Four Years of Growth and Transformation: My Journey at Jalboot

When I first joined JALBOOT as a Finance Manager responsible for overseeing the Finance department, I had no idea how this journey would shape my career and life. Today, after four enriching years, I reflect on the significant milestones, challenges, and profound impact this international company has had on me.

 Reasons for Joining JALBOOT:

Three compelling reasons drove me to become a part of JALBOOT. Firstly, the attractive remuneration package they offered was hard to resist. Secondly, JALBOOT operates in a unique industry that I had no prior experience in, making it a thrilling opportunity for personal growth. Lastly, the fact that it is an international company piqued my interest and offered a chance to broaden my horizons.

 Notable Accomplishments that I would cherish:

Throughout my tenure at JALBOOT, I had the privilege of leading several initiatives that have left a lasting mark on the company:

Internship Program: We initiated a program that provided paid internships to school leavers, enabling them to gain valuable experience across various company departments.

Marketing Department: Establishing the marketing department, and making a significant impact, particularly in the realm of social media.

Quality Assurance: Setting up the Quality Assurance department, ensuring that our service levels consistently meet the highest standards.

Boat Shows: Actively participated in boat shows to promote the company and broaden our reach within the marine industry.

 

Embracing Discipline: Your Key to Thriving in Life's Journey

In life, we go through ups and downs. When things get tough, it's easy to feel unmotivated. But here's the thing: if you have discipline, you can get through anything. Discipline is like a superpower that helps you stay strong, even when life gets hard.

Imagine discipline as your secret weapon. It's what keeps you going when you feel like giving up. When tough times come, discipline is there to guide you through, like a light in the darkness.

Discipline isn't about being strict or boring. It's more like a friend that encourages you to stick to your goals, no matter what. So, even when you're not in the mood or when things seem really difficult, discipline helps you stay on track.

Life is a journey with its share of challenges. Discipline is what helps you face those challenges head-on. It's like having a plan or a routine that keeps you moving forward, step by step. Even when things don't go as planned, discipline helps you bounce back and turn problems into opportunities.

Surviving and thriving in life isn't just about being tough; it's about having discipline. It's like having a rulebook that reminds you to stay true to yourself and your dreams. When life gets tough, discipline is like a reliable friend that keeps you grounded.

So, think of discipline as your trusty sidekick. It's the key to making your dreams come true and turning challenges into victories. When life feels like a puzzle, discipline is the guide that helps you find the right pieces. It's what turns the tough moments into stories of strength and success.

Remember, when life throws curveballs your way, discipline is your secret weapon. With discipline by your side, you don't just survive—you thrive, growing stronger and wiser with every step. So, embrace discipline, and let it be the superhero that leads you to a happy and fulfilling life.

Fostering a Positive Workplace Culture: The Key to Employee Well-being and Success

A positive workplace is more than just a buzzword; it's a crucial element for the success and well-being of both employees and organizations. In a world where we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, creating an environment that encourages positivity, collaboration, and personal growth is paramount. This article will delve into the importance of a positive workplace, ways to cultivate a positive workplace culture, and the roles colleagues and leaders play in shaping this environment.

Why is it Important to Have a Positive Workplace?

Employee Well-being: A positive workplace directly contributes to the well-being of employees. It reduces stress, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes mental health. When employees feel good about where they work, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and satisfied.

Productivity and Performance: A positive work environment leads to higher levels of productivity and performance. Happy and motivated employees tend to be more focused, creative, and efficient in their tasks.

Employee Retention: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers a positive workplace culture. This reduces turnover rates and the costs associated with hiring and training new staff.

Innovation and Creativity: A positive atmosphere encourages employees to think outside the box and take calculated risks. It fosters innovation and allows organizations to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.

Collaboration and Teamwork: In a positive workplace, collaboration and teamwork flourish. Employees are more willing to share ideas, support one another, and work together towards common goals.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: Fostering a Culture of Understanding and Connection

 In today's dynamic and interconnected world, the significance of empathy and emotional intelligence in the workplace cannot be overstated. These two vital components form the bedrock of successful and harmonious professional interactions, fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. In this article, we delve into what empathy and emotional intelligence are, why they are crucial in a work setting, strategies to promote them within the work environment, and how leaders can effectively influence their cultivation.

1. What is Empathy and Emotional Intelligence?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It goes beyond sympathy, as it involves truly grasping another person's emotions and experiences, allowing for a deeper connection. Emotional intelligence, on the other hand, encompasses a range of skills, including recognizing, understanding, and managing one's own emotions, as well as perceiving and influencing the emotions of others. It involves self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management.

2. The Importance of Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work

In a work environment, empathy and emotional intelligence are pivotal for several reasons. Firstly, they enhance communication. When colleagues are attuned to each other's emotions, misunderstandings are reduced, leading to clearer and more effective communication. This, in turn, improves teamwork and collaboration, as individuals feel heard and understood.

Secondly, empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for conflict resolution. Employees who possess these skills can navigate disagreements with sensitivity, finding common ground and maintaining professional relationships. Moreover, these skills foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture where diversity is celebrated and differences are respected.

Thirdly, emotional intelligence is linked to leadership effectiveness. Leaders who understand their own emotions and those of their team members can inspire and motivate others, adapting their leadership style to suit different situations. This creates a more supportive and engaging work environment, boosting morale and productivity.

3. Promoting Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Creating a work environment that nurtures empathy and emotional intelligence requires intentional effort. Here are some strategies to foster these qualities:

HAPPY We are from Clique College Maldives 720p

Learning Expedition 2014 - A remarkable event

Learning Expedition 2014 is the 4th study tour arranged by Clique College from 11th March to 16th March 2014 in Sri Lanka specially covering Kandy and Nuwera Eliya and Colombo city limits.

Visit to MAS Linear

This Study Tour was was promoted as a trip of a lifetime and it certainly was for my self and hope it was the same with students as well. Study tours are expensive, it requires investment of both in money and time, and it is very important that such tours are of value to the participants and their studies. As with the three previous study tours, this tour was no exception. It was worth a great deal more than the cost of participation. This was the only time where 45 students participated in the tour and 10 -15 were in the waiting list. It shows that the interest of the students for the tour and the proper marketing initiatives by the organisers. 

Clique College Business Development Manager and Learning Expedition Co- organiser, Mr. M.F.M Roshan, said the tour, was part of Clique College’s commitment to giving local students an international perspective.

A Mixed feeling... Leaving Clique College

Today would be my last day officially reporting to Clique College and I thought I will express my feeling through my blog

Dear Directors,

Your confidence and trust in my abilities and genuine concern for my professional growth make this decision especially difficult. I will be forever grateful for the invaluable expertise I acquired while under your guidance. Also, the friendships I have developed here have helped make my years with the company successful and productive. My co-workers have been among the finest people I have ever known.

Dear Colleagues,

It is sad for me to say that this is my last day in Clique College as a fulltime staff. I am leaving this organization where I made so many friends for life and got handful of lessions on professionalism. Working with some of the finest and most talented people in the industry I have learned many new things which have helped me enrich my knowledge in going ahead in my career.

While leaving from here, my mind has been flooded with mixed feelings. I am happy about joining a new venture for career progression, but at the same time, it's saddening to leave this happy work environment and you guys.

Business will continue as usual, but you will no longer be required to laugh at my jokes. I will greatly miss each and every one of you and the fun we had.

As for now, I can only hope that things would be same at my new workplace, and I will be able to enjoy every moment I spend there as I have been doing here. 

My life has been greatly enriched by the kindness and encouragement so many of you have shown to me. I will always be grateful for the many friends I have made along the way and the wonderful memories I take with me.

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that working with you people was one of the most interesting phases of my life. Thank you for making my tenure at Clique College, so wonderful. I know that the support and timely guidance I got from you people would indeed help me to deal with the new challenges that come my way as I start a new phase of my career

Thanks once again for everything. I wish you guys’ all the luck in your future endeavors and I promise I will be in touch with you all.

DSRC-- through my Eyes

މި ލިޔުން ޚާއްސަ މިކޮށްލަނީ ޑީ.އެސް.އާރް.ސީ އަށެވެ. އޭގެ ހަޔާތުން ވޭތުކުރި 5 އަހަރާ އޭގެ ކުރިއަށް އަޅުގަނޑުގެ ލޮލުން ބަލައިލެވޭ ބަލައި ލުމަކަށެވެ. 

އަޅުގަނޑުމެން އެންމެންނަކީ އެކުގައި ކުޅިސަމާސަ ކުރަން އުޅުނު ކުދި ބަޔަކީ މެވެ. އުމުރުން އެންމެ ދޮށީ މީހަކަށް ހުންނާނީ އަޅުގަނޑެވެ. އަޅުގަނޑުގެ އުމުރުން ބާރަ ނުވަތަ ތޭރަ ވަރަކަށް އަހަރެވެ. އެދުވަސްވަރަކީ ރަށުގައި ތިބެގެން ރަނގަޅު ތަޢުލީމެއް ލިބެން އޮތް ދުވަސް ވަރެއް ނޫނެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން ގިނަ ކުދިން ތަކެއް ރަށުން ބޭރަށް ކިޔަވަން ދިޔަ ދުވަސް ވަރެކެވެ. އަޅުގަނޑުވެސް ކިޔަވަމުން ގެންދިޔައީ ބ.އޭދަފުށީގައެވެ. އެންމެ ގާތް މީހަކަށްވެސް ހުރީ ވާލިދުއެވެ. އޭނަވެސް މާގިނަ ދުވަސް ތަކެއް ނުވެ އޭދަފުށި ދޫކުރިއެވެ. 

ކިޔަވަމުން ދިޔަ ދުވަސް ވަރުގެ ވާހަކަ އަކީ މި ލިޔުމުގެ މަޤްސަދު ކަމުގައި ނުވުމުން މި ލިޔުމުގެ އަސްލަށް ޖެހިލާނަމެވެ. އެއީ 1999 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ޑިސެންބަރެވެ. ރާއްޖޭގެ އެކި ކަންކޮޅުތަކުގައި ދިޔައީ އާ ސާސްކަފަށް ތައްޔާރު ވުމުގެ ގޮތުން އެތަށް ކަމެއް ރާވަމުން ނެވެ. އެގޮތުން ކެންދޫގައިވެސް ކުރާނެ ކަންތައްތަކެއް އިސް ފަރާތް ތަކުން ދިޔައީ ނިންމަމުން ނެވެ. އެގޮތުން ނިންމުނު އެއް ކަމަކީ ދެކޮޅު ވާދައަށް ފުޓްބޯޅަ މެޗެއް ކުޅުމެވެ. އެވެސް އަޅުގަނޑުމެންގެ އުމުރުގެ ކުދިންގެ މެދުގައެވެ. އެކަން ވެގެން ދިޔައީ އެންމެންނަށް ވެސް ލިބުނު ވަރަށް ބޮޑު އުފަލަކަށެވެ.

އަޅުގަނޑުގެ ނިސްބަތްވަނީ އިރުމައްޗަށް ކަމަށް ވިޔަސް އެކުގައި އުޅެނީ ހުޅަނގު ކޮޅު ކުދިން ކޮޅެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން ކޮންމެ ގޮތެއްވިޔަސް ކުޅެން ނިންމީ ހުޅަނގު ކޮޅަށެވެ. ކުޅެން ނިންމީ އޭ ބުނި ކަމުގައި ވިޔަސް އޭރު ވެސް މިހާރުވެސް އަޅުގަނޑަކީ ކުޅެން މާ މޮޅުމީހެއް ނޫނެވެ. ތަނބެއް ދަނޑުމަތީ ގައި ބެހެއްޓުމުން ވާނެ ފައިދާ އަޅުގަނޑު ކުޅެގެންވެސް ވާނެއެވެ. އެވެސް ވާނީ ކުޅުމައްތާ ދޯއެވެ! އެހެންވެ ކުޅެން ބޭނުންވާ ވާހަކަ ލިޔެލީއެވެ.

2 years at Clique

It was after the completion of CIMA, I was looking for a job on August 2010. I applied to few places and was unfortunate that I had no previous experience in a senior position or I didn’t have the certificate or maybe I had the wrong qualification as some seems not to know what it is.

Clique College Graduation 2012

I found out that many people prefer expatriates to work in the Accounting department especially as Accountants and senior even with the same experience with Maldivians. In the end they end up paying more than what they will have to pay for the Maldivians. I am sure there has to be reasons for this. It is a happy note that thought the situation is like that it is changing fast with number of Maldivians getting qualified in the field.

From my brother I got the opportunity to apply for a post of Business Development Manager at Clique College. I sent the CV and was called for an interview. I was interviewed by the Managing Director of Clique College and that was the start.

Trip to Singapre - the different picture

It was o one of my dream come true. I always wanted to travel around the world and learn different cultures and get more exposure. Until August 2012 I was only able to be in one country other than my own and that was Sri Lanka. 

It was an invitation from my brother who was in Singapore when he was coming back to Maldives from Australia. I was so happy about the invitation and accepted it as I had balance in my annual leave so it wouldn’t be very difficult for me to go. 

It was the longest journey on a flight as it took about 4.5 hours to reach Singapore. The Airport and the arrangements in the Airport made such a good one, I knew that what people talk about Singapore is really true. It was a fantastic Airport. 

My brother and his friend (Rafie) were there to receive me. When we reached home it was almost 10:30 in the night. I saw a different picture there. I felt like it was Hulhumale’ All I can see is flats and cars parked outside those apartment buildings. I was like “Is this Singapore?” and they explained me that as Singapore is a small country they have housing plans like that. 

Maafushi and the good people

The Producer and the Technical Team

I have being living in Male since 2002. Even though it has been 12 years since I came to Male’ I have not got much chance to go to nearby inhabitant islands. I have only being to K.Guraidhoo and K.Thulusdhoo that is also for Friday prayers on Heyboana trips organized by the Student Association of Clique College, WITS. The truth is I never planned or didn’t want to go for some odd reasons

Preparation Work

Things changed when Clique College Interns team went to Semi-Final and their task was based on a nearby island, Maafushi. Our students got a huge task where they needed pre- preparations. They requested me to go with them to help them in their preparation work. My seniors allowed me to go requesting for a strict supervision

Maafushi Village

We went on 11^th of April 2012 and as soon as we reached we started our work. Meeting the stakeholders was the most important part and we were able to go according to our plan. There were difficulties we faced as it was a new island to us. More over the island was hot and it was difficult to cope up in that environment

Boduberu Team

Our team’s had three plans to execute; one is the Maafushi Village, A website for Maafushi tourism business community and a training session for the people of Maafushi. The execution day was 14^th of April 2012 and everything went well on that day. Unfortunately or fortunately I had to take a part of the training session which is not my main area. Even though I was not very comfortable in taking the customer care part I took it to help our students and not to fail them in their execution. I believe it was not me who did the lecturing as I was never that boring. Anyway I still hope some of them got some knowledge out of my presentation and will use it in their daily work life.

Key to my heart...

You hold key to my heart

 Even when Sudha was in the island school, everyone’s gaze is at her. It is because she is beautiful. Her family is a rich in the island level. Single guys and the youth though that if they can get married to Sudha then their life will get settled. Even when all of them were after her, there was only one name in her heart “Ziyadh”

Even though nobody knows it’s going to be 3 years for their relationship. The day Sudha parents get to know that she is in a relationship is the day she has to leave the island. Especially a person like Ziyadh from a middle class will never be accepted. They both know it very well. No one knows that Sudha parents are just hiding the truth that they know about the relationship. Ziyadh and Sudha don’t know the plan they are planning behind the scene.

Sudha parents were ready to depart, when she came from her last day at school. She did not get a chance to say good bye to him. She had to leave with few of her belongings. The people who were spying on her every act thought that they were going on a trip. Sudha’s parents won deceiving other eyes.

Ziyadh got suspicious, when he failed to reach her through phone after several attempts. People said that they went on a trip but he knew that her parents got away with her when he could not reach her. The continuous attempt for four days just got one clue that she went to Airport with her parents. He got to know from a friend’s friend. She doesn’t know anything and got no time to inform him about anything. He trusts his love. The love Sudha has for him is known by Ziyadh much more than Sudha herself. So he knows that even if she gets a minor chance she will call him. As there is nothing he could do, he started spending the days waiting for the call.

End of the Silver jubilee of my life…

This would be my last day out here with age 25. I will be turning 26 tomorrow. Lets look at the silver jubilee of my life…

I was a bright kid and got to finish my O’level and A’level right on time. I was able to win a scholarship and finish CIMA on time.  I have got a very good job after my studies. I have earned  lot of good friends and as far as I know I have very few people who hate me.I have a loving family. what else you need in life? As far as now I am on my track with my life plan except one. That is my wedding. We planned to have it on 10.10.10 and I was not successful in achieving it. This is the reason I am not in a hurry with that part of the plan.

My next plan is to grow my own business, do Masters and find a senior post in Managerial Accounting area and get settled. Insha Allah I will be able to go ahead with the plan and live a happy life :P

I like to thank all the people who is in my life and who was in my life. Hope you guys can still count on me

I am 26 now haha...

Endorsing what you really are…

We see that our advertising trend has got tremendous changes and most of it is positive ones. These changes have brought us positive and negative impact on our (customer) life. I don’t know whether most of us aware of these or we are just too lazy to look deeply into it. I am not going to highlight on those impacts but being honest in what you really endorse.

Shampoo..

If we tune into a TV channel and wait for their commercial break you would see a lot of Shampoo being advertised on it. All this shampoo has been endorsed by different models mostly celebrities that follow a big fan base. Every company wants to hire them to endorse their product because of the fan base. The question we should ask our self is that are they really endorsing what they really use. Is it necessary for them to use what they endorse? In my view point, not necessarily but if they have some ethical values they would so. If I take my favorite actress Katrina who is endorsing “Pentene Shampoo” I would love to use that shampoo because she is endorsing it. I would not be sure whether it is the right product for me or not. How many of us will be there who just follow who ever our favorite is no matter what impacts it has on us.

Mobile networks…

We see celebrities endorsing different mobile networks. I have seen some of the celebrities/ models using a different network than what they actually use. Is this ethical? is this something we just do it for money? Celebrities are the people who many people take as a role model and the fans would want to use whatever they use and say whatever they say.

Learning Expedition Colombo 2011...

A study tour was arranged by Clique College with Student Association WITS and was dubbed as "Learning Expedition Colombo 2011" to Sri Lanka from 22nd March to 26th March 2011.

Students before departure

I have not being in a study tour before. I was not very familiar with it. This is one reason I was very keen in working in the project. Everything that has been done was new to me. I was all the day busy making arrangements for the tour. Students were expecting a lot from the tour. No one has been in a study and is excited how it would be. I hear from students that they feel it would be boring. 

There were 14 students who confirmed and paid to go for the tour. All the arrangements were done except for the visits that we have to make. I met with the students to inform that what they have to do prior to the departure and assured them that it would be enjoyable. Rules were made and instructions were given. President of Clique College met with the students to inform them the purpose of the trip and what they have to gain from the trip.

Everything was so packed, and works left to do. I was busy with visit arrangements while president helped me to get the necessary documents for the tour. Students were trying their best to do the presentation. I am happy here to note that I saw 14 enthusiastic students and I was glad they wanted to be a part of it.

Islamic Banking in Maldives ....:D

The term “Islamic banking” refers to a system of banking or banking activity that is consistent with Islamic law (Shariah) principles and guided by Islamic economics. In particular, Islamic law prohibits usury, the collection and payment of interest, also commonly called riba in Islamic discourse.

In addition, Islamic law prohibits investing in businesses that are considered unlawful, or haraam (such as businesses that sell alcohol or pork, or businesses that produce media such as gossip columns or pornography, which are contrary to Islamic values). In the late 20th century, a number of Islamic banks were created to cater to this particular banking market.

All the Islamic banks have three kinds of deposit accounts: current, savings and investment. 

Current accounts

Current or demand deposit accounts are virtually the same as in all conventional banks. Deposit is guaranteed.

CIMA vs ACCA

A lot of people ask the difference between Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Associate Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Both qualifications are professional qualifications and once you complete it you become a Accountant, one is Management Accountant and the other one Financial Accountant. The main difference I see is that CIMA qualifiers is more internally focused and is needed before something happens e.g. Project evaluations, management information, financial ratio calculations. ACCA qualifiers is more external focused and act after the event e.g., tax, audit and financial reporting. Here are few of them you could look at,

Heyboanara Trip 2011.................

It was on 14^th February 2011, WITS- the student Association of Clique College was officially inaugurated for the academic year 2011. WITS comprise of 13 member, 5 of them are executive and 8 of them being non-executive. Their first event for the year was “Heybonara Trip”.

It was challenging as they got only few days ahead of them for the deadline 25^th February 2011. There are few constraints to have the event, one being an island to go. No one wants to go to Kuda Bandos including me and you right? If we go to an inhabited island there could be problems that WITS would lose control over the students and if anything happens they would be held responsible for and the aim of the trip could not be achieved.

WITS tried all the possible options and still they were not able to get an island. All the resorts are either fully occupied or highly occupied so that they would not want a group of locals to disturb tourists’ privacy. The resorts under renovation has also being approached but had no luck.

Finally WITS decided to go to Kuda Villingili near Thulusdhoo which belongs to yatch tours. None of the WITS council member has gone to that island but there were few people who said the island is OK and some says it is not. WITS decided to go because it’s the only island available and also an island most of us have never gone.

More than 90 people bought the ticket including staff and the management. It was a good turn out since its being long time there was no trip like this. There were about more than 75 participants in the event. We reached there around 8 in the morning but were able get settle only around 11. Boat could not go near and so we had so much of difficulties in getting into the island with all those materials we took.  So, the well planned trip started with changes in the plan.

LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTION - CAMPIGN PICS (Kendhoo)

I here share you some of the pictures I took from my island Kendhoo.. these are all the banners, posters they used for their campaign. In this Historical election, the result turned around very much unexpected. I saw lots of unethical behaviors from some of the supporters, personal anti-campaign and by that means or other means they have win the election and we accept it. Hope our new council would bring us, a lot of development.

Kendhoo - DRP

Kendhoo - MDP

Kendhoo - DRP team

Kendhoo - Adhalath Party

Good Old days.... Back in SL

6^th September 2007 to 3^rd June 2010 was a period I never want to forget in my life. I would never be able to forget it either. Those are some golden days in my life with so much of happiness and less worries.  I would say I was never worried about things. 

The most important thing I got is the CIMA qualification. I always wanted to be a Manger or an Accountant but CIMA made it easy for me. I am now a Management Accountant. We were the only students who did a crash course in foundation. Within 3 months we were able to follow managerial level at that time as of now the operational level. I have shared about the foundation day in my blog very early http://theonlyiq.blogspot.com/2007/12/cima-foundation.html.