TCS’ Global Women Leaders Share Insights with The Young Women Entrepreneurs during Women Start-up Summit 2020
27 November 2020, Kerala: Global woman leaders from Tata Consultancy Services, in a recent virtual event, ‘Women Start-up Summit 2020’ organized by Kerala Start-up Mission, shared their inspiring journeys with the young women entrepreneurs across the spectrum.
The panelists spoke on the topic “Being YOU in Technology, Business and Purpose” and shed light on leveraging future-ready technologies for converting ideas into Innovations, building customer-centric resilient businesses, working as close-knit teams in remote settings, respecting diversity and being true to spirit of #OneTCS along with balancing expectations in your journey of making it to the top.
The panel was a part of “Whyhack – InnovatHER”: Initiative to enable women to break the entry barriers and indulge in the technology entrepreneurship space and it was moderated by Sujata Madhav Chandran, Head – Competency Development, COIN & Partner Ecosystem, Data Services of Analytics & Insights Unit, TCS.
Sowing green seeds for the future
Anita Nandikar, Vice-President and Global Head of TCS Research and Innovation Unit’s Incubation function, spoke about how her unit deals with setting up ambitious businesses that are aimed to scale up to 100 Mn dollars in a finite time, through their rapid prototyping lab based in Kerala.
On choosing the best idea, Anita says two aspects are important novelty and impactful innovation in tandem with the stage of the idea while keeping in mind the practicality of the scalability and production.
There are no pitfalls only opportunities
Brinda Rani, Vice-President and Global Head of TCS Research and Innovation (R&I) Unit’s Incubation function, spoke about the common pitfalls to avoid when starting out a career, given her span of experience. Brinda tweaks it into an optimistic viewpoint by saying “there are no pitfalls only opportunities.” She added as long as one knows what they want to become and have clarity, which is what matters. ‘Being yourself’ is crucial. She also spoke about building a positive brand for ‘yourself’ given that beginning a journey into the unknown is in itself a brave step. Being unique, defining your path and finding your voice and space to clearly carve out where one wants to be.
Busting the myth about glass ceiling in organization, Brinda says, “if one has clarity, conviction and plan of action, a career in technology begins when passion and meaning sustain. It is about stepping in your strength and proving yourself.”
Staying focused for the path to success
Sowmya Rajagopalan, talks about her journey from TCS as a Business Analyst in TCS to becoming a VP & Head Americas, Travel, Transportation and Hospitality. Sowmya talks about the availability of multiple paths that TCS and the industry have to offer given the diverse talent base and skills required in the industry. As a trusted business advisor, Sowmya advices that when it comes to choosing domain or technology, there is no ‘or’ rather they cannot be separated. Mastering domain is crucial for offering impactful solutions, wherein technology is driving businesses, as there’s no future without technology. The right balance of the two is vital, is also known as the ‘T’ factor at TCS, a deeper knowledge of one thing but wider perspective of many also, given the dynamic nature of technology.
Sowmya also spoke about the importance of the efforts of the team and being a team player, especially being an entrepreneur. She emphasized about picking people who are smarter than you rather than followers, because it’s about being on the right track.
Importance of Inclusion in business for the fabric of the society
Komal Rana, Lead-Entrepreneurship, Inclusive development, Corporate Social Responsibility, TCS Senior Manager, explains that development can only eradicate and social inequities when all groups contribute to generating opportunities, sharing benefits and participation in decision making, in order to value diversity through Knowledge and access. Komal dwells into how her team is aiming at empowering people and communities by building equitable pathways for women, youth and marginalised groups by bridging them to digital opportunities. As a career path, Inclusive development is one where you will be able to contribute to this cause by finding your own purpose and enabling communities for a better world, says Komal.
