Women entrepreneur in India, Problem of women entrepreneur, Ideas of women entrepreneurs, Leading ladies in women entrepreneur in India.

1. Women entrepreneur in India

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INTRODUCTION
In the era of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization along with ongoing
IT revolution, today’s world is changing at a surprising pace. Political and
Economic Transformations appear to be taking place everywhere—as countries
convert from command to demand economies, dictatorships move toward
democratic system, and Monarchies build new civil institutions. These changes
have created economic opportunities for women who want to own and operate
businesses.
Today, women entrepreneurs represent a group of women who have broken
away from the beaten track and are exploring new avenues of economic
participation. Among the reasons for women to run organized enterprises are
their skill and knowledge, their talents, abilities and creativity in business and a
compelling desire of wanting to do something positive. It is high time that
countries should rise to the challenge and create more supportsystems for
encouraging more entrepreneurship amongst women. At the same time, it is up
to women to break away from stereotyped mindsets.
In this dynamic world, women entrepreneurs are a significant part of the global
expedition for sustained economic development and social progress. Due to the
growing industrialization, urbanization, social legislation and along with the
spread of higher education and awareness, theemergence of Women owned
businesses are highly increasing in the economies of almost all countries.
Women Entrepreneurs may be define as the women or a group of women who
commence and operate a business venture. . Like a male entrepreneurs a women
entrepreneur has many functions. They should explore the prospects ofstarting
new enterprise; undertake risks, introduction of new innovations, coordination,
administration and control of business and providing effective leadership in all
aspects of business. Government of India has described women entrepreneurs as
an enterprise/venture owned and controlled by women having at least financial
interest of 51% of the capital and giving at least 51% of employment generated
in the organization to women.
Women Entrepreneurs are highly increasing in the economies of almost all
countries. The hidden business potentials of women have been increasing with
the growing sensitivity to the role and economic status in the society. The
knowledge, Skill and compliance in business are the core reasons for women to
come forward into business ventures. Women entrepreneurs engage in business
due to push and pull factors which give confidence to women to have an self-
sufficient occupation and stands on their foots. Logic towards independent

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decision-making on their life and career is the motivational factor behind this
insists on ‘Women Entrepreneur’ is a person who accepts challenging role to
meet her personal desires and turn out to be economically independent.
A strong desire to do enormous positive is an integral quality of entrepreneurial
women, who is competent of contributing values in both family and social life.
With the introduction of media, women are conscious oftheir own qualities,
rights and also the work situations. The glass ceilings are shattered and women
are found indulged in every line of business from aachaar to telecommunication.
Right efforts in all areas are vital in the development of women entrepreneurs
and their greater involvement in the entrepreneurial activities.
In former days, for Women there were 3 Ks- Kitchen, Kids, Knitting, then came
3 Ps- Powder,Pappad, Pickles and now at present there are 4 Es- Electricity,
Electronics, Energy, Engineering .Indian women had undergone a long way and
are becoming increasingly visible and successfulin all spheres and have shifted
from kitchen to higher level of professional activities.
Today’s women are taking more and more professional and technical degrees to
copeup with market need and are flourishing as de signers, interior decorators,
exporters, publishers, garment manufacturers and still exploring new avenues of
economic participation. It is perhaps for these reasons that Government Bodies,
NGO’s, Social Scientists, Researchers ‘and International Agencies have started
showing interest in the issues related to entrepreneurship among women in
India.
Women entrepreneur’s explore the prospects ofstarting a new enterprise;
undertake risks, introduction of new innovations, coordinate administration &
control of business & providing effective leadership in all aspects of business
and have proved their footage in the male dominated business arena.
This report focuses on the conceptof woman entrepreneurs in India; their traits
in business, the problems faced by them when they set up and make some
suggestions for future prospectsfor development of Women Entrepreneurs.
The educated women do not want to limit their lives in the four walls of the
house. They demand equal respectfrom their partners. However, Indian women
have to go a long way to achieve equal rights and position because traditions are
deep rooted in Indian society where the sociological set up has been a male
dominated one. Women are considered as weaker sex and always made to
depend on men folk in their family and outside, throughout their life. The Indian

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culture made them only subordinates and executors of the decisions made by
other male members, in the basic family structure. While at least half the
brainpower on earth belongs to women, women remain perhaps the world‘s
most underutilized resource. Despite all the social hurdles, India is brimming
with the success stories of women. They stand tall from the rest of the crowd
and are applauded for their achievements in their respective field.
The transformation of social fabric of the Indian society, in terms of increased
educational status of women and varied aspirations for better living,
necessitated a change in the life style of Indian women. She has competed with
man and successfully stood up with him in every walk of life and business is no
exception for this. These women leaders are assertive, persuasive and willing to
take risks. They managed to survive and succeed in this cut throat competition
with their hard work, diligence and perseverance. Ability to learn quickly from
her abilities, her persuasiveness, open style of problem solving, willingness to
take risks and chances, ability to motivate people, knowing how to win and lose
gracefully are the strengths of the Indian women entrepreneurs.

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HISTORY
Entrepreneurship has gained currency across the sphere and female-
entrepreneurship has becomean important module. India is one of the fastest
emerging economies and the importance of entrepreneurship is realized across
the gamut.
“Women Entrepreneurship” means an act of business ownership and business
creation that empowers women economically increases their economic strength
as well as position in society. Women-entrepreneurs have been making a
considerable impact in all most all the segments of the economy.
“Women Entrepreneur” is a personwho denies the role of their personal needs
to participate
and be accepted economically independent. Strong desire to do something
positive is a high-quality women entrepreneur who contributes to the position
values of family and social life.
“An enterprise owned and controlled by a women having a minimum financial
interest of 51% of capital and giving at least 51% of the employment generated
by the enterprise to women.” - Government of India
According to Kamala Singh," A women entrepreneur is a confident, innovative
and creative woman capable of achieving economic independence individually
or in collaboration generates employment opportunities for others through
initiating establishing and running an enterprise by keeping pace with her
personal, family and social life.
According to Medha Dubhanshi Vinze,” a women entrepreneur is a person
who is an enterprising individual with an eye for opportunities and an uncanny
vision, Commercial acumen, with tremendous perseverance and above all a
personwho is willing to take risk with the unknown because of the adventures
spirit she possesses.”
In the words of Former President APJ Abdul Kalam "Empowering women is a
prerequisite for creating a good nation, when women are empowered, society
with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as their thoughts
and their value systems lead to the development of a good family, good society
and ultimately a good nation."
Pandit JawaharlalLalNehru has remarked “When women move forward, the
family moves, the village moves and the Nation moves.”

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Women Entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all segments of
economy of the world. Their willingness for the future is apparent in their
growing confidence, in their strengths and in their desire to seek different forms
of work in order to achieve a new balance between work and home. Thus a
women entrepreneur is one who starts business and manages it independently
and tactfully takes all the risks, accepts challenging role to meet her personal
needs and become economically independent. A strong desire to do something
positive is an inbuilt quality of entrepreneurial women, who is capable
contributing values in bothfamily and social life and is one who faces the
challenges boldly with an iron, will to succeed.

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REASONS FOR WOMEN BECOMING ENTREPRENEURS
The glass ceilings are shattered and women are found indulged in every line of
business. The entry of women into business in India is traced out as an
extension of their kitchen activities, mainly 3P‘s, Pickle, Powder and Pappad.
But with the spread of education and passage of time women started shifting
from 3P‘s to modern 3E‘s i.e., Energy, Electronics and Engineering. Skill,
knowledge and adaptability in business are the main reasons for women to
emerge into business ventures. ‗Women Entrepreneur‘ is a person who accepts
challenging role to meet her personal needs and become economically
independent.
A strong desire to do something positive is an inbuilt quality of entrepreneurial
women, who is capable of contributing values in both family and social life.
With the advent of media, women are aware of their own traits, rights and also
the work situations. The challenges and opportunities provided to the women of
digital era are growing rapidly that the job seekers are turning into job creators.
Many women start a business due to some traumatic event, such as divorce,
discrimination due to pregnancy or the corporate glass ceiling, the health of a
family member, or economic reasons such as a layoff. But a new talent pool of
women entrepreneurs is forming today, as more women opt to leave corporate
world to chart their own destinies. They are flourishing as designers, interior
decorators, exporters, publishers, garment manufacturers and still exploring new
avenues of economic participation. The following flow chart shows the reasons
for women becoming entrepreneurs

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REASONS FOR SLOW PROGRESS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
IN INDIA
The problems and constraints experienced by women entrepreneurs have
resulted in restricting the expansion of women entrepreneurship. The major
barriers encountered by women entrepreneurs are:
of patriarchal- male dominant social order is the building block to them in their
way towards business success.Male members think it a big risk financing the
ventures run by women
are looked upon as ―abla‖ i.e. weak in all respects. In a male dominated
society, women are not treated equal to men that act as a barrier to woman‘s
entry into business.
entrepreneurs who easily involve in the promotion and development area and
carry out easy marketing of their products with both the organized sector and
their male counterparts. Such a competition ultimately results in the liquidation
of women entrepreneurs.
-confidence, will-power, strong mental outlook and optimistic
attitude amongst women creates a fear from committing mistakes while doing
their piece of work. The family members and the society are reluctant to stand
beside their entrepreneurial growth.
economically not stable nor self-dependent which reduce their ability to bear
risks and uncertainties involved in a business unit,
of entrepreneurship is one of the reasons for their failure. They are under a
social pressure which restrains them to prosperand achieve success in the field
of entrepreneurship
A single women asking for room is still looked with suspicion. Cumbersome
exercise involved in starting with an enterprise coupled with officials
humiliating attitude towards women compels them to give up their spirit of
surviving in enterprise altogether.
entrepreneurs in both developed and developing nations. The financial

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institutions discourage women entrepreneurs on the belief that they can at any
time leave their business and become housewives again.
ried
women have to make a fine balance between business and family. The business
success also depends on the supportthe family members extended to women in
the business process and management.
Women‘s family and personal obligations are sometimes a great barrier for
succeeding in business career. Only few women are able to manage both home
and business efficiently, devoting enough time to perform all their
responsibilities in priority.
uences
women participation in the field of enterprise.
-up for women by their own
family members and the outside world people force them to drop the idea of
excelling in the enterprise field. They are always making many pessimistic
feelings to be aroused in their minds and making them feel that family and not
business is a place meant for them.
programme without an entrepreneurial bent of mind. Women who are imparted
training by various institutes must be verified on account of aptitude through the
tests, interviews, etc.
development of women entrepreneurs. The installations of new machineries
during expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factors discourage
the women entrepreneurs from venturing into new areas.
women to access the information they need regarding technology, training,
innovative schemes, concessions, alternative markets, etc. Just a small
percentage of women entrepreneurs avail the assistance of technology and they
too remain confined to word processing software in the computer. They hardly
make use of advanced software available like statistical software SAP,
Accounting Package like TALLY, Animation software 3D MAX, internet, etc
loans, schemes etc. by the institutions in the financial sector. So the sincere
efforts taken towards women entrepreneurs may not reach the entrepreneurs in
rural and backward areas.

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members. The low level of education and confidence leads to low level
achievement and advancement motivation among women folk to engage in
business operations and running a business concern.
Apart from the above discussed problems there may occur other series of
serious problems faced by women entrepreneurs as improper infrastructural
facilities, high cost of production, attitude of people of society towards the
women modern business outlook, low needs of enterprise. Women also tend to
start business about ten years later than men, on average. Motherhood, lack of
management experience, and traditional socialization has all been cited as
reasons for delayed entry into entrepreneurial careers.

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Traits of Women Entrepreneurs in India
 Women are ambitious
A successful woman entrepreneur is dreadfully strong-minded one, has an
inner urge or drives to change contemplation into realism. Knowledge from her
previous occupancy as an employee, relying on educational qualifications or
lessons learnt from inborn business, she is ready to grab opportunities, sets goal,
possess clear vision, steps confidently forward and is ambitious to be
successful. Every successful woman entrepreneur is truly determined to achieve
goals and make her business prosper. Thorough knowledge of the field is
indispensable to success. She comes with new innovative solutions to old
problems to tide over issues.
 Women are confident
A successful woman entrepreneur is confident in her ability. She is ready to
learn from others, search for help from experts if it means adding value to her
goals. She is positive in nature and is keener to take risks. A winning woman
entrepreneur uses common intelligence to make sound judgments when
encountering everyday situations. This is gleaned from past experience and
information acquired over the years. It is essential not to get aggravated and
give up when you face obstacles and trials. The aptitude to explore uncharted
territories and take bold decisions is the hallmark of a successful woman
entrepreneur. A successful woman usually loves what she does. Sheis extremely
fervent about her tasks and activities. Her high energy levels motivate her to
contribute immensely towards building, establishing and maintaining a
prosperous business.
 Women is open and willing to learn
A successful woman entrepreneur keeps side by side of changes, as she is
fully conscious of the importance of evolving changes. She is ahead of her
competitors and thrives on changes. She adapts her business to changes in
technology or service prospect of her patrons. She is inquisitive, concerned to
learn and accommodative to innovations.
 Women are cost conscious
A successful woman entrepreneur prepares pragmatic budget estimates. She
provides cost effective quality services to her clients. With minimized cost of
operations, she is able to force her team to capitalize on profits and gather its
benefits.
 Women values cooperation and allegiance
A woman has the ability to work with all levels of populace. She is keen on
maintaining associations and communicates evidently and efficiently. This

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helps her to negotiate even responsive issues without difficulty. She is
sympathetic to people around her and have good networking skills that help her
to get better contacts and utilize opportunities.
Women can balance home and work
A successfulwoman entrepreneur is good at balancing varied aspects of life.
Her multitasking aptitude combined with supportfrom spouseand relatives
enables her to bring together business priorities with domestic responsibilities
competently and efficiently.
Women are aware ofher legalresponsibility to the socialorder
A successfulwoman entrepreneur is eager to share her achievement with the
society. She is dedicated to assist others and enjoys her liability.
Women focus on their Plans
Women Entrepreneur’s plan their work and work with plan. Set long-term and
short-term goals and take consistent action in moving toward them.
Women are Resourceful
Women entrepreneurs take advantage effectively coordinating the available
factors and resources such as mentoring, training and coaching and build a
strong base of education, training and experience which can help lead to
success.
An effectual Women Entrepreneur requires certain additional essential
qualities, which can be listed as follows.
 Innovative thinking and farsightedness.
 Often relatively comfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty and risk.
 Quick and effective choice making skill.
 Strongly influence events (or self-efficacy).
 Strong determination.
 Have high levels of work motivation.
 Preparedness to take risks.
 Characterized by high levels of social competence and social intelligence
 Accepting changes in right time.
 Has an ability to build relationships and to connect with others on a social
and interpersonal level
 Access and alertness to latest scientific and technological information.
 Single-minded and devoted to their unique passions.
 Efficient execution of decisions imposed on them.

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 May judge ambiguous business conditions in more positive, enthusiastic,
and optimistic terms.
 Clear vision and ambition on the improvement of family and children.
 Takes advantage of resources such as mentoring, counselling and other
small business development assistance.
 Patience and bearing the sufferings on behalf of others.
 Has some blend of critical analytical thinking, creativity, and practical
implementation of ideas.
 Ability to work physically more at any age.
Many women have these traits but they never got a platform to showcase their
talents and for this reason they don't know their real abilities. Matching the
basic qualities required for entrepreneurs and the basic characters of Indian
women reveal that, much potential is available among the Indian women on
their entrepreneurial ability. This potential is to be documented, brought out and
exposed for utilization in productive and service sectors for the progress of the
nation.

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KEY CHANGES IN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN LAST FIVE
DECADES
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE FIFTIES:
Compulsive factors led to the creation of women entrepreneurs.
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE SIXTIES:
Women began to aspire but also accepted the social cultural traditions.
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE SEVENTIES:
The women in this decade opened up new frontier. They had not only
aspiration but ambition.
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE EIGHTIES:
Women were educated in highly sophisticated, technological and
professional education. They became equally contributing partners.
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE NINETIES:
This was the first time when the concept of best rather than male heir was
talked about.
 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE 21st Century:
“Jill of all trades”
Since the 21st century, the status of women in India has been changing
as a result to
mounting industrialization and urbanization and social legislation. Over
the years, more and more women are going in for higher education,
technical and professional education and their proportion in the
workforce has also been increased.
With the spread of education and awareness, women have shifted from
the kitchen, handicrafts and traditional cottage industries to non-traditional
higher levels of activities. The Government has also laid special weight age on
the requirement for conducting special entrepreneurial training programs for
women to enable them to start their own ventures.
Financial institutions and banks have also set up particular cells to help
women entrepreneurs. This has rebound the women entrepreneurs on the
economic scene in the recent years although many women’s entrepreneurship
enterprises are

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still remained a much neglected field. Though, for women there are quite a lot
of handicaps to enterinto and manage business ownership due to the intensely
entrenched conventional state of mind andstrict principles of the Indian society.
Role of women as an Entrepreneur:
Considering the flow of women entrepreneurs in the traditional industries, it is
often criticized that the women entrepreneurship is engaged only in handloom
and handicraft and in the non-traditional term, now their aspect have broaden
into new line like hotel line, Xeroxing, Beauty Parlour business, incense stick
making, candle making etc.
In the last decade, there has been a remarkable shift it emphasizes from the
traditional industry to non-traditional industry and services. Based on this
concept, some important opportunities are being identified, considering the
socio-economic, cultural and educational status and motivational level of
women entrepreneurs, particularly projects with low investment, low technical
know-how and assured market are suggested for them such as production of
soaps, detergents, ready- made instant food products including pickles, spices,
papad, manufacturing of woollen goods, beauty parlour business, typing centre,
job contracts for packaging of goods and distribution and household provision
etc.
At present they are:
 Creative: It refers to the creative approach or innovative ideas with
competitive market. Well-planned approach is needed to examine the
existing situation and to identify the entrepreneurial opportunities. It
further implies that women entrepreneurs have alliance with clued-up
people and constricting the right organization offering support and
service.
 Quality to working hard: Innovative women have further ability to work
hard. The creative ideas have to come to a fair play. Hard work is
required to build up an enterprise.
 Determination: Women entrepreneurs must have an intention to fulfill
their dreams. They have to make a dream transferred into an idea
enterprise.

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 Ability and desire to take risk: the desire refers to the willingness to
take risk and ability to the proficiency in planning making forecast
estimates and calculations.
 Profit earning capacity: she has a capability to get maximum return out
of invested capital.
Functions of Women Entrepreneurs:
A Woman entrepreneur has also to perform all the functions involved in
establishing an enterprise
 Functions for establishment of an enterprise
 Idea generation and screening
 Determination of objectives
 Undertaking a risk and handling of economic uncertainties involved in
business.
 project preparation
 Product analysis
 Introduction of innovations, imitations of innovations.
 Form of business
 Co-ordination, administration and control.
 Raising funds
 Supervision and leadership.
 Procuring men, machine and materials and operations of business.
In nutshell, women entrepreneur are those women who think of a business
enterprise, initiateit, organize and combine the factors of production, operate the
enterprise, undertake risk and handleeconomic uncertainties involved in running
a business enterprise.

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Successful Leading Business Women in India
Chitra Ramkrishna, MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange
She always believe that our women are unique in many ways as they come with
stronger social values, ethos, diversity, resilience, etc. Beyond corporate, our
own lawmakers - both at Central and several state governments - are also
addressing legislative issues related to women, child care, employment
conditions, etc. Like NSE, where one-third of the workforce comprises women -
even at the entry level, she tries to consciously hire people only on merit - many
corporateare gender agnostic.
Aarthi Subramanian, Executive Director, TCS
Aarthi Subramanian is known for her determination to not settle for anything but the best.
One of her most challenging assignments after she became Executive Director was the
Passport Seva Project for complete makeover and digitisation of the passport issuing process.
This was TCS's first citizen-centric programme in India. Colleagues fondly call Subramanian,
who last year became the first woman employee to make it to the board of directors of TCS,
as 'Ms Fixit'.

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Alice G. Vaidyan, CMD, GIC Re
Alice G. Vaidyan is known to take up new challenges and making a success out
of it. It was this single-minded focus on taking up newer challenges that took
her to the top at General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) in a decade
that saw many women executives bag top jobs in the country's financial services
companies. With this, Vaidyan became the first woman to get the top post at a
public sector insurer in the country.
Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, State Bank of India
Arundhati Bhattacharya has rolled out several digital banking initiatives to
compete with private banks. Three years ago, when Arundhati Bhattacharya
took over as the first woman chairperson of State Bank of India, she spelt out
some strategic goals - taming asset quality deterioration, improving risk
management framework, checking costs, improving delivery standards and non-
interest income, and leveraging technology

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Ashu Suyash, MD & CEO, Crisil
Crisil's revenue has seen an upswing under Ashu Suyash's innovation-led
agenda. Ashu Suyash took over as Managing Director and CEO of rating
agency Crisil in June 2015, at a time of great uncertainty for the company.
Suyash's appointment evoked mixed reactions as well: not only was she an
outsider - unlike all Crisil's past CEOS who were promoted to the position - but
she also had no experience of the rating business.
Nita Ambani, Chairperson, Reliance Foundation and Director, Reliance Industries
Nita Ambani is behind the corporate social responsibility initiatives of Reliance industries.
Reliance Industries Director Nita Ambani's tour de force lies in the detail, but her hands-on
approach does not involve telling members of the 'Reliance family' what to do or how to do
it. Instead, she encourages them to be aware of the challenges and empowers them to come
up with the best possible solutions.

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Priya Nair, Executive Director, Hindustan Unilever
Priya Nair began her innings with Hindustan Unilever in 1995 as a management trainee and
has risen through the ranks to become Executive Director (Home Care Division). As VP
Laundry, Nair led the entire detergents portfolio and not only helped increase market share in
the category but also penetrated emerging segments such as fabric conditioners and liquids.
She has proved to be a good learner and has consistently delivered the goods for the
company.
Radhika Piramal, Managing Director, VIP Industries
Radhika Piramal has been busy giving a makeover to family-owned VIP
Industries - repositioning it as a youth brand , introducing hip and fashionable
luggage, backpacks, gym bags and duffle bags, and relaunching India's first
strolley brand, Skybag. Repositioning VIP as a lifestyle brand with a focus on
youth has been Radhika Piramal's forte.

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Rekha Menon, Chairman, Accenture India
It is her discipline and passion that has helped her manage the 140,000
employees of Accenture India and ensure the Indian operations continue to
remain core to the global technology major. Accenture had merely 300-odd
employees in 2000 in India. However, it was quick to realise the potential the
country could offer, not merely in terms of cost advantage but for the scale and
capabilities it could tap into.
Schauna Chauhan Saluja, CEO, Parle Agro
Under Schauna Chauhan Saluja, Parle Agro is growing despite all the odds. The 40-year-old
Saluja, the eldest daughter of company founder Prakash Chauhan, leads the charge of Parle
Agro amid growing competition from multinational beverage giants.Saluja counts the
construction of a manufacturing plant in Uttarakhand as her biggest achievement this year.

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Tanya Dubash, Executive Director, Godrej Group
Godrej was already a household name, with customers cutting across
generations identifying themselves with the soaps and locks, personal care
products and household appliances, when Tanya Dubash, the eldest daughter of
Adi Godrej, took charge. But she was the first one to notice the early signs of a
brand losing its lustre. Dubash wasted no time and took up a rebranding
exercise, called Godrej Masterbrand Strategy.
Usha Sangwan, Managing Director, LIC
Usha Sangwan's digital initiatives are helping LIC get ready for the future.
Sangwan is part of the top team working to make LIC ready for the future. After
Chairman S.K. Roy put in his papers abruptly, it is now entirely between the
two managing directors, Sangwan and V.K. Sharma, to run the company, which
has stood tall despite stiff competition from private players over the past one-
and-a-half decades.

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Vanitha Narayanan, MD, IBM India
Vanitha Narayanan brought global tech major IBM back in the swing. And IBM
complements Narayanan well. After all, the global tech major has not only
survived for over a century, but has retained its identity and competitive edge in
a fast-changing environment. With operations in over 170 countries and annual
revenues in excess of $80 billion, it has successfully managed to stay ahead of
the curve.
Zarin Daruwala, CEO, India, Standard Chartered Bank
This year, this banker made a big career shift, moving from ICICI Bank to a
158-year-old foreign bank in India. "What attracted me is that it is the top job in
India," explains Zarin Daruwala, who now heads Standard Chartered Bank in
India, the largest foreign bank in terms of branches. Zarin Daruwala aims to
give a big push to retail banking at Standard Chartered.

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Neelam Dhawan, Managing Director India, Hewlett Packard
In today's dynamic business landscape, she believes it is imperative to think out
of the box and stay relevant to all - customers, employees and partners. As a
leader you need to be aware of the changes that are taking place around the
world and adjust your business strategies accordingly. It is equally important for
you to have the right leadership team - to work and collaborate together, and
move the business forward.

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Women Entrepreneurs and Their Problems
Women entrepreneurs face many hurdles. Societal support is a key
determinant in entrepreneurial establishment. The most common problem,
which a woman faces, is the non-cooperation from her husband or close family
members. Majority of the time the family members donot motivate them.
Besides they face other problems like mobility constraints, dual responsibility,
low managing ability, risk-bearing ability etc. They don’t lack managerial skills
but they have less promotional ability, which they need to improve upon.
Scarcity of raw material and finance are another problem faced by the women
entrepreneurs. The standard of technology used by the women entrepreneurs is
qualitatively low; they are poor in technical know-how. Transportation
difficulties, improper power supply and telecommunication are some of the
other problem faced by them. Marketing problem is the biggest problem faced
by women entrepreneurs.
Highly educated, talented and professionally qualified women should be
encouraged for running their own business, rather than reliant on wage service
jobs. The uncharted talents of young women can be acknowledged, skillful and
used for various types of industries to increase the yield in the business sector.
A desirable atmosphere is necessary for every woman to inculcate
entrepreneurial values and involve greatly in business dealings.
There are some umpteen problems faced by women at various stages beginning
from their initial commencement of enterprise, in running their enterprise. Their
various problems are as follows:
Short Of Self-Confidence –
In India women have lack of self-confidence in their strength and ability. The
family members and the society are unwilling to stand beside their
organizational growth. To a certain degree, this situation is changing with
Indian women and yet to face an incredible amend to boostthe rate of growth in
entrepreneurship.
Socio-CulturalBarriers –
family and personal obligations sometimes works as a great barrier for
succeeding in business career of women entrepreneurship. Only few women are
capable of managing both home and business efficiently, giving sufficient time
to perform all their responsibilities in priority.

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Risks Related To Market –
tuff competition in the market and lack of mobility of women make them
dependent on middleman essential. Many business women find it very difficult
to capture the market share and make their products well popular and accepted
by customer. They are not fully conscious of the changing market environment
conditions and hence can effectively exploit the services of media and internet.
Mobility Constraints –
Women in India have to face lot of restriction on their mobility, our
society still have some conservativeness, and due to that career of women is
limited to four walls of kitchen. Though women faced lots of problems being
mobile in entrepreneurial activity, the mobility problem has been eliminated to
very certain extent by the expansion of education awareness to all.
Business Administration Knowledge –
Women must be educated and trained continuously to acquire the skills and
understanding in all the required functional areas of business venture. This will
make women to excel in decision making and develop good business skills.
FinancialAssistance –
most of the women especially in rural areas are not aware about the financial
assistance provided by various institutions. The efforts taken for women
entrepreneurs may not able to reach the entrepreneurs in rural and backward
areas
.
Training Programs –
Depending upon the needs, duration, skill and the purposeof entrepreneur there
are various workshops and training programs available the social & welfare
association. Such kinds of programs are really helpful to new and young
entrepreneurs who desire to start a small and medium sized business on their
own.
Cost–
some business have highly production and operation costthat adversely affects
the expansion of women entrepreneurs. The installations of new machineries
during expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factors discourage
the women entrepreneurs from entering into new areas.
Arrangement of Finance: -
For every business undertaking Finance is said to be the “life blood”, whether it
is large, medium or small enterprise. Women entrepreneurs face the problems of
shortage of finance on two important bases. Firstly, women do not in general
have property on their own names to use that ascollateral securities for

27. 27
obtaining loans/funds from banks and other financial institutions. Thus their
access to external sources is very limited .Secondly, obtaining the support of
bankers, managing the working capital, lack of credit resources are the
problems which still remain in the male’s domain.
Shortage of raw-materials:-
Women entrepreneurs encounter the problems of shortage of raw-materials and
necessary inputs. On the pinnacle of this, is the high prices of raw materials, on
one hand and getting raw materials at minimum discount rates are the other.
Cut-throat Competition:-
Lot of the women entrepreneurs have imperfect organizational set up to drive in
a lot of money for canvassing and advertisements. They have to face severe
competition from organized industries. They have also to face a stiff
competition with the men entrepreneurs who easily involve in the promotion
and development area and carry out easy marketing of their products with both
the organized sector and their male counterparts. Such a competition ultimately
results in the insolvency of women entrepreneurs.
Lack of education and prevalent levels of illiteracy amongst women: -
In India, around (40%) of women are still illiterate. Illiteracy is the root cause of
socio economic barriers or hurdles. Due to lack of Knowledge of latest
technological change, know-how and education creates problems before women
to set up competitive enterprises.
Family Conflicts:-
Women also countenance the conflict of performing of home role as they are
not available to spend enough time with their families. Because in India, mainly
a woman’s duty is to look after her children and manage the other members of
the family. In business they have to spend long hours and as a result, they find it
difficult to meet the demands of their family members and society as well. Their
incapability to attend to domestic work, time for education of children, personal
hobbies, and entertainment adds to their conflicts.
Marketing Problems:-
Women entrepreneurs incessantly face the problems in marketing their
products. It is one of the core problems as this area is mainly dominated by
males and even women with adequate experience fail to make a dent. For
marketing the products women entrepreneurs have to be at the mercy of
middlemen who pocket the hunk of profit. Although the middlemen exploit the
women entrepreneurs, the purging of middlemen is tricky, because it involves a
lot of running about. Women entrepreneurs also find it difficult to capture the
market and make their products popular.

28. 28
High cost of production:
High cost of production undermines the efficiency and adversely affects the
development of women entrepreneurs. The installation of new machinery during
expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factor dissuades the
women entrepreneur from venturing in to new area. Government assistance in
the form of grant and subsidies to some extent enables them to tide over the
difficult situations. However, in the long run, it would be necessary to increase
efficiency and expand productive capacity and thereby reduce cost to make their
ultimate survival possible, other than these, women entrepreneurs also face the
problems of labour, human resources, infrastructure, legal formalities, overload
of work, lack of family support, mistrust etc.

29. 29
Women Entrepreneurship in India
States No of Units
Registered
No. of Women
Entrepreneurs
Percentage
Tamil Nadu 9618 2930 30.36
Uttar Pradesh 7980 3180 39.84
Kerala 5487 2135 38.91
Punjab 4791 1618 33.77
Maharastra 4339 1394 32.12
Gujrat 3872 1538 39.72
Karnatka 3822 1026 26.84
Madhya Pradesh 2967 842 28.38
Other States & UTS 14576 4185 28.71
Total 57,452 18,848 32.82
Women Work Participation
Country Percentage
India (1970-1971) 14.2
India (1980-1981) 19.7
India (1990-1991) 22.3
India (2000-2001) 31.6
USA 45
UK 43
Indonesia 40
Sri Lanka 35
Brazil 35

30. 30
LIMITATIONS
During doing this research I found out that Women entrepreneurs face
following limitations:-
1. The greatest deterrent to women entrepreneurs is that they are women. A
kind of patriarchal – male dominant social order is the building block to them in
their way towards business success. Male members think it a big risk financing
the ventures run by women.
2. The financial institutions are sceptical about the entrepreneurial abilities of
women. The bankers consider women loonies as higher risk than men loonies.
The bankers put unrealistic and unreasonable securities to get loan to women
entrepreneurs. According to a report by the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization , "despite evidence that women's loan repayment
rates are higher than men's, women still face more difficulties in obtaining
credit," often due to discriminatory attitudes of banks and informal lending
groups.
3. Entrepreneurs usually require financial assistance of some kind to launch
their ventures - be it a formal bank loan or money from a savings account.
Women in developing nations have little access to funds, due to the fact that
they are concentrated in poorrural communities with few opportunities to
borrow money. The women entrepreneurs are suffering from inadequate
financial resources and working capital. The women entrepreneurs lack access
to external funds due to their inability to provide tangible security. Very few
women have the tangible property in hand.
4. Women's family obligations also bar them from becoming successful
entrepreneurs in both developed and developing nations. "Having primary
responsibility for children, home and older dependent family members, few
women can devote all their time and energies to their business" .The financial
institutions discourage women entrepreneurs on the belief that they can at any
time leave their business and become housewives again. The result is that they
are forced to rely on their own savings, and loan from relatives and family
friends.
5. Indian women give more emphasis to family ties and relationships. Married

31. 31
women have to make a fine balance between business and home. More over the
business success is depends on the supportthe family members extended to
women in the business process and management. The interest of the family
members is a determinant factor in the realization of women folk business
aspirations.
6. Another argument is that women entrepreneurs have low-level management
skills. They have to depend on office staffs and intermediaries, to get things
done, especially, the marketing and sales side of business. Here there is more
probability for business fallacies like the intermediaries take major part of the
surplus or profit. Marketing means mobility and confidence in dealing with the
external world, both of which women have been discouraged from developing
by social conditioning. Even when they are otherwise in control of an
enterprise, they often depend on males of the family in this area.
7. The male - female competition is another factor, which develop hurdles to
women entrepreneurs in the business management process.Despite the fact that
women entrepreneurs are good in keeping their service promptand delivery in
time, due to lack of organisational skills compared to male entrepreneurs
women have to face constraints from competition. The confidence to travel
across day and night and even different regions and states are less found in
women compared to male entrepreneurs. This shows the low level freedom of
expression and freedom of mobility of the women entrepreneurs.
8. Knowledge of alternative source of raw materials availability and high
negotiation skills are the basic requirement to run a business. Getting the raw
materials from different sousewith discount prices is the factor that determines
the profit margin. Lack of knowledge of availability of the raw materials and
low-level negotiation and bargaining skills are the factors, which affect women
entrepreneur's business adventures.
9. Knowledge of latest technological changes, know how, and education level of
the person are significant factor that affect business. The literacy rate of women
in India is found at low level compared to male population. Many women in
developing nations lack the education needed to spursuccessful

32. 32
entrepreneurship. They are ignorant of new technologies or unskilled in their
use, and often unable to do research and gain the necessary training . Although
great advances are being made in technology, many women's illiteracy,
structural difficulties, and lack of access to technical training prevent the
technology from being beneficial or even available to females . According to
The Economist, this lack of knowledge and the continuing treatment of women
as second-class citizens keeps them in a pervasive cycle ofpoverty . The studies
indicates that uneducated women donothave the knowledge of measurement
and basic accounting.
10. Low-level risk taking attitude is another factor affecting women folk
decision to get into business. Low-level education provides low-level self-
confidence and self-reliance to the women folk to engage in business, which is
continuous risk taking and strategic cession making profession. Investing
money, maintaining the operations and ploughing back money for surplus
generation requires high risk taking attitude, courage and confidence. Though
the risk tolerance ability of the women folk in day-to-day life is high compared
to male members, while in business it is found opposite to that.
11. Achievement motivation of the women folk found less compared to male
members. The low level of education and confidence leads to low level
achievement and advancement motivation among women folk to engage in
business operations and running a business concern.
12. Finally high production costof some business operations adversely affects
the development of women entrepreneurs. The installation of new machineries
during expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factors dissuades
the women entrepreneurs from venturing into new areas.

33. 33
RECOMMENDATIONS
On the basis of the aforesaid problems faced by women entrepreneurs and
various other problems too, there is a provision of a number of Strategies for
promoting women entrepreneurship to overcome these problems. Such solutions
or remedies can be well understood as under:-
There should be a continuous attempt to inspire, encourage, motivate and co-
operate women entrepreneurs.
An Awareness programme should be conducted ona mass scale with the
intention of creating awareness among women about the various areas to
conductbusiness.
Attempts should be there to enhance the standards of education of women in
general as well making effective provisions for their training, practical
experience and personality development programmes, to improvise their over-
all personality standards.
Organize training programmes to develop professional competencies in
managerial, leadership, marketing, financial, production process,profit
planning, maintaining books ofaccounts and other skills. This will encourage
women to undertake business.
Vocational training to be extended to women community that enables them to
understand the production process and production management.
Skill development to be done in women's polytechnics and industrial training
institutes. Skills are put to work in training-cum-production workshops.
Educational institutes should tie up with various government and non-
government agencies to assist in entrepreneurship development mainly to plan
business projects.
International, National, Local trade fairs, Industrial exhibitions, seminars and
conferences should be organized to help women to facilitate interaction with
other women entrepreneurs.
Women in business should be offered soft loans & subsides for encouraging
them into industrial activities. The financial institutions should provide more
working capital assistance both for small scale venture and large scale ventures.
Making provision of micro credit system and enterprise credit system to the
women entrepreneurs at local level.

34. 34
Promoting entrepreneurship among women is especially important to tackle the
problems founder employment and unemployment in the society.
Education has been instrumental in increasing the participation of women in
entrepreneurial activities. The formal education not only helps in acquisition of
requires knowledge for a job, which demands non-traditional skills but also
imparts knowledge about the different occupational opportunities. Good
academic background makes women confident in dealing with problems in
business in an effective manner. Although it is a fact that entrepreneurship is not
a special preserve for the educated but in the caseof women already burdened
with many social pressures, education is a powerful toolin breaking down the
barriers to successfulEntrepreneurship. Thus education is a liberating force and
barriers of caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and
other circumstances.
There should be an incessant attempt to motivate, give confidence, inspire and
assist women entrepreneurs.
Government should provide better educational facilities and schemes to women
folk.
There should be continuous monitoring, improvement of training programmers,
practical experience and personality development programmes to improvise
their over-all personality standards.
Establishment of propertraining institutes for enhancing their level of work-
knowledge, skills, risk-taking abilities, enhancing their capabilities. Training
Centres should provide training to prospective women entrepreneurs free of cost
and Entrepreneurship Development Programme should be much more practical
oriented. Inculcation of self-confidence amongst women that they can also run a
business should be one of the prime motives of these programmes.
Potential women entrepreneurs should be exposed to different types of
emerging opportunities.
Housewives should be motivated to learn additional income.
A women entrepreneur should herself set up an example by being successful
and should act asa role model. Since children have a tendency to emulate their
parents, the resultant effect would be automatic.
Establishment of propertraining institutes for enhancing their level of work-
knowledge, skills, risk-taking abilities, enhancing their capabilities.

35. 35
Finance is sine-qua-non for any enterprise. The banking system is not
sufficiently responsive to social banking needs and has not been able to deal
with barriers that hinder women from using or gaining access to credit.
Adequate arrangements must be made for the supply of credit facility at
concessionrate for the women entrepreneurs in view of their growing needs.
Creating provision of micro credit system and enterprise credit system to the
women entrepreneurs at local level.
A Women Entrepreneur's Guidance Cell should be set up to handle the various
problems of women entrepreneurs all over the state.
Positive attitudinal change in the society recognizing the role of women as
entrepreneur may lead to the development of appropriate environment in which
women will be able to exploit their entrepreneurial talents.
Offering seed capital, up-liftmen schemes, women entrepreneurs fund etc.
To encourage them economically.
To extend confessional rates facilities and schemes for women entrepreneurs to
prosperin the field of enterprise.

36. 36
CONCLUSION
India is a male dominated society and women are assumed to be economically
as well as socially dependent on male members. The absolute dependence
seems to be diluted among the high and middle class women as they are
becoming more aware of personal needs and demanding greater equality.
Women entrepreneurs faced lots of problems at start-up as well as operating
stage like, non-availability of finance, restricted mobility freedom and having to
perform dual role one at home and other at work. Technological advancement
and information technology explosion have reduced the problem of women
entrepreneurs. Along with technological revolution, mental revolution of society
is needed to change the attitude of the society and provide women with
democratic and entrepreneurial platform.
More-over with increasing Government and Non-Government and other
financial institutions assistance for various women entrepreneurs within the
economy there can be significant increase brought about in the growth of
women entrepreneurship process.Still efforts are being made to coordinate with
the enterprise activities of women and providing them utmost financial, morale,
psychological supportby various institutions working within the economy and
world-wide.
Thus, Women have the potential and the determination to set up, uphold and
supervise their own enterprises in a very systematic manner. Appropriate
supportand encouragement from the Society in general and family members in
particular is required to help these women scale new heights in their business
ventures. The right kind of assistance from family, society and Government can
make these Women Entrepreneurs a part of the mainstream of national economy
and they can contribute to the economic progress of India.
It can be said that today we are in a better position wherein women participation
in the field of entrepreneurship is increasing at a considerable rate. Efforts are
being taken at the economy as brought promise of equality of opportunity in all
spheres to the Indian women and laws guaranteed equal rights of participation
in political process and equal opportunities and rights in education and
employment were enacted. But unfortunately, the government sponsored
development activities have benefited only a small section of women i.e. the
urban middle class women. Women sectoroccupies nearly 45% of the Indian
population. At this juncture, effective steps are needed to provide
entrepreneurial awareness, orientation and skill development programs to

37. 37
women. The role of Women entrepreneur in economic development is also
being recognized and steps are being taken to promote women entrepreneurship.
Resurgence of entrepreneurship is the need of the hour emphasizing on
educating women strata of population, spreading awareness and consciousness
amongst women to outshine in the enterprise field, making them realize their
strengths, and important position in the society and the great contribution they
can make for their industry as well as the entire economy. Women
entrepreneurship must be moulded properly with entrepreneurial traits and skills
to meet the changes in trends, challenges global markets and also be competent
enough to sustain and strive for excellence in the entrepreneurial arena. If every
citizen works with such an attitude towards respecting the important position
occupied by women in society and understanding their vital role in the modern
business field too, then very soonwe can pre-estimate our chances of out
beating our own conservative and rigid thought process which is the biggest
barrier in our country‘s development process.
We always viewed that a smart woman can pick up a job any day, but if she
becomes an entrepreneur she can provide a livelihood to 10 more women at
least..!! Highly educated, technically sound and professionally qualified women
should be encouraged for managing their own business, rather than dependent
on wage employment outlets. The unexplored talents of young women can be
identified, trained and used for various types of industries to increase the
productivity in the industrial sector.

38. 38
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Entrepreneurship Development –By S.S Khanka. S. Chand & Company
Limited. (Ram Nagar, New Delhi-10055).
 A Reflection of the Indian Women in Entrepreneurial World
www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/data/2005-08-07indirap.pdf
 www.indianmba.com/Faculty_Column/FC1073/fc1073.html
 www.oppapers.com› Business & Economy Research Papers
 www.asiaentrepreneurshipjournal.com/AJESVolIIIss1Malar.pdf
 www.academicjournals.org/ajbm/.../Witbooi%20and%20Ukpere.pdf