Apart form Dr Mutalemwa
other speakers were, the national
training and capability manager
of SBC-Pepsi, Mr. Rashid Chenja
who among others, encouraged
graduates and he said “Graduates
think differently while they are in
school, then from the time when
they are at work. I urge graduates to
put their best effort during school
and at work.” In addition he offered
internship opportunities to the
best-selected graduate participants
of the training.
Mr. Enzo Graziano the training
facilitator started by acknowledging
that, “Technology has changed the
way we communicate. Thirty years
ago one had to go to a sales person
but now people use Google to find
a sales person or an item. In the year
2016, sales people compete with
Google and not with other sales
people.” This was a lesson to the
graduates that they should ensure
that they are IT knowledgeable.
He also advised the trainees that to
be a good in sales one must endure
pain first. In addition Mr. Enzo
Graziano insisted on “The power of
positive thinking is not a reality. Pain
is power and not knowledge that is
why an organization trains people
of twenty three years of age and in
the end we have young adults who
are leading the old generation.”He
went on to insist, “One must enjoy
pain, and if you learn to enjoy
the pain then you would lose the
weight. Training in sales consists of
pain. It is a privilege”. He summed
up “There is no life without pain,
because life is pain.”
Mr. Bhavesh Chandaria, the head
of learning and development at
SAFAL Group of which ALAF Ltd
is part of as a Tanzania’s leading
steel roofing manufacturer & allied
Convocation Newsletter | 2017
building solutions provider, also
added to that, “ The problem is
that no one wants to be a sales foot
soldier anymore. Today we live in
an era where we want romance and
money. Learn first and then earn
later. Experience ha to go first.”
The icing on the cake of the
training was the surprise guest
who is one of the most prominent
business entrepreneurs in Tanzania,
Mr. Mohamed Dewji, who gave
out a short history about him
and how he became a successful
Business entrepreneur in Tanzania.
He began by telling his profound
short story about himself, “I was
born in Singida in 1975 on a table
at home with an umbilical cord
around my neck but I was born
safe. I started my life fighting and
never have stopped fighting for it.”
He told the graduates. He went on
to say he graduated in 1987 from
primary school and went to the
International School of Tanganyika
and while there he competed
in golf and through that he was
able to get a golf scholarship and
went to study in Florida. He also
studied at Georgetown University
in Washington D.C majoring
in Finance and Theology. Mr
Mohamed Dewji told the crowd
of graduates that Tanzania has
opportunities. He pointed out
that MeTL is successful because of
sales: - Sales distribution centers
availability - retail outlets across
Tanzania, credit to customers,
have branches in different parts
of Tanzania and also Mobile Sales
groups.
products are good but customers
are reached. Moreover he pointed
out to the graduates who
participated in the sales training
boot camp that the only secret for
being successful is discipline and
hard work. Secondly one should
surround themselves with positive
people, be curious and always
being ready to learn and finally one
must take risks.
The testimonial of the guest
speaker was inspirational, he
engaged with the participants and
responded to their many questions.
Lastly he stressed to putting
efforts on education and work for
success does depend on efforts and
hard work not and good grades
only. “Dropouts might be more
successful than a person who has
gone to school and is well educated
for example Bill Gates.
Dr. Darlene Mutalemwa gave
the closing remarks and vote of
thanks for the graduates, all invited
participants and sponsors. It all
ended well with 23 graduates who
attended the sales boot camp
being selected for an internship
with SBC- Pepsi and several others
were offered the internship by
ALAF and Cornerstone Partners
Ltd. As organizers we will all the
participants best in their sales
carrier.
Despite the successes of MeTL,
Mr. Mohamed Dewji said that his
company has challenges including
first and foremost lack of good
salespersons. Another challenge
is making sure that the company’s
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