On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) hosted the launch of From Rhetoric to Rigor in Management Practice, authored by Mr. Javaid Ahmed, Advisor to the President of IoBM and Senior Fellow of Strategy and Innovation. The book provides valuable insights for students, researchers, and professionals, focusing on improving organizational performance through strategy and innovation while promoting critical thinking to create meaningful impact. The Master of Ceremonies was Ms. Juveria Baig, Head of Department, Internship, Placement & International Office. The event was graced by the presence of IoBM's President, Mr. Talib S. Karim, along with Heads of Departments, management, faculty, and students. Esteemed guests from both academia and the corporate sectors were also present.
Dr. Ishrat Husain, Professor Emeritus at IBA and the event's Chief Guest, praised the book’s forward-thinking approach to management education, noting its potential to transform how organizations pursue innovation. He emphasized the value of the case studies in the book for fostering critical thinking and practical insights. Dr. Husain also urged universities to prioritize creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in their curricula, encouraging students to focus on skill development.
Mr. Talib Karim, President of IoBM, highlighted that book launches at IoBM celebrate the academic and professional contributions of faculty and management, while also promoting local literature and offering valuable reference material for students and researchers. He commended Mr. Javaid Ahmed’s expertise in strategy, acknowledging his significant contributions to IoBM, and expressed confidence that the book would further enrich the academic community.
During the event, Mr. Javaid Ahmed had a thought-provoking discussion with Mr. Sami Wahid, Managing Director of Mondelez Pakistan, on applying management theories in practice. Reflecting on his career, Mr. Ahmed shared how his passion for marketing and strategy shaped his professional journey. He underscored the importance of rigor in driving success, noting that managers who blend intuition with disciplined methods consistently outperform those relying solely on instinct. He also pointed out that as a nation, we often prioritize compliance over innovation, a mindset that must shift to foster real progress.
Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Huma Baqai, Rector of MITE; Dr. Amir Jafri, CEO Angel Investor; Mr. Ali Hasan Naqvi, Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP); Mr. Javier San Juan, former President of L’Oréal Latam; Mr. Tariq Amin, former MD of Rhone Poulenc Pakistan; Dr. Shujaat Mubarak, Professor and HoD at Edinburgh Business School; and Lt. Gen. Tariq Ghazi, former Commandant of the National Defense College, Islamabad.
Dr. Huma Baqai, Rector of MITE, commended the book for its readability and praised its well-structured chapter abstracts, which, she noted, significantly enhance its value. Dr. Amir Jafri, CEO of Angel Investor and former CEO of ICI, lauded Mr. Javaid Ahmed for consistently challenging the status quo, urging others to question norms and break free from complacency. He emphasized that while this approach has occasionally met with resistance, it showcases Mr. Ahmed’s innovative thinking and commitment to driving continuous progress.
Mr. Ali Hasan Naqvi, Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP), who has known Mr. Javaid Ahmed since 2001, described his ideas as inspiring. He praised the book’s focus on three critical pillars: Competitive Advantage, Value Innovation, and Operational Excellence. Dr. Shujaat Mubarik, Professor and HoD at Edinburgh Business School, shared a video message acknowledging the practical framework provided by Mr. Ahmed’s case studies, which he believes will help bridge the gap between theory and practice. He also highlighted the chapters on community building, which he found particularly insightful regarding leadership. Dr. Mubarik paid tribute to the late Founder President of IoBM.
Mr. Tariq Amin, former MD of Rhone Poulenc Pakistan, concluded by emphasizing Mr. Javaid Ahmed’s exceptional talent for teaching, noting it as one of his greatest strengths. In a recorded message, Mr. Javier San Juan, former President of L’Oréal Latam, described the book as a true reflection of Mr. Ahmed’s exceptional qualities and insights. Lt. Gen. Tariq Ghazi, former Commandant of the National Defense College, Islamabad, remarked that the book is not for the faint-hearted but for those committed to lifelong learning. He urged young readers to pay particular attention to the sections on rigor, emphasizing their importance. He noted that the book isn’t linear—readers can explore it according to their own interests and ambitions. While it offers a strong framework, the real solutions will emerge as readers engage deeply with its content.