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Acknowledgments

I take immense pleasure in thanking my A.I.O.U teachers, and students, our beloved
Associate Chairman of MBA dept for having permitted me to carry out
this 2" assignment project work.

I with to express my deep sense of gratitude to my educational Guide, Mr. Fiaz Ahmad
for his able guidance and useful suggestions, which helped me in completing the 2"
Assignment , in time.

Needless to mention that Mr.Abdullah who had been a source of Inspiration and for his
timely guidance in the conduct of our project work. I would also like to thank
Mr. M Azeem Naseer for all their valuable assistance in the project work.

Words are inadequate in offering my thanks to the Project Trainees and Project
Assistants, for their encouragement and cooperation in carrying out the 2"`' Assignment.

Finally, yet importantly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my beloved

parents for their blessings, my friends/classmates for their help and wishes for the
successful completion of this 2"`' Assignment.
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An Abstract:
The career planning process begins with setting goals/objectives. A relatively specific
goal/objective must be formulated. This task may be quite difficult when the individual
lacks knowledge of career opportunities and/or is not fully aware of their talents and
abilities. However, the entire career management process is based on the establishment of
defined goals/objectives whether specific or general in nature. Utilizing career
assessments may be a critical step in identifying opportunities and career paths that most
resonate with someone. Regardless of the ones you use, you will need to evaluate them.
Most assessments found today for free (although good) do not offer an in-depth
evaluation.
• The time horizon for the achievement of the selected goals or objectives - short
term, medium term or long term - will have a major influence on their
formulation.
• Short term goals (one or two years) are usually specific and limited in scope.
Short term goals are easier to formulate. Make sure they are achievable and relate
to your longer term career goals.
• Intermediate goals (3 to 5 years) tend to be less specific and more open ended
than short term goals. Both intermediate and long term goals are more difficult to
formulate than short term goals because there are so many unknowns about the
future.
• Long term goals (more than 5 years), of course, are the most fluid of all. Lack of
life experience and knowledge about potential opportunities and pitfalls make the
formulation of long term goals/objectives very difficult. Long range
goals/objectives, however, may be easily modified as additional information is
received without a great loss of career efforts because of experience/knowledge
transfer from one career to another.
• Making career choices and decisions – the traditional focus of careers
interventions. The changed nature of work means that individuals may now have
to revisit this process more frequently now and in the future, more than in the
past.
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Topics Page no.

Introduction 4-6

Practical study of Al- Karam Textiles 7 - 10

Data Collection Methods 11

Al- Karam Textile’s Merits , Demerits, strengths , weakness 12 - 16

Conclusion 17

Recommendations 18 - 21

References 22
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INTRODUCTION
Career development and the career planning process include a number of specific steps
that help to identify personal skills and attributes. Finding out how those skills can be
utilized in the job market is accomplished by researching a number of career fields that
are of interest to you and then by gaining experience in those fields and/or speaking to
people currently working in the field. Participating in some form of experiential
education will help you to identify if the field is the right choice for you.

Step #1: Self-Assessment

Evaluating who you are as a person. This involves taking a personal inventory of who
you are and identifying your individual values, interests, skills, and personal qualities.
What makes you tick as a person. You will look at those personal attributes under a
microscope and come up with key qualities you can identify and use in your search for
the perfect career. Career assessments may be required to promote a better understanding
of personal attributes and skills. Contact your Career Services Office at your college to
discuss if a career assessment may be right for you.

Step #2: Research (Career Exploration)

Obtain an insider’s perspective about the career field you are considering. Conduct
Informational Interviews in person, phone, or by email. Professionals enjoy sharing their
expertise with people interested in the field. Perform informational interviews with
alumni from your college to gain their perspective of the field and to listen to what they
have to say. This strategy provides first hand knowledge from someone currently
working in the field and gives you an opportunity to ask about their experiences as well
as potential jobs and what one might expect if just entering the field.
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Gain experience through internships or by job shadowing for one to several days to see
what a typical work day entails and to gain perspective of what the environment is like
and the typical job responsibilities of someone working in the field. Research what types
of jobs are available in your area of interest by checking out Majors to Career Converter,
The Occupational Outlook Handbook and The Career Guide to Industries. The
Occupational Outlook Handbook offers a wealth of information for those currently just
entering the job market and for those anticipating making a career change.

Step #3: Decision-Making

Once you’ve made a thorough self-assessment and have done some research of career
options, it’s time to make a decision. This can be difficult since there may still be many
unknowns and a fear of making the wrong choice. One thing for sure is that although we
can do all the necessary steps to making an informed decision, there is no absolute
certainty that we are unquestioningly making the right decision. This uncertainty is easier
for some people than others but a key point to remember is that you can always learn
from any job you have and take those skills and apply them at your next job.

Step#4: Search (Taking Action)

It’s now time to look for prospective jobs and/or employers, send out cover letters and
resumes, and begin networking with people in the field. Keep in mind that cover letters
and resumes are designed to make a favorable impression on employers (if done
properly) and the interview process is what will ultimately land you the job. In other
words, make sure your cover letter and resume highlight your skills and strengths based
on the employer’s needs and that you are fully prepared to knock their socks off at the
interview. Take time to research the employer’s website prior to the interview, and be
prepared to ask thoughtful questions based on your research.

Step #5: Acceptance

Wow! You’ve completed all of the steps above and you’ve been accepted into a new and
exciting or different job. Congratulations! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
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64.1% of people change jobs between 5 and 14 times in their lifetime. Consequently,
learning the skills above will increase your chances of gaining meaningful and
satisfactory work as well as help you to avoid many of the stresses that occur with
changing jobs. By recognizing that change is good (even advantageous), changing jobs
can be viewed as a positive experience and need not be as anxiety provoking as it may
initially seem. You will continue the process of self-assessment, research, decision-
making, and job searching in order to make effective and fulfilling career changes
throughout your lifetime
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Case study on
Al-Karam Textiles
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Company Profile:

The Al Karam group was founded in March 1986 with a vision to be a provider of
innovative textile solutions worldwide. We are a manufacturer and supplier of
distinguished fabric for apparel, home and industrial markets with clients all over the
world. Our ability to create forward-thinking solutions that give our clients a competitive
advantage is what sets up apart. Our core services include:

• Fiber manufacturing
• Spinning
• Weaving
• Knitting
• Dyeing and printing of woven and knitted fabrics Designing
• Cutting and Stitching

With a constructed area of over one million square feet, Al Karam has the capacity to
fulfill small, medium and large scale orders. We are one of the few vertically integrated
operations in Pakistan. Offering a diversified range of products, our customers can mix
and match from a wide variety of print, yarn dyed, solids, dobby and jacquard.
Al Karam also deals in twill, sateen, basket weave and percale, knitted to woven fabric;
and thread counts ranging from 130 to 1000.

At Al Karam we also provide our customers with complete in-house design solutions.
Our creative center is equipped with state of the art designing and sampling equipment
and skilled textile artists.
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In an industry where deadlines are a way of life, Al Karam is proud to have a proven
track record of service quality and on-time delivery. For your convenience we maintain a
comprehensive order tracking system, so you can stay on top of your order at all times.

Some of Al Karam’s strengths include:

• It is one of the largest producers of fashion and basic bedding

• Compliant with international quality, social and environmental standards
• Largest yarn dyed manufacturer in Pakistan
• Largest high thread count jacquard installation in Pakistan
• Latest technology at every stage of manufacturing
• Wider Width Weaving
• Leading exporter of bed linen to the USA for the last 2 years
• Capable of providing LDP and EDI services

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is at the heart of Al-Karam’s work. We believe in

working with all the stakeholders to improve their quality of life, in a way that is good for
business and development.

Al-Karam also believe in earning the trust of our stakeholders by acting responsibly
within the communities that we serve.

To help achieve these goals, the company has been making sizeable contributions to
various CSR projects, including schools, health programs and infrastructural
improvements.
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Quality Management

Quality Management System ISO 9001: 2000

Environmental Management System ISO 14001: 1996
OekoTex Standard 100
Human Resources Over 6,000
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Data Collection Methods

Various data collection techniques are used such as:

Using available information

• Observing
• Interviewing (face-to-face)
• Administering written questionnaires
• Focus group discussions
• Projective techniques, mapping, scaling

I have used a web-based survey to gather data. Surveymonkey.com was chosen as the
online survey. The gathered data was uploaded into Microsoft Excel and Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis.
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Al-Karam Textiles Strengths:

1) ISO Certification:

Al-Karam Textiles have received ISO 9000, as well as ISO 14000 certifications from
internationally renowned ISO auditors. This is a big strength because the existence of
non-harmonized standards for similar technologies in different countries or regions can
contribute to so-called “technical barriers to trade”. Al – Karam textiles, being export
minded, have sensed the need to be certified, so that their clients in other countries are
reassured of the quality of the product that Al-Karam offers is equal to or superior to the
quality of an international standard.

2) State of the art equipment

Al – Karam Textiles have imported the latest machinery from Europe. Their machinery
comprises of equipment used in spinning and weaving. They use the latest type of loom,
called the shuttle-less loom in their operations which is the latest technology and which is
capable of producing a very high thread count rate, in the range of 100 threads per sq inch
(the normal is 30-40). Therefore, their products are capable of meeting international
standards of weaving, dyeing and printing, for example using dyes that do not irritate the
skin. This is being done to get a competitive edge over rival firms so that when the WTO
promulgates free economy in the whole world, Al-Karam will have no problem in
competing with international competitors.

A-l Karam has a policy of continuously upgrading its machines to remain among the
most modern and efficient textile mills in the country.
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3) Brand Name

Al-Karam Textiles have established a big name for themselves in the textiles and
garments industry. Their brand name is very strong in the Pakistani mass and industrial
market as well as some industrial buyers in the USA and Europe. Their brand name has a
lot of appeal in the Pakistani mass market and they have very loyal customers, who trust
the quality of design and the quality of the cloth itself.

4) Highly motivated workforce

Al-Karam Textiles employs about 9000 workers, who work in three shifts of eight hours
each throughout the day. They are very motivated because they are paid better than other
people in textile mills, and they like the atmosphere of working at Al-Karam. There is a
labor union in Al- Karam Textiles, but relationships between the union and the
management is amicable and not acrimonious. The best indication of the amicable
relationship is that that there has been not a single strike at Al-Karma Textiles since its
inception.

5) Diverse product range

Al-Karam Textiles have built a reputation for manufacturing high quality and diverse
products and this is displayed in their product line. They have high-end products like bed-
sheets, pillow cases, curtains, and fashion wear which are exported only, as well as
medium-end clothing products like Chancellor Latha, Sana Safina’s, which cater to the
men and women’s preferences respectively for design and fashion.

6) Availability of cheap labor

Although their workers are paid better than other workers in the same industry, their
wage rate is still much lower than what workers get in other countries. This, coupled
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with their modern machinery, gives them the competitive edge over rival firms in the
global marketplace.

7) Access to high quality cotton (in short staple category)

Al-Karam Textiles produces yarn for its fabrics, as it has a composite spinning unit. This
basically means that it makes its own thread, uses that thread to produce the cloth and use
that cloth to make finished items like bed sheets, towels and clothes etc. For its medium-
end products it uses the short staple cotton. Short staple cotton is a category of cotton
which is readily available in Pakistan and which is of a very high quality. Al-Karam can
use this category of cotton in its textiles for use in the composite plant for processing.

8) Dealings with high quality international brands

Al-Karam Textiles has linkages with high end international brands like IKEA, Nordstrom
and Nautica. The organizations behind the brands use the superior quality of Al-Karam’s
fabrics in their product line and market it by using their brand names. This association of
Al-Karam with these top brands has enhanced the brand image of Al-Karam and has
made it into a prestige brand among the industrial buyers of USA and Europe.

9) Own Power Generation

Al Karam Textile Mills are powered by their own 6.4 M Watt Generator and hence are
not dependant on KESC power supply. Power costs in the country, especially in Karachi
are among the highest in the world also load shedding plays havoc with production
schedules.

Al-Karam Textiles Weakness:

Weak Information Systems

Al-Karam Textiles is an established textile company, which has excellent production

facilities. They have excellent machinery and CAD/CAM systems. But it is still
conventionally operated – most of the emphasis is on machine and worker efficiency.
They still have not progressed to the information systems, which can help their cause in
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the international arena. Due to the quickly changing market scenario currently, they need
efficient and accurate ways of processing data into information by using different types
of information systems like expert systems, knowledge based systems, sales
management, and online systems so that customers can track their orders over the
Internet. This is currently being practiced by Gul Ahmed Textiles, their chief competitor.

‘Seth’ culture
The work culture in Al – Karam textiles is like that of a traditional ‘Seth’ owned
company. There is no little formal documentation in the offices, the people are hired on
an ad-hoc basis, qualifications are not taken into account while selecting the people for
their jobs, and the growth of the company is dependant on the wishes and whims (the
personal vision) of the ‘Seth’. In these cases, it is hard to separate the owner from his
company. The Seth’s personality decides the future path of the company. The company
should be 0*.00-

Weak R&D facilities

There is hardly any investment in research and development in the Al Karam Textiles, or
indeed in any other Pakistani industry, which puts Pakistani textile companies at a
significant disadvantage in the world forum. Pakistan’s main competitors, India and
China, on the other hand have been investing heavily in BMR for a longer period of time
and so have infrastructure already in place to exploit the situation that is expected to arise
in 2005 with the abolishment of quotas.

Lack of HR development

Modern technology in the textile sector requires educated and trained technicians.
Similarly, modern management techniques are a major need, particularly in areas of
Marketing, Finance and Human Resource Management.
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Al-Karam Textiles Opportunities:

Big infrastructure in the local low-end market

International brand of designer wear

Al-Karam Textiles threats:

Political/Economic Instability
Piracy of designs
Brand name infringement
Tough international and national competitors
Lack of conducive environment for business
Absence of quota under WTO
Anti-dumping laws
Uncertainty of Cycle
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Conclusion:
Career Planning basically starts, when a person finishes Secondary/ Higher Secondary
level of education. After that level, a person could opt for that educational degree, which
would help them out to have a good job opportunity according to their skills at the right
time.
Career Planning helps us to design and formulate our future smoothly. Like, If a person
wants to be a banker, then he or she would choose to go for ACCA or CA or MBA in
finance after completing Intermediate in commerce and Graduation in commerce/
business administration.. Else he/ she would go for CAT course or Masters in Commerce
or even upto doctorate level.
This pre-planning would be effective and would give him/her benefits after achieving
educational targets effectively. It also helps us to evaluate our own personality, which
helps us to know that which kind of job would suit us according to our need and
capabilities.
In short, Career Planning is like mapping our future. Without proper planning, no one
could think of getting a desired job in future.
Think what we want to do and finding out more about the kind of training, education, and
skills we will need to achieve our career goal is the core objective of career planning.
It help us knowing the nature of the jobs that interest us, such as educational
requirements, salary, working conditions, fringe benefits, promotion chances, future
prospectus, and help us focusing in the right dimension.
Career planning directs us, motivates us, and helps us to accomplish what we want. A
career goal is a specific vision such as an architect or a teacher or a career goal can be a
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particular field, which we want to work in, such as Media, Education, Medicine,
Engineering etc.

Recommendations:
Career planning is not planning for that field on a one-time only basis, but it’s a
continuing process; in fact, you can call it a lifetime process. We are always learning and
growing, and as we do, our interests and needs also change. Career planning is not just
making plans to obtain your “perfect” job or career, but to help you make the many
adjustments there will be along the way as you learn about you and your world or work.

Career planning is estimating, predicting and calculating all the steps necessary to
achieving your goals. In the process, you are always making choices. When you choose
one alternative over another, this is called an opportunity cost. An opportunity cost is the
cost of passing up your next best choice when making a decision. In career planning, we
need to always be mindful of our opportunity costs and take into consideration all that
will come our way. Those who have successful careers understand how the game of
work is played. As you can see career planning is more than just looking at jobs and
positions and working hard.

The career planning process can be divided into six steps:

1. Self-Assessment
2. Career Exploration
3. Targeting
4. Career Preparation
5. Marketing Yourself
6. Career Management
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Career planning is a process and is always ongoing and often runs in cycles. When you
desire change in your career, the process can be repeated many times.

In planning your career, try to find the people who can be mentors for you and assist you
along the way. Career planning is no different than any goal setting and planning. The
difference is that you are specifically separating your career and job goals from all other
goals you may have.

The reason most people do not turn their wishes and dreams into reality is because they
don’t take these wishes and dreams and make them goals. A goal is a dream with a
deadline.

There are many reasons why people don’t make goals for themselves. The biggest reason
is they don’t understand that the process of goal setting is a skill. All of us have made
some goals in our life and achieved them. But most of these were not large or life
changing goals like going into business, changing careers, becoming wealthy, writing a
novel, going from office clerk to a top executive or becoming an expert in your field.

The successful people set goals; they plan and follow the plan. Goal setting is a process
and a learned skill with many parts to it. Simple, short-term goals may be done in your
head, but more complex, long-term goals, should be written, evaluated and monitored
frequently. The longer it takes to achieve your goal, the more you will encounter
problems, changes and frustration.

Goal setting is as much art as it is science. The more you understand the process and the
more skills you acquire, the better are the chances in reaching your goal. By seeking
your goal you will help build your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Goal seeking is growth building. Goal planning is life planning. As you define your
goal, it will define you.
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Life presents us with unexpected events all the time. So when we set out a goal we must
understand that there may be many roadblocks to reaching a goal.

Barriers that come up often cause a person to abandon a goal.

Many people think that by writing down their goals, they fear they will lose their
spontaneity or flexibility. Goals aren’t rigid and once it’s written it’s cast in stone and one
can’t change it. No one knows the future. What you plan today can change dramatically
in an instant.

However, a well thought out goal can anticipate many otherwise barriers that would stop
you. Barriers that come up often cause a person to abandon a goal. It’s like running into
a wall, and then you run away from it.

Suppose you want to go from a clerical worker to a manager. Before you do anything
further, ask yourself “Why do I want to achieve this goal?” You may say, “I want to
achieve this goal because I want to have more status” or “I want to increase my salary” or
“I believe I can be a good leader and this can help me achieve my long term goal of
becoming a top executive in my present company or another company.”

Now ask yourself “Why is this important to me?” You may say, “It’s important to me
because I want to go as high up the corporate ladder as my talents and abilities will carry
me.” Then ask yourself, “Why is this important to me?” You might say, “Because I want
to prove to myself and to others I’m an achiever and I want to have the prestige and status
of a corporate executive.”

Ask yourself again, “Why is this important to me?” Try doing this for as long as you
can. What you are attempting to do is get to the core reason of why you want to do
something. This exercise will help you to clarify your intentions and goals. It will help
you determine your motives and it may actually cause you to say, “Now I know what I
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truly want, which is status and prestige.” By doing this you may see that there are other
ways of achieving your goal besides being a corporate executive.

It’s sometimes easy to say, “I want this” when it might actually be something else you
want. This can help you save wasted effort by making sure you truly want to pursue this
goal. It will also help you with your motivation and determination when you can
positively say to yourself, “Yes, this is truly what I want,” and you will be more
committed to this pursuit

In summary, many people are dissatisfied in their jobs and career. Career planning will
help maximize your potential and satisfaction in your work.

Having a career plan keeps you focused and motivated. It helps you to anticipate
problems and barriers that may come and what you can do to avoid the problem or
barrier, solve it and continue on, or it may point out your deficiency or weakness so you
can get the skills or resource needed to deal with the potential barrier.

Career planning will give you confidence that you are in charge of your career and life
and you have the power to decide, act, and do what you want to accomplish your goals
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References:

• Ball, B. (1997). "Career management competences – the individual perspective".

Career Development International 2 (2): 74–79.
doi:10.1108/13620439710163653.
• Ibarra, Herminia (2003). Working identity: unconventional strategies for
reinventing your career. Harvard Business Press. ISBN 9781578517787.
http://books.google.com/?id=m4bzwnBdktoC.
• Strenger, Carlo (2008). "The Existential Necessity of Midlife Change". Harvard
Business Review. February 2008: 82–90.
http://hbr.harvardbusiness.org/2008/02/the-existential-necessity-of-midlife-
change/ar/1.