Networking and nurturing

"The main thing is to help your own. There is no fun if you are only making money,” declares Shernaz Engineer who has been chair of the UK chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) for the last six years whilst spearheading Verity Appointments and Education, the enterprise that she conceived nearly two decades earlier to supply secretarial, office support and teaching staff. Describing herself as "a great networker,” she refers to the advantage of "having influence and networking so that we can help others.”

Shernaz Engineer (top and above) with Lord Karam Bilimoria and Lorraine Hanson; (alongside) at a WZCC event (from left) Jimmy Contractor, Jamsheed Engineer, Javid Canteenwalla, Engineer, Cyrus Moore, author of City of Thieves, Nauzar Manekshaw and Perses Sethna

For the Zoroastrian community spread across the globe, "It’s very important to do business with each other,” believes Engineer who has taken up the WZCC responsibility from Lord Karan Bilimoria. Citing the encouragement and support that Verity got from Bilimoria she appreciates that he "used to take staff from me by using my agency.” Community entrepreneurs considering global expansion should first look at the possibility of identifying Zoroastrians in the same business with whom they can have transactions, she advocates.

"The role of WZCC is not only to promote business within the community around the world but to motivate people within each chapter,” declares the UK chair referring to the four meets they organize every year where professionals working in very large companies share their expertise with greenhorns. She specifically cited the efforts of secretary of Tata Brothers Jimmy Contractor who is vice chair of WZCC-UK chapter, Dorab Mistry of Godrej International who is treasurer, and other committee members Nauzar Manek­shaw, Javid Canteenwala, Perses Sethna, Cyrus Todiwala and Jamsheed Engineer who lend their diverse professional skills. When Parsiana interviewed her at the Zoroastrian Centre in UK in October 2011 she was enthusiastic about an upcoming session when motivational speaker Richard Quest of CNN would share his views on the world economy.

Their functions are held at venues in the city or West End like the headquarters of Lloyds Bank or popular eateries like Café Spice Namaste owned by Cyrus Todiwala or Bombay Brasserie. The functions, primarily geared for the 70 members of the UK chapter, are thrown open to members of the community and when there is a "good dinner, a lot more people come,” she observes. "The meets are always at very prestigious venues and on weekdays so as not to eat into their family time on weekends,” states Engineer. "When you are a small organization with no money, a very good way of getting exposure is piggy backing,” she adds referring to a seminar jointly organized with Deloitte at their auditorium. They have organized two career clinics where youngsters are taught to improve on their interview skills and curriculum vitae, and helped to write their business plans although WZCC may not be able to give them monetary support.

"I truly believe you win the lottery of life when you are born a Zoroastrian"

"We have to try and find new income streams, always keep looking,” advises the businesswoman who has learnt that "persistence pays.” Before she branched out on her own in 1993 "at the height of recession,” for 12 years Engineer was employed with the legal services section of Opus Personnel. She was willing to take the risk because she realized that "people liked me, trusted me.” Customers appreciate honesty. "People buy from people they like,” she reminds us before telling us that since she considers truth a prerequisite in business dealings, she decided to name her venture Verity on the recommendation of her former husband. "I am a saleswoman; I can sell anything. I am a problem solver,” declares Engineer. Currently there are around 15 people employed by her and following the recession she has chosen to limit her staff strength.

"I read a lot. I am very savvy and can hold my own with anyone,” bares Engineer. She failed her A levels because she "was having such a lovely time,” but acknowledges the wonderful education she received at Karachi’s Mama School where she learnt "very good English, had sound general knowledge and opportunities for extracurricular activities and skills to improve one’s deportment.” She could not stop extolling the "old Parsi teachers who gave you the best education.”

Alert to the needs of the underprivileged Engineer has been devoting herself to different charitable causes like the Asian Voice, Learning for Life, Comic Relief. Assisting nongovernmental organizations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, she seeks to uplift families employed in fish or shoe factories or educating women about their rights.

Candidly acknowledging that commonality of religion and language was "something missing” in her first marriage, Engineer is happy to have found a like-minded partner Faroukh Sorab who is a facilities manager. "It is wonderful to be with someone from the same community,” Engineer speaks from her personal experience whilst appreciating that other individuals may have different perceptions. Not only does she speak Gujarati, she can also read and write the language, she says, having been brought up in a conservative household and enjoys "interacting with members of my own community.” Conscious of her community culture, she treasures "the 15 garas and God knows how many kors” in her possession.

"I truly believe you win the lottery of life when you are born a Zoroastrian,” Engineer would like to remind all Parsis. "Though 3,000 years old, this religion is very modern,” adds the entrepreneur who values the importance of the sudreh-kusti and more importantly the tenets of the faith and its emphasis on righteousness, convinced that she would rather have straight dealings for then she can "sleep easy.”