What are the differences between the coffee market in the US and in India?
The US coffee market is highly developed; it has evolved from soluble [instant] coffee to roast and ground coffee to specialty coffee. The specialty [premium] coffee segment has the highest growth rates while instant coffee has the lowest. India is several decades behind the US in terms of coffee development. In India, tea consumption dominates, yet coffee is an emerging category. India is predominately an instant coffee market, but growth of coffee house chains and coffee companies entering India will accelerate the pace of growth within the country. We anticipate the market to evolve to roast and ground coffee at a more rapid rate than the US did. Women are still a rarity on company boards. Was it difficult breaking through the glass ceiling? Believe it or not, being a woman has not created disadvantages or challenges beyond the normal. A mentor of mine always says you have to be good and you have to be lucky. I was lucky to have people who believed in my abilities and supported me.
