Top 40 Under 40 Men finalists feted - PHOTOS

Corporate News

Some of the finalists pose with their trophies during the Top 40 Men Under 40 Awards gala night at the Windsor Golf and Country Club on Friday night. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU 

By NEVILLE OTUKI, notuki@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Mr Shah told the finalists of the annual Top 40 Under 40 Men competition – which recognises outstanding men below the age of 40 across professions – to continually sharpen their competitive edge through research, teamwork and technology.
• “In order to lead you have to lift others to get to where you are. Those that leave the doors of campus need your mentorship,” said Mr Muganda.

Business leaders face a herculean task to maintain competitiveness as market changes bring disruptions to existing products, calling the need for continuous improvement, Bidco chief executive Vimal Shah says.

Mr Shah told the finalists of the annual Top 40 Under 40 Men competition – which recognises outstanding men below the age of 40 across professions – to continually sharpen their competitive edge through research, teamwork and technology.

The event is the brainchild of the Business Daily, a publication of Nation Media Group (NMG).

PTAC International executive director Joshua Muthami poses with his trophy during the Top 40 Under 40 awards gala night at the Windsor Golf & Country Club in Kiambu County on December 4, 2015. PHOTO |SALATON NJAU

“The journey to excellence never stops,” Mr Shah said last Friday during the gala dinner in Nairobi, citing smartphone-based taxi service Uber.

 Mr Shah, who is also the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) chairman, said businesses seeking to be transformative need to go beyond expanding their bottom lines to empowering the society.

Nation Media Group marketing director Rose Lutta (left) presents a trophy to Darshan Chandaria, director and CEO of Chandaria Group during the Top 40 Under 40 awards gala at the Windsor Golf & Country Club in Kiambu County on December 4, 2015. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

He said, for instance, leaders should lift young employees to unleash their potential, a position shared by Nation Media Group’s chief executive officer Joe Muganda.

“In order to lead you have to lift others to get to where you are. Those that leave the doors of campus need your mentorship,” said Mr Muganda.

He told the participants not to shy away from standing out of the pack, saying the position of role models is a crucial tool for inspiring others.

Vivek Group of companies managing director and CEO Chintan Thacker and his wife Nina Thacker pose with their trophy during the Top 40 Under 40 awards gala night at the Windsor Golf & Country Club in Kiambu County on December 4, 2015. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

“Don’t be apologetic for being good at what you do. Accept and embrace it without being arrogant,” he said.

Media firm African Laughter’s managing director Jenny Luesby, one of the judges in the selection of the finalists, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to: “Look for where there is a need and provide a solution.