Page 23 - In The Loop Jul-Oct 2019

in the spotlight Sales & Merchandising 4 at a Glance

The sales and merchandising department was established
day matters relating to the development, costing, pricing,
with the inception of the company. It has gone through
and execution of the product as per customer requirement.
changes in the past to manage the ever-changing needs
and challenging requirements of the market & the The major responsibility of S&M is to get the business
executed optimally as per customer contracts and to
customer. It has been transformed from one department to generate new business. One of the major achievements of
different geographically based departments. Sales and this Department for the year 2019 was a breakthrough with
Interview with Naveed Ahmed Khan, Head of Sales & Merchandising 4 Merchandising 4 looks after several customers in the UK, UK’s biggest clothing retailer Marks & Spencer and by the
Ireland, and South America. This division comprises time this issue is published, we would have already
multi-talented team members, working through all day to dispatched its first shipment.
Brief introduction of yourself.
After my MBA, I started my professional career in the
hosiery garments industry where I spent 4 years in export
marketing. Alongside this, I was also a part-time visiting
lecturer at various business institutions. I was hungry to
learn and needed a platform to excel and utilize my
potential. With this aim, I joined Interloop almost 2 decades
ago. I love what I do, and try to find creative ways to handle
difficult situations.
What are the fundamentals of your work style?

I believe that willpower is the key. Never giving up and
quick decision-making are the fundamental elements of my
working. I accept challenges and try to find solutions.

How interesting has been your journey with
Interloop?
My journey with Interloop has had a great impact on my
life. I have been given opportunities where I have learned
from the best and got trained to tackle any situation.

Which personality has inspired you the most in
your life?
What has been the most incredible moment of
Muhammad Ali, the former heavy weight boxing champion
has always inspired me. Never has a boxing legend made your life?
such an impact as Muhammad Ali did. Through his Just recently, when my son broke my record and secured
courageous efforts both inside and outside the ring, his marks in class 10, I will count that as the most incredible
unwavering passion for fighting for equality, Ali's status as moment of my life.
a hero will forever be cemented in history. There is no
doubt that he is truly “the greatest” there ever was. Where do you see the department in the next
five years?
How do you manage your work-life balance?
The world is changing at a faster pace now and customers
My family is aware of my work requirements and commitments need speed and accuracy. To meet the future challenges
and is very understanding. However, I make sure that my and to improve the service, the department is being
weekends are dedicated to my family. Dining out, playing re-structured very well.
some sports, watching movies are some of the things that
I do with my family on the weekends. What advice would you like to give to your
younger colleagues?
Do you recall any interesting incident that
happened with you at Interloop? There is no short cut for success, create inner strength,
unlock attitude and trust yourself. I remember a line said by
There are many but the one that still makes me laugh is the the Chairman, Musadaq Zulqarnain, in our early days,
one that happened in 2007. In a buying meeting with a “Always take the lead to accept mistakes, this may trouble
customer, suppliers from China were quoting prices very you for a moment but will build your character and uplift
fast by using just calculators and fingers and believe me personality”.
the buyers were impressed. Then came my turn and the
buyers expected me to have a similar response. My quick
thinking and the will to win over the buyers led us to
acquire the customer. I picked the sock and smelled and
offered prices with all the styles. Not only I won the speed
test but the business too. I never told this to my boss;
Musadaq Zulqarnain. He is going to read it now.

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