Sazzadul Hassan

Gender equity for sustained business success

Of late gender equity is no more just a populist idea. Rather, it is being considered as one of the critical strategic priorities for businesses.

If Japan can, why can’t we?

During the 1970s, Japan was gradually establishing itself as a global manufacturing powerhouse. In fact, the spectacular rise of Japan’s economy started in the late 1950s. This was naturally a big surprise to the world. How come the nation, which was devastated in the second World War, could turn around so fast?

Layoff comes at a huge price

Off-late job cuts, particularly in the major global tech companies, are being piled up. In some cases, the decision of laying off employees was taken so hastily that it not only drew the attention of the media. Policy-makers and people were also concerned.

Looming food crisis and our readiness

Of late, the food prices have skyrocketed affecting the people in low and middle-income countries more. Domestic food price inflation reaches record high across the globe.

Stagflation: a looming crisis

The global economy has been passing through turmoil since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020. And when the economy had started to bounce back after a disastrous couple of years, the Russia-Ukraine war began in February this year, aggravating the situation.

Increased mustard oil production: A solution to edible oil crisis

There is a huge hue and cry about the recent unprecedented price hike of soybean oil.

‘Happytalism’ to drive sustainable business growth

Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The General Assembly of the United Nations had recognised the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals back in 2012 and called for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all human beings.

Supply chain matters – the Toyota story

General Motors, popularly known as GM, had been the largest seller of vehicles in the United States from 1931 to 2020. The Detroit-based automaker dethroned Ford back in 1931 to clinch the number one position.

Learnings and takeaways from 2021

Businesses went through an unprecedented rollercoaster ride in 2021. The year had started on a rather positive note as the coronavirus infection rate in Bangladesh remarkably came down to below 5 per cent.

Addressing global supply chain bottlenecks

Unusual disruptions in global supply chains are becoming a nightmare not only for businesses but for the global economy as well. It has reached such a dire state that even the US president had to make resilient supply chains a top priority of his administration.

Dealing with soaring energy costs

Of late, energy prices have gone through the roof. Prices of natural gas and coal in recent weeks have risen to a level that is the highest in decades. Consequently, electricity prices in some parts of the world, especially in Europe, North America, and some parts of Asia have skyrocketed.

Complying with supply chain due diligence

On June 11 earlier this year, the German Parliament, the Bundestag, passed a law called “Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains”. This law obliges business organisations to fulfil their due diligence obligations in their supply chains with regard to respecting internationally recognised human rights and certain environmental standards.

Safeguarding private sector employees

Mohammad Kashem served a private company for 20 years. One fine morning when he was getting ready to go to his office, he had a sudden heart attack. Unfortunately, he could not recover, left this world, leaving behind a family of four members – his elderly mother, wife and two children.

The rice economy

Rice, the four-letter word, is not just the staple food; it is at the centre of the overall life of Bengalis, whether it is culture, politics, or the economy. Although many things have changed in Bengali life over time, rice remains radiant in its own glory.

An unprecedented crisis in shipping

Off late shipping costs have gone through the roof, making life miserable for the businesses. The freight rate for a 40-foot container to European base ports from Chattogram has reached to $5,000 level.

Alternative meat -- transforming the food industry in a big way

Meat is surely one of the most preferred foods for human beings. As history suggests, mankind started eating meat around 3.4 million years ago.

Vaccine for all: key to reviving the world economy

The human civilisation hasn’t experienced such a grievous catastrophe in the last 100 years. Both lives and livelihoods are dreadfully impacted due to the pandemic caused by the deadly coronavirus. This is the worst-ever global economic recession in decades, according to the World Bank.

China’s return to normalcy: a lesson for others

China is indeed a surprise package! The country, from which the deadly coronavirus originates, seems to have recovered well as not only has it successfully contained the virus, but is also slowly showing signs of a return to normalcy as far as the economy is concerned.

Collective efforts key to fighting pandemic

The deadly coronavirus has started to take an outrageous toll. More than nine-and-a-half million people across the globe have been infected while nearly half-a-million people unfortunately lost their lives to the disease.

Managing business during and after pandemic

It was a bolt from the blue! This pandemic has truly taken everybody to a surprise. The deadly germ didn’t take much time to spread all across the globe after it originated in China in December last year. Around 3 million people living in more than 200 countries have been infected so far, out of which about 200,000 innocent lives were perished.

Work from home – a reality today

With the outbreak of deadly coronavirus all across the world, global companies like Google, LinkedIn, Amazon, Twitter and may others have already asked all or a portion of their employees to stay at home and operate from there.

Jack Welch: an exceptional business leader

Business magazine Fortune named Jack Welch as “Manager of the Century” in 1999. The Financial Times termed General Electric (GE) “the World’s Most Respected Company” for the third straight year in 2000.

Managing carbon footprint -- a must do for sustainability

About 100 companies are responsible for 71 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, says a report published by UK-based renowned organisation CDP in 2017.

Employee loyalty matters

Gone are those days when an employee joins an organisation and retires from there. A study conducted by the US based renowned research organisation Gallup reveals that, the millennial generation—born between 1980 to 1996—has a higher reputation for job hopping. The study shows that this particular generation is three times more likely to change jobs than the others.

Succession management critical for business continuity

"Succession is perhaps the most difficult job a board can do – it is also one of the most important things a sitting CEO has to focus on,” says Indra Nooyi, the immediate past chief executive officer of PepsiCo.

Trade war: causes and consequences

The world is witnessing a fierce trade conflict between the US and China. It all started in January last year when US President Donald Trump ordered a ‘section 301’ enquiry against China for intellectual property theft.

Diversity And Inclusion Essential For Better Business

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is neither just a “nice to have” agenda nor a “number game” any more. Unlike good old days, D&I

Managing risks crucial for sustainability

T'S crazy out there” is probably the simplest of the phrases to describe the existing business environment. Nowadays for various

Advertising: from papyrus to digital platform

The aggregate spend on advertising globally was a mammoth figure of $550 billion in 2017. Forecast for 2018 is to reach $558 billion mark. That's a staggering number! North America spends the most followed by Asia and Western Europe.

The art of managing corporate reputation

In today's world, corporate reputation management is one of the key business drivers for any organisation.

Employee wellbeing crucial for businesses

TAKE care of your employees, they will take care of your business,” says Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, a renowned British multinational corporation.

Its time to ensure pension for all

While crossing the mighty Padma by a Ro-Ro ferry I met Kabir Bhai who was at his late 50s working there for the last 26 years as a

INTUITION MATTERS

"My gut told me to say yes,” said Paul Otellini, a former chief executive officer of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturing

Crop protection industry: a contributor in disguise

Nur Hossain, a veteran farmer from Purbo Begunbari of Thakurgaon district, cultivated 12 acres of land last boro season with two of the country's most popular rice varieties: BR-28 and 29.

The Bell Curve dilemma

It was November 12, 2013. Much to the delight of the employees of the software giant Microsoft, Lisa Brummel, the then HR head of the company, issued an internal memo.

Learning from the spectacular rise of Singapore

It was one of history's rare instances when a country's independence was declared with tears and broken hearts and not with joy.

The art of selling

The weather usually gets very chilly in Detroit, Michigan in the month of January. It was a similar day in 1963.

Ethics in contemporary business

Famous business magazine Fortune named Enron "America's Most Innovative Company" six years in a row prior to its collapse in 2001.

The journey of marketing

Marketing is dead, says Kevin Roberts, former CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi Worldwide – one of the world's largest, most reputed marketing groups based in the UK.

Word of mouth: an effective marketing tool

Malcolm Gladwell in his famous book "Tipping Point" described Paul Revere's historical ride on the night of April 18, 1775 from Boston to Lexington to spread the news "The British are coming" as one of the most successful word-of-mouth campaigns.

Merger and acquisition hits all time high

According to Thomson Reuters, one of the reputed multinational mass media and information firms, the year 2015 was the biggest year ever in the history of corporate merger and acquisition (M&A). A record breaking $4.7 trillion M&A deals were signed last year.

March 7, 2023