Women leaders across the world have emerged as pioneers in diverse industries, demonstrating outstanding leadership, strength, and unwavering determination. They have shattered stereotypes, driven change, and their contributions have been instrumental in fostering innovation, diversity, and inclusivity in the corporate world and beyond. Swati Saksena Jha epitomizes these qualities as the Co-Founder and COO of SSA Compliance Services.

Centred on the philosophy of 'always do what you can with all you have, wherever you are,' her approach is rooted in the belief that success favors those who relentlessly strive for it. Starting her career at Zydus, she later transitioned to Info Edge, experiencing a transformative shift at TEAMLEASE and Benefithub. Realizing the transient nature of jobderived joy, Swati co-founded SSA Compliance Services, dedicating herself to excellence. Her commitment is evident in continuous research, addressing critical issues in Employment and Labour Law Advisory and Compliance Management.

“'I have a dream' and 'I want to pursue it' has been my driving force. Striving for continuous improvement, I aim to leverage strengths, address weaknesses, and focus on 'kaizen.' Putting myself on the threshold of challenges, I believe in self-development to become the person I aspire to be. Reflecting on a journey filled with wonders, challenges, and growth, I emphasize that change requires careful planning. Over the past four years, I've found fulfillment and purpose, embracing a new and enjoyable life”, says Swati.

As a woman leader, Swati Saksena Jha embodies empowerment, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Let’s hear more from her in this one on one interaction.

Could you please elaborate on the core areas of expertise you've honed within employment, labor law, and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) domains?

In my role as a Labor Law Advisor, I assist clients in understanding applicable laws, various statutes, amendments, notifications, and labor law judgments. Leading the team, I oversee the creation and validation of legal advisories to offer tailored solutions. Additionally, we ensure clients are prepared for the new Labor Codes, leading a compliance team to manage and streamline employment and labor law compliance. As a POSH expert, I ensure a secure workplace and provide crucial support for compliance with legal requirements, especially those related to preventing sexual harassment. One crucial role is uniquely focused on ensuring compliance and safeguarding SSA clients.

Introduce SSA Compliance Services, and shed light on its founding principles.

SSA Compliance Services, based in Bangalore, stands as a prominent law firm specializing in HR Compliance, Employment, and Labour Laws. The venture was founded with a clear vision to provide comprehensive services in these domains. The success of SSA Compliance Services is attributed to its cohesive team, showcasing exceptional collaboration that ensures seamless client onboarding, efficient delivery, and high satisfaction rates. Their unique selling points include proactive services, swift Turn Around Time (TAT), and extensive team expertise, setting them apart in the industry and positioning them as leaders in their field.

In your view, what are the primary hurdles you face in your current position, and how do you navigate these obstacles?

Failing at a task doesn't define your worth; it's an occurrence, not a judgment of one's capabilities. One notable challenge I encounter, especially as a woman leader, is the frequent labelling of being ‘autocratic'. However, opinions will always exist, and learning to disregard irrelevant noise and concentrate on essential matters is pivotal.

As the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, the central challenge lies in aligning strategy with execution within our firm. To address this, we consistently work on resolving alignment issues, minimizing operational inefficiencies, and fostering team engagement through data-driven decision-making. Motivating and guiding my team, effective communication, task delegation, and making difficult decisions all play a role in ensuring the company's success. Our focus remains on delivering tangible results and continuously improving various facets such as enhancing efficiency, stringent expense management, and closely collaborating with the sales team. Contributing to, if not spearheading, the company's consistent revenue and EBITDA growth is a priority.

Tell us about the most significant milestone you have achieved throughout your professional journey so far?

My most significant professional milestone revolves around understanding that decisions shape our lives and careers. Imperfection in decision-making is universal, but learning from failures and bouncing back defines success. As an entrepreneur, the inception of an idea marks the initial milestone in crafting a thriving business with a competitive edge. SSA's distinctiveness, whether in pricing, quality, or customer service, became our Unique Selling Point (USP), differentiating us from competitors. Crucially, profitability underscores our firm's sustainability, ensuring impact in the consulting industry. Since SSA's inception, profitability has remained pivotal, anchoring our unique business idea and sustaining our lasting influence.

Over the years what has been your mantra for success?

Throughout my journey, my success mantra has been to persevere relentlessly; there's no substitute for consistently showing up and investing time and effort for cumulative impact. Despite life's challenges, I've learned to navigate, always maintaining faith in my abilities. Every struggle harbors an opportunity for success. Embrace on-the-job learning and accept that you don't need to know everything. Never forget, there's no replacement for unwavering perseverance, consistent effort, and the compounding effects of dedication.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs/

business leaders: Discover your passion, seek mentorship, and stay purpose-driven while trusting your abilities. Embrace insatiable curiosity for continuous learning to navigate business challenges, and adopt a fearless attitude towards failure as a learning experience. These traits will empower you on your entrepreneurial journey, helping you overcome obstacles and bounce back stronger. Shift gears, embrace these characteristics, and embark on a fulfilling entrepreneurial path.

Swati Saksena Jha, Co-Founder & COO, SSA Compliance Services

Swati Saksena Jha, Co-Founder & COO of SSA Compliance Services, embodies dedication, expertise in labor laws, and relentless pursuit of excellence in HR compliance, showcasing exceptional leadership.

Books Published

• Business Strategies Post Pandemic : Gearing For A New World

• Women in Contemporary India

• Safe Workplace – POSH ACT – Less Known Milestone

Awards of Recognitions won so far

• WEFT Women Entrepreneurs Award - Author of the Year

• Bestseller Award from Amazon India - Business Strategies Post Pandemic

• SSA Compliance Services has been named amongst the Top 10 Most Promising Labour Law Consulting Firm of 2024