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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Personality plus: Powered by the best of intentions Fact File
A person who is a specialist with the required professional knowledge can survive and achieve his or her goals in the modern competitive world. This is the fervent belief of Chairman Metropolitan Group J.J. Ambani. Ambani was selected to the University of Colombo after completing his education at Ananda College, Colombo. After completing the first year at the university, he opted to study accountancy at the Institute of Chartered Accountants Sri Lanka and was fully qualified by 1975. "While doing the accountancy exams, I commenced my apprenticeship at Cecil Arsecularatne firm of Chartered Accountants in 1969. I also helped my father during my spare time between studying and working." Armed with accountancy qualifications, he came back and joined Metropolitan, the family business, on a full time basis. Birth of Metropolitan Speaking of the beginnings of the Metropolitan Group, he said that his father, an accountant by profession, started the business way back in 1958. "Some families are business-oriented and business is in their blood. I think this was the reason behind my father's thinking of venturing on his own to start the Metropolitan Group which is reputed for high quality office automation products, in line with the company motto 'Powered by the Best'. Then and now Ambani said: "The business got off the ground in 1958 in the office machines trade. During 1960-65, we as a start-up company, did not feel much pressure though there was a closed economy. Though 1965-70 was a period of liberalisation, the avenues for expansion in our areas were limited. However, 1970-77 was a complete reversal." There were restrictions on imports, but Metropolitan did very well due to several reasons; a combination of quality and price. Reputed principals helped to provide the government with most of its requirements. The government purchased most of its requirements from Metropolitan while the convertible rupee account also gave an opportunity to cater to the balance needs of the country. The company also supplied electro-mechanical accounting machines to banks. Electronic items were making their presence felt in the business world around the mid-seventies, giving rise to new opportunities. All these helped the group to do well during this time despite import restrictions. From 1977, with the liberalising of the economy, there was tremendous growth in business and demand for goods sold by Metropolitan increased many fold. Electronics played a significant role while computers also made their mark in the 1980s. Technological developments were tremendous and it was a completely different scenario, Ambani recalled. Hampering of growth coupled with small-timers hand-carrying goods and escaping duties and taxes have negative impacts on the business while competition is fierce now. "Being specialised and focused is the key to survival," he reiterated. "Keeping in line with Metropolitan's pay-off line 'Powered by the Best', we only go for partnerships with the respected industry leaders. Some of them are Canon, Ericsson, Acer, IBM and Stratex. This has helped us to give quality products and be a trusted partner to our customers," said Ambani. Interests of the Group The company initially started with office machines and moved to banking machines and computers. Now the group has diversified into areas such as telecommunications equipment, plantation ownership and management, telecommunication services and mini hydropower projects. He said that with rapid expansion in activities, subsidiaries were formed to focus on diverse requirements and needs in the industry and to serve them effectively. "The experience and expertise acquired in the process is one of our greatest strengths. Over the years, the Group has developed and put together teams of dynamic professionals in a variety of disciplines such as finance, management, marketing, information technology and engineering," he said. Future plans The group plans to invest more in hydropower and energy-related areas as well as focus on IT-enabled services which have tremendous potential in Sri Lanka. Family Ambani was born to a family of nine; six boys and three girls. Now they are a family of professionals with four accountants, one engineer, a doctor and a lawyer. Incidentally, his sister was the first to enter the Medical College from Ananda Balika Vidyalaya. "My father was an accountant while my mother was an extraordinary housewife," said a grateful Ambani. Leisure "Work takes a lot of my time, but during the little time left, I like to be with my daughter or play golf." He also likes to keep fit and enjoys a jog every morning while talking to his friends. Catching up with the news is also very important, said Ambani. Inspiration "My family, the people I work with and colleagues have given me inspiration and guidance to develop the business. Most importantly, every person should have the drive within himself or herself to achieve objectives." He did not forget to mention his staff who have contributed in no small way to develop the company from its humble beginnings to what it is today. Peace process Commenting on the peace process, Ambani said: "I cannot see anything impeding the process and it will work". He cited the professional way things are being handled by the Prime Minister and his team. He added that the Prime Minister has taken a bold step to defuse tension and "we are impressed by his leadership". He said that once there is economic development, all issues such as communal disharmony will take a back seat. "Therefore, it is peace or nothing and it has to be achieved for the country to prosper." Advice to young entrepreneurs "Identify the business, get the fundamentals correct, hire good talent, have integrity in the business and be focused. This is the key and nothing can stop a person who has got his or her fundamentals in place," advised Ambani, who has been in business for over 30 years. |
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