'I was always keen to be independent'

Sharda Tickoo, product marketing manager, Trend Micro is full of grit and determination with a cystal-clear focus

Currently working as the Product Marketing Manager for Trend Micro, Sharda is responsible for business development The current role requires her to develop value propositions for the products and replicate similar selling capability across sales force. She is also responsible for evangelism and hence need to keep myself abreast with latest product and market developments both on the business as well as the commercial side. Sharda also assists corporate marketing campaigns, planning and execution by aligning messaging and content, consistent with business needs of the enterprise division.

The educational background

She graduated in Computer Science from Mumbai University. Since Sharda's educational background was around technology, IT was a natural choice. Prior to working with Trend Micro, she was working with Reliance communications. "Technology always excited me. I wanted to be an technical expert whose work would involve a lot of travel and client facing. I was also keen to be independent" .

Family Background

Born to a middle class family in Srinagar, Kashmir, I was bought up in a very close knit family environment. Working parents ensured that there was always a very strong focus on education and work ethics.

Working in a Team

Sharda is quick to retort, "I'm usually soft on the people who work for me. I'm able to motivate and lead people to do work that way, Sometimes when trying to hit a deadline when I get too tough on my co-workers, they remember .my usual easy going way and go the extra mile.

Working in male-dominated field of IT

It is critical to be gender agnostic when dealing with professional responsibilities. Sharda's opinion is that one should not harp on our gender, neither seek special treatment nor feel disadvantaged. "An enlightened workforce will go an extra mile to make women feel comfortable.but it's essential that no undue advantage is taken while dealing with competitive and professional pressures, " says a confident Sharda.

Advice to working women

"Volatility in work environment is very common in our industry. My only advice to working women is that they should identify anchors which will let you stand still in the face of uncertainties and pressures at work. These anchors can be friends, family or even a hobby, anything which helps you unwind and defocus, " advises Sharda

Work Life Juggle

"Given the lack of 9 to 6 routine that is pretty much the norm in our industry, work has a habit of spilling over to family time. Also given that family engagements can come without enough notice, the opposite is equally true. I have therefore drawn strict red lines to ensure that the balance between work and personal life stays. For example, no social engagements on weekdays and never working on two consecutive weekends. I also promised myself not to check my emails on Sundays, but I am having a hard time following this." chuckles Sharda.

Hobbies

Sharda loves traveling which help her unwind from the daily grind. An avid music listener, which she beats stress

Future plans

Sharda is extremely focused. She has crystal clear plans for future which involves enhancing her skill set to be able to drive a business division, grow with the organization alongwith doing justice to her family commitments as well.

@Workday

Routine is getting up early, on the run Breakfast...and then work takes over.

Work -typically first two hours go to clearing mails, then a quick huddle with the team to take stock of the previous day and laying out priorities for the day

Calls from clients and seniors come unannounced and have to be attended to irrespective of the plan.

Hope the day ends without a crisis at a client's end but that is asking for too much