Business
Communication between chapters
The annual general meeting of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce saw global members share their collective business expertise
"This is a world of patronage. There is nothing (as good as) relations and networking,” observed Minoo Shroff, global president of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) at the organization’s global annual general meeting (AGM) convened on January 7 and 8, 2012 at the Terrace Hall of Bombay’s West End Hotel. Addressing members and invitees from India, Iran, USA, UK, Germany, Middle East, Shroff remarked, "It looks like a mini United Nations,” adding, "Though a minuscule community we have given a splendid account of ourselves… We stand out for the trust and confidence reposed in us…The tallest gentleman in our community is not necessarily the richest.”
"It has never been more important than now to develop an efficient chain of communication between chapters and share the wealth of collective business expertise to benefit Zarathushti entrepreneurs everywhere… Inviting online participation from all interested members worldwide has been well received…Having online quarterly Directors’ meeting too is a very positive development,” declared global vice president Rustom Engineer. He was happy that 2011 ended on a buoyant note with "the job market being healthier and stocks higher.”
"It has never been more important than now to develop an efficient chain of communication between chapters and share the wealth of collective business expertise to benefit Zarathushti entrepreneurs everywhere… Inviting online participation from all interested members worldwide has been well received…Having online quarterly Directors’ meeting too is a very positive development,” declared global vice president Rustom Engineer. He was happy that 2011 ended on a buoyant note with "the job market being healthier and stocks higher.”
Top row (from left) Minoo Shroff, Rustom Engineer, Behroze Daruwalla, Kishore Chaukar, audience listening to Minocher Patel; (second row) Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji gives benediction; global board members of WZCC, Taj Koochaki recites prayer translated by Dr Mehran Sepehri
Corporate secretary and director of the international board Behroze Daruwalla regretted that though "electronically it is easier to keep in touch, there are less number of members this year. This is the only hiccup. The economy is driving our membership.” In response to a query from founder director of WZCC Alayar Dabestani regarding the number of chapters worldwide, Yazdi Tantra who is the technical director on the WZCC global board replied there are 15 chapters with around 850 members as against the membership strength of nearly 1,000 the year before. Commented Shroff, "We don’t need more babies but healthier babies that are well nourished.”
After the passing of the annual report and the statement of accounts, it was decided that Singapore should be the venue for the next AGM of the WZCC because in the words of Cyrus Bagwadia, president of the WZCC-India chamber, Singapore is "a very dynamic, growing community; reinventing itself…from manufacturing to a service hub. It would be enriching to have a meeting in Singapore.” Daruwalla believed it would be "an excellent way of igniting them,” making Shroff add, "They are far more responsive than any other chapter whenever I make a recommendation. We need to develop it.”
From left (top row): Cyrus Bagwadia, Pheroze Kharas, Adi Siganporia, Rohinton Rivetna, Kersi Limathwalla, Zareen Karani Araoz, Xerxes Dastur, Alayar Dabestani; (second row) Viraf Deboo, Yazdi Tantra, Dolly Dhamodi-wala, Adil Bhesadia
Success and confidence
The pre and post lunch session on the first day saw guest speakers charge the delegates.
"Strategies for successful business” was the theme of guest speaker Kishore Chaukar, managing director of Tata Industries while Minocher Patel, motivational spe-aker and founder director, Ecole Solitaire, spoke on "Confidence, Motivation and A Happy Attitude.”
Having spent time with two of the finest organizations — the house of Godrej where he started and the Tata Group with which he has been for the last 13-14 years, Chaukar declared Parsis are a "committed, competent, entrepreneurial community” and chose to describe them as "the cream of industrial community in this country and in the world where they operate.”
According to him success is not measured by financial prosperity but the ability to earn respect from people in the area where you are doing business. "You are not seen as an exploiter or stealer but as a contributor.”
The pre and post lunch session on the first day saw guest speakers charge the delegates.
"Strategies for successful business” was the theme of guest speaker Kishore Chaukar, managing director of Tata Industries while Minocher Patel, motivational spe-aker and founder director, Ecole Solitaire, spoke on "Confidence, Motivation and A Happy Attitude.”
Having spent time with two of the finest organizations — the house of Godrej where he started and the Tata Group with which he has been for the last 13-14 years, Chaukar declared Parsis are a "committed, competent, entrepreneurial community” and chose to describe them as "the cream of industrial community in this country and in the world where they operate.”
According to him success is not measured by financial prosperity but the ability to earn respect from people in the area where you are doing business. "You are not seen as an exploiter or stealer but as a contributor.”
Burjis Taraporevala (left) and Minocher Patel
Determining the hallmark of success are the regular determinants like quality of a product, its pricing, positioning, technology, resources, reach, regulations that can make or break a business, human resources and innovation. However Chaukar wanted to stress on salient lessons he had learnt:
Business being a multi stakeholder economic activity, it is not merely for the benefit of the owner but other stake-holders like employees, suppliers of inputs, customers, marketing people, the community where you work and the environment where you operate. How you balance the interest of the stakeholders tests the skills of a successful businessman.
A business or service needs to remain in a scenario where it is relevant as there may not be a demand in perpetuity. "Businesses die because they do not remain relevant in the march of technology and keep track of changes in customer behavior.” The Nokia switch from forest products like tissue and writing paper and furniture to electronics, Chaukar viewed as "a visionary concept.”
Equally important is building long-term relationships that will create a customer for perpetuity who values the brand name, reputation, after sales service and rewards. A businessman needs to "be prepared for if he does not cope with customer expectations he will write his own death warrant.” Advance preparation implies acquisition and upgradation of skills as also training the mind to keep one’s eyes and ears open to ensure that no business opportunity is missed out instead of dwelling in a comfort zone. In the earlier seller’s market a customer would be kept waiting for 17 years to get his first car but today customers expect and demand instant and improved service. In the field of automobiles, upper end cars like the Jaguar are now equipped with superior features so that in the event of an accident, a message is immediately relayed to the police.
"With customers today being very market savvy thanks to technology and the Internet, the issue of pricing is extremely sensitive.” Even when booking a hotel room at the Taj, his friends from the UK found that they were offered a better rate on the Internet than what he was offered with a director’s discount!
enthusiastic members of the Iranian delegation;
An ability to draft contracts and handle legal disputes, arbitration and other documents ensures that "no scope is left for interpretation, misinterpretation or reinterpretation,” observed Chaukar.
With franchising, a businessman is able to meet all supply lines on his own. According to him a brand is of great significance and one like Parsi Dairy Farm "can become a billion dollar brand…Don’t say ‘I am too small to have a brand.’” A businessman should be able to "gain trust and earn respect, not be considered a suspect… Innovations should be related to ethics,” he added.
In response to a query from the audience regarding management of skilled and unskilled staff, Chaukar mentioned that money may not be the sole driving criteria for all employees and the management’s ability to address their anxieties is crucial.
An observation that development of global, cross-border skills are critical for an organization’s growth, prompted Chaukar to reveal that in the case of Tatas who have bought several companies all over the world, "we don’t superimpose an Indian boss over the local business as we don’t know the local culture and capabilities.”
Should companies be more transparent and divulge areas of risk? Chaukar was asked making him respond that 16 Tata companies share their annual report through the Global Reporting Initiative Index. Conceding that transparency is essential he mentioned that efforts should be made to stipulate risks, lauding firms that list as many as 27 risks.
When asked to identify emerging openings for small businesses, Chaukar declared that with inadequate infrastructure for those in the post-retirement years, healthcare and assisted living for this segment will be the new need. Additionally youth are always seeking convenience products which they buy whether they require them or not as income levels rise. Digitalized entertainment, new content for education, health and sanitation services for residences, addition of value chain in the automobile and food sectors would also have openings.
The functioning of Tatas was explained to the international and local audience by Chaukar who elaborated that Tata Sons and Tata Industries are the two holding companies. Although Tata Sons promotes the key businesses in the Group, each of the companies has an independent board and different sets of share holders but all follow the Tata Business Excellence Model as per which they pay a fee to Tata Sons for use of the Tata name if the company is making profits. Tata Industries primarily scans the environment to identify emerging businesses. While adhering to the principles of business enshrined by J. N. Tata, the companies look after the welfare of the community and its employees.
At the interactive post lunch session Patel told the gathering, "People feel guilty about being happy and seeing others happy,” adding, "You cannot be successful if you are not happy.” Visible, smart work; pursuing a goal with motivation; and enjoying the work you do are the precursors to success.
Remind yourself of your goal everyday. Equally important is self development without allowing one’s growth to plateau. Build self confidence by allowing yourself to experiment and take risks, break the past conditioning and believe in yourself. It is important to love yourself and accept yourself the way you are. Think highly of yourself, yet remember to be humble for a balance has to be maintained between confidence and overconfidence. Cultivate a grateful attitude as also the WOW (With Or Without) attitude so that you are not dependent on others for your success. Balance, letting go of experiential and emotional garbage, being attached yet detached, living as if you are going to die tomorrow, lowering your expectations while increasing your acceptance are the five mantras Patel recommended for all mortals "who come to earth on a transit tourist visa.”
Zarine Khan registering Iranian delegates Toos Dehnadi and Kodayar Attaie
Make it relevant and reinvent
WZCC is here to serve members and the community and there is no better way to serve the community unless we strengthen the members, conveyed Zareen Karani Araoz, director, global and external relations, on the international board of WZCC. She was the anchor for the panel discussion on "WZCC — going forward.” Joining her on the panel were WZCC founder Rohinton Rivetna, immediate past president of WZCC Kersi Limathwalla and Bag-wadia. She enthused the audience to contribute suggestions to improve WZCC functioning in the context of the changing needs and environment. "Success means relevance,” she reminded.
"Much has been done and much more needs to be done” by the WZCC that is in its 11th year, she noted. "If we want to make sure that this organization continues for another 100 years we have to let the youth help us to plan the future,” she added inviting Xerxes Dastur, honorary treasurer of the WZCC Mumbai chapter, to join the panel.
"Our vision is to make this organization an economic engine for the well being of the community” whereby the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter can be assured, remarked Rivetna. "We are functioning more as a welfare organization instead of a chamber of commerce,” observed Limathwalla who expressed the need to "tailor programs” such that organizers don’t find it difficult to get people to attend meetings. "We needn’t be like other western chambers,” declared Dr Mehran Sepehri, professor of management, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, pointing out, "There is a Z before CC (chamber of commerce) hence we should not forget the Zarathushti principles.”
Whilst WZCC members are self-made and self-reliant, it is children from the orphanages and those not technically qualified who need to be nurtured when they are buds, commented a member of the audience. Explained Bagwadia, "WZCC is a platform where successful people can provide guidance, share experiences with the youth… The seniors are the givers and the upcoming youth, the takers.” It is up to the youth to get benefit and derive value.
One of the youths though sought "much more mentoring…professional interaction on an ongoing basis with successful members.” Dastur announced the Mumbai chapter’s mentoring program wherein each committee member is expected to network in a structured way with 10 other senior and junior members, building personal rapport. It was recommended that they include four overseas members in each group.
Entrepreneurship does not necessarily mean going out and starting a business. It can also be within a corporate enterprise. Mentoring groups need not be only for entrepreneurs but also for professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers. To promote global networking Daruwalla offered a month’s work experience in Houston to two youth and in return was promised a similar facility in Bombay by Pheroze Kharas, chairman of the Mumbai chapter which had organized the 2012 AGM. "WZCC can be a conduit to make this happen,” announced Araoz. WZCC international director Farrokh Rustomji suggested that each chapter make a list of members with their professional expertise that can be featured on the WZCC website.
When a delegate from Poona stressed on the need for networking with other regulatory authorities and chambers of commerce, Araoz alluded to "our tendency to be very insular,” and suggested "reaching out to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).” Daruwalla then referred to her interaction with the South Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the Indo American Chamber of Commerce and Dolly Dhamodiwala, managing committee member of the Mumbai chapter, alluded to their program with the Women’s Entrepreneur Wing of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs).
When it was suggested that everyone should take the trouble to sign up for the Z Chamber mailing list — the communication arm for WZCC — so that they are alerted to important messages and openings within the community, Daruwalla pointed out that WZCC members feel what is the point of paying $ 50 as fees if we are getting the information for free on the Internet. There should be a separate member domain, it was recommended. When it was suggested that a blog be introduced for the youth, Tantra opined that Linked In would better serve the purpose. Declared Araoz, "Yazdi is the most hardworking but least recognized in the Chamber.”
If youth are attracted to ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) social functions, why not to WZCC meetings? queried one young delegate. Observed the organizing committee’s youngest member Jamsheed Master, "Most WZCC sessions seem to be more monologs than dialogs.” Running short of time, the panel discussion continued in the post lunch slot the next day since the youngsters in the audience were keen to carry on the interaction and even offered to bring their friends along just for this session. To be concluded
WZCC is here to serve members and the community and there is no better way to serve the community unless we strengthen the members, conveyed Zareen Karani Araoz, director, global and external relations, on the international board of WZCC. She was the anchor for the panel discussion on "WZCC — going forward.” Joining her on the panel were WZCC founder Rohinton Rivetna, immediate past president of WZCC Kersi Limathwalla and Bag-wadia. She enthused the audience to contribute suggestions to improve WZCC functioning in the context of the changing needs and environment. "Success means relevance,” she reminded.
"Much has been done and much more needs to be done” by the WZCC that is in its 11th year, she noted. "If we want to make sure that this organization continues for another 100 years we have to let the youth help us to plan the future,” she added inviting Xerxes Dastur, honorary treasurer of the WZCC Mumbai chapter, to join the panel.
"Our vision is to make this organization an economic engine for the well being of the community” whereby the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter can be assured, remarked Rivetna. "We are functioning more as a welfare organization instead of a chamber of commerce,” observed Limathwalla who expressed the need to "tailor programs” such that organizers don’t find it difficult to get people to attend meetings. "We needn’t be like other western chambers,” declared Dr Mehran Sepehri, professor of management, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, pointing out, "There is a Z before CC (chamber of commerce) hence we should not forget the Zarathushti principles.”
Whilst WZCC members are self-made and self-reliant, it is children from the orphanages and those not technically qualified who need to be nurtured when they are buds, commented a member of the audience. Explained Bagwadia, "WZCC is a platform where successful people can provide guidance, share experiences with the youth… The seniors are the givers and the upcoming youth, the takers.” It is up to the youth to get benefit and derive value.
One of the youths though sought "much more mentoring…professional interaction on an ongoing basis with successful members.” Dastur announced the Mumbai chapter’s mentoring program wherein each committee member is expected to network in a structured way with 10 other senior and junior members, building personal rapport. It was recommended that they include four overseas members in each group.
Entrepreneurship does not necessarily mean going out and starting a business. It can also be within a corporate enterprise. Mentoring groups need not be only for entrepreneurs but also for professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers. To promote global networking Daruwalla offered a month’s work experience in Houston to two youth and in return was promised a similar facility in Bombay by Pheroze Kharas, chairman of the Mumbai chapter which had organized the 2012 AGM. "WZCC can be a conduit to make this happen,” announced Araoz. WZCC international director Farrokh Rustomji suggested that each chapter make a list of members with their professional expertise that can be featured on the WZCC website.
When a delegate from Poona stressed on the need for networking with other regulatory authorities and chambers of commerce, Araoz alluded to "our tendency to be very insular,” and suggested "reaching out to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).” Daruwalla then referred to her interaction with the South Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the Indo American Chamber of Commerce and Dolly Dhamodiwala, managing committee member of the Mumbai chapter, alluded to their program with the Women’s Entrepreneur Wing of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs).
When it was suggested that everyone should take the trouble to sign up for the Z Chamber mailing list — the communication arm for WZCC — so that they are alerted to important messages and openings within the community, Daruwalla pointed out that WZCC members feel what is the point of paying $ 50 as fees if we are getting the information for free on the Internet. There should be a separate member domain, it was recommended. When it was suggested that a blog be introduced for the youth, Tantra opined that Linked In would better serve the purpose. Declared Araoz, "Yazdi is the most hardworking but least recognized in the Chamber.”
If youth are attracted to ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) social functions, why not to WZCC meetings? queried one young delegate. Observed the organizing committee’s youngest member Jamsheed Master, "Most WZCC sessions seem to be more monologs than dialogs.” Running short of time, the panel discussion continued in the post lunch slot the next day since the youngsters in the audience were keen to carry on the interaction and even offered to bring their friends along just for this session. To be concluded
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