PPESA Seminar: How to Break The Glass Ceiling?

PPESA Seminar: How to Break The Glass Ceiling?

In the latest PPESA Mindstorm Seminar, Mr. Farhat Ali, Vice President of Customer Services Operations at Amdahl, examines the management selection process at American corporations.


It is generally accepted that there is prejudice in the management selection process in most U.S. corporations. This seminar offers insight into this selection process and its implication for minorities. It also offers practical and proven suggestions for minorities, especially Pakistanis, to improve their chances of Breaking the Glass Ceiling!


Chowk will feature coverage of this event at this location. In the meantime feel free to use the InterAct feature below to begin a virtual seminar on this topic.


How to Break the Glass Ceiling

by

Farhat Ali

Vice President, Customer Services Operations
Amdahl Corporation



Seminar Report

The third seminar in the PPESA Mindsorm Seminar series was another highly successful event. Over 75 professionals from the Silicon Valley pre-registered for the event. After an hour of networking and introductions the seminar began at around 8:00 PM.

Mr. Farhat Ali set the tone of the seminar by suggesting an extremely informal format where participants were encouraged to ask questions at any juncture.

Using his vast experience in the corporate world Mr. Farhat Ali shed light on numerous aspects of the glass ceiling as it exists in the workplace. He indicated that this subject was of special interest and importance to him. The deep insight that he had about this subject was evident in the candid examples that he presented ever so often. A particularly interesting one was about the Coconut Theory - Brown from outside and white from inside! Through this example he explained the importance of adapting and assimilating with the majority without losing ones identity.

A consistent theme in the talk was the importance of perseverance and will and of developing Presence and gaining Credibility. He insisted that all obstacles and challenges could be overcome if one was willing to become self-aware and observant and one was not resistant to appreciating and understanding the needs of the environment. He advised the attendees to first understand their environment thoroughly before they demand to be understood and appreciated.

Mr.Farhat Ali discussed aspects of racism, sexism, and other forms of professional discrimination. Through interactive discussion he also looked into the impact of social and religious backgrounds on corporate ladder climbing.

In conclusion, a highly useful seminar was presented by Mr. Farhat Ali. Not only did he provide amazing insight into this topic but also evoked thought about all that one could attempt to (a) understand the glass ceiling and (b) break/shatter the glass ceiling.

The QA session of the seminar was spread over the course of the presentation. Numerous questions were asked and answered. Finally, at almost 10:00 PM the seminar ended to continue in the lobby of the seminar room. Hopefully this discussion will now continue on the Internet and Pakistanis across the world can use this information to Break the Glass Ceiling.

The full presentation of Mr. Farhat Ali, including all pictures and text, has been converted into an HTML format for rapid overview and discussion. Mr. Farhat Ali has also agreed to observe and participate in this discussion when necessary.


The Presentation
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Presented By Mr. Farhat Ali, VP Amdahl Customers Services Operations

Introduction

What is the selection criteria? (7 Pages)

Who are the decision makers? (2 pages)

Implications for Minorities (3 pages)

Who you are?

How can you be successful? / Discussion (2 pages)


Background of the speaker:


Farhat Ali joined Amdahl in 1979. Since then, he has held various management positions of increasing responsibility in Engineering, Finance and Manufacturing. In January, 1996, he joined Customer Services. His current responsibilities include managing Business Development, Customer Support and Services Centers, and Logistics Operations.

Farhat was born in Karachi, Pakistan. He has a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He, his wife, Memuna, and daughter, Yasmin, live in Saratoga, California.