Exclusive Interaction - Namrata Sharma, MTech Solutions

Namrata Sharma, National Enterprise Account Manager, MTech Solutions balances family and work in the challenging world of IT channels. She discusses some of the aspects of her work in this interaction with B Swaminathan.

How did you enter IT channel industry?

I started my career way back 1998, when I joined Time-Share industry my first breakthrough was a sales role offering solutions, I am fortunate to start in this industry because selling 1 week of holidays was a task by itself, educating clients/customers to take a break and plan a holiday once a year was a task, I learnt to speak up confidently, build aspirations within individuals who thought holidaying was only for the rich. My self-belief, persistence and confidence moved me to discover my potential in the BPO industry. This is where I developed my skills beyond what I learnt in the past. By this time, I was a confident person, who believed in learning and cultivating a good base. In few years from then, when we lost our process in India, we had limited options. That’s when I moved to a big “IT Giant” and joined the marketing operations and later learning and skills team here started my IT career in full form. I was struggling my way with so many skilled resources around me, dedicated and making sure I survive my position, by then I had hands on experience in sales, marketing, learning, quality analysis, offering solutions and vendor management. During one of the sales opportunities, once of my best buddies introduced me to a value added distributor (My current company). This is where things took a huge leap; I started my actual IT journey 12 Years into working for multiple firms offering solutions.

When I first joined this I-security firm, I had limited knowledge on how an IT company works, eventually with help from my seniors, technical team, channel partners and of course my appetite to learn and upskill to develop my knowledge got me to be who I am today! I can proudly say I have developed the channel market for my company, built some amazing partnerships and made highly profitable zones for recurring business YOY.

What are the key aspects that motivate you to work for the channel fraternity?

Channels is not an easy task, even today after 8 years with this industry, I believe every individual should follow certain principles. It is important to understand your channel, instead of working for yourself, try to change this dimension “Work for them” and offer them solutions.

In channel, we have to align with their goals and aspiration – “They Win – You Win”. Upskill their need and expertise. “Their gain is yours too”. “Lead to success with your partner/channel” is my only motto. It is easy said than done – What better motivation then your team, your channel, your client win alongside. I always believe “Winning alone is easy, but winning with a larger group is motivation.”

IT hardware and software selling industry work in a different manner, sometimes odd timings when events happen. How can women manage both professional and personal life?

Time is money – this is a known fact of life. The other way to look at this fact – If a women’s dedication is most appreciated back home, with family, kids, relatives & friends – just add an additional aspect to this dimension, every person within the family can take onus and share the domestic work and let the lady take lead to support her professional interest. I have had a very supportive family, my mother is my biggest strength, she motivates me to strike the balance on both sides professional and personal life. I had always seen my grandmother, mother, sisters settle as home makers, not because of choice but because of family traditions. I use to fight a battle within thinking why not? And how? The internal fight and seeking skills led me this far, today most of my sisters are working eventually. They joined the race; they are married, they have kids, they manage everything so beautifully. I admire a woman’s dedication in each of them. There is so much to learn from a working mother. They are tireless; we go that extra mile to take note of perfection. Time is just a notion. If you have an appetite to lead you can, a spark of confidence is enough to success this thought.

What are the key suggestions you would provide for those who are at the beginning of their career in the IT fraternity?

Learn – this is the key, even a small lunch or tea break with a small topic of knowledge can help upskill. Actually knowledge can never be right or wrong, but if you know how to substantiate your findings that plays the most crucial role. Find solutions and offer solutions. Stick to the brick – I say this because if you are not loyal towards your organization, you will not complete your learning cycle. It’s important to grow within an organisation and find solutions. This helps beginners to establish themselves and to be called a strong pillar. I believe the time & dedication that you give to the organisation, comes back in form of great roles, stability, knowledge, confidence, persistence.

B Swaminathan is a contributing columnist with DQ Channels