining us today and welcome to the show. Hi Tom, such a pleasure to be here, kind of the real. We saw it coming for a long time so I'm very happy that we made it happen. And Anu, for those who don't know you, can you please introduce yourself?

Thank you, Tom. So firstly, I'm like, I'm going to be talking to Tom today as more like, not like a just a friend, but also it's something like a podcast recorder as well. So, or maybe a mix of both. So I'm Anu Chandrashaker. I'm born and brought up in India, but have been in the UK for the last 10 years. Mum of three, based in London and based in North London. And in terms of what I've been doing professionally, I have been a banking consultant who, working on digital transformations for banks like, you know, global banks like Nat West, Lloyds and even insurance companies like legal and general. So basically when I say transformation, it is very simple. It is like moving something from point A to point B and trying to find out what all can go wrong.

How can we kind of make it go through seamlessly managing the teams, helping the teams and looking from gap analysis perspective. So that has been my professional experience in terms of my bread and butter banking consulting. However, I have also, in the last one or two years, I have really found my passion for definitely writing on LinkedIn is one. And I have also started my venture into career coaching because that was something that I always loved to do. And I'm doing it a bit more regularly than earlier. I was actually, I'm about to ask you when you were younger, what was your dream? more idea about your career? What did you want to do? Oh my god, you're going to laugh at this,

Tom, because I come from a small town in India, so we always have this English Channel, Deb TV, so I was a big fan of Britney Spears at their time, but I thought like I've got to become like her, but obviously my mom would not even let me leave my hair lose at that time. I had to flat it, so Britney Spears was a big load. It was just a fun kind of thing, but I always wanted to do something to do with people and I think I'm there in terms of reality as well. But when you say Britney Spears were actually into singing. Yeah, I used to sing a lot. I used to listen to songs a lot as well. Now it's a little lesser, but yeah, music is like definitely or update. Maybe you can still do that so you know later on in your career so one never knows.

And I'm sure Anu that many would want to know more about your story because you said that you are from India, but currently you live in London. So I'm pretty sure there's exciting journey, but can you tell us how did you actually get from India to London? Sure, yeah. So I started my career in 2004 in a bank in Chennai, banking operations in Chennai. So it's been an amazing, really great start, a great leadership team and it was a great start. So after that, after 10 years when I shifted to a services company called TCS, from there I got an opportunity to travel outside. So I went to Singapore. I worked there for Bank of America for close to a year.

And yeah, London opportunity also came because there was a project that we have to deliver for one of the London High Street banks. So initially I thought like, okay, let me just go there for. six months and see I even left my children back home there with parents but when I came here like I think it was like you know London has always been my love I just realized after landing here I really fell in love with the city and I thought like this would be a great place for bringing my children over 10 years back I'm talking about my children were like young and I was a single mom back then 10 years back and I married my best friend we celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary last week, Tom.

Oh, wow. That has been the journey. So London is like the proper mix. We Indians, we always love that little cooler climate. London's that proper mix. It's not super cold except for that February and late January. Yeah, that is true. It's been welcoming for my children as well.

And now my eldest is going to a university in uni in Edinburgh, sorry, the Edinburgh University. and yeah, two other boys are studying in London. And for the future, have you got any desires to explore even other places, such as to live or are in London? Always, like exploring is always a part, right, Tom. And then obviously, because you have also, your birth country is not UK. I know, I'm sure that we always miss where our childhood was.

So definitely, that is sometimes I think of, you know, maybe when I'm 60, 65, I should go to India when children are settled. Or sometimes I dream of French villages. It's just dream. It just keeps coming. And my husband used to work in Switzerland in Zurich for four years. So I have like very beautiful memories there as well. So I'm considering that as well.

Yeah, I like it. And as you say, since I'm from different country, I can rely it. And actually, Anu, what was it like for you when you moved in the beginning? because we've got on LinkedIn a lot of younger audiences who maybe might be dreaming or planning to move as well. I know what was it like for me to move to a different country. So how did you find it? Were you scared, very excited?

And maybe for other people who might want to do it, but it's like a step out of comfort zone and you never know. Have you got any advice for them? Yeah, it will definitely get overwhelming. If you have that in your head that, yes, it's going to be overwhelming for the, first initial couple of months. Once we have that prepared in our head, then we'll also be able to do it much better when it comes to reality. So that is one thing because it is like a complete

shift. You know, moving places is like a lifestyle change and all that. It's not going to be easy, but really getting prepared earlier, joining the social media, groups if you can, finding out a bit about where you're going to move. If you're moving with children, finding out what kind of schools you want them to go to and are there any kind of, because support system will not be the same as you get back home. So because it's going to be, you're going to find new friends, all of it is going to be. So having a bit of preparation earlier is going to help a lot.

I agree. And I think also it's understandable that it's scary at first because you are moving somewhere if never been to, it's step out of the comfort zone. But once you do it, it's actually a beautiful feeling that you overcame it. And if you don't try, you, after all, you're not going to find out. So just try and see how it works for you.

For me, I think I did definitely land without having a lot of preparation. I thought like, okay, I can just pull it through and all that. But it is very, very different when you come on your own. I'm not saying coming on your own to a different country is not challenging. It is, definitely. However, when there are two little children that you are bringing, who are dependent on you, the challenges will be like much. more. Like, you cannot just say that today, I'm just going to stay hungry. You can't leave the

children to hungry. So, yeah, we have to be a little more prepared. I thought like I can pull it through and I have gotten overwhelmed. But yeah, one thing fell in place and slowly, slowly you will start finding your way through. Of course, I cannot realize to bring the whole family as I went on my own. So it's a completely different story. But I think you said a good point before, like, for example, if social media, if you look at the LinkedIn, it feels like that you kind of know people from every country in the world. So I think these days it's much easier because if you connect with someone, you've been engaging with them and it feels like you know each other, even though that person is on the other part of the world. Absolutely. And I also really believe

Tom, thoughts become things and thoughts become action. That said, you keep it very positive. You really believe that it's going to be a very beautiful experience, even before you get on that flight. However, that doesn't mean that you should not be prepared for the worst. Always have that, like, really believe, but also being positive doesn't mean that you're not prepared for the worst. So I would always keep that pragmatic approach as well, rather than just believing or manifesting that everything is going to be 200%. Even if there are things that are not falling in place, you should have that belief that I would be able to manage it. That is positivity. nothing is going to go wrong for me is not positivity. Even if something doesn't go my way,

I know, I know I believe in, I'm a believer, I am a person of faith. So having that belief that I would be able to get through, I will be able to find a way, there'll be some way that will be shown to me from whatever higher power that you believe in, that getting religious, that is positivity, right? There's a lot of confusion about being positive these days, like, you know, always believe that, you know, stay smiling, whatever happens. It's not, that is not positivity. Like, if, if you are, you have a, if Tom is upset with me, yes, I am going to feel bad and upset. Like, you know, just believe that everything is fine. Just keep smiling. I think that is a very wrong narrative and toxic. No, I agree. And I really like what you just said. Can you share as, as we

are discussing this topic, what helps you to keep the spirit up, to stay positive when things aren't going as planned, what helps you? I read this book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, many, many years ago. And also one of the books that changed my life was Kaitrana by Khalid Hosseini, Tom. So I used to get, I'm talking when I was in my 20s, like 15, 20 years back. I used to think like, oh, this is, you know, I'm stuck in traffic. Or I do not have, you know, this is my problem. That is my problem.

Like for trivial things. But when you read books like these, one, the secret. trains your mind how to kind of believe in. There is something, that is everything that happens to you is happening for you. That is something that you should always believe in. And when you read books like Kaitrana, even though it is fiction, it is a fiction based on reality that is happening in these countries. You will actually understand life is so big.

And whatever trivial problems that we are thinking, there's always somebody who's going through a lot worse than us. And there are definitely people who will be a lot better than us. At this point, if you're just living in the present and understanding. But all that said, I'm not here to say that, always believe that everything is falling in place. There could be sometimes when things don't, but the dots always connect from the back. It also always happened for me, Tom. I really believe that.

So, I believe in angels. Something good in everything. I see. I keep saying. I really truly believe that. I believe that is something good at everything I see. So it's not that I'm just making it up because it's a podcast. But if you, you know, you just leave things for now. Like you just breathe. And sometimes I just think, believe in crystals. I do some religious like how you light a candle. We light something called Diaz. So looking at the light source, looking at the light source, looking at that. small flicker off for that little light. Those are the things that really makes me feel much better. Yeah. It's really nice to hear. And I try to keep that in mind as well.

But I know that, you know, I should feel positive or look at the bright side of things. But as everyone, it doesn't always work. But what I try to remind myself is to look at it from the perspective, such as a few years in the future, I'm going to look at it and it's not such a big deal. Or even, I know it may sound like a cliche, but if you look at it like from the perspective of the whole word, of the whole universe that you are such a small person and you are making such a big deal out of something. I think it really helps to look at things from perspective like that. Are you struggling to stay consistent on LinkedIn? Fanpost helps you create high quality posts

in minutes so you can write faster, show up more and stress way less. Built by creators for creators is the easiest way to grow your presents without burning out. Try it free at fanpost.com. So Anu then as we discussed LinkedIn before, it actually relates to this as we just discussed positivity. One thing that always stood out to me, and I'm sure that to many others as well, was your firstly positive attitude and also I feel like that you built a great community of really nice people because you've been always someone very supportive, nice and kind. So just tell us how did you do that or how important it is to build a community because people are always looking for some kind of shortcuts and I don't know what else, especially these days when it feels like that there is some AI robot behind a profile or whatever. So when there is someone attending and nice as you are, it really stands out. So can tell us more like how to stand out, be nice to people, build a community like you did?

Thank you, Tom. I'm very, very grateful that you asked me this. I'm very grateful for the community. Sometimes it is unbelievable. And basically, though, I have been on LinkedIn for more than a decade. If you've seen, I have actually started posting only last October. That was because I had taken a break from my job. Tom, I had thought like I'll step away for a few months.

That few months happened to be more than few months because of the current job market. So it was almost like, okay, let me start writing. I was working with a coach, my career coach. She was also talking about LinkedIn. So I thought like, okay, anyway, I am somebody who loves to write. And even when I write on WhatsApp, you know, on the WhatsApp groups, they say like your message really made my day, thank you for that. So I know that I'm not flaunting or boasting, but I know that I have, I love to write and writing comes easier than speaking for me.

So I thought like, okay, why not? And I started with one post and it had like, you know, I didn't go by the number. I didn't even know that, you know, we have to go by the numbers on LinkedIn. I had no follower account dreams in my head. I had no such thing like, okay, let me get more than 10 likes for this I didn't have that number. From my side, what is it that I'm telling for somebody else? It is not about the writer, right? It is never about the writer. It is never about the speaker.

It is always about the reader and the listener. So what is it that I'm going to tell? Because when somebody is reading the post in today's busy life, they are giving a part of their time, something that you cannot give back to them, right? Can you give back? Whatever time that you have spent, can I give back? It's gone, it's gone. So I treat that with highest respect.

So for me, when I write every single post on LinkedIn, it is not about me. It is not about how many likes I get or how many posts or how many comments I get. I have never once gone and said, can you please like my post, not even to my husband. Because what is the point? Because it is about what is it that you're giving to the audience. I adore them. I literally know people. I almost picture their faces.

I almost know that who is smiling when they are responding, who is actually feeling happy. I think social media is just because somebody can type, somebody is just typing, but still they are giving a part of their emotions and thoughts and mind. So I really truly can sense what goes behind. So whenever I read every comment, I see the positivity with which they are responding. So I think I'm just mirroring that positivity back to you. It is because of you guys who are very positive on my page. I think all the posts come out like that as well.

And the LinkedIn community really have kept me going because the job search last year was very, very, now it's a lot better, thankfully, fingers crossed. But job search last year was very, very frustrating because of, you know, there were a lot of changes. There were a lot of layoffs. There are a lot of layoffs happening. AI recruitment was just getting introduced.

And there was a lot of confusion. Maybe there were things that I did wrongly as well, like applying, you know, with mindlessly panicking, panic applying, etc. So LinkedIn was what kept me going because it gave me a purpose. And after working for 20 years, suddenly I felt like I do not have, like, suddenly I didn't have a project to deliver. Suddenly I didn't have colleagues. Suddenly I didn't know what to introduce myself. You know, if I were to speak on a podcast. But LinkedIn definitely gave me a purpose.

Oh, I have to do this post on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. What is it that I can write? And like I said, what is it that I can give for the audience? Whatever I believe that it will be useful for them. So because it gave me a purpose and it gave me a reason to look forward for the next day, next week. And the support that I got was very, very heartwarming. And that kept me going. And it really, when I started, I didn't expect.

none of this. And I recently touched the 5,000 number. Like, I can't believe that term because that's not what I had in mind. And, you know, that could be for 50,000 followers, 5,000 can be a small number. But for me, it's a huge number because I did not even expect 500. So for me, it is a huge number. And I have not actively gone and be, you know, I'm not sending connection requests every day. So I really believe when you're not going behind the numbers or when you are not looking for a certain output from LinkedIn, LinkedIn gives you back. That is what I would like to share or my humble thought. I really like it. I just wanted to say that I wish there were more people thinking like you.

Because, you know, you can get, for example, how many? 100 likes or comments. And those are like quite artificial comments that don't tell you anything just for the sake of commenting. But then there is one person like you, Anu, who actually obviously makes effort with thoughtful comment that makes sense. It makes all the difference. You know, like something that actually you can get to know someone because just for the audience, we've never known each other, but we met over LinkedIn, right? So it's potential of connecting on LinkedIn and having conversations and engaging with someone kind of meaningfully.

And people often look for, I don't know, shortcuts or any, you know, growth hacks, But as you said, you had a purpose, you are showing up, you enjoyed the journey, and it had a great impact. So I think that's just a great message for the audience and for the people that are constantly looking for some hacks or I don't know what else. Thank you, Tom. And like you, you are like a great friend. Come on, we meet for Latte's and stuff. You're like a great friend like life. For Mucha.

Yeah, for Machia. So I get real meaningful friends from LinkedIn. And I have like, I have got podcast invite like this. got speaking invites through LinkedIn. I've got job opportunities through LinkedIn. So LinkedIn is just not a place where you're just writing for viling away your time or to just be present or just to prove to somebody that you know these things. It is not just that because current market is such that, you know, you might be great at what you're doing, but how is it that other people would know what is it that you are doing? What are your personalities? Other than the teams that I worked with,

Nobody would have known in the last 20 years unless I started writing on LinkedIn, what is the person and what can she talk about? What is she interested in? What are her interests? What are her hobbies? All of that, people more than just the teams that worked with me, if there are more people who know about me, it is because it is uncomfortable to put yourself out there. I'm not on Instagram. I can't, like I don't post on Instagram much. I don't, I'm not on Facebook. It is difficult. It is difficult. to come and put yourself on social media, but there is a purpose. And definitely, if you make the purpose not about yourself and about somebody else, it definitely will keep you going. And about people looking for shortcuts as well, Tom. I don't look at it like, you know, yeah, maybe there are some people who are doing it just for the sake of, you know, vanity metrics, just for vanity. But there could be, you know, people could have real reasons to do that as well. Maybe. Maybe. because of the numbers, they are trying to build something in the background. And they are, they are so confused with whatever information that is available online. And you would agree with me

that there are a lot of posts that really promise the world for people. Like you start writing on LinkedIn, within three months, you will get 5,000 followers and you will start making 1 million in, in two years. There are a lot of fake promises as well. And somebody who's starting, really, unless you stop and think pragmatically, you can get carried away. When something is repeated over and over, you can get carried away. So I think even the people who are paying for likes or behaving for AI governments, I think some are aware that this is wrong and then they're still doing for vanity metrics. I think there is definitely a portion of people who are not aware. And they are just thinking this is the right thing. Maybe everybody else is doing this on LinkedIn. So we have to really not

look at everybody with the same lens as well Tom some people are truly not aware it's actually a good point because you never know what's the background behind it what are the goals or why that person might be doing that which I agree that for example there might be scenarios

when someone wants to literally build a brand and go with the numbers so yes it's up to everyone but yes it's every scenario and you shouldn't judge of course but I still feel like that at least often from my experience or what I see that sometimes I think it might come down to comparison because I think you set a great point that if you are new on LinkedIn and I'm sure that it was even me when I

joined and I see it even now people post about wins about highs about I got this client I made this much money but no one tells you that after this winning client I had a huge number of the ones that didn't work out I got this deal but no one tells you that I had this so many deals that didn't work out. So you should also look at it from perspective and see some background behind it. So it was a good point that you sure. Definitely. And I think also something Anu that people look for or I think is very important to stand out on LinkedIn like such as to build your brand or become more memorable is to find something unique about yourself because you want to be remembered for something. And I'm pretty sure that when you start posting,

you, Anu, again, people will be excited because they remember you. As I said, as someone who's been always nice, supportive and positive, and even though you weren't like, I don't know, posting about grow hacks or personal branding or whatever, but still, it was something that was unique to you that stood out and then people remembered. So I think people might be looking for some secret sauce, but ultimately kind of your USB or something that just makes you different than others. Definitely. Thank you, Tom. Thank you for that. Yeah, I have taken a conscious break because there have been certain things that have happened

from my personal perspective as well. My youngest one has just started school. And I thought like, okay, if when you take a break, let it be a proper break for a few months, which is the reason. And thank you so much for people who ping and say that they miss my posts and all that. Like, thank you so much. It means the world to me. It meets the actual whole world to me.

Thank you so much. But just that I need a little bit more time maybe. host Christmas I can come back. When you come back, your inbox will be flooded even more than it is now with messages. I don't know, where are you? Come back with. And another topic I know that I really wanted to ask you about is that I know you did some public speaking. And if you're honest, it's something that the majority of us is scared, you know, to step on a stage and speak in front of the people. And I've seen your talk.

So can you tell us? No, no, it didn't look like that. You did it really well. But tell us what are behind this? What's your experience like? Was it easy for you? Wasn't it easy? What was the experience like?

Once I get on the stage, it gets easy. Tom, I understand that. I agree. But I am also a very scared person to get onto the stage. Very, very scared. Like, I sometimes curl my toes and inside my shoes and all that. It is just that I practiced in front of the mirror earlier. I do the breathing, the box breathing, four seconds in, four seconds in, four seconds, hold four seconds out.

try that just before I get into the stage. So definitely, please add me to the people who are scared about the stage. I am scared, but Jeff Abrason, Jeff, right. He's a conversation. I used to talk to him as well. He's amazing. And he always, he said this one thing where it is not about you. It is just about what you are giving to them. I always remember that whenever I get on to any stage. It is not about, you know, people are, do you think people are coming and like, let us say there is an audience of 20, 30 people there or 100 people there. They are not there to come and see what is your body language or how you have put your hair or are you taking deep breaths in between or are you panicking. They are not there. Nobody comes and sits in front of a stage to see or judge you.

They are there. What is it that you can share for them? Just give them that. Are you 100%? 100% sure that you are telling something for them. If I'm not prepared for that, you know, by all fairness, I should be nervous. But I have prepared. And my whole intention is to share something for the audience that I believe is valuable. That is what I tell myself. No point in being nervous.

Even if you're going to step on a banana and slip, don't worry. It's God about you. It is about what you are trying to tell them. Yes. I really talk to myself like these. things and it really has that on once you I mean when you are writing it is always about the reader when you're speaking it is about the listener as you have it clear nothing else has happened that will give you that little bit of courage to keep going yes I was going to say try to deliver some

value to the audience which is the most important no matter what medium you are on and I like you mentioned jeff jeff is amazing I encourage listeners to check out this podcast as well and anu is then public speaking, something that you would like to do more in the future as well? Definitely, Tom. That is something that really, yes, it gets scary before getting on stage, but that is something that I would love to do because it is an easier medium to spread your whatever you want to share, to add value to more people, especially something that I'm very passionate about.

One is definitely AI and the adaptation of AI in women in technology. So I really am very, very open and happy to take up this part into speaking as well. Even if it is scary, I'll continue to do it. It's the right mindset. It's very scary. And I'm sure that all of us can relate when we had to speak somewhere in front of the audience. But ultimately, stepping out of the comfort zone is the way, how to learn and how to grow, isn't it? Absolutely.

And another thing is always pick the right people to learn from, especially when you're starting on anything, whether it is speaking for LinkedIn, Tom, like, I think definitely one of the major reasons for my very nice community, they love positive people. It is because I started following very right people right from the beginning. I started with learning from, you know, everybody from Yasmin Ali. I was a part of his community as well, from Lara Costa. Luke Matthews was great as well. He's not posting much. He was good. and Charlie Hills, like, a lot of AI, something, rather than taking a course, there's a lot of AI that I've learned from Charlie Hills and Celeste Amelie, from following people like them.

I mean, listening and I go for walks every day when I drop my child. I'm not saying because you are sitting in front of me, you know I have always shared how many podcasts of yours I have listened. And many times, a lot of my LinkedIn learning are from the podcast that I have listened, from many of your wonderful guests. There are a lot of people. So, kind, I'm grateful to hear this. Thank you so much.

When I listen to Fatima, like Fatima's story and how Charlie, you always get a perspective of all these people who have huge following. They are also very much humans like us. They also have their insecurity. They also share with us what are the challenges that they face and how you can perform despite it. So there's always a lot of perspectives. can hear from podcasts as well. So I listen to yours, I listen to jazz. And yours is almost like,

I have to like, sometimes when I'm feeling really sad, I think, okay, let me listen to Thomas vodka. I'm not saying because I'm sitting here in front of you, I do that regularly. You know that very well. Yeah. I was going to say that I will turn red listening to such a kind word. So I greatly appreciate it. And thank you so much. And as I said, one of the best and nicest and the kindest supporters. and I'm grateful for it. And I think you said a great point because I think people might feel like

that these people who are, for example, big on LinkedIn or have brands even outside of LinkedIn, that you know, they might be, I don't know, somehow privileged or something like that, but when you speak with them and you hear their stories, they started somewhere in the same way as you did, like from the bottom, from nothing

and then just kept showing up, improving and growing. So I think these kind of stories, even it may sound like a cliche, it really helps to me, well. So I'm happy that you said it was very good. And there's so much information that's available for free as well. And of course, when you find the right person, I have taken paid courses. Because I really wanted to learn from them and I don't regret spending a penny, learning from amazing people like Ryan, Celeste, Charlie. Because sometimes for good information, there's nothing wrong

in spending and learning it, Tom. But however, even if you're not in a position to spend, there is so much good information that they are giving away for free. It is just that you need to kind of good of structured, study plan, and you can really learn study from LinkedIn itself, like from following the right people, I believe. And I encourage people what we discuss now, that I've got no doubt that your story, Anu is going to inspire and motivate people too.

So whoever is listening, make sure then to send the DM to Anu because she deserves it. And I think also that you've got, so much to share and to talk about because now we just discussed about your experience from public speaking, then your work experience because you've been working in banking for how long, more than 20 years. So you've got so much to talk about. There are topics we haven't discussed because you are also interested in AI. You've got so much to share about building the community and everything. So I just want to encourage people to follow you and to encourage you in the future to

start posting even if it was content from your previous life experience even from your life because I remember you had some beautiful post just about what you are doing and stuff like that and it's always been really nice so I'm looking forward to when you join back thank you so much Tom for sure so much and anu I always like to ask a kind of lighter questions as we will be approaching the end of the recording so what is it that you like to do in your free time and what are some of your hobbies. I like to paint Tom. I love to paint and I love long walks, especially autumn long walks are my favorite. And almost like if my biggest spend is cafes, you'll be fighting with one of the cafes with being a matcha latte or old latte and I'll be either painting or people watching.

I love to do that in my free time. Yeah. But I actually didn't know about painting. You are a very creative person. You said when you are younger, you liked singing. You are a great writer and now we find out that you are a great painter as well. I paint. I never said I'm great at it. You said what you like to. I don't know whether somebody likes to look at my painting. I like to paint. Do you share it somewhere online or you just paint for yourself? No, I haven't, I have never shared it online atop, but probably I'll share it with you. I just paint for myself. Yeah, of course. Yeah. And even in the future, when you are bored, you can set up, you know, for example, Instagram or Pinterest or something like that and another channel for you to share your paintings there. Definitely. Thank you.

Before, Anu mentioned a few books that were helpful or influential to you, but have you got any other recommendations that you'd recommend people to read, that were impactful to you or maybe that you read recently? I read a lot. Recently, it's been, it's shifted to podcasts, listening to more podcasts. because you have to find time to walk as well. But, you know, definitely like Kaitranah secret and atomic habits. And also the habit revolution, that's very nice as well, the recent one. And, you know, always pick up a Holly Jackson thriller. You know, even if you, the life is feeling so bored,

you pick up a Holly Jackson thriller and then you just wakes you off. I'll have to check them out because I know only atomic habits and the secret, but I do not. Guide to murder. It's very nice. Yeah. And actually one more topic, Anu, that I wanted to discuss with you and I kind of forgot is it relates back to LinkedIn and also something that we discussed before as well. It's like topic of job market and looking for work.

because LinkedIn obviously is very helpful or can be very helpful and I think especially now it's shifting there even more than before because you know before it's kind of more corporate CV whereas now if you've been building your brand you've got your profile and everything it's more helpful but still I think that you can even see that on LinkedIn that many people are looking for work and let's be honest it's not that easy especially as more people are joining and there isn't so much of work to choose from but Have you got like any advice, maybe how to approach it, how to increase chances of getting the job, finding a job? And even from such a positive and nice person like you, any motivational words and support to people? Clearly, Tom. I mean, the current job market is that if for one job, I mean, there is a 200% increase.

There was just one of the recruiter panel that I attended. There's 200% increase in the amount of applications that are received on an average. for companies. So if you're not able to find a job immediately, please do not take it personally. That's something that I want to leave it out here because it is very easy to get carried away thinking, I'm not good enough. I'm, you know, I should have done it better, but that's not the case. It is just that. The fight was earlier, if it was between 1 to 15, now we are doing with 1 to 5,000. And obviously, if we are good in our job, there are a lot of people who are outside who are much better or they are great as well or they are equally good as well. It is all about the timing

and it's becoming a game of luck as well because recruiters can't possibly review more than 200 CVs in a day, how much ever good they are right. It is not possible. So please do not take it personally and take a little bit of a hyper-personalised approach rather than just applying for 20-30 jobs mindlessly through easy apply or through 100 job sites, go find out the perfect job that will exactly align. Use AI as well. Use chat, GPD. You's clawed for that to really map your CV to find the job that are relevant for you.

And personally go and ping the hiring manager. Or if you are able to find the hiring manager or if you're on LinkedIn, definitely. I have almost had 95% luck in pinging on LinkedIn rather than just a hiring manager. rather than just applying and waiting. So let's not just pray and pray. And if they don't respond, don't take it personally as well. You have done your, like how you are treated same as applying, how you are applying for a job,

after you apply, you find the person on LinkedIn, either a hiring manager or the talent recruiting partner, find them on LinkedIn and then ping them with a personalized note. I saw this job and this is the reason why I feel I'm very keen on this and I feel I'm a great fit for this job. Don't just say I have applied. They know that. They would have already got an automated email about it.

So your message should be really personalized and let's not write an essay because it is respect for the other person's time as well. So if you can do it within like a single three, four line paragraph on why you have applied and what is your fitment and why you are keen for that room. If you are able to do that nine and nice concise manner, it increases the chance. of them looking into your scene. It increases the chance. And please do not keep your LinkedIn completely empty. Don't wait for a time to, the redundancy to hit on you or the layoff to hit on you. Don't keep LinkedIn empty. What will my friend think? What will my colleague think? They are not going to, they are busy thinking about their lives. So please, LinkedIn is a professional platform. And if you are in a profession, you almost have to. It is a must that you have portrayed. What is it that you want? You are good at.

What is it that you have done in the last two years, three years? What have you studied and what were the other projects that you did? What are your other passion? You never know who is reading and when they're with a right pair of eyes. It will open up to multiple opportunities. When I started writing, I had no clue I'll be invited for Cambridge University for a speech. Did I even dream? So you never know. You never know. know when the right pair of eyes will fall on your post and it will open up to opportunities that you've never dreamt of. But that said, it is a very tough market. I want people to please not take it personally. It is not that they are not good enough. It is just the market is a little more. We are swimming against an up current now, like an upstream now. It will be harder,

but it's not going to be impossible. It's not impossible or anything. I wish I could add something, Anu, but you gave people just the whole month. Masterclass, I think it was perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Tom, hope it helps. No, definitely. And Anu for the people who want to follow you, connect with you, or keep up to date, where they can find you, follow you. And even if you have any services, anything that you are offering, feel free to share with people. Thank you, Tom. So I'm not like a main profession, but I do write for founders, especially AI founders. I go straight for them.

It just came as an opportunity. I started writing. I really enjoyed and it's also helping them. So that is something that I do on my spare time. I write for founders based in US and Canada. And I also help people with, you know, improving their LinkedIn. Yes, this is like a paid thing. But please don't let that stop you.

If you really think that it is going to help, I would be able to help. Let money not come in between. I'm more than happy to help. It feels the right person. And money shouldn't be an issue there. You know, please, you know where to find me. Tom, please, I request you to add the link of my LinkedIn page. And that's where to find me.

They really, I'm not active on any other social media. No, I like when it's simple. And as I said, I encourage people to follow to support and send a nice message about please don't spam Anu. And for the future, Anu, have you got any planned ambitions or anything that is upcoming for you? and you would like to share with people or tease us? Definitely, Tom, I'm looking forward to getting back to my 9 to 5.

I'm missing that. I'm missing that going back to Central London. So I'm looking forward to get. But however, on the side hustle and because I want to always keep that passion alive, I would love to continue my career coaching, especially focusing on women in mid-careers who are stuck for, you know, either to switch their careers or to negotiate for a promotion or a salary hike or even kind of struggling with how to balance work and life.

That's a big challenge for today's women, especially in mid-career. So I would love to continue that as well. That's my immediate plan. That sounds great. And on the very last question, is there anything that you would like to share before we finish, anything that I should have asked you, did not, or any final piece of advice or anything?

Nothing like that, Tom. I think it was a very warm and hearty discussion. I did not come prepared. I promise I did not. come prepared. I just wanted it to be a free-flowing chat between you and I and whatever that comes out of it. If there's something that's useful, that's what I saw. I don't have anything to add. There was everything useful. I can probably that. And of course, Anu, I'm grateful that you joined me because everything I said is true. You're one of the best people I met there. And I was really nice

to meet you for Mocha as well in real life. And as I said, as I said, And as I said, I encourage people to follow, even to reach out, and I generally enjoyed it. Thank you so much for your time. I'll be following and supporting. And I wish you all the best, not only on your LinkedIn journey, but all the best everywhere. So thank you so much, Anu. And I hope we'll speak soon in the real life. Thank you so much.

Wish you the same. Thanks for listening to Produce by with Tomen. Check the show notes for all the links. And don't forget to subscribe, like and share your feedback. I speak soon.