Preparing the road ahead

Published: Wednesday October 1, 2008

While his name may be synonymous with business acumen today, his childhood painted a much different landscape. From modest roots to recognised business leader, Neal and Massy CEO Bernard Dulal-Whiteway shares some of the secrets to his success.

"I came from humble beginnings," he muses.

"My father was a school principal, he earned just $120 a month and he supported all eight children."

But what he home lacked in finery, it made up for in integrity, which he credits as one of the most important rules in business.

"At home, we learned the true value of human integrity, and those are the lessons I still carry with me today."

Living by his personal credo: 'Do unto others as you expect them to do to you'- Dulal-Whiteway certainly practices what he preaches.

"I never fail to say good morning or good afternoon, regardless of who it is. Just because I sit here doesn't mean I am better than those who sit downstairs. You have to respect people regardless."

When he joined Neal and Massy as an accountant some 30 years ago, he began the methodical climb that now sees him seated in a plush office, surrounded by the trappings of his corporate success.

The relaxed Dulal-Whiteway seems very much at home at the very top.

But despite the many accolades, including copping the Chaconia Gold this year for his contribution to business, he also credits the diversity of Neal and Massy and working with his many mentors for paving the road to success.

"Many people would find it hard to commit to one company for so long. But with this company there were so many different areas to move into, so many different posts and positions, that it rarely got boring."

He moved from accounting to administration to director of automobile assembly before taking the CEO position.

But the road was not always smooth.

"We went through some hard times," he recalls.

He explained that during the early 90's the company built the new automotive assembly plant at Arima and had to shut it down a few years later. The closure of that plant meant job losses for over 1000 people, entailed selling expensive equipment and a hard recovery period. After salvaging as much he could, Dulal-Whiteway tried harder to make the best of a bad situation.

But trouble raised it's unwanted head again earlier this year.

What was supposed to be a friendly merger with Barbados Shipping and Trading turned ugly and ended up "more like a hostile take over, which is something that we never wanted to get involved in."

But luck favours the prepared and Dulal-Whiteway was able to successfully end all hostilities and Neal and Massy now owns the foreign company, another accolade to add to the growing collection.

But for the businessman who turns 62 next month, what's next on the agenda?

"Thankfully, I have always had my hobbies and my charities so I was never just a corporate man."

In his own words, he owns many horses, and he enjoys raising them. He has even had some winners among his herd, including 'Swing By' who captured Horse of the Year at last year's Royal Oak Derby.

Dulal-Whiteway also sits on the board of the local arm of the United Way charity group as well as directorships in other local companies and still has time to sit on two state boards.

"Spreading my time is always a challenge, my desk is constantly cluttered. But thankfully, the way this group is structured a lot of the work is done by the executives which makes my job a whole lot easier."

He also explains that one of the keys to effective leadership is to empower others.

"I don't micro-manage, but I have learned to multitask."

And what advice does he give to young up and comers who want to take a page out of his diverse book?

He counts them off:

"Hard work may maim, but it does not kill."

"Without education, you don't have a chance and you must be able to get along with people."

While he admits that retirement is in the cards in the near future, the very active Dulal-Whiteway says he is hoping to make the transition as smooth as possible.

But he insists that there is still much that needs his attention today.

"Right now, I am preparing myself and the company for the road ahead."

He explains that the company needs to expand into more of the English speaking Caribbean and venture into lands that do not speak English.

"There is a whole big world out there and this company still has a lot of growing to do."


Source: Trinidad Express Newspapers
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_business_mag?id=161382199