# Ragy Thomas, CEO and Founder of Sprinklr, Joins MBAs for Langone Speaker Series

1 Stern Stories February 24, 2017 ![](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/ragy-body.jpg?itok=rogGyHDh) Ragy Thomas (MBA ‘03), Founder and CEO of Sprinklr, joined Professor Luke Williams, MBA students and alumni for a 2016-2017 Langone Speaker Series event. >

Ragy Thomas (MBA ‘03), founder and CEO of Sprinklr, joined MBA students and alumni for a 2016-2017 Speaker Series event, presented by U.S. Trust. Professor [Luke Williams](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/luke-williams) moderated the one-on-one interview, followed by an open Q&A session.

Sprinklr, an enterprise social media management platform founded in 2009, has raised more than $240 million in financing and employs over 1,400 people in 13 countries. What’s Sprinklr’s secret to success? “I knew it was a wonderful time to start a company. There was this evolution in communication where mobile and social media started changing the world,” Thomas said. He also explained how the company focuses more on value creation than increasing sales, which keeps it a step ahead of its competitors.

How does Thomas ensure Sprinklr will remain successful? He outlined two rules of thought that he lives by: “path forward” and “future backwards.” Thinking “path forward” helps you visualize how to get ahead. Thinking “future backwards” helps you anticipate what’s about to happen. Thomas also emphasized how investing in culture was another way they sustain success. At Sprinklr, the company instills five core values: - It’s OK (to make mistakes as long as you learn and grow from them).
- Sprinkle, don’t shout (it’s not about who yells the loudest; it’s about who offers the most value in a relevant, nurturing way).
- Fix, don’t complain.
- Never, ever give up.
- Passionately, genuinely care.

Throughout the interview, Thomas offered valuable advice to students and alumni who seek an entrepreneurial career path: - If you don’t believe you can do it, then you won’t. Everything is about intent.
- Confidence comes from practice and patience.
- Learn from everyone around you, even if it’s what *not* to do.
- Always be clear on what’s important to you; make sure you are happy in whatever you pursue.

Watch the full event:

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*This Langone Speaker Series event was co-hosted by Stern's MBA Stern's [MBA Office of Student Engagement](/portal-partners/student-engagement) & [W. R. Berkley Innovation Lab](/node/43725)*###  Past Langone Speaker Series

- [Oisin Hanrahan](/node/42861), co-founder and CEO of Handy
- [Ragy Thomas](/node/41631) (MBA ‘03), founder and CEO of Sprinklr
- [Nate Berkus](/node/36156), interior designer and author
- [Philip Krim](/node/31641), co-founder and CEO of Casper
- [Dan Schulman](/node/25021) (MBA '86), president and CEO of PayPal
- [Greg Coleman](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-buzzfeed), president of BuzzFeed
- [Devon Pike](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-givenchy), president of Givenchy US
- [Frank Blake](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-home-depot), chairman and former CEO of The Home Depot
- [Robin Hayes](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-jetblue), president and incoming CEO of JetBlue Airways
- [Bob Pittman](/node/8019), chairman and CEO of Clear Channel
- [Paula Kerger](/node/7863), president and CEO of PBS
- [Neil Blumenthal](/node/7499), co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker
- [Kenneth Langone](/node/48005) (MBA ’60), founder and CEO of Invemed and co-founder of Home Depot