Ashok Serchan, CEO of Prabhu Bank [CEO Says]

 Moin Uddin
Kathmandu

Ashok Serchan, CEO of Prabhu Bank Limited made his debut in the banking sector with Nepal Bangladesh Bank as a junior assistant in 1995, and today boasts of two decades of experience in the banking sector. Serchan went to school at Dhaulagiri Kendra Madhyamik Vidya-laya, Baglung and later moved to Public Youth for his I.Com degree. He completed his MBA from Sankhar Dev Campus, Kathmandu.

Serchan took many trainings to develop his skills. He went to the Netherlands to learn about change management, Japan for corporate management training and in Nepal itself he underwent project management, time management and leadership management. “Being a management student I was motivated to work and though private banks were fewer then now they were considered lucrative, so I joined the sector.”Having worked for four years as junior assistant at NB Bank, he moved to Nepal - Bank of Ceylon Ltd (NBOC) that later changed to Nepal Credit & Commerce Bank Ltd. (NCC Bank). He was promoted to senior officer at that time before he left. He went to London for further studies and returned to Nepal in 2006 to join Prabhu Finance Company Ltd as a CEO. In 2012 after the merger with Baibav Finance Ltd and Sambridhi Bikas Bank Ltd, it became Prabhu Bikas Bank Ltd with him as the CEO. In 2013, again with the merger with Kist Bank Ltd, Gaurishankar Development Bank Ltd and Zenith Finance Ltd it became Prabhu Bank. For nine months, he worked as Deputy CEO, then as Acting CEO and from since Feb 2015 he has been appointed as CEO of the bank.

Having been appointed as a CEO of Prabhu Bank, he says, “My roles include managing overall affairs of the company as well as developing strategy and implementing it. Also image building of the organisation and in return providing the optimum returns to stakeholders and following regulators directives are my duties.

”The performance of the Non Performing Assets (NPA), managing the risk of credit and operational management, adoption of new technology, staff management, he believes are challenges for him. The most challenging moment for him in his career was the merger of four different banking institutions and bringing them together into one culture. "Turning around the negative image of Kist Bank and knowing all the risks we were bearing and still taking the decision and proving that we were right was the most challenging period of my life."Highlighting his management style, he says, “I prefer open style democratic management where everybody is free to share ideas. Be it in monetary/non monetary terms, employees are an asset to an organisation." Talking about how he motivates employees, he says, “I motivate them by providing equal opportunities like giving them a platform to become operational managers, branch managers and also sending them abroad to develop further skills. I try to show them their potential and illustrate the worth of their talent; it is up to them how to take it.

” He further adds, “One has to update continuously and should be saleable by adding value according to the time.” He urges others to be like water and to accept and shape themselves according to every situation. Serchan believes, inspiration is everywhere, the only thing that matter is how people take it.

Besides banking Serchan loves writing poems and is also keen about trekking and playing badminton. About juggling his personal and professional life, he says, “I take my life in a simple and balanced way, the only way is by being patient and honest in relationships.” For new comers those who wish to join this sector, Serchan recommends, “If someone is honest in work and can be an above average person and do what he loves doing then this sector is for them.”




Also published in the newspaper The Himalayan Times's Perspective on 22nd February 2014, Sunday)

http://epaper.thehimalayantimes.com/Details.aspx?id=1391&boxid=29744914&dat=2%2F22%2F2015

Lighting the way

Moin Uddin

Kathmandu

An optimist at heart who swears by the mantra, ‘Simple living high thinking’, Sharmila Shrestha Maleku, Director International Relations, SM Everest Electricity Pvt Ltd reflects positivity in her personal as well as professional life. Despite having made a mark in the hydro sector Maleku is as humble as the next person you meet.

SM Everest Electricity Pvt Ltd established in 2008 is the subsidiary company of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH (MR), Germany, and is one of the system providers for products in terms of power transmission, power distribution, automation and control, asset management solutions, power composites and power quality.

A tete- a tete with a friend, Sushil Malla, who is now her business partner, led to the birth of SM Everest Electricity Pvt Ltd. They were aware of MR products available in the market and the need for easy availability of these products. Therefore, they thought it beneficial to open a sister concern for MR products in Nepal itself. They became the first official supplier/ agents of MR products in the country.

According to her, “The vision of our company is to help the country generate more electricity as is its potential. Easy availability of our products in the market contributes to the efficient functioning of electricity sub stations. With the growth in the sector there is more demand for accessories of transformer, power transmission and distribution et cetera.”

“Our company functions in accordance to instructions from the headquarter of MR in Germany and we are in constant touch with Reinhausen Asia-Pacific Sdn. Bhd, in Malaysia” says Maleku.

For any venture to reach the pinnacle of success, Maleku believes in hard work, continuity and trust. Having said that, she does not undermine the value of good marketing strategy. In addition, she is aware of the importance of good team work in running a business. She says, “In our company team work is of utmost value. I depend on my team to take the reins of the everyday business when I am not around. Our performance as a company is always better when we work as a team,” says Maleku. To hone the technical skill of her employees the company chooses a team with the best potential and sends them abroad for training and workshops.

She recollects her childhood and allows, “I was always good in academics and performed above average in school. Being an enthusiastic art lover and always inclined toward music, I surprised myself, and others around me when I ventured into entrepreneurship. It was a step into untested waters for me but I am glad I chose the path less obvious.” Maleku went to school to Madan Memorial Girls High School and later moved to Pinnacle College for her high school degree. She completed her Bachelor in Business Studies from Patan Multiple Campus

Maleku has a wide range of professional experience in store. She started working at the age of 18, as a secretary at The Hidden Treasure, organiser of the annual Miss Nepal Pageant. She worked with them for six years. She then worked for Scholar magazine in the capacity of a Managing Director. Another feather in her cap is that she is the current General Secretary for Sage Awareness for Global Environment.

Talking about her future aspirations Maleku says, “I would definitely give continuity to the business at hand and would love to see it grow. I am also looking into investing in new ventures. Most of all, I would like to record a song album and live my childhood dream all over again.” “Although my work keeps me on my toes through out the day and sometimes late into the night, I am grateful to my family for the deep understanding they have for me and my job. Without their support I would not be where I am today,” she adds with pride.

Published in the newspaper "The Himalayan Times's Prespective on page 5, 8th February 2015"

http://epaper.thehimalayantimes.com/Details.aspx?id=1133&boxid=56780476&dat=2/8/2015