The Brain Behind an Admirable Company 2023

One of the most famous statements made by Michelle Obama- “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives”- speaks the most to me as I penned down the editorial for this extraordinary edition. The current business environment fosters the same idea. The aforementioned phrase is the strongest argument in favour of budding entrepreneurs, which is the focus of this special release. You now have access to one of our most popular topics, which makes the case for the influence of “insightful” leadership and how much we admire their services in line with creating an impact on human lives. Everything is in “The Brain Behind The Admirable Company 2023”! Most importantly, this issue implicitly validates the adage that comfort and growth cannot coexist. And our handpicked stories would definitely justify this assertion.

This ‘read’ compiles some motivational accounts of businesspeople who overcame difficulties and obstacles by overcoming all of the biases and incorrect assumptions about their initiatives that were prevalent throughout the business world. They have continually walked the path of remarkable progress, eschewing their familiar comfort zones. Our readers from all around the world will be able to see how these inspiring business owners featured in this special issue have excelled in their fields, highlighting their prominence in the particular industry.

We have many reasons to cheer, and there is an exhilarating amount of excitement in the air. One is that, in order to provide equity to the new year’s passion, our never-ending quest to better develop the magazine guidelines compelled us to roll out major upgrades in this new version. We have made every effort to actively contribute to the momentum of new beginnings, knowing that our efforts will have a significant impact on the lives of our global enthusiasts. Additionally, every one of the unusually constructed stories in this great issue will show this to be the case.

Moreover, the cover page has been embellished by a fascinating profile of a renowned ‘shentrepreneur’- Yogita Tulsiani who has become an epitome of creativity, intelligence and vision. She stands out from the crowd due to her vivacious personality, motivating business philosophy, and resounding success as a business woman, which is why we chose to feature her. She is extremely passionate about entrepreneurship. Her entire narrative is chock full of distinctive viewpoints and insights that are just as exclusive as this publication. Therefore, read her entire story to learn more about her vision, mission, and other aspects.

Finally, I sign off with a feeling of appreciation for all the awe and attention our global audience has shown for us. We’ll be back with an exciting read soon, but in the meanwhile, please let us know how we’re doing with your thoughtful feedback and take extra care of your physical and mental health for overall success in any endeavour.

Kajal Dobhal kajal@businessconnectindia.in

A read showcasing an admirable plunge of new age leaders…

Vol - 5|Special Edition|February 2023

Publisher & Editor : Abhishek Kumar Dubey

Editorial Team

Kajal Dobhal | Sugandh Bahl | Gulshan Parveen | Dr. Amit Mishra

Avishek Singh | Kriti Anand | Sanjay Maurya

Business Head

ASHISH KUMAR

Senior Marketing Manager

Sonia Tiwari

Senior Relationship Manager

Reshmi Mishra

Corporate Team

Satyam Singh | Sunny Pathak | Asha Dudeja | Pradeep Pandey | Reetu Chauhan | Komal Verma

Sudha Gupta | Vikash Kumar | Archana Mawar | Kazim Barati | Rahul Kumar | Abhishek Mishra | Vijender Saroj | Mohit Rathee | Karan Sharma | Navdeep Sharma | Kavita Tiwari

Co-ordinator (Business Connect-Clients)

Anita Kumari | Priyanka Gupta | Archana Mawar

Data Research & Analysis

Satyam Tiwari | Amit Kumar | Anita | Ravinder Singh | Sweta | Shweta Kumari | Rekha | Khusboo | Hitesh | Khushi | Nupur| Gunjan

Finance Team

Gaurav Singhal | Jyoti

Creative Director

ASHUTOSH OJHA

Creative Team

Rajat Pathak | Pawan Yadav | Vishant Saroj | Vandana Gusain

Legal Affairs

Mukesh Kumar

Human Resources

Nivedita Basu

Digital Marketing Manager

Anurag Tiwari | Simran | Hitesh

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Publisher & Editor : Abhishek Kumar Dubey

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Yogita Tulsiani Director & Co-Founder

Apassionate, compassionate, confident, and dynamic leader, and inspiring woman entrepreneur, Yogita Tulsiani, Director & CoFounder of iXceed Solutions, crafted a distinct stance for herself as an Expert Strategy and Business Development leader. She initiated her entrepreneurial journey in the recruitment industry after observing the industry gaps and took the foundation of iXceed Solutions in 2018 with a vision to create value for the Human Ecosystem through Talent Solutions and to help clients get the best out of their brand.

Today, iXceed Solutions has become a well-established end–to–end Talent Solutions, Enterprise Services, and Digital solutions provider to fortune 500 companies globally, where they truly believe in providing a service to the customers and candidates which exceeds their expectations every time. It is one of the few organisations that leverage latest technical advancements to offer recruitment solutions at the fraction of cost.

Puja | Business Connect

Words of Wisdom by the Leading Lady

The keys to success are grit and dedication. While hard work is expected, smart work is crucial. Don’t be afraid of challenges. Failure is a part of success.

I would like to close with a famous quote by an ancient poet –

Don’t

be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your myth .

Unique Attributes of iXceed Solutions in the Hiring

iXceed employs AI and ML-powered talent solutions, which are revolutionising the way the industry views talent solutions, to set itself apart from competitors. The business makes use of offshore advantages while fully abiding by local legislation. iXceed focuses on staff augmentation for highly specialised segments like digital skills (creative & UX, social media & PR, and many more), SAP skills (SAP Implementation, SAP Blueprinting skills), Full Stack Development, Infrastructural Engineering (DevOps), and Cloud Technologies like AWS, Azure, and many more by scaling back on the old hiring norms.

The foundation of its success is its extensive local expertise. Additionally, the RPO solution employs strict procedures that give its clients crucial benefits. In addition, IXCEED uses a reliable and effective process to create solutions for the recruitment industry. This guarantees that the business is in the vanguard of the innovation curve.

Unstoppable Journey of Yogita Tulsiani

Yogita has been a passionate individual from the beginning and has always aspired to excel, whether it was in school, extracurricular activities, or her jobs. Throughout her academic and professional careers, she received a great deal of recognition and accolades. She attended Holy Child School for her elementary education and the esteemed Delhi Institute of Technology, for her engineering studies. Following that, she completed her MBA at the renowned Indian School of Business (ISB, Hyderabad).

Yogita has accumulated extensive expertise in business development and consulting across a variety of sectors in the UK, USA, Europe, and APAC. She also played a significant role in creating a new line of business. She has worked with companies like Genpact Headstrong and HP, as well as those in the financial services, telecom, retail, information technology, and learning sectors. She has held a variety of positions throughout her career in different industry verticals. She started her journey in the HR segment because of the gaps and issues she observed. She realized that technology is reshaping the economy since major players in every industry bank heavily on technology for not only automation but also to introduce process efficiencies and create innovations. There was a massive gap in the technology skill market. People were not getting the right jobs as per their skill set and ability. As a result of what she saw, she made the decision to launch iXceed Solutions to provide effective talent solutions for companies and applicants. Yogita Tulsiani is a strong individual in a leadership role leading from the front and driving the renowned HR tech corporation iXceed Solutions towards exponential growth.

“Throughout my journey, I draw a lot of inspiration from Indira Nooyi as she is my role model. Additionally, my mother has been my biggest motivation. Due to the circumstances we were in, she had to endure many challenges while raising us. She constantly inspired us to be resilient, have faith in our abilities, and trust God with the rest. She taught me to pursue my ambitions with tenacity”, apprised Yogita when asked about her inspiration.

Key Challenges and the Ways Yogita Overcame Them!

Being the first female to venture on an entrepreneurial journey in her family after spending more than a decade working in stable jobs was not an easy move for Yogita. She has been judged and criticised for her choices.

Another challenge she encountered was the fact that I did not really have a background in the recruitment industry, nor did she know the business dynamics. However, she still chose this path as she wanted to make a difference in society.

Obstacles on the Path of Women Entrepreneurs

The startup environment has proliferated, but only the ones who can innovate and have sustainable competitive advantage survive, and the rest are wiped out. But women entrepreneurs have to go through numerous other challenges.

• Low Acceptance of women entrepreneurs

• Female leaders are perceived to be less competent than their male peers.

• Concerns have been raised about perceived prejudice in the venture capital community.

• Women typically have higher risk awareness than men and are more cautious about starting or scaling a business,

• Women are generally more cautious when establishing or growing a business than males are, and society thinks they have weaker entrepreneurial skills.

• Women have additional responsibilities for the home and children, and young children require a great deal of care during their formative years.

• Juggling a career with family is like a tightrope walk

The Secret Formula behind iXceed’s Team Motivation strategies

At iXceed, there is a friendly environment where employees can share their opinions and ideas. To ensure that every employee, regardless of designation, can approach the leadership without hesitation at any time, an open-door policy has been put in place. Additionally, the business places a strong emphasis on its employees’ skill development and offers a variety of training possibilities. The environment is intensely competitive and emphasises healthy competition, which promotes everyone’s development and advancement.

iXceed always focuses on creating a better ecosystem for employees to boost their growth and add value to themselves. They further plan to become the employer of choice across Europe and the Asia Pacific, intending to grow their global customer base. Here are several other strategies the company follows to keep employees motivated and fulfilled and accomplish this goal: --

• The leadership is approachable and connected to the grass-root level

• They leverage the latest technology tools to bring in efficiency and increase productivity

• They provide rewards and appreciation on the basis of output/achievements of targets rather than a place in the hierarchy

• There is a robust process.

• They strictly adhere to policies and fairness.

• They encourage hard work, integrity, respect for every thought or idea,

• They believe that employee experience is as important as customer centricity.

Yogita’s Take on the Women Participation in Entrepreneurial World

Undoubtedly, women entrepreneurship has become a key part of today’s modern world. It is believed that more the women step into the shoes of businesses, the more value influence is created in the community. In this scenario, it is essential to encourage women more often to enter male-dominated sectors like businesses. This will not only change the mindset of the financial lenders but also add to the economic value of the world Female business owners have a significant economic impact. Women who start their own enterprises create new jobs for themselves and others, as well as provide society with various answers to organisational, management, and business problems. A new value is contrived.

More women in the business space also led to better throughput. Females have a tendency to build and maintain longterm relations. They possess more effective networking, communication, and organising abilities. Core Values Of iXceed

The core values of iXceed Solution are – Excellence, Integrity, Growth, and giving back to the community. The founders of iXceed truly believe in doing their bit to make this world a better place.

Future Plans and Growth Strategies Of iXceed

The leading HR service firm, iXceed offers a wide range of Talent and Digital Solutions with massive international expansion. It is always coming up with new ways to strengthen its position in the worldwide market. In order to generate customer-centricity, it makes use of a robust framework and cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning. It has also acquired new large-scale clients in these locations leading to the requirement for increased hiring.

In order to accelerate the growth of two new service lines, Digital Marketing and Enterprise services, the company plans to establish solid footholds in the US, UAE, and South Asian markets over the next two years. Additionally, iXceed Solutions intends to boost its revenue growth by 40% YOY, and strengthen its footprint worldwide.

Achievements And Appreciations Earned

iXceed is a ‘local company with a global reach’ catering to the European market. Having served clients akin to, Oracle, Tech Mahindra, Viatris, Larsen & Toubro, ITC etc. iXceed has been growing its revenue at 40% YOY. Following are a few noteworthy recognitions achieved by iXceed and the leading team:--

• HR Tech Startup of the year- Europe - UK Enterprise Awards 2022

• UK IT Awards 2022- Leading Talent & Digital Solutions of the Year 2022

• Business Connect Most renowned talent solutions of the year 2022

• Yogita was felicitated in UK House of Lords as - The World’s best emerging Leader in Nov 2022

• She was honoured as – The Most Admired Global Indian – 2022 – by Passion Vista

• Yogita was awarded as –Entrepreneur of the year– UK2022 – by Titan Awards

• She was honoured with the Black Swan award for women empowerment in Dec 2020 by Asia One , in partnership with CNBC

• iXceed was recognized as – The Greatest Brands & Leaders Asia & GCC -2020 -2021 by AsiaOne and many more

CSR Activities by iXceed

At iXceed, giving back to the community is seen as an integral part of doing business!

We have got so much from the nation and the environment. So, we should give back and ensure social upliftment. Take steps and build solutions for a sustainable environment. As founder of iXceed, I truly believe in doing my bit to make this world a better place”, the leading lady apprised. Here are some of iXceed’s major social welfare initiatives:

• Undertaking initiatives to sponsor education for underprivileged kids in India

• Contributing to organisations dedicated to the cause of safeguarding children from domestic abuse

• Funding a charity for deaf children

• Donating to several nonprofit organisations to deal with the COVID Crisis

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DIVE INTO THE MOST INSPIRING SUCCESS STORY OF HALDIRAM

This is one of the most inspiring stories for the youths and the upcoming generation. Everything is possible with dedication and effort will take you towards success whatever obstacles come to life, you have to be focused on the goal and do every possible work to make it possible and finally achieve an objective like Haldiram’s. The founder hails from a small village Bikaner where he used to sell Bhujia in his father’s shop in 1918, but now Haldiram’s has become one of the famous International brands with annual revenue of Rs 7,130 crores, selling its products globally. Needless to say, today it has become a multibillion-dollar company. Its story inspires us to always look for the positive side of every incident to reach the pinnacle of success. Whatever, happens in life happens for good.

Keeping that in mind, let’s most inspiring story of Haldiram

THE INITIAL PHASE OF HALDIRAM

The founder of this company Ganga Bhishen Agarwal was initially called by the name Haldiram Ji and at the beginning, he used to work in his father’s shop and sold namkeen bhujia as instructed by his father and aunts. Haldiram’s marriage was done at an early age but on the behest of his wife, he had to leave the house because of some household quarrels in 1946, Haldiram started his first shop and started selling Bikaneri Bhujia, but this time he brought some changes to its flavours and to make it tasty to eat he added little moth flour in its making and also made it thinner to make it little more crunchy to eat and as just by his idea the namkeen was loved by so many new customers and his sales increased by day by day. He kept on experimenting with the taste of bhujia and by its success Haldiram when goes to attend the marriage in Kolkata there he gets an idea of opening a shop and by this initiative, his first step towards the branching of his Bikaner Bhujia business is started and bypassing of time his business started to spread in parts of Nagpur and some of the capitals and by this success, there is no looking back took place in his life as his business started to grow more and more and he gets enough profit from it by attracting so many customers towards their shop and by here the success of Haldiram started.

HALDIRAM SHOP’S EXPANSION

For any business to spread in the market and stick its root in the market its expansion is very necessary to build the business so after Haldiram business expands in Nagpur and Delhi, the business also expands in many more cities of India as well as foreign countries. The Haldiram company has mainly appeared in three areas Kolkata, Delhi, Nagpur in comparison to the other two the Delhi business growth rate is highest. In 1993, the company exportation of products spreads to more than 50 countries including the US. And in 2003, the multicrore company get the certification of the most trusted brand industry and the company started to work in all four directions of the country mostly acquire the entire northern region but little weak in the

southern region which is not come in that success mark even after doing so many attempts in comparison to other three regions in this process of success their family support and helps is always there they are to lead and key people of the company who works a lot to bring the best in the quality of every product. In 2017, this company got a tag of countries largest snack company and left many domestic and international companies behind and comes as India’s largest snacks company.

HALDIRAM REVENUE

The revenue of the Haldiram business is INR 7,130 crore in a year and is more than the total revenue of both McDonald’s and Domino’s. The Haldirams product quality and taste itself lead the business towards growth because no advertisement and promotions are done for publicity of the product.

• Type - Private

• Founder - Ganga Bhishen Agarwal

• Headquarters - Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

• Industry - Food

• Revenue – INR 7,130 crore (US$950 million) (2019)

• Founded - 1941

HALDIRAM PRODUCTS

Haldiram’s business firstly started with Bhujia Namkeen but later on by seeing the tremendous success of the company it started to include many more products like Haldiram sweets (Rashgula, Basin Laddu, Gulab Jamun) snacks (Aalo Bhujia, Khata Mitha, Namkeen, Peanuts), Papadum, Cookies, Pickles, Chips, Dry Fruits,

and the company also started its outlet restaurants in Kolkata, Noida, Delhi, Nagpur, and Pune. It is called Haldirams, an Indian snacks, sweets and restaurant company. Owing to the taste and variety in food products, the customers buy its product due to which the company is benefitted a lot. Many more products are yet to come in future also as the company keeps on practising and always ready to bring some new variety with a little twist in its flavour.

OBSTACLES COME IN THE PATH OF THE SUCCESS OF THE HALDIRAM COMPANY

Every success has its ups and downs and success cant be achieved in one day it takes many sleepless nights and it also takes time and effort the way of success is never be smooth just like that this company also have to go through many challenges like in the year 2015 when ban in Maggie occurs at that time many products of Haldiram is also banned by regulatory of food authority that brings lost in the profit of the company and 2015, FDA of India after several tests gave the Haldiram company a clean chit and after that company take an initiative to tie-up with companies and it also provided food facilities to the passengers in partnership with Indian railway and by that the company success rate again comes in places.

Pramukh Fin Advise LLP

With an Objective to Brace Up the Investment Sector, Pramukh is Giving the Organisation an Edge in Making the Right Investment Decisions

Envisioned as a Leadership, Quality, and Astute Advisory Firm, Pramukh Fin Advise LLP is a leading strategic financial advisory firm that has purposefully positioned itself as a conscientious consultant with a focus on optimising investor returns taking into account investment objectives and financial goals.

Romitsinh Parmar, an industry veteran and a business enthusiast, brewed up Pramukh Fin Advise in 2020 to act as a management and financial advisor and offer advice, services, and consultancy in a variety of industries with a dynamic and client-centred approach. Pramukh’s vision is anchored by a team of professionals with experience in the field of finances and investments. The organisation’s guiding principle is a personalised interest in comparing investment circumstances to economic growth and policy frameworks providing it with an advantage when making the best investment selections. This is complemented by a comprehensive ability to identify opportunities across the board.

Further explaining, Mr Romitsinh stated, “We stand firm in our commitment to make the most of opportunities for the day trader as well as in building a robust portfolio for the long-term investor seeking wealth creation to be at the forefront in these quickly changing times, we bank on flexibility in incorporating change.”

The Pramukh team walks first-time investors through the process of determining the ideal asset allocation, given the situation. If a person already has a financial portfolio, the team can assess their present holdings to see if it can still help that person achieve their short- and long-term financial objectives.

The team conducts an in-depth analysis of a wide range of investment possibilities and ensures that their investment portfolio

retains the level of risk that you have set for yourself. After your money has been taken from your paycheck and analysed by professionals at Pramukh Fin Advice to determine why it is going and how it is being spent; additionally, they assist in budget creation so that you are better equipped to meet your financial goals.

Romitsinh Manojsinh Parmar Founder and Director

Gulshan | Business Connect

“In order to give the customer, the best advice possible, we first learn about their financial and personal situation. We first assess the client’s risk tolerance and the anticipated rate of return on their assets before moving forward. On the basis of this data, we will evaluate the client’s current investments and offer suggestions on how the client should proceed with the assets”, asserted Mr Romitsinh.

THE EXCLUSIVE SERVICE PORTFOLIO

To consistently provide the greatest customer services, Pramukh Fin Advise is supported by the most comprehensive investment significant information technology. Their services include:

• Equity

• Currency

• Mutual Funds

• Commodities

• Research

• Portfolio Management

• Sneaker’s Investment

• Limited Edition Products Buying and Selling

• Real Estate Investments

Whether you are a trader or an investor, Pramukh Fin Advise’s goal has always been to make equity investments as simple as possible for the clients so they can profit from them in the long run. Investing with Pramukh is a sure-shot way to reach those investment goals you have been aiming for. On a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, you will get access to in-depth reports on businesses and markets. When trading currencies with Pramukh, you do not need to open a brand-new account in order to do so.

You have the choice of using the margin money from your other asset classes like equity. There is no requirement to make another unique investment just for FX trading. Every platform has complete trade-track-review functionality. The built-in analysis and recommendations are 100 per cent trustworthy. For the currency segment, a specialised research desk has been assigned so that you can receive daily and weekly technical reports and market insights.

EMPOWERING INVESTORS DEAL WITH THE INVESTMENT CHALLENGES

Experience in the equities trading industry has paid off for Pramukh Fin Advise, allowing it to make the significant gains possible in unexpected market conditions. Here, the process of choosing stocks is bottom-up and independent of industry. Their selection process concentrates on businesses with strong corporate governance, strong financial management, and above-average development potential that can be held for an extended length of time while trading at a fair price.

Mutual Fund Advisory services are offered by Pramukh Fin Advice to dedicated investors looking for the best ratio of risks to returns. The services offered by the firm come up with a significant advantage over dealing with the difficulties of investing selections on their own. The team’s expertise in identifying global trends and market circumstances makes starting a currency trading business or growing an existing currency trading enterprise simple and lucrative. Experienced athletes rely on their vast network of contacts to assist them in taking advantage of opportunities.

CRAVING OUT AS A DIFFERENTIATOR

Pramukh Fin Advise is aware of the necessity to reduce risks by dividing assets over a variety of equities whose performance is tracked. Investors frequently look for the security of investments with proportional returns. They provide clients with distinctive third-party PMS goods that are not accessible to other industry players. In order to tenaciously pursue the goal of making the most outstanding services readily available for the clients, Pramukh Fin Advise conducts in-house research and due diligence prior to gaining access to such items. The services have been developed to help investors take advantage of the finest that the markets have to offer. Although they have had exponential growth in their operations, they credit this expansion to the confidence that the investors are in year after year.

With active memberships in the MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) and NCDEX (National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited) trading platforms, as well as the relatively new NSE and BSE entries into the commodity market, Pramukh’s reach is further enhanced by robust infrastructure and presence in all significant states with high agricultural output. The company has concentrated the supply of physical farm commodities through the use of this well-constructed infrastructure. The assets in the agriculture sector are managed with an emphasis on quality, dependability, and sustainability. Silver and Gold are two precious metals included in Bullion in the commodity space. Purchasing bullion may be a profitable investment strategy and a wonderful method to reduce risk. The team at Pramukh Fin Advise deals in buying and selling physical bullion in bulk.

A GLIMPSE OF PRAMUKH’S REVENUE MODEL

Pramukh Fin Advise helps investors build a portfolio, design a financial strategy, and create reports that can be used for monitoring and decision-making. All of their services are available through a variety of financial solutions. These financial products include bonds, corporate fixed deposits, mutual funds, and other products they may occasionally offer that are appropriate for their investors. Several fund companies with which they have distribution agreements handle and run these products. Clients must have assets like equity, fixed income, government securities, and precious metals in order to acquire services, and they must also generate revenue from capital gains, interest, and dividends. It is based on the idea that “one drop of water creates an enormous ocean.”

“We are a third-party distributor for all significant SEBIregistered mutual fund companies. Equity research is extremely important in the capital market, which is why we devote so much time, attention, and experience to stock analysis. We think that our experience has enabled us to create skill sets that enable us to spot value stocks in a vast ocean of equities and assist our customers in adding value to their portfolios”, asserted Mr Romitsinh.

CORE VALUES AT PRAMUKH

Nothing works better than honesty, constancy, and knowledge. Pramukh focuses on all these three values and has built their foundation on them. By diligently and continuously adhering to the fundamental values set forth by the leading man, the team have successfully developed their identity. The reliable outcomes the firm delivers to the clients are the reason for its success.

The Stress Solution: BEST MENTAL HEALTH CHATBOT APPS

CHATBOT APPS

For people in general or entrepreneurs, chatbots nowadays can be used to treat a variety of psychological issues such as tension, anger, depression, and so on. Psychiatrists may use chatbots to cure these diseases on their own time and under their circumstances.

India has just five thousand psychologists and two thousand professional psychiatrists, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That, even though 5.6 crore people out of a billion in the country suffer from some kind of mental illness. It’s a major issue for which there is currently no solution. In this case, mobile apps and chatbots have emerged as a practical means of providing relief to people suffering from psychological issues, requiring only internet access. Chatbots are applications that allow you to chat in a similar way to how you would in WhatsApp or Messenger. The difference is that there is no person in front of the machine; instead, there is a bot (software robot) that is most likely using artificial intelligence to improve accuracy.

Chatbots and smartphone applications are usually available for free. Yes, if you want to use a service that isn’t available for free, you might have to pay a charge. For instance, one-on-one consultation with a counsellor or a coaching service that provides ongoing guidance. The main thing is that you always have a way to deal with

1. iWill ePsyclinic is one such chatbot that can analyse the answers to a few dozen questions to provide an early assessment of what a patient’s issue is, how serious it is, and what kind of help he or she needs. It was created by an organisation that has 35 psychologists on staff, with another 15 professionals available as freelancers if needed. In India, it is said to have 50,000 downloads. It is to be anticipated that since it was created by an Indian, it would have a better understanding of the Indian situation. He keeps track of his users’ behaviours, behaviour, food, sleep patterns, moods, and thoughts, among other things, and gives them advice as needed. He links them with his psychiatrists when necessary, who continue the recovery process.

2. Woebot Health is a mental health chatbot created in San Francisco, California. India makes extensive use of it as well. You must first answer a series of questions so that he can get a sense of your mood. The majority of users think it’s a good idea to look into it. He can sense your mood, for example, and if you’re irritated, he’ll try to lighten the mood by

depression, despair, anger, tension, and a slew of other popular and serious issues in your own time, place, and circumstances.

Every psychological stumbling block is caused by another problem. Sometimes it’s complicated, and other times it’s straightforward. People, on the other hand, seldom talk about their issues with others. Issues with love, problems between husband and wife, workplace problems, and so on. Some people face similar issues as a result of their behaviours, nature, or other factors. Then others are who are confronted with a psychological challenge as a result of a life event. What is the problem with addressing what you find difficult to discuss with human beings with a lifeless computer, mobile app, or a chatbot? This technical counsellor may be contacted at any time of day or night to express your thoughts in private.

using amusing words. It is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is an evidencebased therapeutic technique. Woebot classified three of a user’s thoughts as negative and assisted him in thinking of three other constructive thoughts, according to one user.

3. Wysa: your safe space in this difficult time. Joe Agarwal and Ramakant Vempati, a married couple, created this artificial intelligence chatbot. These individuals desired that a solution be sought until the psychological issues were out of control. It, too, is based on clinical behavioural therapy, similar to iWill. It is supported by a team of 25 individuals, eight of whom are mental health experts who may serve as guides or coaches. He grouped the interactions he recorded with millions of people into groups. During these discussions, an effort is made to understand the trend that occurs, as well as the relationship between psychological issues such as tension, anger, and depression, among others. The diagnosis and outcomes of Wysa and other chatbots will become more reliable as the database expands.

Some issues arise as a result of the procedure. Is it true, for example, that the chatbots we think of as inanimate have no one behind them? This means that the consumer who does not tell anyone about his issue is walking here in complete privacy. But who knows what’s going on behind the app’s interface? Discussions with them are aimed at determining who they reach and how they will be used in the future. You’re probably aware that there’s a lot of concern about the abuse of data gathered on the Internet and privacy violations. The second concern is that the information would be misappropriated by a third party. What is the system’s level of safety in terms of keeping them safe? Third, humans are continually expanding their intelligence, expertise, and abilities, but can software that is based on rules keep up with them? The response to the third question is clear: they are currently being used as a connection before reaching a human expert, rather than as a replacement for humans. The creators of the other two challenges assure them that they will be secure. However, in the users’ best interests, independent confirmation of these statements is needed.

SimpleStack Technologies Unique Solutions For Exclusive Demands

We are in a freewheeling conversation with Nancy Gupta who is a technopreneur and has launched her startup SimpleStack Technologies in the year 2021. She has been spearheading her venture into the software development industry owing to her decade-long experience. As BSc Hons from Hansraj College (2009 pass out) and a College Topper with a B.Ed degree from IP University 2010, she has set out to try the entrepreneurial waters and has started bagging the fruits of her commitment and hard work. Here is her incredible success story-

Company Overview

Innovative business solutions are the need of the hour. SimpleStack Technologies has been curating unparalleled software and tech solutions that are all about innovation and are of varying sizes. Seasoned engineers and software developers strain every nerve to develop products that are laced with the latest technologies and methodologies. Enhanced efficiency and affordability of the products favoring clients’ business models witness seamless performance improvement. The specialization lies in a wide range of services like software development, web and mobile app development, cloud computing, and data analytics. The goal is straightforward— they are made to scale as the clients’ businesses expand and are specifically tailored to each of their individual demands. Along with their technical proficiency, they take pleasure in the capacity

Nancy Gupta Director

Renu | Business Connect

to comprehend the customers’ company goals and offer strategic recommendations on how to leverage technology to meet those goals. They take a consultative approach to every project because they think that long-term relationships with their clients are important. They have successfully completed projects for customers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, banking, retail, and manufacturing. SimpleStack is dedicated to offering its clients the greatest solutions and the highest caliber of customer care. By being up-to-date with technology, learning new things, and evolving, they think they can.

Incepted in the year 2021, SimpleStack Technologies began with a small group of software and business experts that were passionate about making a significant contribution to the software and tech sector. A sincere desire to establish a well-rounded firm that would provide creative and effective solutions for enterprises and organizations of all sizes.

The founders set out to assemble a group of professionals that could produce the most cutting-edge and customized software solutions since they shared a passion for technology and a thorough grasp of the sector. Its method of comprehending the particular requirements of each customer and offering strategic advice on how to make the most use of technology to accomplish its company goals set them apart from its rivals.

Syncing with tech advancements

Being a startup, agility, flexibility, and broad-minded ideas are their core values. Delivering the highest level of customer service and result-oriented services, the team members are taking the company higher aloft. In this process, cuttingedge technology and persistent learning and adapting help them to sync with the ever-changing industry and seek ways to help clients achieve the end objectives.

With the use of specialist software, regular quality checks are carried out. All staff members are required to adhere to the software development and testing standards and rules that have been established. They have undoubtedly been able to maintain a high standard of functionality and quality. Continuous monitoring and process improvement allows them to evaluate the overall process and using metrics for quality measurement and tracking progress helps them keep quality in check. And when it comes to being in harmony with industry trends, they adopt best practices in software development and testing. All of the above measures allow them to stay in close touch with the current and effective techniques to maintain their repo in the market that they etched within such a short time.

The leading edge

Not one but many factors help them stand out in this competitive landscape. Experience, expertise, flexibility, persistence, value generation, etc, are the features that drive the wheel of their success. The precise blend of all these aforesaid values results in the formulation of unrivalled solutions/products that are almost impossible to be copied by any of their peers. Hence, their dedication to solution development and a constant quest to improve offer a leading edge to their portfolio and helps them stand out in the crowd unwaveringly.

An ebullient work culture

Nurturing a balanced and supportive work culture, SimpleStack very well understands the significance of keeping the workforce motivated and productive relying on different thought processes. Be it regular recognition/ rewards or professional development opportunities or flexible work timings or constant employee engagement in decision-making or recreational activities or employee wellness programs, they leave no stone unturned to make a culture with a difference.

• Recognition and rewards programs- They have a strong system in place for recognizing and rewarding workers for employees efforts, commitment, and accomplishments. This covers both formal and informal acknowledgment, such as bonuses, financial incentives, and employee of the month honors.

• Opportunities for professional development: As part of their commitment to the staff, the management gives them chances for personal and professional advancement. For them to grow in their jobs, this involves mentorship, training, and other tools.

• Flexible working conditions: To help their workers maintain a healthy work-life balance, they provide variable working conditions including remote working, flexible hours, and part-time employment opportunities.

• Collaborative workplace: They promote a cooperative and team-oriented workplace where employees may exchange ideas, work together on projects, and establish trusting working relationships.

• Employee participation in decision-making: They promote employee participation in decision-making and provide employees the chance to voice their thoughts and opinions on crucial company issues.

• Recreational activities: To foster camaraderie and maintain a positive work environment, they often offer recreational events including team-building exercises, corporate getaways, and other entertaining activities.

• Employee Welfare: In order to encourage employee wellness, they make services like health insurance, employee assistance programs, and other forms of aid available.

Five years down the line

Crossing milestones while flaunting high customer satisfaction rates, great retention rates and positive reviews, the company is etching growth in revenue and expansion in its clientage. The impact created by the company across its targeted market is due to its high-quality services. “These successes are evidence of our team’s perseverance and commitment, as well as the effectiveness of our business strategy. We are pleased with our progress thus far and want to keep providing our clients with top-notch products and services in the future,” claims Nancy.

While walking the new avenues to grow and innovate, they are planning to create more impactful solutions to stay ahead of the game. As they plan to expand their services to a wider audience across new geographies, they are highly pledged to sustainability and social responsibility. Additionally, they are continuously thinking of new ways to incorporate these principles into the way they do business and the things they produce. This entails putting money into environmentally friendly technology, lowering one’s environmental impact, and helping out the community

This is such a frequently asked question. Many of us must have faced office politics once in our lives. Office politics feel like: you are being pressurized and consumed by all the politics that happen in your office. It creates stress and anxiety in their life. Therefore, we will be sharing some tips that can help deal with office politics.

In its simple form, office politics is simply about the differences between people at work: differences in opinion, conflicts of interests are often manifested as office politics. It all goes down to people’s communication and relationship. Firstly, we would say that there is no need to be afraid of office politics.

FOCUS ON BUILDING A GOOD CIRCLE.

In order to deal with office politics, you need to get involved. A study from Sage Journals shows that when someone feels they don’t belong here, their physical health and wellbeing plummets. So, if you are feeling alone or excluded by negative office politics, you need to make new friends at your offices so that if someone at work is the source of the main conflict, it can be dealt with them by being united with your co-workers. The camaraderie at the workplace is as needed as your skill, food, and shelter. In this way, you don’t just increase your productivity but also help you to reach a proper solution.

People with bullying tendencies often try to isolate victims, so the more people you have on your side, the less you are to be taken advantage of at work.

DOCUMENT YOUR TIME.

When you are subject to your colleague’s bad political like taking credit for your work, it’s important not to retaliate. Most of the time, people make a strategy to expose their colleagues or boss in front of others, but this isn’t a good idea. It can backfire. In order to deal with it, you need to have clever strategies, for example, make sure that you document your work thoroughly and let your colleagues and your bosses, or senior know what you are doing have done till now. In this way you can defend your reputation, if your work ethic is called into question by co-workers, then you have a way to prove your productivity.

TRY TO FIND THE REASON BEHIND IT RATHER THAN ACCUSING.

This is another one of the best ways to deal with office politics. When you feel that your colleges or seniors try to make you look bad or undermine you. Step back and question to yourself; why are they doing that? What could be possibly driving them that has nothing to do with you?

What could be his personal agenda or goal that you know nothing about? Is there anybody else facing the same issue with the co-worker what are you facing right now? If you ask such a kind question to yourself, there are 30 to 40 percent chances, what you are actually facing will eliminate. Because eventually, you will find out that a large part of the stories you are telling yourself are just moving around you, and you are in the centre of the problem. The fact is that you are not part of this problem. The person is behaving against you in a manner that you don’t like has nothing to do with you. It could be anyone in front of you, it’s not personal, it just drives them for a reason they hold within themselves and has nothing to do with you.

If you haven’t got any answer yet, ask them for a private conversation, polity asks them why they have acted how they did.

REPLACE THE CULTURE FROM WITHIN.

The culture at any company sets an expectation for how

people behave and work together and how well they function as a team. Therefore, office politics should be looked at as something that can be reframed into positive, says Williams. While working at the company, one should contribute to a culture that values people and discourage a negative mindset individual. One of the best ways to contribute to office culture is to appreciate others, encourage teamwork and be empathetic to other people, one can create a better work culture for anyone.

DON’T TAKE SIDES.

In-office politics, it is quite possible to find yourself between two power figures’ arguments. In such a case, you see yourself being thrown around while they try to outwit each other and secure their own place: at any coast of you getting the job done. You cannot get them to agree on a common decision for a project, and neither of them wants to take ownership of the issue; they are afraid that somebody will destroy for any mishaps.

Not taking sides also help you to build trust with both parties.

In such a situation, focus on business objectives and avoid taking a side, even you like one better than the other. Place them for open conversation among others, so that no one will say “I didn’t say that”.

By not taking sides, you will help to direct conflict resolution objectively. If your job is a hub of office politics and makes it difficult for your to do your job. You should probably look for other company. Because it may affect your career growth.

CDM-CONTENT DESIGN MARKET LLP

The CDM Group, a Content Consultation and Content Writing & Marketing Firm Led by Sujata Upadhyay

Through my years of curating content, all I can say with absolute certainty is that if one understands who the target audience is, and how the content is supposed to influence the target audience, then the inspiration factor is simply the artistic expression through which it is conveyed. Sounds simple enough, but it does take a long time to master and the key is to not take the artist out of the content writer!

SUJATA UPADHYAY Founder, CDM-Content Design Market LLP

High-quality content has become the heart and soul of digital marketing today. But this fact was understood three years ago, by far-sighted visionary and marketing enthusiast, Sujata Upadhyay who has endeavored to create a Curated, Coherent, and Compelling content solution, The CDM Group.

An enthusiastic entrepreneur and content marketing specialist, Sujata Upadhyay holds extensive experience in working in different positions in different companies, over 17 years. As a marketing expert and a content specialist, she has deep experience in writing on Technology, Startups Growth Story, SMEs, Retail, eCommerce, Education, Healthcare, and Marketing.

Consequently, the CDM Group has been helping clients create compelling content via various content strategies that result in better brand positioning and engaging prospects, which ultimately carves a path for the readers to reach the brand.

THE PRIME MOTIVATION BEHIND THE CDM’S INCEPTION

The motivation has always been to produce better content. Sujata has worked in marketing and the lead generation space for over 13 years. Dealing with global clients and industries, she intrinsically understood how strong and persuasive content affects lead generation and more importantly, learned to apply those changes to the content itself. Over time, she has gained expertise in how exactly one should quantify content into its composite components from the perspective of marketing. This process can be gradually applied to other business verticals as well.

Present-day, CDM is at the forefront of content consultation and has developed expertise on a wide variety of content. In fact, CDM’s mastery over various types of content also syncs very well with the boom in startups as they require assistance in all their facets

I don’t say content is the king, I say content is the base for a long-lasting, impactful marketing strategy. It has the power to build credibility for your brand, attract, engage and create a loyal customer base for you.

Puja Bhardwaj | Business Connect

of content. In fact, they work with the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration - CIBA Mumbai, and SpringUp Capital, 2 tech incubation centers to assist their start-ups with content consultation services.

DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS & RECURRING PROBLEMS RESOLVED BY CDM GROUP

The differentiating factor of CDM, which also gains them an edge in content consultation, is simply their ‘Right Fit’ Approach. At CDM, this is accomplished through thorough research, inspired writing, and perspectivism. This is basically what sets CDM apart from all the competition.

The recurring challenges in content that CDM manages to resolve for their clients are:

• Managing content from the perspective of the ROI

• Creation of content that gives allowance for growth

• Perspectivism

DEVELOPING WITH R&D

R&D is one of the major aspects of the business operations at CDM. Our research is the reason the team at CDM is a cut above the competition. It is only through extensive R&D that CDM is able to step in the shoes of the clients and understand exactly what they wish to convey and how. In fact, CDM’s emphasis on research ensures that the team writes and curates content for organizations as well as individuals. CDM takes pride in creating content on behalf of their clients and not as themselves, and that’s only possible through extensive, exhaustive, and comprehensive R&D.

THE INSPIRING FACTOR

The inspiration factor for CDM varies in accordance with who is the individual or individuals who are reading the content that they are curating. Sujata says,

“there is a difference between writing a novel and writing for a brand to promote them. The latter needs to create content that attracts the reader, engages them and convinces them to take an action. A clear action-oriented objective for the desired results”

THE INDUSTRIAL SWINGS & TECHNOLOGICAL INCLUSION AT CDM

Sujata unequivocally states, “There is an amazing shift from unknown to informed to opinionated to unknown

again. This time the volatility has created opportunities for content consumption. The CDM team is striving hard to reap the benefits of developing a conscious competence.”

Being a digital age firm, CDM Group employs multiple technologies to assist in its functioning as an organization. However, this skill is more human than anything. Being able to weave the right, domain-specific words to create the impact that a brand wants on its target audience cannot be automated using technology. It has to have knowledge mixed with writing experience and exposure that is enhanced by leveraging on technology.

CDM team is still an artistic endeavor that is simply bound together by technology. So the technology only assists in the running of their business, for the rest, they rely on the art within, and this is truly a revolution in the business of content creation.

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND CDM’S CONTINUOUS PROGRESS

Our team is the key driving force behind the seamless progress we have made. Right from freshers like Bhagyada and Tanya who have turned out to be great writers and responsible individuals, to writers like Afshan who has grown in the organization and is now indispensable in managing the content team. Then there is Kapil, who heads the social media and SEO team, Vijaya the designer who grew with us. One common factor is that they all have in them is the urge to learn and be accountable.

Further, Sujata apprised, “We pride ourselves on our excellent retention rates. None of our team have quit because we believe the primary resource which makes our company stand out is the team. Considering that we treat content like art, our entire team is carefully chosen for their dedication, creativity, and professionalism.”

DRIVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE TOUGHEST TIME!

“To me and to our team, COVID-19 was not the bogeyman it was to other traditional businesses - rather we are glad we could help other businesses”, shared Sujata.

Sujata and her entire team took COID-19 as a challenge that if they can surmount it would mean that very little could stand in their path to success. CDM saw growth within the ambit of the pandemic and did

not even have to downsize their business, rather “We multiplied on all fronts - new joinees, more and more clients, new cities where we expanded - so fair in all aspects”.

In fact, the company grew very well and made profits through all of it. The way CDM looks at it is that if the pandemic could not stop or slow them down, in the post-pandemic environment the sky is indeed the limit! Besides, content is now in everything, and given their survivability and ability to thrive even in the most challenging of times, the team at CDM does justice to the statement, “Driving business performance, even in the toughest times!”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

In mid 2020, CDM was a 6-people team and now a 17-people team. The growing team size speaks for itself. Being listed in the Top 10 Startups in Pune, 2021 to work for is another big milestone that the CDM Group has achieved in an enviably short span of time.

SUJATA UPADHYAY’S TAKE ON EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES

As Sujata succinctly puts it, “I don’t say content is the king, it is the most basic element in building a brand. It is the base for a long-lasting, impactful marketing strategy. I believe that the market is heading towards an exciting future for content where it, in itself, is an entire vertical within which companies shall encompass the various perspectives such as marketing, branding, sales, websites, AVs, VOs, blogs as well as articles through which it can be effectively disseminated.”

INSPIRING WORDS FROM THE VISIONARY

Sujata’s mantra that she would like all budding entrepreneurs to know - To be successful in this dynamic market, it is important to value add. What is it that you can offer to your customers that no one else can? This is the question each one of us should ask ourselves, daily, so that it keeps us on our toes to thrive to get better and more innovative. The same applies to each employee, employer, professional connections, and so onwhat is it that you have, that no one else can replace you.

Sit with this thought as long as it takes for you to digest it, and question yourself daily.

How To Set Up Franchises Business In India

“How To Set Up Franchises Business In India”

It is not always necessary you get a unique idea to start your own business. But it can happen that you have an industry/sector which really excites you, and you truly want to go for it, “you can” by all means go ahead and buy a franchise of that company and be your own boss.

India is the 4th largest consumer goods and services in the global market. Setting up a franchise in India is a tried-and-tested approach to starting one’s own venture. An industry like fast food, education, healthcare, the automobile is known as some of the booming domains for setting up a franchise. The franchise business is one of those models that brands have adopted for expansion in India. There are many low-cost franchise businesses in India one can buy it. This is why we will be talking about How to set up a franchise business?

HOW TO FIND THE MOST PROFITABLE FRANCHISE BUSINESS?

In comparison to startups, franchises businesses have been found less risky because the business model has already proven successful. To set up a franchise business, we recommend you follow these steps.

1. Find the area that excites your most.

2. Look for the right franchisor.

3. Come to an agreement.

HOW TO GET A FRANCHISE BUSINESS UP AND RUNNING?

If franchises business really truly excites, then you should explore a multitude of options on the internet. There are thousands of genuine groups in India today that connect interested entrepreneurs with franchise businesses, helping all the way from plan to floor. But, keep in mind making business success lies with you.

To get a franchise business up and running, you should be very careful while selecting the right partner, understand the operational and financial expectations and be willing to diligently. Let’s deep dive into the above points to understandhow one can value their franchising option.

#1.

FIND THE AREA THAT EXCITES YOUR MOST.

The key to getting success in any venture is to find out the area of interest. So, our first step would be – make a small list of franchises that really excite you.

To buy a burger king franchise, you don’t need to have experience know making a burger Or a degree in teaching to open a kidZee center. Even if you have a degree or experience, either way, you will be hiring a team with the necessary skills and expertise.

“If you have experience in a specific area, that would be great. But not required”

While looking at the franchise option on your list, ask some questions like: “are you going to be equally passionate about the idea for the next 10 to 20 years?” “Are there opportunities for personal and professional growth?” “How does this help people’s lives at a large scale?”

By doing that, you will eliminate a few of the businesses option from your list and point you towards the industry that really interests you.

VINI RUKHANA A Rousing Entrepreneur Leading A WorldClass Digital Venture

Kajal Dobhal | Business Connect

“A woman who walks in purpose doesn’t have to chase people or opportunities. Her light causes people and opportunities to pursue her.” No doubt, women at present are giving a surprise to those societies who used to consider them fit for only house chores. There is not a single domain left where women haven’t exhibited their skills and potential. Female entrepreneurs are revamping the business realms with their innovative and exceptional point of view. And the team of Business Connect has been putting in their best efforts to identify these great leaders and to introduce them to the world. Here again, we welcome our global readership with this fascinating tale of a rousing entrepreneur who is influencing the entire feminism with her entrepreneur skills.

Our editorial team had an interesting and joyful session with Vini Rukhana, Director of one of the leading ventures in the digital realm-Divine Space Digital Technology. She shared some valuable nuggets and numerous interesting facts about her entrepreneurial journey with us that we are keen to spill in this particular read. Her inspirational journey and top-notch leadership qualities made us feature

her in our exclusive edition“Inspiring Women of 2022.” We truly hope and desire that this read will add some extra value in the lives of our global readership and will motivate the upcoming business enthusiasts out there.

Introducing us with her initial journey,

Vini affirms, “The desire to create something on my own and through my efforts acted as a driving force that instigated the need to become an entrepreneur in me. Coming from a business family, it is very easy to join the business of either my father or my husband. But I wanted to carve a niche for myself independently. I was determined to create a name for myself through my efforts. I never wanted to be an extension as is usually seen in the Indian scenario, where you are constantly compared in your looks, behavior, and achievements with your family.”

We asked her to explain to us her journey so far and she replied by saying, “Well I began my undergrad in Arts, then went overseas to complete my education in Psychology-and

returned to India to join Lowe Lintas, one of the biggest ad agencies in India to explore the creative side to me. My stint with Lowe Lintas made me sure that this is what I wanted to do, but in my way. Divine Space design was born out of this dream to carve a niche for me. Psychology taught me how to deal with people, colors, my agency experience taught me design, marketing, client servicing and I kept accumulating knowledge and then ventured to make it on my own.” The company was initially dealing only in the Real Estate realm but, in the year 2014, the team expanded their business into other realms, including Digital Technology, providing turnkey Digital Solutions to key clients and Designs, which included every kind of designing and Social Media Management.

AN INSPIRATIONAL “SHENTREPRENEUR”

Explaining her perception of women’s involvement in the entrepreneurial space she affirms, “Being inherent multitaskers, I think we can juggle our work quite efficiently. Playing multiple roles in our personal life of daughter, wife, mother, sibling, friend, automatically extends to the workspace. I lead an all-women team and keep

Vini Rukhana Director

encouraging them to grow in their jobs too. Today you see women entrepreneurs doing so well across the world in every possible industry and I am truly inspired by their story and believe, there is enough place for everyone to succeed. Also, the factor that most contributed to my success journey is a supportive husband for sure. He is always egging me on whenever I am unsure or concerned. Kudos to my in-laws and parents too. They always rise to the occasion when it comes to pitching in with their support whenever I need it. My parents raised an independent girl child and I think this goes a long way in making me what I am today. I was taught early on to share my opinions and to take responsibility for whatever I did, right or wrong and today I feel it is what empowers me most.”

Shining some light on her leadership style, she told us that she follows a friendly style to lead the organization. She always provides an immense creative space to her team that encourages them to discuss different ideas. Vini always tries to be there for her employees and never cut their wings and make them free to learn on the job.

WHY DIVINE SPACE DIGITAL & DIVINE SPACE DESIGN

To differentiate itself from other competitors in the market, Divine Space Digital Technology and Divine Space Design is putting its utmost effort into perfection and detailed research. The Director always makes sure to be available 24X7 for the employees throughout the organization and that’s an edge the company has over others.

Vini affirms, “I believe my ability to explore opportunities in our areas of work is an added advantage. We never say no to any opportunity. Instead, we have an interesting story to tell. During my Godhbharaie, I designed the first e-invite by the Agency, with the birth of my child, we created birth announcements and that gave birth to our kids-line of stationery and a wedding in the family made us create our own line of Wedding Collaterals.”

In addition, she says, “I have an open-door policy which extends to include an open mind too. My team is always free to discuss anything with me. We have ‘staircase breaks’, where we get out of our workspaces, hang around casually with our coffee mugs on our staircase, and ideate. It’s a good break for all of us.”

ACCOLADES SO FAR

The team of DSDT always strives for perfection. Of course, people have to face numerous challenges and criticism in the journey of success-but what differentiates

one from the rest is his or her determination and willpower. Talking about dealing with criticism, the leader states that she always tries to answer the criticism with a positive comeback. “Take it with a pinch of salt and move on,” she says. She further adds, “I am not the kind of person who would dwell on it for long,” which is the best thing to learn from her.

Now, talking about the recognitions and achievement of the company so far, she affirms, “We are working on two major projects namely Mumbai International Airport and GMR, Delhi, which have by far been major achievements for us. I believe working on expanding our product portfolio as also adding on to the jobs with our existing clients, and building

new clients is also an achievement. Our repeat customers are our greatest validations.”

PARTING WORDS

The company is relentlessly working towards creating new products in its portfolio and is preparing itself for expanding its roots in the entire digital world. Vini adds that there is still a long way they have planned to walk on. Hence, the team constantly bubbles with zeal and keeps refreshing their talented brains with some innovative and emerging ideas. Before signing off, the leader conveys a strong message to all the business enthusiasts out there by quoting the Late President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, “ Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”

Higher Education Being Pushed Towards A Hybrid Model Of Teaching & Learning

Covid-19 has driven higher education toward a hybrid paradigm of teaching and learning, the same way, just as it has revolutionized our working environment. According to the report by PwC India as well as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), both teachers and students have a strong preference for blended learning, which combines physical as well as virtual learning through classrooms and online platforms.

The analysis, which was titled “Re-Envisioning higher education through digital adoption”, is based on a research of management, staff, and students performed in the second half at over 50 central, state, and private higher education institutions to assess the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

It demonstrates that during the outbreak, online degrees and certification courses are gaining acceptance among these institutions. According to the survey, 89% of institutes have integrated technology solutions, however, 64% of management has had difficulty integrating digital technologies.

Institutes have been in difficulty as a result of the pandemic’s exceptional interruption of normal operations since its inception early last year. According to the survey, one out of every four institutes postponed regular fee collection to address the financial impact, and one out of every three institutes curtailed capital investment.

A 43 percent of higher education institutions undertake online admission tests, with 26% using digital promotion as an entrance method, indicating a substantial shift toward digitalization. Apart from the shortage of a one-stop digital solution for all tasks and the struggle for faculties to keep students involved and motivated, connectivity concerns — only 42% of urban households have an internet connection — are regarded as the main hindrance in the digital journey of the universities.

According to the report, 58 percent of students want to take certification classes, while 35 percent want to take degree courses. Sixty percent of students said they would consider pursuing a supplementary online degree from a different college in addition to their present one. Fifty-three percent of students are interested in taking an online course through a hybrid or university-owned platform.

As per the study, blended learning is the most successful for 46 percent of professors. While 62 percent of respondents said moving to an online model was difficult, 83 percent believe learners can quickly absorb topics online. Students have the majority of the prerequisites for online learning, and 96% are happy with the current online course delivery.

According to the study, the institutes’ management is actively seeking partnerships with edtech companies.

It also states that 82 percent of professors support the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which prioritizes tech-enabled learning, and that 58 percent of institute administrations are ready to execute policy reforms.

Technology adoption had been occurring previously, but the outbreak has hastened it, according to Ashok Varma, leader, social sector development, PwC.

“The hybrid model that has formed is intriguing. Because no

offline classes were held during the lockdowns, this is primarily the result. We didn’t foresee such a dramatic shift, but the preference for a hybrid, blended model is evident. Over 85 percent of management replies indicate a desire to pursue holistic IT solutions,” he says.

Over 47% of faculty respondents agree that online education is the way of the future. As a result of this shift, physical infrastructure and facilities can no longer be the primary criteria for students selecting a college.

“Softer attributes of an institute, such as placement history, diversity of course curricula, and competent and experienced professors, will be more appropriate now,” Varma adds.

MEGHANA PATIL

AN INNOVATION LEADER AND RELATION BUILDING SPECIALIST

Technology and leadership are the hottest trends in the business world and have a symbiotic relationship. While technology is sculpting a futuristic landscape, it’s also reshaping leadership and giving equal access to men and women. The logistics industry has seen increasing adoption of technology and female leadership. While it is primarily a male bastion, rising automation and innovations are welcoming female entrants. The pandemic has heightened its significance. The rise of e-commerce and new logistics start-ups has opened up a world of new opportunities for leaders to explore. One leader rising to the occasion is Meghana Patil, Vice-President, Analytics and Innovation, WebXpress. She is a young and dynamic leader with a track record of developing cutting-edge solutions to unique business challenges.

Our magazine recently had the pleasure of interviewing this leading lady. The following excerpt is a thorough synopsis of the subsequent discourse.

AN ASTUTE INDUSTRIAL PERSONA

Meghana started her career as a business analyst at WebXpress in 2012. In the years that followed, she honed her skills in customer relations and corporate operating models. Her hard work and dedication soon promoted her to lead product development. Following that, she joined Aurionpro and expanded her horizons in consulting and servicing the software needs of LSPs throughout Southeast Asia. After gaining substantial experience, she joined Mahindra Logistics as a strategic alliance and partner manager. She worked with several business partners and suppliers to improve operations through value-added services.

Meghana has held positions in product development, analytics, sales, operations, and procurement throughout her employment tenure. Her diversified background has enabled her to analyze opportunities and design solutions. Cutting it short, she focuses on enhancing the business size, customer base, and offerings. “When you seek solutions to business challenges, temporarily ignoring the static foundation and autopilot run routines, you truly start listening and leading situations,” asserts Meghana. Now leading WebXpress’ analytics and innovation team, Meghana sees herself as an entrepreneur, bringing new ideas to the table to build products, redesigning existing offerings, interacting with clients to understand their needs, and collaborating with partners to curate unique solutions. She emphasizes meeting the needs of stakeholders (vendors, business partners, and customers) to simplify growth for everyone involved.

WEBXPRESS – THE HOUSE OF TAILORED SOLUTIONS

WebXpress is a one-stop-shop for new-age logistics solutions for LSPs from various sectors. Founded by Mr. Apurva Mankad (CEO), under the banner of ECFY Consulting Pvt. Ltd., WebXpress provides cloud-based mobile solutions to 3PL/transporters for managing their transportation, fleet, warehousing, and e-com logistics delivery, regardless of their business volume. Its modules can be integrated into the procurement systems of manufacturers and retailers to plan routes for primary and secondary transportation. Its offerings include - Logicloud (Supply chain visibility), Velocity (Transport & Fleet management), Acres (Warehouse management), and Kart (E-com logistics management).

Besides these modules, the firm provides a control tower showing real-time data, alerts, analytics, advanced reports, and dashboards. WebXpress takes pride in being an Indian-made solution with international standards. In this way, it sets an example of the

Meghana Patil

Vice President - Analytics and Innovation

Indranil Roy | Business Connect

government’s ‘Made in India’ initiative for the global market, providing integrated products for managing contracts, bookings, deliveries, billing, and financing. WebXpress is headquartered in Mumbai with a development center in Surat and has regional teams in Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad.

WORKING ON A DYNAMIC MODEL

As a new-age firm, WebXpress is well aware of and aligned with the increasing technology adoption in logistics. With the radical shifts in business models and rising demands for transparency and online procurement, everyone is shifting to digital models. This forces businesses towards cloud platforms, IoT devices, AI & ML, and other augmenting tools. It enables them to use advanced analytics and data-centric tools for optimization and planning. The generated transactional data is shared with stakeholders, requiring scalable technologies to extract insights from the data clusters.

WebXpress places a major emphasis on R&D to stay on speed. They are committed to stakeholders’ success; hence, their product portfolio is constantly updated. Its team comprises techenthusiasts who focus on clients’ underlying challenges and work with advancements to craft qualified solutions. “We’re known for our strong analytics and foresight, which allows us to plan ahead of time to endure any disruption,” proudly asserts Meghana. Their software is customized to adhere to changes in policy, compliance, and the entry of new IoT devices. By doing so, they prevent starting from scratch and reduce the TAT of a solution’s deployment. Moreover, its flexible framework fosters the development of new features faster than any other vendor. WebXpress also works with industry experts and policymakers to assess forthcoming changes and disruptions.

MORE INSIGHTS ON MEGHANA’S LEADERSHIP

WebXpress is making new strides on the technology front, and a substantial credit goes to Meghana. She has matured as a conscientious leader, mastering many business facets over the last ten years, but the ride hasn’t been easy. She had her share of struggles that tested her might, but not because she was a woman. Her challenge was balancing personal and professional life and ensuring prosperity in both quarters. Fortunately, she has a supportive family, peers, as well as leaders who constantly guide and shape her into the leader she is for her team and the company. For more motivation and leadership values, she looks up to legends like the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mr. Ratan Tata, and the late Sushma Swaraj and their timeless leadership qualities. She also credits Mr. Apurva Mankad’s leadership, which helped her strengthen her forte.

Meghana strives to challenge people’s preconceptions of corporate insignificance as a leader by valuing women from all walks of life and providing them with the same opportunities

as men. While the gender disparity has narrowed, there is still a fundamental element that requires a creative solution. She intends to address them through compassionate leadership, innovative tactics, empowering the weaker sections, effective resource management, precision, creativity, foresight, and morality.

AN AUTONOMOUS WORK CULTURE

Driven by people-centric leaders, WebXpress has a flat hierarchy and a matrix-like ecosystem that gives employees a lot of freedom; and having a large team of 100-150 individuals, they emphasize engagement. The company frequently trains its recruits and employees to induce healthy product ideas among teams. However, instead of employees, the company calls them “WebXites.” They took their suggestions and ideas in stride while encouraging them to upgrade their skills and be flexible in switching to additional projects. This keeps the WebXites on a learning curve and enables them to work in cross-functional teams. “Whether a developer or product manager, every WebXite is constantly working on something new and challenging, from new processes to apps, to hardware integration, to even business intelligence,” explains Meghana.

The atmosphere ensures employees’ contentment, paving the way for innovation and sustainable growth. Each WebXite is clear of its roles and aware of the company’s vision and challenges, which keeps them dedicated even without supervision. The teams can address the top management of clients and make executive decisions. Putting it simply, they work like independent leaders, making decisions, sharing suggestions, and getting insights through problem-solving.

THE FRUITS OF LABOR

Meghana’s dedicated stewardship has rewarded WebXpress with diverse growth aspects. It’s at the forefront of the next generation of technology, from mobility to business intelligence, cloud to machine learning. Its client base has increased by 50% so far in this financial year. WebXpress caters to 100+ clients in India and overseas. It serves warehouse management giants like Jeena, Rhenus, and Global Trade; large e-commerce players like Snapdeal; fashion retailers like Madhura (Aditya Birla Fashion), Pantaloons, etc.

FEATS TO CONQUER

Regarding prospects, WebXpress is primarily focusing on bolstering its technological fortitude. Meghana highlights that they are on a rapid ascent and are seeing immense opportunities in IoT, analytics-as-a-service, cognitive solutions, etc. Also, they are revving up for the upcoming transformation in Indian e-commerce with the launch of ONDC. “By March 2023, we should reach 3x our turnover and expand our customer base,” forecasts Meghana.

The company will be the preferred logistics tech vendor with ready-to-implement IoT devices for diverse requirements, according to the Meghana’s foresight. Green gas emissions, primarily from freight, are also a focus for WebXpress. To address these, it will shortly develop ‘GreenExpress,’ which will redirect 3PLs and shippers to more efficient means.

TO ASPIRERS & LEADERS

Be curious and a perpetual learner. Not only will it build experience but also confidence to stand firm in any situation. For leaders, it’s important not to polarize power and be gender inclusive with opportunities.