A Never Say Die Attitude

KAMINI TALWAR,
director, Iris Computers

JOB PROFILE:
During
the 15-year stint with Iris, Kamini Talwar's objectives have been
evolving, and her 'role sets' are getting wider. Associated with
the IT Industry for over 16 years with extensive experience in sales
of Apple and IBM compatible computers, Talwar is currently
responsible for handling sales and reseller channels management for
all products distributed by Iris Computers as the director of the
company. She believes inmanaging the channels' issues with greater
consideration. She is the country's promising IT feminist, who is
particularly perceptive towards the benefit of channel partners.

BACKGROUND: Having
got immense support from her family, Talwar started her career at the
age of 17. She is the daughter of an Air Force officer, and has
completed her schooling from Air Force School and also holds a degree
in Business Management from YMCA. The concept of starting a
distribution company grew in her mind while she was working with
Apple. After serving apple for 12 years, she decided to move on and
started Iris Computers in 1996 together with Sanjiv Krishen, as its
chairman. They never imagined that they would make it this big and
Iris would attract foreign investors. Leveraging on her business
acumen and contacts, Talwar managed to establish a convincing
position for Iris Computers. She has given an altogether different
image to the IT distribution business in India.

CHALLENGES: Having
been able to overcome several challenges by her sheer determination and
hard
work, Talwar has managed to have a fulfilling career, which has always
been a top
priority for her. She has always tried to convert challenges into
opportunities.

STRENGTH: Talwar
has been optimistic throughout her career. “I feel my strength is
like a journey where the destination is off the map and this
immeasurable depth drives me to go to any length to find the perfect
Cinderella dress for my daughter's birthday or prepare a
presentation overnight to motivate my sales team. The fact that well
being of my family and Iris Computers rests on me is what fuels my
inner strength and I work towards keeping mentally and physically
strong so I can do anything I want,” says Talwar. She has an
intense spirit of entrepreneurship and many qualities that have
enabled her to lead the company with grace and dynamism. Confidence
has added zing to her personality. She is one of the few women
managers in India who have significantly contributed towards making
India into a respectable IT destination.

DEALING WITH MEN AT
WORK: To survive in this competitive spectrum, Talwar believes
that a woman has to be strong enough to face all kinds of
circumstances. Men colleagues have respected and accepted her only
because she had demonstrated to them how to run the business as
entrepreneurs. Like all other male counterparts, she is an out and
out workaholic who works for seven days a week and is accessible
24x7. She hates taking breaks as she feels guilty that she might be
losing out on some avenues to make her company more progressive. One
has to be proving their value to get respect and has to don a
professional attitude to get a job done. She feels that it was her
strong sense of commitment and knowledge of the subject that made her
successful in the business and helped her get more business as
compared to her male counterparts.

HOBBIES: Talwar
loves spending time with her children, which is the best way she can
unwind. She swims and does yoga 3-4 days in a week depending on her
travel schedule. Also, she is fond of reading management books and
seeks the company of intellectuals from whom she can learn about
business in general. She enjoys stimulating business and academics
discussions. “However, workingis my favorite hobby and I'm happy
when I'm trying to grab more for Iris,” says Talwar.

FUTURE: She hopes
to take the company to new heights with all her efforts. Her passion
and courage has led Iris to gain strong ground and today she is in a
hurry to take Iris to Rs 1,000 crore. The key behind her success is
her never say die attitude.