Radhieka Mitra: an accomplishedbusinesswoman, making it happen with The Konnect – An Event & ConferenceManagement Company
India is amale-dominated society, where it has always been difficult for women to stepout and carve a niche for themselves. Though with time, women are becoming assuccessful as men in all walks of life. They are making a difference with theirideas; introduce solutions that have never been sought, and climbing the ladderof success at an incredible rate and give rise to new sustainable ecosystems.When it comes to women power in the Indian entrepreneurial sphere, RadhiekaMitra is a remarkable figure. She is moving with gumption and uncontrolledenthusiasm to boost the event industry on the International level with herbusiness venture. From the beginning to current role as Founder and ManagingDirector of the company, she has emerged as a powerful player.
In the year 2014,Radhieka initiated The Konnect to bring a change and opportunities forlike-minded people to share a common platform. In academic, Radhieka holds anMBA degree in International business and 16 years of experience and knowledgein the service industry. She worked for international conventional centers,professional conference organizers, hotels, convention bureau that taught herthe business, the challenges, and the way to make something magical.
Recently,Radhieka Mitra was on the hot seat of The CEO Magazine, where she discussed TheKonnect, her professional journey, and more.
Hereare edited excerpts.
Giveus insights into the company and its major offerings.
Experiencesthat incorporate precision planning, creativity, and technology! The Konnectprovides a platform, where our clients' vision and ideas are shaped intoeverlasting experiences. It is a team of 11 passionate and hardworkingprofessionals. Here, each of the collaborators is well trained, competent,dedicated, multicultural, accountable, reliable, and passionate! We believe inbuilding strong relationships with our clients that are based on honesty,integrity, and trust. We aim to make India as the most preferred MICEdestination, and we work hard each day to accomplish our goal. Our USPs is on4Cs – Community, Competence, Creativity, and Convergence. We built a communityaround people and will focus on our clients and their goals turning the eventinto a tremendous and memorable success.
Our servicesinclude:
Wheredoes your interest in entrepreneurship come from – how did you start?
I believe the backbone of any company is thepeople who work with you. They are your assets. I wanted to lead and create aworld for myself, where I am able to bring a self-empowered change in people'slives by bringing the best in them. The Konnect is all about greatrelationships, be it with our clients, suppliers/partners, teammates. Trust, integrity, and honesty are thefoundation of our company.
Whatmakes your company stand out in the market?
We are wellKonnected! We work seamlessly with small- large clients and suppliers. We arenimble enough to stay close to the client and their event, and therefore ableto make a personal touch to each event which is not the case with others. Weare easy to do business with, adaptable, & dependable. If we undertake aproject, we work on an agenda to succeed in delivering targeted outcomes of theclient. We collaborate with clients and suppliers to create positiveexperiences in order to have a lasting shelf life of an event. So, with allthings being the same, it is really & truly the personal involvement, care,and promised outcomes that we excel in. Our customers say so.
Whatdo you think is the toughest problem for businesswomen?
Women have addedresponsibilities to manage home, kids, and work but, most importantly, it's anart to be able to manage everything especially when you have to do it all. Weare born multitaskers, and I think this is the biggest challenge as well as anadvantage for us depending on how we perceive things, and how well we accomplishit, but that doesn't stop us from achieving our dreams and making it happen.
What'sa day in your life like as an entrepreneur?
My day startswith positive affirmations, gratitude and seeding the best things to happenwithin my thoughts each day. That's how my day is shaped and anything good orbad the day has in store for me, I face it with a smile as I believe that thebest is yet to come.
Whoare your clients? How do you keep your clients happy and satisfied?
Our clienteleincludes United Nation bodies, Government of India, International associations,and corporates. What our client looks at is the experience that they go throughwhile working with us – The Konnect. We concentrate on the RoI of their timeand money, and the overall experience we deliver to make clients happy andsatisfied.
Thoughthe statistics of women entrepreneurs in India are rising, yet a woman'sambitions are often doubted in our society. Is it difficult for women to starta business in India?
Ibelieve that if one has the vision, the passion, and the knowledge that nothingis impossible.Women are oftenstopped or diverted from their goals as they make someone else's life missionto be theirs'. Here, women should not leave their identity and purpose in lifeand strive hard to get the victory.
Afterall this success and failure, what do you struggle with now?
Difficulties andchallenges are parts of life. Presently, we don't see the infrastructure forlarge scale conferences in place for major metro cities barring few which is atpar with any international convention center in the world. Our business modelof international conferences seeks us to bid 4-5 years in advance to secureIndia as a destination.
Howdo you achieve a balance between your personal and professional life?
I wouldn't saythere is a perfect balance between the two, especially when one is from theservice industry. I try, and it is a tough task. It is demanding as well interms of time; we travel all the time and are engaged in off site venues. Ipersonally focus on each and every project irrespective of the size of thebusiness to deliver excellent results.
Whathave you learned about entrepreneurship in your journey?
Patience andperseverance
Listthe awards and milestones won by the company.
Best New ProfessionalConference Organizer – Oct 2017
MICE person ofthe year – Female – Oct 2018
Whatis your future agenda to keep growing in the market?
We do a lot ofresearch on International conferences and events happening worldwide and aim tobring them to India. Growth happens when one does the right thing at the righttime in the right way. We have expanded our services globally and aim to do somore with time.
Asa source of inspiration for many, what would your advice be for femaleentrepreneurs, who are planning to enter the business world?
My advice to myfellow female entrepreneurs would be: "Dream big and make it happen. You haveit in you, and you don't need someone else to tell you that" Remember your lifepath is made by the thoughts you seed in.
