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By Chandani Jayatilleke

A Management Consultant by profession, Hilmy Cader is the CEO of MTI's Global Operations, a company based in Bahrain. He works on consulting and training projects in the US, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Though based in Bahrain, Cader shuttles between Bahrain and Colombo regularly. In Sri Lanka, he serves on the boards of three leading business conglomerates - Delmege Distributors, Hemas Marketing and Hayleys Consumer.

Currently he is working on a project to create an 'export strategy plan for Sri Lanka' with the Export Development Board. This project is aimed at improving Sri Lanka's exports and earns more foreign exchange. "However, my cherished dream is to see the Government initiating 'company status' to run the country," Cader told the Meeting Point interview last week. He is in town to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

Government as a company

"I like to see the country managed as a company with chairman/CEO and managerial positions in key sectors. Everybody should be given work targets and evaluate their performances every year.

This will certainly increase the productivity and efficiency of the state sector. I would also like to support the Government in such an endeavour at no cost," he said.

A professional achiever, he spends a considerable part of his time travelling, including regular visits to Sri Lanka - which he says is the best place on earth.

MTI Consulting

Five-years into MTI Consulting, Cader is recognised as one of the best global marketing/business strategy consultants and his company MTI has achieved equal fame.

In a wide career spanning 22 years Cader has undertaken consulting, training and speaking assignments in 42 countries across USA, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia/New Zealand. He spends 50% of his time in Bahrain, 25% in Sri Lanka and 25% globally spread from Mexico to Australia.

Cader is a sought after global speaker-having undertaken over 250 training and speaking assignments. His reputation has grown to the extent that the prestigious Indian newspaper, The Hindu, recently interviewed him. Cader was also invited to address the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Education

Cader was educated at D.S Senanayake College and Royal College. An all-round student, he excelled in sports and captained the first ever table tennis team at D.S. Senanayake. After moving to Royal College, he captained the junior team in 1976 and the senior team in 1978. He earned the distinction of having represented Sri Lanka in 1979 and in 1984 and was appointed Manager of the Sri Lanka Team for the Asian Championships in Pakistan.

Career

Having successfully completed the Advanced Level examination, Cader started his professional career as a Sales Representative at the Maharaja Organisation - where he had a solid grounding in the discipline of marketing.

One year into the job, at the age of 19, he had the distinction of being the youngest ever to win the STAR REP award for the best sales performance by a Maharaja Sales Executive. Maintaining his exceptional performance, Cader was rewarded with a promotion to a Brand Manager.

"After managing and launching several successful products into the local market, I wanted to move into a different company and I joined the BCC and later the multinational giant, Glaxo," he said. He rose to the position of Marketing Manager at Glaxo.

Studies

While pursuing his career in a new arena, Cader ventured into lecturing the students sitting for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) examinations and training sales staff in local companies. He was also an active member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing holding Executive Committee positions and served as Hony General Secretary (between 1985 and 1990).

Turning point

1990 marked a significant furthering of Cader's career as he was appointed Regional Marketing Manager for the Middle East for the world's largest dairy company - the New Zealand Dairy Board. After the initial training phase in New Zealand, he was posted to Bahrain, which became his second home. At the New Zealand Dairy Board, he travelled extensively in the Middle East with overall responsibility for several markets.

In 1994, the Fortune 200 US Company Ralston Purina (which also owns Eveready Batteries) hired Cader as the Area Director with responsibility for North Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. This appointment took him from Egypt to Indonesia and from Lebanon to China. He carried out several pioneering projects at Ralston Purina and in recognition of his talent he was given several international training and consulting roles.

Own venture

With all international experiences, Cader made a bold decision to set up his own venture. "I thought I should go for my own venture and share the experiences with other companies by way of providing them consultancy service. That's how I started the MTI Consulting - an international business strategy and marketing consulting company," he said.

Advice to youth

Firstly, youth should make an effort to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses. They should decide on a future career on these strengths. This realisation alone will take them to greater heights because one's strengths and weaknesses are the foundation for a successful career.

The youth should also try to be innovative without copying others. "Be yourself and do what you want to do. That's a great happiness," he said.

However, to become a complete human being Hilmy says, one has to lead a balanced life. It should be a combination of education, career, family, human spirits and friends and neighbours.

Image of the country

Following the on-going peace talks, Sri Lanka is in an excellent position to attract foreign investments and tourists. "I see the sentiments of the people in the country and outside the country have been changed dramatically. This is a good platform to launch new economic strategies. The important thing right now is to work on fundamentals of the economy to uplift the living standards of all people in the country. Dividends of the peace bid should pass down to people in rural areas. So far this has not happened, though it is very much visible in Colombo and the suburbs. People in the rural areas also should get the same benefits as those in the city."

Law and order

The country's law and order has to be in place. The government has to make an extra effort to enforce the legal system positively. The number of murder and burglary cases are increasing as a result of non-application of law and order effectively. This is an issue to be attended to immediately. Despite his extremely busy schedule, he finds time to be with his family and for workouts. Cader currently lives in Bahrain with his wife Shreen and two children Adhil and Afra.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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