Business
Cut through the BS and focus on What’s Real
by Sarinda Unamboowe
My corporate career now enters its 33rd year. Apart from the fact that many of you reading this were not even born, my career began at a time when mobile phones didn’t exist, neither did e-mail; most communication took place either by ‘snail mail,’ telephone or via what was then a miraculous new technology, the fax machine.
During this time, I have had the privilege of working in some great organizations under some inspirational leaders. On this journey, the greatest privilege I have had is to have been given the responsibility of ‘starting up’ two companies — one as a green field project and one a brown, both of which I am proud to say are considered global leaders in their space.
I hope to document the experience of setting up such organizations at a later date; however, this note is a reflection on some of the conversations I have had with many of the very smart people I have worked with and a common thread that has weaved its way through many of their thought processes.
I like to set up times to have chats with small groups of my colleagues. In one organization, it was to welcome them as new recruits, and in the other, to clarify the path the ‘new’ organization was heading down, and in both, to answer any questions they may have.
One of the common questions I would ask both groups was, “why did you want to work in this organization?” And the answer almost always something on the lines of “working for this group has been a dream of mine,” and “I want to be a part of the success of this company,” etc. I probe further, “what’s the real reason?” and usually I get a bewildered look back, but the truth is, we all have a deeper reason as to why we pick jobs. So when they persist with their answers of love for group, company or wanting to be part of a winning team, I look at them and say “that’s a lot of Bull Shit” and laugh, the looks I get are pretty comical.
This is not done with the intention of humiliating or belittling anyone, but it has been a method of ‘shock value’ that was used primarily to bring the focus on the true meaning of why we work.
We work for the betterment of our own lives. The fact is, we all have a deeper need that drives us to seek suitable employment and most times we lose focus on that. While it’s important to enjoy your job and to find fulfilment in that role you play, the true success of our effort is in achieving our personal goals.
Granted for some, this could be linked closely to the organization’s goals, but for most, it would link to a milestone they hope to reach in their life. Building your own home, being able to give your children a good education, traveling, buying a vehicle, or even ensuring health & safety needs are taken care of, are all priorities that we place in our lives. Therefore, while I perform to the best of my ability at my chosen job and ensure my contribution is relevant, meaningful and of value to the organization, I ensure I don’t lose focus on what’s truly my measure of success.
The career we chose is the vehicle we travel on to achieve our life goals. Our effort, commitment, skill, etc. in how we execute those roles, will, in a fair and structured organization, help us succeed and progress in our career, thus giving us the opportunity to stay on track with our life plans. If not, don’t hesitate to switch job roles or organizations.
Have a dream, have a plan, commit yourself to working smart and achieve success in your career, but never lose focus on the factors that true success is measured by — your life’s journey. Make that the ultimate barometer for all you do.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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