The Leading Team

Raghu Kalé is a seasoned communications professional and business strategist with over 30 years of experience spanning diverse sectors, including technology, corporate services, consulting, hospitality, and advertising. His comprehensive understanding of business dynamics, cross-cultural communication, strategic execution, and a unique systems thinking approach has significantly bolstered efficiency and productivity across B2B, B2C, and global teams operating in multiple geographies and nationalities. His exemplary ability to foster personal connections has been pivotal in building brands, driving innovative initiatives, and effecting positive organizational outcomes. His career is punctuated by collaborations with board members, CEOs, and business leaders, and his role has been central in transforming leadership conversations through creative and divergent thinking. 

His career took off working alongside the leadership of a publicly listed company engaged in heavy engineering machines and later helming a creative advertising agency. Later, he played a key role at Tata Honeywell, a joint venture with Tata Conglomerate, and served as the Vice President of the Office of the Brand Custodian at Tata Sons. His unique acumen for understanding technology companies, nurturing a luxury hospitality culture, and implementing consulting, publishing, and creative engagements supported the brand and marketing thought leadership initiatives within the expansive Tata conglomerate, which spans over 100 countries and includes over 100 companies.

Raghu's written works and productions offer a fresh perspective on business strategies. As the author of the book "Loyalty and Sacrifice", endorsed by renowned figures such as Dr. Edward de Bono and Ratan N. Tata, he has redefined 'loyalty' in the context of AI and hyper-personalized experiences. The principles proposed in his book lay a foundation for loyalty systems with a unified view for all stakeholders. A prolific producer, Raghu has over 200 short films under his belt and is currently working on his next book.

As the Founder and CEO of Striking Ideas LLC, a New Jersey-based company, Raghu provides business performance consulting, publishing, and communication services. With a deep understanding of corporate brand identity and creative capabilities, he caters to the business needs of C-Suite clients. He also continues his work in publishing, assisting authors in sharing their narratives through bespoke publishing.

Raymond N Bickson is a global professional who has served the interests of many countries to further progress in travel and tourism with his expertise in the hospitality industry. Raymond has worked in multinational global corporations. In his outstanding 40-year distinguished career, he has contributed to the hospitality industry immensely. Raymond has influenced the travel and tourism industry to help enhance the inclusive and sustainable growth potential of the Hospitality and the Travel & Tourism sector. He has served on industry bodies — such as the WTTC, the International Advisory Board of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland, and a decade-long contribution to global luxury by serving The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) Executive Committee; and many others. Raymond continues to shape the conversation at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) as The Board of Trustee. 

Raymond has translated value in business roles with 27 years in management positions with the Rafael Group Hoteliers and Regent International Hotels. He has brought his rich experience in shaping the conversation with the Boards and stakeholders for over 12 years in heading the Tata conglomerate's hospitality business under The Indian Hotels Co Ltd (IHCL), comprising Taj Hotels, Resorts, and Palaces. He grew the IHCL footprint by 2X from 67 locations to 137. He created several IHCL brands under his leadership, inspiring over 30,000 employees and an expanse of operations and business development efforts that spanned over 25 countries, with a sustained revenue of billion-dollar and managed shareholder expectations with the board and Chairman for over a decade. Raymond executed the directive of the Chairman and Board of Directors for its strategies with an able team he built despite perils, impediments, and headwinds in many unfathomable hurdles beyond economic downturns and challenges. One captured in The Harvard Business School that grapples with the challenges faced during and after the 26/11 crisis faced by the Taj in its case study for its students and global executives attending the Harvard Advanced Management Program. Raymond has garnered numerous awards and accolades; that is a testament to his leadership for the organizations he has led, and many bestowed upon him personally for the immense value that he has unlocked.

As a Strategic Partner and Practice Head (Communications) at IE Advisory, Stuti Sinha works closely with Striking Ideas, backed by her experience in PR, Communication, Branding, and Marketing, to deliver Strategic Communication solutions to deliver impactful outcomes. 

Stuti is a creative thinker with over a decade of marketing and branding success in enhancing well-known brands with her communication expertise. Some of the iconic brands she has provided her energy to enhance the goals are The Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, Asian Paints, and ITC, to mention a few. 

Implementing a complex project with simplicity is possible with a depth of experience. No matter what the challenge is, ranging from — new brand development, strategic digital communication, enhancing stakeholder engagement, providing a proactive PR strategy, and developing ready-to-execute crisis management to subvert unforeseen onslaught, her understanding of your business and challenges can be reassuring. 

Stuti's passion for writing and storytelling is a treat. Her expression is graced with her vocal cords into musical renditions with many melodies she has recorded in studios. Creativity is not just a conversation with Stuti. It's a performing art.