Optimism is her forte
At
an age, when most women reassess their career goals with many retiring from
work, Sarada Ramani forayed into entrepreneurship with nothing but optimism as
capital. The story of the housewife-turned-CEO at 35 is quite inspiring, given
the fact that Sarada had no prior knowledge of computer or programming. She
learnt programming just two years before starting the company – Computers
International.
Sarada
Ramani ventured into her “second innings” – business, 14 years after marriage,
when her elder daughter was 12 years old. “That is the time when women undergo
an identity crisis and start looking inwards. The children grow up, their
dependency on you reduces and you will have plenty of time, which you feel,
should be wasted,” points out Ms. Sarada Ramani.
Sarada
returned to books and during her free time did diploma courses in computer
science. Sarada was apprehensive about embracing technology as she was not tech
savvy. “But after the course, I realised that it was never too late to
familiarise with computers,” she says adding, “I just wanted to prove myself
that I could learn new things,” she adds.
When
she applied for a software profession, she was sent back because “she was too
old for it.” An undeterred Sarada joined the faculty of a computer centre,
where she voluntarily took up many responsibilities and executed them with
élan. The CEO of the centre, Shravan Sharma, remarked that she had much more
potential than was being tapped.
This
was the spark that fired Sarada into becoming an entrepreneur. “I should thank
two men for what I am today. First my husband, Ramani Ramachandran, who helped
me realise my ability and encouraged me in all my endeavours and second Mr.
Shravan Sharma who saw me as an entrepreneur,” says Ms. Sarada.
The
beginning
Sarada
started a computer training centre – LearnSoft School of Information Technology
in 1996 at Besant Nagar offering flexible courses. But she met with failure in
her first attempt.
“Due
to our inexperience in business and marketing, we could not withstand the
competition from the mushrooming computer institutions in the city. We had to
close down the training centre in 1997,” Sarada notes. But her hardwork paid
dividends in a different way. She got orders for software projects.
An
enterprising Sarada took this as a cue and started Computers International
(CI), an IT company, in 1998 with six employees. “I did not have the passion to
succeed then. I was only worried about the six employees who were on board with
us,” recollects Sarada.
World class entity
With
hardwork and perseverance, Sarada made the company a world class entity with
150 employees and clients spread over USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia.
The company has been self-funded and earning a steady revenue. The company has
a branch in New Jersey too. “A supportive family and a dedicated team are the
reasons behind the success of Computers International,” says Sarada showering
praise on her employees.
Awards
Sarada
has won many awards over the years. She received the ‘Best Woman Entrepreneur
of the Country – 2004' award from the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam, ‘Special Awards SSI for Outstanding Women Entrepreneur for 2004-2005'
from Export Promotion Council of India (ESC), etc. Her latest was the MMA Award
for Managerial Excellence 2010 at the 54th Year of Madras Management
Association. The company has so far received nine awards.
Having
started without a business background, Sarada says entrepreneurship does not warrant
any financial or technology background. “If you want to do it, you can do it
with perseverance, hardwork and a belief that you will succeed. Ultimately, you
should love what you do,” she asserts.
Other activities
Sarada
is also actively involved in NASSCOM, FICCI, eWIT, IT SME, etc, and has
participated in various entrepreneur forums to spread the mission for
empowerment of women.
“Women
empowerment is not about external achievement but internal attainment. A
farmer's wife striving to educate her children despite her poverty is no less
equal to a woman CEO. Both of them are chasing their dreams. You should be
happy for what you are,” Sarada notes.
“Of
course, society associates success and leadership to men. It is still a man's
world out there. We still have a long way to go when it comes to gender
equality,” adds Sarada.
Sarada
sees herself as a mentor for the company in another ten years. “The company is
now in a comfort zone of a cocoon. In another ten years, it will spread its
wings and fly,” says Sarada, positive about setting footprints in Europe.
My Personal take :
To me personally, Sarada akka, as I fondly call her, is my strong inspiration. Motivation and co-blogger where blogging made us friends. Ewit made us associates and bonded over the years. Inner Wheel and Rotary made us members of the same movement. Sarada personally impacts a lot in my life without her knowledge. My experience of editing her book made me realize what a beautiful writer she can be. In the era, when people are so conscious about the outward appearances, Sarada is a beautiful woman with a big smile and a gentle heart. If you know her, you are just lucky and if not, you are missing out knowing a beautiful soul. I keep following her and enjoying my friendship with her all the time. Thank you Sarada akka for the wonderful bonding we have.
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1 comment:
Umashree am truly humbled but feel very honoured to be featured in this series on inspiring Indian women. Thank you dear
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