An exclusive interview with Imran Kadir, Head of Sales & Marketing at The Daily Star, on his journey to becoming the 2024 National President of JCI Bangladesh with insights on JCI’s vision to empower young professionals through transformative initiatives.
You are a seasoned media marketing professional, an entrepreneur, and an investor. What inspired you to have such a diversified career path?
I believe my career path has been shaped by the diverse opportunities I have come across since my school years. I have always been an outgoing person, excited to meet new people, interact with them, and work with them. My father’s profession required us to move around the country a lot, which allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life. I was also a good student, involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities which adapted me to become a career-driven, financially-conscious youth from a very young age.
I got my first job in 2007, as an Assistant Program Producer at Channel-i and immediately became very passionate about working in media and communication. Media is in my blood. I even tried changing career paths a few times but since I developed such a fond liking for it at such a young age, I kept coming back to it.
In 2009, I took a leap into entrepreneurship, setting up my own agency called De Coordinator, that specialised in creative work and outdoor advertising. It was a successful venture, and my company became one of the leading billboard advertising firms in the country. As my business expanded, I also diversified my revenue streams by investing in various businesses and startups. At the same time, I also took on a role as Managing Director of an IT company called Spark IT.
In 2011, I got back into the media industry, this time leading the business development of The Daily Samakal, as well as its parent company’s other venture, Channel 24. I worked there for around 12 years, after which I joined as the Head of Sales and Marketing at The Daily Star. Doing business while also pursuing a career may not be a popular choice, but this has been very rewarding for me. Outside of business and work, I keep myself engaged with various organisations such as Rotary, ECAB, DCCI and JCI. From my aspirations of working for mankind, I also co-founded a Non Profit Organisation called Mission Save Bangladesh Foundation in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What sparked your involvement with JCI Bangladesh, and how did that lead you to become elected as its 2024 National President?
When I first heard of Junior Chamber International (JCI) I resonated with its purpose of creating a network of young leaders for the greater good of society. I felt that this was the place to be to work with like-minded, motivated, change-makers and felt inspired to be a part of it. My journey with JCI began in 2015 as a member, and since then, I’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to the organisation. In 2017, I was recognised as the Best Member, and the following year, I earned the title of Best New Board Member. In 2020, I reached another milestone by becoming the Local President of JCI Dhaka North and at the end of the year, ran for the position of Vice-President. That year, Niaz Morshed Elite was elected National President.
Under our leadership, JCI witnessed remarkable growth, rapidly increasing from 13 to 48 local organisations, expanding our efforts to make JCI more accessible to young professionals across Bangladesh. In 2022, I took on the role of general legal counsel, and the following year, in 2023, I was appointed as the Deputy National President. Finally, in 2024, I was honoured to be elected as the National President of JCI Bangladesh. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue expanding JCI’s presence, aiming to operate in all 64 districts within the next two to three years.
2024 National President,
JCI Bangladesh
Head of Sales & Marketing,
The Daily Star
What is your vision for JCI Bangladesh and how will you implement them to drive positive change within the organisation and the community?
My vision is aligned with the core vision of JCI, which is making its members better leaders of tomorrow. Our focus is on working with our members’ skill sets, to grow their network, design member-centric policies, work with the government, and strengthen international connections.
This year, there are three focus areas. The first is raising mental health awareness among young professionals and entrepreneurs, the second is increasing water conservation efforts through innovative solutions, and the third is sustainable economic empowerment of households.
The 48 local chapters of JCI will realise these visions through activities that reach their respective local communities. Furthermore, the local chapters will continue to encourage business, while JCI Bangladesh, which communicates with JCI in other countries, will expand those opportunities through its international network.
I also have a vision for JCI to have more media presence. Our focus so far has been internal but we are now increasing mass communications to help us connect with more people, and let the nation know of the work that we are doing.
What role does JCI play in addressing the key challenges young professionals are facing in Bangladesh today?
The skill gap is the biggest challenge today because our education system has not adapted over time. The system worked when companies needed a large manpower – lots of labour and employees. But now, after the fourth industrial revolution, the world has become smaller and incredibly competitive. If you are a software engineer in Bangladesh, you are also competing against those in India and the States. That is a huge challenge. At the same time, it is also an opportunity. The whole world is in front of you, but to capitalise on that, you will need skills.
The youth is also struggling with guidance, mentoring and connection which are difficult to acquire in today’s busy world. JCI bridges this gap with its strong alumni and advisory board of past presidents.
The youth is also struggling with guidance, mentoring and connection which are difficult to acquire in today’s busy world. JCI bridges this gap with its strong alumni and advisory board of past presidents. We are continuously enriching our guidance and mentorship efforts to help young professionals.
A final challenge, particularly for young entrepreneurs is access to funds. Nowadays, documentation practices have changed, and small businesses, particularly in Fcommerce, and freelancers do not require trade licenses. However, without documentation, banks are hesitant to provide loans. JCI is trying to remove this barrier by doing bi-party programs, bringing in several stakeholders from various sectors, requesting fund seekers to document activities, and at the same time convincing banks that times have changed.
Based on your style of leadership, how do you aim to inspire and empower young professionals within JCI Bangladesh to make meaningful contributions to society?
I always inspire people to give their best and become the best version of themselves. This life is yours, first and foremost. Then comes family, then friends, and then your community. If you dedicate your life to becoming the best person you can be, then you can give back as well. And you must give back because the world has given you this beautiful life.
I also try to lead by example. I think it is important to be purpose-driven, and the purpose has to be meaningful. So, I want to inspire others to also find their purpose in life so that they may find a place of self-satisfaction.
This is also what I aspire to do for JCI – instil a sense of responsibility among all the members. I hope to lead my team with a responsible outlook on life and hope they pass down that philosophy to those they guide and mentor.
Photograph by Rony Rezaul
