Integrity and opportunity
Speakers at the WZCC global meet in Dubai repeatedly stressed on the importance of capitalizing on opportunities
Born in Bangalore and brewed in Bedford, Cobra is one of the top two award winning beers in the world today but Bilimoria has yet not forgotten his father Lt Gen Faridoon’s initial reaction: "What are you doing? You want to become an import/exportwala after all this education?” Convinced that "Fortune favors the brave” Bilimoria noted that it was his "guts to go against the grain” that made him launch his beer business and emerge "six times bigger than Kingfisher.”
Drawing inspiration from the lines in William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus: "I am the master of my fate,/ I am the captain of my soul,” he cautioned upcoming entrepreneurs that the toughest challenge was overcoming "the credibility gap when nobody knows you or your brand but you must have faith, confidence, trust and belief in your brand.” Besides boldness and innovation, an entrepreneur should be willing to adapt and turn obstacles into advantages. One’s product should be "different, better and change the marketplace for ever.”
He quoted from An Ode to the Entrepreneur: "Where success is not a destination, but a journey;/A journey, where good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment;/ A journey of serendipity, where you see what everyone else sees, but think what no one else has thought… The Entrepreneur’s journey will always be alright in the end,/ And if it’s not alright, it’s not the end!”
In his keynote address leading motivational speaker Minocher Patel stated, "We are so driven by success, we forget to celebrate success.” In his talk on "Power of Happy Leadership” he pointed out how humans are taught from a young age to defer happiness by giving priority to board examinations, graduation, profession, business, marriage, children’s well-being until it is too late. Happiness is to be enjoyed "here and now,” he stressed. Noticing that "richer people look more stressed out,” his advice was "don’t take yourself too seriously.” He was in favor of creating a "happy environment, happy occasions, happy moments, happy feelings.”
According to him, "Parsis are blessed with a sense of humor” and should adopt a learning vs judgmental attitude; remember to be humble; be grateful; develop a giver’s attitude; and pursue WOW — With Or Without (material wealth) I will be happy.” He further advocated a work-life wellness balance; letting go of emotionally constipating habits and memories; living like there is no tomorrow; being attached, yet detached and vice versa; having high acceptance and low expectations; pursuing two things that make one happy.
"Medicine cures but nature heals,” declared holistic health guru Mickey Mehta in his talk on "Disease free life for our Community and Reversal of Aging Process.” The Zoroastrian scriptures have "coded manthras” like "Ya Beshtarna” for relief from pain and "Ya Harvespa” for knowledge. Explaining that "with attention you energize the field and with intention you transform the field,” he recited "Kshnoathre” and made the audience chant the words "Ahure Mazdao” (the phrase that denotes "In the name of God,” which is the start of many prayers) after him to stress "be masters of this energy; regulate this energy with thought, word and deed.”
When referring to the diet adopted by Parsis, Mehta mentioned how they regularly need "something or the other per eeda;” and finally jé bachiu per eedu (eggs on leftover food)…” Since Parsis "devour bread a lot” he recommended instead the consumption of "lal gahu or jowar/bajri rotli (chapattis made from red wheat, white or pearl millet and ________________).” To a community that believes in "eating drinking and making merry,” he asked, "Do we realize the purpose of life? Where do we fit into this jigsaw puzzle? That we are co-creators of our destiny with our mind and body? We all have to pass away but we don’t need to die of a disease.” Citing the instance of his mother who was diagnosed with a tumor in her stomach at 70 years of age, he mentioned how she did not pursue chemotherapy or radiation but drank taro (consecrated bull’s urine) for six months, turned vegetarian and today at 80 years of age "she is minus organs but with intent to live.” He recommended consumption of red pomegranate since it is "very good for health, for the mind; for fighting cancer; the greatest antacid; it transcends your mind and body.”
"Dubai has done a marvelous job and shown how functions can be organized.” Commending Meher Bhesania and her team for organizing the WZCC meet as also Enterprise Dubai, Minoo Shroff, global chairman of WZCC appreciated that the occasion has created "an excellent opportunity for meeting old friends and creating new ones.”
With all the three winners of the WZCC 2014 Awards being from USA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) was jubilant and posted on their website the accomplishments of Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur Edul Daver, Outstanding Zarathushti Professional Nina Godiwalla and Outstanding Young Zarathushti Professional Shirin Kumaana-Wadia. As explained by WZCC global corporate secretary Behroze Daruwalla, the winners were selected by a panel of judges appointed by the international board of directors based on the nominee’s global presence, involvement with WZCC and other international commercial organizations.
A section of the audience at the WZCC awards function
After his early education at the renowned Doon School, followed by a degree in engineering from IIT in Bombay, Daver earned his Master of Science in Powder Metallurgy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He started his work life at Alcan Metal Powders in 1967 and after 20 years rose to become its president. The entrepreneur in him made him approach Alcan Corp to buy the struggling Powders division. For the new company, ACuPowder International, Daver implemented "open book management” techniques with all employees having a stake in the business and 20% of pretax profits. With the support of motivated employees, focus on safety, quality, productivity and customer service, and following mergers and acquisitions, ACuPowder could show annual revenues around $ 100 million with over 50% market share in USA for copper based powders to the Powder Metallurgy market. In 2010 the company recapitalized with an equity partner and formulated an exit strategy.
During the last nearly 50 years he has been in the US, Daver has served on the board of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York during its formative years and is currently focused on building a new Darbe Mehr there. He also played a role in developing and launching WZCC and served as its founder director from 2000-2006.
This honor from the community made Daver feel that he had earned his "ultimate wings... Success is never a single person’s efforts,” said Daver, acknowledging the support of his family who "motivated and challenged me to become an entrepreneur” especially his wife Nilufer, and parents who gave him "a fantastic education.” According to him "the battle of Edul was won on the playing fields of Doon” when able to shine in hockey, athletics and gymnastics he was "no longer conscious of being short.” Generally, "a good education and a good job lead to a comfortable life which is a deterrent to becoming an entrepreneur,” observed Daver who viewed entrepreneurship as "a pursuit of opportunity beyond resources currently controlled.” Conceding that "nothing in this world is without risk,” he added though that if the risk "is not manageable, it becomes a gamble.”
Currently the US director of diversity for Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the largest law firms in the world, Godiwalla’s leadership expertise is sought by prominent institutions including The White House, Harvard Business School, NASA, Smithsonian Institution, The Wall Street Journal executive task force. Before becoming an internationally acclaimed speaker, Godiwalla who did her MA from Dartmouth, BBA from The University of Texas and MBA from Wharton, Philadelphia spent a decade working for Fortune 500 corporations. She also enjoys the honor of being included in the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Her book Suits: A Woman on Wall Street has made her a bestselling author. Unable to come in person to receive her award, her acceptance speech was to be relayed to the gathering but due to a technical glitch it could not be played initially and by the time the problem was resolved, dinner was served so it was barely audible.
An architect and interior designer involved in diverse projects ranging from hospitality design to residences and corporate offices in North America, Europe and the Middle East over the last 10 years, Kumaana-Wadia started her own studio under the name of Mazda Design in 2011. Also a self taught digital artist, in 2013 her photographs and digital media compositions manifested into her first solo exhibition titled "To Eternity and Back” in Bombay. Professionally trained in Salsa and other Latin dances she has performed at dance events in the US and Central America. She edits the online portal Parsi Khabar with her husband Arzan Wadia.
Honored to receive her award at the hands of Bilimoria who she described as "truly an inspiration,” the designer-dancer further attributed her success "to my personal network of friends and family.” She particularly gave credit to her mother for her "constant support and encouragement has made a great difference in my life.” She next proceeded to acknowledge "my other mother — Mother Nature for giving us in abundance. Everything I do is with complete respect to her.” Convinced that "life is truly a miracle,” she referred to her blog, ShirrinLoveMiracles, where her spirituality finds expression and declared, "Outside of the oneness there cannot be true fulfillment.”
Spreading wings
The evening had started with a jashan, followed by the global annual general meeting when Shroff reported that "The Mumbai and Poona chapters are endeavoring to induce the young to branch out on their own. WE (Women Entrepreneurs) is spreading its wings from Mumbai and Poona to Gujarat and other chapters in India.” Next to Bombay, Poona is the most active center, mentioned Shroff observing that Poona is "growing up fast industrially.” It sells more Mercedes cars per capita than Bombay. Since nearly 100 Parsis in Goa have shown an interest "we have signed a Memorandum at Understanding (with the Goa Chamber of Commerce)... Nagpur too has a good industrial culture... Gujarat has many real estate owning companies,” added Shroff.
Daruwalla referred to the WZCC international board of directors quarterly meetings, mostly on Skype, and particularly thanked those from the US and Australia "who have to get up very early or stay up late” to coordinate with the others. They are constantly in touch on the email. Although two new chapters were recently opened the worldwide membership is less than 1,000. She urged all chapter chairs to send their reports to her or to Yazdi Tantra so that he could put it on the web and others can be inspired. With the formation of a new subcommittee to amend the constitution, all chapters were requested to align themselves with the new rules. "Behroze keeps me on my toes all the time,” stated Shroff, appreciating her support and competence and adding, "We got along famously without dissent or difference of opinion.” He further acknowledged the support of key workers in India: Tantra, Pheroze Kharas and Adi Siganporia, former and current chairman of the Mumbai Chapter, and chief administrative officer Aspi Antia.
In a panel discussion on "Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurial Ethos” anchored by Kharas, Daver remarked, "The start of a business is always difficult… There is insufficient time, money and employees.” Growth is promoted by a "positive outlook, being focused and steadfast, prioritizing, communicating, having a dream team and continuously improving,” he added.
"Everybody cannot be an entrepreneur. It is a misconception that to be a businessman is the ultimate (sign of success),” mentioned Capt Percy Master, founder of the Master Group of five companies that has a staff strength of 3,000 having diversified from marine services to hydroelectricity. "A good businessman grabs an opportunity and capitalizes on it… The secret of success is luck and opportunity,” he reiterated. A former captain of merchant ships he recalled how he used two years of accumulated leave to take a "calculated risk,” applied for a licensed surveyor’s certificate and waited for a long time to get business until he got a fortunate break from a representative of Nedlloyd Lines. Being a young businessman he soon earned the reputation of willingly coming to the Bombay port even at night to survey an accident and was able to build up his clientele. With 50 branches, they are today one of the largest surveyor companies in India.
When there was a slump in shipping they decided "not to put all their eggs in one basket” and after taking a loan from the World Bank they launched two hydropower plants. Master appreciated that they also got government subsidies and carbon credits. He urged entrepreneurs to take "calculated risks; never outstretch yourself; not to get dejected by failure.” He further reminded that FEAR could mean Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. When Kharas asked him to comment on the importance of assets and working capital for entrepreneurs, Master counseled, "Take only loans which you can service… Allow for escalation of cost (10-15%).”
"Ultimately what counts is trust and credit worthiness,” declared Siganporia, a senior director of Tatas. He related several anecdotes concerning members of the Tata family who even when their companies were in serious financial trouble, always sought to ensure that "not a single individual or deposit holder would suffer.” In 1924 when Tata Steel was about to be closed down, Sir Dorabji Tata pledged his personal fortune and wife’s jewelry to get a loan from the Imperial Bank. In later years when Naval Tata had an appointment with a chairman of a bank and found that both the lifts were not working, he climbed up the 13 floors to meet the official who was so impressed that the same night he issued a letter granting credit to the Tatas. Commending Tatas for "preserving integrity and trust” whilst treading the straight and upright course, Siganporia remarked, that they raised "the standard of giving instead of standard of living.”
"If the bosses are humble, it trickles down the line,” observed Kharas making Siganporia refer to J. R. D. Tata who after relinquishing his chairmanship to Ratan Tata would never barge into the junior’s office without seeking his consent. On another occasion when Naval Tata was visiting one of the Tata Mills where the guards did not recognize him and insisted on checking his credentials, the managing director was so impressed that he subsequently rewarded them with a cash gift for being "diligent in their duty.”
Firdosh Mehta’s presentation on Corporate Social Responsibility will be tied up with the report in our March 21 issue of the WZCC meet in Los Angeles.