“Core values drive a business, business doesn’t drive the core values” Henna Babar Ali said at Startup Grind Lahore

Women TechMakers Public Speaking Workshop was organized by  Startup Grind Lahore powered by Google for Entrepreneurs presented by Zong in collaboration with Google Business Group Lahore & Google Developer Group Lahore. It aimed towards empowering women and providing a greater understanding of the struggles women face in the workforce, as part of our celebrations for International Women’s Day.

In the inaugural session we were proud to host Ms Henna Babar Ali, Chairperson DIC Pakistan, Advisor, Consumer Products Division, Packages Limited & Packages Mall in conversation with Mr Iftikhar Hussain, Director Startup Grind Lahore.

During this discussion Ms Henna Babar Ali points towards numerous lessons she’s learnt during her life and her achievements : “The biggest achievement of my life is that I try  to follow my parent’s footsteps.” Ms Babar Ali points towards the fact that the guidance of one’s parents is irreplaceable and learning from their experience pivots an individual towards a happy and successful life.

As a successful author, Ms Babar Ali presents a deep connection to her values and spirituality, she says “Core values drive a business, business doesn’t drive the core values.” refuting the claim by many that in order to run a successful business one has to abandon their core values.

When asked about her most difficult career decision she said “ My daughter Mubarak was born  at which stage I had to decide what I wanted to do with my career should I  continue working at Packages or what else can I do?”

Ms Babar Ali was firm on her belief that women need financial independence “Learn how to make money.” She also placed great emphasis on what she discovered is integral in order to be a successful leader, she says “ You need to have courage, honesty and a sense of humility. Lead without this sense of entitlement and connect with your team on a personal basis.”

Overall this inaugural discussion of the Public Speaking Workshop proved to be a thought invoking session prompted by the life experience of Ms Henna Babar Ali and left the audience awestruck by the lessons Ms Babar Ali taught them.

Following Syeda Henna Babar Ali’s session was an illustrious panel discussion about the struggles of women in the workplace. The panel included Margo Aziz, Director, The Choueifat International; Mehr Agha, Rector, Ali Institute of Education; Syeda Nausheen Jaffery, Head of Business Excellence Pakistan, Nestle; Javaria Malik, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, ICMA Pakistan; Beenish Karim Bhutta,Manager Legal, Pakistan, Pepsico International moderated by Sophia Anjum, Head of Marketing, FM91, RJ & Event Host.

During the course of this panel discussion, these qualified women delivered their perspective on the difficulty of maintaining a work-life balance specifically for women and the ways in which the ‘glass ceiling’ can be broken.

Reflecting on the inspiring words of Syeda Henna Babar Ali, these women addressed the need for financial autonomy for women and encouraged women to face adversity head on.

Margo Aziz exclaimed “How we perceive success is different for everyone else. Use this difference in perception to grow and never stop growing, in this way you’ll always be one step ahead of everyone.”

Following this tone of discussion, Mehr Agha provided her perspective on how women can achieve success, “I definitely want to endorse that we need to come out of our comfort zone and reach out for mentorship, for advice in order to be successful.”

She followed this by saying “Be sure of occupation you choose because if you’re truly passionate about your occupation, excelling at it becomes easier and for success in the world, excelling at your occupation is a must especially in the face of criticisers.”

Beenish Karim Bhutta used her experience to explain what she thinks is important for women to be successful, she said, “Just as a brand needs a unique selling point, so do you. Learn from others success stories, adapt what they do to your own personality, and become someone else’s success story.”

Javaria Malik went on to direct the personality traits needed for success “Be specific and be direct, you should feel comfortable in voicing your opinion respectfully because your opinion is valuable.”

Syeda Nausheen Jaffery agreed with her fellow panelists and pointed towards specific things she thought were pertinent for success “You need to keep learning and never accept you’ve learnt enough because that’s truly the only way to achieve success.”

Following this immaculate panel discussion, Ms Irum Bokhari, Secretary Women Development Department, Govt of the Punjab presented her viewpoint on women empowerment and the role of the government is facilitating women. Hosted by Shanzey Sumreen Faiz, CEO Retail Headquarters, this discussion presented a plethora of information in regards to how women can pave the way for their success and what Ms Bokhari aims to do in her second tenure to advance the cause of women empowerment.

Perhaps the most pertinent saying Ms Bokhari delivered was the fact that “An empowered woman empowers other women.” In order for this systematic inequality between men and women to be eliminated, empowered women have to support other women’s empowerment because without unity, success cannot be achieved.

“If you dream hard enough, anything is possible.” Ms Bokhari truly believes that faith in ones dream can make that dream a reality if one is brave enough to follow through with that dream.”

In her current position as Secretary Women Development Department, Govt of the Punjab, would be doing, Ms Bokhari exclaimed “ In my second tenure I’m trying to focus on the rural women following the vision of empowering women through empowered women.”

Host, Shanzey Sumreen Faiz also added the need for female unity, she said, “We need to compliment and encourage one another, hold hands in in our fight for equality.”

This discussion concluded in applause from the audience having received a plethora of information from these successful inspirational women .

Ayesha Chaudhry, Member Punjab Assembly was the Chief Guest at the event. She shared her own journey that she was the only one in her family who purse to politics, moved to Lahore leaving her IT company  in Karachi to contribute her two cents in Naya Pakistan. She shared that you dream big with smaller goals to achieve the pathway to success.

Towards the end the event was a huge success, filled with interesting questions and inspiring conversations.

Public Speaking Workshop curated by Women Techmakers in collaboration with Startup Grind Lahore powered by Google for Entrepreneurs  presented by Zong in association with Google Business Group Lahore & Google Developer Group Lahore, would like to thank our sponsors: Zong,Pepsi, Eat Mubarak, Careem, DaftarKhawan, The International School of Chouiefat, SWWL, Cheetay, Fabi Studios, Popcorn Studios, FM91 and Women’s Forum Pakistan for making this event possible.