Zomato Founder Deepinder Goyal Deluged with 8,000 Emotional Responses to Employee Reunion Initiative
Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, has found himself navigating an unprecedented wave of digital correspondence after extending a public invitation for formal employees to rejoin the company through a program called back@eternal.com. In a remarkable display of engagement, Goyal revealed on social media platform X that he received approximately 8,000 emails within just a few days following his initial post. This overwhelming response highlights the deep connections forged during Eternal's journey.
Breakdown of the Email Deluge: Former Employees and Aspiring Candidates
Of the total emails received, about 4,000 originated from individuals who had previously been part of the Eternal organization at some point in its history. The remaining 4,000 messages came from external candidates who have never worked at Zomato's parent company Eternal but expressed strong interest in joining. Goyal expressed his gratitude and surprise, stating, "Over the last week, we received over 8,000 emails. About 4,000 from people who have been part of the Eternal journey at some point. Rest from people who haven't worked here but want to. Thank you so much for this. I didn't expect this at all."
Emotional Depth and Historical Context in Employee Stories
The outreach from the former Eternal CEO, specifically targeting those with prior company experience, has resonated profoundly with former team members. Goyal noted that the majority of these emails contain personal narratives filled with raw emotions and honesty. "Most of these emails are stories, and are full of emotions and honesty. There's a lot of context and history in them. And a lot of our current team has no context on people who left five, ten, fifteen years ago," he explained. This historical perspective provides valuable insights into the company's evolution.
Goyal's Personal Challenge: Reading Through Thousands of Emails
However, the sheer volume and historical nature of these communications present a significant logistical challenge. Since many stories date back years, Goyal emphasized that he is the only person who fully comprehends the context. "Eternal is in its late teens right now. The only person who can truly read these emails and know who to respond to is me. And it is not humanly possible for me to read through 8,000 emails, and pick and choose the right ones to respond to, quickly," Goyal admitted. He confirmed that he is personally reviewing each email but cautioned that the process will require considerable time.
Direct Reconnection Strategy for Close Collaborators
To expedite reconnection with his closest former colleagues, Goyal proposed an alternative communication channel. The Eternal founder, who recently transitioned from his CEO role, suggested that individuals who worked directly with him should reach out via WhatsApp for a quicker response. "But if you worked with me directly, and you wrote in, and you are waiting for a reply, here is what will work quickly: find my number and WhatsApp me. Looking forward to reconnect," he stated. This approach aims to streamline interactions with key personnel.
Background: Goyal's Heartfelt Invitation to Former Eternal Employees
Last week, Deepinder Goyal issued a sincere open invitation to former Eternal employees, encouraging them to return to the company irrespective of their departure circumstances. He acknowledged that Eternal may not have provided the ideal environment or leadership for everyone in the past but reassured that many employees had positive experiences. "If you haven’t reached out because you think the door is closed, or because you think I’m holding onto the past, I’m not. I want you back," Goyal affirmed.
He urged former team members to reconsider and contact the executive if interested in rejoining, emphasizing their familiarity with the company's operations. "There is so much to build at Eternal…We need people who already know what good looks like here, and who care enough to fight for it. There is no better person for that than someone who has been here, left, grown, and wants to come back," Goyal concluded, underscoring the value of experienced returnees in driving future growth.
