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EDITOR’S NOTE A CHANGE IN THE OFFING

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is CHANGE.”

Assemblies are gone, caretaker setup is in place, and election campaigns are being geared up. A big change is in the offing. Hopefully the change will be for the better if not the best. Business activities were not as usual very good, poor remains poor and the rich are getting richer. Unemployment and depression prevailes in the society, consequently the law and order situation has worsened. The country leadership continues to be less concerned with the declining living standards of the masses. Nevertheless, we look forward to a very positive change in our homeland. We pray the new setup bring prosperity, peace and economic boom to our country The power load-shedding beside CNG continues to slacken the daily pace of life. The business and industrial sector is terriblely hit by this ever present issue. As the summers usher in, the apprehension of the people is increasing manifold, intense heat without power will be intolerable. There is no immediate solution in the horizon to shun this looming danger. It’s the matter of great regret that the power shortage is not solely due to the nature, it’s the government’s incapability and misuse of financial resources which create decline in power generation. The IPPs are not paid in time to generate and deliver electricity to the people and the industrial sector, eventually the people bear the brunt of government’s malefic policies. The power sector serves as back bone for any economic activity, therefore, no economic activity results in unemployment which in turn creates turmoil, chaos and moreover greater crimes in the society.

Now there is a new hope to get rid of inefficient and insensitive leaders. People are free to choose the competent and sincere leadership which would eventually serve the country. Let’s get the proper benefit of this opportunity by electing the right kind of leadership to help sustain national economic and the business activity.

We are planning to hold 2013 CEO Summit Asia in June this year. We will be launching 2013 edition of the Book: 100 success makers in Pakistan. This book will hopefully will win the local as well as global attention immediately. The book comprises exclusive interviews of men and women who gained success and are at the top of the list.

Once again like its previous issues the Manager today is carrying the interviews of very famous and top level business personalities of the country whose life inspires so many people from the business community and other sections of the society.

In addition to that the new issue carries very informative articles by Wali Zahid and Hassan Raza. Top of the line books on business management, movies on corporate affairs and corporate event especially adorn the latest copy of Manager Today. The magazine will surely captivate the readers’ attention by its very informative and educating content.

Looking forward to very peaceful and prosperous years to come.

Good luck

IJAZ NISAR

Founder & President Manager Today managertoday@live.com + 92 300 452 1298

Mail Box omen harassment and gender discrimination are the issues which have to be handled urgently and with great attention. Women role in society should be projected positively to help create a conducive environment for the working women. Media should highlight the achievements of women in various spheres of life. Manager Today’s efforts are commendable for its efforts to give a positive picture of working women.

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of the country, thus alleviating poverty and providing employment to the educated but unemployed youth. Their contribution is no doubt remarkable that they bring the country out of the depths of economic uncertainty.

Manager Today is doing its best to help achieve the goal to put the country on the right track. Highlighting those tycoons’ contribution is in fact a participation in the noble cause.

QURRAT-UL-AIN Lahore

ongratulation! Your magazine is introducing famous and top level businessmen to the general public. Their life and achievements are of course very inspiring for the up-coming businessmen and the young professionals. To know the business environment is vital for young business students. They can achieve a lot by reading the articles written in your magazine.

Thank you

C

IRFAN AHMED Islamabad

rojecting the strong and positive side of Pakistani women is something unknown to our populace. Majority of us have misconception about working women.

Our media portray them as show piece and never reckon them as strong manager, or bearer of something remarkable. Manager Today's best thing is how successfully it is diminishing gender bias.

P

HASHIR SALMAN Lahore

MUHAMMAD IRFAN Student at LUMS Lahore

have always been very fond of reading books and magazine which contain articles on business, entrepreneurship, industry and about the lives of successful businessmen, your magazine is a very informative.

I

SAEEDA NAEEM Rawalpindi

ou are highlighting real heroes who are responsible for economic growth

Y

ear Editor, first of all I would like to congratulate you on launching such an ideologically strong magazine in our market. I am an event manager and keep a vivid eye on corporate events occurring especially in Lahore and its surroundings.

Though the whole magazine is itself so exciting to read but as my profession does not allow me spare time to go through all of it, I make sure the event section never lose my sight.

ZAHID BASHIR

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Only letters concerning articles in Manager Today will be considered for publication.

Readers are requested to restrict their comments to 500 words. We reserve the right to edit letters fo reasons of clarity & space.

INSPIRED? MOTIVATED? DID YOU LIKE WHAT YOU READ? If you find ManagerToday inspirational for the personal and professional development, do inform us. You can also contribute your articles, suggestions and recommendations at: Email: managertoday@hotmail.com, info@managertoday.pk, Website: www.managertoday.pk Ph: 042 35792066, 0300 4521298, 0300 844 5208 Don’t forget to mention your full name, postal address and phone number on your letters.

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PCPB # 303-M Mar-April, 2013

MANAGER TODAY Editor-in-Chief IJAZ NISAR Associate Editor Numan Ahmed Designer SHAH JAHAN (SHANI) Marketing & Sales Manager HASEEB NISAR Manager Corporate Communication M. SAQIB SHEHZAD 0300 883 8428 0300 844 5208 ASST. MANAGER LEARNING & OD KANWAL EJAZ Photographer KAMRAN Contributors RIZWAN ALI SHAH PHILIP S. LALL ATIF TUFAIL SALIM GHAURI KAMRAN RIZVI ANDLEEB ABBAS MASOOD ALI KHAN Legal Advisor MUHAMMAD ZULFIQAR ALI BUTAR Publisher MANAGER TODAY Printer GRACE ADVERTISER HEAD OFFICE MANAGER TODAY PL-27 SIDDIQUE TRADE CENTRE MAIN BOULEVARD, GULBERG III LAHORE Tel: 0423-579 2066 Cell: 0300 452 1298 0300 816 7229 0300 844 5208 e-mail: info@ceoclub.pk email: info@managertoday.pk managertoday@hotmail.com website:www.ceoclub.pk www.managertoday.pk www.leadingedge.com.pk

Contents 14 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Exploring new deminsions of media SARMAD A. ALI Managing Director Marketing Advertising Sales of Jang Group

20 WORKPLACE SANITY See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil Gossip is becoming a necessary part of our daily conversation; either it is office, home or any gathering. While gossip does have its peculiar attraction, the repercussions are even more dangerous

22 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Leading retail business in Pakistan MIAN MOHAMMAD TAYYAB CEO, Enem Store

26 STRESS MANAGEMENT Managing Stress

28 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH Innovation and creativity in construction industry M. S. ASAD MUKHTAR Chairman & CEO Banu Mukhtar Contracting (Pvt) Limited

Contents 34 CEO OF THE MONTH Bringing Global Brands in Pakistan through Franchises SAMIULLAH MOHABBAT CEO, BIL Foods Limited (Operator of Fatburger in Pakistan)

40 CEO SUMMIT SPEECH Yaseen Anwar Governor, State Bank of Pakistan

44 ISLAMIC HRM Islamic human resource management and pakistan

46 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Romana Aziz Khan Franchise Manager Beverages Business at PepsiCo Pakistan

48 PERSONALITIES 10 Richest persons in the world 2012

32 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT Social Media The Sweet Spot to selling online These kind of examples are very common now a days in our society.

The negative impact on a brand can grow exponentially if false offers, scams, malicious information, spoofs or jokes get shared on social media networks.

14 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Exploring Deminsions media new

of

Sarmad A. Ali

IJAZ NISAR

Managing Director Marketing Advertising Sales of Jang Group

Sarmad A. Ali Managing Director Marketing & Advertising Sales of Jang Group is the name of success for any print or electronic media entity. His leadership qualities in media marketing are unmatchable. His personal endeavours led the number one media conglomerate in Pakistan – Jang Group - to become top revenue earner. Jang Group has a lion share in Pakistan’s total annual media business of Rs45 billion. Starting his career from an advertising agency as junior executive just two decades ago, he has become Managing Director (Marketing) of Jang Group of Companies. By virtue of his impeccable personality no one could lure him to leave his organization despite many lucrative offers of top slots in corporate sector. Following is his exclusive interview he gave to Manager Today’s team recently.

Manager Today: What ails economy?

Do you foresee a bleak economic scenario in 2013?

Sarmad: Economy’s picture is not that bleak though it remained stagnant for the last four years. However, there is little improvement shown recently as GDP growth improved marginally from 2.4 in 2010 to 3.7 per cent in 2011. Exports touched $25 billion mark last year, foreign remittances have increased as we 14 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

are receiving one billion dollar per month remittances. Forex reserves too improved a little. But it’s true that we are facing stagnation in the economy as there is no improvement in the industrial sector and the reason is very obvious that we are passing through a very serious energy crisis due to which manufacturing sector has no growth. Considering the grim situation, industrialists are shifting their units to some other countries

such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Pakistan is not the only country in the region having energy crisis as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh too are facing this problem as well but there is an obvious difference that they have given priority to their industry in providing power though on a little higher tariff.

Let me tell you that there is a silver-lining as an elected government is going to complete its tenure first time and

PROFILE: Sarmad A. Ali Managing Director Marketing & Advertising Sales of Jang Group is responsible for marketing and advertising sales of print, electronic and online brands of the group. This included eight of the country’s leading print titles including Jang, and The News: and FM 101. Sarmad has over twenty years experience in marketing, advertising and media management. He has been associated with the Jang Group since 1994 when he joined the group as Executive Director of The News. In 1997 he took over as the Group’s Executive Director Marketing & Advertising Sales and was promoted as Managing Director in 2006. www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 15

democracy is on track after a long time.

If you give a chance to a government to complete its term then a system gets in place. It’s a positive phenomenon and hopefully next government too is expected to complete its term as well.

But there are rumours that caretaker government is likely to prolong to set the things straight?

I don’t think so, though people are talking about caretakers to stretch a long time but it’s not likely. I hope it does not happen. Ground realities don’t suggest it will happen. Constitution says elections should be held within 90 days. Elections should be held in May after completing caretaker set up by March 2013. Even election campaign may not be allowed to prolong.

Do you think the same faces would surface once again in the forthcoming elections?

There would be new faces, of course, emerging in the next elections. Tehreeke-Insaf is a new phenomenon. Jamaat-eIslami which had boycotted last elections is also coming in, besides some nationalist parties participating in the elections. So change is imminent.

Are you satisfied with the quality of education?

The biggest problem is lack of interest in social sector. I think it is the case of wrong priorities. Winston Churchill used to say that “It is education and health of its children a nation depends upon”. We are not investing on health or education.

Right now the share of education in our GDP is only 1.6 per cent which is lowest in South Asia and one of the lowest in the world. As a nation we should be investing at least 4 per cent on education though it would be still on the lower side.

Are you satisfied with the standard of graduates being produced by our business institutions?

We are producing aimless graduates who have no future. They are not in demand. This is something needs to be looked at. HEC should determine that what kind of graduates we need. What kind of education do we need and what kind of educational institutions should be set up. HEC’s role should be enhanced as it should be an autonomous body with an independent board of governors to insti16 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

tute education policy. We have to set our priorities in education sector and education should have top priority in our national goals.

Is there any leadership crisis in the country?

I agree with you that there is a leadership crisis being faced by our nation but I think the phenomena prevail all over the world. We are living in the age of dwarfs.

We are not living in the age of giants anymore. We are not able to produce leaders due to over-commercialization of the society. We are facing scarcity of giants in every field and walk of life. Unfortunately we do not have a single Gulliver instead we have all Lilliput. We don’t see any big name coming to the horizon.

Do we have total decay of ethical values in business?

Generally, we are a deteriorating society. I remember my teacher of business ethics used to say that there is no such thing ethics in business. Ethics are getting less and less importance in our life.

There is a need to revive our value system.

What are the challenges being faced by media industry?

No doubt, there is a growth in media industry in recent years. It was due to the fact that we were living in stagnant media eco-system as there were restrictions. It started when we have tremendous growth in our economy by

about thousand per cent. With this, the advertising spending increased, thus the media grew by virtue of advertising growth. That’s why the TV channels started coming in. The total size of advertising in 1990 was Rs450 crores today it is Rs4500 crores which is a tremendous growth. And that’s how about 100 TV channels are operating in the country at present.

Are you satisfied with the quality of contents these channels are producing?

The channels are telecasting what people want to watch. Electronic media industry is primarily driven by the rating.

Whatever consumers want to see, the TV channels would produce and on the basis of rating they suppose to get their cut in advertising business. It depends more on the demand by the audiences.

If audiences want classical music they would produce it and if they like to watch pop, the channels have no choice but to deliver pop. TV channels are not charity organizations. Media industry is driven by the advertising business and they have no choice but to go with the whims of their viewers.

Is there any university dedicated to journalism studies in Pakistan?

There is none at the moment but many universities and institutes in the public and private sector are offering journalism, mass communications and media

sciences courses. But I think there is a need for one specialized school of media sciences. Couple of year ago, the Chinese government was interested to set up such institute in Pakistan with the help of Pakistan government and in consultations with the APNS but it didn’t go.

What is the role of APNS? The primary role of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) is to safeguard the interests of its member newspapers.

It is, in fact, a regulating body of advertising and newspapers industry in Pakistan. What are your suggestions for electronic media to show sense of responsibility? One must keep in mind that electronic media in Pakistan is only 10 to 15 years old and it takes time to get mature, however it is now shaping up and they are going through with evolutionary process.

Why print media is declining at present?

I don’t think print media is declining as there are several new entities have emerged recently. I think print and electronic media are in their own spheres.

However, the share of print media in total pie of advertising has gone down while television’s share has gone up.

Share of print media has gone down to 35 per cent somewhere from 48 per cent. But it’s not due to print’s decline; it’s because of the emergence of about 100 TV channels in such a short span of time. Print media’s share increased in terms of value but shrunk in terms of volume. Print media had remained stagnant in terms of advertising for the last couple of years mainly due to economic slow-down. I believe print media is bouncing back. Now new newspapers

are coming up. Newspapers industry grew about 35 per cent in current fiscal year, may be due to its credibility. Advertisers have now realized that print media cannot be ignored. Now time has come for the multi-media companies and single media company like just one newspaper or solely a TV channel cannot survive, that’s why every newspaper owner is trying to get TV licence and TV channel owners are now investing in print media.

What are the challenges advertising agencies are facing today?

The biggest challenge advertising agencies are facing is small margin. They just cannot survive simply on 15pc commission. They are operating on very small margin. They compelled to charge fee on various services and on creative work. Agency compensation method has now changed. They are now working on various fee structures. They are consolidating, going for mergers besides seeking foreign companies’ collaboration.

What is the biggest challenge your group is facing?

The biggest challenge for Jang Group is to remain on top. We are not feeling competition at all and we feel very lonely on top. There is no group is on second.

Our biggest challenge is to retain top slot and I am confident that we will maintain our top position in the media industry.

What was most difficult decision in your career?

Many. Actually I am in a profession and situation where I have to take extremely difficult decisions all the times.

How you define success?

Success is what you make of yourself.

I don’t look at success in financial terms.

Few measure success in financial terms but I don’t consider it as success. In real terms, success is the respect that you gain in the industry you are working in.

How do you come out of state of stress?

I feel stress all the time. Usually I get away from stress by reading books, listening to music, etc. What are the three ingredients to success? Honesty, integrity and hard work. There is no short cut to success.n

www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 17

WORKPLACE 20 SANITY

HASSAN RAZA

Seenoevil,hearno evil,speaknoevil

Gossip is becoming a necessary part of our daily conversation; either it is office, home or any gathering. While gossip does have its peculiar attraction, the repercussions are even more dangerous

he consequences of participating in office gossip are far ranging and always affect at least two or more people. First, consider the person who is the gossip spreader. Why is this person presenting the information? Can any good come from it? Will the information benefit you or the office you work in?

What's in it for the gossip?

If the answers to these questions are fuzzy, you can probably guess the gossipmonger is revelling in knowing something that others don't yet know. Such "news," whether accurate or not, provides a momentary feeling of superiority and control that the gossip probably lacks otherwise. If this person's work performance isn't sufficient cause for recognition, then the next best option is to stake a claim as the one with the latest inside dirt.

Unfortunately, a gossip isn't satisfied just possessing the information, after all, knowledge that isn't shared is wasted, right? How would others know the value of this soul unless the intelligence is disseminated? This is where others get implicated without necessarily being willing

T

20 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

participants. Even the "innocent" are drawn in to the gossip's web by merely listening. For a few fleeting moments, this person has everyone's undivided attention, and this is "reward" enough.

While gossips themselves might not immediately suffer for their loose tongues, eventually they will be found out. The consequences may include poor performance reviews, no pay raises, reprimands from supervisors, or possibly dismissal because of their involvement in destroying office morale or committing slander.

Gossips are usually proactive in sharing their wealth of information, so others have little trouble knowing who they are.

Smart co-workers will learn to avoid them any way they can, even though this is not always easy or possible. Even if you yourself don't initiate gossip, just listening to it takes a toll and carries consequences.

Guilt by association immediately comes to mind. If several people are present when a gossip leaks a juicy titbit, you may be credited as the source at some later point just because you were present. People's memories aren't always accurate.

Of course, the one who suffers most is the subject under discussion. Even if the rumour proves to be just that, the damage has been done. Those who have heard the gossip will be unable to completely erase it from their minds. The consequences for this person might be devastating.

Since no one benefits from gossip, here are three easy steps you can take to avoid this career-killing behaviour: 1. Don't do it yourself ever. No, you aren't talking about people for their own good.

You're gossiping. If you really want to help someone, talk to the person directly.

2. When someone tries to gossip with you, you can: l Walk away. l Change the subject. l Directly state, "I'm not comfortable talking about __________." l Directly state, "I don't like talking about other people because I don't like them talking about me." That's a conversation ender for sure. l Reply, "I hadn't heard that about __________. Let's go ask him/her."

(Watch a gossip disappears when you say that. Gossips are notorious cowards and dread confronting their subjects.)

3. When someone is gossiping about you, you can: l Go with the direct approach. Say something such as, "I heard that

Unfortunately, a gossip isn't satisfied just possessing the information, after all, knowledge that isn't shared is wasted, right?

How would others know the value of this soul unless the intelligence is disseminated? This is where others get implicated without necessarily being willing participants.

you've been saying the following about me." Then briefly summarize what you have heard. Next, say, "While I wasn't there to hear you, I would appreciate your coming to me directly with any questions or comments rather than talking with ourcoworkers/friends/family/etc." l Go with the indirect approach. Say something such as, "I don't know if you've heard the rumours going around about me or not, but they're really disturbing. If you hear of anyone talking about me, I would appreciate it if you would ask them to stop."

Just remember, if you don't gossip, you don't have to worry about someone betraying your confidence and telling other people what you said.

Remember, too, to distance yourself from gossips since you are known by the company you keep. n www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 21

22 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

LEADING RETAILBUSINESS IN PAKISTAN MIANMOHAMMADTAYYAB CEO,ENEMSTORE 22 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

IJAZ NISAR

Mian Mohammad Tayyab, CEO, Enem Store has the unique distinction of being the first Pakistani entrepreneur who introduced world’s popular brands like Zara, Marks & Spencer, Cartier, Mont Blanc, Eton, Cerruti, Moreschi, Cesare Paciotti and Dalmine in the country. Even in 80’s, when only a handful of people knew the names of international brands, fashion products of St Michaels and Marks & Spencer were available at Enem.

Enem store in Lahore has been a landmark in Liberty Market for almost half a century. Towering over Liberty Market, Enem Store was the first high-end shopping mall of its kind.

Manager Today: In nutshell, kindly share success journey of Enem store?

Mian Tayyab: My grandfather Esnamat Mohammad started this business. We are third generation who are taking care of the business. From the very first day, we were actually in retail sector. After partition, my grandfather started business at Tollinton Market and afterwards in 1960s, he shifted to Liberty Market. My elders saw 1971 Indo-Pak war in the same building at Liberty. It is surprising that at that time, Liberty was a deserted place. As there were no imports and only two super stores were providing a retail facility that was the reason why, it was very difficult to collect such small gadgets for retail business. The Enem’s story is very interesting. My grandfather used to supply grocery to Americans at Mangla. An American designer designed the name of Enem Store. And when my father entered into business, he tried to attract big fashion brands of the world. As there was no import, so he had to depend upon carriers. In 1979 when Islamic Summit was held in Lahore, almost all heads of states visited Enem Store as in whole Lahore there was no super store except Enem. Govern-

ment of Pakistan paid all the bills of visiting heads of states. My father Mian Mohammad Asif is still active in business. Though there are only two Enem Stores, one in Lahore and other in Islamabad but these stores got boom when I completed my studies. At that time, Enem Store was a mega store in Pakistan and people across the country used to visit and shop here. When I completed my studies, I considered myself as a common customer and thought what I should shop at Enem Store. I found no attraction in the Store.

Then I decided to collect more and more international fashion brands. Now, with the grace of Almighty Allah, we have almost all globally famous fashion brands at Enem Store as I have had portfolio and vision. Now Enem Store has almost all master brands of the world. At this moment, Enem Store is an official partner of seven international brands.

Rests of the brands are being supplied in other mega stores which are not more than 15 in the country. There are only three groups which deal every brand of the world and Enem Store has rights to do business with all these three groups.

www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 23

When you started business after completion of your studies?

In 2007, I started business independently.

Until and unless my parents are alive, I would take steps to promote my business with help of my parents as their life experience is certainly more than me and their suggestions would be more valuable. However, from the last four years, I am doing my business independently.

How Enem Store is different from its competitors?

The brands, Enem Store is offering at this moment, are exclusive. Out of 100, other stores are offering only 20 percent brands, while rest of 80 percent are being offered by Enem Store. As Pakistan is not a tourist resort where different people come, visit and shop. All locals know each other, all my customers, being local, are not outlandish to me.

They have complete trust on me that defected items would be returned and exchanged without any argument. Once I have sold a durable and quality brand, I hope the customers would visit Enem Store again and again as they are local persons and not tourists who come once in life time.

Being a young CEO, what are your business challenges?

Unfortunately, we lack effective business managers in the retail sector specially. You can find just General Managers, Sales Managers and HR Managers in the country. Pakistanis have no exposure of retail business as it is very difficult to carry minor details in retail. Bareeze’ and Stylo have very clear inventories as they deal in one item. Bareeze’ sells only cloths while Stylo deals in just ladies and children shoes. On the other hand, retailers like Gourmet, Alfatah and Enem Stores, have weak inventory system as they are selling countless items simultaneously. For example, Enem Store is offering almost 0.85 million items to its valuable customers. The inventory management system to control 0.85 million items is a very difficult task to accomplish.

Only a smart CEO could win the battle of business, otherwise who have blind faith ultimately end in disaster. One-man-show cannot run an expanded business. One person can only run two to three stores and as soon as one-man-show ends there will be a complete collapse later on. One has to delegate power to others. Decentralization has become crucial.

24 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

Do you think you have structured system in your organisation?

With the Grace of Almighty Allah, so far I have achieved 50 per cent self-sufficiency, though there is gap and there is challenge. A business which has been run by elders for a period of almost 50 years, cannot be transformed in a day. I got almost four years for business growth that are ultimately showing signs of completion of structured system.

How do you develop the people and manage the results of Enem Stores?

It is an art to establish a structure of an organization. When you try to develop people,

sometimes hierarchy changes and organization’s system comes upside down. It is interesting to note that Mian Mohammad Amir, owner of Punjab Group of Colleges has maximum number of PhDs faculty members while Mian Mohammad Mansha, owner of Nishat Group, has most of Chartered Accountants in his organization. Very few organizations could erect structure. I hope, within two years Enem Store would be able to strengthen its own structure.

Do you have third generation of employees?

Yes, we have over 30 percent people who

belong to third generation. We have a very attractive plan to keep intact our employees.

We have tried our level best to develop such circumstances where employees get not only salaries but also honour and self-respect and remain intact with Enem Store.

How much time you devote for coaching employees?

I spend almost four hours daily in guiding my employees.

How many women are working at Enem Store?

There are above 165 employees and over 35 females are attached with Enem Store. I do believe in empowerment of women. A female is leading our garment department where other members are also females.

Though there are no females in managerial staff but women are doing operational duties.

What is succession plan of Enem Store?

I have taken over just four years back. I have developed my own team. It will take another three years to prepare for my number two. If I settle in any other country, business would continue to run at Enem Store but at a very slow pace.

Where do you foresee Enem Store five years down the road?

I would like to have 10 Enem Stores in next five years in the leading cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Multan and Sialkot. One more store each in Lahore and Islamabad would be my

priority.

How would you differentiate between managers and leaders?

Very interesting question. Managers can become leaders. There are so many examples that people progressed from scratch and became leaders of their entities. Leaders always lead others. For example, Mian Amir Mehdood of Punjab Group of Colleges is a leader who is leading almost 350 PhDs members of his faculties and Mian Mohammad Mansha of Nishat Group is not a Chartered Accountant but still has an army CA in his different organizations. Leader is the person who gives vision while manager is the one who runs his vision. An architect only designs specification but does not construct the building himself. Only contractor or laborers construct the building. Likewise, leaders just give vision and lead the people while managers have to execute the vision of the leaders.

How you define entrepreneurs?

True entrepreneurs are very rare in Pakistan. Businessmen have only experience.

There are few entrepreneurs who have the ability to uplift businesses up to a certain level by dint of their visions and leadership and those who have such capabilities become Mian Mansha and Mian Amir Mehmood of Pakistan.

How we can inculcate ethics in new generation?

It is very difficult to inculcate ethics among new generation as we don’t have such a conductive environment. Those managers who are running entities also have dubious personalities. Only the management of ten percent organizations, having strong structure, can inculcate ethics among its staff. Rest of 90 percent organizations, which don’t have strong structure because of family businesses, cannot do it. Inculcating ethics is a very serious issue and we have to solve it collectively.

How we can producer job providers rather than job seekers?

Our lives have become empty since we do not follow our religion. That is why we have no aim but to walk on streets and roads to see females. When 99 per cent of job seekers want to join an organization just for the sake of drawing salary and other perks, how is it possible that such people would think to have their own businesses and provide jobs to others. Here everyone is trying to seek job but not taking steps to become entrepreneur because of less efforts and vision. Those who have fear of Allah, self-respect and sense of responsibility are successful persons in this world and can ultimately become job providers.

What are three key elements that can turnaround country’s economy?

Our country has the potential to feed even the whole world but unfortunately energy crisis has derailed it. Industry has been ruined and exports have been decreased drastically.

People living here now prefer shortcuts.

They do not know how much potential they and their country possess.

How you will define your leadership and management style?

As Almighty God has asked us to get opinion of others before doing or deciding any matter. I, being the CEO, usually get suggestions and opinions of others but decide the matters independently.

What are major decisions you took in life?

It was very tough time when I decided to expand Enem Store and wanted to invest enormously. I shared my worries with my father and ultimately God rewarded me with success.

What is success?

Success is a relative term. We should act in all matters of our lives according to the rules of Allah Almighty. n www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 25

26 STRESS MANAGEMENT WALI ZAHID

MANAGING STRESS

26 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

You might already have attended seminars on stress management or read about the causes of stress and the suggested coping strategies. I am not going to repeat any of that; all I am aiming is to give you a new worldview about life and a new strategy to deal with stress. This may help some of you, who are in a state of readiness to take this message!

There’s no actual stress or anxiety in the world, it’s our thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can’t package stress, touch it, or see it. There are only ‘us people’ engaged in stressful thinking. We speak of stress as if it is a combatant, attacker. It’s not; it is the result of our body’s response to our ego. It’s about perception of worry/fear/threat, not the threat itself.

Research has proven that most diseases are stress-related, particularly heart disease and cancer besides other psychological disorders. When I was in the UK studying for a PhD which I couldn’t finish, I went to the doctor three times in two years for flu, fever or bad throat. He didn’t administer medicine on all three occasions and said these were related to ‘some’ exam- or relationship-related stress. How right he was! Once I knew the math, I never needed to go to doctor after that, Alhamdulillah!

It’s an imperfect world. And we are an incomplete leader! Deadlines will always miss.

Someone will always let us down at the last minute. Our contacts in FBR and SECP and central banks may not do what they promised. There will be overspends and undercollections. There will always be surprises.

There will be things outside our control.

Acknowledge that you are a normal, incomplete human being. Tell yourself: I am complete in my incompleteness! Read an interesting article by the MIT faculty including my favorite author Peter Senge in Harvard Business Review – ‘In Praise of Incomplete Leader’!

Context plays its negative part too. Newspapers, 24-hour TV news increase our stress levels. What is happening in Pakistan on daily basis is also causing our blood to boil.

Let me warn you! At personal or firm level, you will never get it done: your desires, goals,

hopes and dreams will never be finished – ever! As soon as you achieve one of your dreams, another one is likely to pop up. The nature of universe is in a continuous state of expansion. We can’t achieve what we want to – successes lead to other aspirations which lead to more successes… and the cycle goes on. They call it rat race.

On a separate note, modern [read: capitalist] workplace is not suitable for a healthy work and lifestyle. Because it leaves everything to logic and data, and doesn’t involve God! More on this elsewhere.

Stress is self-inflicted (we need to be mindful of our limited role on this earth). We are addicted to our desks, our work. A Harvard Medical School research tells us that work can kill us. Long hours are nobody’s friend!

Paradoxically, there will be cheaters too. Expect that no Sarbanes Oxley, a new directive, a law or a piece of legislation can stop people from becoming unethical. It’s your job to take preemptive, not just reactive, measures that this doesn’t happen, and when it does happen you deal with it according to the best possible stress-free measure.

Nature achieves so much without rushing, fast-tracking and without attempting to do too much.

Our own self-view hurts us most. We think of ourselves as the only skilled or most wellintentioned individual. Nature doesn’t work that way. It teaches us interdependence. i.e. there are other well-intentioned people as well who think of the organisational good as much as we do.

Too much exposure to information. You CFOs know far too much about where the money goes. Awareness is painful. The mere fact that you know more than the other folks know make you vulnerable and can act as stressor. I often wonder that if God wanted, he could have given us a third eye at the back.

Had he done that, our lives would have been miserable.

Control. Egos. Two words that stop us from becoming collaborative or distributive leaders.

Instead of becoming facilitator of the marketing, production or HR functions, we compete with others for resources. Stress is a desire of the ego. We allow ego to create many of

the problems we encounter that we label as stress and anxiety.

Some stress-inducing thoughts: • It’s more important to be right than to be happy.

• Wining is the only thing. When you lose, you should be stressed.

• Your reputation is more important than anything else.

• Success is measured in money and assets you accumulate rather then feeling happy and content.

• Being superior to others is more important than being kind to others About 20 years ago when I was working as a newspaper editor, I read about the two types of professionals that die early – have you guessed it? Right, journalists and accountants! Both suffer from the self-belief that they are carrying the world on their shoulders! Happy that I left journalism to have a life!

So that was the worry… what’s the solution then?

Your world • Changes are unavoidable, outside our control. Learn to adapt!

• Lower your expectations. Learn to live with uncertainty and surprises. Learn to say to yourself that you do not have full information, and this should not cause you lose your job! Learn to say that you have messed up, and it’s okay: you have right to be wrong!

Your self • Be light-hearted. Use humour. Respond to humour. Drop your ‘airy’ CEO/ CFO guards!

• Reflect, read! Meditate. Spend quiet time with yourself.

• Pray. Being a Muslim allows you to build in an automatic routine – to meditate, disengage, submit yourself to a higher power (i.e. leaving the control), to exercise. Pray. Have you read this?: ‘Make time for me, otherwise I’ll fill you with work’ – God. And do you remember the Qudsi Hadith: Aik teri chahat hai (There’s one thing you desire) …?

• Sleep is some answer! (Allah’s tip to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) on how to deal with anxiety).

• Exercise. Walk. Hike. Jog. Play sports. The more intense it is the better pattern

breaker it will be. Healthy life is a blessing.

And the time is now!

• Don’t compare yourself with others; look down when comparing in worldly matters (Hadith).

Your workplace • Turn around the workplace. Make it fun.

And light! Use google’s couches (refers to google’s workplace) for afternoon nap. The work can and will still be accomplished!

Your coworkers • Learn to delegate. Learn to empower. The role of leader is not managing the work; it’s managing the ‘worry’. So if you are able to pass on the ‘worry’ to people down the hierarchy, you have got it right.

Your work • Disengage. Break the pattern. You are not the only one on whose shoulders this organisation is standing.

• When you die, your inbox won’t be empty.

And your place will be filled even before you are buried.

• Create a work-life balance. When is the last time you had played with your kids? Were you your natural self on the beach, playground or in Muree?

Your family • Play with your kids; spend time with family.

• Watch babies, small children. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) liked them for making mends quickly, having small egos. Today’s agile organisations need to learn from babies.

Your future • Do not rush in the search for rizq (livelihood); it’s predestined. No less no more!

• Prepare for and look forward to your retirement for active business work or pursuit of your hobbies.

Finally, turn around the thought process.

When something wrong happens, do not attribute the wrong to you. Just watch the process as an outsider and you may be amused most of the time.

And finally, stress isn’t necessarily bad.

Some stress is good – it alerts you to the dangers. So, it’s good to have occasional stress!

Use stress to your advantage.

Are you willing to change your worldview and your lifestyle today? n www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 27

28 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH

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IJAZ NISAR

Innovation and creativity in construction industry M. S. Asad Mukhtar Chairman & CEO Banu Mukhtar Contracting (Pvt) Limited Mr. M. S. Asad Mukhtar, Chief Executive & Chairman of Banu Mukhtar Contracting (Pvt) Limited, (Formarly Izhar Pvt Ltd.) has played a leadership role in the transformation of a medium sized contracting firm to one of the renowned companies in the construction industry in the country now. While narrating the success story of Banu-Mukhtar in an exclusive interview to Manager Today’s team, Mr. Asad Mukhtar said that Banu-Mukhtar owes its name to his Grand Father, late Sheikh Mukhtar Ahmad who migrated from India in 1947 and got settled in Montgomery now Sahiwal. Ever since 1958, Construction and production of Pre Cast Concrete Products was a family business with major inputs from two sons of Sheikh Mukhtar Ahmad, Mr. Asad Mukhtar's uncle late Mr. Izhar Ahmad & his father late Mr. Iqtedar Ahmad.

Manager Today: Please share with readers the success story of BanuMukhtar?

Asad Mukhtar: It is difficult to summarize the hardships and ups and downs that my father and myself had to go through in few words, but let me say here that my father took a very humble and modest start with literary no Capital & no Assets in hand. Things happened in due course of time and it was our fate. By the grace of Almighty Allah, now we have full fledged offices and construction wings at Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad and Hundreds of prestigious construction projects and huge client list on our Portfolio.

Moreover, we are operating ten state-of-theart manufacturing units of precast concrete products and sales offices across Pakistan.

Recently we have further diversified our portfolio into manufacturing of interior related products and pre engineered steel buildings.

Now we are looking forward towards the middle-east market, and take our name abroad.

What are the challenges in construction industry when furor of change is being heard in 2013?

The main challenge is that of sustainability.

Although project life cycle allows reasonable buffer for future planning, but the magnitude of this problem for medium- large companies is also great because of higher overheads that makes it difficult to survive in the competitive market, especially in the recession times. It is the blessing of Allah that even in this time we have had enough business loads that could keep our employees intact with us.

Our diversification in precast concrete sector also helps us in this regard.

What is your future planning?

Although our country Pakistan has always been and will remain to be our main focus of business but we are looking forward to the middle east market where construction industry is at boom. Alhamdulillah we have already received a contracting license recognition in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and

I want a house that has got over all its troubles; I don't want to spend the rest of my life bringing up a young and inexperienced house.

-- Jerome K. Jerome

www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 29

hopefully 2013 will be our first project there.

How many people are on the pay roll of Banu-Mukhtar?

The strength of employees varies from time to time as we recruit people on project basis.

Sometime, we have had over 3000 skilled and unskilled people working with us. However, the permanent strength of Banu-Mukhtar so far is around 1000 people.

What are the challenges of human resources in Banu-Mukhtar?

Construction boom in the Middle East has resulted in great out flow of skilled and semi skilled workers from Pakistan. Especially, the cream of our engineering institutes seeks an international career and wants to attach to multi-national brands. Those left behind have to be trained and polished and it is an additional HR challenge to keep them charged and moving.

What do you foresee Banu-Mukhtar down the road after five years?

I inshaAllah foresee a vibrant growth for Banu-Mukhtar as our new generation is taking charge. New professionals are also joining us continuously and we are achieving new milestones. We are also in the process of deployment of SAP ERP to achieve a systematic growth. However, many external factors such as energy crisis, political instability, law and order issues, cultural norms in remote areas, and ever increasing cost of production has hit our local industry quite badly. Having said that, I am optimistic about the future because of slow and steady developments in our democratic culture, media and judiciary. After all we are a nation of 200 million people which is a great strength in itself.

Do you have competitors in Precast Concrete sector?

Yes there are a couple of other manufacturers that give us hard time, but we have the edge of complete product range and scattered locations of our manufacturing facilities and sales offices across Pakistan. So there is no serious threat to us as such.

Did you accomplish some housing projects?

No we have not been part of property development and housing schemes in the past.

However, we are looking forward to it and have already opened our new office of "Banu Mukhtar Homes" with this vision.

Do you have competitors in construction sector?

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As per our certification from Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), we are a C-A category contractor specialized in civil works and few other areas. As such all those listed in the highest category of PEC in the same scope of work are our competitors. But again, not all of them have the advantage of independent and fully autonomous construction offices at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and not all of them have the same prestigious projects and customer profile list and plant and machinery that we have developed in the last five decades.

How you can survive in current ethical values?

Our primary focus has been and will remain to be private sector, autonomous and multinational organizations. Indeed this is a difficult market but it is the moral push that keeps us going because it is an open secret that one cannot survive dealing with government sector without becoming part of their corrupt practices. It is very sad that only few of our semi government / autonomous institutions have developed a professional organization.

What are the key areas you are going to adopt for next level of your group?

Decentralization of power, transparency of information, improvement in recruitment and selection process and business process reengineering, portfolio diversification and new product development will be our "management goals punch list" to achieve a systematic growth.

What are core competencies you want to see in your new managers?

If you ask me for two key words, I would say Integrity and hard work. I believe that all other variables are secondary.

Are you happy with the quality of education of new graduates?

It is hard to generalize here because of very different cultures in the private institutes that have developed in the last ten years vs our traditional government institutions. And even within the private sector there is no parity. Although I am a firm believer that education should not be commercialized, but it is good to see that competition has improved the quality of human resource output after failure of state run institutions.

What is your succession plan?

Like most of family run businesses, I foresee my sons, nephews and other kith and kins to take the baton.

32 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Do we need more leaders or managers?

Our nation needs leaders while our businesses need good managers.

What is the difficult decision you took in your business journey?

Recently we have changed our name from Izhar (Pvt.) Ltd. to Banu Mukhtar Contracting (Pvt.) Ltd. Similarly we have changed the names of all our other companies in line with our group name "Banu-Mukhtar". The idea was to segregate our identity from our first cousins which are also doing all the similar businesses that we do, and prospects are always confused because it is same market. It was a very hard choice between continuing the same name legacy of a well established brand name and killing the "identity and who’s who issue" once and for all. Although it was a difficult decision but Alhamdulillah myself and my entire family is fully satisfied with this courageous step.

How many women are working in your esteem organization?

It is an undisputed fact amongst all our Ulema that Islam encourages women to take care of home while the entire economic burden has been laid on men. We take forward this morality. Moreover Construction is not a Soft industry anyways!

How you cope up with anxiety?

We have developed few farm houses here & there and nature provides a good opportunity to relax.

Any message for young entrepreneurs?

Yes sure. There are hard times for them and I would like to remind them the following quote of Winston Churchill "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

How you balance you martial life?

I try to avoid working overtime. When at home I am with the family. My managers know that I am not to be disturbed after my office hours.

Define success in few words or phrases?

Satisfaction and Sense of Achievement.

Which book do you like to read and recommend others to read on Professional Development?

There's a book written by an American author Chester L Karrass worth reading. " In Business as in Life, You don't get what you Deserve, You get what you Negotiate ". n

OF 34 CEO THE MONTH

IJAZ NISAR

BRINGINGGLOBAL BRANDSIN PAKISTANTHROUGH FRANCHISES

SAMIULLAH MOHABBAT CEO BIL Foods Limited (Operator of Fatburger in Pakistan)

Samiullah Mohabbat believes in being extremely supportive, helping people to achieve their optimum.

His professional journey is marked with challenges, the challenges which are transformed into opportunities.

Manager Today: Please share with us ypur bachground and success journey: Samiullah: After completing BBA from UMT, he joined KFC as a management trainee in OPS department in 2003, winning Ops Maestro- an internal operational skills assessment competition and went all the way to Territory Manager in a short span of time,opening a number of restaurants throughout the Punjab region. His efforts were acknowledged and he received Champion Club Award from KFC International among 50 restaurant managers.

And there was no end once he left KFC. He introduced Hardees in 2008 and 34 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

joined the group as a Chief Operating Officer. Years at Hardees are marked with great success stories from handling country launch to successful opening and operating of stores throughout the region. At the peak of all, he set off for an entrepreneurial adventure. In 2011, he started his own setup of franchise development in Pakistan under the name of Augment Franchise, offering brand acquisition and management. Since then the company has acquired the franchise of Fatburger for a Dubai-based investment company called BIL Investments and he has taken over as the Chief Executive of Fatburger Pakistan. One store has been launched in Karachi whereas the construction in Lahore and Islamabad is in the pipeline.

Augment Pvt ltd is also engaged in the country wide development of lots of other food and non-food brands such as Second Cup, Menchies, Coffee Planet, Doner Kebab etc. along with numerous other sub-franchises. Augment being a member of World Franchise Associates, has access to more than 14000 brands internationally.

As a leader he believes in being extremely supportive, helping people to achieve their optimum yet setting very high standards for honesty and commitment. His professional journey is marked with challenges, however, he believes it helps one to grow — take your challenges and turn them into opportunities.

To him true happiness is making others happy by helping them in any capacity without any expectations, making Allah happy by obeying all his orders, which is the key to eternal happiness and success.

We are passing through very testing times with much of political instability and law & order situation going on, what steps should be taken to turn around/stabilize Pakistan economically as well as administratively?

It is very important to win the confidence of both local and international investors through measureable economic steps and administrative reforms. At the moment export industry is at a setback due to insufficient business facilities and lack of conducive environment, energy crisis being a chief factor. Poor law and order situationhas also contributed to re36 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

duced foreign investment. Due to high inflation people’s buying power has reduced in a way that even domestic industries do not have sufficient buyers. We have failed to generate energy to cope up with our industrial and domestic demands despite having resources to generate cheap energy. The only way to resurface is to find cheap and uninterrupted alternatives for energy to make ourselves economically fit. Secondly selecting right leadership is the only way to get country out of the current mess, both economically and administratively. This is where everybody’s role comes from institutions to individuals to understand every party’s agenda and the spread awareness. Each one of us is responsible for using their vote correctly. A small effort can make a difference.

With the commercialization of educational institutes, are you happy with the quality of business graduates being produced, especially with reference to the business education?

Here comes the role of business institutions. They should develop entrepreneurial mindsets. As a business graduate, our general psyche is to find a good job that will secure them a six digit salary and a four wheeler. No one thinks about doing their own business. There should be a liaison between business and financial institutions, they should review business proposals of such graduates/youngsters in their board meetings and approve small low interest loans. Currently no one is encouraging those students who want to become businessmen. No institution is helping their students to become entrepreneurs.

What is leadership to you? Are leaders born or made?

Leaders are born but they are polished by the environment, so in a way they are made as well. We might have many leaders amongst us but they yet haven’t discovered their true potential as leaders.

Right education/opportunities/environment/grooming all play a pivotal role in shaping a leader. I think right timing is the only challenge. If we can still survive these economic and political conditions against all odds, I am sure we can do wonders if given favorable circumstances. If a business is stagnant, that means they have good managers; but if a business is grow-

ing, it shows they have good leaders.

Leaders drive change, bring growth and develop the nations.

What are the core competencies of leadership that you want to see in our new managers & business leaders?

I am sure, everybody would have enough theoretical and practical knowledge but I want to see visionary people, people who think out of the box, without boundaries, without the word ‘impossible’. They must have “CAN DO” attitude.

What is your vision, mission, core values and shared behaviors that define your corporate culture? How do you make sure that people live, act and breathe your organization’s core values?

I believe in fairness, respect and trust.

I make sure that in my organization everybody is treated fairly and respectably. I am a big supporter of delegation. I believe people perform when they are given room to perform. We all are human beings; we

available in the market and people want to stick with what they have in hand in terms of job. Retention does not give you results/productivity until employee engagement and motivation is not there as they go hand in hand. And to me, best motivation is both respect and monetary compensation because of high rate of inflation. Monetary compensation has also become an important part of motivation and retention. A pat on the shoulder and a reward both are required to persuade an employee to produce results. As far engagement is considered, it comes with delegation, confidence and trust on the team. People feel more engaged when they considered area valuable part of the organization.

What steps should be taken to empower women professionally? Does your company have any harassment policy?

all do mistakes and learn but strong systems should be in place to ensure controls and accountability. Leader should be brave enough to tolerate, guide and encourage people.

Please share your key business strategies or business model that has led you to this current stature?

Team player – I have people who are working with me for 15 years and they want to work with me for life. You have to listen to others and plan strategies which are equally good for employees and organization.

Do you have the high performance team with the right skill-set, mindset and value-set to lead the business growth?

Yes, I do have great mix of experienced industry professionals which is important and I do believe in unswerving learning, both for self and corporation growth. It is ultimately the role of the leader to define the growth and vision, and design the value and culture to achieve the growth

There is no shortcut for success, you need to muscle yourself in order to get shaped up through hardwork, honesty and a clear vision.

My Company believes in equally opportunities for both men and women. As you know international chains usually ask for clean shaved people and girls dressed in western attire but it is my standing instruction to the company that anybody with beard can work if he meets our hygiene criterion. On the other side, girls can also work with scarfs and long shirt, so that they feel comfortable and contribute in the growth. Minorities have also equal opportunities with all the harassment and racism protection policies.

Being the head of your organization, what are your strategies regarding succession planning and developing next generation of leaders?

targets. Though there are certain challenges as we as a nation do not accept change so readily but the process gets easier once employees’ growth is duly ensured and given as much value as the company’s growth.

Frankly speaking, I spend more energies on retention through training, empowering and coaching instead of succession planning, though it is integral part of organization management which is never been ignored as I believe each trainee is an asset and if given the right opportunity, he surely is to contribute to the organization’s profitability.

What are the HR challenges and strategies regarding employee retention, motivation, engagement and performance appraisals at your company?

Do you have any plans of expansion?

Where do you see your organization five years down the road? Does your company envision being Pakistani multinational?

Though I don’t see much retention challenges because of economic meltdown as there are not much growth opportunities

I see huge future potential as the intentions are to grow big and contribute in the economy of Pakistan. I believe, in current www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 37

situation, franchising is the most secure investment which one can make. Instead of learning from your own mistakes, you learn from others’ mistakes. You pay certain amount against franchise rights, but at the same time you are also using their centuries tested systems, expertise, worldwide quality reputation etc. My intentions as CEO of BIL Foods and Augment are to bring and introduce world class brands in Pakistani market. This will not only generate money for the companies but also for all the stakeholders and economy of Pakistan. Each brand introduction/outlet opening brings more employment, business opportunities for construction industry, packaging industry, storage and transportation industry, agriculture and live stock industry etc. I am also planning to expand my business beyond the boundaries now and a comprehensive plan has been designed to explore international market.

Any message of hope to the young generation of managers, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

My message to youngsters is to work hard beyond time boundaries if you want to achieve something big in life. There are lots of people who work 9-5 but only a few reach at the top who work more than this.

There is no shortcut for success, you need to muscle yourself in order to get shaped up through hardwork, honesty and a clear vision. I would also recommend people to be entrepreneurs, job creator and not a job seeker. Start from small and grow it bigger and believe me this is the history of all big brands and people.

My message to the entrepreneurs is, please expand yourselves through your own investment or franchising to grow and contribute in the economy of Pakistan. It really hurts me when I see Pakistan with 50 years of history and only 3 brands as compared to any other nation with 50 years of history and 35,000 brands.

You have been working very hard and busy with your career. What’s your take on work-life balance?

My father has been very inspirational to me all my life. His guidance and vision have helped me a lot. He was very instrumental in getting education, character 38 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

building and becoming a good human being. And I believe you have to set certain rules in life in order to balance work and life. You and everybody in your family have the right to enjoy what you have earned. Earning money is not everything.

I usually release stress by sharing my problems with my family, especially wife and parents, spending time with them, bowing in front of Allah and sometime travelling internationally with friends and family. n

REVIEWS 40 BOOK HASEEB NISAR

LEADERSHIP BOOKS OF ALL TIME RICH DAD POOR DAD

THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON

THE LEADERSHIP FACTOR

A FORCE FOR CHANGE

So the book Rich Dad Poor Dad was the game changer for me.

It was the book that for me all made since. This book told me that I was not broken that I did fit it the real world, because I was the one that fit the “Rich Dad Profile.” This book will open your eyes to how the Rich get richer and I love this book because of it. Yes definitely a must read

This book made the top 10 best business books for Entrepreneurs by the hair of its chinny, chin, chin. I just read this book a few weeks ago.

It’s a very old book, and a quick read. But don’t let the size fool you, “The Richest Man in Babylon” is jam packed with tools on how the Rich get Richer and how to be wise as an Entrepreneur. I tell you it’s a must read. I love this book and am really one of the best business books for Entrepreneurs.

In The Leadership factor, Dr. Kotter discusses the need for leadership at all levels of management and describes the kind required for the United States to remain competitive. He explains how business is changing and the impact of these changes on leadership, makes recommendations based on research findings, and unlike other writers on this subject, shows how to implement the recommendations step by step.

In Force For Change, Dr. Kotter, who focused on why we have a leadership crisis in The Leadership Factor shows here, with compelling evidence, what leadership really means today, why it is rarely associated with larger-than-life charismatics, precisely how it is different from management, and yet why both good leadership and management are essential for business success, especially for complex organizations operating in changing environments.

40 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

THINK LIKE A BILLIONAIRE, BECOME A BILLIONAIRE This book was a mind blower. It’s biblical.

And you know I love the Lord if you have been following me for a while. “Think Like a Billionaire, Become a Billionaire” showed how you could help the world be a better place because you had more money. You could buy more Bibles or feed more children if you had more money. It taught that time is money. I tell you this is a MUST READ!! Being a Billionaire can not only change your life BUT can change the life of others

riginally published on June 23, 2008, The Best Leadership Books of All Time received so much feedback from readers

O

who asked that we expound on our comments of these best sellers, that Manager Today Magazine felt compelled to reissue top ten list of The Best

Leadership Books of All Time.

We’re hopeful you find these expanded reviews helpful on your quest to become a truly great leader.

Although everyone has their favorites, the team atManager Today chooses the following tomes as The Best Leadership Books of All Time: n

THE NEW RULES OF MARKETING AND PR

BUY-IN

THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK

I DECLARE

THE BRAND WITHIN

Yes it teaches the new rules of PR. And guess what that’s why I have a blog. It’s a PR tool.

Also my Empower Network BLOG has more authority than any other blog that I have ever seen and helps teach me some of the marketing tips that are also in this book. This book is the go to book to find out how to market your business successfully.

It is jam packed with knowledge and the author David Meerman Scott knows his stuff

So, you believe in a good idea. You're convinced it is needed badly, and needed now. But, you can't make it happen on your own.

You need support in order to implement it and make things better. You or your allies present the plan. You present it well.

Then, along with thoughtful issues being raised, come the confounding questions, inane comments, and verbal bullets—either directly at you or, even worse, behind your back.

It matters not that the idea is needed, insightful, innovative, and logical. It matters not if the issues involved are extremely important to a business, an individual, or even a nation. The proposal is still shot down, or accepted but without sufficient support to achieve all of its true benefits, or slowly dies a sad death. What do you do?

“The 4-Hour Workweek” is definitely an Entrepreneur’s must. It made the top 10 Best Business books for Entrepreneurs because of all the time it frees up. Yes if you are an Entrepreneur you know time is definitely money. The 4 hour work weeks teaches how to run a multi-million dollar business in 4 hours.

Timoth Ferris has put lots of links and websites for you to go to help you condense your business into a 4 hour work week. Make sure you check this book out it is a book I read 3 or 4 times because of the bulk of information inside.

When you are a business owner you must have faith. There are times when you need to declare and decree things over your life. Joel Osteen is the daddy of Faith. The things he teaches will help you bring to fruition all the promises that God has for you. This book made the Top 10 best business books for Entrepreneurs because it is a life changer and a mountain mover and will help escalate your business to do things that you never could imagine.

Mr. Shark Tank himself is the branding expert. Oh yes any Entrepreneur must know how to Brand themselves in the Entrepreneurs industry.

This is how this book “The Brand Within” made it to my top 10 Best business books for Entrepreneurs list. No matter what the business branding is important. Daymon John knows how to teach others how to become the brand.

www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 41

WOMAN OF 42 SUBSTANCE

IJAZ NISAR

If we can equip the underprivileged masses with the self-assurance, whilst providing them with the financial leverage, then we can certainly eradicate poverty and promote economic empowerment.

FIZA FARHAN, CEO Buksh Foundation Microfinance in Pakistan has come a long way since 2000 and is gradually taking its place into the formal banking system. Buksh Foundation works passionately for energy and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. It’s due to its dedication and motivation in work that the foundation has achieved unrivalled height.

Buksh Foundation will hopefully play its part in generating immense impact nationwide by allowing Microfinance to be seen in a new light of 'Micro banking'.

Buksh Foundation plans to fulfil 5% of Pakistan's Solar needs by 2020 by providing clean energy solutions in the form of micro-finance, micro-

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lease clean energy solution, small solar home solutions, solar fans for domestic use, and solar water pumps for farmers with flexible repayment plans. With its project ‘Lighting a Million Lives’ the foundation plans to reach out to 4,000 villages with a total of 1 million lives lightened by the end of 2017.In the next ten years it will certainly create a comprehensive model of microfinance for the global market, — the areas including Uganda, Latin America and Peru. The model will be hopefully opted and implemented there thus creating a global impact of Buksh Foundation.

Manager Today: We are passing through very testing times with worsening political instability and law & order situation, what steps should be taken to turn around Pakistan economically as well as administratively?

Fiza Farhan: Pakistan being a rapidly developing country faces instability and economic challenges. In order to overcome those challenges we need to develop a culture of transparency and accountability in the society. We must encourage foreign investments in the country. In my view, a key pre-requisite for an Economic Welfare State is to ensure that a country experiences equitable and sustainable growth for a prolonged period of time. The starting point for sustained economic growth lies in achieving long term macro-economic stability through fiscal prudence and eliminating the bleeding of our public sector enterprises. In order to progress as a nation we need to increase our expenditure on health and education.

With the country drifting into economic recession and rampant unemployment, how can we create job providers/entrepreneurs rather than the job seekers?

I believe that entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of a developing economy but, keeping in view that Pakistan’s economy is in shambles, I think the answer to this question is not very simple and clear. In fact, there are number of things, all pulling in different directions.

Developing countries like Pakistan have more room for new business opportunities. Benchmarking developed countries with greater economic stature allows us to grasps on to new prospects that will subsequently increase the job providers

PROFILE: My interest in economics and finance, and its application in the development of poorer segments of the world took me to LUMS — one of the finest institutions of Pakistan. After my BSC Hons from LUMS, I got degree in Economics and finance from Warwick Business School in London. Driven by development challenges, and passionate about breaking the norms for innovative solutions to eradicate poverty, I joined Buksh Foundation in 2008 as a Business Development Manager. I was fortunate that within a short span of time, with the mix of my knowledge, managerial & analytical skills; I was promoted to the capacity of COO, and just recently, the CEO of the organization. Due to my keen interest and belief that microfinance has immense power to end poverty, I hope to continue working within this field and actively learn more about how I can serve my mission more effectively.

and entrepreneurs resulting in economic growth escalation. The process has to start from our educational platforms including top universities like LUMS and IBA whereby we churn out hundreds of excellent and highly professional job seekers every year.

We are not poor in resources but the ineffective managers, could effective managers and corporate governance help us deal with this dilemma?

Internationally, Pakistan has emerged amongst the fastest growing micro credit markets in the world. However there are a few experienced professionals in this field due to which the immense potential in this untapped market cannot be exploited. In order to deal with this dilemma we need experienced professionals who have worked in the global microfinance industry and who have the ability to align the microfinance model with the local demographics. Effective 44 | MANAGER TODAY | www.managertoday.pk

managers, efficient teams, innovative mind sets and corporate governance combined, is the only solution to deal with the issue of benefiting from our resource rich country.

With the commercialization of educational institutes, are you happy with the quality of business graduates being produced?

Education helps in the training of human minds. Education makes a man to think in direction and a correct decision-maker.

Majority of people think that commercialization simply means increase in

the cost of education and but for me commercialization of education is a positive move which implies more resources for the educational sector and a much better quality education for students. However I would say that the business graduates who are coming out of universities these days are trained to serve the corporate world as corporate slaves, — their individuality, personal belief system and inner passion becomes subdued with the decades-old system of education—, little room is left for innovation and originality which compromises on the real potential of

Majority of people think that commercialization simply means increase in the cost of education and but for me commercialization of education is a positive move which implies more resources for the educational sector and a much better quality education for students.

these graduates are born with. Our youth is our future and we must never draw up the boundaries for them!

What is the leadership to you? Are leaders born or made?

I believe that a great leader is born and made as well. Most people have the ability to become great leaders. A few, however, have the discipline, dedication, and honesty to make it happen at its highest level. Leadership for me is a natural inborn quality that springs up on all small and large forums; leaders are certainly born but need to be discovered within each one of us within the right conducive environment that hones our leadership capacity.

What are the challenges for the business leaders in Pakistan?

Differentiate between a good manager and a good leader.

Clearly businesses Leaders from all the industries of Pakistan are facing challenges in the current economic scenario. These business challenges are both external and internal.

To deal with these challenges it is important to define and prioritize what to do first that

can make the difference. I recommend a diagnostic approach such as a strategic survey. This will help to identify and rectify these challenges as every business leader must experience different challenges within their own professional domains. What is critically required is the exchange of the same information in common platforms like the CEO Summits when leaders and managers come together, hear each other out, talk and share and realize that they are not the only ones with their set of problems. That exchange enables fruitful discussions and the springing up of positive solutions. Two minds are greater than one!

What are the core competencies of leadership that you want to see in our

new managers and business leaders?

To me the core competencies of leadership involve understanding and realizing the true potential of our people, there are many people out there who do not understand their own potential and can never challenge themselves.

A leader for me is one who not only sees this potential, but enables the other individual to see it and feel it so that the same can be realized. I am a complete "People's person", if you have your teams with you, by your side, following your vision, there is nothing that can stop one from achieving all their goals!

We are faced with a dilemma in professional ethics, how can we inculcate a sense of ethics in our managers?

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Professional ethics provide us a set of protocols a manager needs to follow at a workplace. Companies must have a written ethical code of conduct and provide ethical training to their employees as Ethics training also aids in inculcating a sense of morality in the employees. Ethics has to be taught by practice of the managers and the leaders themselves, it has to be transferred in practice to the teams through the top leaders within their own practice.

What is your vision, mission, core values and shared behaviours that define Buksh Foundation corporate culture?

Our corporate culture is based on our vision of "Impact Investment". We believe in creating investments that lead to real time impact and social change rather than following the myopic culture of charity based NGO's. The key attributes that define the corporate culture at Buksh Foundation are innovative thinking, challenging our individual potentials, creating new business models, global networking and strategic direction that may not be aligned with the mainstream. I personally make sure that my entire organization breathes these core values by practising and preaching the same on a daily basis.

Please share your key business strategies that have led you to this current stature?

Our business strategies revolve around our keen emphasis on “impact investment�, instead of a mere charity based approach, we seek to create a holistic and challenging institution based on innovations and cutting edge solutions to create real time impact in the lives of the individuals that we serve. The most significant strategy that has aided me in long term success is the "Win- Win" phenomena creating business models whereby there is no loser; everybody gains and wins from the same. An example for this is our recent successful launch of the Social finance project "Lighting a Million Lives" whereby in collaboration with TERI India we have launched a project for electrifying 4,000 un-electrified villages through the creation of women social enterprise via solar powered charging stations for solar lanterns and mobile charging sockets. Each social enterprise provides clean and sustainable energy to 50 households in a simplistic and proven business model, the same serves as a

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social empowerment tool and positive marketing endorsement for the corporate donors and institutions that partner with Buksh Foundation in the project.

Can you share BUKSH FOUNDATION contribution towards CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)?

Buksh foundation initiated Lighting a Million Lives Project with an aim to provide solar energy access to rural, un-electrified villages of Pakistan. In this project Buksh Foundation plays the role of Robin Hood as it bridges the

gap between high end corporate and the low end rural households. Through this project Buksh Foundation aims to play an imperative role in providing sustainable alternate energy solutions to individuals who have no resources of their own to access it.

What steps should be taken to empower women professionally? Does your Buksh Foundation have any harassment policy?

We can empower women by providing them with a dynamic platform where they can optimize the use of their professional and

creative capacity and apply it to the fullest and provide them opportunities where they can grow as professionals and as well as individuals. Steps should be taken to boost their self confidence, like providing them with independent decision making opportunities and make them realize their worth. Buksh Foundation has a dynamic organization culture that has zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment and discrimination and makes sure that women are respected and treated on equal basis with men.

What is the future of BUKSH FOUNDATION five years down the road?

We at Buksh Foundation work with a zeal for microfinance and energy poverty alleviation in our nation, and that dedication reflects in our work. With this motivation, we aspire to take Buksh Foundation to much greater heights in the coming years and hopefully play our part in generating immense impact by a significant ratio, nationwide, allowing Microfinance to be seen in a new light of 'Micro banking'. We plan to fulfil 5% of Pakistan's Solar needs by 2020 by providing clean energy solutions in the form of microfinance, micro-lease clean energy solution, small solar home solutions, solar fans for domestic use, and solar water pumps for farmers with flexible repayment schedules.

With our project ‘Lighting a Million Lives’ we plan to plans to reach out to 4,000 villages with a total of 1 million lives lightened by the end of 2017.In the next ten years we would like to create a holistic model of microfinance and take it into the global market into areas including Uganda, Latin America and Peru so that the model is adapted and replicated in those areas and the impact created on a greater global level through positive synergies and information sharing.

How would you define your leadership and management style?

I believe leadership is to work with people and to motivate them. I believe in and practice people-centric approach as it brings out the best work from the people. I believe in building trust, motivating people and boosting their self confidence.

What has been the toughest decision that you had to take so far?

Throughout the history of Buksh Foundation, we have had to take tough decisions at various times considering that our entire business model and working

philosophy is on a deviant from the regular NGO norms and we have always positioned ourselves as innovative and challenging players hence establishing business models, products and strategies that have never been tested in the market. Hence, tough decisions come naturally to working in Buksh Foundation but we have always been able to handle and overcome them with complete faith in our own vision and in our own people.

Define success in three key words or phrases.

I don’t believe in success, I believe in perfection, excellence & prominence. I

I feel happy when I realize my potential; the wave of ecstasy that runs through you when you know you have worked hard and it bears fruit is unmatchable. I feel happy when I help others to realize their potential by allowing them to challenge themselves and see what they are capable of achieving

consider success as by-product of excellence.

If one learns from failures and builds on the same - for me that is still success!

What is your idea of happiness?

I feel happy when I realize my potential; the wave of ecstasy that runs through you when you know you have worked hard and it bears fruit is unmatchable. I feel happy when I help others to realize their potential by allowing them to challenge themselves and see what they are capable of achieving. Happiness for me is in outcomes, growth, making things happen, converting mindsets, leading and enabling- happiness for me is a state of mind

that comes with a positive and futuristic vision...

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement or failure?

I would like to thank Almighty for all my professional & personal achievements but I believe that the greatest achievement has yet to come. As far as failure is concerned for me every failure is a situation and every situation is a learning experience. It is our response to the situation that makes us come out of it better & stronger. Hence I believe that if one comes out of a failure stronger and with the learning's intact — it in fact becomes a success.

How do you manage workplace / business stress?

In my point of view, the key to deal with stress effectively is to understand your own self better. By taking short breaks, I clear my head and respond in a calm manner to any stressful situations rather than in a state of panic or anger. I participate in activities and talking with supportive friends and families that help me in having a more stable state of mind. Regular relaxing breaks help immensely in calming me down on extremely busy days and managing my business stress, in addition following my passion and travelling is something that completely rejuvenates my mind and makes me completely relaxed and stress. Regular exercise of course helps in getting one's mind cleared out and relieve one's self from daily work stress.

How do you keep your work-life balance?

I completely detach from work when I need a break & enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones. It always gives a sense of personal satisfaction and makes my professional mind gear up for a more effective next day!

Any message of hope to the young generation of managers, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

I believe that there are numerous opportunities for the young managers, they just to have to be positive and take all the challenges and obstacle as a chance to excel and prove themselves. It is important that they realize their potential and consider each obstacle a new opportunity and never let themselves underestimate their own belief system and their own potential- following one's own dreams, vision and voice is criticallistening to our inner voice and doing what we believe in always leads to lasting success. n

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48 GLOBAL PERSONALITIES

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MEDIA 50 SOCIAL MANAGEMENT

SOBIA NASIR

SOCIAL MEDIA THE SWEET SPOT TO SELLING ONLINE

These kind of examples are very common now a days in our society. The negative impact on a brand can grow exponentially if false offers, scams, malicious information, spoofs or jokes get shared on social media networks.

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n recent years, social media have become significant and important tools for networking, online selling, branding and content sharing. The prominent examples are Facebook, Twitter, You tube, Linkdin and Myspace, etc. Owing to its ease of use, speed and reach, it is fast changing the public discourse in society and setting trends for the future.

The huge growth in popularity of social media has created new opportunities to engage with customers, develop sales, and add value to the brands. However, it has also created new challenges and illegal liabilities. What are the legal risks? And what are the top practices to manage these risks and avoid brand damage?

Banana Skins Social networks are unforgiving. What seems like a good marketing idea at the time can backfire and rapidly cause serious brand damage. The source may be an ill-judged message or campaign or an unthinking employee.

Brand impression It is not difficult to set up a Twitter or Facebook account that give impression or

I

represent a brand and consumers can be easily misled. This might be done by jokers, scammers, counterfeiters, fakers or opponents. We might have heard a lot of examples on media in which the Media Anchors or politicians are clarifying and disclaiming their links with the fake accounts on Facebook and Twitter running on their names. These kinds of examples are very common at present. The negative impact on a brand can grow exponentially if false offers, scams, malicious information, spoofs or jokes get shared on social media networks. Brand owners and account holders not only need to monitor this but also pick their battles carefully. In some cases action is needed, but in other cases wading in with defensive or threatening comments may do more harm than goods.

Account spoofing Keep your account details secure. There are lot of organizations which collect the customer’s information through different kind of social websites, software’s and applications, and sell this information to the third party. Account hijacking or account

Keep your account details secure. There are lot of organizations which collect the customer’s information through different kind of social websites, software’s and applications, and sell this information to the third party. spoofing is becoming a common practice.

Recently, the Times of India reported that Indian Govt. blocks certain accounts which were spoofing the Indian Prime Minister with different twitters PM name accounts.

The PM office told Times of India that those accounts were misrepresenting the PM Office and tweet the nonsense from those accounts. Few days ago I got an email from my friend’s Hotmail account when she was on holidays in another country. In that email she asked me to send her some money to pay her hotel bills. When I contacted my friend to clarify the email and to get details for sending the money, she told me that someone had hijacked her account last week. So keep your account details secure.

Legal Compliance Unfair Trading Regulations prohibit using media to promote a product where the trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear. In addition, the Regulations prohibit posting content which falsely creates the impression that the trader is a customer. A recurring issue is the complaints that tweets breach the requirements of social media. “Marketing Communication must be clearly identifiable”.

Branding Responsibility An undefined branding responsibility, policy and multiple staff comments can damage your brand or your branding campaign. For example in bi-elections in

December 2012, PML-N cleanly swept in Punjab and got 5 out 6 seats. On this victory, Sr. Vice President of PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted to say congrats to PML-N but this tweet was against the PTI party policy which morally damages the party workers and party stance as well.

Offences Under the telecommunications act of 1996 it is an offence to publish or broadcast “false” or “alarming” information that is grossly offensive or indecent, constitutes a serious violation of human right which leads to imprisonment.

Employee Issues The trend has begun from the employers to promote jobs on Linkedin or on Facebook and from employee to provide maximum information on social media to get jobs. Some recruiters use Linkedin to qualify candidates and Facebook to disqualify them. Some employers use the social networks to carry out the background checks as the candidates may not be aware that this is happening and such information may be unreliable or discriminatory.

Social Media Policy How should businesses manage the risks of social media? A good starting point is to identify the specific risks for your business and then formulate a social media policy. You then need to provide training to those of your staff who are engaged in social media to ensure that they understand

the risks and know how to protect the business’s brands and intellectual property issues. While many companies have policies for the use of communications and IT, these do not address the special issues involved with social media. A social media policy could cover the following l Ensure that your brands and usernames are protected on social media platforms by setting up “official” sites.

Use verified accounts where available (e.g. the blue verified badge on Twitter) l Set up terms of use on your own sites where user-generated content can be posted to outlaw inappropriate content, and reserve the right to take down content which is offensive or damaging. l Allocate responsibility and implement procedures to monitor social networks for anything adverse to your brands, including reputational damage, infringers of intellectual property or others intent on causing brand damage. Have a policy and process to decide what if any action is to be taken. l Prohibit employees sharing confidential corporate information or posting offensive comments about the company, its products or staff. And use disciplinary action to enforce breaches of the policy. l When something goes wrong deal with it promptly, openly, honestly and sensitively.n www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 51

52 CORPORATE EVENTS

Glimpses and Pictorial of Corporate Events Captured by Manager Today Magazine anager Today is the fastest growing business magazine and a leading destination for smart management thinking. Through our flagship magazine, books, and digital content and tools published. we aim to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and corporate wisdom in local touch.

Below are the Glimpses and pictorial of corporate happenings from different strata of life, focusing on academia & business. n

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58 CORPORATE EVENTS

Global Entrepreneurship Summit and Entrepreneurial Ventures of Arabia (Dubai,UAE) Presented by: The Preeminent Global Summit and Exhibition for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and SMEs held on 11-12 December 2012, Dubai World Trade Centre UAE, Dubai.

Summit Opening Ceremony & Welcoming Address. l Opening address by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Rules of Dubai. l Speech by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs. l US Government Speech by Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade U.S. Department of Commerce.

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ACADEMIA EVENT

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IAS Convocation 2013 Punjab University A graduation ceremony was conducted at Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS), University of the Punjab on March 30th 2013. The graduates of the year 2011 from the Programs of BS (Hons) in Management, Masters of Human Resource Management, Masters of Public Administration, Masters of Health Administration, MS/ M.Phil in Management and Ph.D. in Management were awarded with their Degrees and Roll of Honor. Top five position holders of all programs received the Merit Certificates and first position holder of each program were awarded with Shields. After the formal opening of the Convocation ceremony, Director IAS, Prof. Dr. Nasira Jabeen addressed the audience and shared the progress report of the institute.

She said that the purpose of the event is tocelebrate theachievement of every graduating student. She emphasized that students of IAS has huge potential to serve in leading positions in public, corporate sector and in civil society organizations.

She congratulated the teachers, parents and graduating students for their hard work and accomplishment. The Chief guest for the event was Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ehsan Malik, Dean Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Punjab and Director Institute of Business Administration (IBA-PU) and Director General, Gujranwala Campus PU. Prof. Ehsan Malik said in his speech that Institute of Administrative Sciences is the only Institute of Punjab University which links Management education to Public Administration and Human Resource Management. Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Jadoon, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Central Punjab, also spoke to the audience. He encouraged students to be the change agents in organizations they join in and challenge the status quo to transform organizations. Prof. Dr. A.R. Jafri, former Dean Faculty of Commerce and former chairperson IAS, coordinators of various academic programs, faculty and parents attended the ceremony.Towards the end, a graduation cake cutting ceremony was followed by Lunch organized in honor of guests and graduates.

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62 CORPORATE EVENTS ISLAMIC MICRO-FINANCE (A HOPE FOR THE POOR)

AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Islamic Economics (CIBE) is a recognized name in Islamic banking and finance Market for trainings, research and advisory over the last six years. The prime goal has always been to remain stick to the commitments and provide state-of-the-art Advisory Consultancy and Education. It organized an event at Dubai World Trade Centre on Islamic Micro-finance - Hope for the poor in collaboration with Akhuwat and Manager Today Magazine on December 8-9-2012. They are dedicated to serve the community as a unique institution providing trainings, education and consultancy in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance not only in Pakistan but all over the world. They have so far organized more than 300 trainings, n

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64 CORPORATE EVENTS AkhuwatAnnual Dinner Members Board of Directors, friends of Akhuwat and Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib Chairman, AKhuwat organized annual get together dinner at Royal Palm Golf & Country Club Lahore. on Friday 8th Feb 2013. Akhuwat is dedicate to improve the lives of poor, those who are financially abusedm, abandoned and disregarded by society.

Akhuwat provides the poor with intrest-freeloans so they may acquire livelihood and skills they need to reach their full potential. n

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CORPORATE EVENTS

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AbacusCelebrates 25Yearsof Transforming Business Lahore February 23, 2013: AbacusConsulting, leading consulting, technology and outsourcing firm, commemorated its 25 years of successful business at a glittering event here at the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club, Lahore, on Saturday February 23, 2013.

On the occasion, Mr. Asad Ali Khan, Founder and President of Abacus welcomed the guests and said, “For more than 25 years, Abacus has been at work to transform businesses into successful enterprises. We offer our clients a unique portfolio of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services with end-to-end integrated solutions, duly supported by a solid corporate governance structure Abacus Executive Leadership Team and guided by a stringent value system. It is indeed a matter of great personal pride and privilege that the small firm that began its journey in 1987 is today reckoned to be the thought leader and transformation partner of choice by leading business entities in three continents across the globe. Of course, I would give credit for all this to the hardworking, honest and dedicated people of Abacus.�

The event, which was attended by over six hundred people, was organized by Abacus to acknowledge and honour its clients, strategic partners and employees for their support and commitment through the years. n

Mr. & Mrs. Abbas Ali Khan

Cake cutting by Abacus Board Members

Mr. & Mrs. Aamer Chaudhry

Asad Ali Khan, Zahida Asad & Paul Batchelor

Corporate Communications Team with President Abacus www.managertoday.pk | MANAGER TODAY | 65

66 CORPORATE EVENTS CSR 5TH INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT Former federal information minister Javed Jabbar while addressing at the 5th international summit on CSR 2013 organized by National Forum for Environment (NFEH) with the support of United Nations Environment Program, Karachi chamber of commerce & Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan, at a local hotel has said that corporate sector gives lot of jobs and also spending on education, health and training of people. CSR should be linked to corporate fiscal responsibility and organizations should file their tax returns, he said.

FPCCI and other big organizations should make a statement that how much money corporate sector is contributing in social development.

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