Give Women A Chance At Workplace

Radhika Aggarwal, cofounder and chief business officer of e-commerce company ShopClues, is recognized as a key decision maker in the industry.

The Radhika who spoke at BW Businessworld Young Entrepreneur Summit and Awards 2016 is definitive, succinct and authoritative in her business speak. She said about her company, "Demonetization has hit commerce not just e-commerce. When the news came, we were all thinking, 'Is this real? Is this a joke?'. We got on a call at 9 pm to figure out the tactical impact on our business like Cash on Delivery (CoD)."

She believes just going after what you want is to be an entrepreneur. The numbers and the valuation of the business are all secondary.

According to her, funding is a beast in itself. You don't build a business to raise money. You raise money to build a business. It's important to remember that a value of a company is more important than the valuation of a company.

This represents ethos often proclaimed by Sanjay Sethi, cofounder and current CEO of ShopClues as well.

Radhika participated in the BW Businessworld Annual Young Entrepreneur Summit & Awards and a panel discussion on Friday.

Mohit Joshi, MD India, Havas Media Group, began the panel discussion on women entrepreneurs.

"Four per cent of Fortune 500 companies are run by women. In my industry of advertising and media it’s run by women. Look at my CEO, she is one the of most influential women in India," he said.

Then he asked, "Is there a glass ceiling?"

Saroja Yeramilli, founder of Melorra, said, "No woman wakes up thinking we have to break a glass ceiling today. No such thoughts motivate any guy or girl. Breaking of barriers and changing society if it does happen, happens through everyday work."

Anvita Mehra, founder and CEO of Confidential Couture, kept it short and sweet. "No." she said, "I haven't experienced or believe there is a glass ceiling."

Neha Kant, founder and CEO, Clovia Lingerie, said: "I'm one female cofounder in a team of male cofounders. Perhaps it’s wrong say there is no glass ceiling or discrimination but what makes a difference is how it is perceived."

Tanvi Malik, cofounder of FabAlley, said: "I suppose we are a contrarian panel here. It's a gender divide term. I had no idea that such a thing existed. I was raised by a lady doctor went to Shri Ram, worked at Titan under a great woman, now founded and running a company with a woman."

Joshi then asked an interesting question. "Perhaps it may not exist for women from women with access to education and other resources. How about in rural India? Do you think these issues exist?"

Saroja said, "Of course they exist and prevalent in even in big cities. I had to work hard to build a tech team of women, just too difficult. I do give slight preference to women, it works well for me in the company."

Anvita said of office politics and bias against women, "Learn and be cautious where you work."

She added, "Even I have a soft spot for hiring women, and have seen empowering women will get you good results."

Supporting women break the ceiling

Moshi asked about how investors react to women seeking funding money. All were unanimous in saying that none of the investors held any bias. Neha even talked about how a prospective investor came into a meeting at her office and her new born baby was in a crib in the office with her.

But the real glass ceiling remains with women it seems.

Saroja said, "I don’t want to blame men only. I feel women are too reticent, withdraw and accept defeat too early. My head of design became pregnant and wanted to offer her resignation because she didn’t think she could step up or would most likely be working back home. It was her inherent assumption that startups won't be supportive. I told her take back the resignation. Companies must provide personal support too. She is still with us and contributes what she can even during maternity leave."

"If you reinvent yourself and put up your hand as a woman as a woman, then that’s all you need to break that glass ceiling."

Tanvi said, "Women aren’t treated as ticking time bombs any more. Of course work and family life balance is important, longer paid maternity, crèche nurse space at work, flexi time can be introduced to support women. Women are a valuable resource and you need to nurture and value them."

Neha of Clovia Lingerie further said, "When our HR didn’t shortlist women for tech job roles, I realised that we need to be more accepting of women and their needs. I think women should at least be asked if they can work hard, stay late that the startup culture will require. The main thing is that women are given this chance to choose. That will make a big difference in breaking the proverbial glass ceiling."