By Naveen Frank - Daijiworld Media Network
Pics by Ramcy Fernandes
Dubai, Jan 22: Kanara Entrepreneurs Ltd. (KEL) had their third Mentors’ Session on 21 January 2007 at the India Club in Dubai, UAE. Keeping the theme as ‘KEL in developing Entrepreneurship’ the session was thrown open to budding and established entrepreneurs from the Kanara region.
KEL is a global, non-profit, mutual-benefit corporation founded by successful entrepreneurs to encourage, support and nurture entrepreneurship in individuals originating from the Kanara region. While fostering entrepreneurship amongst the expatriates from the Kanara region based in the UAE, KEL aims to expand its activities overseas through affiliations with individuals or associations with similar objectives.
Well over 70 enthusiastic people participated which included Lead members and prospective entrepreneurs. T
he Moderator of the Session Albert Rodrigues welcomed the gathering and also introduced the keynote speakers of the day. The delegates were privileged to have two outstanding and successful entrepreneurs as their speakers.
Ivan Fernandes, President of KEL and the past President of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) – Dubai Chapter – the largest network of entrepreneurs world-wide was the first speaker. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Regent Technologies Ltd., a BVI company with diverse interests in various technology infrastructure and IT related companies world-wide including Ducont, Track-IT and Tricolor Investments.
Charles D`Souza ,Director – Marketing of KEL was the second speaker of the evening. He is a postgraduate in management from XLRI, Jamshedpur (specialization in Human Resources) and graduated at St. Stephen's College, Delhi (specialization in Mathematics). Charles career spans over 19 years in Emirates Bank, KPMG, Oracle Corporation, Emirates Airlines and TATA's. Currently he is an internal Consultant with Emirates Bank Dubai, dedicated to human resources, information technology and business consulting practices.
Speaking on the occasion Ivan talked on KEL’s role in promoting entrepreneurship and its initiatives to drive the economic activity in the Kanara region.
Ivan highlighted the role of KEL in helping and guiding aspiring entrepreneurs from the Kanara region. He emphasized that one need not have complicated ideas to be successful. Ivan spoke of a simple example of importing jasmine flowers ( Kolle) from Pangla using the newly introduced direct flights in and out of Mangalore. “This strong potential would give much return to our jasmine growers back home.” He said.
Ivan lamented that we earlier missed out opportunities in spite of the establishment of the port, construction of the National Highway. He also stressed on the critical factors that face a challenge. The international Airport link, quality of hotels, road infrastructure, power, water and drainage were some of the aspects he highlighted. Ivan urged the gathering to “believe in making Mangalore as their business base.” “Government apathy was also another serious concern” Ivan said.
He asked all members to try and push the government to fast track actions and turn them into reality.
Ivan ended his awe-inspiring address by quoting one of the most successful sports personalities, Michael Jordan who defines success in his own words, “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Charles Dsouza grabbed the attention of the audience with his interpersonal approach to his presentation. He started with a PowerPoint quiz of world renowned entrepreneurs with their trade mark brands. Charles spoke on 'What it takes to be an Entrepreneur’
“Never be afraid to fall” he said. “The sprit will never die” were his catch words.
Charles touched up on the qualities of a good entrepreneur. “Leadership, risk taking, staying focused on your goal and sticking to the right values are the essentials in an entrepreneur, “said Charles.
His highly technical presentation was made interesting by a two- way audience response. He explained the importance of a business plan, funding, legal matters, finance and accounting, marketing and sales.
Charles also strongly touched upon the human factor of a business deal. “You must be humble, confident and show emotional intelligence.” he said.
At the end of his speech he gave a heartening victory cry to his audience. “Never get discouraged. The spirit will never die.”
Mark Denis Dsouza, Lead KAL member proposed the vote of thanks.
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