Introduction: Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently
I started Achieve IT – Recruitments in 2011, at a time when I could no longer continue with my job as a Sr. Process & Business Excellence Manager in a big IT firm, due to family responsibilities. I hava a 20 years work experience majorly in the IT Industry. There has been no turning back since then. Today I manage a team of Only Women employees catering to my client recruitment needs which is growing everyday.
I have achieved the below certifications:
- Certified Internal Auditor for ISO 9001:2008, 27001, 20000 & Integrated Management System (IMS for ISO 9001, ISO 20000:2005 & ISO 27001:2005)
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt from KPMG
- Certified ITIL by EXIN
- Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
- Implemented CMMI level 3 & 5 High Maturity practice successfully
- Catering & Hotel Management
- ‘Human Resources Development `, ‘Personnel Management and Industrial Relations
My vision is to be the No. 1 recruitment company for IT requirements for start ups & SME’s by 2018.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
I have been lucky enough not to face much obstacles as heard by other start ups. Maybe as I was always a little cautious when huge investment for business came into the picture. My business was always self funded. So no financial losses on repaying interest.
But, yes a lot of companies have their in house recruitment and HR teams and hence were not willing to outsource these activities, this is a problem for us. Also, a lot of recruitment firms crop up with entrepreneurship on the forefront..HR background candidates move on & begin their own recruitment / HR firms and there is so much of competition hence you need to be very aggressive in your work and have an edge over others or else your business will collapse
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
I didn’t have any challenge that I can remember as God has been very kind to me till date. Things are quite smooth compared to others businesses..Im thankful for that.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
I have been awarded ‘Women Entrepreneur of the year – 2016’ by world leadership Federation in Nov 2016.
Awarded the #MadeByHer Stars Award under the category – “Growth stage Business” in Nov 2017 at Pune
I was even invited to speak at the “IT Adaption by MSME Sector” – MSME 2017 at Bangalore on 24th June 2017 on the “WIT – Woman Entrepreneurship topic”.
Interiewed by “Woman at work in Dec 2017 article..
All the above accolades is my achievement towards my work, dedication and passon.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
I would have loved to be a vet doctor and help all those poor & needy animals. My dream is to have a huge farmhouse with many animals around..
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I don’t wish to flatter myself but I am my own inspiration. The hunger, eagerness and craving to reach my goal drives and inspires me to not look back. I only see myself leading ahead.
What does the future hold for you?
Nobody has ever been able to see the future. I live for the day as if there is no tomorrow..
About the author
I was born in a Gujarati, Patel family in Mumbai.I studied Arts from Sophia College & also did Catering from Nirmala Niketan as my family wanted her to learn cooking as that is a priority for a Gujrati family. However, my family was very broad minded and allowed her freedom to explore a lot of things which has helped her since.
Manisha was a Sr. Process & Business Excellence Manager in a big IT firm, responsible for Process Standards implementation and certifcation. The demands on her time from her familial responsibilities meant that she would have to find a way to work and give time at home. With over 20 years of technology sector experience in India and the United Kingdom, she decided to start her own venture, providing recruitment services.
AchieveIT started as a work from home venture in 2011, and there has been no turning back since then. With references from friends and colleagues, AchieveIT has grown on the basis of word of mouth publicity alone.. I am concerned about women who are on personal & maternity breaks, and takes special efforts to get them back into the job stream.
Achieve IT works on its USP of the quickest turnaround time of 4 hours with complete filtration of resumes as per the client specific job description.
As a woman entrepreneur, I am also uniquely tuned in to the issues faced by women in starting and running their own businesses. In today’s world Women Entrepreneurship is being encouraged by everyone including the Government. Women are being encouraged by various organizations, social groups, investors, etc to take the big leap. But women do face a lot of issues related to family, kids, in laws, etc. I urge entrepreneurs and especially women entrepreneurs to not let anything stop you from achieving your dreams and independence. Every woman should be independent, to get the confidence and ability to stand up for her rights, to create her own identity, which no one can take from her.
Linkedn / skype- Manisha Karna, www.achieveit.co.in.
