womenachievers

Inspiring Women

World Storytelling Day

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Prema Sagar Why is Storytelling important? What Opportunities are there for Storytellers? Meghna Nupur Founder, Meur Feature Q.  What is the importance of storytelling and its role in shaping society? Storytelling is the cornerstone of human communication, weaving narratives that transcend barriers and shape societies. In PR, storytelling isn’t just about conveying messages; it’s about crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences on an emotional level. Through storytelling, we can evoke empathy, inspire action, and foster connections that drive positive change. Stories have the power to shift perceptions, challenge norms, and ignite movements. By harnessing the art of storytelling, PR professionals can influence public opinion, shape cultural discourse, and ultimately contribute to the fabric of society. In today’s fast-paced world inundated with information, stories provide a memorable and impactful way to convey complex ideas and values. As guardians of brands and reputations, PR professionals must recognize the importance of storytelling in shaping narratives that drive meaningful engagement and contribute to a more informed, empathetic, and connected society. Q.  What are the opportunities for Professional Storytellers? Professional storytellers today have boundless opportunities across various industries. They can thrive in marketing, advertising, journalism, filmmaking, and beyond. In PR, they play a pivotal role in shaping brand narratives, engaging audiences, and building meaningful connections. With the rise of digital platforms, there’s an increased demand for compelling content, offering storytellers avenues to showcase their skills through blogs, social media, podcasts, and videos. Additionally, as businesses recognize the power of storytelling in building authentic relationships with consumers, the need for skilled storytellers in corporate communications continues to grow. Overall, the opportunities for professional storytellers are vast and ever-expanding in today’s dynamic landscape. JYOTI JAIN Chief Executive Officer, Adroit Auto at Shriram Automall India Limited Q. What is the importance of storytelling and its role in shaping society? Storytelling preserves culture, instills moral values, and inspires change, shaping societal identity and fostering empathy and understanding across diverse communities. It serves as a powerful tool for reflection, entertainment, and social critique, influencing perceptions and encouraging collective action for positive transformation. Q.  What are the opportunities for Professional Storytellers? I believe nowadays enormous opportunity lies with Professional storytellers in almost everything anybody do. Few opportunities to list are in entertainment, marketing, education, and therapy, leveraging their skills to engage audiences, shape narratives, and drive impact across various industries and platforms. Anusha Subramanian Partner, Bohemian Adventures LLP Q.  What is the importance of storytelling and its role in shaping society? Storytelling is key because it connects all of us through shared experiences, emotions, and values. It has the power to bridge hearts and minds weaving together the tapestry of our shared humanity. It serves as a powerful tool for teaching, entertaining, and safeguarding of our cultural heritage, empowering us to grasp intricate truths, foster empathy, and ignite transformative change. Q.  What are the opportunities for Professional Storytellers? Opportunities for Professional Storytellers are many. there are opportunities in diverse fields such as Journalism, entertainment including film, television, and theater; digital content creation for YouTube, podcasts, and social media;   Corporate professionals have the opportunity in brand storytelling and marketing; education and workshops to teach storytelling techniques; and cultural and historical preservation through museums, libraries, and community organizations.   DREAMWEB INDIA WISHES A HAPPY STORYTELLING DAY TO PR PROFESSIONALS, CONTENT CREATORS, AUTHORS, ARTISTS, AND JOURNALISTS.   Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com 20th March 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Important Links https://dreamwebindia.in/2023/09/13/inspiring-women-every-wednesday-6/ Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

International Women’s Day: Woman who inspires: Garima Gulati Bhutani

She was conferred the “Woman Super Achiever Award” at the 4th World Women Leadership Congress & Awards by the World HRD Congress. Let’s Get Inspired Interview with Garima Gulati Bhutani – Preeti Juneja Q. What roles and responsibilities come with being a “Social Impact Advocate”? Is being a Social Impact Advocate the same as being a philanthropist? Social Impact has become a way of life for me now. Being born into a middle-class family was a lottery of birth for me, and with my parents’ enablement, I have studied to my heart’s content. After having taken a lot from society, I feel giving back is important. We all can do our own bit towards society by getting involved in projects of our interest, giving money, or being involved in voluntary activities. I consider philanthropy slightly different; Impact is being mindful of the goal or outcome you are aiming for. I am a karma yogi, and I think honest input is my dharma. At the same time, I would like to monitor the direction in which it is headed, too. Naturally, we all get a kick when we see some change on the ground, and that motivates us to do more. Q. How do you choose which NGOs to collaborate with? Do you have a favourite campaign or project among the numerous projects you’ve engaged in? I like associating with NGOs that promote self-reliance, inclusion, and environmental causes. A better-connected world with an appreciation for each other and the environment will take humanity far. The inclusion projects I have worked on in my organisation on DEI and Gender in partnerships with NGOs/Government bodies have offered immense learning. Another project that I have enjoyed is the Karm fellowship program. I continue to be associated with them, humbly offering internship experience to girls with drive coming from marginalised communities. Their energy and strength will fill me up with positivity to pursue my purpose in life. Q. How do you leverage your strengths as an HR lead to foster social impact within and beyond the organization? Within your professional capacity, could you elaborate on the aspects of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) that have effectively influenced both the organization and society as a whole? I am a people person, and trust is my default setting with people within both my known and unknown circle; that has helped me look at every new thing in life with an open heart and warm mind. Social cause connects to me naturally because of that. I am lucky to have been given the space and support within my team and home to play on my strengths. After being in the Tech+HR+Communications space for 18+ years, I would have sometimes dictated too when things were to be looked at with a fresh lens. I wish to be on the side of a solution than a problem, and that drives me to go beyond the usual. Hence, DEI, for me, is not a new normal, though I have wondered why these people are not visible, which led me to discover that I have been assuming it to be an inclusive world while it’s not. So, I started working on it actively. I have taken interns and full-time employees and built new verticals by collaborating with people from all backgrounds. I have seen huge success coming from corners where people don’t take entitlements and work for a vision. Q. As a member of esteemed women’s communities such as LWL and FICCI-Flo, how has this shaped your personal brand? What specific message do you promote during such gatherings? I am mesmerized by stories of rigour, aspirations, and perfection whenever I meet my peer group at these forums. In our life shell, either we think we are the hero, or we are the meekest. Only when you interact with an open mind do you learn so much about what is happening around you, and you are only a speck on the canvas of life. That energizes me to continue to learn and contribute in all possible ways. I am a promoter of inclusion, appreciation, and love. I advocate delegation, whether at work or home, for women’s active contribution to all workforces. I don’t tag people to work types, and my family also doesn’t. We encourage open conversations on gender, growing up, hormones, menstruation, etc. We all are different, and accepting this with an open heart will change the colour of dialogue rooms for us. Q. What are the evolving trends in HR functions and among job seekers today? As a female leader, do you believe your policymaking role is crucial for advancing other women employees within the organization? I appreciate the clarity that job seekers today, especially the younger generation, have. They take time to crystallize their interests, and once they do, they will be willing to travel to the moon and back to achieve them. I believe they can work on inculcating patience and focus, which are important life skills when it comes to self-regulation and working with others. Inclusion of all sorts in policymaking will help us advance significantly for women and society at large. I am amazed by the humility and acceptance displayed by PWD candidates and team members I have worked with. Organizations can achieve so much learning and development by focusing on this. Such life lessons can’t be taught in classrooms, on boards, or in templatized workshops. I have been advocating for policies that benefit people, not the system. Policies should enable people, not inhibit them. Q. What soft skills do you seek in candidates during interviews? How can you identify a leader among a group of talented individuals? For me, a leader is one who can enable and let his team shine over him like a proud parent. A bragger is most definitely not the one for me. Of course, one needs to know the subject well to command respect and take ownership. I seek aptitude, attitude, acceptance,

Inspiring Women

International Women’s Day: Empowered Hearts, Inspiring Souls

An IMT CDL and DreamWeb India Collaboration Real life inspirational stories of famous personalities sharing their experiences on Courage, Grit, Sacrifice, and Resilience. Inspiring women to be strong, positive and lead from a place where they believe in self, first. From different parts of India, joining on the panelist: Premlata Poonia, Founder, Hamari Laado, Rajasthan; Dilshad Master, Founder & director, Bull’s Adventure, Bangalore; Anshu Arora, Chief Synergist, Metamorphosis, Gurgaon; Anusha Subramanian, Partner at Bohemian Adventures LLP, Mumbai; the session was moderated by Preeti Juneja, Founder, DreamWeb India. Anshu Arora in conversation with Preeti Juneja: Preeti Juneja interviewed Anusha Subramanian: Follow inspirational stories of successful women personalities here. DREAMWEB INDIA WISHES YOU A VERY HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY! Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women Important Links https://dreamwebindia.in/2024/02/14/inspiring-women-every-wednesday-premlata-poonia/ https://dreamwebindia.in/2023/09/20/inspiring-women-every-wednesday-dilshad-master/ Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

Women’s Day: Women who inspire

https://videopress.com/embed/9m4YRJ61?cover=1&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&hd=0 Women’s Day: Women who inspire Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp About Author Sarika Chavan Women who inspire: Sarika Chavan, Co-Founder of Sparkle Gift Cards Thinking of something innovative, something different to gift, and giving back to society? Sarika Chavan, women who inspire speaks on Sparkle Gift Cards as a gifting solution. 8th March 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women Do you have a question for Sarika Chavan? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

International Women’s Day: Women who inspire: Ashmita Sethi

Ashmita Sethi, President & Country Head, Pratt & Whitney Women who inspire, Ashmita Sethi speaks to us on having a seat on the leadership table for communications is very important. She shares very meaningful suggestions on how to build capability and readiness as a woman leader. DREAMWEB INDIA WISHES YOU A VERY HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY! Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Ashmita Sethi ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com About Author Ashmita Sethi As Pratt & Whitney’s senior most executive in India, leads strategic direction for the company’s growth and business goals in India, drives new initiatives 1st November 2023 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Important Links https://www.prattwhitney.com Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

International Women’s Day: Woman who inspires: Jainee Gandhi

Image Consultant and Instagram Influencer “My fervor lies in challenging conventional fashion norms and instilling a sense of empowerment, facilitating individuals to authentically express themselves through their chosen style and image”. Jainee Gandhi, woman who inspir Additionally, Jainee Gandhi is a Certified Image Professional and the founder of India’s premier digital style coaching academy. Through this academy, she curates online educational modules and engaging content, catering to a vast audience of over 100K followers across diverse platforms. Collaborating with numerous fashion and apparel enterprises, Jainee deliver tailored styling solutions, prioritizing fit and size considerations to enrich both consumer interactions and individual experiences. Bringing to you an interview with a woman who inspires us all. Let’s Get Inspired Interview with Jainee Gandhi – Preeti Juneja Q. You mentioned once about a report that said, “content creation is highly women dominated across the world and that it’s earning the creators in double digit dollars that no one expected”. How do you fare yourself doing content on Instagram? Is it hard to keep up with the expectations of your audience? Creating content is not my primary or any means of income. I engage in content creation solely out of my passion for sharing knowledge. Therefore, I endeavor not to let the pressure of creation weigh on me. I strive to produce authentic content that is a genuine reflection of myself. Q. Building connections through social media content has the potential to convert into valuable business opportunities. Have you experienced any exciting developments in this regard? Share your experience. My focus was on business first, content creation came as a natural progression. The most thrilling aspect of this journey is seeing my workshops consistently sell out within 24 hours. “Message on International Women’s Day” Q. Last year, on International Women’s day you had posted a wonderful creative message on your Linked In, that urged women to ask for few simple things: Ask for equal pay Ask for respect Ask for seat at that table Ask for equitable change Q. What is your message to all women on the International Women’s day 2024? I will ask for same things this year and urge others to do the same. “Loving one’s body and cultivating confidence are paramount” Q. What are the topics on your Instagram that have been very popular & highly engaging? Lingerie is a very hush-hush topic, with women typically hesitant to openly discuss it. Interestingly, it’s one of the most engaging topics in my direct messages. Additionally, my brand recommendation videos are quite successful, as I dedicate time to thorough research and provide genuine opinions on various brands. Q. Having worked as a personal brand strategist and corporate stylist for the past 12 years, do you ever feel compelled to offer unsolicited advice to your colleagues, friends, and family? How do you handle requests for free advice? Early in my career, I made a conscious decision not to offer free judgments. I refrain from giving feedback in social settings altogether. Q. Appearance plays a very important role in building confidence. Beyond fashion labels, in clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories, beauty treatments like botox, dermal fillers are becoming very common. What is your advice to clients? Although many strive to enhance their appearance, my foremost advice is that nothing external will suffice if individuals continually criticize themselves and remain unhappy with their bodies. Loving one’s body and cultivating confidence are paramount. Q. Recruitments for the financial & banking industry v/s entrepreneur of an image consulting firm, with innovative digital styling course, training program for budding Image Consultants, and Influencer/Content Creator. From a Head Hunter to a Head Turner, which is a better proposition? As a prominent brand, how would you describe Jainee Gandhi ? Jainee Gandhi embodies authenticity. Whether serving as a talent leader or personal strategist, Jainee is a storyteller and a true champion of what she believes in. “Secret to success of woman who inspires” Q. How to increase followers & engagements on Instagram or Linked In? Any tips or hacks. Content creation is undeniably challenging, with no shortcuts or hacks. The key lies in being content with what one puts out there, staying true to oneself. Once the focus shifts solely to numbers, the journey becomes arduous. I’ve witnessed numerous creators who are incredibly talented, yet some with only 10K followers excel, while others with 1M fall short. Also, read other inspirational interviews here About Author Jainee Gandhi With over 15 years of experience in talent sourcing and image consulting, she is a woman who inspires individuals and organizations in reaching their objectives through effective recruitment and personal branding strategies. 6th March 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Important Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaineegandhi/ https://dreamwebindia.in/category/inspiring-women/ Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Jainee Gandhi ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Manisha Ram Kelkar

ACTRESS IN INDIAN CINEMA & A RACER ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE Manisha Ram Kelkar an inspiring women, is a versatile Indian actress and accomplished Kathak dancer. She marked her acting debut in the Marathi film arena with the ensemble cast feature “Hyancha Kahi Nem Nahi,” under the direction of Kedar Shinde. In Bollywood, she garnered critical acclaim for her role in “Bandook.” Additionally, she ventured into Telugu cinema with the film “Friend Request.” Her Car Racing Passion An LGB Formula 4 race driver on a National level, she has won podiums in Autocross and Gymkhana races in Bangalore and Mumbai; and was felicitated by Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports. Chosen to compete in the Formula Women McLaren GT Cup in the United Kingdom, she emerged as one of the Top 50 contenders out of a pool exceeding 1000 participants globally. Manisha earned selection for the Nations Cup, tasked with representing India in the Middle East, amidst 22 nations vying for supremacy. Famous personality on silver screen Beyond the silver screen, Manisha, has been an inspiring women, taken center stage as a host for various prestigious events including the Times of India red carpet, Asian Film Festival, Times Marathi Film Technical Awards, Comedy Express, Marathi Film Awards on ETV Marathi, and as a host for the Cricket World Cup on Zee 24 Taas. Notably, she showcased her adventurous spirit as a strong contender in the pioneering reality show “Zhunj Marathmoli,” the first-ever adventure-themed Marathi reality series on ETV Marathi. Manisha shares her remarkable journey of resilience following a harrowing near-fatal accident in her in her TEDx Talk titled “What To Do When Dreams Shatter.” TEDX Talk Speaker Having enduring five vertebrae fractures, a broken rib, and intestinal perforations, she shares how she found the strength to overcome adversity. Through her narrative, Manisha is inspiring women, empowers those facing similar challenges, offering hope and motivation in the face of adversity. She is the daughter of noted writer Ram Kelkar (who has written scripts for films like Hero, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak) and Jeevan Kala, an actress and trained Kathak dancer (who danced in the song Hasta Hua Noorani Chehra among many others). Academically, Manisha holds a B.Sc. degree in microbiology and pursued further studies in Mass Communication and Filmmaking at the Post-Graduate level. In Conversation with Manisha Ram Kelkar – Preeti Juneja Q. What sparks greater enthusiasm in you—acting or car racing? Will you leave one for the other to pursue as a full-time career? The camera holds a special place in my heart; it’s the love of my life. When I’m acting, I breathe life into other characters, and when I’m racing, I feel genuinely alive. Both acting and racing are integral parts of who I am; they’re like extensions of myself. Acting allows me to immerse myself in diverse worlds, embodying various characters and experiencing a spectrum of emotions. Each role enables me to live multiple lives within this one existence. Comparatively, racing serves as a profound journey of self-discovery. It teaches me invaluable lessons about composure in adversity and the balance between competitiveness and empathy. Through racing, I’ve learned that life is a series of victories and defeats, but the key is to keep moving forward on this beautiful journey called life. As long as my passion burns bright for what I do, I will never part ways with either acting or racing, thereby inspiring women. Q. On a global scale, do you believe there is sufficient representation from India in Formula Racing? What obstacles did you encounter while striving to enter this league, particularly following the accident you had? Engaging in motorsports requires significant financial investment. Even talented individuals often rely heavily on sponsorship. In India, there’s a noticeable dearth of information about motorsports, but the landscape is gradually evolving for the better. Following my accident, I encountered numerous obstacles in my motorsports journey. Suffering fractures in the fourth and fifth vertebrae, along with a broken 13th rib and severe intestinal perforations, led to an extended period of being bedridden. However, the most formidable challenge I faced was coping with the post-accident trauma. Despite the immense struggle, my unwavering passion for racing cars served as the driving force that enabled me to overcome these hurdles. Q. What is the best way to get into Formula racing? Start with Karting: Develop fundamental skills in a cost-effective and accessible environment. Join a Racing School or Club: Receive professional coaching and guidance. Attend Racing Events: Learn from observing races firsthand. Network within the Racing Community: Build connections for opportunities and support. Progress through Racing Series: Gradually move from entry-level to higher-level formula racing categories. Seek Sponsorship and Support: Secure financial backing to fund participation in higher-level racing series. Stay Committed and Persistent: Maintain dedication, perseverance, and continuous improvement. Q. You actively support various sports and advocate for increased women’s participation. Tell us more about it. I aspire to inspire and influence as many motorsports enthusiasts, especially women, to embrace the sport. Drawing from my experience owning a complete women’s team in the #AdidasPremierLeague, I aim to create opportunities and platforms encouraging women to participate and excel in sports. Q. If you were to convey a message for a social cause to a broader audience, what would it be, and what is the underlying reason for your choice? Accelerating Change: Empowering Lives on and off the Track By fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the racing community, I hope to ignite a passion for motorsport among women and pave the way for their success in this exhilarating field. As both an actor and a motorsports racer, I believe in the power of passion and purpose. I’m dedicated to driving positive change in our society on and off the track. Social causes of empowering individuals to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or background. Together, let’s accelerate change and make a lasting impact in our communities. Let’s rev up for a brighter future. Rapid-Fire: In the

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Premlata Poonia

Author of the book ‘Borders Bridges Belonging’ Hamari Laado is an initiative built on the collective spirit of wanting to create a better future for our daughters in rural Bharat! The Vision: To inspire and Enable girls with skills and confidence to achieve. The Principles: We believe that all girls can achieve. – We believe all girls deserve an equal chance to succeed. – We believe in building skills and confidence for girls to have a chance! The Programmes: NEEV MARG Giving Circle Borders Bridges Belonging It is a tale of two strikingly different worlds, and a journey through many layers of India – rural, small town, urban and global. The story begins with a family of farmers leaving their land and finding a home along the border during the partition of India. With many migrations, strong faith in education and constant pursuit of dreams, brings the author from her village to the American heartland. The book leaves us meditating on the role we play in being a bridge to the other part. I grew up in a society that had embraced the darkness they had inherited, and I was living in one which was burning its own houses down for light. Was there really no middle way? Premlata Poonia Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Premlata Poonia – Preeti Juneja Q. In your book “Borders Bridges Belonging,” you begin by reflecting on the generations preceding you: “My grandmother’s generation navigated the reality of borders, my parents crossed many bridges for our family, and my journey unfolded in pursuit of belonging.” Towards the end, you assert, “For five generations, Likhmalo has been the ordinary yet extraordinary starting, resting, and ending point. Somewhere within those points, I found my sense of belonging.” Was it the emotional connection to the place ”Likhmalo,” or the aspirations of young girls toward education that ultimately brought you home to where you belonged? The answer would be both and much more. Likhmalo and its journey, even after I left, became a specimen for me in terms of what is happening in girls’ education in rural Rajasthan or even general changes in rural areas. Coming from a village and constantly migrating for education were core to my journey and identity, however far I moved. And I knew no demand-supply logic would solve the issue of girls’ education in rural areas. I had to give my part to it. And yes, I feel so comfortable moving around the villages of Rajasthan compared to any other place. I know these places and their journeys more intimately than anything else. So I belong. Q. Could you please elaborate on Hamari Laado’s NEEV programme? Once you raise hope in girls, how do you ensure they can achieve their dreams? Do you provide financial aid to top-performing girls? Yes, the right question. We have programs that cater to the whole cycle. So, we do sponsor top-performing girls from rural Government schools. They are the first generation to complete high school, and we want to ensure they succeed and become new role models in their communities and make way for new social norms. NEEV is much more foundational at middle school – so girls develop the strength and confidence to go through high school well. Q. “Bhape had provided me with another ticket aboard a new train of hope”; “Despite initial reluctance, your father eventually accepted, recognizing the importance of your decision to return home and empower girls. What gave you the confidence that this was the right path? And how do you evaluate the impact and success of your efforts? *Bhape – Father I always told my family my hopes – to return and work for girls. But that was just an information. I went through the emotional journey leading up to it and was ready for it when I decided. I realized – Bhape’s emotional journey of internalizing it started after I made the final decision. So it took him time – not that he said anything to me, but you can sense. And the way society is – nobody he met said, “Oh, what a great decision”. People around were making all kinds of stuff up. So, he had a more challenging time making sense of himself and communicating with his set of folks. And much of it happened when I started taking him along and involving him in Hamari Laado’s work. It brought home the point for him. Q. You have witnessed the journey of many women from different walks of life. Who inspired you, who supported you, who helped you achieve your dreams? You read a lot about my family in the book and the role of each one of them. Family does give the biggest strength in terms of support. Maate, being such a high-spirited person, always gave us the strength, laughter, and stories to go on. So, nothing can replace that. But as you said, I was very fortunate to meet some amazing women from different walks of life. At every phase and place of life, I found a group of women friends who went above and beyond. There are way too many to be able to share here. But I always talk about my boss at Tata Steel at that time. She gave me a month off to prepare for the GMAT, wrote my recommendation letter, and taught me how to care in real. It’s unbelievable what people do for you and how it changes the course of your life. I got to be friends with Sarla while living in Columbus. She was in her 70s, had moved to the U.S. more than five decades ago and was probably the first Indian woman to attend Columbia Business School. Her life journey and her jest for life were so inspiring. It broadened my horizon on what I considered age to give, contribute, learn, grow, and live a good life. I recently saw her again when she was visiting Jaipur, and I hope to be a

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Dr. Priti Sharma

Author of the book ‘An Insight into Mergers and Acquisitions’ An International Publication with Palgrave Macmillan She has more than two decades of academic and corporate experience. She is associated with the International College of Financial Planning(ICoFP) – A Bajaj Capital Group institute, ICFAI, National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange as academic faculty. Dr. Sharma has worked with Flex Industries Ltd in the corporate finance division. Her Academic & Research interests are Investments & Valuation, Financial Statement Analysis, Fintech, Blockchain, Mergers & Acquisitions and Mutual Funds. Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Dr. Priti Sharma – Preeti Juneja Q. How can we empower women with financial Literacy in a way that is easy to comprehend and applicable to their everyday experiences? Financial Literacy is at the core of a self-reliant, confident and psychologically & financially secure society. One umbrella approach will not suffice when discussing women’s empowerment through financial Literacy. Women who have access to education and are part of the active workforce to be sensitized and educated about the importance of financial planning, setting their life goals in time and building a systematic approach to secure their golden age while attaining all other important financial goals. We must capitalize on digital infrastructure to leverage its reach and efficiency and conduct awareness sessions to take small steps through inculcating the habits of financial discipline, prudence and systematic investments. This could be supplemented with audio-visual resources to guide products and processes. A different approach is required for women from marginalized communities and less privileged in terms of education and financial security. Volunteers, NGOs, and self-help groups must be built to work at the grassroots level and educate on the importance of earning and regularly saving small sums of money. These women to be provided with enablers like organized credit support, physical, financial & digital infrastructure and mentorship to start their own ‘Kuteer Udyog’ (cottage industry) or earn a livelihood for themselves and their families so that they do not become a victim of the unorganized debt trap. Self-help groups are to be encouraged for financial assistance and cooperative progress among women. Creating financial awareness and handholding by volunteering educators, social workers and NGOs at their doorstep is a must to make a difference. Corporates, as part of their CSR activity and Government role, provide enablers in this direction. Q. In the face of increasing competition, India’s M&A market remains robust, with buyers adopting advanced pre-deal scrutiny and thorough post-deal strategizing. Your authored work, “An Insight into Mergers and Acquisitions,” imparts valuable insights into the realm of M&A. What pivotal message from the book would you like to underscore in the current scenario? Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) are a way of faster growth and entry into a new market and product segment. M&As are quite frequent when a tech entrepreneur wants to develop a new technology or work towards advancing existing technology but needs more funds for its scalability and commercial application. A large entity often finds it useful to acquire such tech start-ups. A strategically planned and carefully executed M&A can be a boon for not only merging entities but also leading to consolidation in the industry and efficient utilization of resources. M&A should never be governed by greed or poor reasons for making money or getting into the game of empire-building. It may lead to winning the deal but poses the risk of highly leveraged acquisition or overpaying for the target and being the victim of the winner’s curse. The acquirer should pursue only profitable growth opportunities, and strategic fit should be at the soul of M&A. The strict due diligence of operations, financial, legal, and human resources will ensure that M & A is not a nightmare. Merging entities should carefully craft the post-merger integration, clarity of roles, balance of power and plans to address the cultural differences. Q. Do you have specific financial guidance for women breaking through the glass ceiling in the eCommerce industry? How can they upskill in business finance? Every business segment has its dynamics. It is very important to understand the suppliers’ and buyers’ negotiating power for the industry, the nature of competition, trade requirements, and the availability of finance. E-business requires the understanding of creating a user-friendly yet secure platform, which is to be backed by standard procedures and policies. Inventory Management and Logistics play a very significant role in the success of an e-commerce platform. Women should acquire these skill sets and trade requirements. Develop a team which has expertise in these critical areas. Understanding of the various sources of short-term funding, receivable financing, and a flexible line of credit can help them to use funds as and when required and pay the finance charge on the actual amount and time of funds utilization. Equally important is managing long-term funds and carefully selecting the product lines they foray. Attending live training, being a part of industry forums, acquiring relevant certifications, and leveraging the power of the network are some of the key actions to make a strong footprint in the industry. Q. Given your combined academic and corporate background, your well-rounded expertise positions you as an excellent career advisor, especially in finance. Is this an avenue you are considering exploring further in the future? As educators, we have a moral responsibility to contribute and actively engage in guiding the new-age aspirants. We can make a difference in people’s lives by helping them in multiple ways. Today’s youth has a problem of choice and risk of being influenced by external stimuli like the attractiveness of a career option. The correct approach is to map your strengths and capabilities with the chosen profession and build a roadmap to achieve your goals. Choosing the right career option is the foundation of a successful career and a satisfied life. The pathways to achieving your desired goals are the acquisition of suitable skills, a well-designed approach, consistency of efforts, and hard work. Continuous learning, staying motivated, maintaining physical and emotional fitness, and maintaining a work-life

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