Celebrating the power of corporate women for the 10th time

They didn't just dream, they also succeeded in living their dreams. India's most powerful business women have fended challenges, both personal and professional, to reach the top of the ladder - and they don't plan to stop at that. More than 30 business women gathered at Mumbai's ITC Grand Central last fortnight where they were felicitated as Business Today's The Most Powerful Women in Indian Business.

Xerox Corp Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns was the chief guest, and the occasion was one to remember. Having worked with Xerox all her life, Burns, in a lively discussion onstage with Business Today's Editor Chaitanya Kalbag, said her company had never expected her to change herself in any way for the sake of her work, but simply do it well. "People actually pointed me towards roles and I was smart enough, humble enough, or lucky enough to not push back."

However, Burns, who is a mechanical engineer, feels women are sorely under-represented in many sectors. Renu Sud Karnad, Managing Director of HDFC, echoed the same sentiment while engaging in a panel discussion on whether successful women leaders have made it easier for other women to succeed. She said many industries such as manufacturing still employ fewer women.

The general consensus was that successful women can influence others to look at women employees who are much younger, in a different manner. "Successful people influence other successful people to make decisions," said Vinita Bali, Managing Director, Britannia Industries. A successful business woman can be a role model instead of handholding other women. "To be successful must come from within," said Karnad.

Young entrepreneurs had a lively discussion on whether it was easier for women entrepreneurs to start online businesses rather than brick-and-mortar ventures. "Business has nothing to do with online or offline," said Suchi Mukherjee, Founder and CEO, LimeRoad.com. "You do it because it makes sense." Others agreed. "Innovation is key to any business, but the key is also how well you execute it," said Pallavi Gupta, Founder of Spring Leaf Retail.

The discussion moved to the importance of impatience in business. "One should be impatient with the steps one takes, but be patient about the outcome," said Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head, HSBC India. "Be patient with failure and take it as a learning curve. And that's where women can score."

The general observation was that things are changing, but that change is slow. "It is important to look at small steps," said Shikha Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Bank.Sharma said that one needs to be patient in today's economic environment. On the other hand, Zia Mody, Managing Partner, AZB & Partners, said: "We have been patient enough. Now is the time to be completely impatient." She struck a humorous note when she commented on the change from "wait a minute" to "wait a second" and said someday we will say "wait a nano second".

Burns, along with Ashish Bagga, Group CEO, India Today Group, and Kalbag gave away the awards to those on the most powerful women list.

Sixteen of the 30 women figured in the list for the first time. Three women, who have made this list at least seven times, moved into the hallowed "Hall of Fame". They were Britannia's Bali; Renuka Ramnath, MD & CEO, Multiples Alternate Asset Management; and Karnad of HDFC. "I would consider my work done if I could even inspire a handful of women," Karnad said.

Dove was the event's Presenting Sponsor, Prima Gold was Associate Sponsor, Signature Premium was a partner and ET Now, a TV partner.