In 2020, Indian Furniture Market was US$ 17.77 Billion. It is estimated to rise to USD 37.72 Billion by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 13.37% according to Business wire. With the increase in innovations & people slowly turning to commodities that are made In India, growth of furniture market here is showing a significant increase. MMA Design is a young company established in 2016 with one ideology: to produce World Class Furniture that defines & refines your space. WE magazine engaged with Lalika Sharma, Director-Sales & Marketing MMA Design to know more about the company and the value it adds to the Indian furniture industry.

Give Us A Brief Overview Of MMA Design. What Are Some Important Features About Your Expertise As A Business Leader That You Want Us To Highlight Through The Article?

MMA Design has strived to become a market leader and in bringing world-class furniture to India. Our aim was to amalgamate the cultural riches of our traditional artistry and modern improvisations in design and technicalities. We ensure sustainable & ethical social practices. MMA designs believe in offering quality products with attention to detail. We work on designs that are contemporary as well as traditional keeping in mind quality and sustainability. And the attention we give to ensure that the customer is taken through the process seamlessly, is I think our strength. And we have a cheerful work environment that ensures maximum productivity with teamwork as we grow forward together.

Take Us Through Your Early Educational Journey And Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table.

I grew up in a small town and completed my education right up to my Masters programme there itself. I am one of three sisters and a brother but never ever did our parents differentiate between us.  They were liberal and forward thinking and always encouraged us to do what we wanted and find the path we wanted to take. They were truly the wind under my wings and raised me to dream and make those dreams my reality. My initial years in the aviation industry gave me confidence and taught me the importance of paying attention to detail in our product and services. And it wouldn't be complete if I did not give my husband the credit for having encouraged me to follow my dreams.

As The Director Sales, What Are The Various Roles And Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At MMA Design? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Current Role And How Do You Overcome Them Successfully?

The most exciting yet challenging part of my role is to bring in business regularly. Achieving these targets definitely give me immense satisfaction. My responsibilities include building driven leaders across our sales & marketing team as we strive to manage goals set for each year together. This includes training team members, mentorship, data & analysis, research, enhancing client relation & strategizing a strong business plan. At MMA we believe in `think like a leader to become one'. This helps our entire team to stay driven towards developing strong strategies. There's a saying in sales, which our team members follow diligently - "Solutions close more deals". The better we are at delivering what consumers desire, the more we grow.

As One Of The Primary Leaders Within The Organization, How Are You Driving Growth Within MMA Design?  What Is Your Guiding Leadership Philosophy?

Every member in our sales team is a primary leader. And I don't say this just out of love or validation for my team, but for the very fact that the spirit behind everyone's work is initiative. We all take initiatives at MMA to go those few steps further and put ourselves in the client's shoe to understand his requirement from a daily usage point of view. This constant process of rising to our clients' unique requirements is what sets us apart from others. The true philosophy behind my leadership stems from the encouragement given to me, by constantly address challenges & rising to the occasion. So aptly, the due credit goes to the entire team of MMA for being self-willed & driven.

I believe in the mantra, “think like a leader to become one. Become a leader by taking a leap: work big, dream big, fail big, rise bigger, evolve better.”

How Has Your Professional Journey Been So Far? Tell Us About Some Of The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved Over The Years.

With a long career spanning over several years, I can sincerely accept that this journey has been nothing short of eventful & glorious in so many ways. This long-spanning journey comes with constant experience and upgrading in various fields I deal with, every day. So many big words, but at the core this is still a people's business. You understand their needs, challenges, but how do you understand the best fit for them? There's no set definition, but it's a constant upgradation of your own techniques to create a strong supply/demand chain between your brand, your artisan, customer, middlemen and everyday user. It is an ongoing chain cycle; one happy client means a constant business partner who comes back to you when in need. To me, that's the significant milestone: when your happy customer returns or spreads word about their experience which brings in more business.

In A World Where Things Change Constantly, How Do You Keep Yourself Well Aligned With The Periodic Evolutions Occurring In The Industry And The Tech World?

Since we are closely working with young innovative designers across India, we get to understands trends in workplaces, various industry benchmarks and be the first hand custodians of some of the latest development or offering. The impact of technology on the way our work is done today also helps a lot, as there are dynamic updates, each minute. The exciting new world of startups gives us an insight into the minds of today, why we need ongoing adaption & evolution to keep pace with the world of business.

As A Successful Business Leader With Vast Experience What Advice Would You Present To Young Women And Girls Who Aspire To Become Business Leaders Themselves In The Future? 

I believe in the mantra, "think like a leader to become one. Become a leader by taking a leap: work big, dream big, fail big, rise bigger, evolve better." One ingredient makes all the difference between.