The Indian Engineering manufacturing industry is a booming market segment with new companies mushrooming in the market constantly. Over the years, the demand for top-notch engineering manufacturing has been on the rise and this has been accelerating the growth of the market. Iyappan Engineering Industries (IEIPL) is a 50-year family run business who has been making impressive strides in the Indian Engineering space through constant innovation and consistent improvement. This pioneering MSME focuses on import substitution products – manufacturing precision hydraulic, electromagnetic, mechanical assemblies for Power plant and Defense sector.
Owing to its commitment to never compromise on the quality, IEIPL has created an impressive clientele which includes BEL, NTPC, and L&T Defence, to name a few. Uma Meiyappan holds the office of Director - Commercials at IEIPL. Leveraging her vast industry experience of working in MNCs, Uma has been able to become a catalyst in the positive transformation of the company since she joined them in 2012.
In an exclusive interview with Industry Outlook, Uma gives more insights into her professional journey and her roles and responsibilities at IEIPL.
Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table.
I graduated from BITS Pilani. Even though I had got campus placement, I joined advertising industry bitten by the creative bug. At that point of time, advertisement was the sunrise in service industry. From the very beginning itself, I focused on creating a niche for myself and developed myself into a brand strategist who is consumer-driven. Then I moved to the FMCG industry and became a full-time marketeer. I have experience working in the Asia-Pac region. I also had a short marketing stint in an online company before I moved into our manufacturing business.
What are the various roles & responsibilities that you currently shoulder at Iyappan Industries? What are some of the most challenging aspects of your role and how do you overcome them?
My Brother-in-law and myself represent the second generation.
Coming from conservative community, it was a surprise twist that my father-in-law, Managing Director of the company , got me into the family business. Currently, I oversee commercials, marketing, and purchase processes along with HR and certification processes. Implementation of systems and processes has been focus area.
When it comes to challenges, the first thing I faced is resistance from within the company- as accepting a woman in that role for a smaller company seemed to be a challenge. I had to change their mindset with my professional approach. I had to convince them that I am capable of delivering more for the growth of the company with my experience and expertise.
We have established performance-based, skill matrix driven employee benefit system in the company. The systems- and process- driven approach has also helped us gain customer’s confidence. Over the period, being a trainer and mentor myself, we were also able to change the employee’s perspective.
What have been some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved so far in your professional journey? Abreast us with your guiding leadership philosophy?
I have taken the less travelled road from the very beginning. My experience in varied organizations like Advertising Agencies and MNC marketing roles has helped me to gain adaptability and knowledge across different industry verticals. This unique combination of MNC work experience and MSME working culture has given me a good insight as how to develop MSME progressively.
I believe that there is no right or wrong leadership style. Depending on the situation, a leader should adapt different styles. The mindset of the leader is very important. Positive thinking is a must and only then can you lead the team. A leader must also know to recognize the strengths and weakness of his/her team members and delegate task accordingly. Also, help the team to learn constantly as it will help them to improve their performance, including the organization to meet its objectives efficiently.
I believe that there is no right or wrong leadership style. Depending on the situation, a leader should adapt different styles. The mindset of the leader is very important. Positive thinking is a must & only then can you lead the team
As a successful business leader, what would your advice be to young aspirants who aim to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?
Be passionate. learn from other's mistakes because it is not necessary that you have to commit the same mistake to learn. Be open to ideas and try thinking out of the box. Read a lot and take calculated risks. Share and care, and don’t try to keep your learnings a secret – share the knowledge. The best of our learnings come from our Ramayana and Mahabharatha scriptures. Bhagavad Gita gives you valuable lessons for business. Try learnings from there. Have a broader and bigger vision. Well, my vision is to build an Indian MSME brand globally as it will pave way to ‘Shreshtra Bharat’.
Uma Meiyappan
This pioneering industry stalwart focuses on improving systems and processes. Being a Brand Strategist has also helped her to market IEIPL much more effectively and increase their industry presence. Aside from this, her professional approach and negotiation skills has also helped the company to scale greater heights.
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