Women Power to the Fore @ Linkedin Summit

Linkedin recently organised a summit Women Connect: Lead the Transformation. The conference was focused on women who managed to break the glass ceiling and became a part of miniscule 15% who reached leadership roles in corporates.

The summit started with a welcome speech by Ashutosh Gupta, Director- Marketing Solutions, Linkedin who focused on the day’s theme ‘Transformation’ – the changes that have come in and ones expected.

His address was followed by an address by Anjali Bansal, Managing Director, TPG, who took the delegates through her life journey and emphasised on the point that ‘Success of strategy is in its execution’.

Then came the panel discussion between three power marketing women that captivated the audiences with the depth of experience, fair amount of humour and keen insights. To top it, nearly all women audience was able to relate to it on several points – more so when it came to work-life balance and team management.

Anisha Motwani, whose book Storm the Norm (Conceptualised & edited by her) would hit the stands this month was of the firm view that it is important to have work-life balance. She said, “Women who are bogged down by work say ‘it is my karma’. You cannot stop living your own life. You have to make your identity.” She also advised women not to live with a sense of guilt – as it is taxing both physically and mentally. Her address was dotted with interesting and insightful anecdotes from her life. Her recommendation: “Keep it nice and simple. Just sail along.”

Besides putting her book together, Anisha has also launched a portal Marketingbuzzar.com and is engaged as a consultant with Max Group of companies.
Second speaker on panel was Manisha Lath, Ex CMO, Axis bank. Manisha followed her love for art and launched the online platform Indianartcollectors.com in 2005. It was in early 2015 that she quit her cushy job and dedicated herself completely to Indianartcollectors.com. She stressed on the need for regular feedback, training ones subordinates well and being passionate about what one is doing. She spoke highly of the work culture at Colgate and its feedback mechanism. She expressed, “After working in corporate India for a long time, I decided to take my talent, energy and my own personal brand behind my venture – today Indiaartcollectors.com is the most sought after marketplace for art.”  Talking of team building she stated, “Invest in your subordinates, train them, nurture them and invest in them. Be generous with your knowledge. Another important thing is to give positive feedback too.”  As for the leadership way of men and women she quipped, “Men are being asked to soften up and apply more democratic style of functioning.”

Virginia Sharma, Director, Marketing APAC, LinkedIn, was the third panellist on the podium. Her address was dotted with anecdotes from her life journey from a Punjabi business family in Dubai to where she has reached now.  She summarised, "Women make up just 15% of professionals in leadership positions in India, according to LinkedIn's data. I think we can do better than this. When I reflect on my career, I have been fortunate to work with some very progressive leaders who have encouraged me to bring the "full me" to work, which can be summarized by my 5 Fs: be fearless, prioritize family, forgive myself, future proof myself with relevant experiences and lastly, pay it forward. Sharing these lessons at Women Connect India was my small way of paying it forward to help others transform their careers. I was very energized by my interactions with women leaders at the event and look forward to more interactions with professional women across India so we can contribute to each other’s transformation and success."