Indra Nooyi - The Fourth Most Powerful Women In The World

Indian born American businesswoman, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, president and chief executive officer of PepsiCo is the 4th most powerful woman in the world today. Her
story lays emphasis on true values of life. Although she faced many hurdles while reaching the highest peak in international level, she walks with pride holding the dignity and
honour of her most loved country, India

Indra Nooyi's early life and career

While growing up with her sister, Indra Nooyi's mother encouraged them to deliver a speech on every night about what they
wanted to be. After the speech the winner would get a piece of chocolate. This activity installed confidence and ambition in
these little hearts, which helped them to pursue greater heights in the later parts of their life.

In college Nooyi was part of an all-girl rock band where she played guitar and sang songs. After two years of work with
Johnson and Johnson and Mettur Beardsell in India, she moved to US with little money and safety net to pursue her higher
studies in 1978. While studying in Connecticut she worked as a receptionist from midnight to sunrise. With that money she
bought herself a western suit of US$ 50 for an interview at Yale, where she had just completed her masters.

Nooyi started her career in US with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). From there she moved on to hold a position of
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Strategic Marketing for Asea Brown Boveri, and Vice President and Director of
Corporate Strategy and Planning at Motorola.

Indra Nooyi in PepsiCo

From the very start Nooyi moved with bold risks to gain the best price. She has played a key role in the Tricon spin-off, the purchase of Tropicana in 1998 and the fast food
chain in 1997. As an individual she attributes most of her success to her upbringing in India. She honours her heritage by often attending PepsiCo events wearing a sari.

As staunch believer of faith, Nooyi states that success rests on threes important factors, "family, friends and faith." Although an entrepreneur of one of the biggest firms of US,
Nooyi attributes her success to her employees. She views PepsiCo as her extended family and believes that to top the speed of competition an entrepreneur should attract the
best employees.

Indra Nooyi and her family

Despite her busy schedules Indra Nooyi has managed to balance equally central responsibility as a mother and a wife. She still follows the traditional practice at home be it the
practice of taking off shoes before entering the Puja room or any other simple Indian beliefs and practice. She attends PepsiCo board meetings in a sari, for she believes the
corporate world appreciates people who are genuine. She has an ability to blend high-powered career with a family and her Hindu heritage. She lives with her husband and two
daughters in Farifax County, Connecticut.

To this day Indra Nooyi banks on the true values of life that had been imbibed in her from her childhood. The most successful businesswoman in the world marks her identity
with her tradition, unfeigned demeanour, perseverance and hard work.