Hameedia’s staff in grand display of creative skills

The nelum flower (nelumbian speciosium) was all pervasive in its captivating shades of blue, magenta and white, as members of Hameedia’s staff together with its partners, all numbering well over 1,200 converged on Colombo’s newest landmark, the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre for the Hameedia Talent Show 2012.

Chief Guest at the occasion was Managing Director Fouzul Hameed. Guest of Honour was Deputy Managing Director Hussain Sadique. Among the other distinguished invitees were SLIM President Thushara Perera, Prof. Rizvi Sheriff, Madu Ratnayake, Feroze Cader, Dhammika Kalapuge and Prof. Sri Kandiah, amongst others.

This year’s Talent Show took on a grander dimension to celebrate the milestones achieved by the company over the years. Added to this is the fact that Hameedia has grown to be a formidable part of the lives of Sri Lankan men for over 63 years.

Sporting their nelum flower themed T-shirts, Hameedia’s staff came from all parts of Sri Lanka and joined the Hameedia management, suppliers, business partners, customers and consultants for a six-hour extravaganza.

Opening the show was a graceful nelum dance performed by the girls employed at the factory who were professionally trained. This set the stage for members of Hameedia staff who ventured under the spotlight in a display of their creative skills – drama, music, song and dance - to a widely appreciative audience. Celebrated director Feroze Kamardeen of Puswedilla-fame played a key role in training them in acting and stagecraft.

There was even a fashion show with Hameedia staff modelling the outfits they would usually sell to their customers. The eight models did the brand proud and strode the catwalk with confidence and ease.

A special feature at the Hameedia Talent Show 2012 was a group of differently-abled employees who also performed on stage and displayed their talents to great applause. In its endeavour to ensure equal opportunities to all employees, Hameedia has made it a policy to recruit and support different-abled persons from the community.

“We value the contribution made by every single member of our staff since our inception 63 years ago. It is their sheer dedication and perseverance over the years that have transformed Hameedia into the household brand it is today. This event demonstrates our appreciation and the fact that we care,” said Managing Director Fouzul Hameed.  

The Overall Best Performers who demonstrated skills in drama, acting and singing received several gifts along with valuable cash prizes. There were also special appreciation awards to the top performers who contributed to the team and the company as a whole.

Twenty employees received an all expense paid vacation to overseas along with special accolades while M.T.M Faleel, Shafeek Naseer and Leroy J. Ebert jointly received the Hameedia CEO’s Award of the Year. Hameedia also feted 211 long service employees with customised 22-carat gold pendants.

“This event was highly successful in bonding each and every one of us as members of one large family – the Hameedia family. Although we come from different ethnic, cultural and language backgrounds, we are bound together by the Hameedia brand. This is the underlying motif of our success, both in Sri Lanka and overseas,” said Deputy Managing Director Hussain Sadique.

This event is also one of several such events done by Hameedia to tap and develop staff talent, and, help them unleash their potential. Nearly 95% of the show, including acts and event management, were handled by the staff. All employees across the group – head office, factory, warehouse and every retail showrooms – played their roles to perfection.

This event also gave them the training required for the eight hours of volunteer work by each employee. They are now equipped to go out into society as individuals and share their experience and knowledge with schools, charities, institutions. This exercise makes them ‘self sufficient,’ thus reducing dependency on others and thereby enhancing the self-dignity of all involved.