A successful leader should be able to foster many abilities, from understanding emotional intelligence and effective communication to the technical proficiency and novel technologies. This difficulty is compounded by societal norms, especially for women. What helps navigate gender imbalance in any industry to become a successful female business leader is education, staying up to date with recent trends, embracing technology and innovations, and maintaining authenticity and a sense of loyalty towards oneself.

Roshni S. Nair Jain has a Master's in Technology and Business Administration from Allahabad University and Sikkim Manipal University respectively. In addition, she recently received a certification from IIM Calcutta. Roshni is an experienced business leader with more than two decades of work for several industry giants such as Reliance Telecom, and One97 Communication by Paytm. Roshni believes that growth and excellence can be achieved in any industry through constant learning, education, and staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies.

In an in-depth conversation with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Roshni shares with us her professional journey and the various lessons she has gathered on the way. Let’s hear it from her.

Tell us about Spocto and its area of specialization and services offered.

Spocto is the world’s leading full-stack risk mitigation and debt support firm that works in collaboration with banks and other financial institutions in the UAE to provide innovative solutions that can help manage risks and improve debt recovery. This in turn can result in improved customer experiences, increased efficiency, and reduced costs. We are backed by Yubi, India’s fastest FinTech unicorn and the world’s first unified credit platform for corporates and lenders. Spocto is committed to delivering high-quality services and innovative solutions which has earned it a reputation as a trusted partner for banks in the UAE, and the award of FinTech Company of the Year by Entrepreneur ME.

What are the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Vice President of Pre Sales and Implementation?

I double hat and lead the sales and pre-sales functions for all the MENA opportunities that arise for Spocto. I also deliver client pitches, demonstrations, and technical solutions and architecture for my partners as well as run an additional charter on regulatory compliance for my organization. I collaborate extensively with our customers and evaluate prospects to comprehend their demands and build solutions that address their business problems.

What are some of the key milestones that you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What has been your success mantra?

Every time I have been given a challenging task; I have managed to surprise myself. Moving from Product Manager to the Head of Operations and then later to Business Head are the most significant milestones of my career. As the business Development Head for Paytm travel, I played a key role in building a high revenue-generating business for Paytm travel which became the largest OTA in India. I was also able to persuade various banks to join the platforms for marketing campaigns.

My success mantra is that one must have faith in oneself and be eager to take risks. To achieve the goal, one must be prepared to work hard and strive for it because growth and comfort cannot coexist.

"Spocto is leveraging the potential of technology & innovation, adding value across all touchpoints in the financial lending journey"

What is your take on the current representation of women leaders in the Dubai business landscape? What steps can be taken to boost women’s participation in top leadership roles?

The UAE as a whole is working hard to promote gender equality and provide women with more opportunities in the workplace. This includes programs to encourage female entrepreneurs and leadership roles. In Dubai, women make up around thirty percent of the workforce however there are barriers that women need to overcome before they can be on par with males in terms of salary and leadership roles.

It is expected that the representation of women in leadership roles will continue to rise in the future with ongoing efforts such as Dubai Women’s Leadership Forum and the Dubai Women’s Establishments. These organizations help to spread awareness of the value of gender diversity in the corporate sector and offer resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for women in the workplace.

What advice would you like to give to young women who aspire to become leaders or entrepreneurs in the future?

I would advise them to have immense faith in themselves as it will help in overcoming challenges. Be open to learning and expanding your network at every stage of life. Since Successful Leaders are lifelong learners and have the ability to establish connections and networks. Success is a journey, not a destination so, maintain your determination and never give up. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to take calculated risks even while taking your chances and celebrating your victories. It's crucial to recognize and honor all of your accomplishments, no matter how minor. Maintain your authenticity by accepting your individual traits and abilities and making use of them to propel your achievement. Always be grateful to those who help you along your professional Journey. I am grateful for my supportive parents. My father has been my driving force in life and encourages me to continue learning new technologies. I learned from my mother to strike a good balance between work and family life. I am grateful to my husband for his support, and encouragement and for being the wind beneath my wings.

Roshni S. Nair Jain, Vice President, Spocto

Roshni S. Nair Jain has worked in the fintech sector for about twenty years and has managed several challenging projects throughout the course of her career. Her ability to comprehend technology, stay up to date with the latest trends and self-learning gives her an upper hand over other players in the industry.