SynergyZ Vol 5 - Jun 2007

VOL 5

JUNE 2007

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

Journal of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce

THE

WZCC IN

2007 WZCC AGM & Awards 2006

1 Wzcc's Vision: To facilitate networking, Enhance trade & commerce & Re-energise the Zarathushti entrepreneurial spirit SynergyZ 2007-singles.indd 1

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VOL 5 • JUNE 2007 • FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

SYNERGYZ

VOL 5

JUNE 2007

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

Journal of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce

THE

Journal of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce

WZCC

Published by the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce

IN

2007

Registered Office: 5750 South Jackson St. Hinsdale, IL 60521- 5109 Website: http://www.wzcc.net

WZCC AGM & Awards 2006

President: Bomy Boyce 1 Wzcc's Vision: To facilitate networking, Enhance trade & commerce & Re-energise the Zarathushti entrepreneurial spirit

WZCC Journal Conceived and Developed by: Meher Bhesania, WZCC Director, Middle East Region

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Treasurer: Barjor Bajan, P.O.Box 2222, Dubai, UAE Tel: 009714 3930660

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Contents

Editorial Board: Burjor Patel, General Manager, Khaleej Times, Dubai Karl Mehta, Managing Director, Blitz Media & Communication Kersy Bhesania, Businessman, Dubai, (WZCC Journal Committee Chair) Noshir Engineer, Director, Event Management Development Institute Hoshi Siganporia, Managing Director, The Big Idea Co., Dubai Nowshir Patel, Managing Director, Perfect Graphics, Dubai Contributing Editors: Marzban Giara , Mumbai, India Mithi Daver , Sydney, Australia Pervin Khajotia Idnani , Dubai, UAE Shernaaz Engineer , Mumbai, India

Tribute to WZCC Founders

4

WZCC President’s Message

5

Alayar Dabastani - Cover Story

8

Buying a Franchise Business

10

Offshore companies in the UAE

11

Neville Shroff - A success story

12

UAE and India - Look to future

15

WZCC AGM Highlights

16

Youth Leadership Enhancement Program

20

The Magic of “Open Book Management (OBM)”

22

Profiles of eminent Lawyers

26

WZCC Chapter News

34

Six Sigma

40

Inspiring Story on Kekobad Dosabhoy Doongriwalla

42

Update on WZCC website

43

WZCC Chapters & Chapter Chairs Australia Filli Madon Canada-Toronto Sam Meer Canada-Montreal Parviz Shahriari India-Ahmedabad Oorvaksh Medora lndia-Delhi Rustom Daroga India-Hyderabad Jehangir Bisney India-Mumbai Edil Katrak India-Pune Adi Engineer India-Surat Hormazdiyar Patel Iran Khodayar Attaie Middle East Meher Bhesania Pakistan Nosherwan Irani UK Shernaz Engineer USA Atlanta Rustom Kanga USA Chicago Yazdi Godiwala USA Houston Behroze Daruwalla USA-Los Angeles H.Bhoodanwala USA-New York Arnaz Maneckshana USA-North Texas Firdosh Mehta USA-San Francisco Jamshed Gandhi USA-Seattle Jehangir Bharucha Other Representatives: Hong Kong Jal Shroff Singapore Russi Ghadiali China Mehernosh Pastakia

pars09@yahoo.com sam_meer@devencoregva. com laser@gemvis.com Oorvaksh@medoraindia.co rustom@selvelvantagegroup.com hyd2_bisney@sancharnet.in synochem@vsnl.com adiengr@hotmail.com automotive_pressing@hotmail.com khodayarattaie@hotmail.com bhesania@emirates.net.ae ngirani@cyber.net.pk shenaz@verityappointments.com rkanga@comsat.net godiwaly@uww.edu behroze@ssrx.com wzcc_la@yahoo.com AManeksha@aol.com fdjmehta@charter.net Jbgandi@bgwbcpas.com jehanb@improcon.com Shroff@fossil.com russighadiali@yahoo.com ahuranet@public2.bta.net.cn

The Publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this journal, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this journal are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this journal which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this journal or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form wthout the permission of the publishers in writing. An excemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purose of fair review.

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Tribute

u eTo To Wzcc Wzcc Founders A Tribute Founders

A

outstanding WZCC website developed and managed by Yazdi Tantra and the high quality Journal SynergyZ created and managed by Meher Bhesania with the Editorial Board are effective and reliable channels of communication for WZCC members.

s the Founding President and Board of WZCC move on, and the new Board and President take over, this is a tribute to all those who worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to lay the foundation and take the initiative to create this Chamber and have worked to revive the entrepreneurial spirit of Zarathushtis worldwide.

As the new Board, comprising of Bomy Boyce President, Kersi Limathwalla, Vice President, Framroze K Patel, Treasurer, Zarine Commissariat, Corporate Secretary Yazdi Tantra (Technical Director), Khodayar Attaie Regional Director (Iran), Meher Bhesania (Middle East), Nowsherwan Irani (Pakistan), Filli Madon (Australia), Shernaz Engineer (UK), Hoshang Karani, Zareen Karani Araoz (Director External and Global Relations), Rustom Engineer, Firdosh Mehta, Rusi Gandhi and Rohinton Rivetna (past President), takes over, we feel indebted to all these and the unnamed stalwarts and pioneers who have gone before us. Led by our able new President, Bomy Boyce, we are committed and determined to build on this foundation that these pioneers have so ably laid. We are particularly committed to helping our youth and developing their leadership potentials.

First of all, we would like to express our deep appreciation to the Founding President Rohinton Rivetna, and his amazing wife, Roshan, who has always been there by his side to ably support his activities. Rohinton's enterprising vision, his faith in the potential of the community and his tireless dedication has been central in the fruition of WZCC. We would also like to applaud the dedication and support of the Founding Directors: Rohinton Rivetna (President), Homi Davier (VP International Relations, (the moving force behind the Chamber, and a continuing inspiration), Kobad Zarolia (VP Operations), Mehrwan Boyce (VP Finance), Sarosh Collector (Treasurer) Fali Shroff (VP Information & Technology) & Directors Ness Lakdawala, Dorab Mistry and Dadi Mistry. Special mention needs to be made of Edul Daver, Corporate Secretary, who did an amazing job of pulling everything together for WZCC and for his mature guidance to the growth of the organization (not to mention his being a great role model of true entrepreneurship).

We call on each one of our members to recognize the pioneering work done by Rohinton and his team, and we ask for your input, support, participation and a sharing of your dreams, as we continue to work towards developing a more enterprising community. We want to make every effort to inspire and guide our youth to venture onto more entrepreneurial paths and to work together as a community and reach out in this globalized world. We also request all those capable leaders, who have served on the Board and in Chapters to continue their efforts as mentors and guides to the new Board and to our upcoming youth.

We need your continued input and involvement. To all our members worldwide we request "Each one,mentor one", so we can keep the torch burning that Rohinton and our past Directors and Chapter Chairs have lit to show the exciting possible professional paths ahead for Zarathushtis worldwide. Our strength and differentiating factor will be our unity, our unwavering integrity, our reliable hard work, our innovative and enterprising spirit and the mutual support and help that we freely give one another. This is the legacy we would like to leave for the next generation.

Over the years we have felicitated our Honorary Members and Zarathushti business leaders like - Mr.Ratan Tata, Mr.Nadir Godrej, Mr.Alayar Dabestani, Mr.Minoo Shroff, Mr.Fali Nariman, Mr.Pallonji Mistry, Mr.Karan Billimoria and Mr.Byram Avari and thank them for their continuing support and inspiration.

We remember with sincere gratitude the unstinting support of Minoo Shroff and Kersi Limathwalla, late General Sethna and Dadi Mistry for the launching of WZCC India, the leadership of Lord Karan Billimoria chairing the UK chapter, Filli Madon in Australia, Khodayar Attaie in Iran, Meher Bhesania in Middle East, Nowsherwan Irani in Pakistan, Jal Shroff in Hongkong, Russi Ghadiali in Singapore. We also remember the BPP in Mumbai for the generous offer for the office space and some administrative help, for which we are also very grateful.

May Ahura Mazda continue to support and guide us all in this direction!

The e-group (zchamber) initiated and managed by Dr. Zareen Karani Araoz, which is the communication arm of WZCC, and connects our members all over the world in a collaborative effort and exchanges of information, our

By: Dr. Zareen Karani Araoz, on behalf of Incoming President, Bomy Boyce and the new Board of Directors.

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President's Message

Message from President’s desk Bomy Boyce

WHAT WZCC IS ALL ABOUT? We are just beginning to scratch the surface to harness the potential latent within the community. A jewel amongst civilization, the Zoroastrian community harbours a wide spectrum of knowledge, learning and skills in multi-fields which all reside in its individuals, yet we lack the process to bring it all together. The vision of the WZCC is to provide that link and foster the sprouting of each persons’s capabilities, so that the sum of the combined exceeds the sum of the individuals. The benefits derived from net-working and visibility is what WZCC is all about.

WZCC is on a journey and will undoubtedly face challenges. However, the net-working now established has started the process of exchange, sharing, support, advice and the recognition that each individual can feel a part of the whole. It will evolve at a pace determined by the participants in the program, but given the present enthusiasm it will continue to blossom with speed and grace. We have participation from eight countries who have formed chapters, a total of 20 in all now, and there has been an exchange of trade missions with signing of MOUs and Letters of Intent.

Credit for the vision goes to Rohinton Rivetna, who so ably created the nucleus for its growth and my compliments to Meher Bhesania and the Editorial Board for undertaking to promote this first WZCC magazine which is so laboriously created.

I am very proud to be WZCC’s President

and I wish the

organization well and look forward to its unlimited growth.

Sincerely, Bomy Boyce

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Message from WZCC Regional, Director, ME

From the Regional Director-ME Anyone visiting Mumbai in early January 2007, would have been astonished with the seemingly non stop events dominating the WZCC AGM from the 4th to 8th January 2007. Between the first day and the last day one couldn’t move without bumping into high profile business personalities and professionals. As exciting and well produced as it all was, the credit goes to the WZCC Mumbai Chapter, the organizers of the event who did a fantastic job. This issue contains the highlights and pictures from the event.

Apart from this, the journal has a feature story on Alayar Dabestani, a man who took his first steps down new roads armed with nothing but his own vision and hard work and has acheived great success in life. We also have a success story on Neville Shroff, a businessman from Hong Kong, who has gained phenomenal prestige and is regarded as one of the respectable personalities in the Hong Kong business circle. Then there are interesting articles, profiles of eminent lawyers, a Case History on ACuPowder Int’l L.L.C. and excerpts from an interview with Padma Shree Cyrus Poonawalla who was in Dubai lately to represent India in the Asian Racing Federation. His charm and wit captivated the hearts of business persons and professionals, who had gathered at the luncheon meeting hosted by the India Club in Dubai.

On a joyous note, the members of the Steering Committee of the World Zoroastrian Congress – 2009 unveil their first program entitled the “Youth Leadership Enhancement Program”. The program is a new initiative which aims at encouraging community leadership among 25 to 35 years old. Our community youth members are encouraged to take part in this program, be mentored by leading personalities, become Z icons and achieve great rewards at the Congress!

The next issue of SynergyZ will be dedicated to the ‘Youth’, to coincide with the Youth Congress in Australia this year end. Knowing that our youth have excelled in various professions, industries, arts, academia etc., we encourage them to send a brief profile (300 words) along with a photograph to wzccsynergyz@gmail.com latest by August 2007.

We hope you enjoy this edition. Let us know how we can do better.

With all good wishes Meher Bhesania

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Cover Story

ALAYAR DABESTANI A great contributor to noble causes B

oth the ebb and the rise of Zarathushtis in Iran took place during the reign of the Qajar dynasty in Iran during the latter part of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. Clearly Alayar Dabestani’s early years were impacted by those events.

Born in 1943, Alayar takes pride in the fact that he grew up in Sharifabad, a small village outside Yazd, where the Zarathushtis had settled.

His early elementary schooling also took place in Sharifabad at a school where his father was the school’s founder and first teacher. Alayar makes it a point to remind us that Zarathushtis from India who, after having seen the plight of Zarathushtis in Iran, came to their aid by funding his father’s school. Alayar, a product of those times, who has risen to where he is today, constantly reminds us that the communities in both Iran and in India owe a debt of gratitude to each other, as one could not have existed without the other’s support.

After his six years in the elementary school in Sharifabad, Alayar moved to Tehran to work and pursue his further education. From the ninth through the twelfth grade he worked during the day and studied at night. He then served in the military for eighteen months after which he entered Tehran University.

While studying and simultaneously working a full time job, he earned a B.A. degree in Economics in four years. Thereafter, Alayar was employed as an economist at the Ministry of Economy and alongside enrolled for a MA degree in Economics. Unable to pursue his education any further in Iran, as Ph.d. courses were not offered at that time, he moved to Canada in 1972 and earned his MBA from the University of British Columbia and continued for a Ph.D. in Economics at the Simon Fraser University.

Alayar reminisces that the only money he had when he left Iran was $1200 (Canadian), he earned the rest for his education himself.

Alayar is proud to say that he always had to work and pay for his own expenses.

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After completing his studies, not having any Canadian work experience, Alayar could not find a job, so he turned to real estate and became a Real Estate Salesman. His time there taught him many a lessons for his years to come in business. Of course, his times there was not all work, some of his other stories could bring a smile to even a cynic’s face.

Alayar has served on the Board of Directors of the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia for five terms, is a founding member of the Zoroastrian Society of Washington State and has also served as its President for two terms. He has been the inspiration for the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, being one of its first benefactors, giving it a very fine start. He continues to support WZCC’s cause vigorously and was elected an Honorary Member in 2002, the highest honor that WZCC can bestow on anyone.

Alayar and his wife Gitty are the proud parents of Nousheen and Ardeshir. WZCC wishes them well and we hope that Alayar will continue his benevolence and continue to be the link that he has been between the communities of Iran and India. His acts of piety and goodwill are long remembered and cherished. Alayar has made his mark in the business world and the Zarathushti community in North America and continues to give off his best.

We wish him every success and look forward to his guidance and assistance in our work ahead.

In 1978 Alayar moved to Washington State, USA and formed his AAD Investments Company. From 1978 to 1986 Alayar was involved in over 40 investment projects and partnerships in British Columbia and Washington State. In 1986, after extensive research and with the help of a friend, Alayar opened his first two-screen movie theater in Marysville, Washington, charging the first month’s rent to his credit card. After four years of running the Marysville Theater and three other theaters that he acquired during that time, Alayar joined hands with an American partner and established a new theater chain called “A Theater Near You”, with rapid expansion in Canada and the USA thereafter.

In 1997, through a partnership with Eros International Inc., who were the largest distributors of Indian movies outside of India, Alayar had formed an entity called “Eros Entertainment Inc.” to distribute Indian movies all over Canada and the USA. Today, while Alayar is still involved with a few movie theaters of his own, his focus is on new investment projects with a socio-economic bias, such as drug treatment clinics and other charitable activities.

Alayar continues to visit Iran regularly and remains active in local Anjumans like the Anjuman in Sharifabad, the Tehran Zoroastrian Association, Zoroastrian Students Association, Sazeman-eFravahar and others. Last year he completed building a sporting complex in Tehran for the benefit of youth to encourage athletics.

Alayar Dabastani with his wife Gitty

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Article

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By Rustom Engineer, President, IDEAL FRANCHISE 4 U Franchising is a method of distributing goods or services to consumers. The Franchisor owns the right to the trademark of the business. The Franchisee purchases the right to use the trademark and the operating system from the Franchisor.

Most people associate the word “franchise” with fast food restaurants. But there are many more categories of franchise businesses, including everything from advertising to automobile repair, packaging to printing services, hairstyling to computer technology and many more. There is a franchise available to match anyone’s background, skills and interests. Some well known franchises are McDonald’s, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Kwick Copy, Molly Maid, Jenny Craig, Radio Shack, Party Land, Marriott Hotels, etc.

In the United States, franchisor business practices are tightly regulated by the federal government. As a result, about 50% of all retail businesses are franchised businesses.

One out of every 12 business is a franchised business. There are estimated 1,500 franchise companies doing business through more than 315,000 retail outlets.

More than 75 industries use franchising to distribute goods and services to consumers.

Franchise businesses employ more than 15 Million Americans. A new franchised business is opened every 8 minutes of every business day in US. A U.S. department of commerce study conducted from 1971 to 1997 showed that during that time, less than 5% franchise businesses were closed each year.

Compare that to a U.S. Small Business Administration study conducted from 1978 to 1998, which found that 62% of non-franchised businesses closed within the first 6 years of their existence due to failure, bankruptcy, etc.

In India, Franchise as a business format, is still in an infant stage. Buying a franchise from abroad presents many challenges but the rewards can be substantial. A foreign franchise may have a competitive advantage due to introduction of new products and services to the local markets supported by well proven marketing and operating methods developed by the franchisor. A few Indian businesses also offer franchise opportunities based on their product, marketing and management expertise and name recognition established in the local market. However, due to lack of strong franchise laws in India, an entrepreneur is vulnerable to fraud and misrepresentation by some unscrupulous businesses The Advantages of buying a franchise are many: Initially, the franchisor helps with the site selection, construction design and layout, selection of equipments, employee training, etc. The already in-place managerial, operational and accounting systems from the franchisor, greatly reduces the typical trial and error period during the startup and thereby facilitates the success of the business. Once the business is open, a good franchisor freely provides consultations and guidance in the areas of market research, product development, well proven advertising themes, use of new technologies, etc.

Vendor discounts generated by the

collective buying power of the franchisor are passed on to the franchisees. This can be a significant competitive advantage over the independently owned businesses in the local market. The Franchise name recognition increases market exposure, paving way to the success of the business.

Franchisors have a vested interest in your success since their revenue is directly dependent upon the royalty fee paid on the sales generated by each franchisee.

Prior to investing in a franchise, the buyer must also be aware of the inherent disadvantages of buying a franchise.

First you pay a substantial amount in franchise fee up-front and then a royalty fee throughout the contract period. The contract is good for a defined period only, usually between 10 and 20 years. Upon renewal, additional franchise fee will have to be paid again. You may also be forced to buy products supplied by the franchisor rather than the most cost effective product available to you. Unfortunately, franchisor problems are your problems and you can do very little to shield your business from these problems. As a part of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is obligated to follow certain business methods that are dictated by the franchisor and does not get to make all the decisions on how to run your own business. Therefore, an independent minded entrepreneur would sometime feel that owning a franchise business is like a cross between business ownership and employment.

In view of the many risks involved in starting any new business, buying a carefully researched franchise is the best way to get into business for oneself.

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OFFSHORE COMPANIES IN THE UAE: The UAE has already established its presence on the world map as a leading hub for business and professional activities. Now initiatives are being taken by some of the Free Zone Authorities to establish the UAE as a centre for offshore companies.

An offshore company in the UAE can be registered at present in the following Free Zones: 1. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) 2. The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK Free Zone) The common features of these regulations are as under: Under the Regulations, an offshore company with limited liability can be formed with at least one shareholder, one director (two directors for JAFZ) and one secretary. A director may also act as a secretary. The capital structure can be decided by the shareholder(s). However, all the shares must be fully paid when allotted.

An offshore company is required, at all times, to have: • A registered agent, approved by the respective Free Trade Zone Authority (“the Authority”). Such registered agent shall be located in the Free Zone or elsewhere in the UAE; • A registered office, which must be an office maintained in the Free Zone by the company or an office maintained in the Free Zone or in UAE by its registered agent, to which all communications and notices may be addressed.

WZCC AWARDS 2007

Russi J Patel, FCA

An offshore company may conduct any lawful business subject to the following restrictions: The offshore company shall not carry on: a. business with persons/entities in the UAE except as otherwise provided in the Regulations; b. any other business which may, by regulations made by the Authority, be prohibited; c. banking business or business as an insurance or reinsurance company, insurance agent or insurance broker, unless it is licensed under applicable UAE law and authorised to carry on that business.

If the offshore company wishes to conduct trade or other business outside the Free Trade Zone elsewhere in the UAE, it must obtain the appropriate licence to conduct such trade or other business activity from the competent authorities in the UAE. The offshore company can acquire real estate property in the UAE in the areas designated by the Government.

An offshore company can hold a bank account in the UAE for the purpose of conducting its routine operational transactions. Every offshore company is required to keep proper accounting records.

Distinctive features for JAFZ Offshore Companies: • The Company is not allowed to create different classes of shares or issue bearer shares.

• Prohibition to provide for certain activities (such as Advertising, Consultancy, Media, Security, Real Estate Development etc.)

• The Company is also required to get its accounts audited.

Distinctive features for RAK Free Zone Offshore Companies: • The Company is allowed to create different classes of shares or issue bearer shares.

Russi J Patel, is the Managing Partner of BDO Patel & Al Saleh, and the Founder Partner of BDO Patel and Co., one of the leading professional firms established in the Gulf Region for over 34 years.

Tel: +9714-2222869/2285077, Dubai, UAE. E-mail: bdopatel@emirates.net.ae

Call for Nominations

7

th

WZCC Recognitions

A. Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur B. Outstanding Zarathushti Professional C. Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur/ Professional (35 years or younger) Nomination forms are available on the website www.wzcc.net

Nomination Deadline - 31st July 2007

Contact: Filli Madon pars09@yahoo.com

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Success Story

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Neville Shroff Standing at the head of a series of business enterprises, whose inception and successful operation are a result of distinct individuality and mature judgment is Neville S.Shroff.

Neville has gained phenomenal prestige and is regarded as one of the most respectable personalities in Hong Kong business circle. It is with marked satisfaction that SynergyZ brings the story of this energetic, talented and successful businessman from Hong Kong, who was also the past Chairman of the Arab/Africa Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and is currently Vice Chaiman of the Asia Committee.

N

eville S. Shroff, was born in Mumbai and came to HongKong when he was 6 months old. His grandfather Jamshedjee came to Hong Kong in the early 1900’s and set up a textile shop in Macau. Neville’s father Savak at the age of 18, then went on to work for his uncle in Shanghai where he worked in the silk trade till the communist took control. Savak then went to Mumbai to get married and returned to HongKong with his wife and son Neville where he started his own trading company.

Neville had his secondary education in HongKong, which was followed by a science degree from the University of Sheffield, and subsequently acquired an MBA from the University of Warwick.

He is now Chairman and CEO of Shroff and Company Limited, a HongKong based trading company providing services in sourcing, quality control , logistics and shipping in various commodities, ranging from household items to garments.

With changing times and the early foresight to be in China, he was instrumental in opening a representative office in Shanghai 16 years ago basically to have the edge in procurement of new products.

Furthermore, he now has 2 joint venture manufacturing plants in Guangdong producing stainless steel kitchenware items, and another in woven garments. He is now discussing and planning to open another office in Ningbo, China, by end

of this year. His main markets are Europe, USA, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

His advice to any company in this cost competitive environment, is to have a high calibre of capable people able to demonstrate a high degree of flair, and who are flexible and innovative in their approach.

“Be different and look for new and exclusive ideas to be on top of the game.”

He is also the Managing Director, of Direct International HongKong Limited, which is a company responsible for exporting branded goods .

He was the past Chairman of the Arab/ Africa committee of the HongKong General Chamber of Commerce, and is currently Vice Chairman of the Asia Committee, as well as being a member of the Manpower committee panel.

He is also on the board of the nominating committee of the English Schools Foundation, which manages and controls 20 international schools in HongKong.

He is a Trustee of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong, Canton, and Macao, which provides unwavering commitment to the community.

In addition, he is a member of various other social and sports organisations.

He regards HongKong as a unique place in terms of safe and high quality living conditions with a cosmopolitan society and an amazing social life second to none. From the business perspective, a remarkable place offering a totally free economy with again opportunities not to be found anywhere else in the world.

He is proud to be born into the Zoroastrian faith and live by its simple teachings to the best of his ability and subsequently hopes his children will follow.

The business environment has totally changed from his father’s days, where your word was your bond; and today one has to be versatile, smart, and be one step ahead of your competition. For any young dynamic person starting a new business, he offers some humble advice “Be different and look for new and exclusive ideas to be on top of the game. Have high aims and dreams, be sincere in whatever you do, and never rely and depend on others. There is always ‘the risk factor’ in any business, but it is imperative that one should endeavor to find that fine balance of risk; between entrepreneurship and losing it all”.

Neville is happily married to Farida and has three wonderful children, Alisha, Nigel and Natasha.

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The Fourth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress ~ University of Ballarat, Vic. Australia ~ 27th December 2007 – 3rd January 2008

C’mon Down Under!

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN for the 4th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress 27th December 2007 – 3rd January 2008

What is there to do at the Congress?

Get up close & personal with the Aussie wildlife “There is so much to do and see, you’ll never get bored!”

- Shalayne Ghaswala.

Pan for Gold at Soverign Hill

Fun Aussie Olympics Aussie Bush Dance Beach Party New Year’s Eve Gala Event Youth Debates Youth Speakers Special Guest Speakers Treasure Hunt Tour of Ballarat Lagan-nu Bhonu Night Zoroastrian Expo Wildlife Sanctuary Son et Lumiere … and sooooo much more!

“The congress is a chance for the youth of the world to come together as one to share ideas and build friendships that will last a lifetime!”

– Farita.

Visit Australia’s gorgeous beaches and enjoy our very own beach party “Learn about our religion & culture in a fun, dynamic way.”

- Delara Mistry.

Make Friends Forever!

Visit www.4wzyc.org for more information or email info@4wzyc.org

S. J. Mistry, “Ushta Tai,” 11 Tamarisk Avenue, Glen Waverley, VIC – 3150, Australia.

Telephone: ++ 61 3 9562 0543. Email: chairman@4wzyc.org The 4thWZYC Inc. A0049539Y • Website: http://www.4wzyc.org • ABN 57 817 377 043

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UAE and

India

Look to the future or the thousands of Indian residents in the UAE it was heartening to see His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai visit New Delhi on 25th and 26th March, 2007 along with his delegation of high level Ministers and Chamber of Commerce officials.

F

India accorded a very warm welcome to His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Pragmatism, not pretension, marked this historic visit and there was willingness on both sides to offer the best the two nations could do for each other in their pursuit of common goals, opportunities and objectives.

Whilst addressing the gathering at a joint reception hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and the Confederation of Indian Industries, Shaikh Mohammed said, “If the UAE and India join forces and work together, there can be no doubt that they will be number one in many spheres.” He added, “I have not prepared a speech, but I do want to tell you all a story.” He then went on to say, “I have great respect for this country. I first came to this great country in 1974 with my father, the late Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and met a lot of dignitaries, prominent merchants and others.”

Shaikh Mohammed, whose words were heavily charged with emotions said, “It was then, on that visit, that I first realized the true strength of our relationship and the bonds that the two countries share. I have great respect for Indian merchants and businessmen. This same vision and the desire to further enhance our friendship was shared by the late President of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and today, as I speak to

you, let me say that I, too, share the same vision and believe in the same purpose of forming a common goal and objective. I, too, am trying to do the same thing.”

The visiting delegation then called for the opening up of India’s banking sector and the stock markets to facilitate direct investments by GCC nationals.

The world’s largest agreement, worth a phenomenal US $20 billion, was inked between India’s real estate giant, DLF and UAE’s property developer, Nakheel.

This joint venture is separate from the five agreements endorsed by the governments of the two countries valued at US $30 billion in total. The joint venture will fund the development of two massive townships on two 17,000 acre sites in the Indian states of Haryana and Maharashtra. While the DLF-Nakheel deal is a 50:50 joint venture, London based Indian company, the Hinduja group signed a Rs.12 billion deal with Nakheel to develop properties in Dubai. The Hinduja Group also inked a joint venture with the UAE’s real estate group, Limitless, to develop real estate with an initial investment of US $1 billion.

Among other notable developments, the Hindujas were keen on investing in property development in the UAE and are also planning to set up Ashok Leyland’s automobile unit in the UAE. The group has signed agreements with the UAE’s state run firms for development of commercial properties and resorts in the emirates. While the Gulf Oil Chairman, Sanjay G Hinduja, signed an agreement with Dubai World, the Managing Director of the group’s flagship Leyland, R Seshasayee, signed a joint venture deal with the Dubai World Chairman, Sultan Ahmed bin Suleyam, to explore investment opportunities in Dubai’s automobile sector. India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath, was also present during the signing of the agreements.

The greatest achievement from this visit is that the relationship is bound to strengthen.

Some figures released by the Dubai Government Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in 2006, indicates that India is Dubai’s largest export destination.

The top four commodities Dubai exported to India were, ferrous waste and scraps, aluminum waste and scraps, copper wastes and scraps and paper waste and scraps، whereas India exported to Dubai diamonds, articles of jewelry, platinum, gold and scraps of precious metals.

600 Indian companies operate in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.

30% of the companies registered with Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone are of Indian promoters and 60% of the companies registered in Al Hamriya Trade Free Zone are from India.

Twenty-two Indian Public Sector Undertakings that operate in the UAE have offices in Dubai. These PSUs include Air India, Indian BHEL, NTPC, Indian Oil Corporation and National Small Scale Industries Corporation.

Bank of Baroda is the only Indian Bank to have operational activities. Many prominent Indian banks like Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, ICICI, Export Import Bank, Andhra Bank and State Bank of Travancore have Representative Offices.

The Tea Board of India is promoting the sale of tea in UAE. New India Insurance and Oriental Insurance Company have been doing insurance business in this country.

From all this it is obvious that with the rapid economic growth in India and in Dubai, the bilateral relationship is poised to gain in strength even further.

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Events

WZCC Celebrating

Founding Directors retire This AGM was a watershed in the history of WZCC, as the Founding Directors, who had the vision and the passion to nurture the Chamber through its conception at the FEZANA Business Conference in Las Vegas ten years ago, through its birth at the World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston in 2000, and its growth internationally today, would now hand over the reins. Each was recognized with a commemorative plaque: President Rohinton Rivetna, VP Homi Davier, VP International Dadi Mistry, Treasurer Sarosh Collector, Corporate Secretary Edul Daver, Directors Ness Lakdawala Dorab Mistry and Kobad Zarolia and Meherwan Boyce and Fali Shroff, both of whom had retired earlier.

SIX YEARS OF GROWTH With professional flair, WZCC-India hosted the sixth AGM of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, January 4-8, 2007. Delegates from Australia, Canada, Iran, Middle East, Pakistan, Singapore, UK and USA joined Indian entrepreneurs, businesses and professionals to share their experiences, recognize their successes and energize the Zarathushti entre-preneurial spirit.

Some like international hotelier Byram Avari, theatre businessman Alayar Dabestani, construction magnet Pallonji Mistry and Corporate Counselor Minoo Shroff - all members of the WZCC Honorary Members Guild and at the Zenith of their life careers - came to lend their guidance and inpiration.

Homi Davier

Dadi Mistry

Sarosh Collector

Edul Daver

Ness Lakdawala

Dorab Mistry

Kobad Zarolia

Fali Shroff

Message from WZCC President Rohinton Rivetna Six years ago, this organisation was just a dream in the hearts of its Founding `Directors. Today it is a toddler, full of life, vigor and energy, yearning to set forth for wider horizons. It has been a long journey, the climb has been steep, the shining city on the top of the hill is still distant. But it beckons.......

Our community is blessed with a glorious business Tradition.

We have a Vision - which is “to be the engine that drives the economic prosperity and well being of our global community” through our Mision, which is “to energize the Zarathushti spirit of enterprise, through a networking of businesses and professionals.” All we need now is Action and for that, we must remember the ten little words: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

WZCC is a ‘chaordic’ (order within chaos) organisation, built around a single purpose. It has no hierarchy and thrives on complete freedom of operation. Ours is unlike any other Chamber of Commerce; rather, I would look upon it as a Fraternity. Let us avail of the stong ties, the instant bonding that we share and heave together, shoulder to shoulder, to make that ascent to the top.

The global economy demands it. That is the way of the future.

When we become members of WZCC, we become members not to receive value, but to give value; not to be served, but to serve; and not to get rich overnight, but to spread richness, growth and prosperity all around. Our membership obligation, then is to inspire and be inspired so that we may indeed “Energize the Zarathushti Entrepreneurial spirit” and reach that shining city on the top of the hill.

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WZCC AGM-Highlights Jan

6th

2006 Honorary Membership

At the gala evening, at the West End hotel on January 6, Byram Dinshaw Avari was inducted as the 2006 Honorary Member for outstanding business achievements and humanitarian service. In his impassioned response, Mr. Avari, of the Avari Group with companies in the hotel, real estate, travel, brewery and pharmaceutical industries, and a passionate yatchsman, recounted the story of his family’s purchase of their first hotel 60 years ago, from their life savings of Rs. 1 lakh, and their growth “through hard work, persistence and determination.” “We are here to stand by you,” he pledged, and offered the facilities of his hotels in Karachi, for the next WZCC AGM.

Outstanding Achievements As proud members of WZCC we can’t help but boast about this year’s WZCC Awards. Now in the sixth year the awards have grown into what we modestly refer to as an absolute success. A big thank you to WZCC Australia and particularly to Filli Madon and the panel of international judges who administer the program and also to all those who helped to make the 2006 Awards a great night at the gala on 6th January 2007. The only thing we can predict about the next year’s Awards is that the standard will get even higher and the celebration will be even bigger. The recipients of the Awards for the year 2006 were Viraf Savak Kapadia, Dr.Sam Kerr and Nawaz Kotwal.

Viraf Savak Kapadia

Dr.Sam Kerr

Nawaz Kotwal

Category: Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur

Category: Outstanding Zarathushti Professional

Viraf Savak Kapadia CEO of Star Navigation, Canada is the inventor of a real time flight data recorder that alerts operators to potential aircraft problems. This a jointly patented product which will revolutional the airlines industry setting new standards in passanger safety. This development has been termed the ‘Mother of Invention’ by a Canadian News paper. Viraf’s company has been so successful that it has gone public. His product is patented, tested and certified in various countries.

Dr. Sam Kerr Fellow of the Royal Collage of Surgeons, is a pioneer in innovative surgery and teaching practices. He has developed a unique drainage tube for the ear Tympanic membrane healing, pioneered head and neck cancer surgery and voice rehabilitation.

After a span of 40 years of working as a Doctor, Surgeon, Consultant, Medical Professor, Sam decided to hang up stethoscope, but not for long. He was called back by the Royal Prince of Wales as a Director on their board.

Category: Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur/Professional Nawaz Kotwal works for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in India. Her contributions towards preservation of civil liberties include working with relief camps, rehabilitation of the displaced, documenting crime and securing access to justice.

Nawaz’s first experience was the communal carnage that took place in Gujarat in 2002. She had to assist victims of the riots in securing legal redress and provide relief. There is the combination of deep commitment to the norms of righteousness, a passion for providing service to the community without the overtones of patronage and power.

The gala evening continued with a viewing of the film “The Merchant Princes of Bombay”.

Thereafter Meher Bhesania Chair of World Zoroastrian Congress 2009 made the joyous announcement of the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress to the gathering. An intresting film entitled “Unity Through the Sands of Time” which pays tribute to the past congresses and covers the objectives of the upcoming congress in Dubai was shown. Meher extended a hearty invitation to all Zarathushtis around the world to attend the congress and said, “lets dedicate ourselves to this worthy program. It is only our inspiration, our unfailing advocacy and faith that will make the congress happen and help us leave our foot prints in the sand of time and help us find our way to the hearts of mankind”.

Later on hilarious Parsi skits and songs, including a hearty version of the ubiquitous Chaiyye Hame Zarathushti, by the talented Pervez and Marzban Mehta, of the erstwhile “Darling Orchestra”; cocktails, networking and buffet on the terrace.

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Events

Jan

th

7

Business Panel and Success Stories

The program on January 7, again at the West End, provided ample opportunities to meet, mingle, discuss and be inspired.

It included a panel discussion on “Doing Business with India”. Panelists: Adi Engineer (former Managing Director, Tata Power Co.) related how India was poised for a great growth story; Dr. Zareen Karani Araoz (President, Managing Across Cultures) touched upon the human factor in global business; legal luminary Nadir Modi saw the value in this global economy, for Zarathushtis “on both sides of the waters” to interact more; Real Estate agent and developer Rusi Gandhi saw unparalleled opportunities in the real estate industry in India; Farokh Balsara, head of Ernst and Young India’s Media and Entertainment, noted that global outsourcing was changing the face of corporate India.

Edul Daver, CEO of ACuPowder International, New Jersey, dominant producer of metal powders globally, with over $75 million annual sales revenue, presented the story of his “leveraged buy-out” of that company, using asset-based financing, giving true meaning to his definition of entrepreneurship as “the pursuit of opportunities beyond the resources currently available.”

Tehmasp Printer, Managing Director (India) of IGI, the International Gemological Institute, the world’s leading diamond and jewelry certification institute, spoke of India’s growing diamond industry. Cyrus Driver presented his “work in progress” story. Switching from a job at JPMorgan, he founded Calorie Care, delivering customized, calorie conscious meals, cooked from scratch in a health kitchen, to a customer base of over 200.

Directors Meetings and Field Trips • The WZCC programs started on January 4th, with a gathering hosted by Zareen Araoz at the Karani family estate in Lonavla, and a visit to the Tata Power Company’s environmental research station in an idyllic setting at Valvan Dam.

• WZCC directors met with Managing Directors Keki Mistry of HDFC Bank, Farokh Banatwalla of Zoroastrian Co-Op Bank, Hosi Sinor, Chief Executive, Indian Banks Association, and others, to explore venture capital funds.

• January 5th started with a visit to the facilities in Pune, of Forbes Marshall, a leader in Process Efficiency and Energy Conservation, where the venerable founder Darius Forbes and son Naushad underlined the company’s commitment to social responsibility towards employees and the community. Lively discussion ensued at the Tea at the Turf Club with WZCCPune (chair-Adi Engineer), which boasts a surprisingly large number of enterprises, from the famed Kayani Bakery with its legendary Shrewsbury biscuits to Anu Aga’s Thermax, Dr. Keki Grant’s Ruby Hall Hospital and numerous other established and upcoming enterprises.

Rohinton Rivetna with Farokh Banatwalla, CEO & MD, Zoroastrian Co-Op Bank.

• WZCC-Delhi hosted an excellent program “Lessons in Entrepreneurship” with telecommunications consultant Dr. Percy Batlivala, and distributor of computer supplies, young entrepreneur Adil Nargolwala, most proficiently organized

by Dadi and Nergish Mistry, Secretary Veera Mavalwala and President Rustom Daroga.

Meeting with Mr. Ratan Tata Possibly the most significant of the Directors’ meetings was with business icon Ratan Tata, chair of the Tata Group, at his office in Bombay House. “I am very, very deeply touched by your words … Over time, one has lost touch with the community.

To be recognized by them is a great and special honor,” he said, referring to the “Entrepreneur of the Century” award presented to him by WZCC, at the Congress in London in 2005. He expressed his wish that “Zoroastrians stand out in business as they did in past years,” and added “I would love to re-engage … be associated with your organization to make that happen.” “If there are young Zoroastrians that have a good idea,” he said, “I will be happy to contribute.” He said he “would be very happy” to make himself available for a video conference address at the Toronto Congress in July 2007.

“Entrepreneur of the Century” award for Mr. Ratan Tata. Seated Bomy Boyce, Ratan Tata, Minoo Shroff, Rohinton Rivetna. Standing: Farrokh Rushtomji, Yazdi Tantra, Zarine Commissariat, Alayar Dabastani and Kersi Limathwalla.

Conclusion Kudos to WZCC-India for the magnificent orchestration of this AGM, notably to Kersi and Zarine Commissariat and Yazdi Tantra, for covering all the logistics with such professional flair, Shernaaz Engineer for the excellent Souvenir Book, and many others behind the scenes.

By any standard this AGM was a great success. But – as Kersi Limathwalla observed: “At the end of the day, the only true measure of our success will be in counting the number of enterprises we help to set up and grow.”

- By Roshan Rivetna 18

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WZCC Board of Directors assume office as Founding Directors retire The new WZCC Office Bearers and Board of Directors, elected at the AGM on January 7, in Mumbai:

Seated: Meher Bhesania, Rohinton Rivetna (ex-officio), Bomy Boyce, Zarine Commissariat. Standing: Firdosh Mehta, Yazdi Tantra, Rustom Engineer, Zareen Karaniaroz, Rusi Gandhi and Kersi Limathwalla.

Hearty Congratulations and best wishes to the new Board Members for a successful tenure under the leadership of Bomi Boyce a consultant in Internation Business, with a focus on Viability studies, joint ventures and collaborations, Marketing, Financial and Legal and formerly (1969-80) a Manager at IBM Canada. As he said at the Board Meeting “It will be very difficult to follow in Rohinton Rivetna’s footsteps, but we will a try our best”.

Hearty Congratulations to Minoo Shroff (All India President of WZCC) as the Chairperson of the new WZCC Business Cell.

Bomy Boyce

President

Kersi Limathwalla

Vice President

Framroze K Patel

Treasurer

Zarine Commissariat

Corporate Secretary

Yazdi Tantra

Technical Director

Khodayar Attaie

Regional Director (Iran)

Meher Bhesania

Regional Director (Middle East)

Nowsherwan Irani

Regional Director (Pakistan)

Filli Madon

Regional Director (Australia)

Hoshang R. Karani

Director

Zareen Karani Araoz

Director

Rustom Engineer

Director

Firdosh Mehta

Director

Shernaz Engineer

Regional Director (UK)

Rusi Gandhi

Director

Rohinton Rivetna

Past President

WZCC held a Gala Dinner on 6th January 2007. Pictures from the Event

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The Youth Leadership Enhancement Program (An initiative of World Zoroastrian Congress - 2009)

Your opportunity to be

'Future Responsible Leaders' Program gearing up for the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress

28 - 31 December 2009 Dubai, U.A.E. An Exciting Event to meet world renowned personalities & win awards and prizes at the Congress.

For more information read program outline on opposite page Send your applications in prescribed format available on opposite page to: WZCYLEP@gmail.com

For Queries you may contact: Homai Mehta (India)

Tel: +992222871058

Firdosh Mehta (USA)

Tel: +8175999609

Email: fdjmehta@charter.net

Behram Pastakia (USA)

Tel: +3014939131

Email: bpastakia@aol.com

Nowshir Engineer (Dubai, UAE) Filli Madon (Sydney, Australia) Paurushasp B.Jila (London, UK) Khodayar Attaie, (Tehran, Iran)

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Email: jjcc@vsnl.com

Tel: +971506453359

Email: nowshir@emdiworld.com

Tel: + 0411614300

Email: pars09@yahoo.com

Tel: +447939083832

Email: paurush.jila@virgin.net

Tel: +9123211911

Email: khodayarattaie@gmail.com

5/9/07 12:07:22 PM

Youth Leadership Enhancement Program Empowering the Young Community Leaders of Tomorrow Encouraging teamwork in leveraging resources for the community What is the “Youth Leadership Enhancement Program”?

The “Youth Leadership Enhancement Program” is a new initiative which aims at encouraging community leadership among 23 to 35 years old. The program is being launched to gear up for presentation at the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress to be held in Dubai in 2009.

f. Develop a sense of support for the community, safety, quality of life, culture awareness, environment, history g. Have a handshake with world renowned personalities.

About the Program: In the year 2008 the selected applicants for the program will learn more about each other, share their future plans, learn how to design life goals and identify possible ways to accomplish those goals with the mentors who will be leading personalities from various fields and impart advice and provide creative inputs.

The objective of launching this program is to build a network of enthusiastic young individuals and create a sustainable pool of next generation leaders that will benefit the community in the long run.

The youth will be mentored by eminent industrialists/ entrepreneurs and receive valuable inputs/advice from them.

They will be encouraged to support several community causes.

What’s important is that the youth will have an opportunity to explore and experience the qualities of leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship, creativity and community rooted ness.

In the year 2009 – the selected Youth Leaders will be divided into teams and each team will present a program at the congress on 28th December 2009. The Title of the program will be "Young Community Leaders – Sharing with the Community”.

Awards: All members will receive awards and the winning team will receive exciting prizes as “Future Responsible Leaders” at the congress.

The application process: • Youth with commitment to Zoroastrian ideals and ethics, good communication, leadership & team building skills and proven excellence in his/her field of activity will be eligible to apply.

• Acceptable age group is 23 to 35 years.

• Applications will be accompanied by an essay, not exceeding 600 words, on the following topic:

APPLICATION FORMAT Personal Details Name (Last, First, Middle) Date of Birth

“A Worldwide Youth Leadership Enhancement Program”

Mailing Address

Deadline Entries must be submitted electronically to WZCYLEP@gmail.com, by September 2007

Telephone / Cell phone Email Address Permanent residency status

Format Applicants are requested to provide details as per the prescribed format on this page.

Country of citizenship Educational background Honors, Awards, Scholarships

Judging Winners will be judged by a select panel of judges on the following three criteria’s: 1. Creativity 2. Recognition of leadership qualities 3. Persuasive writing style

Extra Curricular Activities Community Service ESSAY TOPIC: “A Worldwide Youth Leadership Enhancement Program” (600 words) (Each candidate will give ideas on most important issues facing the community and the leadership skills necessary to address these issues and a detailed action plan to bring about a positive change in our community)

What will be the benefits of the Program?

The benefits will be as follows: a. The youth will be a role model for the younger generation b. Be an ambassador for the community c. Receive inputs, advice from Mentors on projects/services, goal setting, future progress d. Network with Business Leaders in the community e. Interact with young members in different regions/countries and develop like minded projects/share ideas and develop programs

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I certify that the information provided on this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I confirm that I have not received any assistance in preparation of this essay and that I am a Zarathushti between the ages of 23 to 35 years.

I also agree to support the program and work with dedication towards its success.

Name of Applicant: Signature of Applicant: Date:

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Case History

THE MAGIC OF “OPEN BOOK MANAGEMENT (OBM)” ACuPowder International, LLC Case History

CASE HISTORY

By Edul Daver

Summary Today’s new economy –fast moving, entrepreneurial, fiercely competitive-demands a different way of thinking, with a new approach to motivation and action. OBM is a leadership concept, which unleashes magical results. It entails making employees understand the economics of business; think and act like owners; and have a stake in the success of the company. How does one do this? With information. With business literacy. With empowerment. With a stake in the company. By making business The Great Game. The article will discuss each element and how it is implemented at ACuPowder. It can transform a business and it has worked wonders at ACuPowder.

Edul Daver

Background on ACuPowder International, LLC ACuPowder is a manufacturer of Copper, Tin, Bronze, Brass and other Specialty Metal Powders.

IRREGULAR COPPER POWDER

SPHEROIDAL TIN POWDER

SPHERICAL BRONZE POWDER

ANGULAR MANGANESE POWDER

The major manufacturing process includes Atomization Metallurgical Reduction and Comminution. Its main plant is in Union, NJ, USA. with a satellite operation in Greenback, TN. 110 employees generate a total annual revenue of about $75 million.

ATOMIZATION PROCESS AT ACuPowder International, LLC

ACuPowder International, LLC. UNION, NJ, USA

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ACuPowder’s customers utilize the powders to fabricate porous self-lubricating bearings, filters, friction components, diamond tools, brazing pastes, heat sinks and artistic creations. (Fig. 4). These components are used in automobiles, aircrafts, home appliances, lawn and garden, hand tools and computers.

BEARINGS, STRUCTURAL PARTS AND FILTERS MADE FROM ACuPowder’s POWDERS

ACuPowder was formed in 1995 as a result of a Management Leveraged Buy-Out of Alcan Metal Powders. The financing was raised with an “Asset Based” Financing structure. However, the deal was extremely leveraged with a Debt to Equity Ratio of 60:1. This required a new management strategy with effective motivation to jump-start the new company, which had very shallow pockets. An entrepreneurial operating philosophy was implemented with a generous incentive plan.

Entrepreneurship It was defined as the pursuit of opportunity beyond resources currently available. A highly leveraged financing line; a flat management structure with focused objectives, skunk projects, swift decision making and utilization of established networks are some of the entrepreneurial tools which were constantly utilized. Productivity is basically the ratio for measuring output VS input-increase the output & reduce the input. An individual’s productivity is best predicted by the following formula:

The formulated game plan was based on experience and intuition.

It worked like magic and the infant company was increasing market share and its financial performance was much better then attained by the predecessor company. Within a few years, we came across a formal management concept called, “Open Book Management”, which was remarkably similar to what we were practicing. Some missing elements were added to provide another boost. The infant company was performing remarkably well, well enough to purchase one of our competitors in 2000.

Productivity = (Ability) x (Motivation) + Environment = (Aptitude x Training) x (Need x Incentive) + Environment powerful tool for short-term results. As such an Employee Incentive Award (EIA) was established.

Looking at this formula our focus was on the controllable, namely, Training, Incentive & Environment. Of these factors we felt that ‘Incentive’ was the most

INITIAL ASSET BASED FINANCING STRUCTURE

Motivation We had to change gears from being a division of a multi-national company to a small private company. As such our goal was to change from being Corporate managers to Entrepreneurial Leaders. To do this, seven key employees were offered to become Equity Partners.

A $12,000,000 financing line was obtained based on the following formula: Equity

… $200,000

Land & Buildings … 80% of Market Value Equipment

… 80% of Liquidation Value

Receivables

… 85% of Eligible A/R

Inventory

… 60% of Eligible Inventory

All employees, including hourly Union employees were promised Job security without lay-offs unless the company’s survival was at stake. In addition, an Employee Incentive Award (EIA) was implemented as a powerful motivational vehicle.

Air Ball … $ Balance based on confidence in management and personal guarantees

Employee Incentive Award (EIA) This award comprised distribution of 20% of pretax profits to all employees.This would be over & above the existing Union Contract and all other bonus award plans.

The result was an extremely leveraged Debt / Equity Ratio (60:1), with no room for operating errors.

The formula for distribution consisted of: 25%…Distributed equally to all employees 25%…Distributed based on salary levels 25%…Distributed based on length of Service 25%…Distributed based on departmental group performance

OPERATING & MOTIVATIONAL PHILOSOPHY SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT

QUALITY & SERVICE

The total payout is then readjusted for absences and missed time. Each quarter a ‘Shop Huddle’ is held at which time the company’s performance and financial results are discussed and EIA winnings announced. The actual payout is 50% of winnings at the end of the 2nd quarter, 75% after the 3rd qtr. and 100% after the 4th quarter.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PRODUCTIVITY

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Case History

The Game of Business We explained work as a serious but fun experience. Teamwork was essential and each player was expected to play their position within overall rules, but flexibility and pinch-hits were critical to teamwork.

Continuous improvement and beating the competition were critical elements for succeeding - “Do Lunch, or Be Lunch”. To do this we had to keep score and countless performance ratios were measured and posted, such that numbers did the talking and Profits would follow.

OPEN BOOK MANAGEMENT In the late 1990s we came across a book called, “Open Book Management” by John Case. The cover statement said, “Companies that practice OBM seem to have captured some sort of lightening in a bottle.” So we read the book and guess what? Without knowing it, we were practicing OBM. However, one critical item was missing at ACuPowder. We had not provided formal business literacy education to our employees to enable them to understand the relationship between what they did and the bottom line.

As such, we got a local college to provide a Business 101 Course to all employees – financial terms, income statement, etc.

Motivation and Results improved further.

It was like magic, so let’s discuss further…

What is OBM? How to implement it? Why does it work?

OBM – WHAT IS IT? • OBM is a way of running a company that gets every employee focused on helping the business make money-short and long term.

• OBM enables every employee to develop business literacy and understand company’s critical numbers and financials.

• OBM employees accept responsibility and are empowered to move these numbers in the right direction.

• OBM employees see themselves as partners in the business with a direct stake in the company’s fortunes.

OBM-HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT? Provide information & communication The basic premise is that messages need to be repeated many times before it is understood.

The first time it is ‘heard’, the second time it is ‘listened’ and third time perhaps it is ‘understood’.

The information disseminated includes: • A clear vision with strategy and tactics.

• Annual and/or shorter term objectives, its measurement &visual charting.

• Results & Financial Attainment Provide Business Literacy Training • Every employee must understand Business Basics. Employees need to clearly understand financial and/or other constraints.

• Purpose is to enable better decision making and buy-in with less waste Empower Employees • Employees have a substantial ‘say’ in ones own work.

• Work teams huddle to discuss problems and/or opportunities.

• Experimentation is encouraged and related failures accepted as a learning experience.

• Continuous Improvement is the name of the game.

Have a stake in the Success of the Company • Celebrate Successes • Build enthusiasm and positive peer pressure/motivation.

• Share in the financial success of the company e.g. cash bonus or equity distribution.

OBM – WHY DOES IT WORK? • Common goals outweigh parochial ones.

• It focuses attention, like a laser, on objectives.

• It facilitates innovation and continuous improvement.

• OBM helps managers lead rather than manage.

• Financial reward catalyzes motivation and peer pressure.

• Sources of mistrust and resentment almost vanish.

• Make each employee feel and behave as a valued partner and entrepreneur.

• “Nothing breeds success more than success itself”.

Today, ACuPowder Companies, have captured over 50% of the North American market share making it the dominant #1 non-ferrous metal powder company in North America. We are very proud of the fact that currently we are able to export successfully to emerging countries, such as, India, Korea, Taiwan and yes even China.

The healthy profits has resulted in EIA payouts to employees which have exceeded $10,000/yr / employee.

HURDLES & CHALLENGES It should be clarified and emphasized that results don’t just happen and that management has to maintain focus and lead by example. A sound vision, good planning and superior innovative execution are prerequisites, which are catalyzed by Open Book Management Concepts. The biggest challenge is to keep OBM “Center Stage” and prevent it from becoming an entitlement.

The total ‘kitty’ which comprised 20% of pretax profits remained unchanged and was treated as being “untouchable”. We strongly felt that tampering with the base amount would destroy our credibility and be counter productive. However, the formula for distribution was periodically fine tuned and redirected towards current needs. Also, all changes, however small, must be done proactively so that employees are not surprised and can actively participate towards the attainment.

‘Yesterday’ has been very successful.

However, we constantly have to remind ourselves that past performance is no guarantee of future success and that hubris is dangerous and can become lethal.

‘Today’ is a new challenge and we have to accept it and work together to “earn our wings everyday”.

‘Tomorrow’ brings new business challenges and we have to pursue the related opportunities beyond the resources currently available.

IT WAS MAGIC

Conclusion

The results we attained during our first five years were unbelievable and even surprised us. The market share, for the NJ plant increased from 19% to 40% today. In 2000 we had sufficient retained earnings to facilitate the buy-out of a smaller competitor located in Tennessee.

OBM is a powerful concept and tool, which has contributed to ACuPowder’s success. We expect that you can utilize some of its concepts in almost any business environment and innovatively fine-tune it to meet your needs. We hope it will be “magic” to you too. Good Luck.

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Profiles of eminent Lawyers

Profiles of Prominent Lawyers

Turan Bahrami [maiden surname Shahriari] was born in a Zarathushti Family of Kerman.

In the early nineteenth century there was only one University in Iran i.e. the Tehran University. It is because of this, she migrated to Tehran from Kerman after obtaining her high school diploma. She studied at the Tehran University and got her law degree in the year 1963. She was one of the first law graduates from the Tehran University and under the able guidance of late Dr. Mehrangiz Manuchehrian and other women law graduates she established the Women’s Lawyer Union of Iran in Tehran which is affiliated to the International Women’s Lawyer Union.

Turan Bahrami is a member of the Human Rights Commission which is affiliated to the Lawyers Association of Iran. The Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Shirin Ebadi is also a member of the Human Rights Commission.

Turan Bahrami

After graduating in law, she got her law practice certificate from the Iran Bar Council. She is the 6th woman lawyer registered in Iran. In the year 1968 she took her Masters in Law in the subject of retribution from the Tehran University. She was also a legal advisor to the Ministry of Labor of Iran.

Turan Bahrami besides being an accomplished lawyer is also a good poet with several poetry books to her credit. In the year 1966 she published her first poetry book by the name of “Gohar” meaning “Treasures” in Persian.

Gohar coincidentally is her late mother’s name also. Her first poetry book “Gohar” was so famous that it had to be republished again in the United States of America.

Her second poetry book by the name of “Negar Zan” meaning “Beloved Woman” was published in Tehran in the year 1973 by the International Women’s Organization. Besides the poetries, this book also consists of 47 photographs of Persian women in traditional dresses. These dresses are replicas of Persian Women’s dresses which are displayed in various museums of Iran.

Her poetries in this book are interlinked to the Persian Women’s dresses which has a history of 5000 years.

Her third poetry book by the name of “Diwan Turan” meaning “Complete Poetical Works of Turan” was published in the year 2000. This book was also a hit and a large number of copies were also sold in Los Angeles of USA which has a sizable Iranian population. This poetry book consists of 330 poetries in 500 pages. The poetries composed in this book

pertain to “Iranian culture, traditional festivals of Iran, Asho Zarathushtra, famous people of Iran as well as the late beloved friends of Turan Bahrami.

For different periods before and after the Islamic Revolution of Iran she was a member of various Zoroastrian Anjumans of Iran.

She is an eloquent speaker delivering many lectures in Iran and abroad. She delivered her various lectures on invitations at: • Hamburg University of Germany • New Delhi –Ministry of External Affairs of India • Sydney – Ministry of Minority Affairs of Australia • Dushanbe –His Excellency President Rahmanov of Tajikistan • 7th World Zoroastrian Congress –USA Soon a new poetry book along with a CD will be published by her. Her poetry book is by the name of “Soroosh-e-Hamasehah” meaning “Messages of the Epics” in Persian.

Her various poets in this book have won her a prize in the year 2000 in Italy. Her poetry work was selected as the best amongst the various poetries presented by Iranian poets like Bahar, Parvin Ettesami & Faredoon Moshiri.

She is the wife of Bahram Bahrami and they have 3 daughters by the names of Homa, Mitra & Vida. All her daughters have been educated in England. Homa is a professor at the Berkeley University of USA. Mitra works for an American TV station & Vida is in Iran and has a business of her own. They have 4 grand children.

Turan Bahrami became a member of the Iranian Zarathushti Women’s organization when she was studying law. Later on she was on their board of directors. During her tenure as a board member she had the privilege of registering the Iranian Zarathushti Women’s Organization with the United Nations Women’s Commission of Social and Economic Affairs.

After the Islamic Revolution of Iran, she was elected as a famous minority community personality from amongst 60 leading Iranian women and was given a prize by Dr. Mohajerani who was the Minister of Islamic Guidance and Culture.

In March, 2005 she was elected on the board of directors of the Iranian Bar Council which position she holds till to day. Her late father and grand father were famous Zarathushti personalities of Iran.

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Fali Sam Nariman, the eminent jurist, who is undoubtedly the brightest star in the Indian legal firmament, was born on January 10, 1929 in Rangoon. His early schooling took place there and in Simla. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in economic and history from St.Xavier’s College in Bombay. He received his Law degree from the Government Law College in Bombay in 1950. He stood first in the Advocate’s examination and having been awarded the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law and Jurisprudence.

Fali Sam Nariman

He has practiced law for over 55 years, initially in the High Court of Bombay and since 1972 in the Supreme Court of India at New Delhi. He was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in May 1972 an office he held till June 26, 1975.

Fali Nariman was felicitated recently on his completion of 50 years as a lawyer. The originality of his thinking is reflected in the fact that even at the final appellate stage in the Supreme Court he can come up with a completely new approach to the case. He turns a point around and discovers an angle missed by others. He can place it in a manner which catches his opponents on the wrong foot. It is difficult to say whether he is a better lawyer or advocate.

Fali Nariman has been a recipient of numerous awards. Notable among them are Padma Bhushan in January 1991 and the

prestigious Justice Prize (2002) by the Peter Gruber Foundation which consists of a Gold Medal and as cash prize of US$ 150,000. He was also awarded the Dr.Naresh Chandra Sengupta Gold Medal for the year 2004 by the Asiatic Society of India for his outstanding contribution in the filed of society and law in ancient and medieval India.

In November 1999, the President of India nominated Nariman as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) for a term of six years. In Parliament he has served on various committees, including the Rules Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of External Affairs and the Standing Committee of Parliament on External Affairs. He is also a Member of the Advisory Council of Jurists of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and a Member of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Fali Nariman has distinguished himself as an advocate for the protection of minority rights and a proponent of human rights. Apart from his contribution to professional journals and the books that he has published he has also written numerous articles on topics ranging from law, justice and democracy to Zoroastrianism all of which reveal the wide scope of his interests and accomplishments.

Fali Nariman is married to Bapsi. They have two children a son and a daughter.

Bapsy Dastur, is the Senior Regional Counsel for the Middle East, Africa and India for the Energy business of General Electric Company Inc (GE, USA).

She is based in Dubai. She qualified as a Solicitor from England and Wales and holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and also a Bachelors Degree in Law. She practised in Mumbai for several years with a leading law firm where she specialized in the structuring of several key mergers and acquisitions when the Indian government opened its doors to foreign business participation.

Thereafter, she decided to leverage her keen business focus and strong legal expertise by joining the International businesses of GE. Whilst she continued leading mergers and acquisitions, she also provided structured finance solutions for major projects in India, South East Asia and Australia for GE Capital.She moved on to head the Legal, Operating Risk, Compliance and Treasury Support Divisions for the Grindlays Bank before joining the Energy business of GE. Bapsy enjoys combining her legal and business skills to develop appropriate solutions to meet complex and challenging business needs in growth economies.After extending her pratctise from India to South East Asia and Australia, she also covers the Middle East and Africa. She has responsibility for business of over USD 4 billion a year.

Bapsy Dastur

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Profiles of eminent Lawyers

Neville M. Bilimoria

Neville M. Bilimoria is a partner with Duane Morris LLP’s Health Care Law Department in Chicago, Illinois. Neville Bilimoria was recently named one of the Top 40 Attorneys in Illinois Under 40 for 2005.

He was also a recent recipient of the “Illinois SuperLawyer” designation for outstanding attorney for health care law. He advises health care clients on corporate and litigation matters.

He counsels nursing homes, assists living facilities, hospitals, physicians, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies on a variety of issues, including health care corporate transactions, health care fraud and abuse compliance issues, telemedicine, HIPAA and state health privacy law issues, regulatory compliance, and resulting litigation. Neville Bilimoria is also the Chair of Duane Morris’ Physician Subgroup nationally, and the India Subgroup practice internationally.

Neville Bilimoria’s corporate work includes representation of clients in transactions for the purchase and sale of healthcare facilities, health clinics and physician practices, as well as counseling on various healthcare contracting issues. He has represented healthcare providers in administrative law matters and disciplinary actions. He has counseled pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies on state and federal regulatory issues.

Rustam Soli Dubash, B.Com & LLB is a partner at Penningtons Solicitors LLP, a 70 partner law firm based in the City of London and South East.

Rustam was born and educated in Mumbai.

He is a third generation Solicitor - his father, Soli M Dubash and maternal grandfather, Rustam A Gagrat were both well known and respected solicitors in Mumbai.

Rustam left Mumbai in 1979 having worked in his father’s firm Smetham Byrne Lambert & Dubash for a couple of years to become a solicitor in the UK. He trained at Waltons & Morse and stayed there for 6 years before moving to a Lincoln’s Inn practice, Gamlens which merged with Penningtons in 1990.

Rustam heads the India unit at Penningtons and is a specialist dispute resolution lawyer (litigation/arbitration/mediation) specializing in international and domestic commercial contracts, banking and dry shipping disputes. Rustam is the Credit

A frequent author and speaker on healthcare topics, he is also the immediate past-Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Health Law Committee. He also serves on the Amercan Bar Association’s Health and Biotechnology Law Committee. Neville Bilimoria is also a Professor for Rush University Medical Center’s Graduate Program in Health Systems Management.

Neville Bilimoria is a member of the American, Illinois State and Chicago bar associations, the American Health Lawyers Association and the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys.

Neville Bilimoria is a 1994 graduate of Northwestern University School of Law. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Northwestern University where he received a Kappa Alpha Pi Award for academics and leadership. He is also a former recipient of the India Tribune’s Outstanding Youth Award and the North American Zoroastrian Outstanding Youth Award.

Duane Morris LLP 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3400 Chicago, IL 60606-5098 Phone: 312.499.6758 Fax: 312.499.6701 Email: NMBilimoria@duanemorris.com

Control and Staff Partner of the London office.

Rustam’s clients include the Tata Group, Mahindra & Mahindra Group, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank and Alpha C&C Group and Indian law firms. He was until last year the only Indian partner at the firm.

Rustam was President of the World Zoroastrian Organization for a period of 5 years stepping down in September 2006, having been on the committee for a period of 15 years.

Rustam married Lorraine in 1983 and they have two delightful daughters, Yasmin and Natasha. One of Rustam’s hobbies is cooking, especially chocolate desserts!

Rustom S.Dubash

Rustam S Dubash Penningtons Solicitors LLP Head India Unit, Bucklersbury House, 83 Cannon Street, London EC4N 8PE Tel: 020 7457 3000 Fax: 020 7457 3240 Direct line: 020 7457 3116/3176

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Soli Sorabjee was born in 1930 in Bombay, and after an education at Government Law College, Bombay, was admitted to the bar in 1953. At college, he was awarded the Kinloch Forbes Gold Medal in Roman Law and Jurisprudence (1952).

Soli Jehangir Sorbjee

Zia Modi

In 1971, Sorabjee began representing the government as Senior Advocate to the Supreme Court of India. He served Solicitor-General of India from 1977 to 1980. He was appointed Attorney-General of India on 7 April 1998, and held that post till 2004.

Soli Sorabjee holds several offices in organizations of national and international repute. In India, he is Chairman of Transparency International and Convenor of the Minority Rights Group. On the international circuit, he is Special Rapporteur to the United Nations Human Rights Commission since 1997 and has been a member of the United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities since 1998. Sorabjee is also President of the United Lawyer’s Association, Vice-President of the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association, Vice-President of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, Executive Committee member of the International Association of Constitutional Lawyers and member of the Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament Law of the International Law Association. Sorabjee served as member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague from 2000 to 2006.

In March 2002, Soli Sorabjee was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his defence of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.

Sorabjee was a close friend and colleague of Nanabhoy (“Nani”) Palkhivala.

Soli’s daughter Zia Mody is also a lawyer of great repute and amongst the top corporate counsels in India.

When Zia Mody LL.M. ‘79 started her own law practice in India in the mid-1980s, clients had a hard time believing she would be as good as a male attorney.

Today, she is a top corporate attorney and one of India’s 25 most powerful women.

Her firm, now known as AZB & Partners, is an international powerhouse that is at the table for most of the multimillion-dollar deals in the country.

The opening of India’s global marketplace in the 1990s transformed Mody’s firm, and 80 percent of her clientele comprises of multinational corporations. Her firm has merged twice, something previously unheard of in India and today it is the country’s second-largest law firm with offices in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai (known as Bombay until the official name change in 1995).

Born in Bombay, she studied law at Cambridge University in England and Harvard. She describes her LL.M. year at HLS as the best of her life. After working for Baker & McKenzie in New York City, she returned to India. Building an institution and raising a family was stressful, and she says she was never able to strike a balance between the two but as had worked so hard to get to a certain level she didn’t want to drop the space that she was occupying.

One of her daughters is now following in her footsteps, setting her sights on law school.

Zia believes it is getting easier for women to succeed in India’s legal profession.

Zubin Zarolia practices in the area of civil litigation.

He has extensive experience in personal injury and insurance litigation including arbitrations and mediations and remains focused on acting for the south asian community in the Greater Toronto Area.

He has appeared on behalf of his clients at many levels of Court and tribunals including the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Divisional Court and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

He attended Osgoode law School and was called to the Bar in 2002. He is a member of several legal associations including the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Canadian Bar Association.

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Profiles of eminent Lawyers

Maneck A Gagrat

Maneck Gagrat started his practice as an advocate in the High Court and also attended Civil Courts and Criminal Courts in and outside the state of Maharashtra. He commenced his practice in Industrial Law. When his practice grew he concentrated his practice in the Industrial Court and Supreme Court. Maneck Gagrat had the opportunity of being junior to several prominent and eminent counsels in his early days. From the late Motilal Setalwad, the late Chief Justice of Maharashtra M.C. Chagla, to others including the retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court – Praful Bhagwati. Today he is one of the oldest seniors left practising in these courts.

Maneck A Gagrat is a doyen in the legal fraternity with a practice spanning over 60 years! From humble beginnings studying below street lamps Maneck Gagrat finished his schooling from Bharda New High School, Mumbai and his graduation from Wilson College. He passed his advocates examination in the 1947 and after obtaining his Sanad started his practice on 20th November,1947. At the same time he kept a term for his Article Clerkship with the solicitors firm of M/S Gagrat & Co. and was also a junior attached to late Mr. Carl Khandalawala, the famous criminal lawyer.

Maneck Gagrat was invited by the University of Bombay to lecture to the students of the LLM classes for a period of 4 years.

He was the advisor to the Engineering Association of India for several years and various other employers’ associations. He was also on the sub-committee for Labour of the Chamber of Commerce.

Naushad Engineer is currently a practising advocate in the Bombay High Court and Delhi Supreme Court.

In 2005, he started independent Counseling and is currently practicing predominantly in the High Court at Bombay, Supreme Court of India , City Civil Court, Debt Recovery Tribunal, and Company Law Board amongst other Commissions.

Born in Mumbai on March 20th, 1976 – Naushad Engineer undertook his primary schooling in Jakarta, Indonesia as his father was then employed with Godrej, Indonesia.

After 12 years in the South East Asia, he returned to Mumbai to complete his ICSE from Bombay International School and his Bachelor of Commerce from Mumbai University in 1996. With law in his blood, he joined Government Law College and completed his LLB in 1999. He worked in the Law Firm of M/s. Desai & Diwanji and gained experience in the fields of Litigation, as well as Conveyancing and Corporate Law. In the year 2000 he ventured out and joined the chambers of Senior Counsel Mr. Jamshed P. Cama. He assisted Mr. Cama in numerous matters mostly pertaining to Labour and Industrial cases and an various Constitutional matters and other commercial cases.

Maneck Gagrat is a member of several Law Associations in the state of Maharashtra and also of the Supreme Court Advocates Bar Association. He is a member of the International Lawyers’ Association and

His core areas of practice include Corporate Law matters, Public Interest Litigations, Suits for specific Performance, Arbitration Applications and Petitions, and limited matters under the Criminal Procedure Code which relate to economic offences, and Applications under the Special Courts Act. He regularly handles legal matters for large MNC clients and Indian Corporate houses.

Naushad is invited regularly as the judge at the annual D.M. Harish International Moot Court Competition as well as various Debating Competitions. He is also a speaker at various forums such as the Indian Merchant Chambers on various legal issues. He is an honorary member of, of the Petit Library besides working for various charity organisations.

executive committee member of several clubs in Mumbai. He is one of the founder members of the Labour Law Practiitioners Association from its inception and served on its committee for years. He was also the President for a period of 2 years.

Amongst other social activities Maneck Gagrat has been on the executive committee of Management of the BD Petit Parsee General Hospital since 1962 and continues to serve the said hospital even today. He has taken interest in the cause for the Blind. His wife Freny was Hon. Secretary for over three decades of The M.P. Shah Talking Book Studios of the National Association for the Blind which is the only one of its kind in Asia.

Maneck Gagrat comes today looking back on life – says he has seen the worst of time and the best of time, but wisdomfully concludes - Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first and the lesson afterwards !”

His Grandson Naushad has taken up law and is practicing in the High Court and Supreme Court and desires to continue the tradition of legal practice.

Naushad Engineer

At a personal level, Naushad is a self confessed sports enthusiast and enjoys his weekends playing Badminton, Cricket, or Swimming and in the evening unwinding himself in the swimming. Despite his hectic schedule he makes time for his family & friends.

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Profiles of eminent Lawyers

A Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medalist in his student days, Nadir Modi started his career with M/s. Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe, Solicitors, and later on became a Partner of M/s. Little & Co., then Solicitors to the Government of Bombay.

Nadir Modi (qualified as a Solicitor) practices as a Counsel in all Courts with an emphasis on commercial and family law disputes.

He was the lead lawyer in the Bombay decision which upheld the validity of the exclusive Parsi Residence covenant for the benefit of the Dadar Parsi Colony. He has been the founder chaiman of the Young Collegians Zoroastrian Association which has a membership of 9000 and has for the 50 years be in active in providing a common forum for Zoroastrian youth. He has formed a charity trust which has being providing text books to needy collage students and providing them financial support.

Nadir Ardeshir Modi

He is a Trustee of the Wadiaji Atash Behram and the Boyce Agiary, Chairman of the Athornan Mandal and of the YCZA Educational & Charitable Fund and the F.H.B. Sethna Charities and several other Trusts.

Nadir Modi is always happy to give his professional services without charging any personal fees for any genuine Zoroastrian charitable trust work which engages his sympathies. For such work he can be contacted – through a letter – at “Nadir Modi, Modi Lodge, 13 Vachha Gandhi Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai 400 007, India” or his staff can be contacted on Tel. +91-22-2265-3075 or 2265-4697 or at namodi@vsnl.net

Jimmy Ferdoon Pochkhanawalla is a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India.

He studied at St. Xavier’s High School in Mumbai, after which he did his B.A. with English Honours at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University. He read Law at the Government Law College, Mumbai University and passed his LL.B. in 1973.

During his student days at Government Law College he was an Articled Clerk with the law firm of Mulla & Mulla and Craigie Blunt and Caroe.

In 1974 Jimmy was selected as a Rotary Foundation Scholar and used this prestigious, international award to study for his Masters in Law (LL.M.) at Columbia University in New York, U.S.A. On his return to India, Jimmy joined as Associate with the law firm of Crawford Bayley & Co. He always had his sights on litigation practice in Court and accordingly, joined the Bombay Bar in 1982 and commenced his practice on the Original Side of the Bombay High Court.

He was soon appointed as Panel Counsel for the Union of India in the Bombay High Court and got the opportunity to contest many important cases involving Revenue, pitted against some of the leading Senior Advocates of the Bombay High Court.

Within only nine years of commencing practice at the Bar, in 1991 Jimmy had the proud privilege to be designated Senior Advocate by the Hon’ble Bombay High

Court. This is a privilege identical to the British Barrister being designated as Queen’s Counsel.

Jimmy has acted as Honorary tutor in the English Department at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai while still studying for his B.A. He has also acted as Honorary professor of law and taught the Mumbai University LL.M. degree course for several years.

He enjoys a large practice in the field of Indirect Taxation which includes Central Excises, Service Tax and Customs laws.

This specialization has enabled him to represent clients in almost every High Court in the country and several times before the Supreme Court of India.

As Senior Counsel he enjoys the confidence of large companies who are his clients and is regularly briefed by solicitors’ firms in civil writs and matters involving administrative law, consumer protection laws and civil and corporate laws, as well as arbitration.

He is Legal Advisor to several corporate bodies as well as Associations and acts as external Director on the Boards of Public Limited Companies and Trusts.

He has been continuously elected as member of the Managing Committee of the Bombay Bar Association since 1984.

Over the years he has acted as Honorary Secretary of the Bombay Bar Association and as a Member of the Managing Committees of the Indian Merchants Chamber, the Ripon Club, Mumbai and The Club, Mahableshwar.

Jimmy F. Pochkhanawalla He finds time to serve society in his capacity as a member of the Rotary Club of Bombay where he has the privilege of being thrice appointed as Director on the Board.

He enjoys the company of a large circle of friends and is a member of several prestigious clubs in India.

Western classical music is his passion and for decades Jimmy has been the western classical music critic of the Indian Express group of newspapers.

Jimmy makes it a point to spend time with his loving family which consists of his wife Navaz, his daughters, Shireen who is about to sit for her Solicitors examination, Shenaya who is pursuing a career in Industrial Psychology and Freyan who has just finished school.

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The City of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs has a population of some 1,200 Zoroastrians. Most of them are highly qualified, well settled and doing extremely well. There are several Doctors and Specialists, Accountants, Entrepreneurs, Engineers and Architects, I T Specialists and Actuaries, but sadly at a time when the entire world has become so legalistic, there are only two lawyers – Daraius Shroff and Mahrukh Batliwalla.

Daraius Shroff is an amiable, kind hearted person with a wry sense of humour. He is a voracious reader and has a great command of the English language – sadly, I can’t say the same about the command of his mother tongue Gujarati. He tries hard to master the language, but jumbles his vocabulary with hilarious consequences and embarrassment.

He is passionately fond of his daily newspapers

which he refuses to discard before he has read and digested them from cover to cover. The pile is now so large that there is a room in his house especially reserved to store newspapers much to the chagrin of his dear wife Zeena.

Daraius’ father worked with the Indian High Commission in the Shipping Ministry and was posted to Sydney in 1956. Daraius was only 9 years old. Perhaps the Shroff family was one of the first Zoroastrian settlers in Sydney - the rush for migration started in the early sixties.

Eight years later when his parents were posted back to India, Daraius was left in the care of a headmistress who was his landlady whilst he completed his secondary education at the prestigious Sydney Grammar school and later a University degree in Arts at Sydney University.

He worked as a teacher for several years before venturing to the U.K. to commence an external Law Degree through London University.

After completing an Honours degree he was admitted as a Barrister at Law at Lincolns Inn, London. For a short period he taught law at adult education colleges in London.

Daraius returned to Australia in 1980 and started working as a solicitor at the Corporate Affairs Commission prosecuting corporate

The Batliwalla family is unusual in as much as three of its four members are actuaries.

You ask actuaries the simplest question and they instinctively go into mathematical approximations – Mahrukh is more practical –“well someone in the family has to do simple arithmetic!”.

Mahrukh Batliwalla graduated in English literature and French from St. Xaviers College in Bombay –and was then awarded a Fellowship in the Department of English. She was admitted as a Barrister in the State of Maharashtra, but worked in industry instead. In Australia she believed it was more prudent to spend time with her children in their formative years and keep her career on hold - a decision which has paid high dividends.

She was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of NSW in 1983. At the ceremony marking her admission as a Solicitor, she obtained the consent of the Chief Justice to take her Oath on the Zend Avesta instead of the Bible and to wear a sari (with great pride!).

Daraius Shroff moved her admission before the Court.

Mahrukh then pursued voluntary work at a free Legal Centre, spent four years in General Practice, and five years working in the personal injury area defending fraud claims at the Government Insurance Office. She was also

Senior Solicitor with the State Rail Authority on a casual basis. Mahrukh ultimately started her own practice and also now does entrepreneurial work facilitating international trade.

For two years Mahrukh was Director of the Multicultural Radio 2000, the first multicultural radio station in Sydney which had 30 to 40 communities, and she also produced and broadcast several programmes.

Mahrukh has been Vice President of the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (2003), Member of the Attorney General’s Task Force for implementing equal opportunity for women, member of Law Society of New South Wales Human Rights Committee and Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, as well as member of the Trusteeship and Reporting Standards Committees of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (the peak national body). At present she is Member of the Regional City of Sydney Law Society Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW (ECC), which is a key player in making submissions to Governments on legislation.

Over the years, Mahrukh has given her support by way of professional interpretation to the Australian Zoroastrian Association on Legal matters as also general support especially in the years when husband Minoo was Chairman of

Daraius Shroff

crime. In 1987 he transferred to the New South Wales Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) where he practised as a prosecution solicitor and advocate till his retirement in 2005. During this tenure he was a lecturer for one semester at the College of Law. Daraius has also been contributing to legal publications and contributes on a regular basis to Butterworths Direct Link under the template of “The Shroff Column”, on issues of criminal law.

Daraius has been giving free services to the Australian Zoroastrian Association. He was instrumental in assisting the Zoroastrian Association in the process of incorporating the Association both at the initial stage and subsequently when the Association was reconstituted under the New South Wales Associations Incorporations Act. Further Daraius has always been available to the Zoroastrian Community, lending his moral support and affording free legal advice whenever required.

Though Daraius is now retired, he is a pillar of strength for our Zoroastrian community and always finds time to help its members when ever needed.

Mahrukh Batliwalla the Building Fund Committee. She was also delegate for AZA on the Ethnic Communities Council of New South Wales. She has always tried to help AZA members who approach her with personal legal problems and finds herself always rewarded with a large measure of goodwill and friendship on their part.

Mahrukh counts herself more than fortunate that all the men in her life - from grandfather to husband to son have been encouraging and supportive of equal rights for women.

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Chapter News

Announcement by WZCC - Iran It has been decided by the Working Committee of WZCC Iran region, to hold the 1st World Zarathushti Trade, Industrial & Cultural Fair in Tehran somewhere in Mid September, 2007 for a period of 7 days. The fair is in the planning stage. To make this fair a popular event and in order to attract world wide participation, Zarathushti M.P., Mobed Kourosh Niknam is doing his best to see that no rental is charged for the stalls to be allotted to the participants of the fair.

All intending participants are requested to directly email to Khodayar Attaie at the email address: irantradefair@gmail.com with their business activities information as well as their space requirement.

An early reply from all prospective participants will be highly appreciated as a lot of work has to be done well in advance.

With all good wishes.

Khodayar Attaie Chapter Chair, Iran Region

NEWS FROM UK CHAPTER On 13th March 2007, a packed audience of 63 members and non-members of the WZCC in the UK got answers to one of their most important career-related questions ... “How do I climb up the corporate ladder?”

The evening began in a Central London venue with some light refreshments, both courtesy of the hosts, LloydsTSB, a leading British bank. Shernaz Engineer, Chair of WZCC-UK Chapter, kicked off the forum by introducing the Chairman, Kris Wadia, Executive Partner, Accenture, and the panel he had assembled specifically for the event. The presentation component of the session, was designed to cover career progression in large and small corporations, as well as the opportunities afforded by internal transfers.

Kris began by explaining that if an individual did not possess indestructible self-confidence and a hunger for success, they were unlikely to make it to the top in a global corporation. His tips included the need to continually find a ‘Godfather’, whose position of power within the firm could be leveraged to support an individual’s progress, especially for the very limited number of roles at the top of any firm. He concluded that an individual had to demonstrate measurable success, failing which, even the best presentation skills would be inadequate to support career progress.

Gordon Anderson, Senior Vice President, Servista, then took up the theme from the perspective of a smaller corporation. He focused most of his thoughts on the role flexibility afforded by small and medium sized businesses. By using this feature to their advantage, individuals could make themselves more attractive to their employer and negotiate better terms and conditions for themselves.

Mark Swyny of Lloyds TSB, preferred to focus on progression via internal transfers rather than seeking roles beyond an individual’s current employer. Using his career history to complement his messages, he emphatically demonstrated that, sometimes, the key to success was a lot closer to home than an individual might realise.

Roger Leek, Group HR Director, Fujitsu UK, rounded off the speaking component with a holistic view on what HR and Recruitment professionals look for when helping candidates up the food chain. His view was that, in addition to the obvious requirements of content and competence, he looked for the right chemistry when considering potential applicants for senior level positions. His concluding advice was that if an individual was leaving their current employer, they should do in a professional manner, which would facilitate their return, if that was to remain an option.

An extensive Q&A session was chaired by Kriss Wadia. The quality of the questions reflected the real-life nature of the event and ranged from "how do I work with an incompetent boss?" through to "how can I switch to another role in which I have an interest, but for which I am currently not qualified?" Best of all, attendees received differing - but equally practical - perspectives from each of the panellists and Kris.

Post-session feedback was unanimously favourable and demonstrated that the Corporate Career Clinic was a valuefor-money, WZCC UK event that was deemed to be a success by all who attended.

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Chapter News

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla CAPTIVATES WITH CHARM AND WIT

Padma Shree Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla (4th from Left) with members of WZCC, Dubai

P

adma Shree Dr.Cyrus Poonawalla, owner of multi crore company, Serum Insititute of India and Chairman of Royal Western Turf Club (RWITC) was in Dubai recently, to represent India in the Asian Racing Federation. He was the guest of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. Despite his hectic schedule he found time to visit the India Club and spend a few hours at luncheon with the gathering including businessmen and professionals of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, Dubai.

to be the largest indigenous manufacturer of vaccines in India and the largest producer of Measles and DPT vaccines in the world, exporting to 140 countries globally as of 2005.

An interesting Q&A session took place.

Following are the responses: • Among all your passions which is the closest to your heart?

“My first love and family passion has been racehorses. Over the years, the Poonawalla Stud Farms have broken records, rewritten history, continued to sponsor the richest juvenile races in India, won races all over the world and raised the standard of Indian thoroughbred”.

During his speech, he touched upon his family business and passion for raising racehorses at his 500 acre stud farm in Pune, India. His stud farm produces some of India’s best race horses, which have won more than 250 classics.

• Out of all the roles you play in your business and life, which is the real Cyrus Poonawalla ?

He also talked about his business and the work as the Chairman of Serum Institute of India (SEI) which he founded with a small capital of Rs. 5 laks and built it up

“I am tough in public when I take decisions in racing and as an administrator for rooting out corruption. I decide without fear or

favor, but I think I am a bit brash also sometimes. I am told my philanthropic nature that drives Serum Institute and the company by coincidence suits my nature. I price my products the lowest not only in India but also in the world. All vaccines are cheaply priced.

So therefore without advertisement the company has grown on the merit of the products, their quality and the affordable prices. The goodwill of the people came with that”.

• When you were young, what did you hope to be?

“I had a burning desire to be successful and that engine has to be there in any person who wants to achieve. You can’t go through life believing that God gives and God takes away. You have to perform and go and get what you want through your hard work but you don’t have to be ruthless in your pursuit”.

• What is your personal philosophy that has driven you till here?

“I have always believed that any transaction should have equity. I have been telling that to my son Adar also that if you are able to be tough and drive a hard bargain and the deal is in your favor, it will not last. I can’t drive a tough bargain. Though I can be firm in my views, I am soft on negotiation.

I feel that has brought me a lot of goodwill and in the long run I have not lost out financially also”.

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Congress Venue: Enchanting city of Dubai Date: 28th – 31st December 2009 Attend the Congress and leave your foot prints in the sands of time

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Attention Musicians

Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra nce a rm ities o f Per or tun p Op

T P

he World Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra invites you to be a member of the WZSO that will perform at the North American Zoroastrian Congress in Toronto on July 1, 2007 as well as for the World Zoroastrian Congress to be held in Dubai in December 2009.

rofessionals as well as amateur musicians of all ages who have attained a sufficient level of proficiency to perform in a symphonic setting are invited to apply. The repertoire will be chosen by our music director and the music will be sent in advance. All participants are expected to have become proficient with the repertoire prior to the conference.

We invite those who performed in our previous concerts, and other musicians, to participate in the orchestra as well as perform as soloists. Composers who wish to have their works showcased are also invited to apply. Please e-mail your request to cpas@chicago-philharmonia.org If you have already participated as a member of the WZSO in Houston or Chicago, sent an application previously, or spoken to one of us about your interest, there is no need to complete another application but please do confirm your intent. ZSO performances in Houston and Chicago were largely considered as one of the major highlights by congress attendees, and we hope to continue to enlarge as well as enhance the standards of the Orchestra.

Farobag Homi Cooper, Music Director

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Name: Address: Phone / E-mail: (

)

/

Instrument(s): Please answer the following on your personal performance history • How many years have you been playing your instrument?

• List at least three major works in your repertoire?

• Have you played in orchestras or other ensemble settings?

• Are you currently performing with an ensemble?

• How often do you currently practice?

• What is your sight-reading ability?

• Any additional information you would like to offer?

Please forward your application to Farobag Homi Cooper at cpas@chicago-philharmonica.org Contact Tel. Number: +708 3013010

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Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra

The Farobag Homi Cooper

WZSO wishes to enhance upon the successful interplay of Zoroastrian musicians and professionals, which was initiated at the 2000 World Congress with members of the Houston Symphony, by increasing the number of participating Zoroastrians as well as expanding the professional base so that each Zoroastrian could sit side-by-side with a professional.

Contrary to popular conjecture, the WZSO is not intended to be a showcase exclusively for Zoroastrian musicians, either amateurs or professionals. The orchestral setting continues to offer a unique pedagogical and motivational setting for our Zoroastrian musicians irrespective of their degree of proficiency. Hence, the funding for professional musicians is paramount to the mission of the WZSO. The WZSO continues its efforts to enhance the cultural atmosphere at congresses by performing at the 2007 North American Congress in Toronto and the 2009 World Congress to be held in Dubai. We are delighted that FEZANA has assisted us in word and deed by voicing a mandate and by partially underwriting our venture in Toronto.

FEZANA has established the WZSO Fund to further help assist with the Orchestra’s performances at the North American and World Congresses. All donations are 100% taxdeductible and high visibility is assured for corporate sponsorships.

Please send your donation check payable to FEZANA marked “WZSO Fund.” Contact Farobag Homi Cooper for further details at cpas@chicago-philharmonia.org

Administrative Office: 14630 S. Abbott Rd West Homer Glen, IL 60491 USA

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When Jack Welch brought Six Sigma to General Electric (GE) in 1995, he proudly said he would build on the successful experiences of other organizations such as Motorola and Allied Signal.

Since then, several companies have introduced or improved Six Sigma by adapting best practices from GE and elsewhere. In the same vein, those who today want to make Six Sigma happen can learn from the accumulated experiences of their predecessors.

I have been in quality for around 5 years and during my journey, I have experienced various quality tools and concepts like Kaizen, TQM, Business Process Re-engineering that focus on improving quality and business results. But the best breakthrough strategy I have ever come across is Six Sigma. It focuses on achieving optimum throughput at minimum cost.

A key difference between Six Sigma and other approaches is the integration of a highly disciplined process (such as DMAIC for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) which is very quantitative and data oriented. This is a winning combination—as evidenced by the results of the companies that have used it.

In the past, quality programs adopted by organizations focused on meeting customer’s needs without due consideration of visible and invisible costs.

Thus, many organizations managed to produce high quality goods, but at a comparatively high cost. However, today in the fiercely competitive market, the organizations have no choice but to offer the best quality products and services at the minimum cost - which is the purpose and objective of Six Sigma.

One helpful thing which Six Sigma does is it breaks down processes into manageable pieces enabling improvement in each piece improving the overall performance. After mapping the process, Six Sigma forces a look at the internal workings of the department, sometimes flying in the face of decisions that experienced managers would have made otherwise. It’s not that Six Sigma doesn’t value experience! It’s that the data speaks for itself!

Let me give you a quick example, in one of my previous BPO assignments a company was in a crisis situation having major problems in managing the call volumes during the night hours (IST), resulting in high call abandon rates. As a result, the company was paying excessive overtime to the employees during night shifts to meet customer requirements.

One of the suggestions that came from the Middle Management was to increase manpower as incurring overtime cost was almost the same as recruitment cost.

Do you think, this was the right approach adopted by the Middle Management?

“Not quite correct!”

The right solution emerged when the quality team came to their rescue and applied Six Sigma quality tools. The team collected the past three months’ data and did a root cause analysis. Improper staffing was the vital cause leading to increased call abandon rates. To rectify this problem, the strategy implemented was to develop a forecasting model based on which staffing would be structured. Today month on month staffing is done based on the new model resulting in lower call abandon rates and with the same number of staff and considerable saving in overtime and recruitment cost.

Let me share another example of a Software company which decided to approach their problem using Six Sigma methodology i.e.

DMAIC approach.

The project was on frequent changes made by the client after outsourcing the job to the software company.

ANALYZE: At this stage, data was further analyzed to identify the root cause of the problem.

The finding was that there was no clear authority on the part of the client’s team to establish the scope, several members from the client team made changes, verbal communication was not very clear on changes required, conflicting messages were received on changes and language issues prevailed between client and software engineers.

IMPROVE: At this stage the software company decided to have regular meetings with the client on topics including: scope of each section and desired objective, known limitations to be defined, clarifying unclear requirements etc. Change requests were documented in writing and signed by client’s representative.

As a result of this, the project moved speedily and was delivered on time to the client.

CONTROL: At this stage, the software company ensured that all improvements carried out by them were sustained and standardized across all the services.

Best practice sharing was done with other disciplines on the project.

Hope this short article interests you. If you have any queries, please feel free to send the same to my email address farookh.cooper@gmail.com

Farookh Cooper Six Sigma – Black Belt & Masters in Management Science – Systems

Let me quickly walk you through the various phases of the DMAIC approach implemented for finding a solution.

DEFINE: At this stage, the company defined the problem which pointed mainly towards the large number of design changes made by the client after giving approval to the final design.

This led to major delays in project execution.

MEASURE: At this stage, data was collected on number of changes advised by the client and the time taken in executing the changes.

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Musicians with bright future M

ehernaz Pardiwalla started her music studies at the age of six years whilst living in Dubai. As a young pianist she won many prizes for her performances one of her best accomplishments was at the Young Musician of the Gulf competition in 1998 where she was awarded the Chopin Award for the Best Pianist in the Gulf. She went on to continue her piano studies in Manchester at the Royal Northern College of Music under the guidance of Helen Krizos. There she flourished both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Her ensembles were constantly in demand and they were asked to perform in various chamber festivals the college promoted during her four years there. Her most memorable performance was at the Schubertfest in January 2002.

At her time at the college she had the privilege of having master classes from Martin Roscoe, Kathryn Stott, and Dr. Christopher Rowlands.

Jamshed Turel

J

amshed Turel was born in Mumbai but grew up in Dubai, where he began violin lessons at the age of six.

He continued his musical studies at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, England. He then proceeded to Indiana University to join the studio of renowned violin professor Mauricio Fuks, where he gained a Bachelor and Master of Music in violin performance and music theory.

At college apart from being a good musician herself, Mehernaz had the passion to learn how to teach young children music using a variety of methods and was privileged to be asked to join in the Dalcroze and Kodaly courses which were only available for postgraduate students. She enjoyed putting these methods to use by teaching some students in her spare time. She was also asked many times to help out with the younger musicians at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music.

Jamshed is currently pursuing a Ph.D in music theory at McGill University. He has been involved in numerous technological and pedagogical projects, including the software design of an online music tutorial for Indiana University called ‘Music Fundamentals Online’. He has done editorial work for music journals and in recent times has collaborated with many composers on various film projects. In 2006, McGill University presented Jamshed an award for ‘Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship’.

Jamshed is an active orchestral musician and has also performed as a soloist and chamber musician with some of the finest orchestras in Europe, North America, the Middle East and India. He has been invited to guest lead orchestras in New York, Chicago and London. He led the orchestra at the World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston in 2000 and again at the North American Zoroastrian Congress in Chicago in 2002.

Mehernaz Pardiwalla After completing her Bachelors degree with Honours in music Mehernaz moved to Auckland where she continues to perform with various young musicians. She is also part of the International Registered Music Teachers association in New Zealand and is well regarded as a teacher with a large teaching practice of her own. She is currently the Head teacher in Auckland for an exclusive children’s music program from Australia called the “Forte School of Music.”

She is also employed by Diocesan School for Girls to teach

piano and to direct one of the youngest but largest school choirs in Auckland – Allegro Voce.

Mehnaz loves to travel and her vast teaching experience has allowed her to give lectures on how to teach young childern music effectively. Her most recent lecture was conducted at a Royal Northern collage of Music were she was honored to advise the young aspiring musicians. This year as well, she will be undertaking more graduate papers in education.

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Inspiring Story

An inspiring story on Kekobad Dosabhoy Doongriwalla This abstract is written to highlight how a Parsi youth quit his plush job in a multinational bank to pursue his family business and how well past retiring age earned a Ph.D. May this story inspire our youths. - Marzban J. Giara Kekobad Dosabhoy Doongriwalla has been awarded a Ph. D. Doctor of Philosophy – Arts in History by University of Mumbai in November 2006. He did his doctorate under the guidance of Dr. Varsha S. Shirgaonkar, Head, Department of History, Ramnarain Ruia College. The title of his thesis was “History of Salt Works in Bombay and Salsette1750-1950” (Salsette includes Penn, Panvel, Uran, Trombay, Chembur, Thane district and Bassein.)

for dokhmas from Bombay to Surat were also sourced.

Kekobad was born at Bombay on 23rd December 1942.

He attended Bishop School at Pune, did his B. A. Honours from Khalsa College in 1964, LL. B. from Govt. Law College in 1966. He did his articles from M/s Crawford & Bailey and passed the Solicitors exam conducted by Incorporated Law Society at the first attempt standing first in 1972. He worked as a solicitor in Grindlays Bank. After his father’s demise he quit his job at the Bank in 1976 to look after his family’s business of salt manufacture at Doongri village in Thane District. His wife and daughter encouraged him to pursue his studies.

When asked what motivated him to do Ph.D. at age past sixty, he replied: “In the whole of India salt works are owned by the State and Central governments, except in Mumbai and Salsette where a large number of salt works are privately owned. The Government of India and Government of Maharashtra were trying to take away the salt works and lands from the owners who could not produce original records of land grants that had been granted over 200 years ago. In order to save the lands of Agri and Shilotri families who otherwise would have lost their livelihood and lands without compensation, his research enabled him to save their lands and livelihood.

His hobbies are travelling on motorcycle, philately, numismatics, photography. He excelled in chess, billiards and snooker. He is a trustee of Thana Zoroastrian Charity Fund as also President and trustee of Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana.

He is optimistic about the future of the Parsee community.

“We are a very resilient community and will continue to flourish” says he confidently. “Our youths should enter into business/enterprise, not pursue jobs” is his message to our community.

During the course of his research spanning seven years he spent five hours a day, thrice a week at the Department of Archives, Government of Maharashtra obtaining numerous extracts from the records. Origins of lands granted to Parsis

Research in Integrated Training and Education at the prestigious World Trade Centre and was attended by many prominent Rotarian businessmen and guests as the topic was of interest to all.

Roda Bhikhaji Billimoria

Roda Bhikhaji Billimoria, Honorary Managing & Founder Trustee of Sir Shapurji Billimoria Foundation, was recently in Dubai.

During her brief visit she was invited by the Rotarians of Dubai to make a presentation on the RITE CENTRE promoted by Sir Shapurji Billimoria Foundation in Mumbai. The Meeting was held at the Passport Club, located

In her lucid style, Roda spoke on the activities that are carried out by the Rite Centre, which addresses the needs of children of differing capacities and how various courses are designed at the Centre to enable the teachers to enhance the optimal development of these children. She said that the guiding principle rests on the belief that “a child is first and foremost a child and the ability, disability or giftedness is secondary”.

give all children access to the best that education can offer through the establishment of the Sir Shapurji Bilimoria Foundation. The Foundation is currently planning to establish a comprehensive Institute of Integrated Education with a Teacher Education Centre, a Demonstration School, a Research cum Documentation and a Resource cum Pedagogy center. It is no exaggeration to say that Roda’s contribution is remarkable and we applaud her efforts.

Roda, a Ph.D in TISS, Social Sciences, with vast experience in Integrated Education, has put her vision, along with like minded educationists, to

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WORLD ZARATHUSHTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • Are you in school or a recent graduate and want to know what business opportunities await you?

• Working for someone else but always thinking of starting your own business?

• Want to know more about being the ultimate entrepreneur and taking your business to the next level?

• Want to learn how to leverage your greatest talents?

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, start feeling the IMPACT! by joining the WZCC in Toronto, Canada on June 29, 2007 for a day of learning, connecting and fun.

The morning program will be an interactive and entertaining business simulation game that will help you explore your entrepreneurial potential. Facilitated by Big Fish Interactive, one of Canada’s leading trainers in innovation, management and entrepreneurial development, you will be organized in teams of 8 and given a start-up business where you will compete with other teams as you develop business plans, marketing strategies, make production decisions, negotiate contracts and win market share in a fast moving environment.

The afternoon session will begin with a perspective on the global WZCC initiatives currently making an IMPACT around the world, hosted by Minoo Shroff and Bomy Boyce.

Following our esteemed speakers will be Professor Steven A. Gedeon, PhD (M.I.T), MBA (University of Toronto), P Eng, who has founded, turned around and/or led over a dozen private, public, venture capital and non-profit organizations and has written over 100 publications and patents.

Make an investment in yourself by registering today.

Download the registration form at http://www.zoro-impact.com/Registeration.pdf

Log on to wzcc.net and visit the Resources Section which offers a variety of resources useful for small and large businesses.

It consists of two parts: 1) Links to Other External Websites 2) Links to News Items Links to Other External Websites: This includes links to external websites in the following areas of business interests: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Banking Consulates Consumers Corporate Governance Human Resources Insurance Labour Laws Legal News NGO's Real Estate Small Scale Industries Search Engines Telephone Directories Trade Fairs Travel World Trade Organisation Zoroastrian Resources

Members can get a wealth of links relating to each of the topics when they visit the external sites provided online.

Since this is an area which is continuously being upgraded and updated, members' suggestions are solicited to make this area better and more useful.

Links to News Items : Various news items of business and entrepreneurial interest are posted in this section. If you come across a success story, or would like to share some news item with the other members, not necessarily related to the Chamber, but of common

So, what’s all this cost?

$69 for Students with valid I.D. $99 for IMPACT registrants $129 for non-IMPACT registrants.

business / professional interest, please do send in your requests to yazdi@on-lyne.com. Some of the interesting links to stories are from Harvard Business Review, Social Entrepreneurship, Factoring Options for SMEs, India- China Bilateral Trade links, etc.

(All prices include lunch and refreshment breaks) Those interested in sponsoring either the BIGFISH or STEVEN GEDEON events are encouraged to contact Sam Meer at 416-366-0366 ext 222 or smeer@devencoregva.com

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All in all, the Resources Section is a MUST read for all those interested in news of Topical Business Interest. Suggestions for improving the section and making it richer and more useful to our members are always welcome.

5/9/07 12:14:35 PM

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