Recruitment remains one of the key business functions for organizations across the globe. However, there still exists a gap between organizations looking for suitable candidates and professionals looking for the perfect opportunity to invest their skillset that guarantees growth. Zainab Lathiwala, an astute leader in the recruitment industry has cracked the code to match right skillset to the right opportunity. Through her Mumbai based staffing company, Etaash Global Solution, Zainab caters to the staffing needs of multiple clients across India and the globe. Having garnered a loyal clientele, Etaash has successfully retained several clients for the past five years.

What makes Zainab a leader in the industry is her in-depth understanding of the gap that exists between the hiring companies and the candidates. Adept at people management, Zainab is happiest when talking to people and interacting with clients.

In an in-depth conversation with the WEM team, Zainab takes us through her meandering professional journey and shares with us her views on the ever-evolving recruitment industry. Here are choice excerpts from the conversation.

Give Us A Brief Overview Of Etaash. What Are Some Important Features Of Your Expertise As A Business Leader?

Etaash Global Solution specializes in recruitment for executive roles, senior positions, and specialized skillsets. The company caters to clients across India, middle east, Australia, Brazil, UK, and U.S.

Our USP is investing effort in understanding both sides of the coin and then setting up symbiotic connections for candidates and companies. It's never one only what the company is looking for; When it comes to middle and senior management level positions, the candidate needs to find the right organization where they can continuously learn and grow. Therefore, we also focus on picking the right company for candidates.

Take Us Through Your Early Educational Journey And Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table. What Motivated You To Venture Out On Your Own?

Born and brought up in Mumbai, I did my schooling at St. Joseph's. I then pursued B.Com from Mithibai College of Arts and Commerce; During that time, I began working at a BPO- first for experience and pocket money, but enjoyed the challenge so much that I spent 12 years in this industry. The best part of starting at grass-root level is you can only rise, and I did.. I explored a range of operational and functional roles, and finally moved on once I reached Management level. This experience helped me understand international clients’ requirements and how to manage stakeholders because as an industry it is highly focused, result-oriented, and customer centric.

In 2014, I felt the need to re-evaluate my career decisions and try something new for personal growth. Coming from a business family, I always wanted to venture out on my own, so I took a break from my corporate life and decided to explore other opportunities.

What Motivated You To Venture Into The Recruitment Industry? What Have Been Some Of The Most Significant Milestones Achieved By The Company So Far?

The journey after quitting my corporate job was not easy. I started a manufacturing unit for disposable paper and plastic products. But government policies changed along with demonetization owing to which I had to shut the business down. However, I soon realized that my friends and ex-colleages were constantly asking me for references in terms of hiring requirements and job opportunities. Since I already had a network in place, I saw an opportunity in the recruitment space.

I noticed that the CVs shared with companies did not accurately represent a candidate’s suitability for the requisite role. Several of the candidates also failed to present their personal and professional achievements accurately. With such insights, I felt the need to bridge the gap in the recruitment industry and thus Etaash Global Solution was founded.

The journey has been extremely challenging since I don’t come from an HR or recruitment background. I had to start right from scratch. I’ll admit it's scary to do that for the 3rd time in my life, but that is what makes us human right. We have to take risks to keep growing.

As they say, 3rd time's a charm- This venture proved to be symbiotic for me. I loved learning what laws or restrictions have to be factored for filling a position in Poland. How Middle Eastern companies need medical sign off before taking on a new employee- It’s interesting to delve not into Job requirements, but country and personnel requirements. We at Etaash have been able to consistently deliver positive results for our clients and have even become the sole vendors for some. We cater to 80% of our clientele’s hiring mandates while the remaining is taken care of by their in-house team. Its humbling to be trusted upon, and the recognition & awards for consistent performance from them only drives us to do more and better time and time again.

Throw Some Light On Your Guiding Leadership Philosophy As A Business Leader And How Does It Aid In The Growth Of The Organization And The Employees?

I believe in leading by example. When I started this business, I did not have a big team, I got down to doing everything on my own right from looking for business opportunities, business development, lead generation, and managing the delivery. The best way you can let your team grow is to let them learn and support them in the process. Yes, it is a business, and we are here to make profits but it cannot come at the cost of employee growth. Empower the team to bring out the best in them and be patient with the result. It is a process.

“You need to be patient. You are not going to be successful overnight, it’s a journey.”

In Your Opinion How Has The Recruitment Industry Evolved Over The Past Few Years? What Are Some Key Trends Do You See Developing Within The Sector?

2020 has been life-changing, not just for the recruitment industry but for everyone. The work-from-home culture that wasn’t very prevalent in India has now become a the new normal. What is interesting, is that my team was already pulling in flex hours to support their various responsibilities and manage constraints before the pandemic made this a norm. I thought this was going to be the norm by 2024 – 25 and would like to say that Etaash was ahead of the curve with our policies. Am glad the world has realized aligning with your workforce needs will only speed a company’s progress.

New trends such as virtual hiring have emerged. I believe this trend is here to stay since it is cost-efficient, saves time and logistical issues can be eradicated quickly. Hybrid model of work, which companies were earlier apprehensive towards, have become the norm now. This has led to an increase in productivity because people are saving travel time, especially in cities like Mumbai.

Additionally, I think there is more diversity, equity, and inclusion. MNCs are now making a conscious effort to get more women into senior management level positions.

As A Successful Business Leader, What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women Aspiring To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

Honestly just do the work. Throughout my career, I have been focused just on that. Whatever I have achieved today has always been on merit and hard work. I understand that not everyone might have experienced the same but from personal experience, I would like to tell the younger generation that keep putting in the effort and hard work. You are going to fall but don’t give up. Whatever bias comes your way, is temporary- your intent and action will justify the end result.

Zainab Lathiwala, Managing Director, Etaash Global

Zainab Lathiwala, currently the Managing Director of Etaash Global Solution is a self-made businesswoman with a growth mindset helping bridge the recruitment gap between companies and candidates.