Tokyo Cement ‘Divi Shakthi’ empowers Central, Uva and North-western regional dealers

A series of Tokyo Cement ‘Divi Shakthi’ training workshops, tailor-made to empower its dealer network with SME management skills were successfully conducted in the Central, Uva and North-western regions touching over 200 traders. Cement and hardware traders of Tokyo Cement’s dealer network in Badulla, Moneragala, Kandy and Kurunegala took part at the training while future sessions are planned in Dambulla.

The programs organised under the guidance of Field Sales Manager in charge of the Central, Uva and North-western regions Nishantha Ellepola, were managed by Area Sales Manager for Kurunegala – Gamunu Suranimala, Area Sales Manager for Kandy – Prasanna Madawalagedara and Area Sales Manager for Badulla – Nilantha Vincent respectively.

The training program covers SME specific pain points and is particularly meant for owners and managers of businesses engaged in dealerships and distribution trade. The subjects include New Opportunity Creation, Customer Retention and Relationship Management, Non-price based Competition and Finance and Cashflow Management. The participants were also given a comprehensive understanding of the new tax system and how it applies to SME businesses. 

H.M.D. Welagedara, Proprietor of Welagedara Trading Company, Tokyo Cement Dealer in Gampola who participated in the program sharing his experience said, “This training is a very good guidance for us to achieve not just business success, but also personal fulfilment. It demonstrated that we can create better value by maintaining long-term customer relationships that go beyond day to day business transactions. It showed us the importance of maintaining good health and a good family life in order to achieve real success in life. Through this training we also understood how complying with the new income tax regulations can help our trades to become recognised business establishments.”

Conducted based on a curricular developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Tokyo Cement initiated Divi Shakthi two years ago from the North and East regions, with the intention to support economic and social development in former conflict-affected districts. Having trained over 500 dealers therein, the workshops later reached out to Tokyo Cement’s island-wide dealer network. The program aims to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to grow their businesses in to prosperous entrepreneurships. Through these activities the company strengthens the relationship they have nurtured with the sales channel by preparing them to face new challenges in an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace.

IFC Certified Master Trainer, Business Consultant and Visiting Lecturer, Sanath Vidanagamage, CEO of Institute of Growth Concepts who conducts the training programs said, “The training offers a fresh experience for hardware owners compared to conventional dealer meetings. The participants show great enthusiasm because it is not about the company or its products, but about improving their business success and uplifting their personal lives to the next level. The entire workshop is designed to provide a fresh perspective to achieve growth and motivate these entrepreneurs to plan for a better future. They also get an opportunity to connect with other dealers and share their experience on diverse business issues.” Vidanagamage and his team have so far conducted over 15 workshops for over 460 Tokyo Cement distributors and resellers from across the island as part of the Divi Shakthi Training program.

Dashantha Udawatte, Group Marketing Manager of Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC explaining the broad objectives behind this unique channel development initiative said, “Tokyo Cement believes in building strong relationships that are founded on mutual success. We partnered the IFC for the Divi Shakthi SME Business Management trainings with this in mind. Most of our dealerships are run by experienced businessmen, with years of hands-on experience while some have been brought up through generations, providing job opportunities and economic mobility in their local communities. Divi Shakthi training is a platform for these businessmen and women to improve their business acumen and a boost to build on their entrepreneurial skills.”

Tokyo Cement has earned its reputation in Sri Lanka’s construction industry as the most trusted supplier of high quality cement and concrete used in infrastructure projects that have stood the test of time. Delivering superior products for projects that mark Sri Lanka’s growth, from iconic structures gracing city skylines, to overhead bridges, railroads and suspended highway networks, the company has cemented its legacy as a partner in nation building and is committed to raise the bar on quality and fortify its market position as a trailblazer.