By Leslie Frank
Leslie Frank is in the technology business, and on the Board of Directors of Dimensions Trade and Commerce Ltd.
Mumbai, Nov 30: We live in an increasingly competitive world so full of challenges at every step. It is very essential that we (Indian) Christians who as a community have contributed so much in fields like Education and Healthcare, do justice to ourselves and the society we live in by sharpening our skills in areas like Business (Enterprise) and Public life and further our contribution to nation building and growth.
In general, as a community, we lack support systems that will help our young professionals with a spirit of enterprise venture out on their own. When we look around and see the Kutchis or the Gurjars or several successful mercantile communities on the Indian business scene, we realize that the unity and support systems that each of these success stories represent and nurture differentiates them from the “others” . As Christians the need was felt to move us out from the “others” category and build a vibrant self sustaining self financing edifice that will help incubate entrepreneur talent, that reflect Gospel values like integrity honesty fairness etc.
Freddy Mendonca
This vision was given shape and form thanks to a simple and unassuming person in the form of Mr Freddy Mendonca whose simplicity combined with vision makes for a formidable combination, thus DIMENSIONS was born, in June 2006 or thereabouts.
Freddy, whose simplicity is his biggest asset, combined his vision for a vibrant and enterprising Christian community with a drive born out of sheer passion, a heady combination that makes him unstoppable. In fact his persistence has earned him the title “Freddy Ever Ready”. Dimensions today has not just encompassed Western India, but networked with like minded groups across the country and the world as well, more about that aspect to follow.
I first encountered a nascent Dimensions at a breakfast meeting some five years ago. The multi-dimensional stature of those first few – involved as deeply in successful business ventures as in challenging social concerns – was, at best, interesting. No wonder then that such people had read the signs of the times and heard an inner voice beckoning them to foster an entrepreneurial spirit within the Christian community. And responding to that call, they were gathered to discern their shared vision. It was truly a ‘gathering unto Him’; ‘I have no hands but yours’ was palpable...
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. Dimensions vision statement: ‘To create wealth for its members and the community by pooling and harnessing resources and nurturing each other in a spirit of transparency, commitment, excellence and trust’ is amply evident within Dimensions. The establishment (clergy) is a great resource, and as the energies of the vast and structured organisation that the Church in India represents ACROSS DENOMINATIONS is harnessed, we will be pleasantly surprised, not too far into the future, to see how through self-help and not charity, many enterprising members of the community will experience a quantum jump in their social and financial status. No power in the world can stop an idea whose time has come; positioned, as we are, as a nation along with China, we are certainly part of a blueprint on how to best approach the two economies as well as world markets over the long term.
The enthusiasm is truly infectious! Some amazing alliances stand testimony to this tall claim. Dimensions entered into an alliance with Kanara Entrepreneurs – or KE Global, a non-profit mutual benefit corporation of Christian entrepreneurs from the Kanara region, who share a common vision that makes for a natural alliance with Dimensions. KE Global has chapters in Bangalore and Mangalore, as well as in the Middle East, with a reach that spans as far afield as North America.
The Global Convention
Entreprenet 2012: A joint initiative of Dimensions and KE Global, the driving purpose behind this global convention, christened Entreprenet 2012, is to provide an opportunity for global entrepreneurs and professionals to participate in India’s growth story and enable Indian Christian entrepreneurs, in particular, to network and interact with their international counterparts for mutual growth and development. Though the conference is secular in character in that registration is open to all delegates, the first right of refusal will be in favour of Christian participation, with a total delegate count limited to just 500 – a factor that may pose a challenge to the organising committee.
The story of India is unfolding and is at a dramatic stage. Scheduled for 13th and 14th January 2012 at Intercontinental The Lalit, the conference will feature prominent speakers from India and abroad. Speakers apart, the presence of mentors and especially financers who bring diverse management skills to the table will be a highlight of this conference. So whether you look to grow an existing business, or venture in a new vertical, have ideas but lack the finance, Entreprenet 2012 is the place to be on 13th and 14th Jan 2012.
The focal areas to be addressed by an internationally esteemed panel of speakers will be HR, Finance, Business Development, Technology, as well as Customer Relations, Customer Satisfaction and Success Stories.
Who Should Attend
Business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders of organisations (decision makers), senior management and future leaders, Board of Directors, Chairpersons, CEO/CIO/CFO and potential entrepreneurs.
The Keynote address, in fact, sums up the spirit of the conference: Emerging India – The Growth Story. With improving domestic and entrepreneurial environment and favourable investment climate, India is expected to expand over the next five years, even as developed economies face deceleration... says a survey. India will continue to grow and we must grow with India.
Partner Mileage
Companies who partner with Entreprenet 2012 will derive extra benefits that provide an excellent return on their marketing investment. Various levels of branding and sponsorship are available.
For details contact :
Mumbai Freddy Mendonca Mob 93201 52052 dimensions.diamond@gmail.com
Dubai James Mendonsa 050 645 3861 jsssm@eim.ae
Bangalore Charles Gomes 98452 86404 Charles_gomes1@hotmail.com
