Leaders

Indian women leaders in Dubai are reshaping the landscape of business leadership, harnessing their unparalleled expertise to spearhead innovation and catalyze transformative growth across diverse industries. Their accomplishments in fields like entrepreneurship, finance, and technology demonstrate their capacity to operate in international marketplaces while maintaining a strong cultural foundation. Neharika Sharma, Country Manager at Lechef, is notable among them for her operational competence and strategic knowledge. Her father’s military experience influenced her dynamic career path and imparted qualities such as time management, discipline, and financial prudence. She began as a science student, pursued bachelor's and master's degrees in fashion, and then moved into digital marketing and software as a service. Neharika gained a well-rounded view from these changes, which also reaffirmed the value of flexibility and has adopted a resilient mindset through every opportunity and obstacle, understanding that although the path is not always simple, a 360-degree perspective is crucial for development.

In a close interview with Neharika, she shared with us her inspiring journey and the future of the SaaS market soon.

Give us a glimpse of your expansive professional journey over the years. What have been some of the most crucial junctures throughout your professional journey?

I consciously chose to work for startups after finishing my degree because I appreciated their practical approach to learning. I immersed myself in every facet, interacting with teams and procedures in both fashion and digital marketing. Working on the ground helped shape my leadership style and industry focus, and even in senior roles, I learned the most significant things. Launching an industry-first application at Rocket Internet was a turning point that taught me risk management and strategic planning. Another was switching from fashion to digital marketing, where I fell in love with creative strategy and branding. The secret to my development has been to view obstacles as opportunities.

Having held various roles in the realm of content, digital marketing, sales and more, what are the key areas of expertise that you bring to the table?

I decided to tackle this subject differently after giving it a lot of thought. I think the true value is in understanding the wider picture, even while technical skills like performance marketing, organic marketing, SaaS, business development, sales, and customer success are crucial. I place a high value on this in both my job and employment decisions. I always ask myself, 'Why are we doing this?' whether I'm creating a campaign, a product experience, or a performance marketing plan. What is the ultimate objective? What is the story and vision? I truly believe execution is more important than strategy. Many individuals have brilliant ideas, but their true talent is in making them work. Not every idea can be turned into a reality, and what makes a difference is having an execution-first mentality. I concentrate on both the bigger picture and my capacity to realize it in every function.

What is your primary leadership style? How do you inculcate innovative thinking within your team to facilitate positive business outcomes?

Many of us are still figuring out our strategy, which is influenced by our personal experiences, papers we read, and previous management. I've had the privilege to be exposed to a range of leadership philosophies, including flexible, firm, strategic, and optimistic, all of which have influenced my own. Positive leadership is a notion that is frequently misinterpreted and underutilized, and I firmly believe in it. An atmosphere of accountability and development is produced by empowering team members, providing assistance, acknowledging contributions, and embracing errors. Motivation rises and organizational trust is reinforced when people accept responsibility, and that and that for their thoughts and choices. I apply this idea to every team that I collaborate with. I constantly remind my coworkers that we all share leadership and responsibility, and that there isn't just one head or national manager. Long-term success, self-assurance, and ownership are fostered by that approach.

In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter as a business leader? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

We frequently experience tunnel vision, losing sight of the wider picture as we become overly preoccupied with reaching goals and KPIs. This is particularly true when dealing with teams, and it is essential to keep them informed through industry updates, market research, and surveys. Maintaining our connection to the actual goal of our labour is another difficulty. For example, it's easier to lose sight of what the consumer truly wants in product-led businesses and concentrate only on internal innovation, rivalry, and our vision. It's critical to strike a balance between product improvements and client input. To tackle this issue, we instituted quarterly gatherings in which product teams interact directly with teams that interact with customers. This discussion guarantees that decisions are based on accurate customer insights and aids in prioritization alignment. Despite the manual nature of this procedure, human interaction and idea sharing are essential to a company's success.

How do you foresee the SaaS market evolving shortly? Are there any specific trends that you see developing in the industry going forward?

I've noticed a significant trend in the SaaS sector toward AI and machine learning, which speeds up and simplifies client interaction. This helps us business leaders to apply data analytics to comprehend user behaviour to automate customer journeys and personalize experiences. The transition of subscription models from set monthly costs to usage-based pricing is another significant shift that is helping smaller firms to grow. Additionally, I see an increasing emphasis on customer-centric tactics, where businesses put engagement and product value ahead of sales. Stronger client relationships and more personalization are, in my opinion, the key to the future of SaaS.

Neharika Sharma, Country Manager, Lechef

Neharika Sharma is a seasoned operations leader with extensive experience in driving business efficiency and strategic growth. With a background spanning multiple indus­tries, she excels in optimizing processes, en­hancing customer experiences, and leading high-performing teams. Her expertise lies in scaling operations, innovation, and business transformation.