In the fast-advancing world, digitization is the spine of any business' stability in the market. With that said, digital transformation is no longer an option for organizations, but a matter of when, how, how much, how fast, and at what cost against its potential benefits. It is not about the mere introduction of successful technologies in the system or small tweaking of the existing business practices, rather it is about being aware and prepared against the turmoil caused by the digital disruption while also exploring and exploiting the huge opportunities. This requires a holistic approach in terms of having the right business model, structures, processes, competencies, and cultures. Carrying her unparalleled expertise with digital products, Anchal Narnolia is bringing such a holistic approach to Narnolia Investment Advisors Pvt. Ltd. (NIAPL).

Women Entrepreneur India engages an exclusive conversation with Anchal to deduce more about her journey.

Give a brief about Narnolia investment advisors (NIAPL). What are the challenging aspects of your current role at the company?

Narnolia Investment Advisors (NIAPL) was founded in 1997 by my father, Krishna Narnolia, and his good friend, Shailendra Kumar. It is an investment products manufacturer with Pure B2B Model. Unlike mutual funds or other discretionary investment products, our advisory products need perfect digital alignment between different types of needs of the investors based on their risk profile on the one hand and the research, operations, servicing, and compliance departments on the other. Technology is an integral part of the entire process. The challenge is to develop, integrate and keep improvising our end-to-end investment advisory digital solutions, which can fit into the unique digital environment of all our different types of distribution partners.

We are the second largest and one of the fastest-growing investment advisors in the country and retaining this edge and making this growth even faster while ensuring quality, speed, consistency, scalability, cost control, and convenience of all parties involved, is also an interesting challenge for me and the team at Narnolia Investment Advisors (NIAPL).

How has your professional journey been so far? What steps do you take to keep yourself well aligned with the evolutions in the industry?

I started my professional journey as a trainee in the digital marketing department. I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity of working with various departments and stakeholders. So, now my team and I try to ensure all our digital efforts are put towards aligning the vision and mission of the organization and the different needs and expectations of all our stakeholders.

There are four types of digital business models in the industry - suppliers, modular suppliers, channel owners, and ecosystem drivers. We are modular suppliers. I actively try to keep a watch and educate myself on whatever is happening in the country and across the globe in this segment. I also try to upgrade my skill sets by working very closely with my seniors and my team while also attending relevant courses/seminars periodically.

“Trust, knowledge, human touch, technology, and capital are five raw materials of this industry segment”

In your opinion, what are some critical aspects of one's personality that help you become a better leader? What is your leadership mantra?

I truly believe in the quote, "You're only as good as Your Team!" By Marshall Goldsmith. In my experience as a team leader, I have realized that accountability, adaptability, and the audacity to take risks while maintaining stability are some of the critical aspects that can help one become a better leader.

Every organization has a different vision and mission. The company employs a different set of individuals with a unique set of skills and attitudes to achieve their goals. For this to happen successfully for both parties, the right alignment of the SWOT of the company and the SWOT of the employees is essential. Right recruitment, training, placement, reviewing, and rewarding are essential in creating a healthy and competitive environment for all employees within an organization so they can take on bigger responsibilities and grow at a pace that can motivate their colleagues and their juniors to aspire to be like them.

How do you strive to strike a balance between your work and personal life?

Warren Buffet once said, "You only get one mind and one body. And it's got to last a lifetime. Now, it's very easy to let them ride for many years. But if you don't take care of that mind and that body, they'll be a wreck forty years later. It's what you do right now, today, that determines how your mind and body will operate ten, twenty, and thirty years from now".

My family, mental health, and work - these three are my priority and things that I, at times, struggle to maintain a balance between on any given day.

Stepping out for short trips during holidays to spend some time with my family, friends, and myself or to paint or play the piano whenever I get the opportunity helps. In my limited experience, I have realized that the only way to avoid stress and frustration is `to do what you love and love what you do' and also make sure that you give back more value than what you take from the system. Pain does come more often than not but is not really painful.

Anchal Narnolia, Head - Digital Products, Narnolia Investment Advisors

A friendly suggestion to aspiring business leaders:

They say that the best leaders are those who develop other leaders. Regardless of gender, the most important lesson I have learned is that we should all aim to empower people around us in a way they can think and make decisions on their own. This can be done by instilling in them a sense of independence by helping them identify their strengths and best qualities and how they can use them effectively in a way that helps them grow as well as the organization.