BUS 231 (Section 7) Business Communication Name: Ziniya Tabassum Anwar, ID No: 2010-2-10-031 Journal 1, Date of Submission: 26.11.2012

IS WATERSIDE GROUP SINK OR SWIM IN SEA

Waterside group, the consultancy firm which is founded in September 1997 by Ahmed Karim. He is a managing director of Waterside. Mr.Karim was from Noakhali and an Australian citizen. He doing his post graduate, worked over there and then ventured on Kuwait where he set up a branch of an Australian university. After many years he wanted to make a connection with Kuwait to set up a heading hunting business; send people over there to work. But few days later, he understand there was more demand for consulting service who wanted to go abroad for further studies. So, in February 1998 he changed the business to a new area- student counseling and grooming. He started this company in Australia as a sole proprietorship. Dhaka branch was main operating branch and was named ‘Waterside Consulting Group’. The main vision of waterside group was to help students to fill up their form, applying at their desire College or universities to get final visa. Special service offered by them was if they don’t get visa they will returned the money. They also started to expand their business in Noakhali and Barisal through their agents. Mr. Karim offered his co-worker to join his company named Mr. Rahman who was also a teacher of Western International University. Mr. Rahman was well qualified with several degrees; get many scholarships during his studies. Mr. karim thought if Mr. Rahman joined as training and management consulting unit as a executive director it was more helpful to his business. The training and management consulting area run separately showing its profit and looses. Mr. Rahman had no stake in the firm as result of it is a sole trader ship. But after that he was promised verbally he will get a portion of profit but there was not any written agreement. As the partnership business was started at 2001, the first year of their partnership business was good and Mr. Rahman was pleased with performance. The culture of the firm was very informal and laid back. As the majority of employees were a common background and that’s why the atmosphere was very fun-filled, cracking jokes together, have a lunch together and sometime they became late at office. The main reason for laid back was Mr. Karim’s background. Mr. Karim spent money freely in many ways was he thought it was done for good purpose. For example students WIU often asked for sponsor, employees have a free membership in Gym. Even though he didn’t asked Mr. Rahman. But in a few days Mr. Rahman realized there was no empowerment in firm. Mr. karim take many decision by himself. This laid back approach carried over into the finances of the company as well. Foreign consultant, Ms. Jane Doherty going around to ask question to all and sundry about work they performed. Mr. Rahman found that she was hired for if the organization structure could be improved. As they are consulted too many customers, is it possible to get visa for everyone. This not his subject to concentrate, so he keep quiet about the matter. The business facing problems till the end of 2001. Firm’s having trouble from February, 2002. Many customers wanted their money back as they haven’t got any visa and admission to any university. This was occurred because the agents take additional customers without informing head office in Dhaka. Now, customers wanted their money back which is amounted 25 lakhs. This amount is burden to business. Mr. Karim again take decision by himself to handle the situation, he fired 6 staff who worked under Mr. Rahman and also Mr. Karim. Mr. Rahman had had a personal vision; he wanted to do something which is helpful to youth of the country. So, he registered a Youth Development Forum as a non-profit organization under the Society’s Registration Act. Mr. Rahman wanted to leave waterside group but he valued his friendship. He didn’t leave but customers wanted him to take decision. So, it’s a crucial time for him what could he do for this customer who were protestors shout outside the office.

Source: SEDF-CBDS, Bangladesh Rumana Liza Anam, 2003-10-18