Dimension Trade And Commerce Ltd. Commences Activities by Vianney D'Gama (Edit 3 Sep-Oct 2007)

Dimensions is a movement which is aimed at harnessing the resources of the community and channelling it for the benefit of the community again aimed at creating wealth and using the same for community development. The members of Dimensions consist of businessmen and professionals from various walks of life like legal, medicine, investment, education etc to name a few. Apart from social objectives, the members of Dimension were of the view that floating a commercial venture by pooling the resources of the members would appear as an excellent vehicle for generation of wealth. The idea was mooted by driving force behind the movement – Freddy Mendonca- After a brain storming session the idea resulted in the birth of Dimension Trade and Commerce Ltd. a corporate where the objective is to maximise wealth for its stake holders Dimension Trade and Commerce boasts of an excellent Board, consisting of personalities, who have excelled in their respective fields and are burning with a passion to make this venture a roaring success. Dimension Trade and Commerce commenced operations recently and to finance its business activities it issued shares to its members at the rate of Rs. 10/- per share and the response was overwhelming. In the first phase, the company decided to focus on two growth areas for deployment of funds- the stock market and the real estate markets and what is gratifying is that the funds deployed in these two segments have generated excellent returns. Going forward the company is planning to increase the outlay in these two growth segments. The management is now in the process of expanding its activities in these two high growth areas. To increase its fund base to undertake the expansion plans the company is planning to issue shares to its members who could not be accommodated in the initial phase. The Directors are now seized with the thought of further diversifying the income streams of the company so as to not only enhance the income streams, but to have a stable and diversified income portfolio. With the Indian economy poised for accelerated growth in the years ahead, Dimension Trade and Commerce is all set to bask in the glory of a growing economy.

Vianney D'Gama is a Freelance Writer

The Time Has Come Part 2 By Veronica Paul (Edit 3 Oct 2007)

In the last part (part 1), Ms. Paul referred to the three Power factors, i.e. Economic Power, Intellectual Power and the Power of Conviction, In that issue she focused on Economic Power. In this issue, she elaborates on Intellectual Power Intellectual Power: Intellectual Power is important because it influences thought and action. If you observe a group of people in conversation, you will often find that the person who appears the most knowledgeable, and can quote facts and statistics to substantiate his statements, automatically leads the conversation, holds everyone's attention and exerts a certain power over others. This power comes from Knowledge, and Knowledge comes from education and experience. For our youth, both male and female, education is the cornerstone of intellectual power, leading to economic wellbeing. Unfortunately, very few of us reach the level where we can make a real difference in the political, corporate and business world. A vast majority of our Christians have little education, hold low-end jobs and seem to be satisfied with the crumbs that fall off the table of India's economy. This is a pitiable state of affairs especially considering that we have had access to superior education in Christian schools and colleges. We have failed to capitalize on this asset and to grow intellectually. We call ourselves an educated community but this merely means that we have a basic education, which has limited use in today's scenario. Someone recently spoke of a classmate who was a consistent topper in school and college, yet did not pursue further studies and today holds a mediocre job in a BPO. What a waste of brainpower. Many of our youth today have taken the line of least resistance and have fallen prey to dead-end jobs in BPO's and Call Centers because of short-term returns. Even parents, dazzled by the handsome salaries, are encouraging this trend. This is sad because we are slowing down our own progress. As a community, we have several vertical skills such as knowledge of written and spoken English, interpersonal skills, culture, team playing abilities, integrity, basic values, etc. Instead of capitalizing on these advantages for our own long-term benefit, we happily allow these assets to be exploited by others, but to our own detriment. BPO's and Call Centers, being a 24/7 industry (i.e. 24 hours a day, seven days a week), involve shift timings and monotonous work. The burnout rate, thus, is very high, and many young men and women quickly learn that there is no future in these jobs. By then, however, they not only find it difficult to get mainstream jobs due to lack of qualifications, but also find it impossible to continue their college education. Thus, they find themselves between a rock and a hard place, and frustration sets in. What is more alarming is the fact that even undergraduates are being targeted because of the ever-increasing demand. Christian Career Counselors should be aware of this trend and advise our youth accordingly. In some cases, BPO'S may be a good starting point for a person who has completed his/her full education and needs an initial break. But not for a student who would have otherwise gone in for higher studies and branched out into a more meaningful profession. We need to raise the bar in terms of academic achievement. How many of our youth aspire to the IAS, IPS, Chartered Accountancy, or to B-schools like the IIM's, XLRI, TISS, etc., or to the top engineering schools such as the IITs? How many have entered top medical schools? Today, we have a wide choice of professions like Media, Entertainment, IT, Fashion Designing, etc. to choose from. However, even these are very competitive and we need to set our goals much higher to qualify for admission into the best professional institutions in the respective fields. A good education necessitates the investment of time, energy and finance. While students should endeavor to excel in their chosen streams and not take for granted the facilities offered by Christian schools, colleges, and professional colleges, these Christian institutions too can help by focusing on our youth and encouraging them to excel. Giving them a head start by way of preferential admission would also help. In this context, it may be useful to remember that charity begins at home, and we need to ensure that our Christian youth get access to these facilities first. Since superior education is expensive, Christian corporate houses could sponsor the coaching of high-potential students for further studies at the best institutes both in India and abroad. Coaching that is strategic and goal-oriented has to start early. This is not to imply that only a spectacular academic background guarantees success. Many have achieved significant success without fancy qualifications. Indeed, some have reached dizzy heights with very little formal education. However, few of us have the genius or business acumen of a Bill Gates or a Dhirubhai Ambani. For the rest, a top-notch education is the gateway to success and aspiration. Intellectual power also means using our native intelligence to the optimum. We need to be on the cutting edge of developments and knowledge in our areas of interest. We need to be aware of our rights, privileges, opportunities and threats, and think laterally. The antithesis of intellectual power is ignorance. In property matters particularly, many of our Catholics, through fear and ignorance, are intimidated by unscrupulous builders and other elements. Here, dedicated Legal Cells can be of great help. Christian lawyers and builders should access areas like Gaothans which have a large Christian population and offer services and guidance to those who need them. Christian housing societies should also spread awareness among their members in this regard. Having the requisite intellectual skills will empower us immeasurably. No longer then, will we be considered an ignorant, easy-going and naive community that is virtually begging to be exploited. Veronica Paul is a Placement Consultant and Proprietor of C. S. Paul & Associates.

DIMENSIONS and DIAMONDS - A Personal Experience Janet Pinto (Edit 1 May 2007)

I first encountered 'Dimensions' when I co-facilitated a Vision Workshop for the newly founded Organization. I was struck by the multidimensional stature of those who were present - involved as deeply in successful business ventures as in challenging social concerns. It was no wonder that people such as these had read the signs of the times and heard a call to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among the Christian community. And now they were gathered to discern their shared Vision. It was truly a 'gathering unto Him'. The 'gathering' continues in monthly Breakfast meetings, that bring together enterprising men and women from diverse areas, such as Real Estate, Share Broking and Investments, IT and Telecommunications; Travel and Shipping, Recruitment and HR, Engineering and Automobiles, to name a few. These Meetings are an opportunity as much for fellowship and networking as for promoting one's ventures and sharing experiences of marketplace realities. The last meeting in April left us enlightened and better equipped to succeed in the market place. Clifton D'Silva founder of 'Altina Securities' led an expert exploration of the merits of investing in Equities. Agnelo Athaide, founder of St. Angelo's Computer Education' drew us into an animated reflection on Negotiation strategies that stand the test of time. Drawing on their rich experience, both Clifton and Agnelo spoke from the wisdom of their hearts and became our role models and sources of inspiration. The March meeting showcased two examples of an unstoppable entrepreneurial drive one that led to the invention of a unique 'mosquito menace solution' and the other of a 'far - sighted real estate enterprise stories of first generation business ventures. Not surprisingly these meetings are beginning to draw the younger generation. The management students who attended the April said they were happy they came even though they had to skip breakfast to be in time for class. 'Dimensions' has a couple of other valuable dimensions: 1. The Dimensions Website www.dimensionsdirect.com that offers opportunities to network with the Christian business fraternity as well as the benefit of publicizing one's business ventures. 2. 'Dimensions Trade and Commerce Ltd.' offers a unique investment opportunity, one that promises to generate both economic returns and social wealth. DIAMONDS: Diamond' is the word used to refer to a member of Dimensions. Why so? The answer is really a matter of discovery, as it was for me. I found its meaning in the priceless support I've received from the members of Dimensions. DIAMONDS indeed! Janet Pinto founder of 'Kairos Integral Consulting' is a Corporate Trainer, HR Consultant & Executive Coach

The Time Has Come.. By Veronica Paul (Edit2 July Aug 2007)

The time has come for each one of us, Christians in India, to take stock of where we stand today vis-a-vis the rest of the nation. India is on the threshold of a great future and yet as a community, we exist on the fringes of mainstream society especially in business and public service. To add to our woes, we are also looked upon as a minority with a soft underbelly, our votes don't count, our voices are not heard and we are discriminated against. We need to understand that while this impacts the whole community, it also affects each one of us individually. It is not about someone in a faroff distant corner of India who is being victimized. It is about you and me. Here and now. When one of our community members is discriminated against, our individual strength is eroded. How can we change this? Through Power: 1. Economic Power, 2. Intellectual Power, and the 3. Power of Conviction. Firstly and fundamentally, we need to raise the bar in terms of prosperity and education. Next, we need to make a paradigm shift in our own way of thinking. Finally, we need to influence how others perceive us. In other words, we need to become an economic, intellectual and dynamic powerhouse. In this section of a 3-part analysis, I would like to focus on: Economic Power. Economic strength is power, whichever way you look at it. Money oils the wheels of society and affects every social relationship. It is not an end by itself but is certainly a means to almost everything. I do believe that we Christians have been living in denial regarding its importance and relevance to our wellbeing. We treat it as a necessary evil. It is high time we gave it the respect that it deserves. But to do this, we must first accept the fact that economic prosperity and the creation of wealth do not run counter to Christian teachings. We are in fact exhorted by God to earn our bread and to use our money judiciously. In the parable of the ten talents, the servant who multiplied his wealth was rewarded, the one who did not was penalised. God endowed Solomon with singular wisdom and vast riches in order to empower him to further God's plan on earth. Money should not be our master, but rather, a useful servant. I do believe, therefore, that that we owe to ourselves to be financially sound and prudent. Economic strength constitutes inherited wealth, property and the ability to create wealth. Previous generations by virtue of hard work, prudent spending and holding good positions in industry accumulated enough wealth to invest in equities, buy property and build a comfortable nest egg. Unfortunately, instead of multiplying these assets, many of us frittered them away through lavish lifestyles & short-term planning. As a result, the Christian community is, by and large, an impoverished lot. However, it is still not too late to stem this trend. We could start this process at our familial grassroots. Too many families today are splintered over property and inherited assets. As a result, a third party usually ends up taking advantage of the situation to the detriment of all involved. It is tragic to see that even properties that come under Catholic societies are being sold to the highest bidder in violation of society rules. Scores of families are being driven out of developed suburbs, out of the environment they grew up in, into the far flung suburbs where life is much tougher, especially for the younger generation. Let our property that has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers remain within the family or at least within the community. Today, with the rising economy, our youth does not have to migrate to foreign lands to carve a destiny for themselves. The opportunities are right here in our own backyards. In fact, a number of young people who have settled abroad are longing to return to a glorious India. Let's help them by preserving and expanding what our forefathers in their wisdom bequeathed us. We need to give our children a better future. Christians are known to be a “service community”, meaning that a large percentage work in organizations in various rungs of the hierarchy. Mostly, at the lower rungs. Why should it be that way? We have skills that are as good as anyone else, maybe better. So what holds us back. Education? Definitely, one of the reasons, but also our apathy and lack of ambition. We, our menfolk especially, are too laid back and “susegad”. Traditionally, it was the man's job to earn and support the family so that the wife could look after the children. Today, the women often end up doing “double duty” while the menfolk take it easy. I hasten to say that this is not the case in every home but increasingly, women work harder today, away from home, than in days gone by. The fallout is that our children do not get the direction, supervision and support that is so critical to their growth. We need to look at this seriously. While we have the skills to participate in the service sector, we need to also explore and challenge our capabilities in the areas of business and enterprise. Those of us who are already entrepreneurs or own small businesses need to develop critical skills to keep abreast of the latest developments in our respective fields. While business ethics come easily to us, and this is a great asset, we also need to improve on other market-driven skills and to constantly innovate. We need to stay competitive. The support of the family, especially the youth, in expanding the scope of business is invaluable. The creation of wealth also necessitates a hard look at our savings, investment and spending patterns. Many of us are risk averse, in which case, our preference should be towards prudent spending and wise investments rather than conspicuous and needless consumption. Retirement and early retirement do not necessarily mean the end of our capacity to generate income, if we so desire. Many of us have probably found that our sizeable retirement funds and early retirement packages get depleted all too rapidly given the eroding value of the rupee, high inflation and dipping interest rates. Today, there are plenty of opportunities for those who look for them. For example, there is an ongoing demand in BPO's and call centers for people with good language skills. What if some of us, who are willing and able, were to give these jobs a shot, at least on a parttime or contractual basis. This would have a 3-fold benefit, the retirees could generate extra income, the BPO's would get their manpower and most importantly, our youth could continue with their education. Sounds preposterous? Look at it this way. At this stage in life, retired folks don't have to worry about career progression, or saving up for a house, marriage, etc, and besides, they can “call it a day” at anytime without much angst. Think about it. We also need to change our attitude towards work. In western countries, there is dignity of labour, and people do not hesitate to take on any kind of honest work provided the payoff is good. When we work towards a goal, be it personal, further education, a promotion or career progression, work becomes a vehicle towards that end. Also, while working hard has its benefits, one should also aim to work smart. An idea that produces the same result with less effort is twice as valuable. That's where lateral thinking and innovation come in. To summarise, the enhancement of our economic power will definitely give us the necessary edge and confidence to make a difference to our country, to our community and, not the least, to the quality of our own lives as individuals.

BUSINESS : AN ANETHEMA FOR CHRISTIANS by Marshall Sequeira - A freelance writer (Edit 2 July Aug 2007)

Most Christians have an aversion for business and it is not hard to trace the origin of this 'phobia'. As good Christians, we are guided by the biblical teachings that we have come into this world to 'serve' and not to be served. No wonder, by chance or choice, most of us land up with 9 to 5 jobs serving those businessmen and industrialists who, with their sheer vision and foresight, established enough enterprises for all of us to serve. The BPOs have contributed their mite. On a more serious note, we Christians, unfortunately lack the business acumen to be successful in running it and making it profitable. Very few Christian businessmen have been successful and those very successful ones have shown that given the will and determination it is not entirely difficult. Others have given up midway. Some of the constraints that come to mind why we Christians are apprehensive when it comes to business are:

• Inability to take risks we tend to forget the age old maxim higher the risks, greater the reward. Unfortunately we like to play safe and look for gains even before investing. As a fun-loving community obsessed with the 3 Ds [Dress, Drink and Dance] we prefer the cushy life with fixed salary, fixed timings and evenings free for dating and partying, something which is a mirage for true businessmen. They reserve the weekend for this.
• Inability to generate requisite funds for business. Safety of the family [in terms of roti, kapda and makan] always remains a priority with 'a bird in hand is worth two in a bush' mentality. Unlike other communities, other family members do not come forward with any financial help. We do not encourage the joint family system and this perhaps is one of the key factors
• responsible for our failure on the business front. Jealously is very much prevalent when someone succeeds. Before a business can be successful, it faces enormous teething troubles and we lack the patience and the mental strength to face such situations. Similarly, after successful establishment of the business, there is, what is called the 'gestation period' a period of consolidation after which one can hope to see the fruits of labour, i.e. the profits. Failure to
• face this spell, however long it may take, makes most aspirants nervous and more often than not, they give up.
• Facing bureaucratic hurdles is one of the essential qualities required to start a business in this country. Multiplicity of authorities, harassment from petty officials, and demand for bribes unnerve us. Every businessman has to face the municipal authorities, the sales tax authorities, the income tax officials and the excise staff. These are the realities of business and not accepting that truth will resemble the ostrich approach. We have that 'holier than thou' attitude and this
• does not help matters. If you do the business without breaking the rules, it should not be difficult to overcome these road blocks. We lack negotiating skills to convince others and to get the work done.
• When it comes to dealing with workers, staff and even the vendors, one must have that entrepreneurial skill to be tough when required and be accommodative if the situation
• warrants. Perhaps the 'be generous' approach and 'offer your other cheek' concept do not help to develop the right attitude required for business.

Communities like the Bania and the Marwaris have shown that with hard work and willingness to put in long hours, one can be successful. They say business is in their blood. True! It comes naturally to them. Though most small businessmen are hardly educated, they know the numbers well so also the rules and regulations [including loop holes which they exploit to their advantage]. Had it not been for the likes of Ambanis, Modi's, Singhanias, Tatas, Birlas, etc, we would have been stuck with farming. We curse these people for prospering through evasion of taxes, excise duties, custom duties, etc. Yet we work for them and earn our daily bread. Let us remember that “A man is not honest just because he has had no chance to cheat”. It is easy to cast aspersions with sweeping statements. We take pride in saying that we salaried people pay our taxes but do we really have an option? Communities like the Banias, have come up with sheer hard work. You can see a Bania shop open at 7.00 in the morning and remain open [without a break] till 9.00 at night. They help one another, guide others who want to start a business and even extend financial assistance. The surplus funds rotate within the community. This is unparalleled. Can we learn something from this? We, as a Community, are generally educated and some of the people have proved to be good successful businessmen. It may be a good idea if such businessmen in each Parish offer their expertise to help those aspiring young men who have dreams but lack direction and guidance. WE NEED TO WALK THE TALK.