The Trailblazing Executive Director Revolutionizing Pathway Group International!

Finding someone who exemplifies adaptability, versatility, and a relentless drive for achievement is a rare jewel in the fast-paced business world. These qualities are highly sought after and can make a significant impact on an individual’s career trajectory.

Meet Niyati Patel, who has achieved remarkable success and shattered barriers throughout her career. Raised in a nurturing family, Patel’s upbringing exposed her to a wide range of activities, fostering a broad perspective on life and a drive for excellence. Niyati’s educational journey reflects her thirst for knowledge. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Information Technology, showcasing her analytical and technical skills. However, her diverse interests led her to pursue another Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, highlighting her creative flair and adaptability.

Continuing her quest for growth, Patel pursued a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Global Business Management. Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of technical and business disciplines, she was ready to embark on a career that would leverage her diverse skill set.

Patel’s professional journey began as a Fashion Manager and Merchandiser, where she excelled in a competitive industry. Her ability to think innovatively and draw from her multidisciplinary background propelled her forward, ultimately landing her the role of Executive Director at Pathway Group International.

In her role, Patel has spearheaded transformative initiatives, revolutionizing the company’s operations and driving its success. Her strategic vision, combined with her ability to inspire and empower her team, has made her an invaluable asset.

Alongside her professional accomplishments, she remains grounded and committed to giving back. She attributes her holistic upbringing to her success and encourages others to pursue diverse interests and personal growth activities. Patel continues her journey of exploration through hobbies such as painting, writing, and philanthropy.

Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation with a true visionary who is transforming the face of entrepreneurship, one bold step at a time!

Please brief us about yourself and what inspired you to embark on this sector.

I am fortunate to have been born to parents whose parenting style greatly supported my cognitive development during my early childhood. As an individual, the foundation for my growth was laid during the early years of my education.

• FASHION ALLOCATION ANALYST & MERCHANDISER | United Colors of Benetton, Pune, India | 2009 – 2012
• MERCHANDISE MANAGER | Jan 2013 – Dec 2014, Abercrombie & Fitch, London, UK
• GLOBAL PLANNING MANAGER – Fashion & Footwear Division | Jan 2015 – July 2016 Landmark Group, GCC
• HEAD OF STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION – OMNICHANNEL| Aug 2016 – Oct 2019 Majid Al Futtaim, UAE
• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Digital Strategy & Business Development | June 2020 – Present Pathway Group, UAE

I have achieved a Baccalaureate degree in two different fields.

• Bachelor of Engineering – Information Technology, Pune University, India
• Bachelor of Fashion Design, Private Institute
• Master of Business Administration – Global Business Management, Coventry University London Campus
• As a correspondent researcher, I published 4 Papers with the London College of Fashion to benefit the students further on.
• Big Data Expert Certification
• Guest Student Speaker at International Merchandiser Conference in Mumbai, India (2013).

During my graduation days, I had the privilege of having several articles published in prestigious newspapers and magazines. Miss Niyati, a highly intellectual and charismatic leader, has always been a driving force within our organization. She not only loves what she does but also ensures that her team loves their work wholeheartedly. Her unique approach to business leadership is evident in her encouragement of learning from failures. She firmly believes in achieving success through the lessons learned from setbacks. Our management is greatly impressed by her result-oriented strategies, which allow them to focus solely on the results without worrying about behind-the-scenes operations.

As an Executive Director, she prioritizes cross-functionality among the different departments within our organization. It is both amusing and a source of pride to call her a No-Nonsense Boss Lady. She always sets high standards for herself and those around her. We appreciate the energy she brings every day when she walks into the office – she is like an umbrella in the rain for all of us. We cannot express enough gratitude for her strong decision-making skills and problem-solving approach. She is truly a remarkable leader.

Could you please elaborate on your story as the beacon of your organization and how you have positioned it as a dependable player in the competitive market?

To keep up with technological advancements, it is important to stay updated regardless of the industry you are in. The task of finding the right talent in recruitment has become challenging for many organizations. To meet this need in the UAE market, Pathway Group International was established in 2014. We are an ethical recruitment company that attracts talented candidates. With my leadership, the company is dedicated to recruiting and training top professionals for our valued clients. We offer support in recruitment, consultation, and outsourcing of training activities for companies with diverse workforces. Through digitalization, we provide a user-friendly platform for both clients and candidates, making the recruitment process smooth and hassle-free.

Could you please brief us on Pathway Group International, its offerings, and how your expertise has contributed to the development of the company?

Pathway Group International is a provider of recruitment and training services to clients, including government, semi-government, and multinational companies. The company has experienced continuous growth and now has a presence in GCC countries and Asia. Pathway has successfully embraced the new normal after the pandemic by fully digitalizing the recruitment process.

Upon joining the company, our priority was to adapt to the new normal following the pandemic. We successfully devised a solution for our clients and candidates by implementing digital processes. Currently, our database boasts over a million registrations from candidates both locally and internationally. This allows us to cater to a diverse range of clients across various industries, including Facility Management, Transport, Retail, IT, Agriculture, Education, and more. Thanks to our collective efforts, we were able to maintain a 100% client base and assist over 100,000 candidates in securing their desired jobs post-pandemic. Our commitment to growth and ethical recruitment practices has garnered high praise from Sheikh Tahnoon’s Private Office and the Chamber of Commerce in Dubai.

What motivated you to pursue a career in fashion buying, merchandising, marketing, and consulting?

As a child, I was always fascinated by clothes, accessories, and shoes. Whenever we entered a store, I would wonder about the people responsible for bringing these items to the shop floor and deciding which colors would be paired together for each category. As I grew up, I pursued a career in some of the world’s leading fashion brands, such as United Colors of Benetton, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Landmark Group. Through my work in fashion retail, I eventually transitioned into the field of omnichannel at Majid Al Futtaim, where I had the opportunity to explore the consulting aspect of a business.

My journey began as a fashion merchandiser and eventually led me to become the executive director of a pioneering consulting firm.

What have been some of your most successful retail merchandising endeavors, and what experience do you have working with multiple channels of trade?

With experience across various brands, teams, and countries, my focus has always been on creating a seamless customer experience across multiple channels. I believe in constantly reinventing strategies and fostering a sense of community rather than just building a customer database. By understanding and addressing the needs of the customer, I aim to evolve the idea of the end product.

Describe a challenging opportunity that you have taken on and how you were able to achieve success.

Successfully developed and implemented the Digital Strategy for Pathway Group in 2021, resulting in significant achievements.

• The client growth rate has increased by 62%.
• Increase in revenue by a magnificent percentage or more than 79.6%
• Worked from scratch for a brand-new Ecommerce Concept Marketplace, due to launch by the year-end.

As an inventive leader, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

For all those aspiring individuals, it is advisable to wear noise-canceling headphones whenever you feel a conversation might bring you down, regardless of the location or the quality of advice or suggestion. Trust your instincts and follow your passion. It’s a straightforward approach that will help you believe in yourself and your team. Keep in mind that doubt attracts doubt, while confidence attracts confidence. Remove any mental barriers and embrace ambition. Leadership is as simple as that.

How to envision scaling your organization’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond?

We are committed to making a significant impact on society through our project, Pathway. Our goal is to positively influence every person’s life who comes across our platform. The pathway is designed to allow individuals to discover their authentic selves. It will become the primary destination for enhancing one’s lifestyle, promoting holistic healing, well-being, and spiritual growth. Our offerings, including consultations, online courses/tutorials, and well-being shops, are all created to empower individuals on their journey of inner transformation encompassing physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

Please give us a few testimonials from your clients and awards or recognition that accurately highlight your achievements in this sector.

• Awarded with ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ from Pathway Group for the increase in turnover through local and overseas partnerships.
• Awarded with ‘Certificate of Honor’ from Pathway Group for the successful launch of the Digital Strategy 2022.
• Featured in Arab news multiple times for the contribution to the Recruitment industry through Digital Strategy.
• Speaker at DigiConference on Customer Experience, 7th April 2020, Topics -Innovation, Informatics,
• Contact Centers, Customer Happiness, Digital Transformations across all sectors.
• Attended at AIM10x 2021 Conference – Digital Transformation.
• Published four papers with the University of Arts London as University Downright Journals on Merchandise Planning, Business Strategy Planning, Stock Liquidation balance in Online and Bricks & Mortar Platforms, and Visual Tech Trends in Retail.
• Invited to the International Merchandiser Conference held at World Trade Centre, Mumbai, India
• Mentioned in articles on fashion for one of the leading newspapers ‘The Times of India’ and magazine ‘Femina’ regularly – from 2011 to 2013