Entrepreneur makes headway in service sector:

‘Adversity a great teacher’

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

A few women climb the ladder in the service sector.

Deepanie Perera is a multi-disciplined and extremely versatile professional. With over 19 years private sector, corporate and public sector experience in diverse fields ranging from hospitality to manufacturing to service industries she has been on the senior management for the past 11 years in advisory/consultancy and functional capacities.

Within a short span of time she rose to the level of a board director of a conglomerate and is now a full-time entrepreneur, practising as a business consultant, HR specialist and trainer/lecturer. She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q: What is the type of your business and how do you set about it?

A: I ventured into business in the field of knowledge management. It is four-fold, namely training and development, business consultancy, head hunting on the request of friends and compering which is seasonal at the annual corporate events.

I was in the corporate sector for 20 years and determined to go on my own. Since January, I launched a signature brand “Target Resource” aimed at developing managers and leaders to win tomorrow’s challenges. I introduced the ‘Developing next generation manager’ program for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Q: How do you balance family life and business?

A: It is important to balance family life and it is key to all human beings. I always try to strike a balance between family, social and professional life. As I am involved in corporate events I have to travel often.

I try to balance these activities along with family affairs and give quality time for my parents.

I give them undivided attention taking personal care of their needs.

I have a very supporting family. I do not want to compromise when it comes to my parents.

It is a matter of prioritizing and I am good at time management and stick to my commitments. When there is a couple of priorities I never neglect one thing over the other.

Q: What are the challenges you faced?

A: I faced a couple of challenges.

At the time I ventured into knowledge management many people discouraged me.

The country also faced the adverse effects of the global economic downturn. Training and development was taken off from the budget expenditure.

Times were tough and there were months I had to struggle. The risk factor was high and the economic environment was not favourable.

I managed to work with the corporate teams to promote business. When they saw the real value that I could offer things changed.

However, challenges made me stronger and better and adversity is a great teacher.

Q: What is your advice to women in business?

A: There is a glass sealing. I do not believe in equal opportunities. There is no point in asking for these opportunities.

There are opportunities. Women should seize them. Have no fear. Women are gifted to handle stress, adversities and emergencies better than men. Women could do multiple tasks. I advise them to go out and explore the opportunities.

Q: What are your goals?

A: I have a vision in life. I keep upgrading it when I accomplish my targets. I have a goal to provide some kind of training for at least 10 percent of the population.

I will work towards upgrading the level of competencies to be on par with global standards.

I aim at creating the most sought after talent brand in the world. It is probably too ambitious, but I do not want to compromise on that vision.

Q: As a woman was it an advantage to be in business?

A: Yes and no. Being a female there are advantages to capitalize on.

Men think that our ideas and implementation is weaker. When it comes to payment, they get a higher salary. Women have to prove a point.

A woman needs to be an entrepreneur, a rare breed. I appreciate the efforts taken by various institutions to recognize women. Steps should be taken to encourage women into business and make use of their talents for the benefit of the country.

Q: What were your achievements in business and family?

A: I contribute to newspapers and other publications on academic and current affairs.

I recently conceptualized and introduced the prospectus of an MBA program for a State university and launched it.

This was a first in the history of the institution as it broke many conservative barriers to attract students. I was a part-time broadcaster of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation since 1992.

I was also a television presenter for the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Q: What is your contribution to the society?

A: I do honorary work and assist small-scale companies. I also share my knowledge and expertise with schoolchildren in remote areas. I plan to conduct a training program for my alma mater, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Girls’ School.

I am keen to conduct training programs in the North and the East. As a child I always wanted to do something of my own. I had a dream that I wanted to accomplish.

When I ventured full time in January, I was prepared and the working experience provided on impetus and gave me confidence to move forward. The support I received from my family and friends was overwhelming.

I initiated successful re-homing programs for orphaned and abandoned dogs and cared for sick and abandoned animals despite the risk involved.

Not only human beings, animals too need love and kindness which I am willingly to offer.