1. Give us a brief about your background

Ms Chulamas Jitpatima: I have over 18 years of experience that includes working as an entrepreneur, working at MNCs and in my current role of Country Director at MQDC India. I began my career at Accenture as a senior analyst, helping form strategy and improving processes at leading companies, including Siam Cement Group and PTT Public Company Limited. Before joining MQDC in 2017, I was working as the Managing Director and Co-founder of Ideas-360, a research and branding powerhouse that we set up in 2007. During this stint, I got the opportunity to work with some renowned figures including experimental psychologist, Dr Howard Moskowitz, who helped us in establishing Mind Genomics as the leading consumer research tool in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

In all my roles, I have always imparted a dynamic approach that has helped me find creative solutions to various business challenges. Deploying the same dynamism in setting up MQDC’s brand – Whizdom Club – in India, I am crafting the Club’s distinctive ethos and character that can act as a catalyst in attracting young professionals, entrepreneurs and enterprises. We are also evaluating different asset classes to grow further in the Indian Market

2. Tell us about your foray into India and your India journey so far

A: MQDC India forayed into the Indian Market with its premium co-working project, Whizdom Club, in 2019. Situated at a prime location in New Delhi, our flagship club offers world class infrastructure along with mentoring support to students, young professionals and strateupreneurs. Also, a large part of our client portfolio consists of several reputed enterprises and SMEs as well. The club has access to all essentials of success including a green and sustainable infrastructure. This was recognized by Realty+ Co-working Summit and Excellence Awards 2020 where we were awarded with the “Co-Working Amenities of the Year” title. The club offers variety of workstation options, especially curated spaces designed to cater to the various needs including Whiz Live is a 75-seater, fully fitted-out event space, Whiz Exchange which help promote the culture of community, where people help one another in work and life.

We took a step further in our journey as we launched, Whiz Café, an extension to our co-working space. The café has exclusive offers for the members of Whizdom Club and is also open to the public at large. We also collaborated with delivery service partners to ensure safe and hygienic food delivery for all our customers. In later part of the pandemic, triggered by the demand for safe and hygienic things among people, we also launched our trading vertical, which has wide range of wellness products like carpets, and rugs for commercial, as well as residential properties.

Before COVID-19, we were in the process of setting up various properties across the country. As things are slowly settling back in, we have reinitiated conversations and we hope to see some movement in that direction soon.

3. What hurdles you have faced to become who you are today?

A:  Assuming the role of Country Director in a foreign country and establishing a completely new business in a competitive industry like real estate in India, I have faced several challenges. From the cultural diversity to language to flying between countries every week, before Covid, it’s been one adventurous journey till date.

The previous year has been a crucial one for the organization as a business. Like most industries, office spaces, co-working spaces and cafes were impacted during the lockdown imposed across nations in a bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping the morale of the employees high, keeping the members engaged through regular virtual activities, and sustain the company’s revenue systems have been some of the key initiatives undertaken. Due to the lockdown, managing the existing center while also planning further expansions from Thailand has been one of the most stimulating yet humbling experiences for me!

4. One tip that you want to share with the other women to achieve their dreams.

A:  We live in a society that still has patriarchal conventions to an extent and therefore it is very easy for women to feel discouraged and lose sight of their dreams. I would like to take this opportunity to remind every women out there that they should never step back from dreaming big and should never feel limited by their own mind. Every feat is possible and today, women are reaching newer heights than ever before. We live in a society where women are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies while at the same time have the vision and strength to launch new businesses and make them a roaring success. It is imperative to stay motivated and also create an ecosystem that supports others as well. As a community, we should always find ways to uplift women around us and remain kind through the process.

5. The pandemic has disproportionately affected women. What can women do to get back into the post-pandemic work game?

A: It comes as no surprise that women all over the world have been impacted due to COVID-19. Not just professionally, women have had to face many challenges in their personal lives as well. In addition to all of this, everything in the world was changing at an exponential rate. The way we conducted business evolved, the skills that were required to keep businesses relevant also evolved; in such a scenario, the only way to go back to work and stay relevant is by constantly learning and acquiring new skills. Utilize the time we have right now wisely, enroll in courses and certification that can add meaning to one’s profile. As employers, we are trying to create a better infrastructure and put in place supportive policies to encourage gender equity and equal opportunities for all.

6. What is your experience of during and post-pandemic work? What were the issues you experience as a person?

A: As a Thai National, when the pandemic started in 2020, I was not able to come to India as per safety protocols and international travel regulations. During that time, I was faced with the challenge of managing the business from Thailand, being away from my team which was based in India. In the beginning, it took us some time to find a balanced work equation but as we adopted digitization and put in place stringent SOPs, we continued working endlessly to ensure business continuity. Thanks to my very capable and proactive team, we were able to retain all our clients and added many new ones.

In these two years, not only have we ensured optimum business output from our co-working space, but also have we launched Whiz Café, an extension to Whizdom Club and a trading vertical that offers a wide range of products with anti-viral allergy free properties, keeping in line with our “Well-being for all” vision.

7. Your thoughts on women-only co-working spaces 

A: Like I mentioned, women should come together and nurture an environment that is thriving for all. More than a Women only co-working spaces I believe in providing a safe space for women to take up challenging roles in their professional lives with much more confidence. During the pandemic, co-working spaces have gained immense popularity and have solved the issues that were posed by remote working. The plug and play model presents an opportunity to create a diverse network and enable growth of start-ups, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and many more. Women today are taking up these roles and knowing that there is a space which is safe and also offers mentorship and guidance provides a boost in confidence and encourages them to take up roles, which seemed rather far-fetched till now.

Women focused co-working spaces are the perfect platforms for women who are looking out for options to start their journey in the corporate world.

The post In Conversation with Ms Chulamas Jitpatima, Country Director, MQDC India appeared first on The Pink Journey.