Business Planning Workshop 2017

The most important business planning activity at Interloop Limited is the Business Planning Workshop (BPW), organized every year in November, at a retreat where top and middle management and global teams get together to take account of the progress, devise strategies, set new goals and approve projects to achieve those goals. It is an essential tool to review the Group Business, learn what is happening in different areas, align operational and support functions to create synergies and navigate the business towards new heights. Planning and reviewing session during the day and elaborate luncheons, dinners and entertainment events in the evenings make everybody enjoy the true spirit of the Interloop culture. This time around BPW was organized from 13 – 15 November, 2016 at Hilton Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Travel & Protocol Section made the travel arrangements. The Interloop leadership team was exited to attend the workshop overseas and enjoyed each other’s company during domestic and international flights and bus rides. The weather in Colombo was a bit warm and humid yet intermittent rains made the evenings pleasant.

The first day started with recitation from the Holy Quran. Faryal Sadiq, Executive Director People & Organization Development welcomed the delegates representing all depts. of Interloop Pakistan (ILP), Interloop Bangladesh (ILB), Spinning (ILS), Interloop North America (ILNA), Euro Sox Plus (ESP) and Interloop Dairies (ILD). To energize the delegates, an Interloop Documentary developed by Corporate Communication was showcased which was liked by everyone. Musadaq Zulqarnain, CEO Interloop Limited, in his opening remarks underscored the purpose and outcomes of BPW. Navid Fazil, COO, Interloop Limited gave a detailed presentation on financial highlights, operational performance and sales results for 2016, and ongoing expansion projects.

Shelly Rider, President ILNA and Heather Wilson, Director Marketing made a magnificent presentation about US macro trends, online sales, ILNA branded business, sales performance 2016 and outlook for 2017. Muhammad Arshad, Sr. GM ILB presented operational and sales achievements, new customer development and future business prospects about IL Bangla. This was followed by an enlightening presentation by Rudy Damen, Managing Director and Markus Schwarz, Sales Manager ESP, regarding the political and business environment in EU, new customers, ESP’s performance for the year and future plans. Muhammad Usman Sarwar, Farm Manager ILD made an exciting and informative presentation about IL Dairies’ performance; detailing herd profile, milk production, completed projects, financials and future development plans.

The highlight of this segment of the day was a case study session on ‘The Culture of Continuous Improvement’ conducted by Michael Ward, a top-notch Management Professional and Executive Coach from Simpler Consulting, United States to figure out business strategy for competing globally. After lunch and prayer break, Cross Functional Focus Groups comprising of global teams were formed to identify departmental and inter-departmental projects, impact of respective departmental functions on strategic aspects and recognize and resolve issues for smooth functioning in collaborative areas.

In the evening, everybody enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at the Italian restaurant by the pool side, followed by a mesmerizing cultural show of traditional Sri Lankan dances including the fire dance. Spot comedy by Hasnain Abbas nudged everybody into hysterical laughters while spontaneous singing by Latif Zaib, Kamran Akhtar, Shahid Hameed and Luqman Afzal earned great appreciation from the audience.

The second day began with recitation from the Holy Quran. The Cross Functional Focus Groups continued their discussions and brainstormed specific targets, projects and initiatives for the next year, keeping in mind Vision 2020. All focus groups prepared presentations on mutually agreed projects, to be presented to the Executive Board for approval. Everybody enjoyed South Asian buffet dinner in the evening at one of Hilton restaurants and had free time to visit markets or stroll along the sea beach.

After recitation from Holy Quran, the third day began with focus groups including Customer Management, Operational Excellence, Yarn Operations and Support Services presenting their projects to the Executive Board, who analyzed them meticulously and approved the feasible ones. In his closing remarks at the end of the three day workshop, the CEO appreciated global teams’ participation in this vital planning exercise. He applauded the efforts put in by Fareha Zafar Saeed, Head of Organization Development and her team for organizing the workshop so wonderfully, especially overseas and ensuring a comfortable stay for the executives. The workshop concluded on presentation of souvenirs to the participants. A City Tour of Colombo was organized atop two open-roof double decker buses which took everybody around famous places, monuments and parks. Everyone relished seeing the historical memorials and clicked pictures with colleagues at various locations. While buffet dinner with exclusive cuisines from across the globe was served at the hotel, individuals and groups went out again, some for shopping and some to tea houses to sip various versions of Ceylon Teas.

While some team members stayed back for business or leisure, most fellows flew back next day to their respective countries, all having fresh plans for the next year, lots of fond memories and new friends.