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7 Questions with Tajinder Kaur
7 Questions with Tajinder Kaur
Name: Tajinder Kaur
Current title: CEO & Founder
Current organisation: The Kaur Research
Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and ImmersiveTechnology Enthusiast with 12 years of Lead Generation, Sales, and Marketing experience. International Business Degree from London and Masters from India. Writing a book on Lead Generation. Growth Ambassador for an NGO, New Alumni Officer, India of Brunel University. Growing at a slow and steady pace.
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?
Keeping employees happy as you can push yourself with less money but not the employees.
2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?
While working in a corporation in Bangalore, India, I never thought of quitting a job and starting my journey but Linkedin had been a blessing in my leadership. I was getting offers to work for various clients without being an employee to any. So, I left the job in September 2014. That was the big and little scary decision as I wanted to run the show on my own without any funding. 2 years were fine then it started blooming with more clients so, I registered my business and hired a team of 3 people. Since then it is only growing but Covid did hit hard and I started writing last year. Now, getting back in action with more new clients.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
I am an early riser. I mean I wake up at around 2 am where my day starts with prayers and meditation that lasts around 2 hours. Then I prefer 'eating the frog in the morning' so, I finish the work that I might ignore during the day. Then I send important emails and make my to-do list every day. After a few client calls and meetings, I reach my office and sit with colleagues where we strategize and monitor our projects progress. While returning home I keep a few meetings with prospects and my important calls are scheduled while I am in the car and on the way back home to heading for a meeting. After reaching home at around 6 pm I keep my laptop away. And I prefer not to open it until the next morning. As evenings are for family.
4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
I am volunteering as a Host to manage a recurring Zoom meeting with 20+ professionals from India. I have to assign them their daily task to keep the meeting valuable for all. It starts at around 2 am and lasts till 8 pm India time. I learned to forget and move on as even if you are working with highly qualified professionals at the end of the day they are all human beings and they will react in an expected way if things do not go their way. But to keep the show on as a host I learned to leave the ones who cannot work as a team and take the majority with you to hit the target.
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
Sri Japji Sahib Prayer, I cannot call it a book but yeah it has 38 chapters that impacted my life and changed the way I look at my life now. Last year I was pushed to recite this as many times as possible. Now, I accept failures and success with the same enthusiasm. I expect less and deliver more. I am a lot happier and at peace with my life today.
6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?
Switching the roles and upgrading projects of every employee is my leadership mantra. As I myself get bored with one project, I prefer getting new projects every now and then. I do the same with my colleagues. I switch their roles in the project every month then they work towards their next designation and achieve project targets on time. It keeps the fun alive within the team.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?
Natural Disaster or any other reason for a pause in your business is a part of the journey not the end of the story. So, keep it going with fewer funds but more enthusiasm as there surely is a light at the end of the Tunnel only if you have the strength to keep it going. Covid did hit many SMEs or small businesses and I was also the chosen one but I utilized this time to write a book that I always wanted to, though it is not complete yet. And I gave lectures on zoom and consulted many students to keep the show on as this bad time will end soon. I am happy to share that my business is in recovery mode now. I shall be back in a bigger picture soon. Thank you