business acumen

Jamshedpur, Nov. 28: Those who believe women lack the brain for business must meet Mansi Guha.

A widow, Guha has achieved what many men have failed to. She has taken her company, Sneha Electronics, a small-scale unit that manufactures automobile components, to new heights by multiplying its annual turnover to over Rs 50 lakh in just three years.

And her hard work paid off when she received an award (the first prize) from the state for registering the maximum turnover. The award takes into account a company’s performance for three years. Guha was felicitated at a function in the capital on November 25.

Guha had started her business from a small place in the Kharagajhar area of Telco. But she slowly climbed the ladder by using her business acumen. “The company was started on my initiative in 1982. But my husband used to assist me in running the unit. But after his demise in 1999, I had to step in his place and take the reins completely in my hand. However, running the company all alone was not that easy and I learnt it the hard way,” said Guha.

She said at present, the company has an annual turnover of more than Rs 50 lakh and achieving the target involved a lot of toil, presence of mind, ability to take correct decisions and of course, patience. At one point of time, Guha said, “it seemed impossible that I would be able to reach that position. But now, I am here”.

The entrepreneur gave the credit of her achievement to her husband and the 14 dedicated employees of her unit, who helped her build the business. “My husband was an electronic engineer and most of the products that we are manufacturing now were his brainchild. The role of employees cannot be downplayed either,” Guha said.

Explaining the nature of the company’s dealings, Guha said: “We manufacture electronic components that are fitted into vehicles manufactured by Tata Motors. Currently, we are supplying spare parts to the company’s Jamshedpur and Lucknow plants.” In an effort to locate new markets, Senha Electronics got its products approved from Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India.

Armed with the certification, Sneha Electronics, under the guidance of Guha, is now charting new waters. It has made an entry in the market of automobile spare parts. The firm is set to bag a contract from the Railways soon for supply of relay circuits.

However, Guha insisted that the slogging does not end here. The entrepreneur would continue to spread her wings. “ARAI’s certification has proved that our products are of high quality. As my present office does not have enough space, I have applied for a land in Adityapur Industrial Area and may even tie up with a company for lending an impetus to my business,” she said.