Empowering Women in Tech: This IT Industry leader- Anuradha Biswas is proving that anything is possible with passion and hard work.
For over a decade, Anuradha Biswas has been a beacon of inspiration in the IT industry as the Founder and CEO, Prakat Solutions. Her visionary leadership has paved the way for the company’s success, which is known for its end-to-end engineering solutions. Prakat specializes in a wide range of fields, including product engineering, test engineering, accessibility engineering, and application modernization. As an entrepreneur, Anuradha’s achievements serve as a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and passion. This Women’s Day Entrepreneur Insights have decided to focus her passion and zeal to create a brand that can be inspirational to others.
Recently we had a one-on-one session with her where she shared her entrepreneurial journey.
The idea behind Prakat Solutions
“At 26, I began developing new offerings and was fortunate to have supportive leaders who recognized my abilities and zeal during the initial days of my career. These experiences instilled confidence and a holistic approach to business including market, customers, employees, offerings, and finance. This led to the creation of Prakat, where along with enabling tech solutions and services, our mission is also to promote social and technology inclusion by providing accessible software solutions for people with disabilities.
I am motivated by individuals who leverage technology to overcome challenges and enhance their quality of life. I firmly believe that technology can be a positive force for change, and I am committed to contributing to that transformation. At Prakat, we prioritize the creation of inclusive and user-friendly technology that empowers everyone to benefit from its potential. My goal is to make a difference globally by promoting a more inclusive world for all.”
The crucial driving forces behind becoming an entrepreneur.
“My experience in Intrapreneurship gave me the confidence to pursue Entrepreneurship. My goal was to create employment opportunities for people in Tier 3 and 4 locations, as well as for those with disabilities. We’ve achieved this by continuously upskilling our employees through on-the-job training and experiential learning.
My passion for problem-solving and guiding others has driven me to pursue entrepreneurship, where I can turn my ideas into reality and make a positive impact on the world. My ultimate aim is to become a successful entrepreneur who has been able to inspire others who share the same passion to pursue their leadership dreams.”
Experiencing Gender biases situations in the entrepreneurial journey
“Gender bias and discrimination are still prevalent today. Even simple things like assuming someone’s gender based on their name can be a form of discrimination. While my journey has largely been positive with the support of my team and family, I have encountered cases of ignorance and exclusion. However, these experiences have helped me strengthen our workplace environment for women and other marginalized groups.
Entrepreneurship is challenging for anyone, but there is still a societal bias toward supporting women when they have a baby instead of when they start a business. It’s crucial for all organizations to promote equality and create an inclusive workplace that respects and provides equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, identity, or age. Building a culture of inclusivity across genders, borders, and generations is difficult but essential for real transformation.”
The idea that created Prakat
“Prakat was founded with a desire to test and surpass limits, and to provide a new boutique approach to the IT industry. Despite the challenges, we’ve stayed true to our ethos while creating solutions for our clients. With the world population set to reach 8 billion, and a quarter of that in India, entrepreneurship is critical to address the growing demand for jobs and drive economic growth. I dreamt of being part of the solution, even if it meant creating jobs for just five people. Today, Prakat has impacted thousands of lives, and this wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t turned my dream into a reality.”
Tips for building a thriving customer base
“I’ve learned from my personal experiences that thought leadership-driven conversations are the first step towards understanding a company’s vision. It’s crucial to constantly share this vision with key people, especially those working with customers, to create a strong foundation and brand culture. Our long-lasting customer relationships reflect this.
Failures have taught us the subtler aspects of relationship management, such as the importance of sharing experiences and connecting with customers to sustain and scale the customer base. Building a foundation based on ethos-driven branding is essential. When customers see your passion and alignment with your beliefs, they naturally trust and want to work with you.
Listening to your customers is vital to create something phenomenal together. Thinking from their perspective and working in sync leads to creating something exceptional. Effective communication that is timely and impactful is crucial to ensure a mutually enriching experience.”
The dynamic work culture at Prakat
“The importance of a dynamic work culture cannot be overstated. As an organization scales, it must adapt to changing times and newer ideologies. While previous experiences and influences help define the culture, it is only a starting point. The infusion of new perspectives and cultures from other leaders and the next generation helps flush out irrelevant old ways and ensures the organization grows with the times.
To create a thriving work environment, it is vital to ensure that the team feels valued and heard. Leaders should establish clear communication channels and be transparent about the company’s goals and contributions. Feedback and unique perspectives should be embraced, and team members should understand how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. The success of any organization is contingent on its team, and it is crucial to acknowledge and appreciate everyone’s contributions.”
Thoughts on Fund Raising from Investors
“Securing funding is critical to growing a business and can provide the resources and support needed to bring your initiatives to life. We crowdfunded the venture when we started 13 years ago with investors interested in our approach and inclinations. We are not looking for funding for the IT services arm currently but are aggressively on the lookout for more opportunities instead. We are however, interested in being funded for specific product ideas and in creating more innovations that leverage technology.”
The motivational Dose
“As a woman entrepreneur, my motivation comes from my desire to make a positive impact on the world through technology and innovation. I am driven by the unlimited opportunities to scale and grow and believe that collective growth is essential for success.
Furthermore, I am passionate about inspiring and empowering other women in the tech industry and believe that diversity and inclusion are key to driving innovation and progress. My motivation stems from my desire to make a difference and create something truly impactful.”
Balancing work and family
“Setting clear boundaries between your work and personal life will definitely avoid burnout. I always ensured I set aside time for vacation or even just hanging out with my friends. If I am always stressed out about work, it is difficult to perform and function. And most importantly, I had to learn to be flexible to accommodate both personal and professional commitments.”
Next five years’ plan for Prakat
“Over the next five years, my goal for Prakat is to enhance our services, prioritize profitability and scalability, and carefully evaluate new offerings. We’ll prioritize transparent budgets and timelines to incubate relevant service offerings. We will plan for succession and groom critical roles to ensure our future readiness. Attracting and retaining top talent will remain a priority. Prakat will invest in research and development, adopt new technologies and business models, and remain ahead of the curve. To ensure long-term success, we’ll focus on financial stability, cost reduction, and operational optimization. As a personal goal, I aim to ensure Prakat’s impact is sustainable by incorporating best practices for the environment and the economy.”
Indrani Banerjee – Entrepreneur Insights