Sara Mathew
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Following above you will read today success story of Ms. Sara Mathew :
Starting her carrier as a clerk at Procter and Gamble, Sara Mathew is the CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Corp. She is amongst the most powerful women in Indian Business. Her story is truly an inspiring one for many.
Born in 1956, Sara Mathew holds a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, and mathematics from Women's Christian College in Madras, India. She also has a master's degree in accounting from the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants, in India, and an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After she got married, she moved to America and got a job at Procter & Gamble, where her husband was employed. Ms. Sara Mathew recalls, “I was so naive, I didn't know the difference between being a clerk and a manager. Looking back, I realize that it is so important to know exactly what you want. After I accepted the job, I realized that at Procter, if you're hired as a clerk you retire as a clerk. I was lucky that Procter, which promotes from within, is a true meritocracy, so the good news is that in two and a half years, I was ahead of my peers.”
Presently, Sara Mathew is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of D&B. Ms. Mathew joined D&B in August 2001 as the Chief Financial Officer. In 2006 she became President, US and in the latter part of the year, added responsibilities as President, International. In February of 2007, Ms. Mathew was promoted to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. In January of 2010, Ms. Mathew was named Chief Executive Officer of D&B, and assumed the role of Chairman of the Board on July 1 2010. Ms. Mathew has been a member of the D&B Board of Directors since, January 2008.
Under Ms. Mathew's leadership, D&B implemented a total shareholder return ("TSR") strategy, focused on profitable revenue growth, margin expansion and a disciplined approach to deploying D&B's free cash flow. Additionally, Ms. Mathew was instrumental in the development and implementation of D&B's current International strategy, leveraging partnerships to improve D&B's competitive position through the creation of D&B's World Wide Network ("WWN"). Since then, it has almost doubled in revenue and significantly expanded margins.
Currently, Ms. Mathew is leading a transformation of D&B from a data company to a more innovative, digital enterprise by leveraging technological advances that will allow the company to expand its reach in the market place. Setting up of D&B's core assets is underway to further extend its current competitive advantage in the commercial market.
Prior to joining D&B, Ms. Mathew spent 18 long years at Procter & Gamble, where she served in a number of executive positions, including Vice President of Finance in Asia, CFO of the global baby care business unit and a series of positions in Finance and brand management. Ms. Mathew also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Campbell Soup Company.
Though Ms. Sara Mathew is at a position, so many wish to be at yet she says that she has also done many mistakes in life which has strengthened her professional carrier rather than discouraging her. Here's one example: When she came to D&B, she decided to outsource the finance back-office operations to India. “Huge mistake”, she recalls. She had to bring half of it back immediately; the rest came back a year later. She acknowledged her mistake and had handled the original layoff with respect. Mistakes are inevitable, and they teach you much more than success ever will. Ms. Mathew believes, “if you own your mistakes, you will definitely find the solution and fix the problem.”
Ms. Mathew shares her secret mantra using which she motivates her team,” Communicate, communicate and communicate. Be open and honest about the way things are. I believe the role of a leader is to stay rooted in reality while also inspiring hope. At D&B, we have very high expectations of our people, so we are very supportive in times of need.”
Ms. Mathew defines success along two dimensions. The first is personal growth – i.e., finding the inner strength to push beyond my own perceived personal limitations – and the second is contributing to other people's success. She says,” There is nothing more rewarding than getting letters from people who worked for me years ago, thanking me for something they learned that helped them achieve success later in life.”
Ms. Sara Mathew is truly an inspiration for many women working in Indian business. Her working profession has risen up from a clerk to CEO which is truly remarkable. She has indeed set up an example that nothing is impossible in front of 100% dedication towards work.