Becoming a CEO is a dream of many students, professionals as well as entrepreneurs. But reaching the top job role requires more than dreaming. In the 21st century, CEOs face complex challenges that seek creative skills and expert-level knowledge. Here are 5 steps that will help you become a successful CEO without much hassle:

Gain Cross Function Experience 

You might have observed, top CEOs have expertise across multiple business areas; this is what is needed to become exclusive in the market. According to the studies by PwC and Harvard Business Reviews, people who have exceptional skills in finance, operations, and marketing become top CEOs by leading successful companies. In India, those leaders who understand diverse departments including product, sales, supply chain tend to become CEOs.  

Have Strong Strategic And creative thinking skills 

Any CEO who doesn’t have a creative mindset and strategic thinking can never lead a brand. Building these two essential skills require more than potential. Taking up different roles that require analytic thinking and future planning can help build the required skills. Invest yourself in business case studies, attend strategy workshops, or pursue certifications like a mini-MBA or executive education programs offered by top Indian institutes (IIMs, ISB)

Build a Strong Network

It is important to establish networks with seasoned executives and mentors. In a study conducted by LinkedIn, 85 percent of jobs are filled by networking. Attend conferences in the industry (such as NASSCOM TechSummit or TiE Global Summit), participate in professional associations, and find mentors willing to offer guidance, sponsorship, and knowledge about the executive positions.

Develop Emotional Intelligence 

CEOs are supposed to be team leaders dealing with various stakeholders, and emotional intelligence is the one skill that explains almost 90% of high-performance leadership  impact. In the regional and cultural context of India, EQ is a necessity to overcome intricate interpersonal processes and develop motivating cultures. In order to be successful, it is important to focus on empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.

Gain Financial Acumen and Risk Management Skills 

CEOs manage risk, investments and budgets. A study of finance literacy by a top company indicates that new CEOs commonly have a gap in financial literacy. Deepen your knowledge in financial statements, capital market and risk examination. Being a CFA or taking a course in corporate finance may guide you on the choices to make in the boardroom.

Thus, to become a CEO, one needs to have a measured blend of general experience, strategic thinking, people ability, strong connections, and financial acumen. As a goal-oriented professional in India or elsewhere, these five steps could establish a tangible direction on how to be successful enough to become the head of any major business in the modern competitive business environment.

Having an MBA degree is a popular step towards a career in management and business. There are many universities where this degree is offered, which makes it difficult to choose the right one. Parul University, located in Vadodara, Gujarat, has emerged as a strong contender for MBA aspirants. Here are five reasons why choosing Parul University for an MBA could be the right choice.

Credible Accreditation and National Rankings

Parul University is NAAC A++ accredited and is ranked among the top B-Schools in India. The MBA program at parul has been performing very well, as reported by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 and other reputed journals like outlook and The Times of India, making it one of the top 50 management institutes in India. This recognition gives students and employers confidence that they will be getting quality education and a credible degree.

Broad Specialization

Parul university’s MBA program provides more than 20 specializations in industries that are relevant to various career objectives. Finance, Marketing, Healthcare Management, Digital Marketing and Sales, Agribusiness, Business Analytics, and Pharmaceutical Management are some of the popular options. This breadth will enable students to shape their learning according to their interests and industry needs, making them more employable upon graduation.

Curriculum and Faculty that is Industry driven

The MBA at Parul is constantly revised to meet the current trends in business, with integration of case studies, live projects, and internships. The faculty is a highly qualified group of professors and industry veterans who bring a real world perspective into the classroom giving the students a range of knowledge that is both theoretical and real world skills.

Strong Placement Support and Industry Exposure

Parul University boasts strong industry connections, with over 2,200 recruiters visiting the campus. Graduates have been able to take jobs in reputed firms where the average package is around INR 7 LPA and the highest package is more than INR 45 LPA. To ensure maximization of job opportunities, the university assists students in career advice, soft skills training, and placement training.

Flexible Learning Modes and Easy Admission via GMCAT

With the knowledge on the needs of modern students, Parul University is able to offer flexible ways of learning such as full-time, part-time and 100% online MBA programs. Moreover, Parul is collaborating with Global Management Common Aptitude Test (GMCAT), which is a modern version of the traditional GMAT or any other management entrance exam. GMCAT will be more oriented to the present business environment and digital age being a more valuable platform in which future managers can demonstrate their fitness to be accepted. 

Why GMCAT instead of Traditional Tests?

GMCAT is a 100% online exam based on critical thinking, analytical skills and problem-solving adjusted in accordance with modern business conditions throughout the world. It matches the requirement of the younger generation that desires adaptive and practical evaluation framework to join top management Universities in India. 

The parul university has the ability to offer credible accreditation, and a wide range of specialization, industry-oriented curriculum, robust placement services, and novel admission examinations such as GMCAT. To students who want to have a lucrative career in the business world, Parul University provides a holistic platform where they can study, develop, and succeed in the competitive business environment. 

As per the latest update, CAT 2025 is scheduled to be held on 30th November which means there are roughly 2.5 months left to prepare. CAT aspirants who are taking the exam this year might  start to doubt  their preparedness, while students who haven’t started preparing might question the possibility of cracking the exam. However, there is a smart way to overcome this anxiety and actually crack CAT 2025. There are many CAT  2025 crack courses but this guide is going to be the helpful one. 

CAT 2025: Important Dates and Structure

• Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (Sunday) in three sessions, i.e. morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Registration closing: September 13, 2025.
• Mode: Computer-based test (CBT), in 170+ cities.
• Pattern: Approximately 66-68 questions, divided in three parts:
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation/Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• Scoring: +3 on correct answers, -1 on incorrect answers, no penalty on  unanswered questions.

CAT 2025 Syllabus Overview

• VARC: Reading, para jumbles, summary and sentence out.
• DILR: Puzzles, set theory, coding-decoding, and data series.
• QA: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system, and mensuration.

Click here for CAT 2025 Syllabus 

CAT 2025 Crash Course 

Begin With Minimum (but Powerful) Routines.

Repeat 45-60min sprints: If you are studying longer than 45 minutes, take a 15-minute break. Do 2-3 of these cycles a day, instead of straining yourself to study hours--a practice that has been found to increase the productivity of lazy minds.

You need to fix your slot: you want to select the same hour daily (either morning, or evening) to make the mind think about this time as CAT time.

Distractions to Halt Without Forcing it.

Take the phone into another room to do one sprint. After each sprint, you can spend 5 minutes of message checking, a no-guilt, concentration strategy. Remember, website blockers or the silent mode should not be used the entire day but during the study sprint.

Very Low-Effort, High-Yield Content Hacks.

• Each section has easy-scoring subjects: 
• VARC: Practice para jumbles, fill-ups and easy RCs.
• DILR: Begin with tables, simple Venn diagram sets, and arrangements.
• Quant: Nail arithmetic (percentages, ratios, profit and loss) then basic algebra.

Watch youtube videos instead of trying to read long texts.

Use CAT 2025 crash course quizzes and mock portals for guided practice—they condense material and are meant for high output in little time.

1. Mock Test “Shortcut” Strategy

Do a complete full-length practice every week, but do not analyze the entire paper--choose three big mistakes and just concentrate on those. Use the first 10–15 minutes of each sprint to review weak areas from your last mock. 

Practical Weekly Calendar

Visualize to imagine how good it will feel to clear CAT with limited study; this will be visualized after every sprint to hack your dopamine loop of lazy mind. Prepare a 1-pager of the most frequent formulas, types of questions, and traps in CAT--have this on your desk, and scan it each morning (need not revise heavily). Create a WhatsApp/Telegram chat with 2-3 equally relaxed friends; talk about only doubts and quick hacks. Peer group = pressure less and more success. 

Quick Boosters

Get at least 7 hours of sleep and take a stroll every day--it will help you have better concentration even with the most lazy brain. Appreciate yourself a little by treating yourself to your favorite chocolate or something. You do not have to study all day long, just a little is fine.  Quality study with intelligent content selection is your way to crack CAT 2025.

Advice on Working Professionals and Final-Year Students.

• Workers are encouraged to use breaks and weekends and look through online resources and peer discussion groups. 
• Students must work on their strong areas, get clarity with fundamentals, and target 90 plus mock examinations before the actual examination.

Extra Resources and Tools

• Relied on good online materials in terms of concept videos, practice questions, and peer discussion.
• Participate in doubt-clearing forums online and get assistance with daily/monthly plans with mentors. 
• Become members of WhatsApp or study groups related to the topic to receive updated information and get moral support.

Stick to a structured schedule, practice regularly, analyze your performance, and stay positive; these are the real strategies to succeed in CAT 2025. Remember, cracking CAT 2025 doesn’t require superhuman discipline. A bare minimum but consistent strategy based on high-yield, exam-relevant content, psychology hacks, and peer nudges is all that is required. Follow this course-style approach, and even the so-called lazy students (who have the potential) will be able to get into IIMs this year.  

Daksh Gupta, an Indian origin CEO, recently ignited a controversy when he claimed that Burning Man was no longer part of the culture of young technologists today, and in artificial intelligence (AI) in particular. His 9-9-6 approach has gone viral on social media, attracting mixed comments as employees and company owners see it from their shoes. Burning Man, initially a symbol of radical creativity and tech counterculture, is regarded by many younger AI workers today as out of sync with their strict professional and personal routines.

Who is Daksh Gupta? What Did He Say?

Indian-origin CEO of AI startup Greptile, Daksh Gupta, said that since he relocated to San Francisco in 2023, Burning Man has not fit into the existing tech culture. He characterised the culture of young technologists and AI employees as extremely disciplined and concentrated: no alcohol, no drugs, 9-9-6 [9am to 9pm, 6 days a week], bench press, run long distances, get married, monitor sleep, eat steak and eggs. This intense work ethic is the opposite to the original atmosphere at Burning Man of partying and freedom of self-expression.

Why is the 9-9-6 Approach Going Viral? 

The 9-9-6 approach by Daksh Gupta has become viral due to its sharp contrast of current discussion of work-life balance and loosened workplace culture in most sectors. The fact that his AI startup anticipates its staff members to work 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days per week, no drinking or drugs, has elicited heated discussion on social media. The openness with which Gupta discusses the culture of his company that values high stress, no-tolerance to bad work, and long working hours, throws light on the ugly truth about some start-ups in their struggle to survive.

The hard demands are shocking to many as the culture is called toxic or contemporary slavery. There are others who admire the honesty of Gupta and respect the fact that he wants to be forthright with job seekers regarding what working at Greptile would mean. This excessive work ethic will attract a small segment of young professionals who work best when under pressure, and are prepared to commit themselves to the growth of their startup.

Gupta clarified that this rigid work routine is a short lived grind in the hardest period of the startup which is like reaching escape velocity in order to grow a business. Although he is being threatened with death and there is an online backlash to the issue, he also stated the overwhelming number of job applications that came in as interested people are attracted by this straightforward no-nonsense working atmosphere.

Gupta’s 9-9-6 approach is viral because it mirrors the prevailing tensions in tech culture between the desire to innovate quickly and the reality that the well-being of employees must not be overlooked. It poses significant questions regarding the future of work within high-growth AI firms and whether this high-demand practise could be sustained without burnout. The logic of Gupta represents a change in cultural values and ultimately in the culture of Silicon Valley and beyond.

Why Did Daksh Gupta Call Out Burning Man?

Since 1990, Burning Man has been an annual gathering in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where tech innovators, artists and entrepreneurs have converged to relax, experiment and innovate. The festival shaped big tech over the years, including Tesla SolarCity and Google culture. However, nowadays, as an increased number of young tech employees have adjusted to a much more routine work-fitness-wellness regimen, the number of Burning Man attendees among this cohort has been decreasing.

According to industry insiders and venture capitalists, most young founders and investors are forgoing Burning Man to work long hours and compete in competitive markets. Others also mentioned the extreme prices of attending and that no longer does the original essence of the festival hit home with them.

However, to the rest of the world, Burning Man continues to be a representation of creativity and experimentation that is embracing new technology such as artificial intelligence-powered art installations and green energy initiatives. However, the intergenerational digital divide between longtime Silicon Valley workers and young AI workers shows that tech lifestyles are changing fast.

This viral controversial approach of 9-9-6 emphasises the evolving nature of tech culture in 2025 and that even a legendary event such as Burning Man will have to evolve to fit the new generation’s values and priorities.