Business
Stax hosts webinar to shed light on Management consulting in the 21st Century
Leading global management consulting firm Stax recently conducted a webinar on ‘Management Consulting in the 21st Century’, providing a comprehensive overview of trends in the profession and its future growth potential. The webinar drew over 200 participants as the excellent lineup of panelists shed light on the evolution of the consulting field and also spoke to the need for adopting international best practices. The session was insightful for both newcomers to the field as well as experienced professionals, with opportunities for growth and innovation in the field being discussed.
“The infusion of new blood into the profession is an essential process”, stated Stax Managing Director Dr. Kumudu Gunasekera, kicking off the webinar. “As one of the foremost organizations in the field of Management Consulting, we see it as our responsibility to raise the standard of the entire industry. This webinar is aimed at experienced professionals and new entrants alike, aiming to give them knowledge to steer their careers, transform themselves and make a mark, especially at one of the most dramatic times in human history.”
The panel for the event included Prabodha Shawn Silva, a mechanical engineer turned management consultant, counting 16+ years’ experience. He provided a snapshot of the evolution of management consulting while also outlining its importance in the business world. For those looking to enter the field, he specifically highlighted how one can leverage their varied backgrounds and skills for a successful career in consulting.
Thivanka Bandara, a young leader at Stax with 9+ years of experience, enlightened the audience on multiple growth opportunities at Stax. He highlighted how the organization has structured its key practices, allowing individuals to carve their own career journey, from a very early stage, based on individual competencies. Stax Alumni Firaz Markar, a veteran consultant with over 14 years in the field, elaborated on the positive professional and personal transformations witnessed throughout his career. The honing of many useful and transferrable skills such as being solution-oriented and applying structured thinking, were some core areas discussed by Firaz.
Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA with over 15 years of experience, stressed the importance of personal autonomy and having the tenacity to carve your own path, in order to be successful in this demanding field. She elaborated that while the ‘Working from Home’ trend necessitated by the pandemic has been challenging for many—especially for those simultaneously caring for young children at home—that there have also been unprecedented opportunities for individuals to redefine their own work-life balance, and that companies will be expected to continue making allowances for more flexible work environments.
As businesses emerge from the COVID-19 crisis new ideas, tools, work processes, and frameworks will be essential for navigating this ‘Great Reset.’. Stax Inc. is a global management consulting firm, headquartered in Boston and offices in Chicago, New York, and Colombo. With more than 25 years of experience, Stax advises the world’s largest public and private corporations, private equity firms and their portfolio companies across a broad range of industries covering 40+ international markets. With a growing client base in Sri Lanka, including diversified conglomerates, blue-chip industry leaders, large family businesses, government organizations, and NGOs, Stax inspires organizations to dream big, think outside the box, and complement gut-based decision-making with fact-based research. For more information, please visit www.stax.com.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”