ROAD TO SUCCESS defined by Chandra
The CPO of a prominent company talks about striking a balance between her career and her personal life
This dynamic woman has worked incredibly hard to achieve her goals. Chandra Ganjoo joined the Trivitron Group of Companies as the marketing manager in 1999 soon after completing her post graduation in business management and international marketing. Eighteen years since, she rose up the ranks to become the executive director and Chief People Officer (CPO) of the same group. A reason that led her to stick on to the same company for such a long tenure is simply because it was a dream job then and continues to be. She says, “Even after 18 years, every day when I reach my office I am as excited as I was on my first day in this organisation.” Being a woman does not enter the equation career wise as she states,” I can’t segregate challenges between men and women. As professionals, both face same challenges. However, I personally feel that there are more benefits for women in choosing Marketing as a long-term profession. Women are positive, creative and open to ideas, which are one of the important criteria for a successful marketing professional. We are natural leaders.” The career woman is also an adept homemaker as well being a doting mother to her children for which she has modern technology to thank. She reveals,” Fortunately, we are in a 24/7 culture and have the ability to stay connected around the clock. The line betwseen work and home has actually blurred. We can never balance the role of women as a mother and as a professional; I have learnt to integrate them. This has helped me to remain connected with my kids as well as my office all the time. You will see me answering my official e-mails during my child’s PTM or Skyping with my child during my office time, that’s work-life integration. I use every given opportunity to remain connected with my kids and try to spend quality time.”
Chandra is someone who believes that it is very important to have passions outside of work. Hers is gardening, travelling and music. Travelling to her opens new vistas of culture and living. An avid traveller who has globe trotted a fair bit she makes sure that her vacations are always properly planned. She prefer places that are off the beaten track and a little mysterious. She says,” I am more of a mountain person than a beach person. I have travelled extensively in Europe and visited Norway recently where I fell in love with the peaceful and scenic surroundings which follow you everywhere.” Talking about a memorable trip she recounts, ”My last trip to Leh was quite memorable because it was after a gap of around 30 years that I visited that place again. It’s a magical place and every sight needs to be framed. It took me down my memory lane when I visited this place as a child with my parents. Holding on to my dad during the entire trip, clicking pictures with my dad’s Canon camera, the scary road travel which made me cling to my mom and bonding with my elder sisters.” Inspiration for her comes from various quarters that she names, “It can be just walk around the beautiful hills, listening to my favourite piece of music or just watching my favourite movie. However, for me, my biggest source of inspiration is nature. I am drawn to mountains, green plants, bright flowers, and sunrise,” she confesses.
We can never balance the role of women as mother and as a professional; I have learnt to integrate them