Page 3 - Business Sense 11.1 (Virosha Pillay)- eBook

DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY WITH

INNOVATION

irosha Pillay, the challenges. “Avvo Labels was
managing director of successful before I took on this
V Avvo Labels, purpose is role, and I had to prove that I
deeply rooted in ensuring that the wasn’t just the boss’s daughter,”
business maintains its legacy while she explains. “People wondered
evolving and growing to meet the if I was just going to come in
challenges of the modern market. and ‘boss’ everyone around,”
she admits candidly.
“Avvo is a family-owned
business that has stood the test However, through
of time,” she notes. Established perseverance and showing her
in 1985, the company has grown dedication, Virosha earned
under the stewardship of her the respect of her team. Her
parents, and now, with her at the approach to leadership is
helm, it continues to flourish. people-centric. “We have a
Virosha has brought a unique diverse team, and it’s important
combination of corporate to encompass everyone’s ideas
experience and a personal touch and feelings,” she explains.
to her role. “I am proud to have Empathy plays a crucial role
stepped out into the world at in her management style.
a young age. The wealth of “Sometimes, in business, it’s
experience and knowledge it easy to forget that people are
afforded me was incredible,” what make the business run,”
she reflects. she adds. Regular meetings,
Virosha’s journey began in the open communication, and
heart of her family’s business. recognition are key to her
“I grew up in my dad’s factory,” strategy. “No one should feel
she recalls. Her childhood was like they’re just clocking in and
steeped in the lessons learned out. What we do here has an
by observing her parents impact beyond these walls.”
navigate the business world. Virosha’s inspiration comes
“They taught me resilience and from her parents, the founders
the importance of hard work,” of Avvo Labels. “I’ve watched
Virosha says. them grow this company
Her education followed a path from nothing,” she says.
that kept her close to home, first Despite not having formal
attending school in Clairwood, business training, her father
then moving on to high school made significant financial
in Chatsworth. The foundation and strategic decisions that
of her academic journey have positioned Avvo as a
culminated at the University of leader in its field. “He didn’t
Durban-Westville, where she complete his schooling career,
earned a BSc degree majoring in but his instinct for business is
biochemistry and microbiology. unmatched,” Virosha adds
This background may seem a with admiration.
world apart from the world of Virosha’s vision for KwaZulu-
printing and manufacturing, Virosha Pillay, the managing director of Avvo Labels Natal is one of growth and
but it equipped her with opportunity. “This is my home,
analytical skills that would and it’s where my heart is,” she
prove invaluable. you put your mind to something, shares. She believes that there is
COMPREHENSIVE standards and service delivery,
Her first job as a chemical INVOLVEMENT which have been the foundation you can achieve anything.” untapped potential within the
analyst, was a role she found to of its success in the FMCG sector. Virosha credits one piece region. “There’s so much we can
be an eye-opener. “I thought it As the managing director of of advice for shaping her explore, and I plan to do exactly
was going to be amazing until I Avvo Labels, Virosha’s role is “My purpose currently is to approach to challenges: “Be that,” she states confidently.
actually got into the grind of it,” as varied as it is demanding. “I ensure that Avvo Labels isn’t careful how you respond to a For Virosha, the pursuit of
she admits. The work itself was find myself not always at my stagnant. I’m always looking challenge – think before you excellence is a continuous
interesting, but the silence of desk, which I prefer,” she shares. for opportunities to grow, to speak or write, because words journey. “We want to progress,
the laboratory felt stifling She is involved in every facet of innovate, and to make the are something you cannot take but we should never let go of
to her. It was then that she the operation, from managing company more sustainable,” she back. When I was younger, I perfection,” she says. “It’s about
realised she needed a career production to overseeing delivery shares. This drive has seen the would react quickly, sometimes working hard, working smart,
that offered more interaction timelines. “I’m very hands-on. introduction of a digital press too impulsively. Now, I take and making sure that whatever
and dynamism. I ensure that operations run and machinery aimed at reducing a moment to consider my you’re doing is as close to perfect
smoothly, do a bit of marketing, the company’s carbon footprint.
This revelation led her to a a bit of finance – my fingers are “We’re now part of a proactive response,” she shares. The as possible,” she concludes. 
position as a sales representative literally everywhere,” she explains. movement towards sustainability, result? Better communication
for a multinational and that’s where I see us making and a more collaborative W: www.avvo.co.za
pharmaceutical company. “It This comprehensive a real difference.” atmosphere. “It’s amazing
was exciting, fast-paced, and I involvement stems from her how the right response can
was surrounded by a cohort of passion for the business and her Reflecting on her early career, change the entire outcome of a
young, driven graduates,” she desire to see it thrive. “Being Virosha recalls the competitive conversation,” she notes.
remembers. This corporate role so hands-on allows me to see nature of her first sales job. PEOPLE-CENTRIC
was a perfect fit for her outgoing where we can be more efficient, “Winning Rep of the Year was
nature and laid the groundwork more innovative,” she adds. a standout moment for me,” she Navigating her place within
for the skills she would later Her primary focus is on says, her eyes lighting up with a male-dominated industry
bring to Avvo Labels. maintaining Avvo’s high pride. “It reiterated to me that if was one of Virosha’s greatest

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