A group of vibrant business leaders gathered yesterday to speak about their success stories at Fiji National University’s 8th Better Business Conference.

Centred on the theme ‘sustainable productivity,’ speakers at the annual conference extolled the importance of business excellence achieved through best practice.

The conference was organised by the Department of Quality Awards under Fiji National University’s National Training and Productivity Centre and held at the Holiday Inn, Suva.

Mark One Apparel

First speaker, Mark Halabe, managing director of Mark One Apparel, and an award winning businessman, attributed his company’s success to a focus on quality.

Participants got to hear Mr Halabe’s take on creating globally competitive organisations. The company has come a long way since it started in 1999.

Today, Mark One Apparel employs 450 staff members who help produce close to 2,500 garments a day.

Mr Halabe said winning an award should never be the end goal; but instead businesses should focus on best practice and excellence.

Rooster Poultry

Stanley Raniga, General Manager of Rooster Poultry, an award winner in business excellence, pointed out the importance of human capital and leadership when it came to sustainability in business.

“Leadership is one of our core values; it empowers our staff to lead their own work areas and make decisions instead of relying on a few decision makers,” Mr Raniga said.

“I (also) visit and have an audience with all staff on a monthly basis to address concerns, issues and take advice.

“Our values are discussed during these visits whereby staff is encouraged to give living examples of our values being displayed.”

FNU Vice-chancellor Professor Nigel Healey said there was a need for businesses to adapt to a world experiencing unprecedented change.

“Organisations must find ways to cope,” said Professor Healey in his opening address. Companies also need to re-define the ways they manage their businesses in order to survive.”

He said given that Fiji competes with larger countries with low cost structures and high productivity, sustainable productivity had to be a top priority.

Many small and medium enterprise business owners who attended the conference got a chance to engage with successful leaders.”

Feedback:  sheldon.chanel@fijisun.com.fj