Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the Indian economy, and MSMEs are the drivers of the $5 trillion economy. They are the prominent aspect of Indian Industries’ progressive future. The untapped growth potential and hidden capabilities to become globally competitive are the factors to be uncovered from each and every Indian MSME.
Determined that all the MSMEs of India become a catalyst for Transforming the Indian Economy and enabling Indian MSMEs to become globally competitive, Darshana Thakkar, Founder and CEO–who has recently been awarded as Gujarat’s Women Leaders– began her mission with…
Transformation-The Strategy HUB:
After investing 22-plus years in the corporate world in managing business operations in a few manufacturing companies, Darshana decided to quit her corporate job to start her entrepreneurship journey. With her rich experience in manufacturing organizations, she is passionate about revolutionizing the business practices of Micro and Small Enterprises in India. Darshana shares, “As we know, half of the export and almost 30 % of the GDP is contributed by MSME “
These companies mainly operate informally with limited resources. Darshana decided to support this high-potential MSME sector by providing guidance and handholding support for sustainable business growth and operational excellence.
MSMEs Most Trusted Consultant
Since the inception of Transformation in 2018, the organization has been committed to supporting Indian MSMEs and Startups. The technical and management background, along with rich industrial experience on the shop floor of the founder, helps the client organization and its owners and employees to achieve new milestones in every area of the business.
Darshna reveals, “So far, we have helped many MSME companies improve the following areas.
- Business growth from 10 to 15% annually,
- Fixed cost reduction up to 20%,
- Operational cost reduction of up to 25%,
- Input cost reduction up to 20%,
- Improved inventory and procurement,
- Digital Transformation,
- Improved resource utilization.”
Realizing Her Childhood Dream
Speaking about her inspiration behind venturing into the business arena, Darshana states that the business has been in her mind from childhood. But she couldn’t pursue that dream earlier in life. She interacted with several vendors and customers during her career with a few companies.
During that time, she realized that many small businesses were operating in an unorganized manner. Many companies started business as a single entity and then grew informally. She also observed that many high-potential MSME companies are facing tremendous challenges with product quality, product delivery, product costing, and struggling for day to day operations.
They lack professionalism in internal processes as well as external communications. With her prevailing position in the respective company, Darshana tried her best to support such an organization to improve. But that was very specific and for the limited network only. “Then after, I decided to quit the Job to start my venture, “Transformation,” with a vision to support high potential Indian MSMEs for sustainable growth and improved profitability,” informs Darshana.
Successfully Rising Above the Adversities
Sharing the initial challenges that she had to surmount to ensure Transformation’s success rate reached greater heights, Darshana says that as she started the business after a long career of working with some other companies, initially, the business owners were not having faith in her capabilities to transform their business—especially those who didn’t know her personally.
In the beginning, seven out of ten people she met argued, ‘ They are managing their business for many years, how she will improve their business as an outsider.’ She faced many rejections just because of these reasons.
Darshana says with gratitude, “I thank those few Business owners who knew me professionally and were aware of my professional capabilities either with direct interaction or with indirect reference. They have given me an opportunity to prove myself as a Business Transformation expert, and now that initial happy clients are sources for providing new business and making our company successful every rising day.”
Counselling with Ethics and Transparency
Talking about the professional values and qualities she thinks her clients value in her and Transformation the most, Darshana expresses that her rich experience in the manufacturing industry handling many problem areas with limited resources is the main point behind their success.
Because of this expertise, they can provide solutions to their clients with a limited budget and minimum changes in the organization’s culture. They provide every client with customized solutions as a standard process doesn’t suit every business. Their solutions and implementation process are entirely based on the resource availability and budget of the client.
Apart from this, ethical business practice and transparency at every stage of the transformation process is the main reason for their client’s trust in Darshana and Transformation. “Moreover, We always ensure to keep all the information of our clients confidential,” adds Darshana.
Complete Focus on Holistic Business Transformation
Detailing the USPs highlighting brand Transformation’s uniqueness in the industry, Darshana accepts that though there are many consultants in the market, they are distinct from others in the following ways:
At Transformation-The Strategy HUB,
- They are focused only on working with MSME organizations.
- They provide a holistic business transformation solution that includes Marketing, promotion and Branding strategy, cost reduction, and business growth.
- They are providing customized solutions that are in line with the company’s own culture and budget.
- Upon association with any client, Their team becomes an integral part of the client’s team to play the crucial role of Advisor, coach, and leader who works with the team.
- They are practising a feedback monitoring system to ensure the practical result of the transformation.
- They do not play an advisory role only for the Business owner. Instead, they provide complete handholding for crucial decision-making at various times.
- “We understand Indian culture and values very well. So we are entirely focused on implementing systems and processes that a diverse group of people quickly adopt in different age groups,” mentions Darshana.
A Grand Natural Wisdom
As an experienced professional, Darshana’s advice to the budding aspirants willing to enter the business world is original. She recommends that entrepreneurs who are keen to start their leadership journey stick to their area of expertise instead of copying others. Everyone is gifted with unique personality traits. “Stick to your natural behaviour instead of changing it. Your style is unique, and it will help you to succeed faster. Make your sector-specific Brand image for the particular specialization,” appeals Darshana.
Significant Tech-Knowledge Adoption
On envisioning Transformation-The Strategy HUB‘s operations with the emerging technologies and automated tools revolutionizing the business world by enabling innovations, Darshana conveys that modern technologies like Industry 4.0, IIoT, AI, ML, Robotics, RPA, Data Analytics, Additive Manufacturing, etc., have established their footprint in large corporates. But for the MSME sector, this technology adoption is quite challenging due to two significant factors.
- The high initial cost of these technologies
- Appropriate knowledge about the suitable technology
Darshana says, “We recommend our client consider technology adoption on a priority basis as it provides a quick return on investment and increases competitiveness in the industry.”
After the post covid era, businesses are regaining momentum in their respective sectors. In the post-COVID era, the one positive thing that happened was the adaptability of technology. Now even Micro and small enterprises are becoming technology-friendly, specializing in Virtual work. It has led to more opportunities for a hybrid work environment.
Expanding the Future Footprints
Due to the physical nature of consulting practices, business was earlier restricted to the nearby geographical area. Now companies are open to associating with remote business associates. These helped Transformation explore the association opportunities in the long-distance MSME companies and MSME associations. Currently, some projects are in the pipeline in Maharashtra, Punjab, MP, and West Bengal, apart from Gujarat.
Darshana reveals that they have a solid plan to establish their footprints in the other state as an MSME and Startup consultant in the future.
In summing up, She says that the reason for their existence and their ultimate goal is “To promote #localforvocal #makeinindia and #atmanirbhart to contribute to making our great nation India the world leader. The #MSME sector is a very high potential contributor, and we are committed to Transforming Indian MSMEs to their highest potential.”
“Furthermore, our prime focus is to prevent our talented youth from migrating to other countries by providing mentoring and handholding to start and succeed in their entrepreneurship journey,” Darshana concludes.
