Working up the ranks

Despite being heir to the large, family-run media business, 29-year-old Lara Balsara knew that there was never going to be an easy path to the top slot at Madison World. Her success in the business would be judged on her professionalism and knowledge of operations. So said her father, Sam Balsara, Founder-Chairman of Madison World.

As Chairman and Managing Director, the senior Balsara ensured that his daughter started out as a management trainee in March 2004. "Dad is a tough master, even my performance output was scrutinised before I was promoted," says Lara. So, the six years at Madison have not been very different for her from working in a company.

There have been advantages, though. "Responsibility comes at a young age because of which the opportunities to grow and network are higher," says Lara, who handles business development and diversification. She has set up outdoor and mobile services, and helped Madison enter Sri Lanka. Now, she looks forward to leading the business her father built.