Efficient HROs can be the highest successful management of the company

The way of life is a strange one. Sometimes, it starts from a narrow alley and ends in a highway. Again, sometimes it is stuck in that very alley like losing way in a labyrinth. It is not that an easy task for those who have made their good-luck by hard work. The wheel of life struggle is spinning endlessly and to be continued as well.

By the status posted by many in social media it is heard again & again that “ Still today, there is not a single HR, Compliance who has been promoted to CEO or COO”. Our this story of success will light the candle of hope for those dreamers and the hero of the success is Mr. Armanul Azim, successful personality of the time.

Recently, he has joined as the Chief Operating Officer (CEO) in Northern Tosrifa Group, one of the most nameable garments companies and manufactures of Bangladesh.

Our regular correspondent of The RMG Times Mr. Towhidul Islam Chanchal,  a well-known  HR Trainer, has taken the following interview of  Mr. Armanul Azim about his story of a successful career.

Chanchal: Please say something about your childhood period.

Armanul Azim: My childhood days had been full of fun. I had an affinity to games & sports. Though the performances were very poor all the time, there was no lack of eagerness. I spent a long time of my childhood, adolescence and student life in Mirpur. Miss those days and memories very much.

Chanchal: About your family.

Armanul Azim: Well, both of my parents were govt. service holders. My father served as Managing Director (MD) and many other important posts of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Limited’s(BCIL) Lira Industrial Enterprise, Magura Paper Mill etc and retired in 2003. My mother was the Deputy Director (DD) in Bangladesh Bank and she also retired in 2007.

I have one brother and one sister. I am the eldest of all. My brother, the youngest, works for NBD Bank (Dubai) as Senior Relationship Manager and most affectionate sister is also a banker, AVP in Prime Bank.

I am married and have two children. My son Parthib reads in class 7 and daughter Rodela, in class 3. My wife thinks it better to be housewife despite having completed her Graduation and Post Graduation in Economics.

I am trying hard to give a practical shape to my honesty, sincerity, devotion, and punctuality which I obtained from my family.

Chanchal: Please tell me about your student life.

Armanul Azim: I passed SSC from Monipur High School and HSC from Govt. Science College. I have completed my Graduation and Post Graduation from the then Jagannath College which is Jagannath University at present. I was a student of Accounting. After that, I completed my MBA from the University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Chanchal: Why did you choose to build up your career in HR and Compliance sector in Garments Industry in spite of your MBA in UK?

Armanul Azim: In Bangladesh, there is no value of setting a goal or we have no goal to be honest. Therefore, except doctors and engineers, the starting points of jobs are totally uncertain to the rest. After coming to Bangladesh having finished my study I did not think of it. I joined in the garment company in HR and Compliance sector and after 1 or 2 years I realized it could be a good track to go ahead myself and I could work for others as well. From that very realization overcoming number of obstacles, I have been still in this sector.

Chanchal: Say something about your career.

Armanul Azim: My career begins as an Assistant Manager in a Construction Company after Post Graduation completion. My mind did not support me when I was working in the Accounts section for a few days. I realized I was not enjoying my work. I had made up my mind already to manage a post anyhow in HR and Compliance section. I had been greatly attached to this sector since my father worked in Administration and HR sector. Then I waited for an opportunity. After working more than 2 years I joined a company as a Manager in HR and Administration section. As I was a son of the highly educated family, I had to fly UK for higher education ( MBA) and achieved it. Then in 2004, I joined in Opex Group as GM (HR & Compliance). After working there for 3 years I worked in the same post in DARD group for 1 year. After that, I worked for Leni Fashion for 4 years as GM (HR, Administration & Compliance). Lastly, I joined in my present company (Northern Tosrifa) as GM and after so many sacrifices I have been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Chanchal: What kind of challenges have you encountered in course of your career and how did you tackle them?

Armanul Azim: A career is different without challenges. There are some spines everywhere. If you think the road is smooth, this is inconsistency from your part. I have encountered a lot of odds on the way to my success and I have faced them with full of my confidence to reach in such a position where I am right now. In most of the companies, all top posts including Director are bound to the relatives or near relatives of the owner. The number of the young talented employees working as GM, an important post, who are not family and relatives is very poor. Besides, I got some of my colleagues, retired Police or Military officer, who didn’t take me casually. Might be they thought how would I handle the situation in such age. But later on with my efficiency I proved them wrong and was able to build a friendship with many of them. On the other hand, in our garment industry, you won’t find such people who work in HR & Compliance section don’t conflict with the production section. It is very challenging at the factory to keep peace across all the sections. I have successfully crossed the challenge.

Chanchal: What was the goal in your career? What was your role to reach in this present post?

Armanul Azim: As I said I had no goal in the earlier stage of my career. I set my goal after joining in the garment industry. I had a dream to be a CEO of a big garments company. I am still working very hard to achieve it. I think my honesty, bravery, sacrifice, and eagerness have always been with me for this current post.

Chanchal: Sir, give some suggestions that will inspire us all.

Armanul Azim: I try to find endless pleasure in my duty for which it doesn’t seem to me a tough one. I try to spread out the same among all of my colleagues. I inspire to work altogether wherever I work for. I appreciate other’s opinions. I do believe if we work in this way, the workload will be a mere friend!

Chanchal: Tell us your personal liking, disliking, and hobby.

Armanul Azim: I like to spend time with family. I like the excursion, watching movies etc though do not get much time. You are unable for a task to do but other can do that; I dislike it very much if you do not allow him for the task to be done. We should give up these kinds of mentalities. I hate such habits. I dislike most when someone is criticized for his absence. I hate those critics as well.

Chanchal: What do you think about your promotion in this post?

Armanul Azim: A new unit named Tosrifa Industries (Fabrics) started its journey since 2015. I, as the chief of the project, completed all the works successfully. Besides, I have known all the aspects of the company which are very important to be COO. I think the authority considered these experiences while promoting me.

Chanchal: Please say something for the newcomers or the young generations who are working in Bangladesh Garments Sectors.

Armanul Azim: ‘ Better let than never’ is the advice for you newcomers. Maybe, still, you don’t know what your goal is or what you will do. But it is important to have a short or long-term target. So set a target first even it is big or small and work hard to achieve it. The success will surely be yours. Don’t stop at the halfway. Problems will arise and you have to cope up with that.Step forward overcoming the obstacles on the way.  One more thing for the newcomers-  You have taken the right decision. Bangladesh Garments is the only sector where you can build your future within a very short period of time by good work and your efficiency.