Staffing Firm Springs from Frustrating Job Search

Written by Corinne Garcia Wednesday, October 19 2011

When she came to the United States from Mumbai, India, in 1989, even armed with an MBA, Juuhi Ahuja had a hard time finding work. And she had an even harder time finding headhunters to help her with her mission. It was then that she decided to someday start her own business helping people find quality jobs while helping companies find a quality staff. After a stint in the insurance industry, Ahuja founded Houston-based Wise Men Consulting in 1997, starting small and growing to where it is today, as a full-range staffing solutions provider for many Fortune 500 businesses.

Womenetics: How was Wise Men conceived?
Juuhi Ahuja: When I moved to the United States and was looking for a job, I realized that I was having a problem finding a job because of my accent. And also, many headhunters did not really help in interviewing or getting me in front of clients. To begin with, it was stressful looking for work, and with the recruiting companies not being of much help, I decided that when I start my own business someday, I am going to start a recruiting business to help candidates find their dream jobs. My goal would be to make the whole process smooth and help candidates throughout.

Womenetics: How did your background and past work experience prepare you to launch this kind of business?
Ahuja: I come from two generations of business owners. My father and my grandfathers, uncles, aunts, and siblings – they all own businesses, so I have been around business people all my life. Predominantly, the family businesses have been in electronics, IT, and garments. Being around these three industries has helped me; I have seen how my father and older brothers interacted in the business world. Then I got an MBA in finance, and this also has helped me in the competitive and tough world of business.

Womenetics: What’s the significance of the business name? It seems like you have many females running the business?
Ahuja: I wanted to put God in my business, and hence turned to the Bible. After much deliberation, I came up with Wise Men Consultants, which means Wise Men can consult, and we can put wisdom to work for our clients.

Womenetics: As a fast-growing business in your area, what sets you apart from other staffing companies?
Ahuja: Our two Qs: Quick and Quality. And along with that, it’s obvious in working with us that we care both about our clients and our candidates. All of our recruiters, business developers, management, and administration staff really care about our clients and candidates, and that is what sets us apart.

Womenetics: Working with well-known Fortune 500 companies, what do you think is your secret to success? Why are they coming to you?
Ahuja: We focus on our clients’ outcomes. We are small, agile, and nimble. We move quickly and provide solutions to their problems more rapidly than our competition. That’s what keeps them coming back to us for more. We respond quicker than bigger players would.

Womenetics: What are the biggest challenges in staffing that you see companies facing today?
Ahuja: The biggest challenge is the emergence of voice mail systems (VMS), which are making the margins very, very skinny and sometimes even not worth filling the role. Staffing is becoming very “commoditized,” where everything is rate driven rather than quality driven.

Womenetics: What kind staffing advice can you offer to businesses today in general, especially in this economic climate?
Ahuja: Be selective about your customers and make sure that you are adding value and that the clients see that value in the service you are providing. Decide whether you want to be a volume player or a quality player. You can’t be both. Also make sure that the clients have an ability to pay for your services and see value in your services.

Womenetics: How do you see your company continuing to grow in the future and stay ahead of the game?
Ahuja: If you can service both your clients and candidates well and take care of their needs, the only place you can go is up. And that’s how we will grow.

Womenetics: Are you certified as a woman-owned business? If so, has it helped Wise Men grow?
Ahuja: Yes, we are a certified woman and minority owned company. Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance puts together networking events that help connect women-owned business with large corporations who are serious about giving business to women- and minority-owned companies.

Womenetics: How would you describe your leadership style?
Ahuja: Very hands on, both nurturing as well as direct. As business owners, we have to ensure that we take care of the employees. But at the same time, we need to tell them where they are wrong and make changes so they can reach their goals. We have to be up front with them so that our employees can make the changes that are needed to get the ship where it needs to go to.

Womenetics: Why is diversity important in the workplace?
Ahuja: Without it, the workplace would be very bland and boring. Variety is the key to life. Diversity is important from the point of view of inclusion, and also diversity makes very good business sense. It brings about a totally different and new way of conducting business, from different perspectives.

Womenetics: How are you involved in community efforts?
Ahuja: We are big proponents of helping girls get education, and we also help in times of natural disasters. We support organizations that help educate girls for both basic education and higher education.

Womenetics: And last, do you take time for yourself and if so, what do you do?
Ahuja: Reading, watching movies, taking a long walk with my dog, and spending time with my husband and daughter are my most enjoyable moments.

Corinne Garcia is a freelance writer and editor living with her husband and two young boys in Bozeman, Mont. She has also written for Women’s Adventure, Christian Science Monitor, Northwest Travel, Pregnancy, Fit Pregnancy, and Fit Parent.