ENTREPRENEURSHIP SINCE EARLY IN LIFE

Jahangir Siddiqui Group is one of the biggest financial services providers of Pakistan. This group is also the 2nd largest shareholder of the insurance company EFU. Jahangir Siddiqui was Pakistani Rags to Riches Business Tycoon, who founded JS group about 4 decades ago. The group comprises businesses with over 18,000 employees and profit after tax of $510 million in 2007.

When most fourteen-year old boys were flying kites or playing cricket in their spare time, young Jahangir Siddiqui was busy running his business as a distributor of Coca-Cola in Hyderabad. Impressed? Well…there’s more. He also set up a swanky café in his father’s garage called Dreamland Cold Coffee Shop. Happily for him, it was adjacent to Firdaus cinema (owned by his uncle) and young Jahangir used to reap the benefits of customers pouring in during the intervals of three matinee shows. 

“In the first year I made Rs.40, 000 and in the second year, I made around Rs.70, 000 which in those days was a lot of money,” laughs Jahangir Siddiqui. For a fourteen-year old, it still is a lot of money! Most young professionals have a starting salary of less than half of that!

Fourteen year old young boy, who is son of Govt. Servant, invested only Rs. 6000 in his Café Business at his father’s garage and distribution of Coca Cola in the 60s. 

Many years on from Dreamland Cold Coffee Shop, Jahangir Siddiqui, the veteran stockbroker and pioneer in the development of Pakistan’s stock market is sitting at his desk in his modestly sized, sleek office in Karachi. He is impeccably well dressed in a suit and I am momentarily reminded of the elegantly attired JR Ewing from the 80’s hit series Dallas — minus the cowboy hat of course! But don’t get me wrong: JS is no JR. Far from it in fact. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth; he didn’t inherit a business empire from his father; he didn’t come from an incredibly wealthy family. No. Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui is a self made man. Despite the immaculate and formal suit, Jahangir Siddiqui is refreshingly casual and has a wonderful way of putting people at ease. He is jovial, chatty and remarkably frank.

Built over four decades, JS Group is one of Pakistan’s most diversified and progressive financial services groups.

Success Story
Born in Hyderabad, Sindh on 28 July 1948, Jahangir Siddiqui was the ninth of ten children — a big family even by the standards of the day. His father was a government servant and his mother a housewife. “I grew up in Hyderabad which in those days was a very clean city. In fact, in pre-Partition days, it used to be called the ‘Paris of the subcontinent’!” He laughs at my look of disbelief. “Really, it is true! I remember going for walks with my sisters on Thandi Sarak and the road was lined with trees. There is not a single tree there now though.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SINCE EARLY IN LIFE

ROMOTION IN CIVIL SERVICE

Nepal government has now decided to adjust the civil servants who have got special promotion under Article 24 (D 1) of Civil Service Act, 2049 through an amendment. The Article has special provision that the promoted candidates would not be given proper or promoted responsibility though they get salary and other benefits of the upper class post.

The government had started automatic promotion of the civil servants with some provisions in 2006 following the mounting pressure from them. Some 15,000 candidates got promotion at that time and it is continuing and hence the condition is problematic now. They are demanding the responsibility of the promoted post and other benefits though they were agreed to get promotion and not the responsibility etc. previously.

Though the amendment bill is endorsed by the cabinet, the Ministry of General Administration, main operating agency of the civil service, will bring it into action only after holding a consultation and receiving consent from Public Service Commission as per the provision of Nepal Interim Constitution, 2063. The Ministry has proposed four different models to promote the candidates. The promotion will be based on open competition, file promotion, internal competition and seniority now and there will be no provision of promotion as per 24 (D 1). Thirty per cent of the total vacant posts will be filled based on seniority once the problem of those getting special promotion was addressed. Remaining seventy per cent vacant seats will be filled based on three other criterion.

ROMOTION IN CIVIL SERVICE

WHAT LEADERS HAVE IN COMMON

By Mike Myatt

All great leaders have one thing in common: They read voraciously. Did you know that the average American only reads one book a year? Worse than this is the fact that 60% of average Americans only get through the first chapter. Contrast this with the fact that CEOs of Fortune 500 companies read an average of four to five books a month. Even more impressive is that some of the most successful leaders throughout history were known to read one book every single day. Bottom line… If you’re a leader and not an avid reader, you’re wrong. In today’s post I’ll share my thoughts on the value of reading.

If the statistics in the opening paragraph didn’t convince you of the power of reading, here are a few more telling observations for your consideration – according to our surveys at N2growth, a very large common denominator shared by executives who feel that they are not achieving the level of success they feel capable of, is that many of them are “too busy to keep up with their reading.” Hmmm…. Furthermore, studies show that active readers are likely to have annual incomes more than 5 times greater than those who spend little or no time reading. Do I have your attention yet?

WHAT LEADERS HAVE IN COMMON

How to be Happy at Work

Every professional and an employee knows how bad the current economic condition is – no jobs, more pay cuts, layoffs, higher workload, no bonus, no appraisal and what is even worse is that every one’s living in the fear of loosing their job any minute. One can totally understand how stressful all this is for working professionals and employees. Buy you need to cope with all these issues or you’ll find it really hard to concentrate on your work and do a good job. Here is how you can divert your mind from this stressful situation and be happy at work.

When you are overloaded with personal issues, it’s really difficult to concentrate on work and be happy at your workplace. So, learn to share your problems with a close colleague. Do not keep your problems to yourself or you will end up feeling depressed. Follow one simple rule and you will always be happy in life. Leave your personal worries at home and your professional issues at work and then see the change in you. In fact this will help you stay focused and productive at work.

Make yourself comfortable at work: You must be spending at least eight hours a day at work, which obviously means that you spend more time in office than at home. So, make your space your own, do all that you like at your desk put pictures of you and you friends on your wall board. You could decorate your area as much your company policy permits, and make yourself as comfortable and relaxed as you can be in your office.

Have an office support system: Being good friends with a colleague who shares a similar kind of lifestyle can take a lot of pressure off you at work, trust us. When you are able to share your feelings with a colleague who understands you really well, it helps minimize stress to a great extent.

Maintaining a good diet and drinking loads of water can really make a huge difference in your energy level and attitude. When we say good diet, we mean avoid eating too much of refined food such as sugar and bread.

Once you reach office, do not stick to your seat and keep working the whole day. Move around a little. Go out for a cup of Tea or coffee with your colleagues, chat with your teammates or read something interesting but do not be a workaholic.

Don’t try to change others: You obviously can’t change any one you can only bring about changes in yourself. Just figure out a way to resolve conflicts and avert uncomfortable situations and you will be much happier at work.

Treat yourself once in a while: Think of something that will really make you happy. We mean reward your self once in a while. Whether it be dinner with family or friends, a movie, or even a manicure, but treat yourself once in a while. Just like how stress from home can interfere with work, the positive aspects of your life can greatly influence your mood at work as well.

Focus on the positive: Identify all those things you like at work. It can be chatting with your friends on line from work in your free time or even a nice view from your office window. You create your own mind-set. If you stress the positives, you will make your job much more enjoyable but if you keep stressing on all your negatives, it may cause you to become overwhelmed.

How to be Happy at Work

Call Centre Job

The call centre job is very interesting for me. I am leaving my home at 7PM and leave the office at 4AM when the metro is sleeping. Due to heavy traffic, I leave at 7 though my duty starts at 8. One of my colleagues from America says there is rare chance of becoming late in the office due to traffic. But here in Nepal, I leave my home one hour before though it is not more than 15 minutes drive. I use my motorbike rather than office vehicle due to easiness and saving money. The office charges one a fee of NPR 5000.00 a month for using the vehicle. But I can manage my trip with not more than NPR 1000.00.

Talking to international clients is interesting. The environment is conducive and amicable. It seems I am working in any office inside the USA. It provided me international training opportunity twice. One I was in Colorado for 12 days and recently I was in Las Vegas for a week-long training. I am very much impressed with their training methodology.

I am happy to manage my daytime job together with this call centre job. It is known that Albert Einstein was in favour of sleeping more than ten hours daily but Bill Clinton prefers only half of Einstein i.e. only five hours. I am also taking rest for 4-5 hours daily and short nap in the daytime. It is not easy to manage daytime job and night shift job along with studies. But I don't think there is shortcut and easy way to success. Hard work pays and labour does not go in vain!

Call Centre Job

Highest Paying Job

Do you want to get started in a great career, but don’t want to go any further than earning your bachelors degree? There are many good high paying jobs available to people who only hold a bachelors degree, and you don’t have to be an MBA degree or a Masters degree to pull in the big money. Below are 15 top jobs you can have with a Bachelors degree, and you may be surprised at what you can do with a four year degree.

1. Petroleum Engineer
Demand for skilled petroleum engineers is expected to increase exponentially in coming years, as energy issues lead the national agenda. Petroleum engineers create and optimize methods of extracting and processing oil and gas. Engineers across the board command the highest starting salary among bachelor’s degree holders–and petroleum specialists rank at the upper end of the engineering salary spectrum. Earnings in 2007 put petroleum engineers as earning $114,000 annually

2. Actuary
An actuary is a business professional who specializes in risk assessment, analyzing statistical data to calculate the probability of different outcomes and forecast risk. A bachelor’s degree combining mathematics and business courses offers the best preparation for actuarial work. Also, a bachelor’s degree in statistics, corporate finance, economics, or business will also offer the appropriate career training. A 24% growth rate is predicted in this industry over the next five years. Earnings in this field average $107,000, or about $52.00 per hour.
3. Computer Software Engineer
Computer software engineers apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that make computers work. You will need not only a bachelor’s degree for this industry, but also experience with a variety of computer systems and technologies. Continuing education is also necessary to acquire the latest technical skills. The upper 10% of earners in this field took in more than $125,750 annually.

4. Graphic Design
Graphic designers create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective way to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level and advanced graphic design positions. An increasing number of graphic designers also develop material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects. Salaries in this field ranged from $62,000 to $98,000 annually.

5. Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst
Network systems and data communications analysts design and evaluate network systems such as local area networks (LANs) and Internet systems. The rapid and widespread use of computers and information technology has generated a need for highly trained workers proficient in this job market. A bachelor’s degree is generally a prerequisite for jobs in this industry. This area of employment has a projected growth of 53% over the next five years, with median annual earnings in a major metropolitan area being $81,000.

6. Real Estate Appraiser
The housing market in any shape needs real estate appraisers because valuations are needed whenever any property is sold, mortgaged, insured, taxed or developed. Even in a slow market there is work. 25% of appraisers are steadily employed by the government to assess property for tax purposes, but there are also many self-employment opportunities. A bachelor’s degree is required for this industry, as well as licensing and certification which vary by state. Median annual earnings are $64,000, but collateral appraisers, who work with lenders, can earn in excess of $130,000.

7. Financial Adviser
A financial advisor is a professional who renders investment advice and financial planning services to individuals and businesses. Ideally, the financial advisor helps the client maintain the desired balance of investment income, capital gains, and acceptable level of risk by using proper asset allocation. With a large number of baby boomers nearing retirement, business in this area will continue to grow. A bachelor’s degree and continuing education are required for this field with median earnings of $122,500.

8. Human-Resources Manager
At more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. There’s a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists. A bachelor’s degree followed by professional certification is standard for this field. Annual earnings can average $73,500, but high level HR executives can earn in excess of 150,000.

9. Database Administrator
Database administrators determine ways to organize and store data, working with database management systems software. The role of a database administrator has changed according to the technology of database management systems as well as the needs of the owners of the databases. A computer related bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement in this field. There is expected to be a 29% increase in employment in this field through 2016. Database administrators earned an annual salary of $64,670 in 2006.

10. Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Technicians set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments, monitor experiments, make observations, calculate and record results, and often develop conclusions. Science technicians use the principles and theories of science and mathematics to solve problems in research and development. A 4 year degree in forensic science is usually the preferred degree for the top jobs. This field has a projected 31% growth rate and median hourly earnings of $21.79 in 2006.

11. Computer Security Specialists
These specialists plan, coordinate, and implement security measures for information systems to regulate access to computer data files and prevent unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure of information. In addition to a degree, continuing education is necessary in this career to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. As computer attacks and threats continue to be a problem, specialists in this area will see steady employment and rising pay. $53,770
12. Accountants and Auditors
This market is projecting a faster-than-average growth as a result of an increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and greater scrutiny of company finances Most jobs in this area require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Accountants and auditors help to ensure that the Nation’s firms are run efficiently, its public records kept accurately, and its taxes paid properly and on time. Starting jobs in auditing positions for the Federal Government, for example, start at 46,718 a year.

13. Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists handle organizational functions such as media, community, consumer, industry, and governmental relations; political campaigns; interest-group representation; conflict mediation; and employee and investor relations. Entry level PR specialists need a college degree in public relations, journalism, advertising, or communication. Opportunities should be best for college graduates who combine a degree in public relations, journalism, or another communications-related field with a public relations internship or other related work experience. The middle 50% or PR specialists earned about $65,310.
14. Market Research Analysts
What do market research analysts do? Market and survey researchers gather information about what people think. Market research analysts help companies figure out what kinds of products people want to buy, and the price point at which the will buy it. They also assist companies to market their products to the segment of society who are most likely to buy them. A four year degree is the standard, but continuing education is necessary to keep current with the latest methods of developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys. Median earnings in this field were about $53,450 a year.

15. Writer
Writers and editors produce a wide variety of written materials delivered to an audience in an increasing number of ways. They develop content using any number of multimedia formats for readers, listeners, or viewers. Writers rarely punch a time clock and are often employed on a freelance basis. Writers need to have a basic familiarity with technology, regularly using personal computers. Having a degree in journalism, English, or communications is a basic prerequisite for being a writer. Annual median income in this profession is about $50,000, but can easily exceed $90,000 for well established writers.

Highest Paying Job

Jobs without Academic Degree

For those who decide to forgo a college education, there are still plenty of valid career options to consider.
•Real Estate Broker: Real estate brokers help clients sell residential property. Becoming a Realtor requires 60 to 90 hours of classroom professional training and successful compltion of a licensure exam.
•Transportation Manager: In this job, you’re responsible for planning routes for transportation firms. Most people in these positions are truck drivers who’ve shown good work ethic and a willingness to learn new skills. Companies tend to promote people who have experience in the field rather than recruiting college graduates, and many people who hold this type of job have not attended college.

•Retail Sales Supervisor: This job involves hiring, training, and scheduling cashiers, customer service representatives, and other workers. Most people in this occupation begin as low-level employees and work their way up by demonstrating managerial skills and problem-solving ability.

•Gaming Manager: At casinos, the gaming manager is in charge of overseeing general operations. Most are dealers or floor workers who have been promoted.

•Power Distributor: A power distributor works at an electrical plant to control the flow of electricity. On-the-job training is combined with formal classroom instruction for most positions.

•Elevator Repairer: Elevator repairers typically ge their training on the job or through formal apprenticeship programs. To begin an apprenticeship, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, pass an aptitude test, and be in good physical shape.
•Truck Driver: Demand for those who transport goods using commercial vehicles continues to grow each year. Drivers must earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) from their state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

•Fraud Investigator: This job involves finding cases of abuse among child support, missing persons, or unemployment insurance claims. Investigators typically learn their trade on the job.

•Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor: If you love the idea of getting paid to work out and help others get in shape, this is the job for you. Experienced athletes with the ability to motivate and inspire others are in high demand at gyms across the United States.

•Home Health Aide: Those who live in areas with a high population of elderly residents will find this job in high demand. After a brief training period, home health aides help provide basic medical care to people who are unable to leave their homes.

Jobs without Academic Degree

How the company views its employees (HE Vs SHE) ?

1. The family picture is on HIS desk
Ah, a solid, responsible family man.

The family picture is on HER desk.
Umm, her family will come before her career.

2. HIS desk is cluttered.
He's obviously a hard worker and a busy man.

HER desk is cluttered.
She's obviously a disorganised scatterbrain


3. HE is talking with his co-workers.
He must be discussing the latest deal

SHE is talking with her co-workers.
She must be gossiping.


4. HE's not at his desk.
He must be at a meeting.

SHE's not at her desk.
She must be in the ladies' room.


5. HE's not in the office.
He's meeting with customers.

SHE's not in the office.
She must be out shopping.


6. HE's having lunch with the boss.
He's on his way up.

SHE's having lunch with the boss.
They must be having an affair.


7. The boss criticised HIM.
He'll prove his performance.

The boss criticized HER.
She'll be very upset.


8. HE got an unfair deal.
Did he get angry?

SHE got an unfair deal.
Did she cry?


9. HE's getting married.
He'll get more settled.

SHE's getting married.
She'll get pregnant and leave.


10. HE's having a baby.
He'll need a raise.

SHE's having a baby.
She'll cost the company money in maternity benefits.


11. HE's going on a business trip.
It's good for his career.

SHE's going on a business trip.
What does her husband say?


12. HE's leaving for a better job.
He knows how to recognise a good opportunity.


SHE's leaving for a better job.
Women are not dependable.

How the company views its employees (HE Vs SHE) ?

HOW TO MAINTAIN WORK LIFE BALANCE?

Work-life balance shouldn’t be the preserve of the exalted few, says Calum Robson. Everyone can take steps to calmer, more fulfilling days and badly needed restful nights.

A common misconception is that work-life balance is only an issue for people who have reached certain stages in life – such as having a young family or reaching the top at work – or alternatively, those who can simply no longer cope. But what about the rest of us?

A controlled work-life balance is within everyone’s grasp – and after all, surely you’ll perform better, in the exam hall and at work, if you’re happier and less stressed?

Take stock of your life
Work might take up a third of your time. But how much of your personal time do you give up to other activities (or people) about which (or whom) you care little? Many people are simply unable to say ‘no’ to friends, family, and other pulls on their ‘me time’. And that either eats into the time that you can control, or else sends you to bed, exhausted and in need of far more sleep than you might otherwise need.

Everyone’s idea of the ideal work-life balance is different – but students will typically find that study time competes with personal time. Don’t ‘lump’ studies in with your hobbies, interests, and family commitments.

While study isn’t actually ‘work’ in an office sense, it’s part of your professional development – allow yourself time for pure enjoyment as well. Frivolous or purposeful? Doesn’t matter.

Set your objectives
Prioritisation is key. Assess the value of each activity or person that currently takes up your personal time. You may have to make decisions that will be unwelcome news to others – but remember, you’ll be of little use to anyone, including your nearest and dearest, if you are frazzled and worn out. You need that work-life balance to function.

Lists are therapeutic to put together, motivational, and a useful start to getting organised. Use lists to work out what you want to spend more or less time on, as well as how and when you’re going to implement your plans.

Be gentle with yourself – once you are in the driving seat, you can aim sky-high; for now, set achievable goals and throw in small rewards and treats as extra incentives to reach them. Share your goals with those you can trust not to interfere, or who can divert less empathetic parties on your behalf.

Do it now
In five minutes, everyone can scribble down at least a few precious ambitions that they would love to pursue if needless obstacles didn’t get in the way.

So don’t wait until you have a good solid hour or you’ll never get started. Once you have invested that first five minutes, finding more time for yourself will start to look easier – and it will be.(accaglobal.com)

HOW TO MAINTAIN WORK LIFE BALANCE?

Quitting your job

For most people, leaving student life is tough. After a degree, life should be a walk in the park, and your job a pleasant breeze that cheers and refreshes you. But how reasonable is this? And is it too soon to look forward to retirement?


If you're thinking of quitting, reflect on why?

You hate your boss. They're too fussy about your work, or ignore your contribution. They take credit for your efforts, are irrational or just incompetent. Worse still, they're in charge.

You hate your colleagues. They haven't invited you to the Friday drinks for the 19th week running. They're spreading rumours behind your back. You're convinced that for some reason, they want you out.

You hate the hours. You're being forced to work overtime. You barely have a social life any more, and your health is suffering.

You hate the work. You've found a job that suits you perfectly. Selling insurance over the phone is the ideal career for a shy, retiring ceramics graduate. Hand in glove, mate.

This isn't where you saw yourself. Maybe you've always wanted to open a sloth farm in Ecuador, do something exotic, but instead you've ended up living in Hull with your parents, and working at a meat factory.

You can't put your finger on it. You can't see the wood for the trees. When you draw upon your current situation in therapy, your psychoanalyst flees the room, screaming.

Have you really thought this through?

The grass is always greener: Irritating colleagues are everywhere, and most bosses have their difficulties. It would be hard to find any job that wasn't hard in some way, or anybody who didn't hate their job from time to time. Try keeping a diary, and monitor how you feel over a few weeks. If you're persistently unhappy and bored, or just prone to moaning, this will show it.

Debt: If you leave your job with nothing else to go to, you could well end up on the dole and in debt. Work out how much money you have to live off and then you'll know how long you've got to be jobless - if it's not long enough, sit tight until you find something new.

What sacrifices can you make? No work means no money, hence no holidays, no moving into a flat with your friends, no new clothes and no treats. Unless you're considering converting to Buddhism, this could be tough.

Talk it through: Before you do anything rash, talk things over with someone you trust. If you can't work out exactly why you're unhappy, then a friend or relative makes a better sounding board than your boss or colleagues. Hopefully they'll be able to help you put things into perspective.

Your CV: Unless you have a very good reason for leaving, most employers will think that less than eight months in a first job looks sketchy. A year is better. Would it be worth sticking it out? The experience you are gaining now might help you to get a job youll prefer in the future.

Talk it through for real: If you decide that you really are unhappy in your job, you owe it to yourself to raise it with your boss or colleagues. Ask for a one-to-one meeting with your line manager and set out clearly why you're unhappy. Beware that the whining graduate is a common stereotype you'll need to show a responsible attitude and a willingness to solve the problems you have set out. See it as an opportunity to put things right, rather than a last resort.

Employment law: If you're unhappy at work because of harassment or unsafe working conditions, then you are entitled to a better deal. If, after raising your grievance, your employer refuses to help, then you shouldn't have to resign. Seek the advice of an employment lawyer, or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Going for it
If you've decided to quit, it's a good idea to line something else up first. Reflect on your strengths and the kind of area you'd be happier working in, to avoid quitting your next job in the same circumstances. It's best to be discrete about your decision until you're out. You will need to write a formal resignation letter, and work a notice period. Whatever happens, leave nicely. It might be tempting to settle a few scores, but remember you'll need a reference.

Lastly, congratulate yourself. It's brave to walk away from a bad job, and it would be a waste of time to regret your decision. Make the most of your experience, throw a party, and move on.
(Written by Matt Davis)

Quitting your job

New Chief Justice in Nepal

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala appointed Kedar Prasad Giri as Chief Justice of Nepal on October 5, 2007. Giri had been serving as acting Chief Justice till date. Former Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel had retired on September 7.

New Chief Justice in Nepal

Civil Service Day

52nd Civil Service Day was marked on September 8 (Bhadra 22). This year's slogan for the civil service day is : Good Governance : Our Commitment.

Civil Service Day