Kate Gurba



If you can dance and be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world,” acheerfulthought
byAmyPoehler,anAmericanwriter,producer,anddirector,teacheshumankindthebestwayto conquertheworld.However,itisnotthateasyforwomentostandup,fightagainstalltheodds, andachievewhattheydesireanddeserve.Womenwithvoice,courage,andbrilliancearepioneersof changesintheworldandtheymakeahugedifferenceinfluencingconsiderablelives.
Beinganeminentdigitalplatformthatportraysglorifyingstoriesofdistinguishedleadersandtheir diligentefforts,weareelatedtopresentbeforeyouourlatestmagazineissue,“Business APAC Influential Women Leaders of 2022” whichfeaturesinsightfulwomenleadersbreakingthestereotypes andimpactingthebusinessindustry.
Sincethelastfewyears,womenaresteppingintothebusinessworldandmasteringthetechniquesof becomingthemogulsofthesame.Overtheyears,theyhavenotonlyshoulderedvitalrolesbutalso remoldedtheirbusinesseswithingenuity,optimisticapproach,andhardwork.Theirinfluentialaurahas flourishedintheirwaysofliving.Suchwomeninvesttheireffortsworkingrelentlesslywithcreativity andupliftingtheirbusinesses.
Eachnewday,womenarecontributingtotheircountriesandreceivingpraiseworthyachievements.They arenotonlydisruptingsoftware,engineering,marketing,education,andtourismfieldsbutalsotaking oddpathsincludingmentalhealthcure,influentialspeakers,andrecruitingpersonnel.Ourlatest magazineissuepensdownthebestexamplesofmulti-taskingandholisticapproachtowardsbusiness.
Onthecoverpage,wehavefeaturedKateGurba(ExecutiveandCOO,CHISoftware)whoisboosting thesoftwareindustrywithafuturisticapproachandcommittedworkingstyles.Asaseniorexecutive, Kateaimstoswiftlyestablishthearchitecturefordecision-makingwithtransparency.Elsewhereinthe magazine,youwillfindeminentwomenleaderssuchasUmaShankar,SnehalJain,PrathimaInolu, KarenLeong,Dr.NagmaAbbasi,GomathiShanmugam,NellyOGedeon,DeepshikhaSharma, andMarnLim.
Wish you an insightful read!
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| DEEPSHIKHA SHARMA 20 | DR.
22 | GOMATHI SHANMUGAM 26 | KAREN LEONG 28 | MARN LIM 30 | NELLY O GEDEON
| PRATHIMA INOLU
| SNEHAL JAIN
C-O-V-E-R S-T-O-R-Y
Thecurrentpandemichas againraiseddebateson genderrolesandleadership responsibilities.Somearesuggesting thatworkfromhome—especially for women professionals—hassomehow increasedtheworkhours.However, womenprofessionalshavealways beenexcellentexamplesofmultitasking.Drawinginspirationfromthe same,KateGurba(ExecutiveVice PresidentandCOOatCHI Software)sharedhertakeonthe debate.
“Women have always managed an overwhelming amount of invisible labor — combining a professional career while running a household, bringing up children, caring for partners, elderly parents, friends, or maintaining their families' stability. I never cease to be astonished by their heroics.”
KateGurbahasbeenapartofCHI Softwareformorethan5yearsand throughoutthistimeshehasbeen progressivelypromotedfromheadof thedepartmenttoCOO.Sheisa graduatefromNationalAerospace University,FacultyofRocketScience andhadfirst-handproject managementexperienceofworking inaconstructioncompany.Inthe construction,sphereworkisdriven bystrictstandards,tightdeadlines, andenormousresponsibility, especiallyforpeople'slives.
Theexperiencetheretaughtherto alwayshaveafuturisticapproachand calculatepossiblerisksaspeople's livesdependedonherworkand managementlevel.Afteracquiring herMaster'sinProjectandProgram Management,shefullycommittedto workingwithpeople,developingand executingcompanies'strategiesand marketingplans,includingbusiness analysis,andtheimplementationof
newideasandtools.
AsaseniorexecutiveatCHI Software,Kateaimstoswiftly establishthearchitecturefor decision-makingwithinthecompany sothataccountabilityistransparent anddecisionsaremadeby appropriatepeopleatdifferentlevels.
CHISoftwarewasestablishedwitha missiontocraftsoftwaresolutionsfor startupsandwell-established companiesthatneeda technologicallyinnovativepartner. Byleveragingcutting-edgetech,ontimedelivery,androbustengineering culture,CHISoftwarehasbeen successfulindeliveringresultorientedsoftwaresolutions. Constantlyaddingnewareasof expertise,theteamofCHIhasproven competenceandpracticalexperience tocovertheend-to-enddevelopment processforvariousplatformsand providednoteworthysoftware solutionsforeverysizebusiness.“We love leveraging the latest innovations to make big impacts on the business environment, especially in the fintech, insurtech, and banking industries,” statesKate.
CHISoftwarecatersthese sophisticatedsoftwaresolutionsto variousindustriesincludingbutnot limitedto,
Ÿ AI & ML
Ÿ IoT, Smart Solutions and Smart City
Ÿ E-learning
Ÿ Retail (e-commerce shops, online payments systems)
Ÿ Cyber/Information Security (security software for different types of businesses)
Ÿ Automotive (developing supporting apps for well-known car brands)
Ÿ Cloud computing and consulting
services Ÿ Healthcare
ThetimesofCOVID-19has adverselyimpactedseveralindustries. However,CHISoftwareisassisting businessesandcommunityleaders globallytoreopensafely,re-skill employees,andrespondefficiently towardsthepandemic.Todate,CHI Softwarehasbeensuccessfulin delivering650+projects,makingita trustedproductdevelopmentand designpartnerforcompaniesall aroundtheworld.Kateproudlystates thatallthishasbeenpossiblebecause oftheexceptionalteamofCHI Software.
InthetimesofCOVID-19,every companyshiftedfromthetraditional workingroutinetoremoteworking. Everycompanyhasfacedissues whileadaptingtoremoteworking, however,CHISoftwarewas efficaciousinadaptingtothechange. CHISoftwaredesignedand implementedtransparentremotework processesandmodelsforoverall teameffectivenessalongtimebefore thepandemic,asmanyofits employeesalreadyworkedfrom remotelocations.Apartfromthis,the employeesalwayshadthepreference tooptforworkfromhome,even beforethepandemic.Thisapproach helpedtheteamtodevelopa specializedapproachdedicatedto conductinginternalandexternal negotiationsandcommunications. Katefurtheradds,“A successful remote worker must be a full-fledged team player, motivated to maintain strong business relationships.”
Theimplementationofallthese practices,high-qualityinstruments, andagilemethodologiestomanage theprojectsallaroundtheworldhas
helpedthemembersofCHISoftwareto workefficientlyandstayproductiveinthe quarantineperiod.Apartfromthis,dueto theuncertaintyandchangessurroundingus anxietyisboundtotakeeffect.Kateadvisesthat thekeytoovercominganxietyissupport.Asa leader,shealwaysensuresthateverymemberof theteamisheardandeveryeffortispaidwithout delay,notleadinganyoneintoanxietyand uncertaintyoperationallyandemotionally.
CHISoftwarepaysspecialattentiontotheEQof itsmanagers.Emotionalintelligenceisasvitalas primaryskills.Furthermore,Katebelievesthat leadersmusthaveasolidunderstandingofhow theiremotionsandactionsaffectpeoplearound them.Thebetteraleaderrelatestoandworks withothers,themoresuccessfulheorshewillbe.
“Every crisis is a time for opportunities. It is a time when leaders appear,”saidKate.Briefingin responsetowomen'sleadership,Katebelieves thatwomenleadershaveanascendency.Women havethepowertostoredifferentinformationin theirheadsandareefficientatmultitasking.Over theyears,womenleadershavebeenadaptive, stable,andpsychologicallyandphysiologically flexible.Duetotheempatheticnature,itiseasy forwomentoco-operateandsoftentheedges whenneeded.“I believe that women leaders possess a deep understanding of their staff's challenges inside and outside the office. This leads them to be effective managers,”saidKate. Asaleader,awomanbringsadifferentapproach toproblem-solvingbyconsideringvariousfactors anddevelopssolutionsthataddressthe complexitiestheyface.
Regardlessofgender,inanyorganization's routine,themostvaluablequalitythatleaders bringisexperience.Katefurtheracclaimsthata leadermustbeawareofhis/herareaofexpertise andmustincludequalifiedpeoplewherever necessary.Onepersoncannotknoweverything, thusaleadermustbemodestenoughtolistento othersanddecidewhat'sbestfortheorganization becauseultimatelytheleaderistheresponsible person.Besides,astheresponsibleleader,s/he mustsearchforalltheinformationtheycanget
Success is multifaceted enough. Like a puzzle, it pieces together with your family, living environment, education.‘‘ ‘‘
There are no things like a better day, time, or age. We need to use and appreciate what we have now.
beforelandingonthe conclusion.Sheaffirmsthat anycrisisisnoexcusefor nottakingcareofthebusiness appropriately Theleadermustbe awareoftheongoingissuesand haveafuturisticapproachtolead.
“It's that three-dimensional chess game you're playing. So you have to be super thoughtful while making quick decisions. And to do that, you have to gather as much information as you can. That is all about asking for help. You can't do that all alone,”assertsKate.
Thepandemichastakenthe organizationsbysurprise,causing havocandimbalancetothe routineandsetplans.Intimeslike this,theleaderneedstoproject confidenceintheorganizationand findawaythroughthetough situation.Katesuggeststhe leadersbeoptimisticandconfront theuncertainty Theteammust knowthattheleaderisawareof theunprecedentedsituationandis continuouslystrivingtofillinthe informationgaprequiredtotackle thechallenge.Thekeyistobe self-aware.Themoreselfawarenessonegain,thebetter wayswills/hediscovertowork smarter,notharder.Shefurther quotesConfucius,“When it is obvious that the goal can't be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”
Evenafterthepandemicsettles down,theworldwillalwaysneed smart,honest,andproactive leaders,bothwomenandmen.
Presently,thebordersbetween workandhomelifehavebeen highlyblurred.Asaresult,the workhourshavestretchedfrom95toall-timewhenoneisawake. Thishasinturncausedmore complicationsintheremote workingscenario.Ontheother hand,therearefewforwhomthis virusoutbreakhasworkedasthe priorityreset.Ratherthanbeing distractedbyparalleltasks,people havelearnedtofocusonimportant thingsthatmatterandinfluence thefundamentalgoals.
Thelongstretchedissueofthe work-lifebalancehastroubled everyindividual.However,Kate haslearnedtocombinebusiness, work,andfamily.Spending qualityfamilytimeisoneofher rules.Sheadvisestonot compromisewithit.Furthermore, Katerecommendsavoidingdoing everythingatthesametime.She adds,“Nobody can get absolutely everything done.”Itisimportant tolearntosaynoandsetthe prioritiesstraight.“Rethinking these boundaries and developing a new paradigm of 'work-lifebalance' allowed me to regain my power and help me to rediscover my sense of purpose,” concludes Kate.
Inresponsetoremoteworking, sherecommendsthatanyforwardthinkingorganizationshould implementlong-term,flexible workprograms,allowingparents, especiallywomen,towork schedulesthataccommodateboth theirpersonalandprofessional demands.
a billion clicks to help a billion people
Oftenentrepreneursbelievethat becomingaleaderisthefinal terminusintheir entrepreneurialjourney.However, leadershipisajourney,andnotthe destination.“We make pathway decisions about the people we lead, our organizations and ourselves. Every time we make these decisions, it sets us on a new pathway. Our leadership and career journey only has stopovers,” says & Dr.NagmaAbbasi(Founder CEO NextGen)at ,ageniusscientist, andaremarkableentrepreneur
Dr.Nagmahasbeenstrivingfor excellencesinceherchildhoodandis committedtodeliveringexceptionally inherendeavours.Shehadnoprior experienceinentrepreneurshiporwas seldomexposedtoentrepreneurs, makingherthefirst-Genentrepreneur ofherfamily Thejourneywasdifficult butshewashighlysupportedbyher familywhichmotivatedhertowork hardtowardshergoal.Her entrepreneurialjourneybeganwiththe establishmentofNextGenLife SciencesPvt.Ltd.in2014.The companywasestablishedtocaterto theuntappedopportunitiesofthe
industryandbecomethefrontrunnerin providingbiologicalresearchproducts andservices.
Beingascientistherself,Dr.Nagma wasawareofthepainpointsof scientistintheBiotechnology,Life Sciencesandhealthcareindustry. Havingthisexperiencewasbeneficial forcuratingtheservicesofNextGen Lifeandturningitintoasuccessful establishment.However,likeanyother startupinitially,thecompanytoohad tofaceafewchallengeslikecapital investments,assemblingaquality team,buildingacustomerbase,and goodrelationship.“Today, with such hard work and determination of me and my team we deliver the best of services and solutions which are smart and futuristic, and NextGen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. has become the most preferred brand for clients,”proudly assertsDr.Nagma.
ThekeyachievementforNextGenhas beentheconsistentgrowthforthelast sixyearsintermsofrevenueand profitability.Thecompanyhasbeen
successfulinattainingcustomertrustin ashortperiodbyprovidingexcellent servicesintheindustry
Thecompanywasestablishedwithan aimtobridgethegapbetweenthe needsandpainsofresearchersofthe LifeScience/BiotechIndustryand assistthescientiststogaininsighton therecentinnovationsand technologies,assuringasound knowledgeofthesubjectmatter Henceforth,withitsaugmented spectrumofproductsandsolutions,it isempoweringthemountingrealmof complexanalyticalchallenges. NextGenaddressesawiderangeof requirementssuchasthesample, materialcharacterization,andchemical analysistoclinicaldiagnosesand biological-basedtherapeuticshandling. ThecompanyoffersproductsforCell Analysis,CellCulture&Transfection, Cloning,DNA&RNAPurification, GeneExpressionAnalysis& Genotyping,PCR,ProteinExpression &Analysis,Real-TimePCR, Sequencing,andSyntheticBiology.In
additiontotheseproducts,its portfolioalsocomprisesof CancerResearch,Stemcell research,DrugDiscoveryand development,PlantSciences, EpigeneticsandServicesfor Sequencing,NextGeneration Sequencing,andBioinformatics.
Currently,NextGenisenthusiastic aboutthefuturisticinnovationsin BiotechnologylikeNextGeneration Sequencing(NGS)inclinical laboratories,NGSDataanalysis,and interpretationofunknowngenetic variants.WithitspresenceinNorth India,itisplanningtoexpandits networkinWestandSouthIndiaas well.Itislookingforwardtothenew technologyanditsapplicationCRISPR.CRISPRtechnologyisa simpleyetpowerfultoolforediting genomes.NextGenLifeSciencesis keenontransformingthemodus operandiofresearchandfutureneed forscientificdiscoveriesand innovations.“Our company's mission is to discover, delineate, and deliver high-quality products and excellent services that enable millions of lives to live a healthy and better life,”saidDr. Nagma.
NextGenwasspontaneousin deliveringtheneedsofthehealthcare andbiotechindustryinthetimeof COVID-19aswell.Thesudden lockdownwassurprisingformany peopleandbusinessesequallyasno onewerepreparedforthishalt.Despite theurgency,Dr.Nagmawasproficient inmanagingtheteam.TheNextGen teaminitiallyrequiredguidancefrom Dr.Nagmabutsoonwasswifttoadapt tothechangesandoperateremotely. Beingwell-versedwiththerelevant technologyhelpedtheteaminremote working.DuetoCOVID19cases surgingacrossthecountry,theclients
starteddemandingproductsfor COVID-19TestingKitsand instruments.AsperICMRguidelines, thegoldstandardtestReal-TimePCR testinghasbeenrecommendedforall clients.TheNextGenteameducated peopleabouttheReal-TimePCR testingkitsoptionsavailableinthe IndianMarketandprovidedthebest solutionstocustomers.Theteam workedmeticulouslywithits associatesandpartnerstocreatethe bestqualityproductsavailableon highlycompetitivepricingto customersasatotalEndtoEnd solutionandcontributedinthefight againstthenovelcoronavirus.Dr. Nagmaproudlyasserts,“We feel proud
Regardlessofgender,thispandemic hasprovedtobeanewlearning experienceforallbusinessleaders.The pandemichaspreparedtheleadersfor newchallengesandhelpedtoadjustto thenewworkingenvironment.“I learned more about Time management, working with limited resources, working with extended hours, cash flow management, challenges, motivation, and customer relationship during this difficult time,”saidDr.Nagma.
Apartfromtheseveralchallengesan entrepreneurencounters,thework-life balanceremainstheclassicone.
“Awomanhastoplayanumber ofrolesandIfeeleverywoman shouldknowthisartof multitaskingwell.”
to serve the nation in such a difficult time and serve for this noble cause of saving lives.”
Leadershipwasvastlychallengedin thetoughtimesofCOVID-19.Dr Nagmabelievesthatbeingpatientand managingthingswithlimitedresources iscrucialtomakewomenuniquely qualifiedtoleadatlargeduringthis pandemic.Remoteworkingand managingpersonallifeatthesame timeisnotaneasytask.However,Dr Nagmabelievesthatwomenhave managedtokeepthemselvesandthe teammotivatedandpositiveduringthis pandemicduetotheirmultitasking skills.
However,Dr.Nagmamanagedtoattain theperfectbalancebetweenthetwo. Shebelongedtoafamilybackground withworkingwomenandhadgrown watchingthemmanagebetweenwork andhome.Thistaughthertomanage betweenthetwo.
Dr.Nagmaisafamilyorientedperson andatthesametimeiswellawareof herprofessionalliferesponsibilities. Sheassertsthatthetrickisinmanaging thetimeandpriorities.Sheadds,“If I'm at work then I'm 100 percent at work and I just behave like a responsible CEO and when I'm at home with my family I behave like a Homemaker.”Decisionmakingisan importantaspectoflifeandDr.Nagma believesthatifoneisgoodatdecision making,shecanmanagepersonaland professionallifewell.
Co-founder | Inuence Solutions
Mostentrepreneursfocuson profits.Someexceptional onesareabletolookbeyond andfocusonthelargerpurposeoftheir endeavors.OnesuchleaderisKaren Leong(Co-founderofInfluence Solutions);seekingmeaninginher accomplishmentsisthenorthstarofher entrepreneurialjourney.Perhapsthatis whysheisalsoanauthor,motivational speaker,andphilanthropist.
Afterahigh-intensitycareerwithan internationalaccountingfirm,Karenset outtoseekpurposeandameaningful journey Thiscourageousdecisionset heronapathwhichtransformedher intoanauthorityoninfluence.Shespent ayearinAmsterdamhelpingvictimsof trafficking.Thisexperiencehada profoundimpactonher.“For the first time, I fully appreciated what we are truly capable of when we are pushed to the edge,”saidKaren.Thisexperience alsofueledherinterestinhuman potential.Sheco-foundedthelearning anddevelopmentcompany—Influence Solutions,toresearchanddevelop influentialteams.Thishasbecomeher life'sworkforalmost15years,andit's ledtoherseminalbook'Win People
Over',whichisusedasaresourcebook usedbymanyglobalcorporations. Packedwithpracticalinsights especiallyrelevantforAsianaudiences, thisbookopenedthefloodgatestothe worldofkeynotespeakingforKaren. Today,sheisrecognizedasoneofthe topteninfluentialspeakersinSingapore andhasbeenawardedtheCertified SpeakingProfessional(CSP) accreditation,reservedforthetop echelonofglobalspeakers.
Inthesedisruptivetimes,every organisationisrealisingthecritical importanceofsupportingtheirleaders andteamstothriveinchange.Manyof themaretappingintotheexpertiseof KarenandherteamatInfluence Solutionstohelpthemstayaheadofthe curve.
HeadquarteredinSingaporewitha globalfootprint,InfluenceSolutions' missionistoempowerpeopleand TM organisationstobeF.I.R.S.TFuture-Ready,Innovative,Relevant, TM Strategic,andTrusted.F.I.R.S.T is
theexclusiveframeworkofthe company,developedbyidentifying70 behaviorsthathelppeopletobecome moreinspiringleadersandeffective managers.Thisisthebasisforthe TM F.I.R.S.T leadershipsolutionand360 profilingtool.Itnotonlymakes leadershipdevelopmentverypractical butalsomeasurable.
TM TheF.I.R.S.T. frameworkhasenabled InfluenceSolutionstoempowermore than250,000leadersandexecutives from500oftheworld'sbiggestandbest companiesindevelopingarobust leadershippipelineandagrowthorientedorganizationalculture.Theend result?Enhancedperformance, productivity,andprofitability.
Itisthisrelentlessfocusonhelping clientsachievedesiredKPIs(Key PerformanceIndicators)thathasledto InfluenceSolutionsbeingrecognisedas aleaderinsustainabletransformation. AsKarenpointsout,“I guess the finance professional in me is very much alive! I love helping companies be more profitable, by helping people be more productive. In the end, it's about empowering people to have more
fulfilling personal and professional lives.”
WiththeonsetoftheCovid-19outbreak earlierthisyear,manycompanieswere forcedtoadoptremoteworking practices.Karenshares“At that time, almost all of our in-person conference and workshop engagements were either canceled or postponed. Luckily whether it was foresight or luck or a combination of both, we had started our transition into the virtual learning world way back in 2017.”
Threeyearsago,thecompanylaunched RisethroughtheRanksSummit—a globalonlineleadershipsummit,where thousandsofparticipantsfromover70 countrieslearnedhowtoacceleratetheir careers.Withthisheadstartinvirtual learning,InfluenceSolutionswasable toleadtheirclientstofullyembracethe powerofonlinesolutions.Itis interestinghowthepandemichad inadvertentlyacceleratedthisprocess.
Thatiswhy,whenmanyInfluence Solutionsclientsrequestedsolutionsto energizeandmotivatetheirvirtual teams,Karentappedherco-founding director,MukulDeva,whoisan accomplishedinternationalbest-selling thrillerauthortocreateavirtualteam bondingseriesthatincreasedtrustand connection.ThuswasbornLicenseTo Thrill—theultimatevirtualteam gamingextravaganza.Designedto enhancetrustandteampsychological safetyusingablendoffungamesand onlineactivities, Licence To Thrill has alreadybeenexperiencedbythousands ofpeopleinAsia,Europe,andNorth America.“It has been so successful that our team is scrambling to keep pace with the demand,”statedKaren.
Thecompanyhasalsouseditsplatform tohelpthecommunity.Theyhave
facilitatedmanypro-bonovirtual learningsolutionstobenefitlocalnotfor-profits.Karenadds“If you are from, or know of any community outreach organisations, please reach out to us. We love to help make a difference.”
Withvirtualworking,theworldisnow one'soyster.Karengetstospeak, facilitate,andcoachleadersandteams basedworld-wide,withoutthe downtimeoftravel.“I used to travel to speak at global conferences. Now, I step into a virtual stage at home to address international audiences, and I can go to
mental, and emotional, we will often be amazed at how much more productive we become, and more fulfilled too.”
Whenwelearnhowtoholdthese boundaries,Karenbelievesremote workingcanbebeneficial—especially forwomenprofessionalswhostruggle withfamilycommitments.
Karenisoftheviewthatbothwomen andmencanleadpowerfully;bothhave qualitiesthatarevaluableindifferent contexts.Forexample,alotofwomen areverystrongwiththeinnatequalities ofempathyandhumanconnection,
“Theinnatequalitiesthatwomen haveofempathyandhuman connection,arekeyleadership traitsthatmotivateand inspirepeople.”
my kids immediately after I step off the stage.”
Howeverthishasalsoblurredtheline betweenourpersonalandprofessional lives,andonecanendupworking reallylonghours.“There are days when I have executive coaching sessions in the morning, delivered a keynote in the afternoon, and then facilitated a virtual workshop for North American teams late at night – literally a 24-hour workday,”saysKaren.
Thekeyissettingboundaries.Karen sharesthissayingthatshekeepsclose toheart'Ahealthypersonhasa thousandwishes,asickpersononly one.'“We need to ensure that we schedule a time for self-care, every day When we put our health first – physical,
whicharekeyleadershiptraits, especiallyrelevanttodaywhereoneis leadinginmoreuncertainandhighly specializedenvironments.Perhapsthat iswhywomenleaderslikeNZPrime MinisterJacindaArdern,Presidentof Taiwan,TsaiIng-wen,andGerman ChancellorAngelaMerkelhavedone reallywellindealingwiththeCovid-19 pandemic.Theywereupfrontaboutthe unknowns,andtheirplanstomitigate theuncertainty,therebymanagingto restorepubliccalmandconfidence.
Shebelievesthatthisstyleof enlightenedleadership,whichharnesses thecumulativewisdom,creativity,and expertiseoftheteam,forgesgreater trust,motivation,andtheconnectionis thefoundationofhigh-performing teams.
Evidently,thereisimmense pressureonaleader, especiallyonwomen leaders.Theroleofaleaderis continuouslyevolvingwithtime, irrespectiveofgender Though,there havebeenalotofspeculationsabout howleadersaremade.Whenit comestowomenleaders,today,they havealotontheirplate.Itistruethat everyindividualhastheirown strengthsandweaknessesbutwomen leadershaveconsistentlydisplayed remarkablegrowthwhileplaying differentrolesintheorganization. Oneofthespecialcharacteristics whichhavebeenobservedinallthe successfulwomenleadersisthe abilitytoanchortheorganization. Beingempathetic,theyfocusonthe largergood,giveutmostimportance tospecifics,andcanbelaser-focused indrivingchange.PrathimaInolu (ChiefDesignerandExecutive DirectorofDivami)isonesuch dynamicleaderwhofocuseson teamworkandinspireseveryone aroundhertoachievetheimpossible.
Duringherchildhood,Prathimawas surroundedbypeoplewhoinspired andmotivatedhertomakethemost oflife.Theteachingsinchildhood shapedhertobecomeambitiousand nourishedthe“nevergiveup” attitudeinher.SheconsidersDivami asthedefiningfactorinhercareer Beforejoiningthecompany,she workedwithseveralleaderswho believedinherandmotivatedherto dobetter.
However,herentrepreneurialjourney startedwithDivami,andeventually, shetookoverthepositionofChief Designer.Eventhoughthe HyderabadbasedUXUIDesign Firmwasestablishedin2008,the companywasundergoingchallenges whenPrathimacameonboard.
Herleadershipprovedtobe beneficialforthecompany.Sheand theentireDivamiteampushed themselvestobecometheglobal leaderinthedesignindustry.
Speakingofthetroubledtimes,she saysthemutualtrustestablished betweenherandtheteamhelped themsailthroughdifficulttimes.She alsoattributestheteam'seffortasthe reasonforthecompanyemergingout ofthedifficultsituationthroughtheir consistentcommitment,ownership, andhardwork.Additionally,this hardworkingteamcomprises strategists,designers,anddevelopers whoarepassionateabout 'HumanizingTechnology'andbringa differenceintheworldthroughtheir work.
UndertheleadershipofPrathima,the Divamiteamisfocusedonproviding UserExperienceandDesignservices formobile,web,smartTV,and wearableapplications.Thecorefocus ofthecompanyisonUX/UI—it takessoleresponsibilityfor deliveringacompletesolutionfrom concepttorollout.Oneofthekey aspectsthatdifferentiateDivami fromitscompetitorsisthattheteam
notonlyhandlesdesignbut alsohelpsclientsactualize thosedesignsintopixelperfectscreens,throughits developmentservices.
Divamihasawiderangeofclient basessuchasB2BSaaSPlatforms, EnterpriseSoftwareProductfirms, Consumer(includinge-commerce) AppsandPlatforms,andCorporates withdigitaltransformationprojects. Thecompanyhelpsinbuildingentire platforms,end-to-end,bringingin expertisewhereneeded.
“We believe in ownership, commitment, and giving our best to any project we take on. We like to say that 'we make it our problem so that our clients can focus on their business.' We believe in relationships beyond business and truly owning our clients' problems. This has helped us survive and grow into what we are today,” saysPrathima.
Thediscussionongenderrolesis certainlynotnew.Irrespectiveof gender,leadersarefacingsimilar problemstacklingthechallenges causedbytheongoingpandemic. Thereisalotofuncertaintywhich hasresultedinsuddenchangesinthe plansandstrategies.Todrivethe companyforward,severalwomen entrepreneurshavechangedtheir strategiesfocusingonlongterm visionorhaveshiftedtheirfocus areas.Theyhavequicklyadaptedto thechangesandre-strategizedto surviveinthelongrun.Highlighting herviewsonthesame,Prathima states, “This could also be true for leaders who are men, so it only goes
to show that gender doesn't matter for leadership. All of us—men or women—are capable of dreaming and achieving them, we just have to figure out how to manage our priorities.”
Thepandemichasthrownseveral challengescausinganunsettling environmentintheorganizations. Thiscrisisisverydemandingand needstobetackledwithafocuson teamspiritandhumanity.Divami worksonsimilarvaluestokeepthe
technology can help to a degree, the more important thing is to maintain the sense of one team, one family, and provide the sense that we are still there for each other. We are looking forward to the end of this pandemic and would like to celebrate with a trip.”
Itisagrimrealitythatwomenare generallyexpectedtomanagean enormousamountofinvisible labor—takingresponsibilityfortheir familieswhilemanagingtheir
“Iprefernottobegender-biased, butIwouldliketotakethisopportunity toapplaudallthewomenoutthere whomadeadifferencethroughtheir leadershipskillsandinspiredmanyothers.”
overallenvironmentpositiveand allowseveryonetobepartofthe organization'sgoal.Furthermore,the companyisclose-knitandbelievesin workinghard,playingharder
Prathimaunderstandsher responsibilitiestokeeptheteam togetherbyengagingwiththemdaily andencouragingthemtointeract witheachotherregularly
Theteamhasadaptedthemselvesto virtuallyconnectwitheach—they spendafewminuteschit-chatting overcoffee,online.Fridayswerea bigaffairinDivami,anditcontinues throughvirtualcoffeeandgaming sessions.
Prathimastates, “While logistics and
careers.Also,thehavoccausedby COVID-19haslaidimmense pressureoneveryworkingwoman. Thesituationischallengingasthe womenareideallyexpectedto “Juggleitall”,whilesometimestheir worktakesabackseat.Toemerge fromthis,womenneedsupport. Divamiensuresthatitextendsthe supporttothosewhoneedit,no questionsasked.
Prathimastates, “And, from what I can say from my own experience as well as what I have been hearing in my network, women are carrying it off well even during these tough times.”
Arguably,thenewgeneration companiesarewellbalanced thantraditionalcompanies. Oneofthekeyfactorsthatcreatethis gapistheinvolvementofwomen leaders.Today,womenentrepreneurs areleadingtheircompanieswithnew ideasalongwithmaintainingagreat work-lifebalance.Hardshipsarepart andparceloflife.Afirm determinationtosailthroughthe stormsiswhatmakesawoman,a strongleader.
Awomaninherlifetimeplaysvarious roles.Itistruethatthepathofwomen leadersisfarmoredifficult,asshehas tomaintainabalancebetweenher personalaswellasprofessionallife. Byfar,womenleadershavedonea commendablejob.
Anotherreasonwhywomenleaders areappreciatedisbecauseofthehigh levelofemotionalquotient.This helpsthemincreatingattractive family-friendlypoliciesforthe organization.Today,themajorityof companiesareinclinedtowards offeringaperfectjobdescription attractingthebestemployeesforthe company.SnehalJain,Founderand CEOofHumanFortehasyearsof experienceinunderstandinghuman resourcesfarbetterthanothers.
Shewashighlyinspiredbyherfather, whoisasuccessfulentrepreneur. “I always believe that there is nothing called as a failure. There are only two sides to a coin, 'Successful' and 'Work in progress'. To be called being Successful' is the peak which is defined by self-decided milestones and
till then, all of us are a 'Work in progress',” saysSnehal.
EngagingInDeliveringtheBest
Sincechildhood,Snehalsawher fatherexperimentinginvarious businesseswhichhadagreatimpact onhercareer.Entrepreneurshipwas alwaysinherblood.Taking inspirationfromherfathershe pursuedthedreamofowningherown ventureandthatgavebirthtoHuman Forte.Hence,HumanFortecameinto existence.ItisanHRadvisoryfirm withacustomizedtwistproviding end-to-endHRservices.Thecompany hasoveradecadeofexperiencefrom variousnationalandinternational clients.
Firstandforemost,Snehaland herteamunderstandthenature, culture,competitions,market reputation,andresourcesoftheclient company.Theydon'tjustfillthegap buthelptheclientstogrowfromone benchmarktoanother
Oneofthekeydifferentiatorsof HumanForteisthatitistheonly companythatprovidesrecruitments withafullbackgroundcheckon candidatesoncetheyareshortlisted foranoffer.Theclientsarerequired tospecificallyoptforthisserviceas manyfirmsstilldonotbelieveinthe valuequotientofemployee verification.
Forsmoothworkflow,HumanForteis dividedintotwodepartments— businessoperationsandbusiness research.Thebusinessoperations teamconsistsofhome-grownexperts competenttodealwithclient requirementsinaswiftmanner.On theotherhand,thebusinessresearch teamkeepsthemselvesengagedin analyzinganddeliveringtheusecases aroundthelatestindustrytrends.This teamalsoworksextensivelyin groomingfreshtalentasperclient needs.
Pandemichasexposedseveral drawbacksofthesociety,especially thedebateongenderdisparity.Snehal believesthatthepandemichas certainlybroughtafullstoptoa debateofwhoputsmoreeffortinto thefamily.Foryears,themajorityof womenleadersaresacrificingona personalfront.Awomanisnotjusta wife,amother,apartnerbutsomeone whoeveryonelooksuptointhe family Womenarenowexpectedto
befull-timeparents,caregivers,home schoolteachers,caretakers—allwhile excellingintheirfull-timejobs
“World's most difficult but unpaid job.” Thisquarantinehasbeena completegame-changerandhas certainlymovedthefocustorelook thechallengesthatwomenfacedthat weremostlyignored.
Snehalbelievesthatempathetichas beenthekeytosurvivingthese demandingtimes.Thisqualityhas alsobeenhelpfulinunderstandingthe employees'challengesbetterand guidingthemfurther. Duetothe globallockdownsituation,Snehaland
Remoteworkingdemandsflexible decision-makingskillstoensurethat teammembersareactively participating.Snehalwassupported byherteaminallthedecision-making processes,overallcreatingasmooth experienceforeveryone.Constant supportfromherteammembersalso helpedherinmaintainingagreat work-lifebalance.
Sharingherexperiences,Snehalsays, “When you have a lot at stake, you can't really fall for a work-life balance. However, I am doing what I
“Thereareonlytwosidestoacoin, 'Successful'and‘Workinprogress’.Tobe calledbeingSuccessful'isthepeakwhich isdenedbyself-decidedmilestonesand tillthen,allofusareaWorkinprogress.”
herteamofHumanFortewasforced toadapttothenewnormalofremote working.Beingavigilantleader,she adaptedtothesechangesquickly The teamsupportedeachotherandhelped inaswifttransitionfromthephysical officetoavirtualoffice.Sheutters thatthecompanyhadWFH infrastructureinplace,duetothese suddenchanges,thedrillbecame realityinnotime.
Snehalasserts, “This pandemic has not only helped me to reinvent and explore my hidden strengths but has also helped me with an opportunity to look at our business model from a different perspective.”
enjoy the most and very grateful for what life has given me. This only pushes me to do better. I feel at the end of the day, this imbalance makes me a better person.”
Nodoubt,entrepreneurscompriseof severalqualitiesbutwhatmakesthem successfulistheconsistentsupport fromtheirfamily.Onthepersonal front,Snehalwasstronglysupported byherfamilythroughouther entrepreneurialjourneyespecially duringthiscrisis.Fromtheearlydays ofherlife,Snehal'sfatherignitedthe entrepreneurshipsparkinher Also, throughoutthejourney,herhusband stoodsolidinallthedecisions providingherconfidenceandstrength.
Ialways wanted to be a provider of employment and not a seeker of employment,”saysUma Shankar,theFounder,CFOand CPOofMaximusInfoware
Whileworkingatthebank,Umacame acrossseveralentrepreneurswhomade herrealizeshetoohaddreamsofher ownandwhenthetimeisrightshe wouldestablishaventureofherown. Sheservedinthebankingsectorfor morethanadecadeandcalleditquits topursueherdream.Umacommenced herentrepreneurialjourneybysetting upatraininginstitute.Sheranherown businessofpackagedsoftware distributionfor8yearsandherfirm wonmanyawardsthroughoutthis time.Duetoherexceptional leadership,fewofherkeyemployees fromthisbusinessventurearestill workingwithheratMaximustoday
In2007,Umaalongwithherhusband Mr.Shankarco-foundedMaximus InfowareIndiaPvtLtdforproviding softwareservicestothefinancial servicesindustry.MrShankarbeinga financialservicesprofessionalanda technocratspearheadedtheproduct
management,businessdevelopment andorganizationalstructuring.The companyinitiallystarteditsjourney with30employees.Today,Maximus Infowarehasover200employeesand servicesprivatebanks,financial inclusionserviceproviders,scheduled banks,publicsectorbanksand corporatesthatprovideserviceto banks.Maximushasalmostmapped outalloverIndiaandisexpandingits geographicalreachbysettingits footprintsinBhutan,Nepal, Afghanistan,Bangladesh,Djibouti, Papua,NewGuinea,andAustralia.
Umaco-foundedMaximusInfoware withamissiontobethebestglobal technology-enabledserviceprovider delightingcustomerswithtop-notch servicesandinnovativesolutions, encompassingeverydeliverychannel, paymentmethod,andcustomer touchpoint.Thecompanycatersto front-endbanksandfinancial institutionsforvariousformsof payments.Inadditiontothis,Maximus alsofacilitatesthetransactionsfrom
theuser-endandmakethemsmooth andreliablethroughitsinnovative solutions.
Thesebouquetsofinnovativesolutions includechannelsforphysicalcash (ATMs),virtualcash(cards,wallets), orstraight-through-processing(UPI, BillPay).Asasecuritymeasure,this processisfurtherauthorizedby IdentityManagementSolutions. ThroughthisMaximusensuresthe identitiesoftheusersthrough Biometric(thumb,iris,face)or technology(encryption/decryption. tokens,anti-fraud,innovations). Besides,allthesolutionsbythe companyarecertifiedwithboth international(PCI,EMV,etc.)and nationalagencies(NationalFinancial Switches).
ThroughouttheyearsMaximus'vision hasbeentocreateandsustaina frictionless,end-to-endtransaction ecosystemthatbenefitsbusiness organizationsandtheircustomers,by leveragingcurrentandevolving technologies.Thus,Umaandher team'sfocusonpaymentsandidentity managementformorethanadecade
hasenabledthecompanytoexcel andplaceditasaleaderinthe field.
UmaShankarisnotjusttheFounder butalsotheDirector,Finance& HumanResourcesatMaximus. Asthe HeadofFinance,shehandlesthe finances,managestheinvestments,and overseesthefinancialrisksofthe company.In2015SIDBIVenture CapitalLtd.,investedinMaximus Infoware.In2017and2018Maximus hasbeenratedas“FinanciallyStable” byCrisil/S&P.
Ontheotherhand,Umaalsooversees thedepartmentofHumanResources andensuresthatthecompanyretainsa people-centricculture.Bycombining herfeminineinstinctswithprofessional wisdom,shegeneratesaunique people-orientedculture,whichisakey strengthofthecompany.Furthermore, inthetimeofthepandemic,the companyhaskepttheemployeehealth atthetoppriority Assoonasthevirus surgedaroundtheworld,Maximus informedalltheemployeestowork fromhome.ItestablishedVPN connectivityandalsosentdesktopsto thehomesofthestaffthatdidnothave theirpersonaldesktoporlaptop. MaximusalsoofferedaMediclaim covertoallemployees.
Apartfromthis,thereareonly5 employeesthatoptedtostayinoffice andarehandling24*7supporttothe customers.“Keeping their efforts in mind we have fully taken care of their food expenses and also paid an additional allowance for working from the office,”sharedUma.
Asanentrepreneur,themostdifficult partofrunninganorganizationis
findingbalancebetweenpersonaland officelife.Umahasbeenperfectly balancingtheprofessionalaswellas personallife.Sheunderstandsthat personalfamilyandofficialfamilyare equallyimportant.However,therecan betimesonehastosacrificeeitheron personalfamilymattersoron professionalmattersdependingonthe situation.
Umafurtheradds,“The compensating act from my side needs to be doubled up to make the family that sacrificed more to feel better.”
Thebalancingactremainsinevitable, especially,forwomenentrepreneurs havingasupportivefamilybyside
now to work and also fulfill their career goals,”sheasserts.Theworkfrom-homehasgiventheseemployees thefreedomoftimewherecompletion ofworkisimportantthan9to5 timings.Thisfreedomhasresultedinto moresuccessfulproductivehours. Womenprofessionalsarefindingit easytofocusonworkaswellas balancingtheirpersonallife.
Beingaworkingprofessionalfora longtime,UmaShankarhas experiencedseveralobstaclesbutshe wasalwaysdeterminedtoreachthe
“Employeesdeveloptrustand condenceintheirwomanemployer whomtheyaresurewouldgivea helpinghandwheninneed.”
helpstoattainthisbalancepeacefully ProfessionalismamidCrisis
“Women have that innate sense of understanding of others' strengths and weaknesses and their problems as well,”saysUmaShankar.Duetothis, employeestendtodeveloptrustand confidenceintheirwomanemployer andthiscreatesaninvisibleconnection betweentheemployerandthe employees.
ThecurrentCOVIDoutbreakhas alteredthetraditionalworkstyle. AccordingtoUma,thisoutbreakhas providedwomenprofessionalswitha newopportunitytoresumetheirwork.
“Women professionals who had resigned to handle their home responsibility have got the opportunity
goal.Evenafterthecrisis,shehasbeen tacklingtheobstaclesintermsof financialandHRrequirements.The COVID-19outbreakhasbeenhardhittingfortheemployeesinmany organisationswiththesuddenlay-offs andindustryshut-down.Despitethe industryscenario,shehasbeen encouragingtheemployeestobringout theirbestandhavealsorecruiteda goodnumberofnovicesandgrooming themtobethebestprofessionals.
Astheveteranoftheindustry,Uma, advisestheaspiringprofessionalstobe determinedanddohardworkwith completesincerity.Besides,always believeinthefactthat“Customer is God”andprovidethecustomerswith thebestsupporttomakeamarkfor yourorganizationintheindustry.