Sales Blog for Young Engineers and Entrepreneurs Unraveling THE MAGIC OF marketing story of young business graduate, using his sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

on 06/08/2024

Water is a necessary aspect of our life; every human being on the globe requires it to survive. They require water just as much as oxygen to breathe. According to estimates, the average human being consumes 3.2 liters of water every day.
The first thing that comes to mind when a person considers settling down in a new house pertains to the basic essentials of living. Either the area where he is considering a living provides reliable water, power, gas, and oxygen, or it does not. Then he makes a decision.
This is a case study based upon entrepreneurial thinking of a young business graduate who wanted to put his newly learnt knowledge of sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills to ameliorate the lot of the society. It is story about a place where there was no or very little access to water and the people who lived there barely managed to survive.
This was a place in the highlands where families lived for many years, but two of them eventually departed because of the severe shortage of water. They hardly had water for anything other than cooking. Because of it being a mountainous terrain, there was no adequate infrastructure for individuals to collect and store water sufficiently. After some time, it was noticed that the remaining ten households were also considering to leave the mountainous abodes also due to water storages.
Taha’s Bold Vision: Water for the Mountain Village
Fresh out of business school, Taha had a unique idea. Driven by a passion for community service and armed with new selling and marketing skills, he aimed to transform his expertise into tangible benefits for society.
The Spark
While hiking in the mountains, Taha noticed families packing up to leave due to lack of water. Curious, he asked the locals and found out their primary struggle: no easy access to water for cooking, bathing, or even basic needs.
The Solution
Inspired by his love for community service, Taha devised a plan. He rented horses from a nearby farmer and began delivering water in jerrycans from the rivers below. This innovative solution provided immediate relief to the mountaintop residents.
Taha’s out-of-the-box thinking turned his entrepreneurial dreams into reality, meeting a vital need and making a real difference.
People in the area were ecstatic after they started receiving water sufficiently and inexpensively. They were relieved that they would finally be able to have enough water for bathing, laundry service also.
Taha’s Transformational Tale: From Water to a Thriving Community
With water now flowing, the demand surged as families wanted to grow their own vegetables and fruits. Taha replaced his horse-drawn deliveries with rented vans. However, without proper roads, the trips were long and difficult.
Building a Basic Road
Determined to improve, Taha worked with the local government to build a rough road from the river to the village. This made water delivery faster and more efficient, attracting more families to the peaceful and healthy mountaintop.
From Vans to Pipelines
As more people moved in, Taha thought bigger. He planned and secured loans to install a full pipeline system, water reservoirs, and household tanks. Now, everyone enjoyed 24/7 tap water. The village thrived, and more families moved in.
Powering the Village
Recognizing the need for electricity, Taha joined hands with a power company to set up plants and substations. This brought light and power to every home, further boosting the village’s appeal and attracting even more residents.
Bringing in Groceries
With the village growing, people needed local access to groceries. Taha convinced a major grocery chain to open stores in the village, making daily life even easier and more convenient for everyone.
Smart Marketing
When growth slowed, Taha used his marketing skills. He put up billboards, distributed flyers, and used social media to promote the benefits of the mountaintop community. This drew in many new families, eager to enjoy the clean and natural atmosphere.
Expanding Services
As the population boomed, Taha listened to the residents’ needs. They wanted schools, clinics, bakeries, and shops nearby. Leveraging his successful water business, now called Hilltop H2O Solutions, Taha diversified into these new services, ensuring the village continued to thrive.
A Complete Transformation
What started as a near-deserted village transformed into a bustling community, all thanks to Taha’s entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. His vision and efforts turned potential abandonment into 100% satisfied residents and a growing, vibrant society.
Taha’s journey from solving a water crisis to building an entire community is an inspiring example of how innovative thinking and dedicated efforts can create remarkable change.
At the time of completing this writeup, it has been learnt that TAHA has been contacted by government agencies to go for geographical diversification by repeating and developing the same model on other hilly tracts also. TAHA is now very seriously thinking about new market development strategies.
Finally, we learn how to capture the market place by keeping three crucial points in mind: research the problem, understanding customers’ needs, and providing solutions to the problem
• RESEARCH THE PROBLEM
Just like in the above mention case study, we learned that people living in mountains were facing water problems and were unable to fetch it due to lack of adequate equipment. Taha researched this problem by conducting surveys and asking questions from the families that were living in mountains
• IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS:
In the case study, Taha identified the needs of people that they need water for survival and with that one pinpoint, he constructed a city in the mountains by providing necessary facilities.
• PROVIDING SOLUTIONS
It’s all about expressing how a customer’s pain is eased in solution marketing. Similarly, in the case study TAHA provided solutions to the people of mountains like developing products in terms of proper facilities starting with water equipment.n

Sales Blog for Young Engineers and Entrepreneurs Unraveling THE MAGIC OF marketing story of young business graduate, using his sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

on 06/08/2024

Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education (CBHE) ACTIVE Seminar and Technical Workshop on ICT-Based Climate Actions at Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork, Ireland. In his inaugural address, Mr Michael Loftus, Vice President for External Affairs MTU, welcomed the delegates and presented MTU’s vision. Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Vice Chancellor, MUET, delivered an Address on behalf of Asian Partners regarding the significance of the Project.
Prof BS Chowdhry, lead coordinator MUET, thanked the authorities of MTU for hosting the meeting and gave a presentation on the project dissemination activities, awareness Campaigns about Climate Change, and Modernizing Dissemination Strategies. Dr. Kapal Dev – Project Principal Contact from MTU, gave the Introduction to the Day’s Agenda, and Prof Enrique Nava – ACTIVE Project Coordinator, UMA, Spain, presented the brief Recap of the Project Progress. Progress Update on WP3 (“MS in Sustainable integration of environmental development with ICT”) was given by Dr Marium Jalal , Project lead NUTECH, Islamabad, through an online presentation. Prof Dr Muhammad Aamir, lead coordinator SSUET, briefed on Capacity Building Activities, ongoing Training Sessions, and Planning for Upcoming Training Modules. In his online session, Dr. Anayatullah Baloch, the lead coordinator from BUITEMS, gave a report on the progress regarding the Development of ICT Environmental Research Centers, and there was a group discussion on Finalizing specialized equipment. Ms. Laura Rodriguez, University of Malaga, Spain, delivered a presentation on the Reporting Template and Instructions for Incurred Costs.n

Project Management Best Practices for Technology Initiatives

on 06/08/2024

Technology ventures cannot succeed unless they are well managed, with timely, cost-effective, and desired results supplied to the project.
A crucial optimal approach is defining the project’s goals and boundaries with precision. Establishing the project’s objectives, purpose, and scope in detail is crucial before starting any technology project. To understand the needs and expectations of stakeholders, close collaboration is required. The project team may stay focused on its initial goal by having clear objectives that serve as a roadmap and prevent scope creep. In technology project management, a clear project plan is yet another crucial best practice. To accomplish the project’s objectives, a project plan must specify the activities, deadlines, materials, and dependencies. It helps the project team understand their duties and due dates by acting as a guidebook. A risk management strategy that describes potential obstacles and mitigating actions is part of an extensive project plan. With this proactive approach, the project team may foresee problems and put solutions in place before they become significant obstacles. Technology project management success is largely dependent on effective communication. It’s critical to have open lines of communication with stakeholders as well as the project team. A mutual grasp of the project’s state is facilitated by frequent status reports, progress updates, and open dialogue regarding setbacks and achievements. Team members are more likely to collaborate, develop trust, and make sure that everyone contributes toward the same objectives when there is transparency.
The changing dynamics of the technology business necessitate adaptation in project management. With regard to technology projects, agile project management techniques have grown in favor. Iterative development, teamwork, and the capacity to react swiftly to shifting requirements are all emphasized by agile. Project teams can be more adaptable by implementing agile principles, which can help them adjust to changes in stakeholder priorities, market conditions, or technology as the project progresses. In technology project management, resource management is an essential best practice. This entails determining and assigning the project’s appropriate personnel, expertise, and resources. In order for team members to fulfill project criteria, project managers must make sure they have the requisite training and experience. Optimizing the utilization of existing tools and technology to increase project efficiency is another aspect of resource management. Every project needs risk management, but technological ventures require it much more. From the beginning in the project’s life cycle, project managers can identify possible risks and create plans to mitigate them. By being proactive, possible problems have less of an effect on project costs and schedules. The project’s overall resilience is enhanced by routine risk assessments and modifications to the risk management plan.
Testing and quality control are essential to the success of technological projects. Putting in place thorough testing procedures aids in finding and fixing problems before they affect end users. Quality assurance makes ensuring that the technology is defect-free and satisfies the criteria. Throughout the project, testing should be incorporated as an ongoing, iterative process to assist maintain a high standard of product quality. In technology project management, stakeholder management and engagement are crucial factors. Success in a project depends on including stakeholders at every stage, from planning to execution to closing. A good rapport between the project group and stakeholders is facilitated by frequent communication, stakeholder feedback meetings, and prompt resolution of concerns. Stakeholder expectations are met and the project stays in line with organizational objectives when stakeholders are managed well.
For technology initiatives to be successful and long-lasting, documented evidence is an ideal approach that is sometimes disregarded. User manuals, design documents, requirements specifications, and project plans are all examples of comprehensive documentation. Ensuring that future developments can be effortlessly integrated is made possible by thorough documentation, which also helps with troubleshooting and maintenance. Throughout the project, ongoing observation and evaluation of performance are essential. Project managers may evaluate their work, pinpoint areas for development, and make well-informed decisions by using key performance indicators (KPIs). Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) on a regular basis guarantees that the project continues on schedule and that deviations may be quickly adjusted. An important stage of project management that is frequently missed is post-implementation review. Analyzing the technology project’s results in-depth—including how it affected operations and user satisfaction—provides important information for subsequent projects. Lessons learned, best practices and opportunities for process improvement in project management are identified with the aid of this retrospective analysis.
A project must be closed by not just completing its deliverables but also making sure that it is properly recorded and disseminated. A thorough completion report should include an analysis of the project’s achievements, difficulties, lessons discovered, and suggestions for similar projects in the future. Formal closure guarantees that all unfinished business is resolved and that all parties involved are aware of the project’s results and accomplishments. Technology project management standards include a flexible and all-encompassing methodology. Technology projects are more successful when certain practices are followed, from defining clear objectives and conducting thorough planning to communicating effectively, including stakeholders, and conducting post-implementation evaluations. Project teams may successfully navigate the ever-changing technological world and provide results that meet stakeholder expectations and corporate goals by adopting agility, the ability to adapt, and a proactive approach.

Our dilemma of not having proper elevator designs in buildings.

on 06/08/2024

Elevator engineering design is a crucial aspect that should be considered equally as other building services. It is important to understand the significance of elevator engineering in ensuring the safety and comfort of occupants in a building.
I remember visiting one of the renowned university architecture engineering departments in Lahore, which was an 11-floor building. Most of the floors were occupied with classrooms and lab areas, with a few professor rooms as well. It was around 11:00 AM during the day, and I noticed that many female students were waiting in line for the single elevator in the building. They realized that I wasn’t a student and courteously allowed me to enter the elevator first. However, it was quite embarrassing to stand inside the crowded elevator, trying my best to avoid touching other passengers, which was almost impossible. I wondered why there was only one elevator and why its capacity was only around 630 Kg-800 Kg.
Many buildings in Pakistan face the dilemma of not having proper elevator designs. In developed countries, architects typically decide the elevator capacity and quantity based on the building’s functionality and usage. Unfortunately, the education system for architects in Pakistan doesn’t prioritize this aspect of building design. Instead, architecture students focus primarily on innovating building outlooks rather than understanding the details of a building’s interior requirements, such as elevator design. MEP design is often overlooked, with no one taking responsibility for it. Mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers may study it as an additional subject, but there are hardly any MS in building services/MEP programs in Pakistani universities. Additionally, there is no BS in Building services programs anywhere in Pakistan.
MEP Design comprises mechanical (HVAC, Ventilation, Smoke Ventilation, Elevators, Fire Fighting), electrical (Distribution, Lighting), plumbing, and BMS (Building Management System) works. In Middle Eastern countries, an experienced MEP designer is expected to design all these services, whereas in the US/Western developed countries, each design is made separately by experts in that field, such as an HVAC Engineer, Fire Fighting Engineer, or Distribution Engineer. The basic education requirement is also different for each specialty. Mechanical specialties are designed by Mechanical Engineers, Distribution and lighting by electrical engineers, and plumbing is usually designed by Civil Engineers or sometimes Mechanical Engineers as environmental and public health experts. Building Management Systems are designed by experts from an IT background.
In my personal opinion, each of these fields is so diverse that one cannot be an expert in all services in one lifetime. It is not advisable to handle multiple services by one person only. Moreover, each specialty requires R&D work in Pakistan to formulate standards and design requirements as per our environmental, social, or budget needs. Unfortunately, there is no single institute in Pakistan working on these subjects. Designers are forced to rely on US/Western countries’ standards like ASHRAE, NFPA, or IEEE standards designed for their respective regions, but not for Pakistan. This situation of zero R&D and improper design knowledge not only cultivates a poor design culture but also tends to waste a lot of money and energy in the shape of over-designing these services.
In terms of elevator design in Pakistan, there are a few challenges that can lead to a worst-case scenario. Firstly, there is often no background engineering study done for any specialty at the graduate or post-graduate level. Additionally, there is no specific specialty that takes responsibility for elevator design, and there is limited information available about its design in the Pakistani market. Due to space limitations and initial costs, elevators cannot be overdesigned like other MEP components, and this can lead to further complications. The cost of elevator design is also often quite high because many parts need to be procured from the international market.
Elevator is the integration of different mechanical, electrical, and electronic components. The design inefficiency is one aspect that leads to poor elevator operation in the shape of availability for users in many buildings in Pakistan. There are many other dilemmas which are associated with elevators. One aspect is poor Operation and maintenance. In most of the hospital buildings in the Public sector in Federal or Punjab areas, the availability of elevators in hospital buildings is less than 20-30 % all around the years due to maintenance issues. An elevator is a moving machine that needs experienced staff, spare parts inventory, and quick and effective after-sale service from a manufacturer representative in Pakistan. Unfortunately, we never pay attention to any of these requirements which not only affect the satisfactory operation of the elevator but also compromise the safety of passengers. Several accidents have been observed in Pakistan in the last few years due to poor operation and maintenance issues.
Elevators need Traffic Analysis as the first step before any further design to correctly design size, speed, and quantities of elevators. Different traffic analysis software is available online. The passenger mustn’t wait more than the desired time as well as elevator should not be idle for most of the time. Traffic Analysis software or even simple Traffic analysis Calculation design elevator parameters according to project usage and the of passengers in use at different times of the day as well as considering the height of the building to reduce passenger waiting time. These all parameters easily be decided with the help of this software. The relevant Architect or MEP engineer must decide on quantities and sizes at the time of concept design to set the minimum space at concept/coordination time. High-rise buildings which are very less in Pakistan at the moment need more in-depth analysis with multiple configurations of elevators like the designation of each elevator or group of elevators separately to certain floors as per project requirements. There are a number of design requirements and an elevator engineer who is very specialized in his field needs to be involved for at least high rise buildings before the finalization of these parameters. As a simple rule, I recommend all Clients to always ask their Architect for Average Waiting Time (AWT) which shall be in best to be around 40-60 seconds internationally but in Pakistan, we may accept up to 80-100 seconds as well.
The speed of the elevator is very important in buildings, In the US, Middle East, or China where we have no of sky scrappers, the speed of an elevator may go beyond 10 meters/second in many of the buildings, and on average they are using elevators of around 3.5-4.0 meter/second in high rise buildings. The average speed of elevators in Pakistan is 1 meter/second. We have few with the speed of 1.6 meters/second and very few with a speed upto 3.5 meters/second and in my knowledge no lift beyond 3.5 meters/second is installed in Pakistan even though we have many Sky scrappers as well as high-rise buildings in Pakistan in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. Speed matters for quick operation in high-rise buildings and we shall decide our project speed with the consultation of architects and lift engineers. High-speed elevators also pose more maintenance than normal speed elevators and their cost are slightly higher than normal-speed elevators. However quantities of elevators may also reduce with a selection of high-speed elevators as per engineering calculations.
When designing an elevator, it’s crucial to determine its capacity beforehand. A traffic analysis can help determine the individual elevator capacity, measured in kilograms. The capacity options typically range from 450kg to 2000kg, while cargo elevators can handle up to 5000kg. Commercial elevators should not be less than 800kg, and hospital elevators should not be less than 1600kg to accommodate beds. Keep in mind that the average weight of a person is 75kg, so you can calculate the number of people the elevator can hold based on its capacity.
The process of designing elevators involves selecting the right quantities, speed, and size of the elevator. The elevator engineer needs to finalize the elevator source, installation techniques, and operation and maintenance guidelines. In my experience, the operation and maintenance format is the most crucial aspect to decide even before finalizing the elevator works.
In Pakistan, most elevators are either non-operational or pose safety threats due to poor O&M and the unavailability of spare parts. Therefore, the elevator source needs to be finalized by considering after-sale services and the O&M team’s capability. The elevator should not be procured in isolation. It should be procured with a two-year defect liability period, a one-year warranty, and an inventory of critical elevator spare parts available in Pakistan. Moreover, it should be procured from firms with a good reputation for after-sale service for at least five years with the same offered brand.
Elevator engineers are responsible for predicting energy requirements and designing energy-efficient elevators, which is becoming increasingly important for the design of energy-efficient buildings. In addition, elevator engineers are experts in the design of escalators and travelators, which require almost the same level of design effort as elevators. It is essential to rely on a qualified elevator engineer, who may be an architect, mechanical, or electrical engineer with profound knowledge and experience in elevator engineering, to carry out the design work.

450 km-long new roads worth Rs. 210b to be built in Punjab

on 06/08/2024

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that three 450 km-long roads will be built in Punjab by December next year to connect different areas with the big cities. “Roads connecting big cities will not only make it easier for the people to travel but would also play an important role in their socio-economic development,” said the chief minister while approving the construction of 03 new road corridors in Punjab in a special meeting. She said that the government will complete these roads at a cost of Rs 210 billion by December 2025 in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Madam chief minister explained that under the project, dual-carriage roads from Sahiwal to Chichawatni, Rajana; from Rajana to Layyah; and from Shorkot to Jhang Chiragwali will be constructed. She added that the single road from Depalpur to Vihari will also be converted into a dual-carriage road. She directed the authorities concerned to start the construction of these new corridors within the next three months. Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Provincial Minister for Construction & Communications Soheb Ahmad Malik attended the meeting. The Chief Secretary, Chairman of P&D, Secretary of Construction & Communications, and other relevant officers were also present.