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How To Manage Female Employees?

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The number of women in the workforce has increased dramatically over the past few decades. In 1970, only 43 per cent of women aged 25 to 54 were in the labour force. By 2016, that number had increased to 75 per cent. Several factors, including educational attainment, labour market opportunities, and changes in social norms, have driven the increase in women’s labour force participation.

With more women in the workforce, employers must now contend with a number of issues that were once largely ignored. These include childcare, sexual harassment, and the gender pay gap. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to these problems, there are several strategies that employers can use to manage women in the workplace. 

This article will explore some of the key issues that arise when managing women in the workplace. It will also provide several tips and strategies for dealing with these issues.

What Are Some General Tips For Managing Women In The Workplace?

Here are a few general tips for managers who are looking to support and engage women in the workplace:

  • Encourage a diversity of thought by promoting open dialogue and listening to different points of view
  • Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected
  • Provide opportunities for professional development and growth
  • Flexible work arrangements can be beneficial for meeting the needs of both employees and the business
  • Be aware of unconscious bias and take steps to avoid it in your decision making

By following these tips, you can create a workplace that supports women and helps them thrive.

What Are Some Specific Strategies For Managing Women In The Workplace?

The workplace can be a challenging environment for women. To succeed, women need to be aware of their unique challenges and be proactive in addressing them.

Here are a few specific strategies women can use to manage themselves in the workplace:

  1. Establish Clear Boundaries

Women must establish clear boundaries with their colleagues in terms of their professional and personal lives. This will help women avoid getting overloaded at work and stop colleagues from taking advantage of them.

  1. Be Confident

Women need to be confident in themselves and their abilities to be successful in the workplace. This means speaking up in meetings, asserting themselves when necessary, and being comfortable taking on leadership roles.

  1. Stand Up For Yourself

If you feel you are being mistreated or your boss is micromanaging, do not sit idly and hope it gets better or goes away. Speak up for yourself. It can be challenging to go against the person who signs your check, but remember that you are being paid to do a job and not take any crap. Around The Way Swirl wants you to stand up for yourself in every situation where you feel cheated or belittled and help make the work environment a more positive space for everybody.

What Potential Issues Can Arise When Managing Women In The Workplace?

A number of potential issues can arise when managing women in the workplace. Some of these include the following: 

  • Different communication styles: Women often communicate differently than men, which can lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication.
  • Different leadership styles: Women often lead differently than men, creating tension and conflict.
  • Different work/life balance needs: Women often have different work/life balance needs than men, which can make it challenging to manage personal and professional responsibilities.
  • Differing expectations: Women often have different expectations than men when it comes to job descriptions, duties, and responsibilities. This can lead to frustration and disappointment on both sides.

If not managed properly, these differences can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. It is important to be aware of these potentials.

How Can You Resolve Conflicts When Managing Women In The Workplace?

When it comes to managing women in the workplace, it is important to be aware of the potential for conflict. While women have made great strides in the workplace in recent years, there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of gender equality. This can often lead to tension and conflict between women and their managers.

So how can you resolve these conflicts? First, it is important to seek to understand the root cause of the conflict. Is it a result of a difference in values or goals? Or is it a result of a communication breakdown? Once you have a better understanding of the cause of the conflict, you can start to work on resolving it. This may involve coming to a compromise or finding a way to communicate better with each other.

What Are Some Best Practices For Managing Women In The Workplace?

There is no one answer to this question, as different workplaces will have different needs and dynamics. However, some general best practices can be followed to create a more positive and productive environment for all employees. 

Some of these best practices include: 

  • ensuring that women have a seat at the table and are represented in leadership roles
  • offering flexible work arrangements to accommodate different family needs
  • providing adequate resources and support for employees who are dealing with pregnancy, maternity leave, or other family-related issues
  • fostering an open and inclusive culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up about any concerns or issues

By following these best practices, employers can create a more fair and enjoyable workplace for everyone.

To Wrap Things Up

In conclusion, managing women in the workplace can be a challenge. There are several factors to consider, such as work-life balance, communication style, and career development. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, subscribing to our newsletter can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

How To Overcome The Gender Gap At Workplace

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A recent study showed that women hold only 5% of executive-level jobs. That number is much lower for women of colour. This statistic is not only disheartening but also a clear indicator of the lack of diversity in the workplace. The good news is there are things that we can do to improve the representation of women in the workplace.

One way to improve representation is by ensuring that women have a seat at the table. We can do this by ensuring that women are involved in decision-making, whether through task forces, committees, or other groups. Another way to improve representation is by providing mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women. This can help women advance in their careers and provide them with the necessary support to succeed.

If you’re a woman looking to improve representation in the workplace, there are things you can do to make a difference. By being involved in the decision-making process and providing mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, you can help improve women’s representation in the workplace.

1. Why Is Representation In The Workplace Important?

There has been a lot of discussion in recent years about the importance of representation in the workplace. And while there are many different opinions on the matter, the overall consensus is that representation is important for various reasons.

For one, representation can help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. When people see others like them in the workplace, it can help them feel more comfortable and welcome. Additionally, representation can help increase creativity and innovation in the workplace. A diverse range of perspectives can lead to new and unique ideas, which can significantly benefit any organisation.

Ultimately, representation is important because it helps create a more equitable and just workplace. When everyone is given an equal opportunity to succeed, it can only benefit the workplace.

2. What Can Women Do To Improve Representation In The Workplace?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the particular workplace and the industry in question. However, there are some general things that women can do to improve representation in the workplace.

First, women can try to enter male-dominated industries or occupations. They can do this by pursuing education and training in these areas or networking with people already established in these fields. Second, women can support other women in the workplace. This includes mentoring and sponsoring other women and advocating for them when they are not present. Finally, women can work to create a more inclusive workplace culture overall. They can do this by raising awareness of gender bias, challenging sexist attitudes and behaviours, and promoting policies and practices that are more favourable to women.

3. How Can Businesses Improve Representation In The Workplace?

There have been a lot of discussions lately about diversity and representation in the workplace. Many businesses are struggling with how to improve these areas, especially when it comes to racial and ethnic minorities.

There are a number of things businesses can do to improve representation in the workplace. One is to make a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce. This means actively recruiting minority candidates and ensuring that they have a fair chance to compete for jobs. Another way to improve representation is to create an inclusive environment in the workplace. This means ensuring that all employees feel welcome and respected and that they have the opportunity to advance in their careers.

Improving representation in the workplace is important for businesses to create a more equitable and just society. It can also have a positive impact on the bottom line, as businesses with a diverse workforce have been shown to outperform their competitors.

4. what challenges do women face when trying to improve representation in the workplace?

There is no doubt that women have come a long way in the workplace. But despite all the progress that has been made, there is still a long way to go when it comes to ensuring equality in the workplace. One of the main challenges that women face is the lack of representation at the highest levels of organisations. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, only about 5% of Fortune 500 companies have a female CEO.

This lack of representation can create a number of challenges for women who are trying to improve the representation of women in the workplace. One challenge is that there are fewer role models for women to look up to. When there are no women in leadership positions, it can be harder for women to visualise themselves in those roles. Additionally, the lack of representation can also lead to a lack of support for women in the workplace.

5. How Can We Overcome These Challenges?

It is clear that we face many challenges in the world today. Climate change, poverty, and inequality are just a few of the issues that we must grapple with. But it can seem daunting to try to tackle these problems. So what can we do?

One way to overcome these challenges is to come together and work towards solutions. This means that we need to stand united and work collaboratively toward a better future. We also need to be willing to put in the hard work required to make change happen. Only by coming together and working towards common goals can we hope to make a difference in the world.

Conclusion

The number of women in leadership positions has been steadily increasing over the past few years. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving parity with men. There are a number of things that women can do to improve representation in the workplace, including subscribing to our newsletter.

How To Present Yourself Professionally At Work

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Are you looking to make a successful career in the corporate world? Then you must know how to carry yourself in the corporate world. There are certain etiquette and manners that you need to follow to be successful in this field. 

Carrying yourself in the corporate world is not just about dressing in the right clothes or knowing the right people. It is also about having the right attitude and mindset. In this blog, we will give you some tips on how to carry yourself in the corporate world.

1. First Impressions Matter

First impressions matter. This is especially true when it comes to businesses and marketing. When a potential customer or client sees your business for the first time, you want to make sure that you make a good impression.

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you make an excellent first impression:

  1. Make sure your branding is on point. Your logo, website, and overall aesthetic should all be cohesive and convey the message you want to send.
  2. Pay attention to your customer service. If you provide a good experience from the start, customers will be more likely to come back.
  3. Make sure you are marketing to the right people.

If you target your marketing efforts to those who are most likely to be interested in your product or service, you’ll be more likely to make a sale.

2. The Way You Dress 

How you dress can affect how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you. It is essential to dress in a way that is appropriate for the occasion and that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you are more likely to succeed. So whether you are dressing for a job interview, a first date, or an important meeting, make sure you look your best.

3. Your Manners 

Your manners are a reflection of your upbringing and of your self-respect. If you have good manners, you show that you respect yourself and others. Good manners are also a sign of maturity and intelligence.

There are many different aspects of good manners, such as being polite, respecting personal space, using appropriate language, and more. These things come together to create a positive impression of you and your company.

If you want to make sure you have good manners, there are a few things you can do:

  1. Pay attention to your body language. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and smile.
  2. Be aware of your words and how you use them. Avoid swearing and offensive language, and try to use proper grammar.
  3. Be respectful of other people’s personal space and belongings.

4. The Way You Speak 

The way you speak can have a profound effect on the way you are perceived. The way you speak can be your ticket to success, or it can be your downfall. It all depends on how you use your words.

If you want to be successful, you need to learn to speak in a way that will make people sit up and take notice. You need to learn to use your words to your advantage. Here are a few tips on how you can do just that.

  1. Speak slowly and clearly
  2. Use strong words that pack a punch
  3. Tell stories to illustrate your points
  4. Be passionate about what you’re saying
  5.  Tailor your message to your audience

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master communicator.

5. Always Be Professional 

While it’s essential to be friendly and personable in the workplace, there are also times when it’s essential to be professional. Whether you’re dealing with a demanding customer or client or simply want to make a good impression, there are a few things you can do to make sure you always come across as professional.

First, always be polite and respectful. This means using terms like “sir” or “ma’am” and avoiding any profanity or rude language. Second, be well-spoken and articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely. Third, always be well-groomed and dressed in appropriate business attire. And fourth, be sure to always maintain a positive attitude.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you’ll always come across as professional in the workplace.

To Wrap Things Up

The corporate world can be a daunting place. There are many unwritten rules and expectations that you are expected to follow. But don’t worry. We’re here to help you navigate the corporate world and carry yourself with confidence.

Here are a few tips on how to carry yourself in the corporate world:

  • Sit up straight and keep your head up.
  • Make eye contact and smile when you meet someone new.
  • Speak clearly and avoid using slang or fillers (like “um” or “like”).
  • Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet.
  • Be on time for meetings and events.
  • Dress appropriately for the occasion.
  • Follow the company’s rules and procedures.
  • Have a positive attitude and be a team player.

By following these tips, you will be on your way to success.

How To Start A Business With No Money

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Have you ever wanted to start your own business but didn’t know how or thought you needed a lot of money to do so? Well, you’re not alone. Many people have the same thought but don’t realise that it is possible to start a business with little to no money. 

The good news is that there are a number of ways to get started without breaking the bank. In this article, we will explore some options available to help you start your own business with little to no money.

Why Starting A Business With No Money Is Possible

You might think that starting a business requires a lot of money, but that’s not always the case. With proper planning and execution, it is possible to start a business with little to no money. In fact, there are many advantages to starting a business with no money.

For one, you’ll have complete control over your business. When you don’t have to worry about raising capital, you can focus on building your business the way you want to. Additionally, starting with no money forces you to be more creative and resourceful. You’ll learn to use what you have and to find innovative solutions to problems.

Of course, starting a business with no money is challenging. Getting the Word out about your business can be difficult when you don’t have any money to market it. Additionally, you’ll have to wear many hats at the beginning, which can be exhausting. But if you’re willing to work hard and be creative, starting a business with no money is possible.

How To Get Started With Starting Your Own Business With No Money

Many people out there want to start their own businesses but don’t have the money to do so. So how do you get started?

First of all, you need to have a great business idea. Without a great idea, your business is likely to fail. So take some time to brainstorm and come up with a few ideas that you think have potential.

Once you have your ideas, you need to start researching them. See if there is a demand for what you want to sell or offer. Find out what your competition is and what they are doing to succeed. Armed with this information, you can start putting together a business plan.

Once you have a business plan, you need to start looking for ways to finance your business. You can get SBA microloans, crowdfunding, or even personal loans from friends and family.

With the money you have, you can start setting up your business. Get your website up and running, buy supplies or equipment, and start marketing your business to get customers.

Starting your own business takes courage, determination, and hard work. But if you have a great idea and are willing to put in the effort, it can be a very rewarding experience.

The Benefits Of Starting Your Own Business With No Money

There are many benefits to starting your own business with no money. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can avoid going into debt. You also have complete control over your business, which means you can make all the decisions yourself. Depending on your approach to business, this can be a good or bad thing.

Another benefit of starting a business with no money is that you can test the waters before making a significant financial commitment. This can be an excellent way to see if your business idea is viable and to get a feel for the business world. If you decide to move forward with your business, you can do so with a clear understanding of the risks and rewards.

Of course, there are also some challenges that come with starting a business with no money. One of the biggest challenges is finding ways to get exposure for your business. It can be difficult to attract customers or clients without money to advertise or market your business. You will also need to be very organised and self-motivated, as you will have to wear many hats in order to get your business off the ground.

Starting a business with no money can be an enriching experience despite the challenges. It can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment and be a great way to learn about yourself and the business world. If you are committed to making your business a success, there is no reason why you cannot achieve your goals.

How To Make Your Business With No Money Sustainable

Are you interested in starting your own business but don’t have the financial resources to get started? Do you wonder how to make your business sustainable without a lot of money? If so, you’re not alone.

Starting a business can be challenging, especially if you don’t have much money to invest. However, there are several ways to make your business sustainable without financial resources. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to make your business sustainable without a lot of money.

  1. Focus On Providing Value

The first step to making your business sustainable is to focus on providing value to your customers. This means offering products or services that they need or want. It’s also important to focus on providing quality products or services that meet or exceed customer expectations.

  1. Build A Strong Reputation

A strong reputation is essential for any business, but it’s vital if you’re starting out with limited resources. Focus on providing quality products or services and delivering excellent customer service. As your business grows, your reputation will precede you, making it easier to attract new customers.

  1. Know Your Target Market

Another essential tip for making your business sustainable is to know your target market. This means understanding your ideal customers and what they’re looking for. Once you know your target market, you can focus on meeting their needs and wants.

  1. Create A Marketing Plan

A marketing plan is a roadmap that outlines how you’ll reach your target market and promote your products or services. Without a marketing plan, making your business sustainable won’t be easy. Your marketing plan should include various strategies, such as online marketing, social media marketing, and traditional advertising.

  1. Generate Multiple Income Streams

One of the best ways to make your business sustainable is to generate multiple income streams. This is a fundamental principle that is commonly taught in business classes. Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket!

Having more than one revenue stream increases your brand’s appeal and makes reaching new customers easier. In addition, if you rely on only marketing yourself or your products/services, you can burn out quickly. 

To Wrap Things Up

There are several ways to start your own business with little to no money. One option is to create a business online, as there are numerous online tools and resources that can be used at a minimal cost. Another option is to find a business partner willing to invest money in the venture. Finally, you can also look for government grants or other funding opportunities. To learn more about how to start your own business with no money,

Vinita Rathi, The Founder & CEO Of Systango, Breaking The Glass Ceiling, By supporting Aspiring Entrepreneurs And Fostering Women’s Empowerment

The world we live in professes that we have overcome gender inequalities. However, it would not be wrong to say that women’s leadership is still hindered by the ‘glass ceiling’, a metaphor that represents those inconspicuous barriers that limit women from availing of further opportunities, getting promotions or increments.

These obstacles are termed as the ‘glass ceiling’ because they are imperceptible to women, and any woman may not know about their existence until she hits or experiences them. Such hindrances are not authorised practices that contradistinguish women, yet they take shape due to discriminatory attitudes.

Many talented and competent women are prevented from achieving success in their endeavours that would allow them to help businesses, societies and, ultimately, nations grow and flourish.  For women, ‘the sky’s the limit only when there are no ‘ceilings’.

Vinita Rathi, Founder & CEO at leading digital Consultancy, Systango

Vinita Rathi, a visionary and thought leader, constantly endeavours to support budding entrepreneurs in their success journey and works towards increasing the participation of women in leadership roles by enhancing their skill sets in technology.

Vinita hails as Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Systango Technologies Private Limited, a leading digital consultancy and agency specialising in building mobile apps, web apps and websites from start to finish.

She also served as Vice President at Goldman Sachs in London before realising that Systango was something that she really wanted to do. Now a successful entrepreneur, Vinita has held a top-level management position with a global giant prior to her stepping into a journey of entrepreneurship.  

What led you to join Systango?

She shares what stimulated her ideas to establish Systango: “I worked at Goldman Sachs for around 5 years, and working there was a humongous learning experience for me. But when I felt that it was time to test what I had learnt, I quit Goldman and set out to do something bigger.”

Vinita also shares that “Systango helps and hand holds founders, especially with no technology background, to build their product and get it out of the door just like an in-house team would do. We either augment the current team with contractors or set up the team from scratch.

We have also served some very large companies like Grindr and Dialpad. We also make some pretty neat IoT products like breathalysers, sensors for wineries etc.”

What are the values you believe in for achieving success?

Vinita Rathi’s ideology of life is based on three pillars. She believes in nurturing life-long relationships. She is firmly determined to contribute to society’s well-being and puts her best effort into living up to this ideal at Systango.

Also, she aims to empower women where they need to be most empowered. Being an extremely passionate developer and tech architect, Vinita is associated with two global communities: Women Hack for Non-profits and Women who Code.

These two communities are dedicated to the development of women, providing support to women and helping them acquire the skills they need for professional advancement wherever they live.

What do you think is the biggest challenge to female leadership?

According to Vinita Rathi, the male dominance is very evident in the software industry, and what is worse is the lack of empathy in the women’s community. This has been a challenge and will continue to be unless women really want to bring about change.

What were the challenges and failures you have faced?

However, like every entrepreneur, Vinita Rathi also experienced failure in her initiatives at the beginning of her career and learnt her lessons. She thinks failures play a significant role in helping people achieve success. She expresses her views by saying, “I think it’s extremely important for someone to fail, as the greatest learnings come from failure.

And as much as people say that you should learn from other people’s mistakes, some mistakes need to be made by you before you can truly learn and understand. For me, my very first project at Goldman Sachs made me realise how much I lacked in technical know-how and how it was so difficult to apply the conceptual knowledge that I had learned in college to practical work situations. I am glad I learnt my lessons early.”

Who was behind your success?

Vineeta believes that the idea of being successful depends on one’s ability to make an impact on society and truly benefit people’s lives. She adds, “For long-term success, I try to build and sustain existing and new relationships and make sure that I bring happiness to the people around me.”

Vinita attributes her success to her parents, who are “the reason for all the success” that she has achieved. They have supported her in overcoming the enormous obstacles she has faced. Also, Her husband has been her ‘true partner’ in all senses.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Steve Jobs is Vinita Rathi’s biggest inspiration as his out-of-the-box thinking and presentation drive her a lot to achieve greatness. She also admires Sheryl Sandberg for her determination, tenacity, and stance towards women’s empowerment.

Vinita quote Sheryll Sandberg’s that “I look forward to the day when half our homes are run by men, and half our companies and institutions are run by women. When that happens, it won’t just mean happier women and families; it will mean more successful businesses and better lives for us all”. This is the quote that Vinita Rathi stands by, believes in and always looks forward to the times.

Do you think your personal life is affected by your professional life? How?

Being a mother has brought more maturity to Vinita Rathis and a new perspective on many things. She has also learned to hone her multitasking and prioritise her skills. Vinita also understands the sacrifices a mother has to make when it comes to balancing both professional and personal life.

What is your road map?

Talking about her future plans, she keeps an unswerving focus towards making a difference in people’s lives and bolstering the cause of feminism in India. She is trying to achieve her objectives with the help of WomenHackForNonProfits.com.

In addition, Vinita has also started a child mentoring initiative at Systango with the mission of contributing towards Child Development. Apart from this, she invests the best of her efforts to ensure that Systango keeps growing and keeps improving at providing a safe and happy working environment for the entire Systango family.

Words of Wisdom

Vinita Rathi stated, “It’s extremely important, to be honest with you and to learn to say “No”. Establish an open line of communication between you and your stakeholders. There may be times when you need to say ‘Stop’. When everything around you is saying something is not right, it’s better to stop and re-evaluate”.

Fortune Cookie UX Design: A Venture of Vidhika Rohatgi, Redefining Digital Consulting and UX Design 

Women worldwide are replacing the “given” world with the one we dream of.  They are creating a new opportunity for themselves and other women and girls by breaking the gender barriers and stereotypes to walk hand in hand with men towards a more wholesome existence.

Due to their drive to succeed in their prior careers, women used to prefer to enter the corporate world in their late 40s. The situation has drastically changed in recent decades, though, as more and more women choose to launch their businesses earlier.

According to experts, women operate 40 to 50 per cent of all small enterprises in emerging nations. The characterisation of women and men’s ‘natural’ traits served as the foundation for Separate Spheres’ ideology.

Women were considered morally superior to males but physically weaker, making them more suitable for domestic settings. The fact that women had such significant influence at home was used as an argument against giving them the vote. But the time has seen a massive change in the last few decades, and women now drive the world economy.

The CEO Magazine acknowledges one of the best Indian women entrepreneurs who have played a crucial role in developing Indian businesses. Vidhika Rohatgi, Chief Design Officer at Fortune Cookie UX Design– a leading digital consulting and UX design, has brought an immense change in the design field. Vidhika’s experience working in numerous industries leads to a unique value proposition.

She works with organisations such as banks, insurance companies, pharmacies, manufacturing, media houses and more to support them in bringing about digital transformation within their organisations with UX design. She founded an organisation where employees work with companies to conceptualise new digital products, innovate online, and design user-friendly, memorable experiences.

Due to several variables, implementing design and digital solutions in different industries might be difficult; Vidhika has overcome this obstacle by taking a customer-centric strategy rather than the traditional product-centric one. Fortune Cookie UX Design offers specialised, cost-competitive, scalable, and reliable solutions after carefully examining your company’s demands, industry, and general requirements.

What was your dream as a business lady?

When I began my work, I frequently heard criticism of user experience design originating from India. And this is in a nation where design and art are fundamental to its rich cultural diversity, from Rangoli to pottery to truck designs.

Although we are talented and skilled, we need more design education and training that is industry-focused. My goal was to establish a UX design firm that would serve as a platform for diverse types of creative talent capable of producing top-notch digital experiences for clients worldwide.

When asked about her most significant professional accomplishment to date, she answered that she has been able to build up one of the biggest UX design teams in the country that includes UX consultants, digital consultants, UX designers and usability experts. She added that today, we are innovators using technology to assist organisations in increasing user engagement, operational efficiency, and organisational productivity. The ability to design with a purpose and an emphasis on problem-solving is what we excel at most.

Have you ever failed in your initiatives? What have you learnt from your failures?

Yes, several times. Nobody ever succeeds as an entrepreneur without making faults. And I think that every setback makes you more intelligent and more robust. Every setback has helped me become a better communicator. As a business owner and a designer at heart, learning how to survive in the profession is more crucial than success.

How many hours a day do you work on average?

I work as many hours as it takes to complete the work. As a young entrepreneur, the hours I put in are directly proportional to the results we achieve.

What is the best decision you’ve ever made?

The best choice was to pursue a college degree in UX design. Before my exams, I was studying for architecture, but a random encounter led me to learn about UX design. The rest, as they say, is history. I applied to and got through to Symbiosis Institute of Design. I earned my bachelor’s degree in communication design with a focus on user experience.

What inspired you to launch a new business endeavour or make significant adjustments to an already-existing company or workplace? 

When I first began my career as a UX designer, I learned that the UX design business is highly specialized and demands core competencies. The talent pool for UX Design was likewise relatively small. Additionally, I was aware that UX design would soon become the standard. It makes sense that UX design will advance as more industries and human needs turn to digital solutions. This prompted me to consider starting a specialised UX business that might contribute to this transition.

How do you define success, and What effective strategies have you implemented to achieve success?

Success, in my opinion, is granting yourself the right to fail repeatedly before finally succeeding. Only through persistent commitment, patience, and dedication long-term success can be attained.

I concentrated on assembling the best staff. A company’s workforce determines how successful it is. My first and foremost goal with the company was to create a professional, competent, and creatively assured team that could cater to any client.

The design process and practices were my second concern, and I made sure that each designer on the team received training in the Imagin 6D UX methodology framework that we had established. As a result, all projects have received delivery of consistently high quality.

When asked about her future plans, she said that My future goals are to grow the company internationally, which we have already begun with a few important clients in South East Asia, Europe, and North America. I want Fortune Cookie UX design to become a well-known UX & digital consultant worldwide.

How do you balance your personal and professional life and What do you think is the biggest challenge to female leadership?

Being an entrepreneur is like having a full-time job and a child on your hands simultaneously. It requires long hours, frequent travel and complete dedication. There are times when I have to prioritise work over social commitments.  However, that is not to say that I let my professional life overshadow my personal life or vice-versa. You simply need to find the right balance for yourself.  Prioritising is necessary because you can’t have everything at once.

I don’t believe there are any new obstacles for women in leadership in our sector. Women in leadership positions are especially welcome in the design profession. The one problem that may always arise is when women lose self-confidence. We limit ourselves by sticking to preconceptions and allowing society to hold us back. Being a leader and an entrepreneur is difficult, but since women are multitaskers, they often make the best business owners. We should support one another and help those that are talented.

TABLEAU Experiential Marketing: Redefining Brand Experiences through Unforgettable Events

Establishing a brand and forging meaningful connections with customers has always been a challenge, but events have proven to be a timeless solution. Whether targeting consumers or B2B audiences, events offer a unique opportunity to engage stakeholders and create experiences that resonate, fostering a genuine connection between brands and their audiences.

Unlike other advertising channels, events provide authentic engagement and face-to-face interactions with the brand, making them an invaluable tool for effective marketing.

Powerful brands are built through consistent messaging, imagery, and experiences tailored to specific markets. Events have emerged as one of the most potent tools in the event management arsenal, capable of transforming brands and delivering unparalleled recognition and acceptance.

By immersing attendees in a high-touch environment, events enable deep connections between brands, prospects, suppliers, customers, and partners. A well-planned and executed event has the potential to significantly enhance brand value, drive profits, and expand market share by creating a stronger and more meaningful bond between the brand and its audience.

TABLEAU Experiential Marketing: Creating Lasting Impressions

TABLEAU Experiential Marketing is a company at the forefront of the event industry, establishing authority and thought leadership. Founded in December 2014 and headquartered in Mumbai, with a branch office in Bangalore, TABLEAU specialises in creating captivating stages for brands to leave lasting impressions.

With an in-house production facility based in Mumbai, the company has the capability to manage all aspects of event execution, including venue constructs, staging, and decor. TABLEAU has successfully managed major events, such as the MTV Xtreme – Slash feat Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators tour in Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as one of the largest marathons across 15 cities in a single season.

Between January 2018 and March 2019, TABLEAU executed a total of 21 SBI Green marathons. The company’s focus lies in delivering tailored concepts and designs that cater to specific target groups, working closely with brands as their dedicated event partners to achieve desired outcomes.

A Comprehensive Range of Event Offerings

Offering a diverse range of event services, TABLEAU specialises in sports events, music concerts, and corporate events such as MICE, dealer events, product launches, press conferences, rewards and recognition programs, and annual days.

Setting TABLEAU Apart: The In-House Production Advantage

What sets TABLEAU apart is its in-house production facility, which enables the company to offer competitive rates compared to other major players in the industry. Led by Sneha Kalbag, the Managing Partner of the company, who hails from Encompass Events, one of the finest event management companies in the country, TABLEAU brings a unique blend of creativity, attention to detail, and quality to its services.

A Clientele of Distinction

TABLEAU has built a reputable clientele that includes ENIL (Radio Mirchi), BCCL (TOI, Mumbai Mirror, NBT), Optimal Media Solutions (OMS), Tata Sky, State Bank of India, HDFC Life, iVolunteers (NGO), and Rentokil PCI, among others.

Major Milestones: Recognitions and Accomplishments

The company has achieved significant milestones within a short span of time. In its first year of operation, TABLEAU won the Best Concert of the Year award at WOW Awards Asia, competing against major event giants like Cineyug and Percept.

Additionally, TABLEAU successfully executed the SBI Green marathon across 15 cities, flawlessly conducting two marathons in one day across two different cities—an exceptional achievement for any event management company.

Insights from Sneha Kalbag: Passion and Hard Work in Event Management

The Business Women magazine recently interviewed Sneha Kalbag, the Managing Partner of TABLEAU Experiential Marketing, providing insights into her career and the establishment of the business venture. Passion and hard work, according to Sneha, are at the core of event management.

While it may appear glamorous from the outside, the industry demands tremendous effort and dedication. Sneha’s journey in event management began during her college days, organising cultural festivals and participating in plays and dance programs.

Overcoming initial challenges, Sneha developed strong relationships with clients during her tenure at Geometry Global Encompass and GPJ, which helped her establish her own event company. Building a good portfolio and gaining the trust of new clients became pivotal to her success.

The Ever-Growing Event Industry in India

Reflecting on the event industry in India, Sneha believes that it will always thrive as long as products and services exist. Events continue to play a vital role in reaching out to people and helping brands and companies achieve their objectives.

The industry’s growth can be attributed to cutting-edge technology, innovative communication strategies, and the creative expertise of event planners. However, challenges persist, including the need to create compelling ideas, integrate technology into experiences, work within tight budgets, secure partnerships and sponsorships, and meet clients’ expectations.

Doing Great Work with Love and Passion

At the heart of TABLEAU’s success lies a motivated and happy team, which Sneha believes is the key to any company’s achievements. As Steve Jobs once said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Sandhya Sahni: Pioneering Digitalization in the Financial Sector

Sandhya Sahni, a seasoned entrepreneur and the Founder & Chairman of Trax eServices Pvt Ltd, has built an empire from a humble sum of Rs. 5000.

Overcoming the challenges faced during her entrepreneurial journey, Sahni has led her founding team to great success, establishing Trax eServices as a top player in the industry. In this exclusive interview, Sahni shares her personal experiences and anecdotes, shedding light on her entrepreneurial path.

An entrepreneurial journey is a continuous process of discovery. What was your vision as a businesswoman? Please share some insights into your story.

Sandhya- I aspired to immerse myself in something groundbreaking, especially within the finance industry, which was not particularly women-friendly at the time. With no one to guide me, I took my own baby steps. At the age of 26, I founded Trax eServices, which has since become a leader in the banking services space.

Recently, we have also ventured into providing e-commerce support services. Our focus has always been on digitalising the banking sector, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement. My goal is to take the Digital India initiative to a global level, with plans to expand into Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, sharing India’s remarkable digitalisation achievements with other countries.

Congratulations on surpassing the remarkable milestone of 25 years in your professional journey. In your opinion, what has been your greatest professional achievement to date?

Sandhya- Thank you for your kind words. The most significant professional accomplishment for me was the Pan-India transformation of Trax eServices. In just 18 months, we successfully transitioned from a predominantly physical cheque processing company to a fully digital player in e-cheques and e-payments.

This was a monumental shift for a firm with a 25-year history, but my expert team handled it with utmost professionalism and efficiency. As a result, we have established ourselves as a prominent leader in the e-cheques business.

Provide us with a brief overview of Trax eServices. Did it turn out to be your best decision?

Sandhya- Recognising the potential of Prime Minister Modi’s digital push at an early stage, I made the decision to completely revamp Trax eServices. It has undoubtedly been my best decision thus far, as Trax is now a reinvented business that has achieved a 30% increase in revenue compared to a few years ago.

Trax eServices, incorporated in 1991, offers a comprehensive range of financial backend services and solutions, including Cash Management Services, Cheque Processing, Complete Clearing Operations, Loan Application Data Processing, Customer Interaction Services, Account Data Management, Retail Banking, Credit Card Processing, Telecom Clearance – Bar-Code Scanning, Customized Software Development, Data Conversion, Data Processing, Automated Pickup Monitoring with Online Tracking, Human Resources Outsourcing, Telecommunication, E-Commerce Solutions, and much more.

Today, we have an international presence in Dubai, the Middle East, and major cities across India. Over the past two decades, Trax has provided valuable services to major multinational banks, enabling them to focus on their core operations. Continuously growing, Trax plays a pivotal role in the financial landscape, firmly believing in our motto: “Our Services.”

Have you encountered failures in your initiatives? What lessons have you learned from these setbacks?

Sandhya- Through intuition and the grace of the Almighty, we have achieved success in most of our strategic and operational initiatives. However, there have been instances where certain process changes did not go according to plan.

During my absence due to health issues, decisions made in my absence adversely affected these initiatives. The key lesson learned was the importance of establishing a layer of senior management to handle day-to-day issues and report them for effective decision-making. This allows me to focus on exploring new markets for business expansion.

Who has been your greatest source of inspiration? What are your guiding principles?

Sandhya- My father has been my greatest source of inspiration. As a senior police officer (DGP), he encouraged me to become an independent woman of substance. His support and influence have shaped both my actions and thoughts.

Empowerment and honesty are the core principles I believe in. I strive to empower my employees, enabling them to deliver their best to our clients. This approach has fostered a motivated workforce dedicated to providing honest work to businesses.

What effective strategies and initiatives have you implemented to achieve success?

Sandhya- Training is a fundamental aspect of our strategy. I firmly believe that all employees have the innate desire to succeed and are willing to make every effort to do so. However, effort alone is insufficient without the necessary knowledge and skill sets.

Therefore, I empower my employees by providing them with training in areas that will enhance their capabilities. Our training programs are conducted in the field, ensuring high productivity and impactful outcomes.

How do you define success? What are your thoughts on achieving long-term success? To whom do you attribute your success?

Sandhya- Success, to me, is measured by its impact on society. I evaluate all actions and achievements based on the positive influence they have on our community. My family, from my parents to my children, has always been incredibly supportive of my work and has been a pillar of strength throughout my journey.

Do you believe your personal life is influenced by your professional life? If so, how?

Sandhya- I believe in maintaining a clear distinction between my professional and personal life. My professional commitments never hinder my family’s needs, and vice versa. This balance has allowed me to remain focused in both aspects and achieve success in all areas.

What are your plans for the future of Trax eServices?

Sandhya- We plan to expand into emerging markets on a global scale. We have identified 10-15 countries that are currently at a stage similar to India’s banking and e-commerce industry a few years ago. Within the next 18 months, our aim is to establish Trax eServices in these countries, bringing our digitisation expertise to their financial sectors.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing female leadership?

Sandhya- The biggest challenge lies in people’s mindset. Many individuals are not accustomed to perceiving women as leaders. Despite the presence of influential figures such as Indira Gandhi, Angela Merkel, and Indra Nooyi, people still struggle to accept women as leaders, entrepreneurs, and successful business owners.

Priya Krishnan, The Visionary Behind Klay Prep Schools & Daycare

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A Journey To Transform Early Childcare and Education

In Indian society, women have historically been perceived as homemakers with little to do with the economy, commerce or a corporate career. But this picture is fast changing. In modern India, more and more women are taking up entrepreneurial initiatives, especially in the early childcare and education domain.

These women are pivotal in laying the foundation for early childhood education and enabling mothers to rejoin the workforce. They are not only highly educated, talented, confident, ambitious and career-oriented but are also as driven and astute as any of their male counterparts. This helps them don multiple hats at home and at work as a mother, wife, daughter-in-law, and business leader. 

Priya Krishnan, Founder & CEO of KLAY Prep Schools and Daycare and TheLittle Company

Priya Krishnan is the Founder and CEO of KLAY Prep Schools and Daycare and TheLittle Company. Priya founded the company in 2011 under the aegis of Founding Years Learning Solutions and has led the team since then.

Priya Krishnan holds a dual MBA, one from London Business School and the other from NMIMS Mumbai. She is also a certified CFA and started his career with Andersen Consulting. Before founding KLAY Schools, Priya held leadership positions in Singapore, New York and London with Mphasis and Bangalore Labs. 

What are your organisation’s ideals?

Priya believes that no mother should feel guilty about returning to work under the impression that her child is getting inadequate care or education. With that core idea, KLAY strives to ensure that all children receive the best care in their facilities and receive vital age-appropriate education through their holistic curriculum.

How many hours a day do you work on an average?

As an entrepreneur, Priya’s antennas are available 24×7. However, on a typical working day, the office hours are between 9-10 hours daily.

What is the best decision you’ve ever made?

Taking a leap of faith and starting KLaY is Priya Krishnan’s best decision, despite being a mother of two. Her dedication has made the organisation India’s most prominent corporate daycare service provider. It provides various maternity and childcare solutions to employers and parents nationwide.  

What stimulated your ideas to start a new business venture or to bring significant changes to an existing business/workplace?

While doing an MBA in London and being a mother simultaneously, Priya Krishnan realised how important an early childcare support system is for a woman to balance her career and home. This sparked her desire to return to India as well as inspired her to set up KLAY and provide a premium childcare support network similar to what she had experienced as a mother in London.

While completing her second MBA, urbanisation in India and the increasing incidence of dual-income families in metros allowed Priya to provide high-quality childcare services in Tier 1 cities across the country.

Being passionate about the concept of “women at work”, she saw this model as a great way to provide employment and support women returning to work. With KLAY, being able to help mothers to get back to work and contribute more to their homes is considered the greatest form of satisfaction.

What effective strategies you have implemented/initiatives you have taken to achieve success?

Although the company started with its first centre, Whitefield Bangalore. Their focus was first on building community relationships and providing parents, especially those returning from abroad and the ex-pat community, with a high-quality childcare system that was prevalent in the West but needed to be included in India.

But during these initial stages, Klay Prep School & Daycare quickly realised that the audience was not just ex-pats/parents returning to India but also the local community at large looking for world-class premium childcare service.

How do you define success? What is your take on the ways to achieve long-term success?

According to Priya, success should be measured in terms of financial stability and community impact. Achieving long-term success requires the right team to support your mission and growth more than anything else.

This team should be comprised of positive, impactful and enthusiastic people who understand the value of your product/service and the demands of running a business in a financially prudent manner.

Tell us about your future plans.

Klay Prep Schools & Daycare aims to increase the number of centres to 200 in the coming years, entering new cities and also trying to expand their footprint in Dubai and Singapore in the future.

Whom do you attribute your success to?

Priya Krishnan proudly attributes her success to her family. Her husband, who is also an entrepreneur, and her parents have been instrumental in her professional journey.

Do you think your personal life is affected by your professional life? How?

Being a mother, Priya believes that one should not differentiate between personal and professional life. Both she and her husband take pride in following their respective passions and being able to balance that with being a parent. The important thing is to find solutions to deal with the daily surprises at home or at work and also seek help from your family/network if needed.

What do you think is the biggest challenge to female leadership?

Priya Krishnan thinks that the biggest challenge to women’s leadership is the mental mindset of most women in our country themselves. More than men, unfortunately, many women believe that marriage or motherhood is the end of their careers, and that attitude is what needs to be changed in our society.

Wow Kids: Revolutionising Preschool Education in India and Beyond

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The importance of self-efficacy for action in the entrepreneurial journey is unassailable.  Numerous research carried out worldwide indicate that motherhood and childrearing experiences foster a woman’s confidence in general and entrepreneurial self-efficacy in particular.

This has led to the shaping of the belief that motherhood is a step that inspires a woman to push the envelope for creating a venture and running it. Although it is not a new phenomenon, mumpreneurship or female entrepreneurship is now being developed as a concept.

It is defined as “the creation of a new business venture by a woman who identifies as both a mother and a businesswoman, is motivated primarily by achieving work-life balance, and chooses an opportunity linked to the specific experience of having children.”Mumpreneurship is categorically recognized as a decisive affirmative action in terms of a woman’s identity and dual position in society by entrepreneurial thought leaders worldwide

Preeti Tyagi, a devout entrepreneur and prosperous Mumpreneur, is featured in this issue of The CEO magazine, honouring the achievements of aspiring women business owners.

With the goal of “providing outstanding education capable of exploring the potentials in each child and transforming them into young adults well equipped to face life challenges with confidence,” Preeti is the co-founder and director of Wow Kids, an ISO 9001:2000 certified preschool chain founded on an American concept.

The preschool, which serves as a home away from home, offers an experiential learning-based curriculum that heavily emphasises children’s total development across all three learning domains (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor).

Preeti has more than ten years of experience as a senior-level industry executive. She held the position of Senior Executive Operations at GE Capital International Services and held a managerial position in the quality department at IBM Global Process Services. She made significant contributions during her time with both of the top organizations, which allowed her to gain a wealth of expertise and knowledge.

In 2013, Preeti and her husband, Atul Tyagi, co-founded Wow Kids. She first handled the administration by herself. In 2016, her husband eventually joined her. Preeti has always been a woman with a strong sense of purpose and an ambitious spirit.

She states, “I always inclined to venture on my own,” in an interview with The CEO Magazine. Since childhood, my father and grandfather, two hardworking and prosperous businessmen in the family, have inspired me.

Preeti draws inspiration from the great people in her environment. Her ideals are shaped by their characteristics. Her father’s commitment to hard work serves as an inspiration to her. Her husband’s demanding dedication to perfection inspires her to carry out every task with integrity and accuracy.

Her experience ultimately sparked her desire to start her own business after becoming a mother. Preeti is a happily married mother of five-year-old twins. She wanted her children to have the best preschool education possible, just like every responsible mother. However, she could not locate any good preschools in Panjim, Goa.

After doing some investigation, she discovered that the less expensive institutions don’t offer high-quality education, whereas the pricey schools do. Preeti was determined that she would not compromise her children’s schooling.

She was inspired to embark on an entrepreneurial path and found Wow Kids due to the existing quality education gap.  It is the best choice she has ever made, according to her. Preeti says, “I stuck by my decision to enroll my kids in the school of my choice; my option proved to be the greatest one as it sparked many otherwise choices.

I could start something on my own thanks to the decision, which also gave me the confidence to do so. It sparked my sense of entrepreneurial spirit and motivated me to use my knowledge and experience to change the preschool education system in India.

A rising entrepreneur, Preeti also encountered failures as she travelled the road to achievement. But rather than giving up and failing, she saw failure as a catalyst for success. It’s beneficial to have failures around, she says. Without failing at something, I think you can never learn or succeed. Failures allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and allow us to try a different strategy for solving it.

Speaking of success, Preeti shares, “It gives us a fantastic sense of achievement that we have been able to satisfy parents; they are happy and delighted with their children’s education and their child’s advancement.

They suggest other parents for us. Their satisfaction translates into numbers and helps us climb the ladder.  In three years, we increased from two to twelve hundred, and we now have more than forty branches spread throughout twelve states.

We use that as the benchmark for gauging our success. She maintains that to have long-lasting success; one should never be satisfied with their accomplishments. An individual must continue taking risks, facing obstacles, innovating, and striving for perfection.

When asked who she thanks for her success, Preeti responds that her entire staff and everyone connected to Wow Kids has made a considerable contribution to getting the company where it is now. It would be a lie to claim that something was the product of just one person; she continues because success ultimately results from teamwork.

I happily give credit for my achievement to everyone on the Wow Kids team, including our staff, team members, partners, and parents, who supported us from the beginning and helped in our brand establishment.

When asked if her professional life had a beneficial or harmful impact on her personal life, Preeti responds, “Yes, very positively; it has been amazing for me.” She spends half of the day working and the other half with her family and children. She appreciates having the freedom to be with her children. She also adores kids and is deeply committed to fostering their growth.

She tells about her future plans at Wow Kids, saying, “We are following a clear roadmap towards achieving growth at Wow Kids and setting up nearly seventy more centres across India. We plan to expand Wow Kids into tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 cities and rural locations.

Additionally, she is primarily concerned with spreading the preschool’s reach into rural areas because those kids are severely lacking in access to high-quality education.

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