As women break down barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, their unique perspectives and skills in corporate consulting are being recognized. In consulting, women have demonstrated their strengths in networking, communicating, and collaborating. They have enabled businesses to create a more inclusive and equal opportunity workplace, by focusing on the three most prominent pillars of a business in today’s time - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Having started her career in human resources, Latika Raina has been a part of the corporate world for over two decades. After spending early years strengthening her foundation in HR, Latika made her way to the IT Industry where she undertook numerous consulting assignments to streamline business processes. As she traversed the globe, her experiences with projects, people, and customer management initiatives resulted in happy and satisfied clients across the world.

With decades of experience under her belt, grit, and confidence in her abilities, Latika took the plunge of leaving a secure world of 9-5 behind and founded her own company, Anthrocorp Consulting. Anthrocorp represents humans in the business world. With the belief that the most efficient strategies, practices, and technologies are only as effective as the people who implement them, Anthrocorp Consulting enables people  to realize their full potential as professionals and leaders through their mindfully crafted development programs. Women Entrepreneur magazine is delighted to engage in an exclusive interview with Latika Raina.

Please introduce yourself and your business.

My educational journey reflects my versatility and adaptability to different industries and roles. And currently, I have come full circle and returned to my roots  in human resources. The inception of my professional career was with a degree in Management and Industrial Relations; and from then on, I have held various roles in Business and IT as a consultant, Project Manager, and Delivery Head to name a few.

As of this moment, however, I have begun a second leg in my professional life as the founder of Anthrocorp Consulting. With the strong intent to bring out the best in people, we provide customized solutions to help clients to enhance their potential, break barriers and drive businesses' success. Our mission is to empower individuals, teams, and leaders with the skills to put their best foot forward, and ultimately personify corporate success.

What motivated you to establish and look up consulting?

Having recognized the significance of human resources in a company's success very early on, and that coupled with my passion to assist others is what drove me to consulting in the first place. And the experience that came with my work over the years with multiple companies across the globe has been a stepping stone in founding Anthrocorp Consulting.

"I am proud of my ability to continuously learn and adapt, which has enabled me to switch careers and roles and thrive in the face of dynamism"

Describe your responsibilities and the primary areas of expertise of your organization.

As the organization's founder, my primary responsibility is to make it one of the most well-known consulting firms. I am actively involved in delivering workshops and developing programs tailored to my client's expectations. Anthrocorp has been founded to impart coaching, experiential learning, training, mentoring, and Culture building. We provide solutions to organizations to take care of their people and their businesses by maximizing human potential through our programs. Our primary focus is on leadership skill development and interventions to drive outcomes desired by our clients.

"My expertise lies in curating leadership skill development programs & interventions to drive client-desired outcomes"

Tell us about your team.

I have a very pro-modern way of working. Instead of employing people full-time, I rely on freelancers and gig workers. The idea is to keep my team employed ondemand basis. It allows people to pursue their interests and manage their time effectively while providing us with specialized and need-of-the-hour skills.

Being a working woman for over two decades must be difficult; what obstacles do you face and how do you overcome them?

It is evident that unconscious biases still exist in the workplace, and that it can be more challenging for women to have their perspectives heard. Personally, my pillars of work have been confidence and smart work. All while ensuring my voice is heard and building a support system of allies around me. I think it is important for women leaders to remember that we must take ownership of our own milestones, even while seeking support and allyship from others. Having said that, however, I am confident we are moving towards equality and inclusivity in our workplaces at a good pace.

Highlight some of your most significant accomplishments throughout your professional journey.

As opposed to highlighting a particular milestone or accolade. I consider my accomplishments a sum of my diverse roles, projects, companies, and countries that I have worked in, on, and with. I am proud of my ability to continuously learn and adapt, which has enabled me to switch careers and roles and thrive in the face of dynamism. In variety is where I have found my footing. Throughout the years of my career, I have been lauded as a leader who is tenacious, adaptable, and comes with a strong sense of interpersonal and people skills and profound cultural understanding; skills which have been crucial to my success in the industry.

What would you like to say to upcoming women entrepreneurs or newcomers in the industry?

Ask and you shall receive. I have learned the benefits of seeking help and guidance, and I promptly do so even at this stage of my career. And the same message I would like to convey even to the new comers. We have a great ecosystem around us. Build your network of mentors, trusted peers, and advisors from day one, as this network proves to be an invaluable resource as we go forward.

Latika Raina, Founder & Director, Anthrocorp Consulting

Latika has lived and worked in over seven countries in Europe, North America, and APAC with multiple global brands. Her experience spans across multiple industries and sectors including IT, banking, government, manufacturing, and distribution to name a few.