Inspired by the values imbibed by business families like Tatas and Ambanis, Anuradha Somani believes that honesty and a positive attitude matters the most, if one has to be a success in any chosen field

Background: 'Born with a silver spoon' would be an apt description for Anuradha Somani. As the daughter of the CEO of Abbee Consumables and Peripherals Sshope, BB Somani, she was often told that she was lucky. But at a personal level Anuradha never let complacency set in. “I always felt that I had it in me to take up bigger and more challenging tasks,” remarked a self-proclaimed perfectionist.

Post her 12th standard, even as she was studying for her graduation exams, Somani got involved in her father's business. She began her stint not in an air-conditioned cabin but at the receptionist's desk, because her father wanted her to earn her way up and learn all the processes within the organization. Later she went on to complete her MBA in marketing from MIT School of Business in Pune. Somani has been working with Abbee Consumables and Peripherals Sshope, for the last six years now, having assumed various roles in this time frame and gaining complete exposure to the workings of all the business divisions within company.

Job profile: Currently, Somani is handling the finance department of Abbee Consumables and Peripherals Sshope, which is engaged in refilling cartridges of any printer. Additionally, she also monitors the overall functioning of all the other departments in the company.

Challenges: Somani believes her strongest asset is her never-say-die spirit, which allows her to take up any challenge that comes her way. In fact she feels that handling her father's business is in itself the biggest challenge for her.

For a reality check on her own worthiness, Somani had once applied for a job at Yes Bank where she was eventually selected out of 300 contenders. “After this selection I was confident that I could do justice to my position at Abbee, and then plunged myself headlong into the company's workings,” she explained. Today, she feels proud to lead her company but also notes that reaching this position was not easy. She gives credit to her father who made her take up lowly positions in the organization to empathize with the hardships involved in every job role.

Talking about what separates women from men in a corporate environment, Somani observed that women are more curious than men and if this curiosity is used in the right manner at the workplace, it works to an added advantage. “Women are usually willing to take up any challenge related to their job, as compared to men,” she added.

Strengths: She believes in leading from the front and setting an example for her team mates. ''Handling all the pressures in an organization is not a cakewalk. One needs to be focused and completely dedicated towards their responsibilities. I believe I have the requisite leadership qualities which help me set my priorities straight,” said Somani.

Hobbies: This MBA graduate has a passion for dancing and has trained for four years in Bharat Natyam. ''I had to leave my dance classes midway because I sprained my ankle,” she lamented. Nowadays, she loves watching television and is a big fan of reality shows, which she feels are refreshing and different from the regular saas-bahu sitcoms.

Inspiration: She is inspired by her father, BB Somani, and loves the calm manner with which he handles any difficult situation. It was his principle of being honest towards one's work, which has had a great impact on her. He would always tell her about values like honesty and diplomacy, which are associated so strongly with the Tata and Ambani families and showed her ways she could emulate the same in her career as well.

She has also found a staunch support in her fiancée, Sachin Mahabaleshkar who always encouraged her in all her professional endeavors and reinforced her belief in her capabilities.

Future plans: Somani has ambitious plans for Abbee Consumables and Peripherals Sshope and wishes to establish 800 franchises for her company in India within the next five years.

Minakshi Shetty
minakshis@cybermedia.co.in

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