Women have historically broken barriers and challenged traditional gender roles to become influential business leaders. Their tenacity and determination have paved the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs. Meet Sirisha Naidu, the trailblazer who shatters glass ceilings with ease. From being a standout performer in her team to becoming a true leader, her story is one of determination and empowerment. Instead of chasing individual accolades, she embraced her primary goal – nurturing her team’s growth.
With over 22 years of expertise in the dynamic realms of retail, ecommerce, and SaaS, Sirisha’s skills encompass a wide range of functions, including sales & SaaS product management, CRM, media advertising, business development, digital marketing, retail analytics, and online advertising. Each skill she possesses has been honed through diverse roles across various organizations.
Sirisha’s journey as a woman in sales wasn’t without its challenges. In the early years, she encountered biases, but this only fueled her drive to leave an indelible mark in the corporate world. Sirisha conquered every hurdle in her path, scaling the corporate ladder with tenacity. She attributes her unwavering determination to her father’s guidance and her mother’s resilience.
Sirisha is more than just a leader; she’s an inspiration to women everywhere. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing her team’s potential while smashing stereotypes is a beacon of empowerment in today’s business landscape. Join us as we delve into the journey of this extraordinary woman who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
“I believe in being ethically strong and creating a safe environment which can only be done by maintaining high moral standards and communicating clear expectations. By maintaining high moral standards means a commitment to fairness, instilling confidence that both the companies and their employees will honour. Similarly, by clearly communicating the expectations, blindsiding people is avoided and thus I ensure that everyone is on the same page. In a safe environment, employees can relax, invoking a higher capacity for social engagement, innovation, creativity and ambition”, says Sirisha.
Thriving as the Business Woman
Facing professional challenges, one of Sirisha’s difficulties was walking into business meetings dominated by male colleagues. Being the only woman in the room, she felt pressure and sometimes worried about coming across as too assertive or bossy. This situation could lead to biases and discrimination, whether intentional or not. It tempted her to step back and blend in, but she realized the importance of having confidence in herself and her skills that brought her to where she is.
Instead of giving up, Sirisha decided to stand out and showcase her unique skills and perspective. She didn’t let biases hold her back and chose to be positive. She stepped forward confidently, ignoring any biased attitudes, and made a lasting impression by being both visible and vocal in the meetings. This approach helped her succeed and prove her worth in the business world.
Breaking Through Double Standards
Sirisha acknowledges that businesswomen may encounter imposter syndrome, a feeling of self-doubt and unworthiness despite their qualifications and achievements. Even with their accomplishments, they may question their abilities. Additionally, female leaders may face scrutiny and double standards that their male counterparts may not experience, which can put added pressure on them and impact their confidence. These challenges are important to recognize and address to create a more supportive and equal environment for women in the business world.
Productive Days of an Entrepreneur
Basic organizational skills and time management can help in having a productive daily routine. Establishing a routine helps me prioritize my work. By setting up themed days, I could focus on one task at a time so that I Can actually complete a task. The basic idea is that by having a plan, even if only for a day or week in advance, you’re not wasting any valuable time. She has the responsibility of overseeing her team’s performance as they work on different projects. She checks in with them regularly to offer guidance and assistance with any issues they may be facing. Additionally, she handles any urgent internal or external problems that arise, often referred to as firefighting.
Apart from that, Sirisha focuses on finding growth hacks and coming up with solutions for operational challenges. She also keeps track of important business metrics to ensure the company’s success. Moreover, she stays in touch with clients, providing them with updates on the progress of their projects and ensuring their satisfaction with the process and service provided.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in India’s Male-Dominated Startup Ecosystem
Sirisha strongly believes that, despite the efforts to promote gender equality, men still dominate India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Unfortunately, the funding scene in the country is rife with gender biases. Women-led businesses struggle to access capital due to the prejudices of investors and other factors.
To make matters worse, most women business owners do not receive the social support they need to kick-start their ventures. Their families, peers, and immediate ecosystems may not fully support their entrepreneurial ambitions. Additionally, the lack of mentorship from the business community poses a significant challenge for women entrepreneurs in India. These obstacles make it difficult for women to thrive and succeed in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Balancing Expectations and Priorities
Sirisha believes that struggles are a normal part of life, and everyone faces them to some extent. One of the challenges she faces is managing and balancing expectations after experiencing both success and failure.
Expectations can have a profound impact on one’s decision-making process. Their past experiences and how they perceive past outcomes can shape their thinking when they are planning for the future. At times, individuals may not even be aware that they have certain expectations. Hence, it becomes crucial to recognize and acknowledge these expectations, as they can greatly influence their actions and emotions. Being mindful of these expectations allows them to make more informed and balanced decisions, both in their personal and professional lives.
Sirisha emphasizes the importance of understanding and defining priorities to successfully manage the balance between professional and personal life. It’s impossible to be fully present on all fronts simultaneously because no one can split themselves into two.
To be effective and avoid feeling overwhelmed, Sirisha suggests setting clear priorities both at work and at home. Balancing personal and professional life should be treated as a project, and efforts should be directed towards its success.
One-way Sirisha manages this balance is by setting work hours and sticking to them. For instance, she avoids taking work calls after 8:00 PM, unless it’s an urgent crisis that cannot wait until the next morning. During that time, she dedicates herself to family matters. This practice allows her to create boundaries and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers
Sirisha strongly believes that adaptability is the key to success in the constantly changing business landscape. As an entrepreneur, she understands the importance of quickly adjusting to new challenges and opportunities, whether they arise from industry shifts or personal life changes. Being flexible and able to pivot when necessary is crucial for achieving long-term success.
Sirisha recognizes that women often face discouraging remarks, being told that they don’t belong or that they’re not good enough. However, her upbringing by strong women taught her that no woman should be held back from pursuing her dreams just because of gender biases. For emerging female leaders, her valuable advice is to find your passion and stay curious. She encourages women not to feel isolated in their entrepreneurial journey, as they are not alone. By turning their passion into knowledge, they can gain respect and overcome obstacles in their path. With determination and a supportive community, female leaders can succeed and break down barriers in their professional endeavors.
Revolutionizing Marketing Strategies
Sirisha strongly believes that companies will increasingly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) in their marketing strategies to boost brand awareness and meet customer demands effectively. Her vision is to develop an automation tool and AI technology that assists companies in gaining comprehensive insights about their customers, enabling them to target their audiences more effectively.
By harnessing the power of AI, businesses can analyze vast amounts of data, understand customer behavior, and make data-driven decisions for their marketing campaigns. Virtual Reality, on the other hand, provides opportunities to create immersive and engaging experiences that leave a lasting impact on customers, enhancing brand engagement and loyalty.
Through her work, Sirisha aims to support companies in optimizing their marketing efforts, providing personalized experiences, and ultimately achieving greater success in the dynamic and competitive market. Her goal is to empower businesses with cutting-edge technology to create meaningful connections with their customers and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
