Country Manager - Oriflame Pakistan

We, at Oriflame, believe in the power of people’s dreams. Because of this belief, our business has grown and we have helped millions of people improve their lives globally. We know that to continue on this journey we need a business that thrives in harmony with the natural world, and contributes to a fair society where everyone can prosper – today and in the future. That is why our plan is to continue being a successful business while focusing on creating a more sustainable planet.

EVOLVE: Please share something about yourself, a brief overview of your professional journey? 

Tahir Majeed: My career started with Pepsi Cola International as I passed out, and from there moved on to Coca Cola Beverages and then Rafhan Bestfoods - all in Finance related positions. Later feeling that the Finance field is not fulfilling my appetite for creativity and out of box problem solving, I moved towards supply chain, joined Haleeb Foods Limited and then Pepsi Cola Bottles, Islamabad and within an era of 4 years, became Head of Supply Chain Department. Finally, I joined Oriflame as a National Operations Manager, saying hello to the direct selling industry, falling in love immediately with Oriflame and the way Oriflame changes people's lives of people. Later, got promoted to the Country Manager position immediately, taking over the new and complex job responsibilities head to head. 

EVOLVE: In your own words, how do you describe the brand Oriflame? 

Tahir Majeed: Oriflame’s brand promises of Your Dreams - Our Inspiration™ is deeply rooted in our history and heritage. During our 50-years history, we have always been dedicated to inspire and offer people the opportunity to achieve their dreams through our unique business concept. Your Dreams - Our Inspiration™ is a manifestation of our commitment to our clients and consultants; their dreams play a large role in developing our new beauty products and inspiring programmes that help to develop their own business. 

EVOLVE: What were the challenges that you faced when you joined Oriflame Pakistan as Country Manager and how did you manage these challenges? 

Tahir Majeed: Pakistan is a hardcore retail market and being into the direct sales business itself brings lots of challenges. You see different strong brands fighting a media war while other brands indulge into activations and trade marketing strategies, all for customers and shoppers, the very same people we approach but without any loud marketing. Company believes in people, and thus invests in people. Our Ads are our sales consultants running Oriflame.

EVOLVE: What measures have been made by Oriflame Pakistan to stay top-of-mind? 

Tahir Majeed: The primary target market for Oriflame is the consultants and the prospects they bring and for them Oriflame goes to huge lengths, from conducting seminars & events that include professional performances, classy recognitions, traveling to dream destinations locally and abroad. This keeps consultants, always inspired by the organization. It stays on top of the mind as to what they can achieve if they live and work hard in the Oriflame life. Another strong point to our organization is the quality of products, the amount of energy and research that the company puts in each product is amazing and this helps our customers in clinging to the brand.

EVOLVE: It’s not the Marketing, but the tools have changed. How effectively Oriflame Pakistan is aligned with new marketing tools? 

Tahir Majeed: Marketing is evolving at an astonishing rate, no doubt in this, new and more complex marketing mix are being introduced every day. Oriflame, however, has a very unique way of indulging its consumers and potential sales consultants. Digital marketing is evolving tremendously as a very important marketing tool in the current era. Digital marketing tools are very efficient to interact with targeted audiences in real time. Engagement in any form is what your customers expect to receive when interacting with your brand or business. Plus, we focus on improving the lives of our sales force through giving out better commissions, planning amazing events for their entertainment and going to their cities and towns for training that will help them work smart.

EVOLVE: What are the metrics you find useful in measuring customer engagement? 

Tahir Majeed: It’s always the ease in interaction, with ease (lesser use of energy) comes a high chance of engagement, this captures the heart of customers and shoppers alike. We here at Oriflame make sure that any person that comes in contact with our brand/ product, has a very good idea of what he/she is buying and what are the advantages of the product.

EVOLVE: What kind of culture have you maintained at Oriflame Pakistan and how would you throw light in its significance? 

Tahir Majeed: At Oriflame we are committed to creating opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Working at Oriflame means working in a company defined by a dynamic culture, meaningful work and professional growth; this is what we offer to our employees. We demand a lot from our people, but we also empower them to live up to their challenges, to have an entrepreneurial spirit and to deliver on our brand promise. And, importantly, we recognize their efforts and reward their achievements. 

EVOLVE: What sets Oriflame Pakistan apart from its competitors? 

Tahir Majeed: The obvious difference, there is no direct competition of Direct Sales Companies in Pakistan. But in my opinion, it’s the way we are changing the lives of normal people. Take a normal housewife, or a teacher, a person who in their entire life, only dreams of international travel. Now with Oriflame we see such people go every year, even twice a year. People have improved how they live and spend, they have even improved their personality in the light of Oriflame and this is what I am proud of.

EVOLVE: What are the important benchmarks if kept in the right direction can help any company to attain success? 

Tahir Majeed: In my best opinion, following things are the core of success: 1. Sustainability responsibility and opportunity to achieve real, lasting, positive change. 2. Moral and ethical values from top level down the grass root level. 3. Being a family unit, employees spend half of their day, even life in the office, any office that focuses on teamwork and togetherness will always prove more efficient 4. Customer Service, I have complete faith in phrases like “customer is the king”, the better you treat them during your interaction, more and more chances of loyalty are ensured. 5. Strong rewarding system, (internal and external), this is the balance organizations tend to ignore from one or the other side in the shadow of their profits. But nevertheless is a very strong motivation.

EVOLVE: How do you balance pursuing opportunities and maintaining focus? 

Tahir Majeed: Opportunities will always knock at your door, time in and time out you will have the chance to walk out, but the art is when you recognize your true interest and stick to it with satisfaction. Oriflame has the spark I need, I always wanted to be a part of positive change and now in Oriflame we are changing lives for good. Other professional factors play their part, like endless learning and growth that I get in this continuously evolving environment. 

EVOLVE: Is there any company that has ever impressed you? 

Tahir Majeed: There are lots of organizations in my wish list, starting off with Google, what creativity, what a passion they put in their thought process.

Then there are the precision organizations like Mercedes and BMW, amazing processes and procedures. Flawless systems and marketing at a whole new level. This list can go on and on, it’s not the name that impresses me, it’s the strength a company possesses. 

EVOLVE: What is the recipe to achieve long-term success? 

Tahir Majeed: The recipe to long term success in my words is as follows: 

 - Work & Family Balance

 - Ethical Values and Respect

 - Never Ending Learning (New Challenges)

 - Help People fulfill their Dreams 

EVOLVE: Any message for the readers of EVOLVE magazine? 

Tahir Majeed: Evolve Magazine is the doorway to the corporate world, it has been this way from the start. For me particularly, this magazine not only shares the major players in the market but also the news and updates that all professionals need to know. It’s a proud moment for me and Oriflame that Sweden is the focus of this edition, and I have been selected to represent myself and my Organization. Swedish people are known for their strong ethical values, down to earth management style and amazing time management. 

Keep Flourishing - EVOLVE!