On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women from all walks of life! The modern Indian woman is a powerhouse – fighting for her rights and proudly flaunting the many other facets of her personality. She is making her mark in business, science & technology, politics, sports, the arts, and in society as a whole.
To mark International Women’s Day 2022, we asked some of the women leaders from around our network how they have dealt with and overcome challenges in their careers. Here is the exclusive talk with Shweta Baid, Founder and Chief Marketing Consultant, Shail Digital.
About your Journey
For little over a decade I have been working in the field of marketing and communications and was lucky enough to play all possible roles- from being a journalist at a media company to handling marcom and digital marketing for a multi-national to setting up my own agency working in B2B marketing space. Before getting into this field, I was a hands-on tech-support engineer.
My journey of 17 years as a working professional has been like a long road trip where some parts of road was smooth and quick, while some of it was bumpy. It also had unplanned detours. Coming back to India after having an H1 and leaving a full-time job to start entrepreneurial journey has been a progressive phenomenon – that turned me into a more transformed and matured individual and a thorough professional.
How do you achieve work life balance?
Balance is not better time management, it is better boundary management. In general everyone knows the theory of maintaining the work life balance. But a very few are able to implement it in practice. My focus has always been on the implementation side. I prefer starting my day early, so that I have enough time in the morning to plan and prioritise. When you spend good time is planning, you can accommodate more tasks in the same time duration.
Balance is also about making choices and enjoying them. I ensure that I invest my time and energy in doing the things I love doing. I am very fond of music and I continue to take lessons every week and practice regularly.
Another most important aspect is good health. Maintaining a routine and spending the 30 mins of the day with your mind and body takes you a long way in improving your overall lifestyle.
What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present in India?
I feel the biggest challenge facing women in not just India but globally is “self-pity”. If you want, and if you can, you “should” just do it.. If you want and you “can’t” then you should find ways to make it happen. When we are determined to do something, sky is the limit.
Another biggest challenge facing women is the default feminine nature – we are protective, careful and so we don’t “TAKE CHANCE”. I feel every woman should take that chance and push herself beyond her comfort zone. Then only we can feel the true sense of achievement.
Where do you want to see yourself in the next 5 years?
I have been a person of “chances” and I will take every chance to reinvent myself into a better human, better leader and influencing lives of people around me. Professionally I see myself creating an environment for my peers where learning and working is fun. I wish to create opportunities for budding talent, and nurture the talent into excellent services.
What future do you see for women in digital media?
A number of studies have revealed that women are better marketing professionals, not because they are soft or creative, it’s because of the way their brains are designed. Women’s brain are built for empathy and that’s what is needed for better customer connect. Women’s perceptual skills are oriented to quick, intuitive thinking, suggesting a unique way to approach any problem. Another important research suggests that women are more attuned to competition. So, there is demand of such skills in digital media. Digital media is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing industries. That’s why we see a very bright future for women in digital media and marketing.
What would you change about the world for women if you could?
One thing that I feel that is truly needed for the world to be happy place for all is “mental well-being”. Now, mental well-being is something that cannot be isolated and achieved. It has many strings attached and each one has to play its part. If we just expect less and interfere less, it may reduce the strain on the strings attached. It may give some flexibility for people to find their happy place.
