"Transforming a vision into reality" is a recently compiled biography on the life and achievements of the Chief Executive of Tapal Tea Aftab Tapal. This book was officially launched by the 21st Century Business and Economic Club at a local hotel on Thursday.
Former federal minister Javed Jabbar, Rafiq Rangoonwala and Syed Salahuddin Haider, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the achievements of Aftab Tapal. They said that the story of Aftab Tapal was that of a man, who dreamed, dared and succeeded in developing a local brand in the market that was once completely dominated by a multinational giant.
In a candid revelation of his life experiences, hopes and disappointments, successes and failures, Aftab Tapal narrated a story that promises to be a significant reference guide for any business and economic student, analyst or observer.
Aftab Tapal had all the professional qualifications to conceptualise the management system and tools required to manage a modern business house. But in addition, it took him a lot of courage, thoughtful and effective planning and hard work to face a host of constraints. Above all, these constraints were daunting prospects of the market that was dominated by a powerful multinational-monopoly.
Aftab Tapal chose the time-tested strategy of avoiding direct confrontation with market leaders. He began by introducing new tea blends to target mainly fringe, low-end customers of no interest to the established giants at that time.
The book is more than a simple chronology of events in the life of a successful businessman or a mere compilation of his achievements. It is an insight into what drives visionaries like Aftab Tapal.