Inspiration is a spirited will’s fuel to drive itself on the path of excellence to reach the destination of success called business leadership. Serving as the catalyst that ignites the entrepreneurial flame, it propels the relentless pursuit of excellence, boosting individuals to achieve extraordinary feats. For visionary leaders, inspiration is the driving force that guides them through challenges and motivates them to overcome obstacles. By inspiring their teams and customers, these leaders in the league of Abhishek B Kurdukar create a ripple effect of positive change, leaving a legacy.
In the case of Abhishek, his success today as the Sales Director at Pluxee India has been the culmination of his career of over two decades honing his expertise in numerous professional realms.
A Master of Maximum Expertise
Abhishek began his career in 2004 as a management trainee in the FMCG industry. Subsequently, he transitioned to the financial services sector in 2005, contributing to the early development of credit cards in India. His career has spanned various industries, including insurance, foreign exchange, and assistance services. He has also held significant roles in global organizations like MasterCard, where he focused on B2B, prepaid, and technology-driven solutions. This diverse experience uniquely positions him for his current role at Pluxee.
Motivated by Transforming Lives
As far as his motivation is concerned, Abhishek says that the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits presents a unique opportunity to impact the lives of countless individuals directly. As a sales professional, he is driven by the ability to provide solutions that enhance employee well-being and contribute to sustained organizational success. The fast-paced nature of the industry, coupled with the immediate impact of partnership with clients, makes it an exciting and rewarding career path shaped by personal values, he adds. “Integrity, discipline, and respect for others are my guiding principles. I believe in valuing every team member, regardless of their role or designation. Just as every cog is vital in a household, every individual contributes significantly to an organization’s success.”
Solutions that Meet the Evolving Employee Needs
Emerged as India’s leading player in employee benefits, Pluxee’s philosophy is to leverage technology to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value. “We are committed to staying ahead of the curve and providing cutting-edge digital solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients,” says Abhishek, who, as a leader, inspires his team to embrace change, experiment with new ideas, and leverage technology to create a better future for all their employees and customers.
Maintaining an Edge
In a competitive industry, Pluxee differentiates itself by combining deep industry expertise with progressive technology. It offers customized employee benefit solutions that cater to the specific needs of its clients, enabling them to enhance employee satisfaction and drive business growth. “Our commitment to innovation allows us to stay ahead of the curve and provide superior stakeholder experience,” says Abhishek.
The firm maintains its edge through initiatives, which facilitates cross-functional and cross-regional collaboration, allowing it to share innovative strategies and success stories across diverse markets. He adds, “By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration, we ensure that Pluxee remains a leader in the industry.”
A Leader for His Team
This inspiring leadership style prioritizes collaboration across functions, ensuring every team member feels valued. Through initiatives like India Sales Talk and global sales discussions, they facilitate knowledge sharing, enabling teams to cross-pollinate ideas and strategies tailored to diverse markets.
Furthermore, Abhishek nurtures creativity and ownership within his teams. He says, “I believe in empowering my team to take ownership of their work and drive innovation. By providing the necessary tools, resources, and support, I encourage them to think creatively and challenge the status quo.”
Harmonizing the Balance
The essence of the employee benefits niche lies in innovation, disruptions, and enhancing the end-user experience. At the same time, Pluxee’s strength lies in harmonizing operational efficiency with exceptional customer satisfaction by combining technological innovation with a people-first philosophy. “Our agile operational model focuses on scalability and continuous improvement, ensuring we meet evolving stakeholder needs while optimizing efficiency,” assures Abhishek.
For instance, they harness data-driven insights to refine processes and create seamless experiences—whether through intuitive app functionality or an ever-expanding merchant network. By embedding joy and personalization into their solutions, Abhishek further ensures they deliver meaningful value at every touchpoint, cultivating customer loyalty while driving sustainable progress across their ecosystem.
Fostering a Tech-Enabled Future
Also, Pluxee embraces digitalization and technological advancements to enhance its core operations and contribute to a tech-enabled future. Its user-friendly platforms and advanced IT tools streamline service delivery, ensuring scalability, compliance, and continuous improvements in user experience. By leveraging data analytics and fostering innovation, the company delivers personalized solutions that meet the needs of its clients and their employees. Abhishek emphasizes, “This technology-driven approach enables us to adapt to evolving demands while supporting a future-focused, sustainable ecosystem.”
Showcasing Commitment to Innovation and Excellence
Achieving remarkable success, two key initiatives highlight Pluxee’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
Abhishek informs, “We pioneered the Meal Benefit in 1997 and evolved into a new-age, future-ready Multi-Benefit suite that offers 20+ benefits designed to address India’s diverse workforce.”
This is a testimony to their dedication to delivering meaningful progress through practical innovation, he adds.
Ensuring Constant Team Empowerment
Furthermore, Abhishek is an ardent believer that the workforce is the cornerstone of every successful organization. Pluxee empowers its workforce through continuous learning, leadership development, and tailored growth plans. “Our focus on inclusivity and well-being ensures employees feel supported, driving both personal and professional success.”
Outwitting Obstacles
Again, every organization faces challenges, but resilience often leads to innovation. At Pluxee, says Abhishek, they thrive on turning challenges into opportunities for innovation. “For example, we developed a first-of-its-kind solution for a client that required meal allowances to be managed across two distinct spending categories—one for the office cafeteria and another for broader use,” he adds. This unique approach addressed their specific needs while setting a new standard in employee benefits.
In another case, they designed a seamless model for a client who wanted a single wallet for allowances, enabling tax savings upon submission of bills. These tailored solutions not only met client expectations but also reinforced Pluxee’s ability to innovate under complex requirements, strengthening its position as a trusted partner.
“These experiences have strengthened our commitment to transparency, resilience, and innovation,” says Abhishek. “They have taught us to focus on long-term trust-building with clients and continually adapt our strategies to meet emerging challenges without compromising our core values.” This resilience forms the backbone of the organization, enabling it to navigate adversity with confidence and integrity.
Conquering a Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped industries globally. Abhishek recalls that it was a profound learning experience that underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation. “During this time, we ensured uninterrupted service by encouraging virtual card adoption when physical deliveries were not possible,” he says. Recognizing evolving employee needs, they also defined a new category of New-age Benefits, including Health & Wellness, Learning & Development, and Gadgets & Equipment, which addressed holistic well-being and became essential for companies supporting their workforce remotely.
To enhance convenience for their users, Abhishek says they made their QRs interoperable, allowing seamless payments through both Pluxee wallets and other bank accounts at partner stores. “Additionally, to ensure business continuity in the face of future uncertainties, we established an additional disaster recovery management centre. These measures position us to navigate unforeseen challenges effectively while continuing to meet the needs of our clients and their employees.”
Abhishek Advises
Businesses are a way for the Indian industry to pace up its economic potential and capacity. As a Sales Director, Abhishek’s advice to budding entrepreneurs looking to make their mark is pragmatic. Focus on excelling in one area before diversifying. “Success is a journey requiring continuous improvement and resilience.”
When asked about the critical lessons he’s learned about scaling a business and building a strong, value-driven organization, he says, “Robust processes, trust, and a strong compliance framework are essential for scaling sustainably. Empowering teams with autonomy drives innovation and confidence to deliver as per organizational values.”
Trailblazing the Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Abhishek divulges that Pluxee’s vision is to redefine employee benefits with impactful, future-ready solutions that set new benchmarks in innovation and customer experience. “By leveraging technology-driven personalization and advancing ESG initiatives, we aim to create transformative offerings that address current challenges and anticipate future demands. Our focus is on helping clients offer more of what matters to their employees,” he adds before closing, “Our goal is to elevate industry standards and make a lasting impact on India’s business landscape, empowering employers and their employees alike.”
For more information, please email abhishek.kurdukar@pluxeegroup.com or call @9920762067 or visit www.pluxee.in.
