Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom

KAVITA VALAWALKAR,
head-operations, Nexsus Techno Solutions

PROFILE: Proud to hold the
head-operations position in href="http://dqchannels.ciol.com/content/reselleralert/111030807.asp">Nexsus
Techno Solutions, Kavita
Valawalkar has managed to establish a prominent position for herself
in the corporate sector. Working with Nexsus for the past 7 years
now, Valawalkar is responsible for client servicing, budget management,
resource management and administration.

BACKGROUND: Born and bought up
in the city of dreams, Mumbai, Valawalkar opted for Psychology in
graduation and later did a Hotel Management course. Though she
started at 17 to work at a small time fast food restaurant, nobody
would have thought that one day she would head the operations at
Nexsus. "Completing my hotel management course gave a boost to
my career; we used to organize events in the hotel industry. At such
an early age, I wanted to work to earn money and gain confidence. I
was in-charge of the banquet at the Kamath group of Hotels for 1 year
after which I shifted to Orchid hotel. It was once during these
events that I was offered a job at a BPO in Delhi. I worked for 3
years in that firm known as 'Voice and Data Management', said
Valawalkar. Through her contacts she met Shanto Mittra who is
currently MD, Nexsus, and that's when she made her entry into Nexsus.
Valawalkar credits her Nexsus experience for teaching the basics of
the business. She believes that it is during her stay in Nexsus that
she learnt about the IT domain, which she considered as a alien for
herself. "Now, I am married to Nexsus," proudly said
Valawalkar.

CHALLENGES: "Challenge is a
mindset and as such I have never faced any setbacks. However, I
believe that being a woman, it is very important to get the support
of the family," pointed out Valawalkar.

Valawalkar feels that in such a job
there are chances that one might miss out on career opportunities
because of family responsibilities. Valawalkar does not believe in
asking for concessions as a professional, just because she is a
woman. Her advice to other women in the industry is to get used to
the long working hours and not worry about gender benders. In fact,
being a woman has always worked in her favor as customers are more
courteous to the fairer sex.

STRENGHTS: Maintaining a balance
between her family and professional life is her greatest strength
claims Valawalkar. She firmly believes that career despite being the
top most priority in life, she also gives her family proper attention
and importance.

HOBBIES: Reading and music are
the favorite past times of Valawalkar. She claims that she is an avid
reader of novels. She prefers reading books by Sudha Murthy and
Chetan Bhagat. The most interesting part is that she loves to cook
non-veg food even though she is a vegetarian. "My friends swear
by my cooking skills and it is only for their sheer love I cook
non-veg," said Valawalkar.

INSPIRATION: "If you ask
about my inspiration, I would say my boss and guru, Shanto Mittra. If
it was not for him, I would not have been at a position where I am
today. He believed in my capabilities and I always regard him in the
highest respect," said Valawalkar.

FUTURE: Valawalkar dreams of
listing her company in the top Fortune 500 club in time to come. She
believes that in life one should always give 100% to whatever they
are doing and keep looking out for positives.