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Aakanksha BhargavaCEO of P.M. Relocations Pvt Ltd Published On: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Views 3518

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" I am not telling you it is going to be easy, I am telling you it’s going to be worth it."

Aakanksha Bhargava did her MBA from SP Jain school of Management in Marketing. Previously, she did her B. com from Hindu college and schooling from Tagore International School,Delhi. She has also been certified with a degree in GMS and diploma at the FIDI Academy in 2007.

Her work in the world of business is widely applauded and has earned her the prestigious awards of being the “Best Woman Leader” by Business Today SME awards in 2015. She currently serves as the CEO of P.M.Relocations Pvt Ltd, which is a one stop solution for mobility needs, with respect to anybody relocating within India or overseas.

What inspired you to build the above product/ service?

I grew up in the world of movers as this company is the brainchild of my father. Its his love, hard work, commitment and passion that lead me to join, strengthen and expand the company to what it is today. I knew it always that I belonged here and had to make a difference and change the way people associate or acknowledge our Industry . To enhance the journey , we have now launched our B2C platform for one and all who wishes to relocate – www.packmoverelocate.com . We wish to welcome and look after people when they move to new homes People still associate moving with non -professionals walking in their house with unhygienic & tacky look with no sense of responsibility. They feel scared and troubled with anxiety with respect to the moving experience and we want to change that. We want to ensure someday people start looking at a relocation company/mover as a friend, and a help who can make the moving experience absolutely amazing and enjoyable with not just moving a home, but finding one , settling you down , finding a school for your kid , and getting one culturally acquainted to the city /country . We don’t just move belongings but lives and sentiments! We envision becoming a complete package for the corporates & individuals to make sure smooth transfer by providing not just door to door services but also home search using and helping them settle in the new city. I knew it always that I belonged here and had to make a difference and change the way people associate or acknowledge our Industry . To enhance the journey , we have now launched our B2C platform for one and all who wishes to relocate – www.packmoverelocate.com . We wish to welcome and look after people when they move to new homes.

What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?

What was the most challenging part of your journey till now? Dealing with employees, partners and clients had been difficult initially. It was difficult to work in the industry but through strong motivation, hard work and conviction it was easy to ride against the tides and survive while setting up offices in new cities. Also, I strongly believed that surviving in this industry is just about the strength of your mind and having faith in the intent of your heart . Major learning for me while facing the challenges is that when you really ride on something your courage will eventually kick your fear. Hence, take the plunge… and you will see the miracles of life. Over this period , I had to lead by example at all levels right from selling to building the brand , to keep upgrading the processes and systems with increasing work and manpower, setting up a professional culture and most importantly all of this had to be done in the budget since we have not been funded by anyone. The business demands a lot of working capital whereas we work on credit; hence balancing the same was a challenge. The business is also not based on need creation but need to be based, hence having a strong recall value, follow up‘s and service levels is important. Also, the most difficult thing is to manage people, especially when one is in a service industry. Here we deal with a niche service which is ‘emotions’ Hence we need to be very careful while working with people. Be it our clients or our employees. Another key takeaway is that No Success Is Possible Without Sacrifices And Beliefs, Sometimes Not Your But People Around You.

Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.

P.M. Relocations – is a Small-Medium Enterprise, a one stop solution for mobility needs, with respect to anybody relocating within India or overseas. Incepted in 1986, we were born ahead of time in India when packing and moving just meant hiring a truck and some third party labourers to move household items. Our first office was set up in 1986 in Kolkata by partners Mr. Rajeev Bhargava and Mr. Rajeev Sharma. In our journey of over 30 years, we have catalysed some of the major changes in the Indian relocation industry. We have pioneered the in-house blue collar staff model and become the first relocation company in India to offer complete relocation assistance under one roof.

Service Portfolio 

a. Household Goods Packing & Moving

b. Corporate Relocation /Office move’s

c. Vehicle Relocation

d. Pet Relocation

e. Long-Term & Short-Term Storage Facility

f. Fine Arts handling / moving

g. Relocation assistance

1. Utility services such as – Cleaning , plumbing , carpentry , electrician help etc

2. Home search

3. Visa and immigration

4. City Orientation

5. Cultural Training

6. School Search

7. Settling-In Services such as opening a bank account , helping with driving license, gas connection etc.

8. Departure/Repatriation Program

What is your life mantra?

There is a quote by Rumi which says that “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” When I began my journey I didn’t have a career plan with goals and timelines but I fell in love with the word ‘moving’, I found my passion into the idea of ‘Being able to transform the lives of other by offering stress-free end to end moving solutions’. My father Mr. Rajeev Bhargava is a first generation entrepreneur. In my formative years, he always encouraged me to join the business and has been my biggest support, inspiration, mentor, and friend.

Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.

Currently we are still looking out for investments to further strengthen our foothold in the Global relocation market. Apart from this we are also looking to expand ourselves to Tier-2 cities this year.

How did you overcome those challenges?

I strongly believe in these 5 commandments and would like to share them with you all:

1. Passion – The Only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet keep looking. Don’t settle.

2. Intent – It is just about the strength of your mind and having faith in the intent of your heart ad I can bet when you really do decide for something your courage will kick-ass your fear!! Take the plunge and you will see the miracles of life.

3. Love- Love has power like nothing… It can make you do things beyond belief and unconditionally.

4. Changing Lives - When you walk into my office and when you leave for the day… between this should be the learning and fun you have never experienced. 5. Enhanced Experiences – My wealth should be my experiences.

How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?

At PMR, I and my team focus on nurturing each and every employee. We aim to focus and grow along with the organisation. Hence, it is very essential that my employee sees the same vision as me. We also, have various HR programs, flexible timing opportunities, reward and recognitions for our employees which help us solve the problem of Brain Drain. I believe in taking my team with me to the next level . Its very important for me to ensure my team grows with me.

Tell us about your company’s attrition control practices.

For me, being an entrepreneur is gratitude that I am the chosen one to help and look after so many families that are engaged with PMR. My high is my customers and my team ! And also yes I love what I do . Hence, it is very essential that my employee see the same vision as me. Which is having immense pleasure and self-worth when a family that relocates with us shares their happy experience with us !

According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?

The three qualities an individual must have to achieve success:

1. Focus Driven

2. Dreamer

3. Adventurous Risk Taker

Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?

Nothing very specific.

Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.

I plan a lot in advance as per my targets , always helps in managing priorities better …and our industry is full of stress as anything can happen anytime …my stress buster is light moments with my family and watching/reading something very pleasant before I hit the bed.

Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.

I would want to make more time to pursue my hobby

 Answer in less than 50 words

  • One tip to success

Be it your personal life or professional life. The intent is very important for anything one does.

  • One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:

One must avoid – to not know how to unlearn in life. It’s a mistake to believe we know everything and what we learnt is the Only way to do something

  • One most important lesson that you have learnt till now

One of the key learning is that, “Time can change a lot of things, situations, circumstances… but it can never take away your will, courage and determination to chase your dreams. It can make or break you but cannot stop you!!!”

What are your plans for next 3 years?

We are looking at strengthening our foothold in the Global relocation market. We are also looking to extend our services to smaller tier-2 cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur etc. Art movement in India is an unknown sector. We have done few of the high-end art moving as well as exhibition assistance for top galleries and hence want to expand our Art moving division catering to a larger market.

What are your top three getaway destinations ?

1. MANALI

2.Dubai

3. I plan to visit one new country every year.

Favourite Holiday destinations – Maldives , Prague , Nice , Iceland

If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?

I would exactly do everything the same way that I did because I ensured I always gave my heart and soul to it . Maybe there is one thing I may do which I may have skipped for few important people in my life. I would want to go back and thank those customers of mine who taught me various lessons at various steps in life.

Share a quote that inspires you the most.

This one is written by me and I strongly believe in it that-

“It’s important to have goals , desires and ambitions , however challenging they seem to be ….And you got to enjoy the ride to these . Sometimes on that learning curve we explore ourselves and what we can achieve . It is important to dream and keep yourself always engaged into something that you enjoy and feel passionate about . There is no formula and no set route to success …just listen to the heart …Sometimes the right ways and answers are found there …”

Inspiring Entrepreneurs

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