The
+
Being Credible
Making a Difference in the World By Leading With Credibility
MOST
INNOVATIVE
Business Leaders t o Fo l l ow i n 2 0 2 1
Ahmed dETTA Ensuring Sustainability by Pioneering the Development of Recycling Methodologies
VOL 07 | ISSUE 13 | 2021
Editor’s Desk E Innovate to Elevate!
very leader starts their business journey with a plan and faces challenges in their professional journey. While leaders plan about their future, one thing they need to do is enjoy their journey of leadership because there are things that will always be left out, even after achieving everything. It is better to enjoy the little things that motivate and inspires the people around you and have a good memory of your professional journey. There is always a part of the leader who wants to innovate and bring a transformation wherever he/she works. Leaders are well aware that bringing transformation is a lengthy process, and what comes along with it is the patience to bring that change.
Every leader’s vision is to be successful, but they find it challenging to implement innovation. It is only with the right mindset they can create an impact in regard to innovation and transformation. There is a direct link between leadership and having the right ethics, providing high-quality innovation. Speaking more about innovative leadership, it is only possible with teamwork, collaboration, and open communication with the employees. Following culture of open-door management, the structure becomes beneficial for both the leader and the organization. Innovative leaders make their strong connection in the industry to expand and launch new techniques into their leadership. Innovative leadership is the backbone of the company, as there is the inclusion of an innovative environment throughout the business. Creating an innovative environment improves the quality of service, reduces operational time, and increases productivity for everyone. Such leaders continually challenge themselves in the competitive, volatile market. They always find a way to innovate for others, to do more, and to serve more.
Therefore, keeping the right mindset of gratitude, respect, and enjoying the phase of innovative leadership is the key to success. It is also about finding the right balance of work-life balance and rising as a humble and empathetic leader. This is a secret for the process of leadership – choosing and keeping the right approach towards the employee, technology, and his/her own entrepreneurial career. Competition out in the market is fierce, but leaders are ready to take on the world with the right approach. Impressed by their ways of innovating the business arena, Insights Success presents its upcoming edition of - The 10 Most Innovative Business Leaders to Follow in 2021. We have featured a variety of innovative leaders through this edition who ensure the overall growth and development of the people and the industries. Featuring as the cover story is Ahmed Detta. Ahmed is the CEO and Founder of Enviroo, a company that provides a solution to post-consumer plastic waste. He is a circular economy-focused entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional industry experience across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Read on to unveil many more stories of such innovative leaders who are playing an important role globally. Let’s Begin!
Sourabh More
sourabh@insightssuccess.com
COVER STORY
08
Ahmed Detta
Ensuring Sustainability by Pioneering the Development of Recycling Methodologies
ARTICLE
20 Being Credible Making a Difference in the World By Leading With Credibility
16
Betsy Wiersma
Empowering Women around the World with the Power of Love and Support
22
Leigh Rust
A Proud Advocate for AustralianMade Products
28
Manju Mastakar Facilitating Sustainable Capital Growth of Individuals as well as Businesses
36
Steven Hill
An Accomplished Executive Leader in the Telecommunications Industry
32 Leader’s Viewpoint The Changing Landscape of Work Place Remote Working should be Encouraged or Not?
C O N T E N T S
Editor-in-Chief Hitesh Dhamani Managing Editor Anish Miller
Executive Editor Sourabh More
Assistant Editors Jenny Fernandes
Visualizer
Art & Design Director
Associate Designer
Co-designer
David King
Asha Bange
Kartik Balapurkar
Shubham Dali
Senior Sales Manager
Business Development Manager
Kshitij S
Peter Collins
Marketing Manager
Sales Executives
John Matthew
David, Martin, Calvin
Technical Head
Business Development Executives
Jacob Smile
Steve, Joe, Akash
Technical Specialist Aditya
Digital Marketing Manager Marry D'Souza
SME-SMO Executive Amol Wadekar
Research Analyst Frank Adams
Database Management Stella Andrew
Circulation Manager Robert Brown
Technology Consultant David Stokes
sales@insightssuccess.com July, 2021
Follow us on :
www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/
www.twitter.com/insightssuccess
We are also available on : Copyright © 2021 Insights Success, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success.
Featured Person
Company Name
Brief
Ahmed Detta CEO
Enviroo enviroo.co.uk
Enviroo provides a solution to post consumer plastic waste.
Betsy Wiersma Creator
CampExperience™ Network campexperience.com
CampExperience™ Network is a one-of-a-kind annual retreat and ongoing gatherings designed exclusively for women who are ready for education and inspiration, and who want to connect to a network of amazing women.
Denny McKnight CEO
Tompkins Solutions tompkinsinc.com
Tompkins Solutions is a global supply chain services firm dedicated to helping clients achieve supply chain excellence and profitable growth.
Leigh Rust Founder
Safetyline Jalousie safetyline jalousie.com.au
Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows are the most versatile, highest performing and best value for money single glazed louvre windows on the market.
Manju Mastakar Director
Armstrong armstrong-cap.com
Armstrong understand that managing investments need extensive research, regular monitoring, dedicated team and periodic reviews of investments.
Matthew Palis CEO
infront-webworks infront.com
Infront Webworks is an award-winning Digital Agency that’s been improving client growth while reducing costs and maximizing ROI for over 20 years.
Reinier Beltman CEO
Ampleon ampleon.com
Ampleon is shaped by 50 years of RF Power leadership and is set to exploit the full potential of data and energy transfer in RF.
Sam Visaisouk CEO
Tyromer tyromer.com
Tyromer Inc. commercializes a rubber devulcanization technology invented by Professor Costas Tzoganakis of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Steven Hill MD
Light Source lightsourceuk.net
Light Source specialises in the delivery of robust, cost effective design and build solutions in the Telecommunications industry.
Uri Bettesh CEO
Datos datos-health.com
Datos Health is a fully automated Remote Patient Monitoring platform designed to directly connect patients with medical sources of care from the comfort of their own homes, for improved quality of life.
COVER STORYtory
Ahmed De a CEO and Founder
Enviroo
Ahmed
Detta ‘‘
Ensuring Sustainability by Pioneering the Development of Recycling Methodologies
Enviroo’s vision is to provide recycling solutions for PET plastic waste across the United Kingdom by creating vitreous recycling protocols that encourage commitment from all stakeholders.
‘‘
and sustainability. Ahmed is the CEO and Founder of Enviroo, a company that provides a solution to post consumer plastic waste. He is a circular economy focused entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional industry experience across UK, Europe and the Middle East. Being Environmental Activist Ahmed’s industry specialism spans across the Sustainability and Technology arenas with a deep-rooted focus on plastics recycling. He has previously supported international campaigns including United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (UNCDP) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to help raise awareness of our damaged environment. Ahmed is pioneering the development of recycling methodologies and best practice in the United Kingdom. He has helped established two international recycling plants focusing on consumer electronics, corporate information technology equipment, plastic waste and print cartridge materials. Prior to setting up Enviroo, he concluded a significant amount of plastic waste and materials trade deals across the GCC and Europe. Creating a Sustainable and Circular Economy Using PET
D
evelopment is great but it should be in harmony with the well-being of the environment. Use of renewable energy resources is an important factor in ensuring environmental sustainability. Sustainable development is one of the most important goals of the United Nations Organization. Businesses that use renewable energy resources today play an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability. It is important for organizations to invest in sustainable and renewable energy resources as they provide long term viable solutions and are important in ensuring contribution to sustainable development goals. Responsible consumption and responsible production is also a very important part of the sustainable development. The leaders that are the promoters of environmental sustainability through a variety of innovative ways are very passionate in ensuring the protection of the environment as well as its development. Ahmed Detta is one such innovative business leader who is cognizant of ensuring environmental sustainability and balancing development
Enviroo recycles 100% of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic waste and creates ‘food-grade’ polymers that are used to recreate food packaging and plastic bottles. PET
‘‘
Enviroo is committed to recycling plastic to a regulatory standard that encompasses every strand of the circular economy recycling model.
with technological innovation to create a better environment — both for today and for future generations. Being Resilient in Navigating Through Life Living abroad has made a huge difference to Ahmed’s life as he has had to make serious life decisions without the support of his inner circle of friends and family. He states that by not having them close by to have a chat about something important really helped develop an independent mindset. Living abroad has also made him more resilient as the transiency of expat communities can create a lot of loneliness as people move onto their next location. He expresses that you become very close to people very quickly as you are all away from your support bubble and then that person relocates and creates a massive void. Through this, you become more resilient as you adapt to the cycle of expat life.
‘‘
Ahmed mentions that he has come across some fascinating characters in business and they taught him to really introspect. He dealt with people from all facets of society and realized that not everyone has your best interests at heart. He says that learning that some people have a hidden agenda and not knowing what that is can be detrimental to one’s success if it is not aligned. Besides this learning, books have been really instrumental for Ahmed, as they helped him navigate through life. plastic is not going to instantly disappear and remains embedded in everyone’s lives. Not only does it take up to 400 years to disintegrate but is also the primary material used in packaging for food and beverage and will remain for many years to come. PET can be infinitely recycled and the technology Enviroo uses can recycle 100% of this material. Enviroo has created a closed loop recycling method incorporating long term viability as it ensures transparency, circularity, and sustainability. Changing Behavioral Habits of Plastic Users Enviroo’s mission is to change behavioral habits of plastic users to ensure plastic does not enter oceans and landfill. It advocates responsible recycling that creates unity amongst all circular economy stakeholders, thus ensuring 100% of PET plastic waste is recycled. Enviroo’s vision is to provide recycling solutions for PET plastic waste across the United Kingdom by creating vitreous recycling protocols that encourage commitment from all stakeholders. The company merges social impact
Currently, he is reading ‘what happened to you’ by Oprah Winfrey which is about dealing with trauma, resiliency, and healing all of which affect and creates new entrepreneurs. Driving the Growth of the Company Like every leader, Ahmed also had to face lot of challenges. He mentions that building a management team of trusted
individuals was quite challenging. Moreover, lack of legislation to support organization’s products was another challenge he overcame to establish the organization. Besides, Ahmed has also witnessed the bureaucracy and lack of transparency in the industry sector. The company had faced high barriers to entry. Currently, Ahmed is driving the growth of the Enviroo by raising investment for the company’s projects. He is keeping the industry abreast of changes and direction. Investing in Long term Viable Solutions Ahmed states that Covid-19 has had minimal impact on the industry compared to other industries. Despite lockdowns, consumers’ consumptions have remained consistently high especially, as Enviroo is operating in an industry that deal with food and beverage waste. In the opinion of Ahmed, Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of investing in sustainable and renewable investments as they provide long term viable solutions. Investors have become more attune to the renewables and environment industry as it does not present the volatility of the stock market or hospitality and airline industries.
Creating Empathetic, Smart Working and World Class Team Ahmed states that it is absolutely important to have a positive work culture. He says that everyone faces challenges in their personal lives so the professional environment people work in should foster growth and allow them to be in a harmonious environment. He mentions that transparent communication between all parties within a team or group lead to positive work environment. Transparency engineers empathy and empathy builds a foundation for positivity and trust. At Enviroo, Ahmed has created an open work culture where his team can contact him whenever they wish. Ahmed is focused and motivated to creating a world class team. He allows his team to work on their mental health and are welcome to use a mentor to help them through any challenges. He is a huge advocate of fitness and mental health and thus, encourages his team to go do a yoga a class or spin cycling class and do some meditation. Ahmed does not inflict strict working hours, as work smart is his motto. Promoting a Cause of Recycling Materials with Ease Enviroo is currently developing a program to help the problem of rough sleepers in the country. The company is undertaking a vast amount of research and partnering with leading academic institutes to really figure out how it can motivate consumers to donate towards charitable causes through recycling their plastic waste. In order for this program to be successful, it would need a real change in how plastics are collected in the industry. Ahmed states that the UK really needs to advance its commitment to a deposit return scheme whereby people can recycle their materials with ease. He mentions that the industry is still massively guilty for exporting its waste to other parts of the world and this needs to change.
Currently, all the efforts of Ahmed are in the direction to take Enviroo from being a PET plastics recycling plant to becoming the powerhouse plastics recycler in the UK for all plastics. Seeing the Bigger Picture In his advice to emerging entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into plastic industry Ahmed says to really understand the stakeholders they are dealing with and the key motivators behind why they are involved in the recycling industry. He suggests them to always plan for constant change – products and packaging will always change so they need to be flexible and adaptable. He advises them to have a 10year outlook and look back at the past 20 years to understand how things have changed.
& & 20 The
Most
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESSWOMEN to Watch, 2020
kimberly Khoury
Paving her Way in Sustainability Development
Betsy Wiersma Creator
CampExperience™ Network
Betsy Wiersma Empowering Women around the World with the Power of Love and Support
16 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
The 10 Most Innova ve Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
Betsy is the Creator of CampExperience™ Network which is a one-of-a-kind annual retreat and ongoing gatherings designed entirely for women who are ready for education and inspiration, and who want to connect to a network of amazing women. She started The CampExperience™ Network in 2005 to fulfill her dream to be a "work-at-home" mom and to enjoy everyday activities with her adopted daughter. Betsy's philosophy is return on ideas. Through CampExperience™ Network, she is crafting meaningful activities for women to be inspired, to live on purpose, and to make their unique contribution to the world while having fun. Love as a Business Tool: The CampExperience™ Network In 2020, when the world was told to stay in their homes and all the news was gloom, Betsy went on Facebook live every day from March to August with one hopeful phrase “Love is the anti-virus!” After that opening statement, she proceeded to tell a quirky story about inclusion, hope, perseverance, joy, dreams and the power of possible. The daily conversation was not only for her CampExperience™ Network of 5000+ women on purpose for good, but she was talking to herself as a unique and passionate leader. She was sharing the secret sauce for the success of her brand for both business and life and that is LOVE. In 2005, Betsy gathered 15 friends and they started imagining “What would a weekend look like if we focused on uplifting and inspiring all kinds of women? Could we be like “summer Camp” and get away from our busy lives? Can we learn and grow and share and craft together? And can we use the shared vision of Women Helping Women to
www.insightssuccess.com
‘‘
‘‘
S
elf-upbringing and learning are the processes that have no end. The journey becomes more joyful when you can enjoy company and friendship of mind full people who can help you to improve in your life and lead you to achieve personal and professional goals. Betsy Wiersma is one such inspiring person who is a serial entrepreneur, international speaker, event organizer, and podcast host and in 2019, she also became a TEDx speaker.
Love wins even in a pandemic
build friendships and collaboration?” The answer was ‘YES’ and they launched the CampExperience™ Network. Today, the team is monthly networking and having connection events and four signature social events including the Fall Retreat. Global Summits and Expanded Podcasting In 2019, Betsy saw an opportunity to share magic of CampExperience™ Network in Colorado with the world and decided to launch two global projects: The Global Sisterhood Podcast network featuring 150 Sister Stories of women from the US and around the world. Then it expanded their online content and outreach and called it the Global Sisterhood Network. Global highlights were interviewing the mayor of Akureyri, Iceland, and seven of her town’s women leaders on a visit with five Americans from the CampExperience™ Network “Sisterhood.” CampExperience™ Network also hosted Powerful Purpose Vision Board workshops in Norway and interviewed leaders. In another adventure, Betsy traveled to Sydney Harbor in Australia to climb the bridge, raise $3500 for a charity and interviewed more local women leaders. Global outreach is back on track for 2021 and 2022 with Art & Insight workshops. Innovative Approach During Pandemic The 2020 pandemic had many blessings. As per Betsy CampExperience™ Network technology was the lifeline for the team. “We literally “met” online more than we had done in person,” says Betsy. During the pandemic course,
July 2021
| 17
CampExperience™ Network has raised over $1 million cash and in-kind support for charities in Colorado and around the world. A Guide to Manifest Ideas- Process on Purpose On advising emerging entrepreneurs, she advises entrepreneurs to use her process on purpose. This is the secret sauce she uses to manifest every idea. She further adds, it is a six-part process that she teaches in her course ‘Move Ideas Into Action’. In this course she asks people “not to think” just stop, breath and dream. Betsy shares, “We start with vision and intention, then add your positive beliefs, and then choose the ideas that deliver what you want. The other steps are to create Vision Boards, Vision Boxes and then journal every idea to practice “what it looks like when it works.” Then you speak it into the world and create support in your community. This process works every time and is fun to implement.” Let’s Do Good and Have Fun Together
the team very quickly was reaching the wider group in Zoom meetings. Next every Saturday it had a new event “Artsy Afternoons” where they gathered online to “be together and art.” Some did stitching; some knitted, sewed or painted. Some just came to chat and feel “normal.” Betsy made mixed-media art and had a BIG IDEA. To add to her 100 pieces of new “COVID” art, she asked 62 of her most interesting friends to write a 1000 essay to uplift and inspire women in the world. In October 2020, CampExperience™ Network published its 200+ page, full-color art and insights book called The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women. Blessings come in strange pandemic packages.
The CampExperience™ Network will continue to serve BIG as it is expanding its community and adding more education and inspiration and going back to global travel adventures. The MOVE Ideas Into Action course, which benefits a global charity Threads Worldwide, will add retreats and more programs to encourage use of Betsy’s Process on Purpose and to encourage the world to dream. Betsy says “we will continue to attract like-hearted women to Do Good & Have Fun with us!”
Putting Efforts, Doing Good “Love wins even in a pandemic,” says Betsy. In September 2020, CampExperience™ Network’s team put on their masks, covered the tables with plastic, purchased hand sanitizer and darling extra masks for everyone then hosted the CampExperience™ Network Fall Retreat. 108 women enjoyed two days of education, inspiration and connection and raised $30,000 for CampExperience™ Network ‘s Charity Partners. In Betsy’s 16 years leading the
18 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
Making a
DIFFERENCE
in the WORLD by LEADING With
CREDIBILITY
20 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
Being Credible
C
redibility is an essential leadership competency. To lead any business effectively, leaders need to demonstrate credibility. This credibility is built by delivering meaningful results. Leadership means uniting people together to accomplish certain goals. Business leaders play a significant role in the organizations' success as they come up with strategies to achieve organizational goals. They seize the opportunities and make them count on their leadership. Credibility is a combination of High Competence and Strong Character. Leaders, who can exemplify high competence and strong character, can generate credibility, which helps them lead with more authority. Credible leaders are resolute in their purpose. They don’t give into the vibrations or opinions of others. They have their own opinions. They listen to their conscience and intuition. They dare to follow their conscience and intuition above all. Credible leaders act with rational intelligence. They have logical, analytical, and rational thought processes. They don’t take whimsical decisions. They act on the cognitive intensive, conscious, and logical conclusions. They analyze every decision from all points of view and the impact it can create on the market. They can create great output because of their high-value decisions based on rational and logical thought processes. Technology is the greatest boon in the 21st century. With the application and implementation of technology in businesses, leaders hold the potential to make a big difference in the industry. Credible leaders are very much well aware of this potential of technology. They keep themselves well-updated with the latest innovations in technology. They like to implement the latest technologies in their businesses so as to benefit their clients by increasing the quality of their solutions. Because of their unique thought process, they can create something inventive. They utilize technology to make things better. Credible leaders are very much aware that without the substantial people in their organizations, they cannot create a tremendous impact in the industry. Therefore they prioritize having resourceful people in their organizations. They create a strong team which helps them to achieve more. They delegate their tasks and utilize their time and energy to strategize, plan, and take high-value decisions. They build great teams.
www.insightssuccess.com
Trustworthy leaders strengthen their teams with adequate professional training and developing their capabilities. They create resourceful people in their organizations and a culture of cooperation in the team members. The credible leaders very well understand that great results come from the excellent capabilities of the people in the organizations. Therefore, they nurture the capabilities of the people in their organizations and those same people can deliver more significant results with enhanced capabilities that come from training and practicing. Credible leaders create credible leaders. A leader is not the one who merely leads and asks everyone else to follow him. A real leader creates another good leader. That’s the hallmark of true leadership. Good fruits come from a good tree. Another set of credible leaders is the testimony of the impact of the credible leaders. Credible leaders promote the qualities of high competence and strong character in the people in their organizations. Therefore, they are able to generate another set of credible leaders. Through the combination of traits of high competence and strong character, anyone will be a credible leader. The essence of any leadership is the quality of service and the positive impact that it creates on others. Leadership is not a post to enjoy but the opportunity to serve the maximum section of society by delivering quality business solutions. Credible leaders are part of the solutions. They like to be part of the solutions to the problems in the world. The more complex the problem is, the more significant is the opportunity to demonstrate one’s leadership acumen. Any business means creating solutions to the problems in the world. Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in the world by solving the problems in the world. Entrepreneurs are the important change agents in society as they come up with innovative methods to be part of the solutions to the existing challenges in the world at large. The greatness of a leader is judged by his or her ability to make a difference in the world by being an instrument of positive change. The leaders' credibility helps them create the credible teams to deliver worthy, relevant and quality solutions through their businesses. Thus, in turn, they are able to deliver efficiency and results to the clients.
July 2021
| 21
The 10 Most Innovative Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
Leigh Rust
Co-Founder & Director Safetyline Jalousie
22 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
Leigh Rust A Proud Advocate for Australian-Made Products
one are the days when overseas businesses were leading the manufacturing and product industry and regarded as the mark of excellence.
G
Coming from a background of family business, we were able to see firsthand what was involved in running and scaling a successful company.
With a focus on innovation, attracting investments and adding new talent, small and medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing industry, which act as the backbone of our economy, are helping to transform cities into manufacturing powerhouses. Still, there is need to support these local businesses so they can continue to prosper for the long-term, create jobs and bolster local economies.
After 10 years working up the ranks at our father's manufacturing business Vergola, we knew that it was time to create something of our own. Now in its 11th year, we've learned a lot running Safetyline Jalousie. We're proud of everything we've created and are excited about the future ahead. Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in the material and product niche through your expertise in the market?
“A legacy of great building initiatives should start with the intention of sourcing locally made products to stimulate our economy before sending funds offshore,” asserts Leigh Rust, the Co-Founder and Director of Safetyline Jalousie Louvre Windows and a passionate advocate for Australian-made goods. Leigh is the driving force behind Safetyline Jalousie's mission to provide quality air solutions with ongoing energy efficiency for built environments.
Safetyline Jalousie has made a great impact with regards to creating high-performance, sustainable products for the built environment. Our products also improve indoor air quality with many studies showing there is a direct link between air quality and our health and learning for example.
In an interview with Insights Success, Leigh shares his journey from working in his father’s business to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
As the only louvre window company that is Australian-made and owned, we're proud to bring a high-quality, locally-made product to the market.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
What are/were the challenges you and your team have faced in your day-to-day operations?
Brief our audience about your entrepreneurial journey until your current position at Safetyline Jalousie. What challenges did you have to face to reach where you are today? My entrepreneurial journey started when my brother and I decided to break away from our father’s family business to launch Safetyline Jalousie in 2010. However, the decade before this provided us with the skills and experience we needed to reach that point. www.insightssuccess.com
One struggle we can face in our operations, given that we have staff working in offices across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Malaysia, is making sure we maintain a strong team dynamic despite the lack of face-to-face communication. We meet regularly for video calls and have consistent internal communications to keep everyone on the same page.
July 2021
| 23
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you? Taking into consideration, the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, how are you driving Safetyline Jalousie to sustain operations and ensuring safety of your employees at the same time? My family has been a big source of inspiration for me in my life. Growing up, with my father and uncle both in business themselves, I was able to learn a lot about entrepreneurship and what was involved in running a successful business. Now that I have a family of my own, including a wife and three young kids, I find that they are the people who inspire me to keep pushing and reach new heights with the business. As someone who is committed to personal development and learning, I love to read. Particular books that have impacted me in life include The Monk who Sold His Ferrari, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and The Daily Stoic. Off the back of the pandemic, we've witnessed an uptick in demand for local manufacturing and in response to the growing demand for our products, earlier this year we purchased and moved into a 2,000 sqm facility to accommodate our growth. Additionally, we have developed new products and are putting plans in place to export to additional markets overseas. The pandemic also highlighted the importance of regularly checking in on members of your team who work remotely. Maintaining that personal contact ensures you can continue to operate smoothly and efficiently.
24 | July 2021
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization. Teamwork, collaboration and open communication are at the heart of our operations. Our team is like a family to us and we have some staff that have been with us for 10+ years which speaks to the great culture we've created at Safetyline Jalousie. I like to encourage my team to think for themselves and make their own decisions as I think this is beneficial to their development, both professionally speaking and within the company. We certainly have a very open-door management structure and my team know they can come to me at any time with any questions they have. My advice to budding young entrepreneurs is to never underestimate the value of hard work. Find what your niche is, and make connections. Learn from others in the industry and always be persistent and resilient. Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run and what are your future goals for Safetyline Jalousie? My goal for Safetyline Jalousie is to continue to scale the company, launch new products, and expand into additional markets overseas. I'm proud to have built the company to the point where I am confident in my team, that I know the company will continue to run smoothly if I step away to be with my family - which is very important to me and something I'd love the chance to do more of in the future.
www.insightssuccess.com
“
Don't just meet expectations; exceed them!
“
www.insightssuccess.com
July 2021
| 25
Manju Mastakar Founder and Managing Director
Armstrong Capital & Financial Services Pvt. Ltd.
Manju Mastakar Facilitating Sustainable Capital Growth of Individuals as well as Businesses
28 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
The 10 Most Innova ve Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
Providing Clients End to End Financial Planning Armstrong is a Financial Planning and a Wealth Management company. Every relationship in Armstrong starts with a Financial Plan. Before it advises, it tries and understands all the financial commitments the client has in near and far future. Then all the investments that client has done, it buckets that into respective goals. Later, it shows them a complete picture as how the financials will look 10 years from now and what would the Annuity be by the time they retire. This complete end to end financial planning is what they do at Armstrong. Working on an Innovative Idea Manju got her seed capital very easily, but she had to struggle while raising the growth capital. For any entrepreneur to get funding they need 3 things, Idea (need), Execution, and Market. They may not have all 3 things at the beginning but even if they can have 2, they will have a fair chance of finding the right kind of Investor. Manju had execution skills, she was doing what she had been doing for last 10 years and there was a huge market for it. Anyone who was earning could be their potential client. The idea/ innovation/ differentiation is what Manju worked on over a period of time to get it right. She says that the best way to fund one's business is profits.
www.insightssuccess.com
Fighting and Overcoming Challenges Manju states that the most important differentiator as an entrepreneur is that they don't have a concept of “Resignation”. When one is in a job and when things start getting really tough and when a person can't handle, they have an option to resign and come on the side, but as an entrepreneur one doesn't have this option. They have to face it, fight it and overcome it. Manju further opines that the first 3 years are very crucial for any startup, as the burn rate would be creeping up and the revenue doesn't keep pace as what one would have projected in the excel sheet. Even for Armstrong there were three times that they ran out of cash, and they could have closed down. Each time there was a different strategy that Manju adopted to pull out. Some of the strategies were to sell competing products because, it will fetch revenue, which was the need of the hour. Manju had an entrepreneur friend with whom she would share the office space and admin resources so that the Fixed cost in the business would come down. She would hire part time interns for 4-6 months so that the less productive job was done at a minimal cost. She would use freelancers / Gigs for the advertising and marketing campaigns.
‘‘
Armstrong provides a comprehensive Investment solution to Individuals and Corporates. Its primary focus is on capital preservation while still aiming to provide our clients with a reasonable rate of return in order to grow capital over the longterm.
‘‘
E
vidently, innovation is the key to success in any business. The innovative ideas are like seeds of success, which need to be implemented successfully and having a strategic plan is essential to implement those ideas successfully. Innovative leaders are built upon the seeds of those innovative ideas by implementing them to contribute to a meaningful purpose. They like to pursue challenging tasks, and they grab the opportunities diligently and make them count. Manju Mastakar is one such innovative leader, who believes that innovation means improvement. Having worked with highly reputed international and Indian firms with the likes of HSBC, MF Global and Motilal Oswal, has given her the confidence to venture out on her own to establish Armstrong Capital. She is the Founder and Managing Director at Armstrong Capital & Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. Manju's ability to lead a small yet highly effective advisory team with the highest efficiency has made Armstrong grow into a significant player in the market in a very short time. Armstrong looks forward each day to innovate in the three areas of innovation namely, product innovation, sales innovation and process innovation.
July 2021
| 29
Armstrong business had a wafer-thin margin, and the payouts would grow as the clients' portfolio would grow. Thus, the firm was very canny about every penny spent, after all it was team of Financial Advisors who know this better. Investing Into Business Process to Increase Efficiency Investing and ploughing back profits into business is very necessary but at which stage of business where to invest is the puzzle. Just to throw some light with Manju's experience she divides the Business Journey into 3 stages – First 2 years – Invest into developing the product/ the main offering to the customer. If possible, give it free or at the least cost to the initial customers who will use it and tell you where to improve on. Have limited resources and a very basic office space. Next 3 years – Invest into marketing & sales recruit people who can pitch for you and take your product to the customer. Take care of existing clients because they are feeding you. Next Exponential Growth – At this stage, a business will have good cashflows and it will be growing at a 50-80% growth rate. Now invest into a good office space because you need more people. Invest into business process and automation to increase the efficiency. Looking for Values and Passion in Candidates Armstrong has a very different way of hiring. It does not look at CV, instead it gives out a form and the candidates has to write about their childhood, what they have learned from their parents; what books inspires them; what social causes did they support; and few more questions. This gives Armstrong a good understanding about the person and their approach towards life. Armstrong generally intakes freshers and Manju looks for values, passion for following the markets and storytelling ability.
Armstrong Strong Values...
30 | July 2021
Integrity is something which cannot be judged at the interview level and integrity cannot be bought by paying higher salary. Manju believes that integrity can be developed by giving employee chance to put their ideas to practice and take up the ownership of making it work.
www.insightssuccess.com
Nicole Mar n Nicole Mar n Founder Founder HRBoost HRBoost
32 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
Leader’s Viewpoint
The Changing Landscape of
Work Place
Remote Working should be Encouraged or Not?
T
he evidence in other areas I witness leads me to believe that what I once thought about freelancers has been firmly set into motion. Freelancers were to comprise about 50% of the available talent pool by 2027. Yet, as of 2021, 48% of the US based talent pool is virtual and for those that have now experienced and lived more productively working remote, ordering remote, picking up curbside everywhere, it seems prudent to say that the talent will seek their employers to sustain the “good part of remote work” whatever that may be at your business. In fact, as companies consider their return to work strategies it is important to emphasize that employers should make decisions about the future only after they have derived their employee inputs. To return to work without employee input in some form or fashion, will lead to talent making shifts that may not be favorable to the business world. Many could jump to the freelance market independent of any employer. The reality is while talent seeks flexibility, they also require increased earnings opportunities. According to Maven, a working mother needs an average of twenty (20) additional unpaid days beyond standard PTO (Paid Time Off) programs. Yet, a recent Deloitte survey conducted on over 1000 full time professionals found burnout has no borders. The survey results show that 77 percent of respondents say they have experienced employee burnout at their current job, with more than half citing more than one occurrence of this. The survey also uncovered that employers may be missing the mark when it comes to developing well-being programs that their employees find valuable to address stress in the workplace. Even before the pandemic, the freelance employment sector was the fastest growing employment sector. It represents 35% of the global workforce which translates to approximately 1.1 billion freelancers currently around the world. In 2019, before the pandemic, 57 million people
www.insightssuccess.com
worked from home in the US. Even then, 75% say they “wouldn’t trade their freelancing career for other types of work.” Key factors in leaving the role of employee to date include: the need for flexibility (68%), and I argue the second factor for career driven professionals is the opportunity for advancement to increase personal income while exercising freedom. This is supported by the fact that 55% of the freelance market comprises of people who are still working full time. That’s right, your employee is busy on the side investing their discretionary effort into their dream, not yours. The three largest freelance platforms are Upwork.com, Freelancer.com and Fiverr.com. The fact that 65% of this segment of freelancers is still working full time while freelancing on the side tells me that there are many more who will more aggressively shift their work to match their life as they gain confidence earning money and seeing past the risks. If employers do not tap into their talent’s hearts and minds there is nothing to keep them in their current jobs. The truth is clear as that same Deloitte survey found 84% of those experiencing burnout have no passion for their job. It would seem businesses need to prioritize their strategic culture plans. Otherwise, their strategic and operational plans could find real challenges. Outsourcing has been a trend since the 1990’s when US based companies’ sourced foreign workers instead of Americans. Many of those early shifts were seen in the manufacturing sectors while call centers and service-based roles were staffed in other countries. Today, outsourcing is even more present but in a more localized context. Outsourcing fuels the freelance market as startups and emerging markets compete. There are four industries commonly found to be outsourced (i.e., technology, call centers, human resources, and manufacturing). However, a small enterprise like my own secures outsourced financial expertise, graphic design, lead generation, PR, virtual July 2021
| 33
assistance, legal assistance, and the list goes on and on. The time is now to incorporate not just intrapreneur strategies in your business but also augmented talent attraction strategies for freelance and/or skilled resources. With culture being the new organizational structure, the benefit of access to freelance expertise in various areas of business will be not just desirable but necessary. This can be beneficial for businesses too. Businesses that are good at building a framework to uphold the culture as a common language and experience for all their resources working in synergy with clear focus to a shared goal, well then, business can acquire what is need at a fraction of the cost. This can help fuel a growing business and when done right, it can improve efficiency and contribute to the economy. None of us can foretell the future. I am confident however that the talent won years ago. Despite the current unemployment rates you hear about, the skilled talent is at work and resources are skim in several industry verticals.
34 | July 2021
Get ready to witness people making life changing decisions. People who are purpose driven to claim their joy through flexible work that fuels their intellectual passions is now at the forefront. The new evolution will be seeing this take place from the former bread winners in families who no longer fear the risk in the face of uncertainty, knowing nothing is more important than their well-being and the well-being of their families. The hospitality industry is already painting the future with staycation retreats because working from home can be great especially when it is not mandated. The talent of the future will seek to work from anywhere and on their terms. I feel this is all evidence enough to put every business owner on notice. If you did not know it when I wrote, The Talent Emergency in 2015, then heed my notice to you now. The talent still has the upper hand and women remain an opportunity! Now, I would like to pose to you… is the talent landscape a threat or an opportunity?
www.insightssuccess.com
Steven Hill Managing Director
Light Source
36 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
The 10 Most Innova ve Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
Steven Hill An Accomplished Executive Leader in the Telecommunications Industry
ccountability increases productivity, as it helps leaders deliver results without being complacent. It helps them keep track of their short-term and longterm goals and thus, accountable leaders are then able to lead the business effectively. They lead with responsibility and leave a legacy that is worth following. This quality of accountability helps them to be innovative and allows their team to deliver pioneering solutions in their business. Steven Hill is one such business leader and he is the Managing Director of Light Source.
A
Ensuring Inclusion, Diversity and Collaboration
Steven formed Light Source in November 2000 as a telecommunications design business, however since 2010, the company has been delivering a full turnkey service to its clients; design, build and commissioning major telecommunication networks. He is personally accountable for the overall direction and strategic development of the organisation and is working closely with board of Directors and Senior Stake Holders to build and develop the national capability of the business in the telecommunications sector.
From Steven’s point of view, every member of its staff and supply chain are part of the Light Source community, and without them, the company has very little to offer. A huge initiative for him personally is ‘inclusion and diversity’ and he is accountable to ensure there is no racial or gender bias and guarantee an inclusive atmosphere throughout the business.
Growing Even Amidst Challenges
Taking advantage of technical development is key to manage the growth of Light Source and its external operational teams. Light Source are an almost paper free business and the majority of its work is issued through digital platforms. It has developed its own ‘works operating platform’, which is also in APP format. This portal manages workflow, governs HSQE inspections/ audits, and updates clients network records.
The pandemic has given Light Source major operational challenges; however, they had a ‘Business Contingency Plan’ for a pandemic, and this helped the company transition into their ‘new’ way of working. The majority of their desk-based staff are working from home, however, Light Source engineers continue to operate on the front line as key workers. Steven is sincerely grateful and proud of the attitude of their engineers and that of its supply chain. Devoid of focusing on the negative impact of Covid 19, it is worth mentioning that Light Source is seeing circa 70% revenue growth on the same period last year.
www.insightssuccess.com
A positive work culture runs through the backbone of Light Source’s business. The company has a number of initiatives to ensure there is constant collaboration with ‘The Light Source Family’; from quarterly regional director roadshows, to ‘You Said, We Did’ initiatives to ensure their staff has a voice at all levels. Steven’s key objective is to safeguard a positive Health and Safety culture, underpinned with governance, integrity and trust.
IT Advancements
Light Source’s operational innovation has seen its teams using drones to fly cable across rivers, and they are developing a pneumatic rocket launcher that will ‘fire’ cable over 150 meters over terrain that is difficult to access.
July 2021
| 37
Striving for Excellence
‘‘
Light Source deliver innovation and environmental diversity whilst seeking to maintain our legacy of building networks that are at the forefront of future technology.
Steven’s management skills are driven by his objective to create a working environment that improves quality of service, reduces any operational stresses, and has increased productivity for his partners. He is continually challenging his teams to differentiate their deployment in a competitive market. He tasks his leaders to find ways to do more for their clients than others and employees are encouraged to do more, give more, be more and serve more. Striving for excellence has become habitual for Steven and his business. “I take our competition very seriously, but not ourselves,” he says. This has given his employees a fluid mentality to not only develop their talent, but also increase their inquisitive nature to explore new concepts and ways of working. It is due to his novel approach of leading, he was nominated as the EY Entrepreneur of The Year Finalist, 2020. Giving Back to Society ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’, at Light Source is referred to ‘Social Responsibility’.
‘‘
Light Source has a huge responsibility to contribute to the communities that they operate in, and the company does
38 | July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com
this through society initiatives, financial contribution to key charities, and working closely with job creating enterprises. During the height of the pandemic, Light Source delivered welfare packages to local NHS hospitals, and number of its commercial vehicles were utilized by the NHS for transporting PPE. Maintaining a Legacy of Building Robust Networks Light Source sustain its competency by continuing to understand that the client is the parent in all of their engagements, and Light Sources’ key objective is to serve. Its culture is honest, genuine, and sincere, and this runs right through the mainstay of the business. Steven personally gets very close to his partners, and they have found themselves go through births, deaths, and marriages, which ultimately forms a huge bond. Light Source’s key focus for the coming year is to improve its customer concentration. Since January 2021, the company has mobilised three new clients, which in addition is broadening their UK footprint. Light Source envisages, at minimum, an additional 2 new major clients in this calendar year, 2021. Light Source’s success will continue if its community safeguards their positive health and safety culture, and underpin this with increased governance, integrity and trust. Steven mentions that the company needs to continue to deliver innovation and environmental diversity whilst seeking to maintain its legacy of building networks that are at the forefront of future technology. In 3 to 5 years’ time, Steven would like to see further diversity in what Light Source delivers. This may see the company enter the multi utility sector or have a greater involvement in the mobile sector. Enlightening Emerging Entrepreneurs Steven advises budding entrepreneurs to have patience with their journey. “I am 21 years into my voyage, and still learning each day. Qualified financial advice is key, which forms the foundation stone to stability, growth and ultimately profit,” he says. He adds, “Your own personality will form the character of your business and you must ensure you treat people as you would like to be treated.”
www.insightssuccess.com
July 2021
| 39