24 hours with… Gaurav Khatri

Name: Gaurav Khatri
Job: Co-founder, Noise
Personal mantra: Fear of failure leads to failure
Professional mantra: Empower every decision with the voice of the consumer

6:30 AM—8:00 AM: As a moderately early riser, I start my day at a comfortable but productive hour. The first hour is entirely my own. I enjoy sitting on the garden balcony or taking a brisk walk while sipping my coffee. I quickly read the latest industry news before heading to my workout, whether it’s at the gym, a walk, or a focused exercise session. I don't strictly adhere to a fixed routine because I believe that allowing room for flexibility is important.

9:00—9:30 AM: After a quick breakfast I leave for work. I use my commute time to listen to podcasts or go through industry developments, as I believe in bringing something new to work every day—whether it's a fresh idea or a new perspective. This is one of the best times to learn and develop ideas, as the mind is fresh. On some days, I take some quick important work calls.

9:45 AM—1:00 pm: We begin our workday with strategic leadership meetings to ensure our teams are aligned with our goals. To maintain efficiency, I prioritise my attention across different business areas throughout the day and also the week. The first half of the week is more focused on sales and growth, the mid-week is dedicated to business development and strategising, and the latter half is spent on discussions with other operational and customer-facing teams. This allows us to review ongoing developments, make important business decisions, and address challenges that need immediate attention.

1:00 PM—2:00 PM: At Noise, we prioritise fostering diversity and cultivating a tight-knit community united by shared interests. This dedicated hour of team-building activities, games, or indulging conversations during meals encourages deeper connections among colleagues, promoting collaboration in the workplace.

2:00 PM—5:00 PM: This is my hustle hour, where I dive into reports, and liaise with external stakeholders, ensuring everything stays on track. It is all about tackling the ongoing tasks and keeping the momentum going.

5:00 PM—7:00 PM: During these hours, I keep it easy. This time is generally booked for business check group meetings where we review developments while strategising new ones. Each week, I make an effort to meet two to three people from various industries and backgrounds to catch up and exchange ideas that fuel our forward-thinking collaborations and grow the perspective.

7:00 PM—8:00 PM: I start wrapping up my day around this time. During my commute, I tend to spend time on social listening and exploring content on my social media. It provides valuable insights into understanding and addressing the needs of our consumers better.

8:00 PM—9:00 PM: I like to reserve this hour for myself after work. As a co-founder, I don't completely shut down from my work, but I try not to bring it home from the office. I believe and encourage our team to prioritise a healthy work-life balance. During this time, I unwind, detox, and recharge for the next day.

9:00 PM—10:00 PM: After a relaxed dinner, I indulge in some family time. On odd days, I watch sports matches and cheer for my favourite players

10:00 PM—11:00 PM: I dedicate a good half hour to reading and ensure a digital detox for at least an hour before I am off to sleep.