Logistics and transportation are one of the most critical yet complex mechanisms in the entire supply chain ecosystem. As an industry, just like most industries were at one point, logistics has long been a male-dominated one and has never been a coveted industry for women. In 2018, India was ranked 44th on the Logistics Performance Index and has now climbed to 38th in the 2023 listing. “The demand and complex nature of the industry proves that logistics need more women in the industry,” said Zaiba Sarang, the Co-Founder of iThink Logistics, a tech-enabled end-to-end courier aggregation service.
Sarang manages the entire sales wing and represents the iThink team as the face of the brand. Her passion for starting a business centred around tech-powered solutions came from an educational background and an acumen for technology and business. In 2018, iThink Logistics was named one of the Tech30 Startups in India by a leading publication.
Sarang’s Philosophy Is To 'Never Leave Anything To Chance'
Being a strong advocate for women's empowerment, she wants to see more women in the logistics ecosystem. And a lot more women leading different departments and verticals at iThink, “As a leader, I am committed to providing support and resources for women, including mentorship, and training. I understand the challenges women face in the business world, and I am committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for women in my organisation. I also believe that women have a unique perspective and can bring innovation to the market. By understanding the needs and preferences of women consumers, one can create products and services that cater to them, creating new business opportunities and contributing to economic growth,” she added.
Talking about the power of women's entrepreneurship and its impact on women's economic empowerment and overall socio-economic development she said, “I have seen first-hand the transformative effect of women-owned businesses, not only on the lives of the women but also on their families and communities. By starting and growing their businesses, women can break the barriers of traditional gender roles and create new opportunities for themselves and others.”
Her Approach – 'Seek Advice & Ask For Help When You Need It'
With a degree in computer science, Sarang began her career as a software developer. “Being a techie, I had no prior sales experience, so this was a make-or-break situation for me. Despite my struggles during the initial days, I persisted and sought out the advice of experts rather than waiting for aid to arrive. I hunted Google for resources that could help me develop my skills and expand the revenue of my company.” Sarang strongly recommends asking for help when you need it. “Don't be embarrassed to admit that you don't know something, and be agile and iterative. If you have the desire to learn and make a difference in the world, your goal and career may occasionally change over time for the better,” she said.
'Find A Different Way, Another Way, And A Bigger Way Of Doing It.'
“We saw when e-commerce brands start their journey' the major struggle in India is sustainability they need the right support system, tools, and skills to scale their business. We developed a framework for product innovation using a customer obsession attitude and focusing on what customers need,” shared Sarang. As a feature, the iThink team developed the most robust NDR (Non-Delivery Report) system which helps customers reduce shipment RTO to as low as 9 per cent, the lowest in the industry. “We have a Dashboard that is designed per the customer's most critical needs and designed in such a way that even a novice can use it,” said Zaiba.
“What software lacks is the human touch,” noted Sarang. “Hence we have a dedicated customer success manager that makes sure we are part of your growth journey during each milestone.”
Mantra In Life – ‘Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.’
As the sales director, Sarang’s days have evolved from sitting in a confined room developing software to constantly being on her feet, ready to go wherever and whenever her business requires. At iThink, along with her co-founders, she has implemented a philosophy of ‘Servant Leadership’ – where leaders prioritise serving their teams' needs. They have also invested in training programs for managers and team leads. “We launched an initiative of launching a start-up ecosystem within the organisation. Because of this, we were able to launch a new product in the market at a superfast pace.” With the rise of e-commerce and online shopping platforms, she believed that companies can tap into a larger consumer base and reach customers in remote areas, providing them with access to products that were previously unavailable.