Advice from women who made it in male- dominated sectors

Women entrepreneurs, employees, business leaders are changing the rules every day. Not only working shoulder to shoulder with men, but often leading companies. Breaking down the glass ceiling and showing that it is indeed possible to have an even professional playing field. Here are three women who show you that impossible is indeed nothing.

When Mallika Srinivasan took over as chairperson and CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), many heads turned. She was working in an inherently male-dominated sector. Today, she is known for her entrepreneurial skills and leadership abilities. Under her stewardship, TAFE has established itself as a mass manufacturer of quality tractors for the international market with revenues of Rs 98 billion (US$ 1.6 billion) and is now known as one of the most profitable tractor companies in the world.

Mallika Srinivasan’s advice for young women starting out in the workplace - "Do not get bogged down by the constraints you face. Search for opportunities. But most importantly, you must be happy doing what you do."

Another success story is that of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon, India's first biotechnology company. Kiran started as a brew master, but found it difficult to grow in the predominantly male industry. She then started Biocon in the garage of her home with a capital of Rs 10,000. Today, the company is valued at over a billion dollars and is Asia’s largest biopharma company. When the company got listed in 2004, its IPO was oversubscribed 33 times, giving it a valuation of $ 1.11 billion and making it the second Indian company to cross the $1 billion mark on the first day of listing. Mazumdar-Shaw, now amongst the richest women in India, considers herself a self-taught entrepreneur.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s advice -  “As you become more successful, the gender barrier disappears. The credibility challenges you have during your growing up years start disappearing when you start demonstrating success”.

It’s not just women in business who are leaving their mark in their sextor. Anjali Bhagat is the only Indian to win the ISSF Champions' Trophy in Air Rifle Men’s and Women’s Mixed Event category at Munich in 2002. Anjali has set 13 new world records and won 31 gold, 23 silver and 7 bronze medals in various international championships.

This article is contributed by Kontent Factory. 

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