The 10 most innovative business leaders to follow in 2021(4) compressed

Ahmed dETTA
INNOVATIVE
Business Leaders
to Follow in 2021
The
MOST
Ensuring Sustainability by Pioneering the
Development of Recycling Methodologies
Making a Diﬀerence in
the World By Leading
With Credibility
Being Credible
VOL 07 | ISSUE 13 | 2021
+

Innovate to
Elevate!
very leader starts their business journey with a plan
Eand faces challenges in their professional journey.
While leaders plan about their future, one thing
they need to do is enjoy their journey of leadership because
there are things that will always be left out, even after
achieving everything. It is better to enjoy the little things
that motivate and inspires the people around you and have a
good memory of your professional journey.
There is always a part of the leader who wants to innovate
and bring a transformation wherever he/she works. Leaders
are well aware that bringing transformation is a lengthy
process, and what comes along with it is the patience to
bring that change.
Every leader’s vision is to be successful, but they find it
challenging to implement innovation. It is only with the
right mindset they can create an impact in regard to
innovation and transformation. There is a direct link
between leadership and having the right ethics, providing
high-quality innovation.
Speaking more about innovative leadership, it is only
possible with teamwork, collaboration, and open
communication with the employees. Following culture of
open-door management, the structure becomes beneficial
for both the leader and the organization. Innovative leaders
make their strong connection in the industry to expand and
launch new techniques into their leadership.
Innovative leadership is the backbone of the company, as
there is the inclusion of an innovative environment
throughout the business. Creating an innovative
environment improves the quality of service, reduces
operational time, and increases productivity for everyone.
Such leaders continually challenge themselves in the
competitive, volatile market. They always find a way to
innovate for others, to do more, and to serve more.
Editor’s Desk

Therefore, keeping the right mindset of gratitude,
respect, and enjoying the phase of innovative
leadership is the key to success. It is also about
ﬁnding the right balance of work-life balance and
rising as a humble and empathetic leader. This is a
secret for the process of leadership – choosing and
keeping the right approach towards the employee,
technology, and his/her own entrepreneurial career.
Competition out in the market is ﬁerce, but leaders
are ready to take on the world with the right
approach.
Impressed by their ways of innovating the business
arena, Insights Success presents its upcoming edition
of - The 10 Most Innovative Business Leaders to
Follow in 2021. We have featured a variety of
innovative leaders through this edition who ensure
the overall growth and development of the people
and the industries.
Featuring as the cover story is Ahmed Detta. Ahmed
is the CEO and Founder of Enviroo, a company
that provides a solution to post-consumer plastic
waste. He is a circular economy-focused
entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional
industry experience across the UK, Europe, and the
Middle East.
Read on to unveil many more stories of such
innovative leaders who are playing an important role
globally.
Let’s Begin!
sourabh@insightssuccess.com
Sourabh More

Ahmed Detta
08
COVER STORY

Being Credible
Making a Difference in the World By
Leading With Credibility
20
ARTICLE
Leader’s
Viewpoint
The Changing
Landscape of
Work Place
Remote Working
should be
Encouraged or Not?
32
C
O
N
T
E
N
T
S
Betsy Wiersma
Empowering Women around the World
with the Power of Love and Support
16
Leigh Rust
A Proud Advocate for Australian-
Made Products
22
Manju Mastakar
Facilitating Sustainable Capital Growth
of Individuals as well as Businesses
28
Steven Hill
An Accomplished Executive Leader
in the Telecommunications Industry
36

sales@insightssuccess.com
July, 2021
Editor-in-Chief
Senior Sales Manager Business Development Manager
Marketing Manager
Technical Head
Technical Specialist Digital Marketing Manager
Research Analyst
Database Management Technology Consultant
Hitesh Dhamani
Managing Editor
Anish Miller
Executive Editor
Sourabh More
Assistant Editors
Jenny Fernandes
Visualizer
David King
Art & Design Director
Asha Bange
Associate Designer
Kartik Balapurkar
Kshitij S Peter Collins
John Matthew
Sales Executives
David, Martin, Calvin
Business Development Executives
Steve, Joe, Akash
Jacob Smile
Aditya Marry D'Souza
SME-SMO Executive
Amol Wadekar Frank Adams
Circulation Manager
Robert Brown Stella Andrew David Stokes
Shubham Dali
Co-designer
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Brief
Company Name
Ampleon
ampleon.com
Reinier Beltman
CEO
Ampleon is shaped by 50 years of RF Power leadership and is
set to exploit the full potential of data and energy transfer in
RF.
Enviroo
enviroo.co.uk
Ahmed Detta
CEO
Enviroo provides a solution to post consumer plastic waste.
Matthew Palis
CEO
infront-webworks
infront.com
Infront Webworks is an award-winning Digital Agency that’s
been improving client growth while reducing costs and
maximizing ROI for over 20 years.
Leigh Rust
Founder
Safetyline Jalousie
safetyline
jalousie.com.au
Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows are the most versatile,
highest performing and best value for money single glazed
louvre windows on the market.
Light Source
lightsourceuk.net
Steven Hill
MD
Light Source specialises in the delivery of robust, cost effective
design and build solutions in the Telecommunications industry.
Sam Visaisouk
CEO
Tyromer
tyromer.com
Tyromer Inc. commercializes a rubber devulcanization
technology invented by Professor Costas Tzoganakis of the
Department of Chemical Engineering.
Betsy Wiersma
Creator
CampExperience™
Network
campexperience.com
CampExperience™ Network is a one-of-a-kind annual retreat
and ongoing gatherings designed exclusively for women who
are ready for education and inspiration, and who want to
connect to a network of amazing women.
Denny McKnight
CEO
Tompkins Solutions
tompkinsinc.com
Tompkins Solutions is a global supply chain services firm
dedicated to helping clients achieve supply chain excellence
and profitable growth.
Uri Bettesh
CEO
Datos
datos-health.com
Datos Health is a fully automated Remote Patient Monitoring
platform designed to directly connect patients with medical
sources of care from the comfort of their own homes, for
improved quality of life.
Manju Mastakar
Director
Armstrong understand that managing investments need
extensive research, regular monitoring, dedicated team and
periodic reviews of investments.
Armstrong
armstrong-cap.com
Featured Person

COVER STORYtory
Ahmed De a
CEO and Founder
Enviroo

Ahmed
Detta
Enviroo’s vision is to
provide recycling
solutions for PET
plastic waste across the
United Kingdom by
creating vitreous
recycling protocols that
encourage commitment
from all stakeholders.
‘‘
‘‘

Development is great but it should be in harmony
with the well-being of the environment. Use of
renewable energy resources is an important factor
in ensuring environmental sustainability. Sustainable
development is one of the most important goals of the
United Nations Organization. Businesses that use renewable
energy resources today play an important role in ensuring
environmental sustainability. It is important for
organizations to invest in sustainable and renewable energy
resources as they provide long term viable solutions and are
important in ensuring contribution to sustainable
development goals. Responsible consumption and
responsible production is also a very important part of the
sustainable development.
The leaders that are the promoters of environmental
sustainability through a variety of innovative ways are very
passionate in ensuring the protection of the environment as
well as its development. Ahmed Detta is one such
innovative business leader who is cognizant of ensuring
environmental sustainability and balancing development
and sustainability. Ahmed is the CEO and Founder of
Enviroo, a company that provides a solution to post
consumer plastic waste. He is a circular economy focused
entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional industry
experience across UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Being Environmental Activist
Ahmed’s industry specialism spans across the Sustainability
and Technology arenas with a deep-rooted focus on plastics
recycling. He has previously supported international
campaigns including United Nations Clean Development
Mechanism (UNCDP) and the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP) to help raise awareness of our damaged
environment.
Ahmed is pioneering the development of recycling
methodologies and best practice in the United Kingdom. He
has helped established two international recycling plants
focusing on consumer electronics, corporate information
technology equipment, plastic waste and print cartridge
materials. Prior to setting up Enviroo, he concluded a
signiﬁcant amount of plastic waste and materials trade deals
across the GCC and Europe.
Creating a Sustainable and Circular Economy Using
PET
Enviroo recycles 100% of Polyethylene Terephthalate
(PET) plastic waste and creates ‘food-grade’ polymers that
are used to recreate food packaging and plastic bottles. PET

plastic is not going to instantly disappear and remains
embedded in everyone’s lives. Not only does it take up to
400 years to disintegrate but is also the primary material
used in packaging for food and beverage and will remain
for many years to come. PET can be infinitely recycled and
the technology Enviroo uses can recycle 100% of this
material. Enviroo has created a closed loop recycling
method incorporating long term viability as it ensures
transparency, circularity, and sustainability.
Changing Behavioral Habits of Plastic Users
Enviroo’s mission is to change behavioral habits of plastic
users to ensure plastic does not enter oceans and landfill. It
advocates responsible recycling that creates unity amongst
all circular economy stakeholders, thus ensuring 100% of
PET plastic waste is recycled.
Enviroo’s vision is to provide recycling solutions for PET
plastic waste across the United Kingdom by creating
vitreous recycling protocols that encourage commitment
from all stakeholders. The company merges social impact
‘‘Enviroo is committed to
recycling plastic to a
regulatory standard that
encompasses every strand
of the circular economy
recycling model.
‘‘
with technological innovation to create a better
environment — both for today and for future generations.
Being Resilient in Navigating Through Life
Living abroad has made a huge difference to Ahmed’s life
as he has had to make serious life decisions without the
support of his inner circle of friends and family. He states
that by not having them close by to have a chat about
something important really helped develop an independent
mindset. Living abroad has also made him more resilient as
the transiency of expat communities can create a lot of
loneliness as people move onto their next location. He
expresses that you become very close to people very
quickly as you are all away from your support bubble and
then that person relocates and creates a massive void.
Through this, you become more resilient as you adapt to the
cycle of expat life.
Ahmed mentions that he has come across some fascinating
characters in business and they taught him to really
introspect. He dealt with people from all facets of society
and realized that not everyone has your best interests at
heart. He says that learning that some people have a hidden
agenda and not knowing what that is can be detrimental to
one’s success if it is not aligned.
Besides this learning, books have been really instrumental
for Ahmed, as they helped him navigate through life.
Currently, he is reading ‘what happened to you’ by Oprah
Winfrey which is about dealing with trauma, resiliency, and
healing all of which affect and creates new entrepreneurs.
Driving the Growth of the Company
Like every leader, Ahmed also had to face lot of challenges.
He mentions that building a management team of trusted

individuals was quite challenging. Moreover, lack of
legislation to support organization’s products was another
challenge he overcame to establish the organization.
Besides, Ahmed has also witnessed the bureaucracy and
lack of transparency in the industry sector. The company
had faced high barriers to entry. Currently, Ahmed is
driving the growth of the Enviroo by raising investment for
the company’s projects. He is keeping the industry abreast
of changes and direction.
Investing in Long term Viable Solutions
Ahmed states that Covid-19 has had minimal impact on the
industry compared to other industries. Despite lockdowns,
consumers’ consumptions have remained consistently high
especially, as Enviroo is operating in an industry that deal
with food and beverage waste.
In the opinion of Ahmed, Covid-19 has highlighted the
importance of investing in sustainable and renewable
investments as they provide long term viable solutions.
Investors have become more attune to the renewables and
environment industry as it does not present the volatility of
the stock market or hospitality and airline industries.

Creating Empathetic, Smart Working and World Class
Team
Ahmed states that it is absolutely important to have a
positive work culture. He says that everyone faces
challenges in their personal lives so the professional
environment people work in should foster growth and allow
them to be in a harmonious environment. He mentions that
transparent communication between all parties within a
team or group lead to positive work environment.
Transparency engineers empathy and empathy builds a
foundation for positivity and trust.
At Enviroo, Ahmed has created an open work culture where
his team can contact him whenever they wish. Ahmed is
focused and motivated to creating a world class team. He
allows his team to work on their mental health and are
welcome to use a mentor to help them through any
challenges. He is a huge advocate of fitness and mental
health and thus, encourages his team to go do a yoga a class
or spin cycling class and do some meditation. Ahmed does
not inflict strict working hours, as work smart is his motto.
Promoting a Cause of Recycling Materials with Ease
Enviroo is currently developing a program to help the
problem of rough sleepers in the country. The company is
undertaking a vast amount of research and partnering with
leading academic institutes to really figure out how it can
motivate consumers to donate towards charitable causes
through recycling their plastic waste. In order for this
program to be successful, it would need a real change in
how plastics are collected in the industry.
Ahmed states that the UK really needs to advance its
commitment to a deposit return scheme whereby people can
recycle their materials with ease. He mentions that the
industry is still massively guilty for exporting its waste to
other parts of the world and this needs to change.
Currently, all the efforts of Ahmed are in the direction to
take Enviroo from being a PET plastics recycling plant to
becoming the powerhouse plastics recycler in the UK for all
plastics.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
In his advice to emerging entrepreneurs aspiring to venture
into plastic industry Ahmed says to really understand the
stakeholders they are dealing with and the key motivators
behind why they are involved in the recycling industry. He
suggests them to always plan for constant change –
products and packaging will always change so they need to
be flexible and adaptable. He advises them to have a 10-
year outlook and look back at the past 20 years to
understand how things have changed.

kimberly Khoury
Paving her Way in Sustainability Development
&
&
The
20
BUSINESSWOMEN
to Watch, 2020
SUCCESSFUL
Most

Betsy
Wiersma
Empowering Women around the World
with the Power of Love and Support
Betsy Wiersma
Creator
CampExperience™ Network
16 | July 2021 www.insightssuccess.com

S
elf-upbringing and learning are the processes that
have no end. The journey becomes more joyful when
you can enjoy company and friendship of mind full
people who can help you to improve in your life and lead
you to achieve personal and professional goals. Betsy
Wiersma is one such inspiring person who is a serial
entrepreneur, international speaker, event organizer, and
podcast host and in 2019, she also became a TEDx speaker.
Betsy is the Creator of CampExperience™ Network
which is a one-of-a-kind annual retreat and ongoing
gatherings designed entirely for women who are ready for
education and inspiration, and who want to connect to a
network of amazing women. She started The
CampExperience™ Network in 2005 to fulﬁll her dream to
be a "work-at-home" mom and to enjoy everyday activities
with her adopted daughter.
Betsy's philosophy is return on ideas. Through
CampExperience™ Network, she is crafting meaningful
activities for women to be inspired, to live on purpose, and
to make their unique contribution to the world while having
fun.
Love as a Business Tool: The CampExperience™
Network
In 2020, when the world was told to stay in their homes and
all the news was gloom, Betsy went on Facebook live every
day from March to August with one hopeful phrase “Love
is the anti-virus!” After that opening statement, she
proceeded to tell a quirky story about inclusion, hope,
perseverance, joy, dreams and the power of possible. The
daily conversation was not only for her CampExperience™
Network of 5000+ women on purpose for good, but she was
talking to herself as a unique and passionate leader. She was
sharing the secret sauce for the success of her brand for
both business and life and that is LOVE.
In 2005, Betsy gathered 15 friends and they started
imagining “What would a weekend look like if we focused
on uplifting and inspiring all kinds of women? Could we be
like “summer Camp” and get away from our busy lives?
Can we learn and grow and share and craft together? And
can we use the shared vision of Women Helping Women to
build friendships and collaboration?” The answer was
‘YES’ and they launched the CampExperience™ Network.
Today, the team is monthly networking and having
connection events and four signature social events
including the Fall Retreat.
Global Summits and Expanded Podcasting
In 2019, Betsy saw an opportunity to share magic of
CampExperience™ Network in Colorado with the world
and decided to launch two global projects: The Global
Sisterhood Podcast network featuring 150 Sister Stories of
women from the US and around the world. Then it
expanded their online content and outreach and called it the
Global Sisterhood Network. Global highlights were
interviewing the mayor of Akureyri, Iceland, and seven of
her town’s women leaders on a visit with ﬁve Americans
from the CampExperience™ Network “Sisterhood.”
CampExperience™ Network also hosted Powerful Purpose
Vision Board workshops in Norway and interviewed
leaders. In another adventure, Betsy traveled to Sydney
Harbor in Australia to climb the bridge, raise $3500 for a
charity and interviewed more local women leaders. Global
outreach is back on track for 2021 and 2022 with Art &
Insight workshops.
Innovative Approach During Pandemic
The 2020 pandemic had many blessings. As per Betsy
CampExperience™ Network technology was the lifeline for
the team. “We literally “met” online more than we had
done in person,” says . During the pandemic course,
Betsy
Love wins
even in a
pandemic
‘‘
‘‘
The 10 Most Innova ve Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
17
|
July 2021
www.insightssuccess.com

the team very quickly was reaching the wider group in
Zoom meetings. Next every Saturday it had a new event
“Artsy Afternoons” where they gathered online to “be
together and art.” Some did stitching; some knitted, sewed
or painted. Some just came to chat and feel “normal.” Betsy
made mixed-media art and had a BIG IDEA. To add to her
100 pieces of new “COVID” art, she asked 62 of her most
interesting friends to write a 1000 essay to uplift and inspire
women in the world. In October 2020, CampExperience™
Network published its 200+ page, full-color art and insights
book called The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women.
Blessings come in strange pandemic packages.
Putting Eﬀorts, Doing Good
“Love wins even in a pandemic,” says . In September
Betsy
2020, CampExperience™ Network’s team put on their
masks, covered the tables with plastic, purchased hand
sanitizer and darling extra masks for everyone then hosted
the CampExperience™ Network Fall Retreat. 108 women
enjoyed two days of education, inspiration and connection
and raised $30,000 for CampExperience™ Network ‘s
Charity Partners. In 16 years leading the
Betsy’s
CampExperience™ Network has raised over $1 million
cash and in-kind support for charities in Colorado and
around the world.
A Guide to Manifest Ideas- Process on Purpose
On advising emerging entrepreneurs, she advises
entrepreneurs to use her process on purpose. This is the
secret sauce she uses to manifest every idea. She further
adds, it is a six-part process that she teaches in her course
‘Move Ideas Into Action’. In this course she asks people
“not to think” just stop, breath and dream.
Betsy shares, “We start with vision and intention, then add
your positive beliefs, and then choose the ideas that deliver
what you want. The other steps are to create Vision Boards,
Vision Boxes and then journal every idea to practice “what
it looks like when it works.” Then you speak it into the
world and create support in your community. This process
works every time and is fun to implement.”
Let’s Do Good and Have Fun Together
The CampExperience™ Network will continue to serve
BIG as it is expanding its community and adding more
education and inspiration and going back to global travel
adventures. The MOVE Ideas Into Action course, which
beneﬁts a global charity Threads Worldwide, will add
retreats and more programs to encourage use of Betsy’s
Process on Purpose and to encourage the world to dream.
Betsy says “we will continue to attract like-hearted women
to Do Good & Have Fun with us!”

Making a
DIFFERENCE
in the by
WORLD
LEADING With
CREDIBILITY

C
redibility is an essential leadership competency. To
lead any business effectively, leaders need to
demonstrate credibility. This credibility is built by
delivering meaningful results. Leadership means uniting
people together to accomplish certain goals. Business
leaders play a significant role in the organizations' success
as they come up with strategies to achieve organizational
goals. They seize the opportunities and make them count on
their leadership.
Credibility is a combination of High Competence and
Strong Character. Leaders, who can exemplify high
competence and strong character, can generate credibility,
which helps them lead with more authority. Credible
leaders are resolute in their purpose. They don’t give into
the vibrations or opinions of others. They have their own
opinions. They listen to their conscience and intuition. They
dare to follow their conscience and intuition above all.
Credible leaders act with rational intelligence. They have
logical, analytical, and rational thought processes. They
don’t take whimsical decisions. They act on the cognitive
intensive, conscious, and logical conclusions. They analyze
every decision from all points of view and the impact it can
create on the market. They can create great output because
of their high-value decisions based on rational and logical
thought processes.
Technology is the greatest boon in the 21st century. With
the application and implementation of technology in
businesses, leaders hold the potential to make a big
difference in the industry. Credible leaders are very much
well aware of this potential of technology. They keep
themselves well-updated with the latest innovations in
technology. They like to implement the latest technologies
in their businesses so as to benefit their clients by increasing
the quality of their solutions. Because of their unique
thought process, they can create something inventive. They
utilize technology to make things better.
Credible leaders are very much aware that without the
substantial people in their organizations, they cannot create
a tremendous impact in the industry. Therefore they
prioritize having resourceful people in their organizations.
They create a strong team which helps them to achieve
more. They delegate their tasks and utilize their time and
energy to strategize, plan, and take high-value decisions.
They build great teams.
Trustworthy leaders strengthen their teams with adequate
professional training and developing their capabilities. They
create resourceful people in their organizations and a
culture of cooperation in the team members. The credible
leaders very well understand that great results come from
the excellent capabilities of the people in the organizations.
Therefore, they nurture the capabilities of the people in
their organizations and those same people can deliver more
significant results with enhanced capabilities that come
from training and practicing.
Credible leaders create credible leaders. A leader is not the
one who merely leads and asks everyone else to follow him.
A real leader creates another good leader. That’s the
hallmark of true leadership. Good fruits come from a good
tree. Another set of credible leaders is the testimony of the
impact of the credible leaders. Credible leaders promote the
qualities of high competence and strong character in the
people in their organizations. Therefore, they are able to
generate another set of credible leaders. Through the
combination of traits of high competence and strong
character, anyone will be a credible leader.
The essence of any leadership is the quality of service and
the positive impact that it creates on others. Leadership is
not a post to enjoy but the opportunity to serve the
maximum section of society by delivering quality business
solutions. Credible leaders are part of the solutions. They
like to be part of the solutions to the problems in the world.
The more complex the problem is, the more significant is
the opportunity to demonstrate one’s leadership acumen.
Any business means creating solutions to the problems in
the world. Everyone has the opportunity to make a
difference in the world by solving the problems in the
world. Entrepreneurs are the important change agents in
society as they come up with innovative methods to be part
of the solutions to the existing challenges in the world at
large. The greatness of a leader is judged by his or her
ability to make a difference in the world by being an
instrument of positive change. The leaders' credibility helps
them create the credible teams to deliver worthy, relevant
and quality solutions through their businesses. Thus, in turn,
they are able to deliver efficiency and results to the clients.
Being Credible
21
|
July 2021

The 10 Most Innovative Business Leaders to Follow in 2021
Leigh Rust
Co-Founder & Director
Safetyline Jalousie

Leigh Rust
A Proud Advocate for Australian-Made Products
G
one are the days when overseas businesses were
leading the manufacturing and product industry and
regardedas themarkofexcellence.
With a focus on innovation, attracting investments and adding
new talent, small and medium-sized businesses in the
manufacturing industry, which act as the backbone of our
economy, are helping to transform cities into manufacturing
powerhouses. Still, there is need to support these local
businesses so they can continue to prosper for the long-term,
createjobs andbolsterlocaleconomies.
“A legacy of great building initiatives should start with the
intention of sourcing locally made products to stimulate our
economy before sending funds offshore,” asserts Leigh Rust,
the Co-Founderand Directorof Safetyline Jalousie Louvre
Windows and a passionate advocate for Australian-made
goods. Leigh is the driving force behind Safetyline Jalousie's
mission to provide quality air solutions with ongoing energy
efficiencyfor builtenvironments.
In an interview with Insights Success, Leigh shares his
journey from working in his father’s business to becoming a
successfulentrepreneur.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Brief our audience about your entrepreneurial journey
until your current position at Safetyline Jalousie. What
challenges did you have to face to reach where you are
today?
My entrepreneurial journey started when my brother and I
decided to break away from our father’s family business to
launch Safetyline Jalousie in 2010. However, the decade
before this provided us with the skills and experience we
neededtoreachthatpoint.
Coming from a background of family business, we were able
to see firsthand what was involved in running and scaling a
successfulcompany.
After 10 years working up the ranks at our father's
manufacturing business Vergola, we knew that it was time to
create something of our own. Now in its 11th year, we've
learned a lot running Safetyline Jalousie. We're proud of
everything we've created and are excited about the future
ahead.
Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in the
material and product niche through your expertise in the
market?
Safetyline Jalousie has made a great impact with regards to
creating high-performance, sustainable products for the built
environment. Our products also improve indoor air quality
with many studies showing there is a direct link between air
qualityandour healthandlearningfor example.
As the only louvre window company that is Australian-made
and owned, we're proud to bring a high-quality, locally-made
producttothemarket.
What are/were the challenges you and your team have
facedinyourday-to-day operations?
One struggle we can face in our operations, given that we have
staff working in offices across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
and Malaysia, is making sure we maintain a strong team
dynamicdespitethelackof face-to-facecommunication.
We meet regularly for video calls and have consistent internal
communicationstokeepeveryoneonthesamepage.
23
|
July 2021

What people, what books, what life factors have
influenced and impacted you? Taking into consideration,
the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies,
how are you driving Safetyline Jalousie to sustain
operations and ensuring safety of your employees at the
same time?
My family has been a big source of inspiration for me in my
life. Growing up, with my father and uncle both in business
themselves, I was able to learn a lot about entrepreneurship
andwhatwas involvedinrunningasuccessfulbusiness.
Now that I have a family of my own, including a wife and
three young kids, I find that they are the people who inspire me
tokeeppushingandreachnew heightswiththebusiness.
As someone who is committed to personal development and
learning, I love to read. Particular books that have impacted
me in life includeThe Monk who Sold His Ferrari,TheWay of
thePeacefulWarriorandTheDailyStoic.
Off the back of the pandemic, we've witnessed an uptick in
demand for local manufacturing and in response to the
growing demand for our products, earlier this year we
purchased and moved into a 2,000 sqm facility to
accommodate our growth. Additionally, we have developed
new products and are putting plans in place to export to
additionalmarketsoverseas.
The pandemic also highlighted the importance of regularly
checking in on members of your team who work remotely.
Maintaining that personal contact ensures you can continue to
operatesmoothlyandefficiently.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that
drivesyourorganization.
Teamwork, collaboration and open communication are at the
heart of our operations. Our team is like a family to us and we
have some staff that have been with us for 10+ years which
speaks to the great culture we've created at Safetyline
Jalousie.
I like to encourage my team to think for themselves and make
their own decisions as I think this is beneficial to their
development, both professionally speaking and within the
company.
We certainly have a very open-door management structure
and my team know they can come to me at any time with any
questionstheyhave.
My advice to budding young entrepreneurs is to never
underestimate the value of hard work. Find what your niche is,
and make connections. Learn from others in the industry and
alwaysbepersistentandresilient.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run and
what areyourfuturegoalsforSafetylineJalousie?
My goal for Safetyline Jalousie is to continue to scale the
company, launch new products, and expand into additional
marketsoverseas.
I'm proud to have built the company to the point where I am
confident in my team, that I know the company will continue
to run smoothly if I step away to be with my family - which is
very important to me and something I'd love the chance to do
moreof inthefuture.

Don't just
meet
expectations;
exceed them!
“
“
25
|
July 2021

Manju Mastakar
Facilitating Sustainable Capital Growth
of Individuals as well as Businesses
Manju Mastakar
Founder and Managing
Director
Armstrong Capital &
Financial Services Pvt. Ltd.

Armstrong provides a
comprehensive Investment
solution to Individuals and
Corporates. Its primary
focus is on capital
preservation while still
aiming to provide our
clients with a reasonable
rate of return in order to
grow capital over the long-
term.
‘‘
‘‘
Evidently, innovation is the key to success in any
business. The innovative ideas are like seeds of
success, which need to be implemented
successfully and having a strategic plan is essential to
implement those ideas successfully. Innovative leaders are
built upon the seeds of those innovative ideas by
implementing them to contribute to a meaningful purpose.
They like to pursue challenging tasks, and they grab the
opportunities diligently and make them count. Manju
Mastakar is one such innovative leader, who believes that
innovation means improvement. Having worked with
highly reputed international and Indian firms with the likes
of HSBC, MF Global and Motilal Oswal, has given her the
confidence to venture out on her own to establish
Armstrong Capital. She is the Founder and Managing
Director at Armstrong Capital & Financial Services Pvt.
Ltd. Manju's ability to lead a small yet highly effective
advisory team with the highest efficiency has made
Armstrong grow into a significant player in the market in a
very short time. Armstrong looks forward each day to
innovate in the three areas of innovation namely, product
innovation, sales innovation and process innovation.
Providing Clients End to End Financial Planning
Armstrong is a Financial Planning and a Wealth
Management company. Every relationship in Armstrong
starts with a Financial Plan. Before it advises, it tries and
understands all the financial commitments the client has in
near and far future. Then all the investments that client has
done, it buckets that into respective goals. Later, it shows
them a complete picture as how the financials will look 10
years from now and what would the Annuity be by the time
they retire. This complete end to end financial planning is
what they do at Armstrong.
Working on an Innovative Idea
Manju got her seed capital very easily, but she had to
struggle while raising the growth capital. For any
entrepreneur to get funding they need 3 things, Idea (need),
Execution, and Market. They may not have all 3 things at
the beginning but even if they can have 2, they will have a
fair chance of finding the right kind of Investor. Manju had
execution skills, she was doing what she had been doing for
last 10 years and there was a huge market for it. Anyone
who was earning could be their potential client. The idea/
innovation/ differentiation is what Manju worked on over a
period of time to get it right. She says that the best way to
fund one's business is profits.
Fighting and Overcoming Challenges
Manju states that the most important differentiator as an
entrepreneur is that they don't have a concept of
“Resignation”. When one is in a job and when things start
getting really tough and when a person can't handle, they
have an option to resign and come on the side, but as an
entrepreneur one doesn't have this option. They have to face
it, fight it and overcome it.
Manju further opines that the first 3 years are very crucial
for any startup, as the burn rate would be creeping up and
the revenue doesn't keep pace as what one would have
projected in the excel sheet. Even for Armstrong there were
three times that they ran out of cash, and they could have
closed down. Each time there was a different strategy that
Manju adopted to pull out. Some of the strategies were to
sell competing products because, it will fetch revenue,
which was the need of the hour. Manju had an entrepreneur
friend with whom she would share the office space and
admin resources so that the Fixed cost in the business
would come down. She would hire part time interns for 4-6
months so that the less productive job was done at a
minimal cost. She would use freelancers / Gigs for the
advertising and marketing campaigns.
29
|
July 2021

Armstrong business had a wafer-thin margin, and the
payouts would grow as the clients' portfolio would grow.
Thus, the firm was very canny about every penny spent,
after all it was team of Financial Advisors who know this
better.
Investing Into Business Process to Increase Efficiency
Investing and ploughing back profits into business is very
necessary but at which stage of business where to invest is
the puzzle. Just to throw some light with Manju's
experience she divides the Business Journey into 3 stages –
First 2 years – Invest into developing the product/ the main
offering to the customer. If possible, give it free or at the
least cost to the initial customers who will use it and tell
you where to improve on. Have limited resources and a
very basic office space.
Next 3 years – Invest into marketing & sales recruit people
who can pitch for you and take your product to the
customer. Take care of existing clients because they are
feeding you.
Next Exponential Growth – At this stage, a business will
have good cashflows and it will be growing at a 50-80%
growth rate. Now invest into a good office space because
you need more people. Invest into business process and
automation to increase the efficiency.
Looking for Values and Passion in Candidates
Armstrong has a very different way of hiring. It does not
look at CV, instead it gives out a form and the candidates
has to write about their childhood, what they have learned
from their parents; what books inspires them; what social
causes did they support; and few more questions. This gives
Armstrong a good understanding about the person and their
approach towards life. Armstrong generally intakes freshers
and Manju looks for values, passion for following the
markets and storytelling ability.
Integrity is something which cannot be judged at the
interview level and integrity cannot be bought by paying
higher salary. Manju believes that integrity can be
developed by giving employee chance to put their ideas to
practice and take up the ownership of making it work.
Armstrong
Armstrong
Strong Values...
Armstrong

Nicole Mar n
Founder
HRBoost
Nicole Mar n
Founder
HRBoost

TheChangingLandscapeof
WorkPlace
RemoteWorkingshouldbeEncouragedorNot?
The evidence in other areas I witness leads me to
believe that what I once thought about freelancers
has been firmly set into motion. Freelancers were to
comprise about 50% of the available talent pool by 2027.
Yet, as of 2021, 48% of the US based talent pool is virtual
and for those that have now experienced and lived more
productively working remote, ordering remote, picking up
curbside everywhere, it seems prudent to say that the talent
will seek their employers to sustain the “good part of
remote work” whatever that may be at your business. In
fact, as companies consider their return to work strategies it
is important to emphasize that employers should make
decisions about the future only after they have derived their
employee inputs. To return to work without employee input
in some form or fashion, will lead to talent making shifts
that may not be favorable to the business world. Many
could jump to the freelance market independent of any
employer. The reality is while talent seeks flexibility, they
also require increased earnings opportunities. According to
Maven, a working mother needs an average of twenty (20)
additional unpaid days beyond standard PTO (Paid Time
Off) programs. Yet, a recent Deloitte survey conducted on
over 1000 full time professionals found burnout has no
borders. The survey results show that 77 percent of
respondents say they have experienced employee burnout at
their current job, with more than half citing more than one
occurrence of this. The survey also uncovered that
employers may be missing the mark when it comes to
developing well-being programs that their employees find
valuable to address stress in the workplace.
Even before the pandemic, the freelance employment sector
was the fastest growing employment sector. It represents
35% of the global workforce which translates to
approximately 1.1 billion freelancers currently around the
world. In 2019, before the pandemic, 57 million people
worked from home in the US. Even then, 75% say they
“wouldn’t trade their freelancing career for other types of
work.” Key factors in leaving the role of employee to date
include: the need for flexibility (68%), and I argue the
second factor for career driven professionals is the
opportunity for advancement to increase personal income
while exercising freedom. This is supported by the fact that
55% of the freelance market comprises of people who are
still working full time. That’s right, your employee is busy
on the side investing their discretionary effort into their
dream, not yours. The three largest freelance platforms are
Upwork.com, Freelancer.com and Fiverr.com. The fact that
65% of this segment of freelancers is still working full time
while freelancing on the side tells me that there are many
more who will more aggressively shift their work to match
their life as they gain confidence earning money and seeing
past the risks. If employers do not tap into their talent’s
hearts and minds there is nothing to keep them in their
current jobs. The truth is clear as that same Deloitte survey
found 84% of those experiencing burnout have no passion
for their job. It would seem businesses need to prioritize
their strategic culture plans. Otherwise, their strategic and
operational plans could find real challenges.
Outsourcing has been a trend since the 1990’s when US
based companies’ sourced foreign workers instead of
Americans. Many of those early shifts were seen in the
manufacturing sectors while call centers and service-based
roles were staffed in other countries. Today, outsourcing is
even more present but in a more localized context.
Outsourcing fuels the freelance market as startups and
emerging markets compete. There are four industries
commonly found to be outsourced (i.e., technology, call
centers, human resources, and manufacturing). However, a
small enterprise like my own secures outsourced financial
expertise, graphic design, lead generation, PR, virtual
Leader’s Viewpoint
33
|
July 2021

assistance, legal assistance, and the list goes on and on. The
time is now to incorporate not just intrapreneur strategies in
your business but also augmented talent attraction strategies
for freelance and/or skilled resources. With culture being
the new organizational structure, the benefit of access to
freelance expertise in various areas of business will be not
just desirable but necessary. This can be beneficial for
businesses too. Businesses that are good at building a
framework to uphold the culture as a common language and
experience for all their resources working in synergy with
clear focus to a shared goal, well then, business can acquire
what is need at a fraction of the cost. This can help fuel a
growing business and when done right, it can improve
efficiency and contribute to the economy.
None of us can foretell the future. I am confident however
that the talent won years ago. Despite the current
unemployment rates you hear about, the skilled talent is at
work and resources are skim in several industry verticals.
Get ready to witness people making life changing decisions.
People who are purpose driven to claim their joy through
flexible work that fuels their intellectual passions is now at
the forefront. The new evolution will be seeing this take
place from the former bread winners in families who no
longer fear the risk in the face of uncertainty, knowing
nothing is more important than their well-being and the
well-being of their families. The hospitality industry is
already painting the future with staycation retreats because
working from home can be great especially when it is not
mandated. The talent of the future will seek to work from
anywhere and on their terms. I feel this is all evidence
enough to put every business owner on notice. If you did
not know it when I wrote, The Talent Emergency in 2015,
then heed my notice to you now. The talent still has the
upper hand and women remain an opportunity! Now, I
would like to pose to you… is the talent landscape a threat
or an opportunity?

Steven Hill
Managing Director
Light Source

Steven Hill
An Accomplished Executive Leader in the Telecommunications Industry
Accountability increases productivity, as it helps
leaders deliver results without being complacent. It
helps them keep track of their short-term and long-
term goals and thus, accountable leaders are then able to
lead the business effectively. They lead with responsibility
and leave a legacy that is worth following. This quality of
accountability helps them to be innovative and allows their
team to deliver pioneering solutions in their business.
Steven Hill is one such business leader and he is the
Managing Director of Light Source.
Steven formed Light Source in November 2000 as a
telecommunications design business, however since 2010,
the company has been delivering a full turnkey service to its
clients; design, build and commissioning major
telecommunication networks. He is personally accountable
for the overall direction and strategic development of the
organisation and is working closely with board of Directors
and Senior Stake Holders to build and develop the national
capability of the business in the telecommunications sector.
Growing Even Amidst Challenges
The pandemic has given Light Source major operational
challenges; however, they had a ‘Business Contingency
Plan’ for a pandemic, and this helped the company
transition into their ‘new’ way of working. The majority of
their desk-based staff are working from home, however,
Light Source engineers continue to operate on the front line
as key workers. Steven is sincerely grateful and proud of
the attitude of their engineers and that of its supply chain.
Devoid of focusing on the negative impact of Covid 19, it is
worth mentioning that Light Source is seeing circa 70%
revenue growth on the same period last year.
Ensuring Inclusion, Diversity and Collaboration
A positive work culture runs through the backbone of Light
Source’s business. The company has a number of initiatives
to ensure there is constant collaboration with ‘The Light
Source Family’; from quarterly regional director
roadshows, to ‘You Said, We Did’ initiatives to ensure their
staff has a voice at all levels. Steven’s key objective is to
safeguard a positive Health and Safety culture, underpinned
with governance, integrity and trust.
From Steven’s point of view, every member of its staff and
supply chain are part of the Light Source community, and
without them, the company has very little to offer. A huge
initiative for him personally is ‘inclusion and diversity’ and
he is accountable to ensure there is no racial or gender bias
and guarantee an inclusive atmosphere throughout the
business.
IT Advancements
Taking advantage of technical development is key to
manage the growth of Light Source and its external
operational teams. Light Source are an almost paper free
business and the majority of its work is issued through
digital platforms. It has developed its own ‘works operating
platform’, which is also in APP format. This portal manages
workflow, governs HSQE inspections/ audits, and updates
clients network records.
Light Source’s operational innovation has seen its teams
using drones to fly cable across rivers, and they are
developing a pneumatic rocket launcher that will ‘fire’ cable
over 150 meters over terrain that is difficult to access.
37
|
July 2021

Striving for Excellence
Steven’s management skills are driven by his objective to
create a working environment that improves quality of
service, reduces any operational stresses, and has increased
productivity for his partners. He is continually challenging
his teams to differentiate their deployment in a competitive
market. He tasks his leaders to find ways to do more for
their clients than others and employees are encouraged to
do more, give more, be more and serve more.
Striving for excellence has become habitual for Steven and
his business. “I take our competition very seriously, but not
ourselves,” he says. This has given his employees a fluid
mentality to not only develop their talent, but also increase
their inquisitive nature to explore new concepts and ways of
working.
It is due to his novel approach of leading, he was nominated
as the EY Entrepreneur of The Year Finalist, 2020.
Giving Back to Society
‘Corporate Social Responsibility’, at Light Source is
referred to ‘Social Responsibility’.
Light Source has a huge responsibility to contribute to the
communities that they operate in, and the company does
Light Source deliver
innovation and
environmental diversity
whilst seeking to maintain
our legacy of building
networks that are at the
forefront of future
technology.
‘‘
‘‘

this through society initiatives, financial contribution to key
charities, and working closely with job creating enterprises.
During the height of the pandemic, Light Source delivered
welfare packages to local NHS hospitals, and number of its
commercial vehicles were utilized by the NHS for
transporting PPE.
Maintaining a Legacy of Building Robust Networks
Light Source sustain its competency by continuing to
understand that the client is the parent in all of their
engagements, and Light Sources’ key objective is to serve.
Its culture is honest, genuine, and sincere, and this runs
right through the mainstay of the business.
Steven personally gets very close to his partners, and they
have found themselves go through births, deaths, and
marriages, which ultimately forms a huge bond.
Light Source’s key focus for the coming year is to improve
its customer concentration. Since January 2021, the
company has mobilised three new clients, which in addition
is broadening their UK footprint. Light Source envisages, at
minimum, an additional 2 new major clients in this calendar
year, 2021.
Light Source’s success will continue if its community
safeguards their positive health and safety culture, and
underpin this with increased governance, integrity and trust.
Steven mentions that the company needs to continue to
deliver innovation and environmental diversity whilst
seeking to maintain its legacy of building networks that are
at the forefront of future technology.
In 3 to 5 years’ time, Steven would like to see further
diversity in what Light Source delivers. This may see the
company enter the multi utility sector or have a greater
involvement in the mobile sector.
Enlightening Emerging Entrepreneurs
Steven advises budding entrepreneurs to have patience with
their journey. “I am 21 years into my voyage, and still
learning each day. Qualified financial advice is key, which
forms the foundation stone to stability, growth and
ultimately profit,” he says.
He adds, “Your own personality will form the character of
your business and you must ensure you treat people as you
would like to be treated.”
39
|
July 2021

The 10 most innovative business leaders to follow in 2021(4) compressed

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