Megha Kurup, Vice President of APAC Human Resource at Mouser Electronics, is a dynamic and accomplished businesswoman who has made significant contributions to the world of entrepreneurship. Her impressive career spans several industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. As a visionary leader, Megha has demonstrated her ability to navigate complex business challenges and deliver exceptional results.
Her passion for innovation and commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades and recognition as a trailblazer in her field. With her exceptional skills and unwavering determination, Megha Kurup has risen to the top of the industry. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of the Most Successful Businesswomen of 2023.
From Trust to Triumph
Growing up during the IT Boom of the 1990s, Megha was expected to pursue a career in Information Technology, like many others in her family. While she initially pursued a degree in Information Technology from Mumbai University, Megha found her true passion in Human Resources (HR).
With her father serving as an HR professional, Megha found herself drawn to the industry and spent countless hours reading HR magazines, manuals, articles, and books. Recognizing her talent for connecting with people and understanding their needs, Megha completed her Master’s degree in HR from Mumbai University, which was a turning point in her career.
The combination of her IT and HR knowledge proved to be a valuable asset in her career. This allowed her to understand the business, process, and needs of any technology company. Megha started her career as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at MindCraft.
There, she gained valuable experience in understanding stakeholders’ needs and aligning them toward a common goal. She then moved on to work for companies like SNC Lavalin Inc, Captronics, Webb India, and Starcom Inc, gaining enriched experience in industry-wide HR affairs, HR legal crux, and employee growth paradigms.
In 2015, Megha joined Mouser Electronics as an HR Manager for the India branch, and her excellent work ethic and leadership skills quickly led to her promotion to managing the HR operations of the Asia region. She was later promoted to Director – APAC HR in 2018, followed by a one-year stint as the Director of India operations before focusing on hiring more full-time employees at Mouser to support the company’s tremendous growth.
With nine years of experience at Mouser, Megha’s career has been transformed, and she has elevated herself to the international HR space. In 2022, she was promoted to Asia-Pacific HR Vice President, a significant milestone in her career. Megha’s passion for HR and her commitment to her work has allowed her to excel in the profession, making her a valuable asset to the organization.
Getting to know Megha Kurup
Megha’s life is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams. Her determination and hard work have enabled her to live a life that is nothing short of remarkable. If her life story were a book, it would be titled ‘Living Dreams.’ Megha is a person with a strong belief in her abilities and an indomitable spirit.
She has always pursued her dreams with determination, never letting obstacles deter her. Her resilience has enabled her to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than before. Megha’s approach to life is centered on pursuing her passions and never giving up. Her determination and spirit serve as an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve greatness.
Driving Transformation through Technology
Mouser Electronics is a global electronic components distributor, headquartered in Texas, USA. The company is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which is owned by Warren Buffett. Mouser Electronics has a strong presence in 27 countries and has been a leading name in the industry for over 50 years.
The company is dedicated to providing excellent service to customers, making the procurement of cutting-edge technologies from over 1,200 leading manufacturer brands easy and efficient. Mouser has expanded its reach across the globe with local offices to better serve its customers and reach engineers and buyers. With a commitment to excellence and growth, Mouser has become a trusted name in the electronic components industry.
In India, Mouser has two offices with the primary one being the Bangalore office at the Esquire Centre- MG Road. It is the largest operation outside Mouser’s headquarters in Texas, with diverse departments providing critical support to business operations worldwide. Mouser’s second office in India is located in Pune at the ICC Tech Park Senapati Bapat Road, which started its operations just a year back.
The company entered the Indian market in 2010 with just three team members and has since rapidly grown to become a global authorized distributor with approximately1,000 team members. The team has built a solid reputation, earning accolades and winning performance awards consistently for the last eight years.
Mouser India is led by a strong Leadership team consisting of Vijay Ingale (Vice President – India Operations Vice President & General Manager), Clinton Jose (Global Resource Centre Vice President) and Victor Coelho (Internet Business Delivery Vice President).
The entire India operations are spearheaded by Mr. Raju Shah (Sr. Vice President & India Operations Head) located at the Corporate office at Texas, USA.
India has no shortage of highly qualified professionals passionate about technology, and driving innovation through design. The company strategically drives important business operations that support the region, EMEA, and global services. With a strong commitment to customer service excellence, Mouser is focused on serving customers with the widest selection of products, along with providing technical resources to help engineers and buyers in every step of the design and purchasing process. The company and its employees use technology to help drive advancement and stay ahead for the future.
The company draws the best talent to keep in step with the advancements driving innovation across the world. The dedicated professional teams support global sales operations, provides technical support, enhances technical marketing, and develops product content.
Over half of the company’s business comes from Internet sales, and Mouser’s IT team manages the entire IT infrastructure, where up-time is crucial for them 24×7. Mouser Electronics seeks to engage the finest talent, those who thrive on speed, accuracy, and efficiency, making them one of the top 10 global distributors.
Catering to the Need of the Hour
After the pandemic, there has been a significant surge in the number of startups and innovative business ideas that aim to meet the increasing consumer demands. Megha Kurup adds, “With a sudden rise in pampered services, it has become evident that what was once considered a luxury has now become a necessity for consumers. As a result, the market has been captured by new entrepreneurs who have successfully tapped into this demand.”
India has always been renowned for its strong service industry, and this trend has only solidified its position in the market. However, sustaining such businesses can be a challenge. Despite the dearth of capable entrepreneurs in the country, the need of the hour is to establish a robust economic infrastructure and framework that supports this pool of hyperactive strategic talent.
While the issue of unemployment remains a concern, there is hope that the country will move towards a creative revolution as more and more young people venture into entrepreneurship. With the right support and infrastructure, India can witness a significant boost in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, leading to greater economic growth and prosperity.
Overcoming Obstacles
“Work challenges were always part of the game. Facing them only elevates me as a professional. So, no complaints!”
When Megha joined Mouser nine years ago, she was initially drawn to the company because of its affiliation with the Warren Buffett’s, Berkshire Hathaway, a brand that she trusted and admired. Today, she continues to feel proud and confident in her decision as she witnesses the values and principles that the Berkshire Hathaway Family of Companies stand for reflected in Mouser’s operations.
Megha says, “One of the standout features of Mouser is its leadership team, which comprises exceptional individuals who have helped the company thrive and stand tall.” In particular, Megha has great admiration for the company’s President and CEO, Mr. Glenn Smith, who recently celebrated his 50th work anniversary at Mouser.
What sets Mouser apart from other companies, according to Megha Kurup, is its unique approach to management. The company’s strong growth, along with the recent global pandemic, has presented challenges in hiring new talent over the last few years, but the Mouser team continues to succeed at recruiting qualified employees to be part of the dynamic and innovative company, and Megha is proud to be a part of such a successful organization.
Exceptional Leadership
Megha Kurup’s leadership style is characterized by her exceptional ability to inspire and motivate her team toward achieving their goals. Her approach is centered on creating a positive and collaborative work environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Megha understands the importance of empowering her team members, and she actively encourages them to take on new challenges and develop their skills.
One of the key strengths of Megha’s leadership style is her excellent communication skills. She is a skilled listener, and she takes the time to understand the perspectives and concerns of her team members. This enables her to provide clear and effective guidance and to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives.
Another hallmark of Megha’s leadership is her ability to foster a culture of innovation and creativity. She encourages her team to think outside the box and to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges. By creating a safe and supportive environment for experimentation and risk-taking, Megha Kurup has been able to drive significant growth and success in her organizations.
One piece of advice that has had a profound impact on her leadership is the importance of having a mentor. Her mentor, Mr. Raju Shah’s influence on her personality and leadership style has been significant, as she learns from him on a daily basis. The guidance he provides has proven to be of a higher value than even her official management degree.
Success Speaks
In 2022, Mouser achieved a significant milestone of exceeding $4 billion in revenue, which is a testament to its strong brand reputation and the trust that its customers place. The company specializes in the rapid introduction of the latest products and technologies, delivering millions of different parts on-time, achieving a 5-Sigma rating.
Alongside its headquarters in Texas, Mouser Electronics has a strong global presence with 27 support locations around the world providing best-in-class customer service and shipping to over 650,000 customers in more than 223 countries/territories. Apart from this, Mouser Electronics is an award-winning, authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor, focused on rapid New Product Introductions from its manufacturing partners for electronic design engineers and buyers.
The global distributor’s website, Mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser has received numerous manufacturer awards over the years, including being named Global High Service Distributor for nine years, cementing its position as a global leader in electronic components distribution.
Word of the Wise
If you doubt something, doubt your limits!
Embarking on the entrepreneurial career path to “being your own boss” is obviously exciting. But along with all your research, most importantly introspect and make sure to do your homework about yourself and your situation.
