Meet the Sheroes - Saloni Zaveri-Ahluwalia

Today we have in focus Saloni Zaveri-Ahluwalia, the PR Manager at the Embassy of Sweden. Her professional journey in the field of communications and media over the last several years helped shape her for this role, one that she thrives at and enjoys every bit of!

Let's hear her story! 

How and Why did you choose a career in PR?
To be honest, I did not go about choosing a career in PR. In fact, I have never really gone about actively pursuing most of my career moves. I did however seek a career in communications and then things happened, opportunities came along and I went with the flow.

But to answer your question, eight years of print journalism, TV and the internet – I thought it only a natural progression to round of the experience.

I switched career tracks in 2001 making the shift in PR along with moving from Mumbai to Delhi, by joining the best PR agency in the country which did not do the press release-pushing variety of PR but worked with building and managing reputations. I sucked at the job – clearly this paradigm shift which came with its fair share of brickbats wasn’t something I had bargained for, especially after having been on the other side of the fence most of my working life. Now I view it as the best training ground one could have ever asked for.

What has your professional journey been like, for instance, where did you start off first and how did it help you grow to become the PR Manager at the Embassy of Sweden?

I began my career with print journalism at the Times stable in 1993-94, dabbled in television, dotcommed for the longest time, tried working with a PR agency (was terrible at it, I am sure), went back to my never-dying love for writing, did a communications project for UNICEF on educating the girl child….. before finally settling in to what I do today – and love it at that.

The position of PR Manager required knowledge and experience of having worked across various media – and I think that is what clicked. And the rest as they say is history – it’s been eight years and each day has been fulfilling and rewarding enough to make me want continue working with the promotion of Sweden in India – creating awareness and enhancing the already positive image.

What does it take to be successful in the field of PR?

All that is required to be successful in any field - hard work, perseverance, creativity and thinking out of the box…. Also keep your eyes and ears open, be sensitive to stimulus of what is the need of the hour… And a generous amount of Teflon-coating!

How do you balance work and life?

Fortunately for me the Embassy of Sweden ensures a great work-life balance. Almost insists on it. It is the Swedish way. Unless there are visiting delegations or events, we leave on time and guard our weekends to recharge our batteries. It is also very important to take breaks wherever possible.
I also try not to check my mail once I am home as far as possible.

What advice would you give young working women struggling to climb the corporate ladder?

Do not pay any head to detractors. People will say all sorts of things to pull you down or not give you the what you deserve. I had to endure a lot of “you have a much checkered career what guarantee you will work with us for a long time…” It is that very diversity that worked for me to get this job that I so love.