Gopal joined Funnel two years ago as the Head of Education to design and deliver training for customers and partners. For Gopal, joining Funnel wasn't just about switching jobs; it was about moving across the globe to a country he had never visited before. Read his story, his views on education, and his experience of relocating to a new country.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I began my career in advertising in India, where I worked as a copywriter for over seven years. While I loved writing copy and enjoyed the creative aspects of the business, I wanted to do something that was more meaningful for me personally. Through an unexpected, chance encounter, the world of Education found me. Since then, two decades have passed, and I have not looked back. During this time, I have been lucky enough to explore all aspects of the wonderful world of learning.

After working with large companies for several years in multiple roles, I sat down one day to make a bucket list of goals for the remainder of my career. On top of that list was the desire to work and live in Europe. I started applying to companies in Europe, and Funnel stood out to me, aligning with my professional aspirations and desire for new experiences. Despite having offers from other large international tech companies, I chose Funnel because I wanted to work with a start-up that had an interesting product, embraced the spirit of new challenges, and had a culture unlike any other.

Since you have a lot of experience in education, what does Education or Learning mean to you?

Learning is a constant in my professional and personal life. It is the primary driver of growth and is often the difference between success and failure. Learning means stepping outside your comfort zone and being willing to change your mental model of the world. I believe that continuous learning keeps the mind young and flexible by fostering a sense of perpetual challenge and discovery. The ongoing pursuit of knowledge not only enhances skills but also broadens perspectives and deepens understanding. To those who are learning all the time, life is one adventure that never stops being interesting.

What does your role as Head of Education at Funnel entail? What does a typical day look like?

As the Head of Education at Funnel, my primary role is to educate customers and partners on effectively using the platform. The goal is to drive adoption and retention by helping users understand and utilize Funnel to its fullest potential.

A typical day for me is varied and dynamic. I handle everything from content creation to the maintenance of the learning platform, which makes my job both exciting and deeply fulfilling. I actively collaborate with other departments to ensure that the educational content aligns with the needs of our users.

Why is user education important for Funnel and its customers? How do you assess the effectiveness of educational content?

Funnel is a unique platform, with an underlying framework designed to deliver specific outcomes. So, to get the most out of it, it is essential for users to understand what the platform is designed to do. Education helps clarify this context and drives greater usage and adoption to ensure that customers can harness the full potential of Funnel.

Measuring the effectiveness of educational programs can be challenging, as there are several factors that contribute to product adoption and retention. I look at metrics such as customer retention, engagement rates, correlation between product usage and learning, and the reduction of support tickets. For instance, we ran an experiment last year where we were able to demonstrate that most users who attend webinars use Funnel more frequently. I believe that Education has a strong correlation with adoption and retention at every stage of the customer journey.

How has living and working in Sweden influenced your professional approach and personal growth?

Moving to Sweden has been a profound reboot, personally and professionally. It has been a wonderfully transformative experience. The culture at Funnel, and Sweden in general, is vastly different from the top-down environments I have worked in for most of my life. Funnel’s flat structure and its equal emphasis on autonomy and consensus have taught me the importance of building relationships and expanding influence organically. This experience has fundamentally changed my approach to work.

The ability to bring one’s full self to work and the experience of working with an authentic approach are gifts that I deeply appreciate within Funnel. I am also truly grateful for experiencing true psychological safety for the first time in my career.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar move?

Approach such a move with a spirit of adventure and openness. Embracing new experiences with an open mind helps you navigate the transition and fully enjoy the journey. Not everything will be as expected, but an adventurous spirit allows one to accept all possibilities, including setbacks, with greater ease.