CBL holds ‘Annual Distributor Convention and Star Awards Ceremony 2016/17’

CBL distributors who received Gold awards in recognition of their longstanding service pose for a picture with Group Chairman Ramya E. Wickramasingha and Group Managing Director Shea Wickramasingha

Munchee Territory Sales Officer in Nittambuwa Dilanka Sandakal receiving the CBL Star Award from CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha flanked by Group Director/Head of Marketing and Sales Nandana Wickramage and Director/Group General Manager – Sales I.M. Khan

Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. (CBL) held its ‘Annual Distributor Convention and Star Awards Ceremony 2016/17’ recently at Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall, Attidiya. 

Conceptualised to felicitate internal and external partners, this annual event is eagerly awaited by stakeholders of CBL, as it marks the culmination of the joint efforts to sustain CBL’s leadership in the marketplace. 

The event is also organised to recognise and reward outstanding contributions by its sales force and distributers both locally and overseas. The event was attended by a large gathering including of board directors, overseas partners, distributers and special invitees.

The ‘Annual Distributor Convention and Star Awards Ceremony 2016/17’ provided an ideal platform to showcase the company’s achievements in all aspects during the year. 

Distributors who received the Gold Awards in recognition of the long-standing services were Sanjeewa Pushpa Kumara-Hewage sons, Katugastota, Lalith Balasooriya – LB Distributers, Madampe, Ariyawansa Bandara Wijesinghe – Singhe Stores, Digana, and Jayanth Amarasinghe – Amarasinghe Stores, Kegalle. 

The climax of the event was the awarding of the CBL Star which went to the best Territory Sales Officer among the CBL Sales Force which is considered the country’s largest in any FMCG company. The CBL Star Award was presented to Dilanka Sandakal – Munchee TSO in Nittambuwa. He was also the winner of the B range which handles the sales of biscuits. Whilst the range winners were Bandula Wijewardane – TSO in Kandy, A range (Chocolate and Cakes), and in the C range (Samaposha and Lankasoy), Charitha Gunawardane, TSO Pettah was felicitated for their outstanding performances 

Winners of the Junior CBL Star awards were also announced at the event and the overall winner was A. Mohanappriyan, TSO for Chocolates and Cakes in Mannar. The junior winners are selected from Territory Sales Officers (TSO) with the service of less than two years in the company.

People development is pursued at CBL and employees can avail of numerous opportunities for rapid career progression in a knowledge-based workplace, where regular training and development initiatives offer a strategic competitive edge. Sanjaya Fonseka made a presentation on his career path at CBL which began as a Distributor Sales Representative. Thereafter, he was promoted to CBL Sales representative and then to a post of Sales Supervisor. After rising to Area Sales Manager, he is now a Field Sales Manager. His promotion to the post of Assistant Manager – Modern Trade was announced at the event.

The launch of many new and innovative products was also featured at the CBL Annual Distributor Convention and Star Awards Ceremony as a part of the strategy to strengthen its position in the market place. 

The event also reviewed the Company’s CSR activities carried out during the year mainly including Hope, Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara, Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana and CBL Govi Pawula. Many awards received in recognition of CBL’s CSR initiatives were also featured. 

The Theme BRAVE – ‘courage to challenge the status quo for future growth’ was rightly selected for the year’s motto. BRAVE stands for Believe, Resourceful, Achieve, Victorious and Energised. Believe stands for Believing in yourself, brands and the power of the dream; Resourceful stands from Resourcefulness in knowledge, skill and awareness; Achieve stands from achieving common goals and desires; Victorious is from creating a victorious mindset for the team; and Energised highlights the importance to stay energised. It is customary for the CBL sales force to select a theme every year and work towards it.