“Not just listen but also agree”, a quotation by Radhika Madgulkar, suggests, women are always raised to be compliant, always following rather than leading. Times change, and so do thoughts. True change begins within us. Radhika followed this belief, making her own way and leaving her mark
Radhika Madgulkar, an entrepreneur, animal welfare activist and a mother, is managing director of Electronica Mechatronic System India Private Limited. The company has two units in Pune, one is dedicated to electronics manufacturing and other focuses on mechanical manufacturing. The main purpose lies in mechatronics, where they manufacture machines that integrate mechanical structures with electronic systems, primarily focusing on measurement and inspection. She completed her BE in 1995 as part of the first batch from Pune College of Engineering. While she didn’t pursue further studies, she thinks her true learning began after marriage, as she is the second-generation entrepreneur, carrying forward the company started by her father.
Before entering into the family business, she explored various paths, like baking and selling cakes, but she later realised her interest in working for the people. She doesn’t think of herself as a technical or marketing person, but she knows how to bring together the experts of the technical and marketing field, and make them motivated.
Radhika acknowledges that initially she didn’t have any idea about what she wanted to do and she took the engineering degree just because she had an industrial background, she says “it seemed logical at that time”. After graduation, she worked in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and NGOs, including someone she knew being diagnosed with HIV. She shares, “I tried many different things to find what resonated with me, to understand what connects with me. And at the end of the day I felt this is what I wanted to do in my life.”
Though it was an advantage for Radhika join the business, the transition was not that smooth. When she joined the company, her father was critically ill, for which she had to take over the business literally in one day. The family response was of relief as they didn’t not have any idea about who will look after the business in future. She shares “when I took over the company, it was in deep financial losses, so it was imperative that someone took charge, brought a fresh perspective and helped the company recover. Luckily, I could do that with the help of my team.
She believes it’s a fortunate thing that she got to meet so many amazing minds with whom she could work with and could see so many innovations all around the world, through this business. She explains, “it has been a very fulfilling journey for me and now I am having even bigger dreams. So the journey never ends”.
Challenges are there, but Focus Should not Change
Every MSME owner spent most of the time firefighting, their work never ends, even on a holiday. Radhika says, “I walk into the office with my to-do list, but by 5PM, I realise I haven’t even started on it because unexpected issues always arise. That’s why holidays are the time when I can focus on what I really want to do, that is strategising, thinking and giving serious thought to important matters.
She says that how she loves to work and because of her daughters, who are away right now, give her a sense of purpose. “As much as business feeds me, I need a business to find my day-to-day purpose in life”.
It’s been more than a decade that Radhika began her career, and she admits that she still sometimes bakes and travels in her free time. Interestingly, she is also associated with animal rescue work. She shares, “I am still connected with NGOs and work with Animal Rescue Trust in Pune, which focuses on animal welfare, mainly for cats, tigers and dogs”. She also has eight recused dogs at home and is actively involved in their work.
Challenges are bound to come in between any successful journey. She says how after suddenly joining the, the challenge came to gain the trust of employees, “they knew me as the managing director’s daughter but didn’t know me personally. Since the company was struggling financially, they needed a leader they could believe. Proving myself to them and gaining their trust as a leader was my biggest challenge”.
She feels fortunate to not face any extreme challenges with customers as these customers were with them for a long time. She agrees that building this company is like building a family, which requires balance and is fulfilling at the same time. As a leader she has to guide them while carefully managing the relationships with trust and belief.
New Generation, New Change
With the new generation coming up, there are new challenges also. Earlier, loyalty was measured in years, but now it’s about the value a person brings to the organisation. “I also learn a lot from this generation. Their fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and ability to embrace new ideas have taught me to adapt and evolve as a leader”, says Radhika. The most important thing she learned is that one needs to have a work balance.
Radhika realises the need of emerging technologies and has adapted to it but is moving away from the safety of the status quo. Earlier they were into familiar, old methods but now they actively stay aware of new advancements. She shares, “we have integrated AI into our software, particularly in measurement and inspection”. Also “previously we would take a reference photo of a correct part and compare each incoming part against it to determine defects. Now, we take the help of software to recognise faults independently, making inspection more intelligent and efficient”, she says. This shift, she says, has opened up huge possibilities, reducing the need for manual inspection and allowing manpower to focus on high value tasks.
She agrees when it comes to changing SOPs or traditions in the manufacturing industry, it has to be done gradually. One of the major shifts in the new era is the increase of acceptance of women in roles which were traditionally held by men. “I now see women entering the field as service engineers, which is incredible progress”, said by her. To empower women in her company, she wants them to be assertive. It’s important for them to feel free and express their thoughts. Holding back only limits potential.
Achievements are met with Hardwork
As a company, they take pride in having dealers in 21 countries, proving their products meet international standards. Also interestingly they are likely the only women-led company in India manufacturing indigenous accessories for guns and digital measuring equipment for real-world applications. These achievements speak volumes for the leadership personality of a woman in manufacturing. On a personal level Radhika is also passionate about theatre and has acted in plays. She says, “Theatre taught me the courage to stand before people and speak without fear of ridicule”.
A proud moment in her career was winning the Export Promotion Council award for three consecutive years, proving their quality as well as their service. An emotional experience of her was on her 50th birthday, celebrated by her team in a way that brought tears to her eyes.
Another achievement of her was through her NGO work, where she rescued a dog tied to a rickshaw. And a woman who witnessed it came to thank her. “At that moment, we were not different people from different backgrounds, but we were just two human beings moved by the suffering of another”. Her father being her role model always taught her about kindness and care.
“Take advantage of opportunities but understand that extreme change comes at a cost. Be the change but don’t disturb the balance”, a message by Radhika to young girls.
