Jashim Uddin Ahmed

Sadakalo: Marketing of Traditional Fashion in the Modern Fashion Industry

The traditional fashion had always been just apparelling need for most of the people of Bangladesh. Over the last decade, unique contrives of apparelling has been adapting substantially to cope with the changing needs of the society but keeping in mind an inducing sense of traditional fashion which people can differentiate themselves from others. Interestingly, the traditional fashion has reached to a very competitive market in Bangladesh. As a consequence, some of the fashion houses such as, Aarong, Prabartana, Nipun, Anjans, Kay Kraft, Deshal, Rang, Sadakalo and Nabarupa have been successful to create a brand value. Specifically, Sadakalo is one of the leading fashion houses with particular focus on traditional clothes. The main aim of this article is to demonstrate how a fashion house can gain competitive advantages despite unpredictable market challenges. The article focuses on origin of Sadakalo, their products and retailing, markets and customers, planning, sourcing and warehousing, design and production, distribution, store operations, marketing and management issues and competitive challenges of Sadakalo that specially led to achieve competitive advantages. The article also explores the dynamic ideas and capabilities of the entrepreneur of Sadakalo.

Managing Strategies for Higher Education Institutions in the UK: An Overview

This article deals with strategic management issues in the higher education sector in the UK. The core idea is presented here with the argument that the principle and practice of strategic management are not only the concerns of senior management, but also an essential requirement at all levels of management of higher education. It shows that higher education institutions exist in a complex and changing environment with an increasing need for fast and effective strategic responses to external pressures. Having identified these issues, this article considers a form of strategic issues such as strategic management in higher education, three different levels of strategy and also discusses Porter’s five forces in the context of UK higher education sector. Though these issues are considered from a theoretical standpoint, they are linked to the competitive positioning and strategic management concepts being used in higher education.

Social innovation and SONO filter for drinking water

Purpose Bangladesh is facing an alarming situation with the drinking water in its most areas, as groundwater used for drinking has been contaminated with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. Many entrepreneurs along with the government are trying to cope up with this problem. SONO filter is one of them that is based on the social innovation concept. Social innovation is defined as innovative products/services motivated by the goal of meeting a social need, with the opportunity to create new social collaborations. This paper aims to examine the concepts of social innovation, which advocates enhancing values to society and the social benefit to all the stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach This is an exploratory study and presents the evolution, the development of the social business model and its implementation. Abul Hussam initiated the social business concept through SONO filter that is commercialized through the Manob Sakti Unnayan Kendro. The study has been conducted entirely on the basis of documentary information and data available in the public domain. Findings The findings show a hopeful contribution toward enhancing social benefits to society especially in arsenic-affected areas. SONO filter helps to mitigate the water-borne diseases and make people clean and safe, as well as healthy, by providing pure drinking water. Even by drinking pure water, people with arsenic-related diseases are getting better day by day through this social initiative. Originality/value Business based on social innovation is a new and really a good working concept. It has faced many hurdles in its journey to meet social objectives. Many researchers, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, national planners and society leaders will surely be benefited by its solution.

Understanding Operations of Floating Schools: A Case of Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change since it is a delta formed by the confluence of major rivers. Making sure that schools are resilient against such natural disasters in Bangladesh should be a priority for any disaster risk reduction preparedness and planning. To address this challenge, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha (SSS) found an innovative way to deliver information and primary education to residents of wetland area in Bangladesh. It operates 111-vessel fleet of floating schools, libraries, health clinics and training centres, equipped with wireless Internet access, serving over 1,00,000 families. This case captures a clear picture of this rapidly growing non-governmental organization (NGO) of Shidhulai and its extensive activities leading to the transformation of the region’s waterways into pathways for education, information and technology in Bangladesh. Although the case partly focuses upon the role of NGOs and the operational concept of floating schools across the world, an examination of SSS’s growth, challenges, current and plans ahead strategies is the main emphasis here. All these discussions ultimately pave a clear way as to which steps the NGO could take to strengthen its position, and support the development of socio-economic infrastructure of Bangladesh.

Massification to Marketization of Higher Education: Private University Education in Bangladesh

Massification of higher education is a contemporary phenomenon, and Bangladesh is an excellent example of massification in the sector. With increased alertness worldwide among nations, policy-makers and development bodies, massification of higher education is a requirement of time. Increasing number of youth also contribute to the phenomenon across the globe. Bangladesh, with a population of 160 million, has a good proportion of youth with the need of quality higher education. With the recent advent of Bangladesh as a lower middle income country and the increase in the per capita income of its population, the higher education sector of Bangladesh is attracting immense investments. Bangladesh Government foreseeing the eminent advancement in the country allowed the establishments of private universities in 1992 to cater to the growing higher education need of the country along with public universities. Private universities brought new dimension in the sector and underwent massive growth. All-out success of the first private university of Bangladesh attracted others to quickly enter the market and make use of the high-yield emerging market. However, most private universities have commodified their service. The focus is less on quality education, research and innovation, and philanthropic contribution to society. Business-minded people being at the forefront of the booming higher education industry, revenue and profit are first on their agenda rather than education, the main reason why they are in the sector. The article delves deep into the details of the conflicting dilemma of massification leading towards marketization (MtM) in the sector. It tries to explore the variances between industry potential, expected standard and anticipated service by the students, the ultimate recipients of higher education.

BRACnet: Journey of Fast Technology

This case study deals with the organization, business model, challenges and successes of the largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Bangladesh. BRACnet is the largest ISP in the country using WiMAX and fibre optics to utilize its licensed spectrum at 3.5 GHz. Based on WiMAX and fibre optics technology, BRACnet serves a diverse client base, including corporations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and educational institutions across Bangladesh. To satisfy the connectivity needs of both corporate and individual customers, BRACnet offers a wide variety of service packages to accommodate the needs of its diverse client base. This case study explores the significant corporate and stakeholder aspects of BRACnet and how it is working towards its primary objective that is ‘IT sustainability in Bangladesh’. Finally, the study highlights challenges ahead seeking discussion and solutions.

Bangladesh’s Dynamic Toilet Soap Market: The Case of Keya

The case study focuses on one of the oldest local soap companies in Bangladesh, Keya Cosmetics Ltd. It portrays the toilet soap market and elaborates on the national and international soap companies operating in the country. Despite the global shift in purchase patterns towards liquid and gel soaps, many Bangladeshis (particularly of the lower socio-economic classes) still prefer the traditional bar soaps for all kinds of cleansing needs. The study specifically highlights the above the line (ATL) and below the line (BTL) strategies used by the brand Keya. The ATL strategies are then further broken down to a number of different channels being used such as television commercials (TVCs) and sponsorships followed by BTL strategies consisting of the usage of social media to reach its customers. Thereby, in order to maintain a balance between adjusting to the modern-day trends as well as preserving the Bangladeshi consumer base, Keya Cosmetics must scrutinize the current market and formulate the best possible market strategy for the upcoming years. The case study sheds light on the needs of the diverse market and brand issues as well as the future scopes of the toilet soap market.

Agrani Doer Banking: Agent Banking Business in Bangladesh

Abstract Agent banking involves the provision of banking services through non-conventional means such as retail outlets with the use of technology. In developing countries, such as Bangladesh, agent banking acts as a medium between the rural unbanked majorities and banking services that they would otherwise not have access to. The case analyzes how innovation in the banking sector can aid poor people to gain access to financial institutions through the Agrani Doer banking business model. It elaborates on the rules and regulations of agent banking and how the first state bank of Bangladesh, Agrani Bank, establishes coverage to places not deemed possible before. The concept of agent banking, in an illustrative case, is linked to Ansoff’s Growth Matrix as Agrani Bank uses technology and innovation in its business strategies to achieve its desired growth goals.

Eastern Housing Limited: Marketing Strategies of a Real Estate Company in Bangladesh:

The case study investigates the key competitive advantages, marketing strategies, opportunities and challenges of Eastern Housing Limited (EHL), the oldest and largest company in the real estate industry of Bangladesh. EHL was created in 1964 as a private limited company to reduce the housing problems of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Over the last 50 years, EHL has successfully completed many large land and flat projects and gradually became the pioneer in the private housing industry of the country. The company strives for continuous improvement by focusing on marketing strategies, such as shifting its product line and target market, offering flexible pricing and becoming more customer oriented by building long-term customer relationship. However, in recent years, the company has encountered fierce competition from other players in the market and lost monopoly leadership. The study highlights how EHL is focusing on its marketing strategies to increase its market share and carefully planning to be more aggressive in addressing the challenges lying ahead.

ASA: Cost-effective and Sustainable Microfinance Model NGO in Bangladesh:

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) focus on understanding the needs of the poor and assisting them to improve their livelihoods by developing the most efficient and effective mechanisms to deliver finance. This case study concentrates on how the Association for Social Advancement, or ASA, approaches working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on microfinance using its diversified service portfolios and operational structures in Bangladesh. The achievements and threats of NGOs have been discussed in terms of current changes and challenges for a microcredit concept to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh.