Business
Baurs prioritizes people transformation to create resilient and future-ready leaders
A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., also known as Baurs, a leader with diversified interests across various business verticals in the country, is gearing up for organization-wide people transformation initiatives that are centered around the new workplace norm, to build existing capabilities and be better prepared to take on new challenges.
Spearheading all employee experience efforts at Baurs is none other than versatile business and people’s professional, Ken Vijayakumar in the capacity of the company’s Deputy General Manager of HR, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability Ken is also the current President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM), the leading professional body for human resources management in the country. Ken was recently recognized as the Most Outstanding HR Business Leader of the year 2022 by the CEO Magazine Sri Lanka.
Baurs recently introduced a child support benefit for the first time in Sri Lanka, which can immensely benefit its employees in the midst of accelerating economic challenges.
The company continues to stand by its employees at all times, as displayed on numerous occasions previously including during the height of the pandemic by ensuring job security including various philanthropic donations and psychological wellbeing programs.
Some of its initiatives include 15 days paternity leave, employee assistance programs including those related to relief, priority for internal talent mobility when newer opportunities arise, swift onboarding and integration programs including valuable welcome packs, value boxes where one could purchase daily snacks from a self-serving facility, etc. Baurs pursue active listening, engaging and recognizing its colleagues’ milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries and achievements through internal channels such as Yammer, in addition to having an active social media presence for higher employee value proposition.
An employee’s growth and success are based on the famous 9 block grid which takes into account one’s performance as well as potential, allowing greater transparency and removing any possible biases that stands on the way including those of the supervisor.
Last year, Baurs also launched the Baurs Leadership Grooming Programme (BLG) with the aim of providing comprehensive training and development for employees, preparing them to take on future leadership roles, propelled by its rigorous expansion poised by dynamic business growth. Baurs also partners with AIESEC Association internationale des étudiants en sciences économiques et commerciales (International Association of Students in Economics and Business) to promote youth leadership among university students and create career opportunities through planned internship placements.
The company strongly believes in one’s personal growth and encourages employees to pursue higher education and attain professional qualifications. Those in the managerial and categories above are also encouraged to obtain membership of various professional bodies both locally and internationally, including taking up office bearer positions among such. They are also groomed with specialized corporate and social etiquette programs.
During April last year, Baurs also officially incepted the Baurs Toastmasters Club (BTC) under the guidance rendered by the long-standing Colombo Toastmasters Club, and the membership is borne by the company as well. This allows employees to equip themselves with the skills and confidence in developing their public speaking abilities and a wide array of communication etiquettes.
Baurs believes in equal opportunity employment and has a company-wide DEI policy ensuring that all its employees indulge in a culture that inculcates respect, honesty and integrity. In 2021, Baurs committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative and its principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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