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WOMAN OF THE WEEK

What? Woman providing security?

Acceptance wasn't easy in a male-centric industry, says Sree Vidhya, security services provider

WALKING TALL, TALKING TOUGH G. Sree Vidhya

As you walk through the "high security" area watched by guards in neat uniforms you get a sense of G. Sree Vidhya's business. Working her way up a totally male-centric industry, Sree Vidhya now runs Ravindra Services Pvt. Ltd, an umbrella for Dialtone Hotline Services and D Group Security Forces. Left to fend for herself at 26, she joined Malar Hospital after a couple of marketing stints and paid her way through a PG Diploma in Industrial Relations and an MBA. When her boss Dr. Ravindra Padmanabhan, (my mentor/guide) offered her a job at his Facility Management and Guarding Services she switched over. The doctor passed away in 2001 and she bought out the business.

Doubles turnover

Within three years of joining, she doubled the turnover persuading companies to outsource maintenance and security. Confident she could do more than sell, she convinced the boss to let her in the thick of business to manage unskilled, untrained, low-paid workers. As her workplace moved from cool corporate interiors to the rough, security-covered exteriors, she learned to handle drunk and disorderly men, threats from disgruntled workers. "You don't have to be a karate expert to control them," she says. "If you show mental strength, people back off."

"Strength" is mostly patience, positive thinking and prayers. It's choosing the right argument and delivering it in a tone meant for maximum impact. Like, "You have a dependent family. Can you afford to lose your job?" It's talking tough and never showing your anxiety. It's facing the hired workers one-on-one, paying compensation and benefits on time, without fail. It's supervision rounds at night in a jeep fitted with wireless. And luckily, it's standing 5 foot 11 inches tall with a voice to match. That is a huge USP.

Sree Vidhya loves her 24-hour job. She brags, "I broke the glass ceiling in this profession!" And how. "As I waited for my first appointment, I took a good look at the guards. Dirty uniforms, a five o'clock shadow and unkempt hair that meant they hadn't had a break. How alert were they? I went in and described my unit. I told them it would be a neat-looking, educated team trained in martial arts." Sort of mindset over muscle.

Education? "Yes, a graduate will know what to do in case of a short circuit. In an emergency, he is less likely to panic. He will stay and do the needful." That's expensive! "You entrust guards with property worth crores. How can you cut corners? You pay peanuts, you'll get monkeys." So who is a good guard? "Someone selfish." Excuse me? "That's right, selfish. One who wants to take care of his family, wants to excel and be recognised as the best."

Sree Vidhya wants women to sign up. "Give me half a dozen now, I'll train them to match any male guard and absorb them in my company. Women check bags and work days, but always, always insist on going home at ten. Why can't women do the graveyard shift?" Their own security, perhaps? "Oh, really? Just how safe is a woman at home? And don't women live alone? Do they feel insecure?"

Supply and maintain non-core, essential services for corporates (no homes, please!) in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Pondicherry and Chennai and how much off-time does that leave her with? Just a little. Amusement is attending music concerts and friends addressing her as Captain, Chief and Karate black belt. Traffic on the wireless is "music to my ears; I know things are under control." She pulls out President Kalam's book. "Like he said, I dream big. I roll up my sleeves and get there. There are women musicians and dancers, CEOs in banking, finance and IT. This is exclusively mine. My staff believes I'll keep the ship afloat."

Sree Vidhya considers her "brand" of business a success. "I dress in conservative Indian outfits and my clients know that I know my business. I interact with directors at intellectual levels and discuss everyday problems with guards." But acceptance wasn't painless. She has had to fight rumours, chauvinistic remarks and friendly are-you-sure-you-want-to-do-this advice. "Men can't stomach women storming their world successfully. Even a professional outfit like mine fails to clinch orders because of gender bias."

GEETA PADMANABHAN

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