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“TAQ offers advantages to its customers in terms of savings and service packages”

Faisal Shabbir, General Manager Commercial, Faisalabad

Q1. When did you join TTO and in what position and capacity? What motivated you for a career in the organization?
A1. I joined TTO at its Faisalabad office in January 2003 as Export Sales Executive. Right from the beginning of my career I was inclined to work in sales or marketing department of any reputed organization. Initially my first opening came in a pharmaceutical firm as SPO. Soon I joined a small sized freight forwarding company in its sales department. My ultimate aim was to join TAQ, which was a leading national organization in the logistics sector having a comprehensive range of services. I applied for a job in TAQ by sending my CV to its HR department. This is how I got selected in TAQ and commenced my upward career in the field of supply chain logistics.

Q2. What promotions and important positions you have held so far?
A2. After serving for three years at Faisalabad, in December 2006 I was promoted to the position of Assistant Manager and transferred to TAQ Gujranwala office of the company, where I was responsible for both export and import sales. In May 2007 I was promoted as Branch Manager at Gujranwala and later transferred back to Faisalabad to take over as head of the branch in March 2008, the position I held till March 2014.
It was a turning point in my career when I was transferred to the TAQ head office at Lahore in April 2014 and elevated to the position of General Manager Commercial. At Lahore I had the opportunity to mingle with the top management and rubbed shoulders with the different product heads and professionals in the logistics industry of Pakistan. It was a tremendous upward professional learning curve that benefitted me a lot in my career development. In July 2016 I was transferred as GM Commercial based at Faisalabad, the designation I've till to date.

Q3. Since your induction in TAQ were on-the-job and other training opportunities helpful in grooming and developing your career?
A3. TAQ's policy of investing in and training its newly inducted staff members is very helpful. In addition to its in-house institute, advanced higher level of training is also provided to its staff members at external facilities. On-the-job training and such interactive sessions have been very beneficial in developing my career.

Q4. Is the work environment conducive for performing your duties efficiently?
A4. All our colleagues, in sales and operations, are equipped with state-of-the-art tools of the trade for performing their work efficiently. In this era when advanced communication is taken for granted TAQ in its field took the lead by investing heavily and timely in on-line communication facilities for its staff members. Those who are required to have round-the-clock access with customers and foreign associates have laptop computers, in addition to advanced other communication tools.

Q5. Are the staff welfare and benefit schemes provided by the company helpful to you and your family?
A5. I enjoy peace of mind, a sense of comfort, protection and strength from the knowledge that I'm associated with an organization that takes good care of me and my family by providing benefits such as comprehensive medical cover, group insurance, annual bonuses, provident fund, travel and training opportunities, safe mineral drinking water, as well as other staff welfare schemes that are helpful in performance enhancement.
Moreover, it was heartening to see the general and specific measures taken by our organization for the safety and welfare of the staff members, as well as the visitors to its offices, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

Q6. Why and how do you feel that TAQ is a different organization in its field in Pakistan?
A6. TAQ stands out in this respect among all companies in its field in Pakistan. One thing that differentiates TAQ from others is that it observes rules and regulations of the trade at national and international level – keeping in view the supreme interest of customers and employees. Customers at TAQ can be rest assured that their valuable shipments are handled by an organization that is professionally competent and reliable, and at the same time has the required infrastructure and resources to provide maximum security and successful services.

Q7. What advantages does TAQ offer to its customers?
A7. TAQ's one-window operational concept, worldwide on-line communication system, network covering all the major export and import centres and broad product range are concrete advantages for our customers in terms of savings and service packages.

Q8. What are your other interests in life? How do you relax? How do you foresee your future?
A8. I like sports, particularly cricket – the game that I passionately followed and played at quite a high level during my school and college days. Now I enjoy watching cricket matches and other sports when I've time. My idea of relaxation is to spend time with my children and family. As an optimist I look to the future with confidence and want to further excel in my field by focussing on professional goals.

Q9. Would you like to tell us something about your personal life, family, values and principles that you follow?
A9. I'm content and happy being part of a family consisting of seven brothers and two sisters. All of them are married. I've two sons and two daughters who are at different stages of their education. Belonging to a conservative family we follow good values, principles and traditions of the past while at the same time believe in acquiring modern technology to become valuable members of the society. I'm myself flexible enough to adopt to the changed environment of today in a positive manner.