Why The Next Step?

At The Next Step (TNS), we are more than an HR consulting firm – we are strategic partners dedicated to transforming organizations through human-centric solutions.

We practice a values-based approach, striving to deliver meaningful impact at every step of our engagement.

Our mission is to partner with organizations and individuals to enhance leadership, build strong HR foundations and drive sustainable performance through focused coaching, capability building, and strategic interventions.

What We Provide

Customised
Solutions
Leadership
Development
Programs
Executive
Coaching
Setting-up and enhancing
HR Practices
Unique Programs for
Educational Institutes

About Us

Bridging The Gap
Between Human Talent
And Business Success

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Our Mission

We exist to help organizations
and leaders unlock human
potential through innovative
solutions and transformative
leadership at every stage of
their growth journey.

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Our Leaders

Shabnam Jussa Gaitonde

Shabnam Jussa Gaitonde

Founder Partner

With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, she has led people strategies for mid and large sized organizations across diverse sectors including ITES, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Consulting. A certified coach from Erickson Coaching and an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, she brings deep expertise in aligning HR with business goals. Her strengths lie in leading organizational change, building leadership pipelines, and transforming workplace culture. She has conceptualized and implemented impactful talent development, performance management, and diversity & inclusion programs, while also driving succession planning and engagement strategies. Having held senior HR leadership positions, including CHRO roles, she is known for her practical, people-centric approach and her ability to coach individuals and teams to achieve measurable results. Her work spans multicultural environments across geographies — steering organizations through structural changes and right-sizing initiatives.

Shabnam Gaitonde | LinkedIn
Chandrahas Shetty

Chandrahas Shetty

Strategic Partner

With over four decades of diverse experience in Human Resources and Business Support, including 17 years as President of HR and Business Support of a large pharmaceuticals company, he brings a rare blend of strategic insight and hands-on leadership. A certified coach and transformation consultant, he has led large-scale organizational change initiatives, implemented digital systems, and played a pivotal role in aligning HR with core business operations. His academic credentials include a Master’s in Personnel Management, advanced HR studies from the University of Mumbai and TISS, and a leadership program from XLRI. Known for his future-focused mindset, he has consistently introduced innovative strategies, built leadership pipelines and improved employee engagement through structured interventions. His experience spans multiple sectors and he has supported pan-India operations with a strong emphasis on talent development, union negotiations, succession planning, and performance benchmarking.

C I Shetty | LinkedIn

Offerings for

Educational Institutes

We collaborate closely with educational institutions to design and deliver customized programs that align with their specific goals. Each program is co-created by actively involving with faculty, ensuring relevance, continuity and lasting impact.

Students Illustration
Building Leadership Capability
Communication Skills Enhancement
Corporate Culture Orientation
Career Readiness Programs
Faculty Training Programs

Contact Us

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Connect with our experts to unlock impactful leadership and sustainable growth.

Phone: 91-9619115630

Whatsapp: 91-9619115430

Email: connect@thenextstep.co.in

Address: Andheri, Mumbai 400058

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