Ms. Pooja Sharma | Tesla Power India Pvt. Ltd.
“Incorporating sustainability and ethical practices into sales strategies is no longer just a “nice-to-have” but a business imperative.”
For any business, sales are its lifeblood. Regardless of how much a company experiments with innovation or iterates with technology, sustained growth is unattainable without increasing sales. Hence, the contribution of the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy sales pipeline. As the head of an organization’s sales efforts, the CSO is responsible for devising sales strategies, synchronizing teams, measuring results, and regularly aligning business objectives with sales targets.
What better than witnessing the story of a fearless business leader who has the dedication to take on challenges and responsibilities of the business ecosystem with an upper hand? In lieu of these words, Tycoon Insights had the opportunity of interacting with Ms. Pooja Sharma, Director & Chief Sales Officer of Tesla Power India Pvt. Ltd.
The conversation we had with the luminary enhanced our understanding of the efforts involved in creating a secure and forward-thinking sales funnel for an organization. The insights into her leadership standards and mantras are captured in this editorial release. It was an honour for us to share her inspiring story under the brand-new edition “The 10 Most Influential Women CSOs Shaping Sales Strategy In 2025”.
Tycoon Insights: Greetings, Ms. Pooja Sharma. We are excited to have you on board with us. To begin with, can you give our readers a brief introduction about your company?
Thank you for sharing the platform with us. I am excited to talk about our company and its vision ahead through the medium of this editorial. Tesla Power India Private Limited is originally headquartered in Delaware, USA, and we are a leading player in the energy storage, automotive, and appliance sectors. We have strengthened our presence in India to explore the gaps, experiment with product innovations, and set ambitious plans for the Indian market. With a commitment to sustainability, our company has pioneered eco-friendly solutions like the Electro-Chemical Battery Enhancement Process (EBEP) and India’s first refurbished battery brand, ReStore. The idea behind our brand ReStore is to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices.
Talking about our product portfolio, we offer batteries for two-wheelers, cars, and commercial vehicles; inverters; solar systems; and UPS systems, as well as solar panels, alkaline water purifiers, and automotive lubricants.
Today we have a vast network of 400+ exclusive Tesla Power Shops, 400+ distributors and over 13,000+ retail outlets across India.
Tycoon Insights: As the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Tesla Power India Private Limited, what are the guiding principles you follow in your role?
My foremost priority is to embody the essential leadership qualities that empower the people we work with. It is crucial to remain approachable so that our teams feel comfortable sharing their thoughts openly. Through effective communication and collaboration, we at Tesla Power India Private Limited strive to achieve our sales targets while fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Tycoon Insights: How do you ensure alignment between your sales strategy and the overall business objectives of your organization?
We begin by thoroughly understanding the organization’s overarching goals. After careful analysis, we document and clearly communicate these goals across the organization to ensure everyone is aligned.
Once the objectives are established, we align our sales strategy with influential factors. For instance, if the business objective is to increase market share, the sales strategy might focus on penetrating new customer segments or strengthening customer retention.
Even when not directly driving a primary objective, the sales strategy should support other initiatives. For example, if the company is launching a new product, the sales team must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively position and sell that product.
Regular meetings and open communication channels with other departments—such as marketing, product development, and finance—help maintain alignment and identify potential roadblocks. Additionally, we create systems for gathering feedback from other departments on the effectiveness of the sales strategy and make adjustments as needed.
By following these steps, we ensure a strong connection between the sales strategy and overall business objectives, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the organization’s success.
Tycoon Insights: How do you empower and inspire your sales team to achieve their best performance?
Inspiring a sales team to achieve peak performance involves more than just setting targets. It’s about fostering an environment where they feel valued, challenged, and supported. Here’s my approach:
- Intrinsic Motivation: I emphasize how individual efforts contribute to the company’s success and make a difference in the lives of customers. By giving team members a sense of ownership over their work, they are motivated to take initiative, make decisions, and share their ideas.
- Mastery, Skill Enhancement, and Growth: In a constantly evolving business landscape, it’s essential to invest in skill development and career advancement. We provide our employees with access to the latest sales technologies and tools to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and gain valuable customer insights.
- Trust and Respect: We cultivate a culture of trust and respect, ensuring that everyone feels valued and recognized for their contributions.
- Open Communication: We promote an environment that encourages open and honest communication, fostering collaboration among teams and creating a sense of unity.
These are just a few of the aspects necessary to keep the team on the right track for productivity. Additionally, there are corporate ethos that keep teams engaged and consistently achieve exceptional results. Remember, empowering and inspiring your team is an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and a genuine desire to help them succeed.
Tycoon Insights: What measures have you introduced to foster diversity and inclusion within your sales teams?
Building diverse and inclusive sales teams is not just the right thing to do. It is also essential for driving innovation, understanding diverse customer needs, and achieving better business outcomes. I have implemented several measures to foster diversity and inclusion in my sales organization.
Inclusive Recruitment & Hiring: To build a diverse team, we focus on inclusive hiring practices. We expand our recruitment efforts beyond traditional channels to reach candidates from different backgrounds. We partner with organizations and communities that serve underrepresented groups.
In addition to that, we also use blind resume screening to remove unconscious bias in the initial process. This helps us focus on a candidate’s skills and experience, not their personal details. Our interview panels are diverse, with members from different backgrounds and perspectives. This ensures fair evaluation and reduces bias.
Equitable Promotion & Development: We have clear and fair criteria for promotions and career growth. These criteria are applied equally to all employees. We run mentorship and sponsorship programs to support employees from underrepresented groups. These programs help individuals navigate their career paths and reach their potential. We also invest in leadership development programs. These programs teach managers inclusive leadership practices and help them create a welcoming environment for everyone.
Inclusive Culture & Practices: We enforce a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment. Employees have access to clear reporting channels for any issues.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are encouraged. These groups allow employees from different backgrounds to connect and share their experiences. We also promote the use of inclusive language in team meetings, emails, and presentations.
Tycoon Insights: What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced as a CSO, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced as a chief sales officer was navigating a period of rapid growth and transformation within my organization. We were expanding into new markets, introducing new product lines, and scaling quickly. While it was an exciting time, it also created a dynamic and demanding environment for the sales team.
- To reinforce our culture and values, I focused on consistent communication. We held regular team meetings, workshops, and social events to ensure that everyone, whether new or experienced, felt connected to our shared values and goals.
- We optimized our sales processes by analyzing areas for improvement. This included introducing new tools, streamlining workflows, and implementing standardized best practices. These steps improved efficiency and created consistency across the team.
- For onboarding and training, we developed a comprehensive program to help new hires understand our company, products, and processes. We also introduced ongoing training initiatives to ensure that all team members kept their skills sharp and relevant.
- Communication and support were central to my strategy. I maintained open and transparent communication with the team through regular one-on-one meetings and constructive feedback sessions. I also made sure they had access to the resources they needed to succeed.
Tycoon Insights: How do you envision the role of a CSO evolving in the next five years?
The sales landscape is constantly evolving, and as a CSO, I need to anticipate and adapt to future challenges. In essence, the CSO of the future will be a strategic leader with a deep understanding of technology, data, and customer experience, and a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. They will need to be adaptable, innovative, and able to navigate a complex and rapidly changing business environment.
Tycoon Insights: What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders aiming to make an impact in the sales domain?
The sales domain offers tremendous opportunities for women leaders to make a lasting impact. To those aspiring to rise in this field, here’s my advice:
Believe in Yourself and Your Abilities: Confidence is key. Believe in your skills and own your achievements without hesitation. Many women face imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities or feeling out of place. Recognize these feelings for what they are and actively challenge them. Remind yourself that you deserve your successes and belong in this field.
Build a Strong Network and Seek Mentorship: Networking is essential for growth. Build relationships with other women in sales, attend industry events, and connect with mentors who can guide you. Find sponsors who believe in your potential and will advocate for your career advancement. At the same time, seek diverse perspectives. Don’t limit your network to women only; connect with mentors and peers from various backgrounds.
Develop Essential Skills: Focus on building skills that are vital for success in sales. Hone your communication and negotiation abilities, strengthen your business acumen, and develop emotional intelligence to better understand and connect with clients and team members.
Embrace Challenges and Learn from Setbacks: View challenges as opportunities to grow. Step outside your comfort zone, take on new responsibilities, and learn from setbacks. Resilience and perseverance are key to overcoming obstacles. Actively seek feedback on your performance, and use it to identify areas where you can improve.
Champion Diversity and Inclusion: Be an advocate for diversity and inclusion within your organization. Support and mentor other women in sales to create a culture of collaboration and empowerment. Challenge gender bias and speak up against stereotypes or discriminatory practices. Advocate for equitable treatment and be a voice for positive change.
Find Your Authentic Leadership Style: Authenticity is your strength. Develop a leadership style that aligns with your values and strengths rather than imitating others. Embrace your unique qualities, and lead with confidence. Inspire others by being a role model for women in sales, showing that success can be achieved without compromising one’s authenticity.
Never Stop Learning and Growing: Continuous learning is vital. Stay updated on sales trends, technologies, and best practices. Take advantage of training programs, workshops, and conferences to expand your knowledge. Be open to new ideas and embrace innovation, experimenting with fresh approaches to stay ahead.
Tycoon Insights: How has your journey as a woman leader in sales influenced your approach to overcoming industry stereotypes?
My journey as a woman in sales has been a mix of challenges and rewards, shaping both my leadership style and my perspective on the industry. It has taught me that breaking through stereotypes requires resilience, determination, and a relentless commitment to excellence.
By embracing authenticity and staying true to my values, I’ve been able to lead with confidence and build meaningful relationships. I believe that championing diversity and inclusion is essential not only for creating opportunities but also for fostering a more equitable and welcoming sales environment.
This journey continues to inspire me to pave the way for others, proving that success in sales knows no gender and that leadership thrives on inclusivity and empowerment.
