admin Anuja Parikh is the CEO of Intech Systems, a global software consulting firm focused on ERP, CRM, AI, IoT and cloud business solutions. Having over 20 years of experience in creating cutting edge technology products and services, global marketing, eCommerce, and deploying business solutions, Anuja is disrupting the diversity in leadership.
Prior to Intech, she had an experience of working for a couple of Silicon Valley companies which gave her the unique ability to understand hypergrowth in technology domains and what professionally managed technology companies look like when they “grow up”.
This experience moved her family business strategy and direction in the right way. As a developer, she understands technology code but at the same time, she learns to apply technology for creating unique solutions that could solve customers’ problems which results in building Intech Systems.
Anuja has completed Bachelor of Engineering, L. D. Engineering College from INDIA, MS-MIS, and MBA from Boston University, USA, and Harvard Business School Executive Education, Tedx Speaker.
I believe that epithets of leadership are gender independent
According to her, key elements for Women Leadership are intuition, empathy, active listening, persuasive and inclination toward collaboration. She feels women leaders focus more on long term relations with customers and to ensure they are satisfied rather than pleasing the shareholders and making short term gains.
While asking about the Project that makes her more creative and Innovative she said, “Recently, we were negotiating a contract with a local company which was very aggressive on pricing. I researched their needs and find this is a part of a global company, I creatively modified the contract through which I got access to work in other countries. Since this became a bigger global contract, we were able to pass on lower rates to the local company.”
Smartwork or Hardwork
“To succeed in today’s hypercompetitive world, you not only have to work hard but also have the passion, dedication, focus, and confidence,” opined Anuja.
“Working smartly is imperative. Effort made in proper direction is more important than the amount of effort made”
Biggest Challenge in Career
“My biggest challenge so far is when we moved Intech to focus on Global clients and projects from its forte in serving domestic markets.”
“We upgraded the Microsoft ERP system of North American client without having prior experience in the international project. This challenge made our team to apply the best technology and practices. Along with this, we had to upskill our team on soft skills and communication style also. Combination of the above efforts ensured we succeed in global projects thus marking a major turning point for Intech”
“Our thorough implementation wowed the group companies and after a solid evaluation by group, we bagged a 2 million dollar contract of implementing Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM worldwide in most of the group companies.”
I am inspired by each story where someone has come out of challenging situations
Work-Life Balance
Anuja starts her day by waking up 5:30 am. Avid runner, Anuja often runs 5-10K a week and participates in marathons a few times a year. It keeps her positive, fit, and energized. This “me time” is very important.
Besides that, she said spending quality time with kids is her top priority. “In order to make this happens, I plan the things accordingly. I do take time to take kids to domestic and international competitions for the areas they currently excel in and often plan calls and meetings when I am at these events.”
Anuja’s Inspiration
“My first role model was my mother, who was a doctor and an entrepreneur managing both clinic and home effectively at the same time.
Today, I get inspired by women tech leaders like Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook as well as from diverse fields like Indra Nooyi of Pepsi and the former first lady of USA Michelle Obama.
“My motivation today is my daughter for whom I want to be a role model. It’s part of her grooming to be a leader for tomorrow – training her to think big, take risks from a very young age,” she evinced.
Rivalry among Business Competitors
As specialized in project management Anuja worked for Silicon Valley technology companies that gave her exposure to marketing tech products globally with partners in Europe, Latin America, Japan, Asia. It has given her valuable skills in dealing with cultural differences and understanding of the consumer mindset.
Her focus was to bring the change to a legacy business – essentially a major transformation in their working from localized market to global multinational clients we made a lot of structural changes, as a result, they have doubled their growth in the last 3 years and are on a formidable path to further success.
‘Stagnation is a Biggest Fear’
Anuja loves learning and creating new products. “I would dread to see the day where we are not learning anything and just become stagnant,” she added. At Intech, we have made R&D and Learning a key aspect of our work culture.
Anuja keeps on inspiring many women around her and in office by speaking at various local conferences and seminars. She was invited to the top local university to give a TEDx talk on Advancing Women in Leadership.
Anuja said, “For a woman, I feel the most courageous thing to do is to lead in a man’s world while still fulfilling the role of a mother, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, etc.”
Management Style
Anuja believes in giving freedom for the creation of new ideas and talent. “We have an open-door policy at work where anyone can come and put their viewpoints without any restrictions,” said Anuja.
Building long term relationship
Anuja views her customers as partners and believes in working with them with a mindset of a long- term partnership. “We are just not their implementation partner – we are their technology advisors. We understand their pain points of the business, then brainstorm and recommend the right solution that can fit their needs long term,” said Anuja.
No matter how bad the situation is, I always maintain a smile on the face. That simple smile at work or at home makes everyone feel positive and optimistic
Advice to Female Entrepreneurs
“I think as women, we are taught to please everyone. My advice is that one should focus on one thing that you want to do and give it all that you have. Don’t be bothered by anything anyone says!” said Anuja.
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