India Inc's Rising Women Leaders
2015 (8)
Aparna CHOPRA 38
Former Head (Marketing), India, South East Asia, Costa Coffee
“Being a woman and an Indian is not a great combination,“ was what
a senior male colleague told Aparna Chopra when she took over the marketing
function of Costa Coffee in the Middle East in 2011. “I wish you luck,“ said
the colleague, jokingly.
“I wouldn't say I was ever discriminated against, but I've had to
work much harder for being recognised as a woman leader in the Middle East,“
says Chopra. Her strategy: walk into every meeting thinking of herself as a
professional (not a man or a woman) and listening carefully. Another tip:
respect local customs. For instance, while she always wore western clothes, she
would refrain from drinking wine in Kuwait.
Chopra started her career in Nestle where she, as a 22 year old,
was instrumental in the conceptualisation, testing and launch of Café Nescafe
in India. Her next stint with fast food giant YUM! Restaurants (2004-2010) saw
her engineer the turnaround of the Pizza Hut brand in 2005 with the launch of a
Rs 50 pizza, followed by the launch of the Krushers brand at KFC. Her next stop
was UK headquartered Costa Coffee where she headed the marketing function for
South Asia, till recently. Aparna's next stop is a digital venture, which she
is expected to join shortly.
Role models:
“Ordinary women who have chased their dreams.Sheryl Sandberg of
Facebook and Mary Kom“
Advice for women:
“You have more of the two E's (EQ & Empathy) and that gives
you an edge over men“
CDET27MAR15
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