Posted by The term “business mindedness” is intriguing in itself. When we talk about business the first thing that comes to mind is selling a product and maximising the profit. And the profit is measured in the tangible form, which is earning money. This is the perception of the manufacturer or the seller. But, what is the perception of the receiver? I think, the key to instigating the feeling of the receiver –in this context the buyer- is to first of all feelings should be evoked in the mind of the manufacturer. To understand this phenomenon, we can take the example from the zikr of Dai (Dai; the term used for the governor) who when conducts the sabaq (classes) for Mumenaat (ladies) use to give examples from the works, related to the feminine gender. Like: sewing, knitting, etc. I think this is the best example that can maximize the selling of the product. What we can infer from the matter discussed till now, is the importance of knowing the mindset of the purchaser. I think this governor was having the best skills to convince his customer. The governor knew the best area from where he can enter the heart of his listeners. The ‘entering the heart of the customer’ can be said one of the best tool to maximize the selling of any product.
Business is a science
To testify to the above saying we can take the example from the power generated by the batteries. Engineers are striving hard day by day to enhance the power generated by the batteries. The potential of the battery to remain intact from draining is far better compared to a few earlier decades. What I want to highlight here is the mindset of the manufacturer; the first thing people use to see in any electronic device is the power of the battery. Likewise, the main feature people use to observe in any product is the power and sustainability of that particular product. Starting from the minute products like needles or the giant products like jet fighters. To conclude this point we can say that people look for innovation. If we don’t search for new possibilities, to enhance the feature of anything in the world, then it is nothing less than the death of that particular product. We can relate the above phenomenon by one live example. Before one decade, for STD and ISD calls, we generally use to visit the private telephone booth where we have to pay according to our telephonic conversation. Then came the epoch of mobile, where people were getting STD and ISD calling facilities on their mobile-only. This was the transition period for the telephone service provider to shift from a telephone booth to selling the recharge coupons. Here the ability to showcase the dynamism which is the real business skill is to understand that telephone booths will become history within a few years and it’s necessary to adopt the selling of recharge coupons. As the recharge coupon selling will soon become the new norm. But those who were not flexible to adopt the trend remained behind and their business vanished after some time. This happens with every business. It’s important for every businessman to remain vigilant and adaptive in this regard. The common example given in this context which is usually discussed in business studies is about “Kodak cameras”. Kodak resisted immediately adopting the shifting from traditional cameras to digital cameras. Eventually, the selling of the Kodak camera was severely affected though it was the leading seller of the cameras in the market.
Adopting the trend and remaining flexible.
Those who adopted new trends in real-time are the real achievers. To change, and adopt the difficult situation is the real litmus test. The trend of the market is always changing. It doesn’t remain in one position. The comfort zone is never observed in business for a long time. The mind should always seek and search the innovative ideas to sustain in the competitive market. Any type of lethargic behaviour in this regard is toxic for every person who wants to grow his business spectrum. In this context we can take the examples from the revered sayings of Ameeral Mumeneen Maulana Ali ibne Abi Talib SA: التاجر الجبان محروم والتاجر الجسور مرزوق” The cowardly merchant is forbidden, and the brave merchant is Marzouk (favoured by Allah)”. Courage becomes the reason for earning. Here the trait, of courage, needs to be understood properly. From the above saying, we can understand that courageous decisions sometimes compromise our assets but the risk taken should be calculative up to some extent abiding by the fundamentals of business. But when it comes to the followers of Islam, courage is relying upon the doctrines of Islam when we make decisions that affect our assets.
Conclusion
Al sayed al Ajal shehzada Jaffer al Sadiq bs Imaduddin saheb beautifully explained the notion of business mindedness. As Mumeneen are famous by the tag line of VEPARI QAUM (Business community) they should always abide by the doctrines of Islam while dealing in any aspect of life. An employee as well who always require following the SOPs of his organization, however, when it comes to compromising in any fundamental rituals of Islam, should refuse it immediately. This refusal is not counted as standing unfaithful against the organization, but moreover, it’s the real meaning of business mindedness which is; believing in Allah’s favour. A person, either a businessman or an employer when deals with people by establishing his trust in Allah’s favour and believing that I seek from Allah’s uncountable bounties then this phenomenon will definitely lead him towards the true meaning of the al ayah al kareemah: وابتغوا من فضل الله (seek the bounty from Allah). If for a split of a moment, a person thinks that if I will not attend the wish of the customer, which is against the fundamentals of Islam, I will lose him or I will lose the job. Then he is losing the trust in Allah’s favour and establishing the thought that my sustenance is not in Allah’s hands but in the hands of the customer. This is against the decree of the ayah kareemah mentioned earlier. At last, we should take the inspiration from the Mumeneen who when received the decree of Maula TUS to immediately leave from the quicksand of dealing with interest; they in no time embraced the decree and now they are having a prosperous life.