Work spaces greatly impact employees' performance. It is much easier for employees to focus and get down to business with a well-defined workstation. It also aids them in developing the correct working mentality. Over the past few years there has been a rise in demand for managed office space solution providers. One such organization providing a one-stop solution for premium work spaces for productive work is Work Easy Space Solutions.

One of the first employees to join the Chennai based organization was Smita Awasthi. Smita began her career as a management trainee in the hospitality business and swiftly rose up the ranks to join key leadership roles. Currently functioning as the Associate Vice President at Work Easy Space Solutions, she has played an influential role in establishing the brand in the Chennai market. An astute business woman, she believes in a taking a client friendly approach and has built lasting relationships with clients over the years.

In an in-depth interview with the Women Entrepreneur Magazine team, Smita shares with us her thoughts on leadership, and professional experience as an Associate Vice President in the managed work space industry.

Introduce Us To Work Easy Space Solutions.

Work Easy Space Solutions is a premium managed office space solution provider. The space offers spacious and thoughtfully designed office space. Our offerings range from Enterprise built-to suit space, private offices to Dedicated and Shared Coworking space, all complemented by a comprehensive list of amenities designed together to make clients experience seamless, simple and EaZy!

The organization also provides clients with world-class infrastructure and facilities that allow their employees to work to their full potential without compromising quality. By selecting the best brands that meet architectural, aesthetic, safety, and statutory requirements, the offices are capable of creating an awe-inspiring experience.

The need of quality IT and ITES projects has only increased with corporate occupier demand in the city.

Workez always endeavors to provide quality and future ­ readiness in every aspect of this flexible work space, use of technology maintaining design aesthetics and adhering to timelines, all the way to final delivery and after lease services.

Headquartered in Chennai, we have our presence in four different locations in Chennai's best catchment areas for business's locations, totaling 428,000 square feet viz: RK Swami Centre in Anna Salai, Willow Square in Guindy, SM Towers and Urban Square in OMR, that addresses the requirements of clients ranging from a startup office to a corporate headquarters with team size starting from 1-1000+ employees. We are now looking forward to expand in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and ideally, all of our country's major cities.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

Since my father was in the armed force services, I had the opportunity to experience various parts of India during my school days. I attended KendriyaVidyalaya at eight different cities across India. I graduated from Vels Institute of Hotel and Catering Management in Chennai and began my career in the hospitality business as a management trainee in 2006, working for several hotel chains.

My professional journey has been a tremendous learning curve. I began as a Management Trainee in the hospitality industry and continued working in it for five years with numerous industry leading brands.

Joining Regus (IWGPLC) in 2012, I had the opportunity to learn the co-working concept. After enhancing my sales and operations skill, I was given the opportunity to head sales and operations for Vatika Group, Apeejay Surrendra Group and Innovent Spaces.

With ample experience under my sleeves, I eventually joined Work Easy Space Solutions as Associate Vice-President, where I am responsible for sales and business development. Since I have worked in all departments in this sector, from entry level to senior management, I am well-versed in all aspects of the business.

What are the various roles and responsibilities that you currently shoulder as the AVP at work easy space solutions? What are the most challenging aspects of your current role and how do you overcome them?

Since I was one of the first 'employees', I shouldered various responsibilities, including introducing Work Easy Space Solutions as a premium managed work space brand to Chennai and since I have been well connected with all International Property Consultants (IPCs), Local Brokers, Office Space Agents, Aggregators etc., I had the upper hand to sign-up more businesses with help of my professional network. I also worked closely with clients to provide them with the most suitable, customized office solutions and plug & play options. I was also actively involved in the early phases of the company's corporate communications and market promotion process.

“Having extensive knowledge in running the business, i was able to move up quickly in my career ladder utilizing the opportunities i had been offered”

Being in the business of co-working and managed office spaces, interacting with clients and convincing them throughout the epidemic and the resulting economic slowdown has been the most challenging phase for me in recent years. We were able to overcome this with the help of the management team by offering reasonable pricing, outstanding product quality, industry-leading service standards, and a variety of unique value-added services. Other challenges include increased competitors trying to undercut the business by offering competitive and aggressive pricing but keeping our hopes high, every deal was carefully followed-up till the very end which includes timely project delivery every time consistently.

Tell us about the leadership philosophies that you follow to drive growth within work easy space solutions? What have been some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved throughout the years?

Being a mother for 11-year-old daughter, every day starts with a busy and challenging schedule ahead with a differential work-life balance. There are days I had to work day and night where I need to connect with clients outside India as per their time zone. There are times there will be challenges in timely project completion where I need to focus more on resolving the hurdles and also should manage customer requirements which goes hand in hand. My leadership qualities include setting up daily/monthly/yearly goals as per business requirement, consistent follow-ups and clear focus, being stubborn and always hungry for business.

“Being in the business of co-working and managed office spaces, interacting with clients and convincing them throughout the epidemic and the resulting economic slowdown has been the most challenging phase for me in recent years”

Having extensive knowledge in running the business, I was able to move up quickly in my career ladder utilizing the opportunities I had been offered at Vatika, Apeejay, Innovent Spaces and have finally landed at Work Easy Space Solutions. Few of my achievements includes fast filling all three Work Easy locations which were operational from Q2-2020 onwards, facing all ups and downs during the pandemic and back-to-back lockdowns. Within a span of 1.5 years, using all my skills and professional experience including the best networks I was able to successfully fill up the centres which has close to 300,000 sq.ft of serviced office space accommodating 5000+ workstations. Now we have opened our 4th location which adds up another 140,000 sq.ft, accommodating 3500+ seats. One of my recent and biggest achievements would be the first deal which was lost during the pandemic having close to 500 seats has signed-up with us again for the newest location which is the best success so far, I have seen. It includes sheer business knowledge, consistent and vigorous follow-ups offering various solutions to the customer and finally clicking the deal once again. I wouldn't come all this way, identifying myself as best female real-estate professional without my daughter's and family support. I'm being thankful to them all throughout my life.

There is always a saying `When the going gets tough, the tough get going'.

As a successful business leader what advice would you present to young women and girls who aspire to become business leaders or entrepreneurs?

I always believe and experienced that life is a first-time roller-coaster ride which surprises you with lots of ups and down but the destiny is unpredictable. Some of them bring us joy while others give us grief. Similarly, we must live life as it desires and continue on our path, taking in all of the experiences along the way. It eventually shapes us into a better version of ourselves. My advice to young women is to live life, experience existence on this earth, and to never give up.