British Business Group Pune
Promoting Partnership and Progress

BBG organised an interesting talk on 'Role of Leadership and Diversity' with Dr. Indira Parikh


Prof. Indira Parikh – Founder President of Foundation for Liberal Arts & Management Education, addressing the BBG audience at Le Royce on 4th October, 2011

British Business Group members got an opportunity to listen to an interesting session by Prof. Indira Parikh – Founder President of Foundation for Liberal Arts & Management Education, Pune during her talk on Role of Leadership & Diversity, on 4th October, held at Le Royce Hotel.
Prof. Parikh gave the BBG members a picturesque flow of how diversity has played its part in changing the mindsets of Leaders and their leadership styles to fit the mould of the diverse conditions unfolding before them. She began with a Chinese story to bring out the key element of Leadership being; the ability to listen to the silent sounds of those being lead. Leaders are those who make visible the non-visible or oppressed talents of the organisation and help to own the disowned capabilities and competencies and facilitate the action and energy of the organisation as a whole. Facilitate not for jobs, but for passion and dedication, to replenish the system.
She led the members unto a journey of change in Leadership styles from the 50s through to the current times. She then dwelt upon the diversities of people, history, culture, race, religion, colour, etc and how Leaderships will have to invent ways to address the issues in the socialization of people, life spaces and their future to cater to an India that is getting more and more vibrant, prosperous, respected, technologically advanced and growing at a mind boggling pace.
Vandana Saxena Poria OBE and Co-chair BBG had a brief interview session with Prof. Parikh where she spoke of the obstacles that she overcame to reach this position and all those who made it worth the while. The members were left asking for more but due to the limitations of time this session had to come to an end.

BBG Pune signs MOU with SIBN, UK to promote bilateral trade & investment



On Monday 26th September, The British Business Group (BBG) – Pune Chapter jointly with the British Deputy High Commission had organised a panel discussion and seminar on “Educational Links between the UK and India: Working to Bridge the Skills Gap” and interaction with the visiting delegation of Solent India Business Network, (SIBN) UK at Sumant Moolgaonkar Auditorium, MCCIA Prof. Graham Snape an Education & Training Specialist, International Trade Advisor, UKTI South East and Prof. Anant Chakradeo of the MIT School of Design were the panellists and Ms. Vandana Saxena Poria – CEO of Get Through Guides moderated the panel discussion. The discussion threw great light on the similarities in employability issues in both countries and the innovative steps that are being brought in to disseminate the gap between providing the skills and their final utilisation.

The British Trade office announced a successful Education Mission of Pune Based educational Institutes to the UK happening in October. This was a sign of a growing need to share knowledge and improve skills in both countries. More Indo-UK partnerships are essential to bridging the skills gaps and this trip is certain to encourage tie ups.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between British Business Group – Pune Chapter and Solent India Business Network “to co-operate and work together to promote bilateral trade relations and investment between the two organisations and their respective members across a range of markets and sectors. ”

Amarjit Singh – Co-chairman SIBN said; “We are delighted to agree on SIBN’s international partnership with BBG Pune Chapter, aimed at promoting two way trade and investment across a range of sectors. We feel Pune has a great fit with the Solent region and look forward to hosting an inward trade mission from Pune at some point next year.”
For further information: www.sibn.co.uk

Vandana Saxena Poria OBE Co Chair British Business Group Pune said, “Members of both organisations have an amazing opportunity to share knowledge and help each other’s businesses through the initiatives we will take. This includes delegations to each other’s regions and projects to improve employability skills”.

Times of India-5th Oct.2011



Ms. Orna Sagiv, Consul General of Israel gives an insight into Israel to BBG

Vandana Saxena Poria OBE introducing the speaker for the evening Ms. Orna Sagiv – Consul General of Israel in Mumbai.
Ms. Orna Sagiv, Consul General of Israel gives an insight into Israel to members of BBG
British Business Group members were treated to an exceptionally informative and eye opening session with Ms. Orna Sagiv – Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, on Tuesday, 17th Jan at St. Laurn Hotel.

She gave the audiences an insight into the way their minds are moulded when they are taught very early in life to question everything, even authority and challenge even the authority of the Army. This is in order to allow them to think and innovate. The compulsory military stint for every young girl for two years and boy for three years teaches the individuals self belief and confidence. In Israel, failure is accepted since they believe that only failure teaches an individual to innovate and succeed.

She explained that Israel is known for its three D’s:
• Defence and defence technologies
• Drip Irrigation and recycling of water and
• Diamonds.

The Israeli government sees its role positively. 60 to 70% i.e. approximately $200 million worth of trade between Israel and UK was mainly diamonds. Leveraging knowledge and technology has led them to use the technology from military guidance missiles has led to the creation of the Pillcam – a pill which has a camera and takes pictures as it moves through the body.

Since Israel has no natural resources, it has invented the expertise of desalination of water – the largest water desalination plant in the world is in Israel. Israel is known for recycling and re-use of 80% of its water resources upto level 2 and that water is used in agriculture and Spain at no 2. does only 17%. The house opened up for a Q and A session and only the paucity of time allowed the moderator to close the session.