Ad land’s young guns: Sanjana Nischal, Founder, Digital Kong

As the founder of Digital Kong, Sanjana Nischal is spearheading the frontier of digital innovation. Her astute understanding of technology and market dynamics has been propelling Digital Kong to remarkable heights in the digital sphere. With a fervent passion for progress and a keen eye for emerging trends, Nischal navigates the company toward unparalleled success. Under her leadership, Digital Kong thrives as a pioneering force, offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses. Nischal’s commitment to innovation and her relentless drive to redefine digital entrepreneurship continue to shape the future of the industry, one breakthrough at a time.

In conversation with Adgully, Sanjana Nischal, Founder, Digital Kong, speaks about her current role, founding her own company, leveraging LinkedIn and podcasts to update her knowledge, overcoming challenges like lack of enough experience, and more.

Could you share the key milestones that led you to where you are today in the industry?

There have been significant milestones in my career, one of the most important ones was leaving my hometown, and getting out of my comfort zone. I think since then I haven’t been in my comfort zone at all. Another one was when I left my last job, the biggest client of the past company called me to ask me to stay or keep servicing his brand in some way, it gave me the necessary validation for my work. Once I began consulting, my past clients, their acquaintances started to pour in and thus, Digital Kong was born. Another big milestone has been getting into IIM Ahmedabad for an executive MBA. I have never been the studious kind, and it felt great to again go back to learning, it revived my curiosity and that also impacted businesses in a lot of ways.

In your experience, what are some common challenges that young professionals face when starting their careers and how can they overcome them?

One of the common challenges is why should anyone trust you when you have not much to show for it. For anyone starting new, document your work. Building positive/ heartfelt relationships with everyone you meet helps you and makes your career path easier. For me, I have done tonnes of paid/ free internships and documented every small win that might interest people later. If you don’t have experience right now, back yourself with certifications or self-assigned tasks in the field you are in. Let’s say website development, get a certification on the subject, and then apply it by building something of your own.

How do you stay updated on the latest trends and developments, and what resources or strategies would you recommend to young professionals seeking to for the same?

At this time and age, everything is available everywhere. LinkedIn is one of the easiest and most resourceful places to start from. A lot of industry professionals provide expert opinions on all topics. Follow the right people, and see what they are talking about. Another interesting place is podcasts, I listen to a lot of them to stay up to date and for also forecast trends.

What led you to pursue a leadership role at a young age, and what are your long-term leadership goals?

⁠Now that I have been at both sides of the table, I can say I have always had a larger view of things, even if I lacked the execution of it back then. I was always thinking about what was next for this job or this project. Once you keep asking yourself that, you inevitably reach a position where people are looking at you for directions. I think that’s what has happened.

I want to learn how to be better at what I am doing and also train people. I have never had professional training or mentorship, and I think that is key for young people to find the right mentor, I would like to have one and I would also like to be one, this is my long-term leadership goal.

What strategies do you use to motivate and inspire your team members or peers?

Digital Kong is a very strong team. It is built by being compassionate and appreciating loudly when work gets done. We sit together and discuss a lot of what kind of clients we want very specifically, I think this activity also manifests and excites the team with potential. We also like to test ourselves, we go out of the way to service our clients.

What initiatives have you taken to develop your leadership skills and knowledge?

I look at my dad. I see the man he is today and how he had started, and the lives he was able to impact. It motivates me and also enhances how I lead. Apart from that, joining IIMA has helped in enhancing the right skills and I believe by the time the course is over, the growth will be massive.

What advice would you offer to aspiring young professionals aspiring to leadership positions?

Never stop learning. Experiment, fail quickly, and get back up. Find the right people, look at their lives and how they reached where they are, and try to implement whatever is relevant to you.