MTI Consulting

N. Vasantha Kumar - Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Hilmy Cader – CEO MTI Consulting with S. A. R. S. Samaraweera – Deputy General Manager of HR and Rajika Sangakkara - MTI’s Project Engagement Lead. People’s Bank is set to execute a Scientific Capacity Planning Study linked to Career and Succession Planning and a Two Way Performance Appraisals Mechanism, which was facilitated by MTI Consulting with the main objective of realigning the HR systems and appraisal process of the bank. Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of People’s Bank, N. Vasantha Kumar stated: “MTI worked closely with People’s Bank in developing the Strategic Plan in 2015, and are very acquainted with the challenges faced by the Bank and its employees, relating in particular to customer service quality and human resources management. The intended study is a result of the outcome of the Bank’s Strategic Plan, which will lead to the implementation of two of the most important Strate...

The Sri Lankan economy, after a period of post-war growth, is showing signs of cooling down. The depreciating rupee and recent fuel price hikes and its ‘snowballing’ effect on cost of living is bound to impact consumer sentiment and spending, business investments and the demand for credit. The natural tendency of many businesses would be to start cutting costs and freeze development initiatives. Research and MTI’s international experience, clearly shows that, the way in which companies respond to tough times, is what separates the ‘living’ from the ‘departed’. Most organisations tend to indiscriminately cut costs, freeze all forms of developmental work and adopt a ‘wait & see’ approach. We call them the ‘Chop & Cripple’ companies. By contrast, the Smarter Companies (we call them ‘Trim & Fit’ companies), while being prudently cautious, uses the crisis period as an opportunity to critically evaluate every aspect of its Strategy, Structure, Staff and Systems, chall...

The MTI International Team led by CEO Hilmy Cader and Consultant Darshan Singh are currently in Addis Ababa, as part of an initiative to strengthen ties with BCaD Consulting, MTI’s Associate in the second most populous African country. Commenting on the significance of the visit, MTI CEO Hilmy Cader said, “Our international go-to-market business model has been to work with boutique independent consultants in these emerging and frontier market. With a population of 105 million people and an economy growing in excess of 9%, Ethiopia is geographically well-positioned to serve the fast growing East African region. Our experience in frontier markets gives us an edge in serving the public and private sectors in Ethiopia.” MTI Consulting has worked on assignments across emerging and frontier markets in Asian, Middle East and African regions, which include projects carried for multi-national and regional companies and agencies in Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Jord...

The root cause of most ethnic conflicts is the lack of integration. We are all born innocent. Thereon our families, our schools and the wider society shapes our values, our thinking, that then drives our actions.  Early on in life if we learn to appreciate diversity and if we learn to respect each other’s religions and cultures, peaceful cohabitation is possible. Our schooling environment plays a major role in shaping us and builds lifelong friendships. This is where integration needs to start.  But how can this happen in a society where schooling is increasingly discriminated along religious lines?  How can this happen when political parties are formed on racial divides? The solution, which looks increasingly utopian, lies in enactments (constitutional changes), enforcements and enlightenment. Wishfully thinking we had a ‘bot’ (not our politicians) to fix this!

Carbon Consulting, one of South Asia’s leading sustainability consultants (with MTI as a strategic equity partner), has urged Sri Lankan businesses to take a more scientific and proactive response to Climate change, stating that “businesses must make it their business to respond to climate change” These comments were made by Carbon Consulting’s Suraj Vanniarachchy as he presented his paper at International Conference on Climate Change hosted by the University of Colombo in collaboration with Colorado State University, the Climate Change Secretariat, the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, and the International Institute of Knowledge Management. The Conference witnessed the participation of more than 100 participants representing more than 20 countries across the world. The countries included  Sri Lanka, Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, Iran, Australia, ...

Incubated and mentored by MTI’s idea2fund The MTI idea2fund venture of Bakamuna is currently planning a spin-off chain of BKM (Bakamuna) pop-up stores – which will be a locally owned and operated franchise. The intent would be start with an few experimental store in store concept stores – in high traffic lifestyle environments and then gradually expand the concept. Bakamuna’s multidimensional contemporary art mixes both digital and non-digital mediums combining multiple artistic media such as ink and pastel, or painting and collage to create lively and unique illustrations inspired by indigenous cultures around the world, the natural environment, and elements of music. Bakamuna’s mantra consists of three Cs; with the aim to Create innovative and unique mixed art illustrations, Connect with the audience to help them express themselves through art and design, and Collaborate with the community to celebrate life through art. “Art and design have always been my passion. T...

Calls for needs-based scientific approach that will cascade to remaining state organisations If local media outlets are anything to go by, the su ggestion of radically restructuring the Cabinet is a welcome move and the nation hopes that this will not be just another outburst in a euphoric moment!  Structuring any organisation, irrespective of size and type, needs to be aligned to the purpose, direction and strategy of the organisation. This needs a very scientific approach, using purpose-specific structuring frameworks and an inclusive process of facilitating stakeholder involvement.  If this process is entirely left to politicians (whose only entry qualification is the popular vote, while few of them may have specific managerial and technical competencies), then it tends to be driven by political motives and not by what is in the best interest of the people of a country.   In this feature article, MTI shares some of the extensive thought leadership research don...