Minu Patnaik currently holding the position of Director in Jyote Motors and also heading HR division of the group, having manpower strength of over 750. In a short free-wheeling chat, the dynamic entrepreneur shared her thoughts with Sandeep Pattnaik and Brahmipriya Samantaray. Excerpts.
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1.Jyote Motors has created a niche in both two-wheeler and four-wheeler segment. How has been the organisation’s journey so far?
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Ans.Jyote Motors started with TVS brand of vehicles in 1996.We made a name for our services in the two-wheeler segment in the State then. Subsequently we have forayed into four wheeler segment in the year 2000 with Maruti. TVS expansion came as a market point of our growth.\r\n
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2.How competitive is the market here? Your view about the brand positioning of Maruti…\r\n
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Ans.The market is exceptionally competitive with entry of new players into the market at rapid pace, However, Jyote Motors maintain its leadership because we believe in building relation for life. For us customer is a part of jyote family and we act accordingly.
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Maruti is already market leader in this particular segment and its market share will only expand in the future, Maruti believes in giving the customer the desired satisfaction with a stylish look and all the safety features. This makes Maruti brand suitable for the customers.
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3.Which are the challenges you confront in the automobile sector?
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Ans.I think the main challenge for us is rising land cost and manpower shortage.
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4.Women in Business have achieved excellence across sectors. What is your experience so far as a women entrepreneur?\r\n
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Ans. I believe you put your 100 percent; no matter whether you are a man or woman. As a woman in this sector, I have never felt myself at a disadvantage. What matter is our talent and perseverance.\r\n
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5.How do you maintain balance between your personal and professional life?
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Ans.I love my work and this is what drives me. Technology has been playing a vital role now days that smoothens our work. There are millions of women across the globe who successfully make use of technology and work sitting at home. I too have never felt that striking this balance is a difficult task.
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