If you have a dream, achieve it by starting slowly, being patient and not fearing failure. This was the message conveyed to youth at the recently held Oman Youth to Business Forum at the College of Banking and Financial Studies, Bausher.
More than 100 students and 50 corporate houses and non-profit organisations participated in the event, organised by the Oman chapter of Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales (AIESEC). The event was aimed at discussing job skills with students and fresh graduates and motivating them. Muscat Daily was the media sponsor of the event.
On the importance of the event, Anjali Thakrar, president of AIESEC Oman, said, "Over the last few years, employment has been a major issue among the youth. It has been observed that the MENA region has a high rate of unemployment.
"The youth love to work, volunteer and can be trusted with responsibilities. The role of the private sector is important in not only providing jobs to skilled youth, but also in training them and offering internships so that their skills improve."
During the morning session, Nick Smith, former CEO of The Wave, Muscat, and Mohana Prabhakar, CEO of Apex Press and Publishing, spoke about challenges at the workplace, basic principles of business and qualities of an efficient employer and employee.
"For business success, get good people and try to lavish as much praise as possible on your employees. Be generous, modest and trust people equally," Smith said.
Smith also unveiled the blueprint for a business 'incubator' for young people. Under the initiative, financial experts will guide young entrepreneurs on business proposals. "We are yet to find a site for the dream project. Talks are on with government officials, and we will soon start with the project," he said.
Speaking about work ethics, Mohana said, "It doesn't matter what degree, position, experience a person has, all that matters is his work. I always hire people who are smarter than me because it benefits the company."
She added that an employee should be loyal to the company and must always think what services he or she can provide that will benefit the company. If the company benefits, it will also take care of the employee's needs.
Next, a panel consisting of Hussain al Bulushi, business resource manager (head of HR and administration) at OMRAN, Marc Mazairac, counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Oman, Amal al Khusaibi, remuneration analyst in HR, PDO, and Ravneet Chowdhury, CEO, Standard Chartered, held an interactive session with the students.
The discussion, moderated by Abeer al Jasim, general manager of Knowledge Horizon Oman, stressed on the importance of basic skills like English language, computer operation and speaking. Citing the examples of Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson and Walt Disney, the panelists told the participants that nothing was impossible if one had a dream and worked towards realising it. Being patient and overcoming challenges was the key to success, they added.
© Muscat Daily 2011
