THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE PROJECTS LOGISTICS BUSINESS.
Dr. Sharmila Amin – a tough woman from premier business schools, proving her mettle in a male dominant space, yet gleaming through and inspiring millions.
Dr. Amin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai as well as Degree in Shipping Management from premier business school IIM, Ahmedabad. She is also a Customs Rule 9 License Holder.
A seasoned industry veteran, she has a proven track record in expanding and consolidating logistics
operations in emerging markets. She has executed multiple projects in the power generation, petrochemical, fertilizer, automobile, oil & gas and other core industry sectors.
With over 2.5 decades of insightful experience in global freight forwarding with specialization in the
Projects / Oil & Gas logistics business, she is a true living baron.
Dr. Sharmila began her career with the then renowned firm AFL Pvt. Ltd. Bachelor’s in the year 1986,
and from there on there has been no looking back, her stature has only grown in leaps and bounds. Over the years she has gained a firm foothold in the industry, understanding all the nuances of the industry, and has risen to now being the Managing Director (South Asia. India) with Bertling Logistics (I) Pvt. Ltd., since 2013.
Prior to her taking up the assignment in Bertling, she has been holding similar positions with Global
MNC’s where she has restructured the businesses and transformed them into profitable entities, enforcing compliance protocols and implementing new processes and mentoring teams to attain stated business objectives.
In an industry that is predominantly maledominated, she had her commitment, passion, constant updation of industry trends, and dedication that rose her to this level. She is not only one of the most
successful top executive business lady in the Indian logistics industry but also the only woman in the Projects Logistics business. She also serves on the Boards of Listed Companies and one of them being India’s 1st Private Oil & Gas Co – HOEC (Hindustan Oil Exploration).
After assuming charge of Bertling Logistics (I) Pvt. Ltd., a specialist Project Logistics Company, headquartered in Germany, she has taken the company to greater heights and levels, and today Bertling
is one of the top-ranking companies, in the Project Logistics service provider’s category in South Asia-India Region.
In conversation with Dr. Shamila, we were truly inspired, here are few excerpts for our readers:
PV: What has been your greatest failure? And what did you learn from it?
Dr. Sharmila: Working ceaselessly during the initial years of my career, we grew at a very rapid pace. I had to overextend myself and deliver exemplary results. This was at the expense of a good work-life balance. This affected my work as well as my personal life, and I learned that to be at my professional best I must try to achieve an optimum work-life balance. I have worked on it ever since.
PV: God – What role does God play in your life & leadership?
Dr. Sharmila: God comes to us and guides us in many forms, apart from my devotion to the almighty, I also considered my father as godly and a role model for me. His experiences which he shared with me from an early age and his guidance during difficult times provided an enlightened path for me in developing my life and leadership skills.
PV: Can you please tell us about “Execution?” What do you do to ensure that your Strategic Plans actually become reality?
Dr. Sharmila: I have a streamlined process that we have followed and perfected over 30 years to deliver on strategic plans and projects. The key aspects of which involve, discipline, persistence, ability to innovate and transform, and constant monitoring and evaluation.
PV: Family – What do you do to keep your family Priority #1? With the busy schedule, you keep
Dr. Sharmila: As discussed earlier I learned from my earlier experiences that I need to maintain a good work-life balance. This principle allowed me to concentrate and give enough time to immediate family. I have been there to help and support the family of siblings and my parents as well as my extended family.
PV: What are the keys to developing the next generation of leaders in your world?
Dr. Sharmila: A well disciplined work ethic, devotion to the almighty and our mentors, a healthy work-life balance, innovation, a thirst for staying updated with current technology and other tools to increase productivity, and the constant quest for excellence are the keys to developing the next generation of leaders in my world.
