As a serial entrepreneur, Vikram Sharma has always believed
in making a difference in people’s lives, especially blue-collar workers.
Studies reveal that India is home to over 350 million
blue-collar workers, but many of them are under-employed or underpaid due to
the lack of adequate skills.
This is why Vikram, along with Deepanshu Goel, started
WIFY in July 2019 to upskill and uplift the living standards of these skilled
professionals.
The Mumbai-headquartered tech startup aims to enable
blue-collar skilled personnel to earn a steady or higher income, as well as
ensure brands can fulfil the requirements of customers.
“We want to be the number one trusted platform providing
post-purchase services for brands,” says Vikram in conversation with YourStory.
Brand partnerships
Towards this end, Wify has partnered with over 200 brands
like Ikea, Amazon, Homelane, and Livspace, and provides them with after-sale
services which include installation and anything else which is covered under
the warranty period.
Given the breadth and range of products available to
consumers, Wify narrowed down their services to the home improvement segment,
which include categories such as furniture fittings, smart homes, modular
flooring, appliances, and doors and windows.
According to Vikram, the segment faces three broad
challenges:
- Technology around these products has dramatically changed.
- Online shopping has taken the products beyond Tier-I cities
- Brands find it difficult to provide after-sale services.
“The services provided by Wify is helping the consumers,
brands and the blue-collar professionals,” says Vikram.
Jobs platform
Given such a scenario, Wify has created an online platform
where it brings together skilled professionals and provides them with job
opportunities using their existing partnerships with brands. It enables
blue-collar professionals to apply for jobs.
The startup also focuses on equipping blue-collar
professionals to discharge their functions.
“There has to be a deep alignment of skilling, which include
both hard and soft skills, for career progression. Our uniqueness is that we
help people upgrade their skills,” says Vikram.
Under the Wify model, before joining the startup, interested
seekers will have to pass the test to check their skill level and suitability.
Post that, they are imparted with the much-needed soft skills like being
punctual, commitment to deadlines, and various other nuances on what it takes
to be successful.
“Every week, we provide them with content on the required
soft skills and it is a continuous process,” says Vikram. Courtesy: www.yourstory.com
