Page 32 - IN THE LOOP (APR-SEPT 2021)

in the spotlight

Interview with Muhammad Shahid, GM Product Development

Brief introduction of yourself.

Fifteen years in and performing my fourth role at Interloop
and heading Product Development of Hosiery business.
Prior to Interloop, I worked as a merchandiser in the apparel
industry for US & EU markets. Besides a full-time career, I
have three feisty kids keeping me on my toes, and an
incredibly close-knit family that has enabled me to lead an
ambitious life.

What are the fundamentals of your work style?
I strongly support leading from the front and building a team
that sheens through commitment, hard work and adopting
the practice of continuous improvement. As a goal-oriented
professional, I found that reassessing my ambitions periodically
keeps me inspired and driven. I believe in being genuine,
inspiring commitment and expecting excellence - balanced
with compassion.
How interesting has been your journey with
Interloop?
Interesting, I would say is an understatement. The last fifteen
years have been thrilling, challenging and super interesting.
I am excited about the individual and professional growth of
my teams, and the organisation’s values regarding PEOPLE,
PLANET and PROSPERITY. I was entrusted with multiple What has been the most incredible moment of
possibilities that polished my skills and helped me in turning your life?
challenges into opportunities. Interloop also played a vital
role in my personal development which transformed me into I always feel that I am blessed to have plenty of incredible and
memorable moments in my life, however the most incredible
a better human being.
part is being safe, healthy and happy. Having three marvelous
Which personality has inspired you the most kids and all the precious opportunities I have had in life, I am
always thankful to Almighty for being so kind to me, and
in your life? hoping to give back as much as I have been blessed.
I wouldn’t say there is a single personality. A couple of people,
and more importantly my experience in life has inspired me the Where do you see the department in the next five
most. From early age, my mother introduced me to honesty, years?
hard work and discipline. My beloved late father served the
Pakistan armed forces for almost three decades. His advice to The coming time is very important, specifically after the
be humble and kind to human beings, hanging onto COVID pandemic. Therefore, DIGITAL PD is the future, and
truthfulness irrespective of any critical situation has always been this would require a strong team that is agile, committed
my inspiration. My mentors at my previous employers’ instilled and ready to grasp new opportunities. We are committed to
convert our PD to DIGITAL - transforming it into the
structured and professional ways of working that helped me
progress in my career. state-of-the-art facility, and our Digital Design Studio is also
operational, enabling us to offer 3D design services to our
How do you manage your work-life balance? customers.
I won’t deny I do love working and thoroughly enjoy my What advice would you like to give to your
work. The best part is, my family understands my working younger colleagues?
requirements and they are very cooperative, and always
offered the space I needed. As a father there is always a Always keep things simple and strive to do your best. Play
feeling of not spending enough time with my kids, your part on time with integrity and leave the rest to
however I try to balance my work with holidays. I make Almighty.
sure to take time out, spend quality family time on
weekends, and make sure our bond grows stronger.

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