Mabati_Rolling_Mills.. - Mabati Rolling Mills

3rd Quarter 2008
Highlights
-MRM Wins Kaizen Ichiban Award
-MRM Launches Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
-Customer Focus at MRM
-Interview with GM Operations, Surya Surikuchi
“Going the
extra mile...”
1

FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM
COO’s Message ................................... 3
Trainings ............................................ 4
MRM welcomes.................................. 5
Going the Extra Mile............................ 6
Going the
extra mile...
Customer Focus.................................. 8
HIV / AIDS .................................... 10
MRM Launches ERP ......................... 11
Gemba Kaizen .................................... 12
MRM CSR ....................................... 14
Save Energy Save .............................. 15
MRM Pictorials ................................ 16
Partner Views ....................................18
Business Intelligence ......................... 20
Staff Matters.................................... 20
Learning and Growth......................... 22
Kitchen Delight.................................. 23
Editorial Team
Athi River
Mariakani
Tony Nasirembe Peter Njuguna
Austin Okoda Paul Omondi
Ramadhan Juma Norman Desouza
Bancy Gakuru Thomas Ngira
Phyllis Maitha John Wachira
Joyce Ng’ang’a Johnstone Obuyu
Anju Baldev
Tehzeen Badruddin
Ann Odero
Dick Lumumba
Going the extra mile means going
beyond expectations. At MRM going
the extra mile is our commitment, our
passion. We start our day by holding
hands together and making the following
pledge:
“Alone we are weak, together we are
strong; together we shall work with
our own hands as a family; in mutual
trust and with responsibility. Progress
can be achieved, only if we are ever
ready to change ourselves. My opinion
only, is of no importance; the only
thing of importance is the reality at the
Gemba (place). We shall improve it
with team work. We will not lower our
goals to the level of our present abilities
but raise our abilities to the height
of our goals. Our vision is to be the
Toyota in metal roofing solutions; our
mission is to deliver value for money in
metal roofing solutions. Bravo MRM,
Bravo Kaizen.”
The pledge is recited by every member
of the MRM family, from the shop floor
to the Chief Executive Officer. It is a
powerful commitment of the people
to do what they say they would do
because it impacts on everyone’s
integrity, what everyone thinks about
regarding the business, what everyone
says and what everyone does in the
achievement of the business objectives
should have no variance. To sustain
this integrity requires that everyone at
MRM lives the corporate values which
state:
“MRM Shall and WILL Take No Shortcuts
to Ethics, Compliance and Quality;
Be Fair and Caring Towards Employees,
Customers, Community, Environment
and Other Stakeholders”.
These values bind us to think and work
together in a manner determined to go
the extra mile. We have a passion for
customer satisfaction. We are aware
that a satisfied customer will be a
repeat customer. We are also aware
that a satisfied customer will tell
others about our product quality and
service delivery. Going the extra mile
is a calling which MRM people do with
a smile on their faces and a whistle on
their lips. All MRM products are rolled
out with equal precision, determination
and diligence. The Editorial Team
is proud to belong to the MRM Team
which goes the extra mile beyond
customer expectations.
Cheers!!!
Editorial Team
Old Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 271 Athi River, 00204, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 6427000. +254 733 622068, +254 722 205164
Fax: +254 20 6427500/1 Email: newsletter@MRM.com
Website: www.MRM.com
2

COO’s Message
MRM is thriving to be a Leader in providing ‘Roofing Solutions’. As we know
‘Leading’ is not only to set the direction or to show the way, but also the way
the whole team is committed and willing to move with the help of right tools.
To attain such status, MRM has embraced ‘Kaizen Principles’ to go for that
extra mile. Our strong belief in Kaizen Principles for all our business practices
has culminated in MRM-Mariakani plant being crowned as Ichiban (numberone
in Japanese)- Kaizen practicing company. This award, given by the Kaizen
Institute Africa, truly demonstrates our commitment to serve the customers,
stakeholders & employees with dedication
This Award further strengthens our commitment to be and stay at the top as
other awards have demonstrated, especially winning the prestigious COYA
(Company of the Year Award) several times.
In achieving these accolades, MRM team has built a culture over the years,
that aims at making MRM today better than yesterday and ultimately to serve
the customer better than we did yesterday. This is the true Team work and
exhibition of Kaizen (continual improvement) culture.
Often it is said that- ‘It is easy to reach at the top but more difficult to remain
at the top’. I have no doubt that with the committed Team we have the capability
to go for that extra mile always, to remain at the top; with the belief that
‘Kaizen’ is a journey and not the destination!
“ Our strong
belief in Kaizen
Principles in all
our business and
manufacturing
practices has
culminated in
MRM being
‘crowned’ as
Ichiban (number
one) company in
the region”.
Bravo MRM!
Mahesh Chavda
Chief Operating Officer
3 3

TRAINING
MRM staff attentive during the
training
Human Resource Training for Managers
Safal Horn of Africa Region Managers were taken through a successful
two day training on Human Resource skills in order to enhance
relationships with employees. The training was held in Nairobi in
May 2008 and facilitated by Mike Eldon of the Dan Eldon Place of
Tomorrow. In his opening remarks, MRM Chairman Dr. Manu Chandaria
reiterated the importance of the training adding that managers should
“have a human face” while working with employees.
The participants also learnt among other things, emotional intelligence,
how styles of leadership affects relationship with employees and
consequently productivity. In his closing remarks Safal Horn of Africa
Regional CEO , Mr. Kaushik Shah emphasized that all the employees
were valued, adding that employees were the most important resource
in any organisation. He envisaged continued achievements in future
with continued teamwork in the organisation.
By Bancy Gakuru
Our Mission and Vision
Deliver Value for Money in
“Metal Roofing Solutions”
MRM VISION
To be THE TOYOTA in
“Metal Roofing Solutions”
OUR VALUES
We Shall and WILL Take No Shortcuts to Ethics, Compliance
and Quality; Be Fair and
Caring Towards Employees, Customers, Community and
Other Stakeholders.
Thirty staff members from different
Departments at MRM attended a
Customer Relations Management
Training in June 2008. The two-day
Training, held at AMREF Training
Centre, was organized by MRM and
conducted By Lan-X Africa Ltd.
The aim of the training was to
upgrade our skills in Customer Care
Relationship with:
- Customers
- our colleagues.
As the training unfolded, we learnt
how to recognize, meet & satisfy our
customers needs.
The knowledgeable Trainer, though
the use of relationship management
tools, helped us explore numerous
ways by which we could and serve the
Customer better.
On completion of the training, it
was now implementation time at the
workplace and this we did with focus!
This training goes that ‘Extra Mile’
in improving our skills in Customer
relationship management with the aim
of retaining our customers as well as
increasing the Customer base as we
offer quality products & services.
By Lucetta Wambeti
Customer Care Department
4

MRM WELCOMES
Magdalene Nduku
Secretary Sales Dept.
MRM - Mariakani
David Njihia Mburu
Mechanical Technician
MRM - Mariakani
Robert Kioko
Electrical Engineer
(Projects)
MRM - Mariakani
Bernard M. Kasikali
Electrical Eng. Trainee
MRM - Mariakani
Jackline Kagweria
Chemical Technician Trainee
MRM - Mariakani
Emily Sau
Chemical Technician Trainee
MRM - Mariakani
Faraj Mudzo Beja
Electrical Eng. Trainee
MRM - Mariakani
Evans Ogao Abok
Mechanical Eng. Trainee
MRM - Mariakani
Margaret M. Nzilili
Office Executive
MRM - Mariakani
Esther M. Irungu
Internal Auditor
MRM - Athi River
Thomas Bondi
Electrical Engineer
MRM - Athi River
Elizabeth W. Njuguna
HR Assistant
MRM - Athi River
5 5

COVER STORY
Going the extra mile
Mr. Suryanarayanan Surikuchi,
General Manager Operations.
An important
principle of success
in all walks of life and
in all occupations is
willingness to
“Go The Extra Mile”
which means the
rendering of more
and better service
than that for which
one is paid, and
giving it in a positive
mental attitude.
Search wherever you will for a
single sound argument against
this principle and you will not
find it, nor will you find a single
instance of enduring success, which
was not attained in part by its
application. MRM Newsletter had
the opportunity to ‘walk the extra
mile with Mr. Suryanarayanan, the
General Manager Operations MRM;
MNL: Sir, everywhere in the
Kenyan landscape and beyond
the borders MRM products cover
all types of houses. It would be
great to know the team behind
this success.
SS: As the General Manager
Operations, I believe in teamwork.
The team we have at MRM is
very able and very cohesive
in all functions. Coupled with
good leadership this team is
responsible for the good work you
see!
Additionally, our product Zincal
is a superior product to the
conventional Galvanized sheets.
This product has 3-4 times
longer life. The product life is
even extended by the beautiful colour
coating products that we manufacture.
Due to this superiority our products
give you value for money hence the
preference.
MNL: Seems this has come so easy!
SS: Nothing good comes easy
During the installation and postinstallation
period we went through
teething problems.
Being the only plant of its kind in the
region, it was only here that we had
to learn from. There were trials and of
course failures during this time. The
failures and experiences guided us in
improving our systems.
MNL: Being at the top, if I may say,
requires a lot of effort to sustain this
position. How do you or have you
managed to battle on to sustain your
performance?
6

SS: Yes, it is difficult to be among
the leaders. We have challenges
from other players in the industry.
In brief we have to be innovative
to stay in this position lest we fall
back. Our innovations cover all
aspects including personnel who are
the actual players and the people
owed the credit!
MNL: As you say the workforce
plays a large role in keeping MRM
at the top, how do you keep them
motivated to achieve results?
SS: The most important thing in
people management is to give
people a free- hand to manage
themselves. In this way their
hidden potential is unleashed.
This of course we do with good
guidance.
This we have achieved by taking up
challenges at the workplace where
all are involved and everybody’s
ideas and opinions are respected.
This brings about teamwork in
solving problems that may have
looked insurmountable.
Achievements are appreciated and
recognized and this fact goes along
way in motivating people from the
shop floor to the top.
MNL: Do you consider this approach
unique and a contributing factor to
your achievements?
SS: Unique, yes we can say. This
is a ‘culture’ that we have nurtured
over time and mainly through the
practice of Gemba Kaizen. From
the enthusiasm in people seen
during by participation in the
Kaizen workshops, you can feel
the satisfaction in the air! This is
because employee of all levels,
senior managers included, mix
and work quite freely. Barriers are
literally broken!
MNL: Steel is a male dominated
sector; the National policy is to have
gender equality. What is MRM’s
position in meeting the National
goal?
SS: Way back in the year 2000,
MRM was 100% male in the
manufacturing area. The only ladies
in the company were those doing
office work. Today we have 22
ladies working on the shop-floor
along with the men and in various
shifts with performances at par with
their male counterparts. This is a
mile covered, though we aim to go
the extra mile and hope to achieve
25% lady-employment.
MNL: This seems quite a challenge!
SS: Yes this is a challenge but
we have a culture in succeeding
in realizing our visions. This
culture is entrenched in our plans
and preparations. We have the
MRM Technical Institute which is
providing training to both boys &
girls. From this institute and others
we hope to tap some talent.
MNL: What other challenges do you
face in this competitive industry?
SS: Many! We have competition,
rising steel prices and Government
policies. All these challenges
provide us with a chance to
improve our processes and I believe
it is healthy to have challenges.
MNL: Finally Mr. Surya, what are
MRM’s mission & visions?
SS: MRM’s vision is to be the
leader in the industry. This we
aim to achieve while delivering
value for money of our products
to the customer, while ensuring
that all stake holders are taken
care of. These are the customers,
employees, shareholders and of
course the environment
MNL: Thank you very much for the
insight!
“The team we
have at MRM is
very able and
very cohesive
in all functions.
Coupled with
good leadership
this team is
responsible for the
good work you
see”!
7 7

CUSTOMER FOCUS
Customer focus ....... more
than customer service
8

Customer focus is NOT customer
service …… Customer
Service is NOT a competitive
advantage in today’s marketplace.
Customer Care Department
in MRM has dedicated
itself to helping clients increase
their competitive advantage.
With research at the lead, we
combine the disciplines of
marketing and organizational
development resulting in innovative
business tools.
What is Customer Focus?
• Customer Focus is about getting
input from the customer far
in advance of the sale - certainly
even before the product
or service is designed.
• Customer Focus is about
getting all employees to look
at their job through the eyes of
the customer.
• Customer Focus is about
adding value at all levels of the
organization - not just sales and
customer service.
• Customer Focus is NOT
customer service...let us show
you why Customer Service is
NOT a Competitive advantage
in today’s marketplace and why
Customer Focus IS...
The key benefits of Customer
focus include:
• Increased revenue and market
share obtained through flexible
and fast responses to market
opportunities.
• Increased effectiveness in
the use of the organization’s
resources to enhance customer
satisfaction.
• Improved customer loyalty
leading to repeat business.
Applying the principle of customer
focus typically leads to:-
• Researching and understanding
customer needs and expectations.
• Ensuring that the objectives
of the organization are linked to
customer needs and expectations
• Measuring customer satisfaction
and acting on the results.
• Systematically managing
customer relationships.
• Ensuring a balanced approach
between satisfying customers
and other interested parties
(such as shareholders, employees,
suppliers, financiers, local
communities and society as a
whole.
By Rispa Mwikali
Executive - Customer Care
“Customer
Focus
is about
getting input
from the
customer far
in advance
of the sale
- certainly
even before
the product
or service is
designed”.
9 9

HIV/AIDS
Peer Education Training at MRM
Left:
MRM Staff undergoes
Voluntary Counselling and
Testing (VCT) after Peer
Educators training that was
conducted by Nazareth
Hospital at MRM Athi River
Below: Peer Education Training in
progress
Forty employees at MRM – Athi
River were taken through HIV/AIDS
Peer education training that was
facilitated by Nazareth Hospital in
April 2008. The training covered
the origin of HIV/AIDS, care for
people living with HIV/AIDS, the
role of Anti – Retro Virals (ARV)
and how they work and the
importance of Volunatry Counseling
and Testing (VCT). At the end of
the training, an action plan was
drafted and the trainees reiterated
commitment to broadening peer
education from a strategy that
10
focuses on providing information
to one that addresses diversity of
determinants of behaviour change
through dialogue, policy advocacy
and provision of HIV – related
services. Worldwide, peer education
is one of the most widely used
strategies to address the HIV/AIDS
pandemic. The company launched
its HIV/AIDS Policy in February
2008 which outlines the workplace
programs. The policy has put in
place measures that allow affected
employees continue to work and
contribute productively to the
society.
The policy has
put in place
measures that
allow employees to
continue to work
and contribute
productively to the
society.
By Ann Odero

MRM launches SAP-
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Single Database
• Process Orientation
• Improved Efficiency, Information
Quality and Accuracy
• Improved Customer Service
• Enhanced Reporting and
Decision Making
Staff attentive during the ERP – SAP launch at
Mariakani
MRM management extend best
wishes to the project team
and request full support and
cooperation of all in making this
project a resounding success.
By Mahesh Chavda
Chief Operating Officer
MRM is at the brink of change.
A change which will facilitate it
to continue manufacturing and
marketing its products with greater
efficiency and adapt quickly to
changing business requirements,
for the benefit of its customers
while caring for the environment
and generating greater value for the
community and stakeholders.
On 3rd July 2008, SAFAL Project
REAL TIME was inaugurated by Mr.
Kaushik Shah - Regional CEO, Horn
of Africa – Safal Group.
The project team, a combination
of MRM resources and TCS ( Tata
Consultancy Services) consultants,
will work together to ensure
successful completion.
For more information email:
Projectrealtime@mabati.com
ERP Fundamentals
ERP (Enterprise Resource
Planning) is a cross-functional
and enterprise wide solution that
uses a common database and
integrates business functions;
Production Management, Material
Management, Finance, Marketing
and Human Resources.
SAP is one of the leading
providers of ERP solutions and
has more than 40,000 of the best
run businesses across the world
running on it; hence our choice of
ERP system.
Implementation of the SAP
ERP solution at MRM will
enable:
• Seamless Integration of Finance,
HR, Supply Chain, Production
and Customer Information
Safal Group Technical Manager in Charge of ERP
Project, Ashol Ruparelia delivering a speech during the
launch
11
11

Gemba KAIZEN
MRM wins Kaizen Ichiban
Award 2008
MRM Mariakani Plant was recently recognized by Kaizen
Institute Africa as the manufacturing unit in Kenya which
has exhibited exemplary commitment in the deployment of
continual improvement processes.
MRM was presented with the Kaizen Ichiban Award in a
ceremony held at the Grand Regency Hotel on the 23rd. July
2008..
To witness this occasion was the Chairman Dr. Manu
Chandaria, Company Directors & Managers, the MRM
fraternity, stakeholders, Kenya Association of Manufactures &
our esteemed customers.
In his speech, Mr. Vinod Grover, Director Kaizen Institute
Africa commended the commitment & focus shown by MRM
in its implementation of the Kaizen principles & practices
coupled by the continuous drive and desire the company has
always exhibited in their processes to “make today better
than yesterday”.
The Ichiban – meaning number one – in Japanese, is a
recognition bestowed upon those who have attained the
highest state of superiority over others; MRM has therefore
scored a first amongst companies practicing Kaizen.
The Awards
BRAVO KAIZEN, BRAVO MRM!!!!!
By Austin Okoda
12

KAIZEN - Fashion
KAIZEN IS FASHION … you
are odd without it!
I take a look across the decades of fashion and I
find myself nostalgic about the fashion of the 70’s.
This fashion was one of its’ kind, not just all could
imitate
Just like in business today, Kaizen is fashion – not
to ape!
Success in this fashion was to start at the top!
You had to have a striking hairdo... the Afro, a
tight fitting shirt, a flared trouser held tight at the
waist by a big-multi-coloured-belt and six-inchplatform
shoes raised you shoulders above the
rest!
If you did not have any of these items on you then
you looked out of place – Is Kaizen the in thing in
business today?
Like in the 70’s how do you succeed in the Kaizen
fashion today?
The Kaizen Afro:
So neat and simple is kaizen that all are able to understand.
Just like in the 70’s fashion, the
success in implementing Kaizen starts
from the top –afro hair. This afro had
to be real, fake afros-wigs would be
ripped off just by a gust of wind!
In kaizen, success occurs only if you
start at the top! The top management
has to be committed to achieve out
standing results. The word here is
commitment. We have to be true
to the word and not ‘fake’ to the word. Just like the afro,
fake commitment is bound to fail the success of Kaizen
implementation and sustainance.
The Kaizen Belt:
To drive kaizen in the organization the middle
management has to hold on to the tenets of
kaizen to ensure nothing falls back or nobody
falls out. Just like the big multi-coloured belt
held the trouser falling and the shirt from falling
off, the Pillar heads (middle management) have
to hold the entire workforce – top & bottom to
ensure the maintenance of Kaizen. Like the belt ensured the
neatness in the 70’s fashion so should the pillar heads ensure
to hold all to maintain the momentum of Kaizen.
Kaizen Fashion Cost?
The maintenance of the 70’s fashion needed real money.. the
tight shirt, belt, trouser and platform shoes came at high cost!
The Afro hair needed a constant visit to the salon. You
had to keep up-dated using money.
Unlike the 70’s fashion, Kaizen is a low cost
investment with many returns. To sum this up in the
words of the Kaizen Guru Mr. Masaki Imai;
“Kaizen is a Commonsense approach to low cost
Management”
The Kaizen Platform:
People on the floor will keep us shoulders above the rest
if they maintain the basics of Kaizen – 5K. These good
people will ensure that the shop-floor is well maintained
- clean & everything is kept at their
designated places. This is
the foundation of Kaizen.
Through their dedication and
observance of 5K you are
bound to stand a head above
the rest, like the platform
shoes did to keep afro fashion
a shoulder above the rest!
By: Austin Okoda
13
13

MRM CSR
MRM sponsors the 2008
Freedom from Hunger Walk
In keeping with its commitments to giving back to the society, a
team comprising of fifteen staff members from MRM volunteered
to take part in the annual Freedom from Hunger Walk held in
Nairobi in May 2008. The 18 Km walk came at a time when global
food prices are soaring and Kenya is faced with starvation due to
the effects of post-election violence. This year’s theme was: “Walk
for Peace and Right to Food”. MRM has always sent a team of
voluntary participants to this annual event. This demonstrates the
company’s commitment in caring for the less fortunate members
of our community
MRM sponsors
Soccer League
MRM sponsored the 4th Annual Lang’ata
Youth Soccer League and Camp that was
held in May 2008 at Nairobi Women’s prisons
grounds.
MRM Staff after the walk
MRM participates in 2008 Tree Planting Ceremony
MRM was among hundreds
of Mariakani residents who
took part in a Tree Planting
ceremony that was held at
Moi Girls Kadzonzo Secondary
School, Kaloleni District on
May 9, 2008. The theme
for this year’s Tree Planting
was “Sustainable Forestry
for Conservation, Improved
Livelihoods and Industrial
Growth”. The event coincided
with the long rains and was
used to encourage Kenyans
to plant trees throughout the
country. Speakers during
the event emphasized on the
importance of environmental
protection and
to increase its
awareness in the
local communities.
Participants included
District Commissioner
Kaloleni, representatives
from Town Council
of Mariakani, District
Forest Officers, and
representatives from
MRM and Mariakani
residents.
Eng. Paul Omondi of MRM Mariakani joins
residents of Mariakani during a tree plantring
ceremony.
14
By Ann Odero

Save Energy – Go the extra mile
Global oil prices are at an all-time high – about $130 per barrel! The
National public sector oil companies can no longer sustain the heavy
subsidy on petroleum products.
Kenyans are now paying over KSh. 100.00 to a litre of petrol. Do you
know what Venezuelans pay? KSh. 3.14 to the litre!
A glance at the graph tells you where we are in the ‘Oil World Map’.
WORLD FUEL PRICES FOR SELECTED COUNTRIES
Should we move to Venezuela or
Saudi Arabia? Well, ‘East-west home
is best’- so goes the say.
Here are tips on how to live, at least
like our brothers in UAE – KSh.20/
litre:
Tip # 1 : Slow down – reduced
speeds saves petrol
Tip # 2. Check your tire pressure –
Under inflated tires causes high fuel
consumption
KSh. 100/Lt in Kenya !
Tip # 3. Check your air filter – Dirty
filters restrict air flow into the
engine
Turkey
Norway
UK
Hong Kong
Kenya
Brazil
Canada
India
Pakistan
USA
Russia
China
Malasyia
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Venezuela
15 15
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Price/Lt (KShs)
Tip # 4. Accelerate with care - Jackrabbit
starts are an obvious fuelwaster
Tip # 5. Don’t drive – Take the
Matatu or form a carpool with your
friends!
By H. Rao - Purchasing

MRM PICTORIALS
We won the Kaizen Ichiban Awards!
Stephen King’ati (C) takes Moi University Engineering
students through a plant visit at Athi River
Mumias Sugar Quality Management Systems team pose for
a photograph after the factory tour at Athi River
Thomas Ngira of MRM donates Iron Sheets to OCS Mariakani
-Mr. Maloba. The iron sheets will assist in the renovating
Mariakani Police Station
Ashok Sood (Safintra-Zambia),R. Bhatnagar(Uganda Baati)
and Prakash Chauhan (MRM) pose for a photograph during
a visit to Athi River plant
Reuben Murguiya of Athi River explains production
process to Architectural Association of Kenya Members
when the they toured Athi River factory
16

MRM Volleyball team (in blue) and Thureya Youth Group
in Mariakani pose for a photograph after playing HIV/AIDS
Awareness friendly match
Participants attentive during the Technical Training held
for retail customers held at Mombasa in July 2008. The
training was organized by Domestic Marketing team.
Mariakani Staff planting trees during the World
Environmental Day at the bus park.
Balance Scorecard Senior management training
Safal Horn of Africa staff (MRM, Insteel and Ethiopia Steel)
after a successful Human Resources training in Nairobi
Mariakani staff in a “Kaizen walk” during one of Gemba
Kaizen Workshops Intervention
17 17

Newly Weds
ABDUL NAEEM & MARIAM
On this special day of days Mr. Naeem Abdul of MRM
Athi River – Exports Department took the hand of
beautiful Mariam to be his wife!
How proud was Naeem to have Mariam as part of him
in this colourful ceremony held at the Memon Hall -
Mombasa on the 26th. April 2008.
Congratulations and warm wishes to the newly weds.
Naeem Abdul of Exports (Athi River) with
his beautiful bride Mariam during their
wedding
Un-ending Love!
John Kimiri of MRM and his gorgeous wife Salome
confirmed that theirs was un-ending love when they
solemnized the marriage of 28years at the PCEA
Karembu Church, Gatundu on 16th. August 2008.
May their love continue to flourish!
John Kimiri and Wife Salome.
Jokes
“Self Appraisal”
A little boy went into a drug store,
reached for a soda carton and
pulled it over to the telephone. He
climbed onto the carton so that
he could reach the buttons on the
phone and proceeded to punch in
seven digits (phone numbers).
The store-owner observed and
listened to the conversation:
Boy: “Lady, Can you give me the
job of cutting your lawn?
Woman: (at the other end of
the phone line): “I already have
someone to cut my lawn.”
Boy: “Lady, I will cut your lawn for
half the price of the person who
cuts your lawn now.”
Woman: I’m very satisfied with the
person who is presently cutting my
lawn.
Boy: (with more perseverance) :
“Lady, I’ll even sweep
your curb and your sidewalk, so on
Sunday you will have the prettiest
lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida.”
Woman: No, thank you.
With a smile on his face, the little
boy replaced the receiver. The
store-owner, who was listening to
all this, walked over to the boy.
Store Owner: “Son... I like your
attitude; I like that positive spirit
and would like to offer you a job.”
Boy: “No thanks,
Store Owner: But you were really
pleading for one.
Boy: No Sir, I was just checking
my performance at the job I
already have. I am the one who is
working for that lady I was talking
to!”
This is what we call “Self
Appraisal
A teacher asks a student ‘Why
are you late?’ The student
answers ‘because of the sign’.
The teacher asks ‘which sign’’.
The student answers ‘The one
that says
GO SLOW, SCHOOL AHEAD’’.
CAROLYNE ONDITI - QUALITY
ASSURANCE (CGL DIVISION)
18

PARTNER VIEWS
BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE
Single
-Commitments
Disposable Income
Buy House
Family
Start Family
Retire
Retirement
Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our
Liabilities
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets
Heart is our Current Asset
Income / Commitment
Graduate
Marry
Age 20 30 40 50 60 70
Soul is our Fixed Asset
Brain is our Fixed Deposit
Thinking is our Current Account
Achievements are our Capital
Character & Morals, our
Stock-in-Trade
Friends are our General Reserves
Values & Behaviour are our
Goodwill
Patience is our Interest Earned
Love is our Dividend
Some Healthy Ayurvedic Habits
Substitute chocolate-flavoured health drink powders like Bournvita,
Complan and Horlicks with plain cocoa powder to add more nutrition
value to the drink.
Instead of using plain water in beverages, use water in which cumin
seeds have been soaked overnight. Cumin seeds have a cooling effect on
the body and are an effective digestive.
Never mix more than three types of fruits while making a juice; the
combination of different fruit enzymes could cause acidity and digestion
problems.
Try to drink freshly prepared fruit juices only. Juices that have been
stored without preservatives for a long time undergo oxidation and lose
a considerable amount of their nutritional value.
Add flavour to juices by making ice cubes out of fruit juices, lemon juice
and rose water.
When making juices, use castor/ powdered sugar (colloquially known as
pitti/ khada shakkar) instead of cubes or grains. Pitti/ khada shakkar is
good for health as it is not processed as much as ordinary sugar.
Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to dehydration, so switch to
natural sweetners such as honey, raw sugar.
By Tehzeen Badruddin
Children are our Bonus Issues
Education is Brands / Patents
Knowledge is our Investment
Experience is our Premium Account
The Aim is to Tally the Balance
Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best
Presented Accounts Award.
By Duncan M. Mitau – MRM
Accounts
19
19

STAFF MATTERS
Miles Of Innovations.... With MRM
If years of experience are miles, my 20+ years of experience tell the story,
stories of challenges, innovations and growth. In covering these miles, the
team at MRM has been quite daring in taking up innovative ideas & practices
with success. One such practice is Gemba Kaizen, which has really improved
our work processes,
This proactiveness in innovation has made MRM be leader amongst leaders
in the industry as demonstrated in our winning the Ichiban Award.
It’s great to be part of the winning team!
Alois Benard Munyi - MRM Athi River
Experience at MRM
Motivation, Vision and Working environment but not just money makes
a delighted employee. The passion you develop in your career and the
zest with which you pursue your future equally makes you an icon in this
journey. These are lessons well learnt by me as I read a book on Theory “i”
management. In the Theory “i” management story, I learnt that you require
people to catapult you to whatever height of achievement. Prowess does
not just come but is a product of a sustained plough back of the people’s
contribution towards the set goals. – Antony Mulwa - MRM Mariakani
The Journey of Hope
MRM provides a conducive atmosphere for career development, a home for
nurturing talents, a province for leadership and a ground for improvement. It
would not be an overstatement to say MRM has since become a fulfillment of
my dreams
The motto that keeps me on the tarmac.
”NEVER GIVE UP IN YOUR QUEST FOR A GOOD THING AND NEVER,NEVER
SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES”
Kenneth Oduor – MRM Mariakani
20

PARTNER VIEWS
Business
Intelligence
After more than a decade of investing millions of dollars in a sometimes quixotic
quest to use technology to improve business decision-making, most senior
business leaders now say that business intelligence and analytics are delivering
real business value. And in some cases, they have achieved “significantly more”
business value than expected.
Before the rise of the Information Age, most decision making was based on
guess-work or trial-and-error practices. Businesses seeking to achieve a
sustainable advantage over their competition quickly turned to information
management systems for detailed data analysis.
Business intelligence (BI) is a broad category of applications and technologies
for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data to help enterprise
users make better business decisions. BI applications can be: Mission-critical and
integral to an enterprise’s operations or occasional to meet a special requirement.
Key stages for BI are:
Data sourcing- This concerns extracting information from multiple sources
of data. The data might be: text documents - e.g. memos or reports or email
messages & photographs and images.
Data analysis- BI is about synthesizing useful knowledge from collections
of data. It is about estimating current trends, integrating and summarizing
disparate information, validating models of understanding, and predicting missing
information or future trends
Situation awareness- Filtering out irrelevant information, and setting the
remaining information in the context of the business and its environment.(market
forces, government policy etc.).
Situation awareness is the grasp of the context in which to understand and make
decisions.
Risk assessment- Discovering what
plausible actions might be taken, or
decisions made, at different times. It is
about inferring and summarizing your
best options or choices.
Decision support- Using information
wisely. BI aims to provide warning of
important events, such as takeovers,
market changes, and poor staff
performance, so that you can take
preventative steps. It presents the
information you need, when you need it.
Whether a company derives value from
its BI systems depends significantly on
how data is Viewed: Is it as an asset or
just random bits of information?
By Arnold Mugambi - ICT
21 21

LEARNING & GROWTH
MABATI TECHNICAL
TRAINING
INSTITUTE………………
Going The Extra Mile
To go the extra mile requires a lot of enthusiasm and devotion. It needs
great sacrifice. Mabati Technical Training Institute (Mabati Tech) is one
such project that has gone an extra mile in the coast region of Kenya.
Mabati Tech is a project of MRM – EIB Trust (Mabati Rolling Mills
- European Investment Bank). Mabati Tech offers quality training at
subsidized fees to the underprivileged and needy youth in and around
Mariakani Township. It also ensures that trainees get attachment and job
placements, thus giving them the right support to face real life in the
world of work.
The institutes Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Innovationm, Respect
and Collaboration.
Teaching by example using the Don Bosco principles of learning by being
the best precept, the youths get to understand more trade skills since the
instructors teach by doing. The instructors set the best example, while
trainees take the lead. This ensures that the youth work hard and stand
out among the majority of the same discipline in other institutes and are
very much suitable for the job market. The Institute also teaches the
trainees on basic entrepreneurial skills for those who would like to start
their own businesses.
At Mabati Tech we believe “There is no substitute for hard work”#
Tailoring class in progress
Motor MechanicalTrainess at work
By Onesmus Kimanthi Ndome – Mabati Tech
22

KITCHEN DELIGHT
Carrot Soup
Serves 4 people
Ingredients
3 Carrots
1 small Potato
2 red tomatoes
3 cloves of Garlic – crushed
Salt and black pepper
Water to boil
1 Tbspn butter or Oil
Method
Peel carrots and potato. Slice carrots, potato
and tomatoes in thickness of 5mm. The role
of potato is to act as thickening agent.
Put Pan on medium heat. Add butter or oil.
Add crushed garlic and stir for less than a
minute.
Toss in sliced carrots, tomatoes and potato.
Add 1 glass of water.
Cook in pressure cooker to boil the
vegetables. You may allow pressure cooker
to blow only one whistle.
Open the pressure cooker. Allow soup to
cool.
Pour into Juicer Blender to grind to smooth
paste.
Pass through sieve and pour into pan to bring
to boil. You may add water to give you the
consistency you require for the soup.
Add half a teaspoon of salt. Also add a dash
of black pepper.
Serve hot. This is a great soup for starters
and can be served with croutons or cheese
pie.
Enjoy your Carrot Soup
Recipe by Nutan Shah
23
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