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By:

Divyaa Advaani 

2 November 2024 at 3:28:38 am

Presence Before Pitch

Walk into any business networking room and you will witness something far more telling than exchanged cards or polite handshakes. You will see personal brands at work — quietly, powerfully, and often unintentionally. The way a business owner carries himself, engages with others, and competes for attention in public spaces reveals more about future growth than balance sheets ever will. At a recent networking meet, two business owners from the same industry stood out — not because of what they...

Presence Before Pitch

Walk into any business networking room and you will witness something far more telling than exchanged cards or polite handshakes. You will see personal brands at work — quietly, powerfully, and often unintentionally. The way a business owner carries himself, engages with others, and competes for attention in public spaces reveals more about future growth than balance sheets ever will. At a recent networking meet, two business owners from the same industry stood out — not because of what they said, but because of how they behaved. One was visibly assertive, bordering on aggressive. He pulled people aside, positioned himself strategically, and tried to dominate conversations to secure advantage. The other remained calm, composed, and observant. He engaged without urgency, listened more than he spoke, and never attempted to overpower the room. Both wanted business. Both were ambitious. Yet the impressions they left could not have been more different. For someone new to the room — a potential client, collaborator, or investor — this contrast creates confusion. Whom do you trust? Whom do you align with? Whose values reflect stability rather than desperation? Often, decisions are made instinctively, not analytically. And those instincts are shaped by personal branding, whether intentional or accidental. This is where many business owners underestimate the real cost of their behaviour. Personal branding is not about visibility alone. It is about perception under pressure. In networking environments, where no one has time to analyse credentials deeply, people read cues — tone, composure, generosity, restraint. An overly forceful approach may signal insecurity rather than confidence. Excessive friendliness can appear transactional. Silence, when grounded, can convey authority. Silence, when disconnected, can signal irrelevance. Every move sends a message. What’s at stake is not just one meeting or one deal. It is long-term growth. When a business owner appears opportunistic, others become cautious. When someone seems too eager to win, people question their stability. When intent feels unclear, credibility erodes. This doesn’t merely slow growth — it quietly redirects opportunities elsewhere. Deals don’t always collapse loudly. Sometimes, they simply never materialise. The composed business owner in the room may not close a deal that day. But he leaves with something far more valuable — trust capital. His presence feels safe. His brand feels consistent. People remember him as someone they would like to work with, not someone they need to protect themselves from. Over time, this distinction compounds. In today’s business ecosystem, especially among seasoned founders and leaders, how you compete matters as much as whether you compete. Growth is no longer just about capability; it is about conduct. Your personal brand determines whether people lean in or step back — whether they introduce you to others or quietly avoid alignment. This is why personal branding is not a cosmetic exercise. It is strategic risk management. A strong personal brand ensures that your ambition does not overshadow your credibility. It aligns your intent with your impact. It allows you to command rooms without controlling them, influence without intrusion, and compete without compromising respect. Most importantly, it ensures that when people talk about you after you leave the room, they speak with clarity, not confusion. For business owners who want to scale, this distinction becomes critical. Growth brings visibility. Visibility amplifies behaviour. What once went unnoticed suddenly becomes defining. Without a refined personal brand, ambition can be misread as aggression. Confidence can feel like arrogance. Silence can be mistaken for disinterest. And these misinterpretations cost more than money — they cost momentum. The question, then, is not whether you are talented or successful. It is whether your personal brand is working for you or quietly against you in spaces where decisions are formed long before contracts are signed. Because in business, people don’t always choose the best offer. They choose the person who feels right. If you are a business owner or founder who wants to grow without compromising credibility — who wants to attract opportunities rather than chase them — it may be time to look closely at how your presence is being perceived in rooms that matter. If this resonates and you’d like to explore how your personal brand can be refined to support your growth, you can book a complimentary consultation here: https://sprect.com/pro/divyaaadvaani Not as a pitch — but as a conversation about how you show up, and what that presence is truly building for you. (The writer is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

FY 2025–26 Tax Planning: Tips for the Salaried Individual

Plan early, choose wisely and invest smartly to enter FY 2025–26 with lower tax and greater financial stability.

Most salaried individuals rush into tax planning at year-end, leading to poor choices and stress. With the New Tax Regime taking focus for FY 2025–26, early planning is wiser—it reduces tax, improves cash flow and clarifies long-term goals. The guidelines below provide a simple, structured approach.


1. Choosing Your Tax Regime

Your first step is choosing between the Old Regime and the New Regime. This single choice shapes your entire tax year.


The Old Regime suits taxpayers who claim multiple deductions, offering many exemptions for those paying rent, servicing a home loan or investing in PPF, ELSS and insurance, though tax rates are higher. The New Regime is better for those with few deductions, providing lower rates but limited exemptions, and has been the default since FY 2023–24.


Professional CA tip: At the start of April, prepare a sheet listing expected 80C investments, health insurance, home loan interest, HRA exemption, NPS and other deductions, then compare both regimes to see which results in lower tax.


2. Maximise Section 80C

Section 80C allows a deduction of up to Rs. 1,50,000.


Typical 80C options include EPF, PPF and ELSS. Other eligible choices include life insurance premiums, 5-year tax-saving FDs, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, children’s tuition fees and home loan principal.


Tip: Check how much EPF already covers before investing more. Many employees unknowingly overinvest.


3. Sec. 80D: Med. Ins. Deduction

Health insurance offers both tax relief and financial protection. You can claim a deduction of Rs. 25,000 for premiums paid for yourself, your spouse and your children, and an additional Rs. 50,000 if you are paying for health insurance for your senior-citizen parents.


Why it matters: Medical costs are rising, and one emergency can wipe out savings. Buying a policy early keeps premiums lower and ensures the full deduction.


4. Fully Use HRA

HRA is a key tax saver for salaried individuals in rented homes. The exemption is the lowest of three values: actual HRA received, 50 per cent of salary in metros (40 per cent in non-metros), or rent paid minus 10 per cent of salary. To claim it, you must submit rent receipts, a rent agreement and your landlord’s PAN if annual rent exceeds Rs.1 lakh.


Common mistake: Waiting till year-end for receipts. Keep them monthly.


5. Home Loan Deductions

A home loan offers two main tax benefits: up to Rs. 2 lakh a year as an interest deduction under Section 24(b) for a self- or family-occupied property, and principal repayment eligible under Section 80C within the Rs. Rs.1.5 lakh limit.


Joint loans: If the property is jointly owned and both borrowers pay EMIs, each may claim deductions.


6. National Pension System (NPS)

NPS provides an extra Rs. 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) beyond the 80C limit. It is a strong long-term retirement option, investing across equity, bonds and debt for balanced growth.


CA tip: Employer NPS contributions remain tax-beneficial even under the New Regime.


7. Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)

LTA can be claimed only for travel within India and only for actual travel fares—bus, train, or air. It does not cover food, accommodation, sightseeing or tour packages.


You may claim LTA twice in a four-year block. Keep original tickets.


8. Salary Structure Review

Your salary structure affects your tax benefits, yet many people overlook it and lose exemptions. Adding tax-efficient components such as meal coupons, fuel and phone reimbursements, a books and newspaper allowance, and a uniform allowance (where applicable) can help optimise your take-home pay.


Ask HR if these can be added to reduce taxable income.


9. Manage Capital Gains

If you invest in shares or mutual funds, plan your capital gains early. Long-term gains up to Rs. 1 lakh a year are tax-free, so spreading your sales can lower tax and help you avoid large, last-minute redemptions.


Early planning helps manage profits and taxes better.


10. Submit Proofs on Time

Missing investment or expense proofs can increase TDS and reduce your take-home pay, so submit them on time. Ensure you provide all key documents, including rent receipts, insurance and investment proofs, NPS statements and your home loan interest certificate.


Timely submission keeps TDS correct and reduces refund delays.


11. Begin Planning in April

Last-minute tax planning can lead to unnecessary expenses, while early planning helps you spread investments, pick suitable products, avoid unwanted policies, and protect your emergency fund.


Tax planning is not just about reducing tax; it helps build a strong financial base. Choose the right regime, claim eligible deductions, optimise your salary structure and invest early. With proper planning before FY 2025–26 starts, you can achieve better savings, a lower tax burden and greater long-term stability.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant based in Thane. Views personal.)

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