The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) extended its losing streak on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day of decline. The benchmark DSEX index plunged by 57.40 points, closing at 5,242.66 amid mounting sales pressure, bringing the total three-day loss to 112.65 points.  The DSEX was not alone in its downward trajectory. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 17.5 points to settle at 1,153.93, while the DS30 blue-chip index shed 20.17 points, ending at 1,942.90.  Turnover on the DSE dropped to Tk 514.8 crore on Tuesday, down by Tk 36.5 crore from Monday's Tk 551.3 crore. A total of 16.8 crore shares and mutual fund units changed hands through 181,081 transactions, compared to 17.51 crore shares exchanged in 179,434 transactions the day prior.  Out of the 388 companies traded, 267 saw their share prices decline, while only 76 posted gains. Prices for 45 companies remained unchanged, reflecting subdued investor sentiment.  The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the overall downtrend but saw marginal fluctuations. The CASPI index edged up slightly, gaining 0.84 points to close at 14,691.05.  A total of 218 companies participated in Tuesday's CSE trading. Prices for 134 companies dropped, 58 advanced, and 26 remained unchanged. Turnover on the CSE, however, showed an uptick, increasing to Tk 11.1 crore from Monday’s Tk 5.33 crore. Trading volume reached 24.21 lakh shares and units, exchanged through 2,580 transactions. 

We’ve all heard of postmortem. It’s usually associated with homicide which gives the word its grim aura. But what about premortem? Before getting into it, let’s think of the times you’ve failed in life. How many times have you thought that if you had done things differently, the outcome could’ve been different? It is something that applies to every sphere of life, be it personal, social, career, or business. That’s where premortem analysis comes in.  What is Premortem Analysis?  Growing up, we’ve all heard “Prevention is better than cure”. It essentially signifies that it is important to identify and consider potential failures before doing something as it reduces the chance of failure.  Premortem analysis is a strategic planning technique used to identify potential risks and pitfalls in a project, decision, or course of action before it is implemented. It is the opposite of postmortem analysis which works to understand what went wrong after the conclusion of a project.  Read more: What is Your Desired Salary? How to Answer Recruitment’s Trickiest Question Ways to Anticipate Failure by Premortem Analysis It's easy to look back and see what went wrong in the process. But the same isn’t true when it comes to anticipating failure. It requires rigorous work with precedence, potential scenarios, and alternatives to assess the risk level and ways to mitigate it.  To better illustrate the steps of premortem analysis, let us consider a retail company called Terry’s Grocery. Terry’s Grocery wants to open a new location in a new city. Here’s what an ideal premortem analysis of the store would look like. 

Speakers at a seminar on green growth in packaging and plastic industries on Saturday urged the stakeholders to foster dialogue and collaboration on critical aspects of transitioning towards a circular economy, where waste is minimised, and resources are reused and recycled. The Bangladesh Printing and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) and Green Tech Foundation Bangladesh organised the seminar titled "Green Growth: Exploring Investment Avenues in Sustainable Printing, Packaging, and Plastic Industries for the Circular Economy in Bangladesh" at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka, on Friday. The event brought together industry experts, policymakers, financial institutions, and development organisations to deliberate on the potential for green investments in the plastic, packaging, and printing sectors in Bangladesh. Be tough on dishonest traders but incentivise the honest: Finance minister asks NBR   Shamim Ahmed, President of BPGMEA, delivered the welcome speech, setting the tone for the insightful discussions that followed. Mohammad Sayeedur Rahman, management counsellor, at the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM), provided a comprehensive keynote, offering insightful perspectives on green growth and the circular economy in Bangladesh. Michael Klode, Project Manager, GIZ Bangladesh, shared expertise on sustainable plastics and waste management. Serve people by keeping prices of commodities at tolerable level: Food Minister   Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, NPC, UNIDO, discussed policy frameworks and best practices for sustainable plastic use and marine litter prevention in Bangladesh. Khondkar Morshed Millat, Former Director Sustainable Finance, Bangladesh Bank, and Advisor of GreenTech Foundation Bangladesh, highlighted financing mechanisms for green projects. Douwe Dijkstra, Country Director Cordaid, Bangladesh, shed light on the role of NGOs in plastic waste management and the circular economy. Md. Houmyoun Kabir Khan, Director, Strategic Investment Unit, BIDA, illuminated investment opportunities in the sector. Special guests included Edwin KOEKKOEK, Team Leader - Green Inclusive Development & Social Protection, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, who shared international perspectives. Bangladesh needs to introduce social insurance for all, not social safety net: CPD   Dr. Lutfor Rahman, Founder & Executive Director of GreenTech Foundation Bangladesh, expertly moderated the discussion with his thought leadership. This seminar provided a unique opportunity for participants to gain knowledge, network with key stakeholders, and contribute to shaping Bangladesh's future in the printing, packaging, and plastics sector through sustainable development practices. The event reflects a collective commitment to fostering a green and circular economy in the country.

ShareTrip, a pioneering travel tech company in Bangladesh, has unveiled its latest Seat Selection feature to foster more comfortable and personalised travel experiences. Travellers can now conveniently pick their preferred choice of seats through ShareTrip, and enjoy a cosier journey according to individual preference, said a press release. CSOs demand VAT cancellation as a poverty reduction strategy Frequent travellers often enjoy the advantage of having early access to seat selection, enabling them to secure their favourite seats before other passengers. Whether it is for extra legroom seats, bulkhead seats, or seats near the front of the aircraft – the option to book own preferred seats can be a game-changer. This is why ShareTrip brings the seat selection feature to Bangladesh for the first time as a travel tech platform. Users can easily book their desired spots in advance by heading to the “My Booking” section on the ShareTrip app or website, after completing the review and payment procedures. Afterwards, in the “Seat Details” section, all one has to do is click “Start Selecting Seats” and then pick their desired seats from the available options to maximise their travel experiences. Currently, users can enjoy this seat selection feature on the ShareTrip website specifically for Singapore Airlines. Cautionary monetary policy likely to stabilise forex reserve, contain Inflation: DCCI President “When it comes to air travel, pre-booking seats can significantly impact the overall experience of the journey”, said Nafiz Chowdhury, senior manager of Product, Campaign & Partnership, and Marketing. “By reserving seats in advance, you can ensure a comfortable journey and peace of mind, knowing you have confirmed your favourite seats. As a platform that strives to view consumer convenience with great priority, ShareTrip is delighted to introduce this new feature. We hope our customers will enjoy the unique feature, and cherish their smoother travel experiences”, he added. E-commerce business must be sustained to build Smart Bangladesh: DNCRP DG The service personalisation may require an additional charge. Users can download the ShareTrip app Link, or visit its website for more information, reads the release.

Walton has been awarded the “Best Brand Award 2023" in the refrigerator and television segments. Walton refrigerator grabbed the best brand award for 10th time while Walton TV received the award for the first time, according to a press release. The award was given at a programme titled “15th Best Brand Award—2023,"organised by the Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) in association with Nielsen Bangladesh and The Daily Star, held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on December 23. Banglalink unveils latest postpaid package ‘SELECT’ Walton fridge’s Chief Business Officer (CBO) Tofail Ahmed, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Didarul Alam Khan, Product Manager Shohidul Islam Reza, and Brand Manager Mostafizur Rahaman received the award on behalf of the company, it said. The best television brand award was received by Walton TV’s CBO Mostafa Nahid Hossain, CMO Didarul Alam Khan, and Walton TV’s Brand Manager Khandakar Ashikul Hasan. Students need equip themselves with knowledge, skills: BGMEA chief “Getting the most loved brand titled in the refrigerator and television segment is a great achievement for Walton. Customers have played the most significant role in achieving such recognition. This success will play a significant role in achieving Walton’s vision of becoming one of the best global electronics brands in the world by 2030," said Walton’s CMO, Didarul Alam Khan. “Walton refrigerators received the best brand award for the tenth times. We are very proud on this success. Customers have played the most significant role in achieving such recognition. And also, Walton's customer-benefit-oriented marketing strategies like digital campaigns had an important role in the achievement," said Walton fridge CBO Tofail Ahmed. Daraz becomes No 1 e-commerce brand in Bangladesh for 3rd consecutive year “Getting the best TV brand award is a great milestone. This achievement will inspire us to take more responsibilities in a bid to provide international standard advanced features television to customers across the world,” Walton TV’s CBO Mostafa Nahid Hossain said.

The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) has hosted delegates from the MATRADE Export Acceleration Mission on Monday at the BMCCI secretariat. The 20-member delegation was led by Trade Commissioner of MATRADE CHENNAI Wan Ahmad Tarmizi Wan Idris, according to a press release. Global energy transition offers opportunity for boosting growth in South Asia: World Bank  BMCCI President Syed Almas Kabir, Senior Vice President Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Vice President Jamilur Rahman, among others, welcomed the delegates upon their arrival, it said. Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh,  Haznah Md Hashim was present as guest of honour on the occasion. FICCI's 60 Years Celebration & Investment Expo 2023 rescheduled on Nov 19 Almas gave the welcome address, highlighting the trade and investment opportunities that exist in Bangladesh. His presentation shed light on the potential for mutual growth and collaboration between the two nations, said the release. Huawei announces business results for the first three Quarters of 2023 The visit of the MATRADE Export Acceleration Mission to the BMCCI Secretariat serves as a testament to the commitment of both Malaysia and Bangladesh towards fostering stronger economic ties, it also said.

Businesses have sought the US dollar at a fixed rate for import LCs and not to increase the interest rate by much, to maintain a sustainable business environment in the country. The president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubbul Alam on Monday placed these requests to Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Abdur Rouf Taluder, during a meeting between the two. FBCCI leader Jibon Deb Nath obtains D.Litt degree from France’s Thames International University “We met with the central bank governor with a delegation of top businessmen and expressed our concern on the important issues on behalf of the country’s business community,” the FBCCI president told UNB after the meeting. He said many traders have to open Letters of credit (LCs) buying dollars at a higher price than the fixed rate, which impacts import of goods. The BB’s governor has been requested not to increase the interest rate of bank loans by large margins as the businesses are already facing difficulties in the depreciation of domestic currency taka, Mahbub said. The governor assured the businesses that the interest is now fixed according to the smart rate, there is no option to increase the interest rate to an abnormal level in the current system, the meeting sources said. In the new system, the lending rate for banks will be determined at SMART (six-month moving average interest rate) plus a margin of up to 3 percent. FBCCI president says they are against dishonest businessmen The SMART reference lending rate would be fixed on the basis of the 182-day treasury bills and announced on the first working day of each month. The central bank controls the interest rates of T-bills and T-bonds. Referring to the system the FBCCI president said, "We are very concerned about the rising interest rate and sought cooperation from the Bangladesh Bank so that it does not increase too much." He said businesses are finding it difficult to open letters of credit (LCs) as they are not getting the dollar at Tk 110, a rate fixed by the Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers Association (BAFEDA) and the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB). Japan wants to increase investment in Bangladesh: Japanese envoy told FBCCI Although a number of importers are getting the dollar at the fixed rate, many others are being compelled to cough up an additional amount to open the LCs, the FBCCI alleged. Executive Director and spokesperson of BB Md Mezbaul Haque said businessmen expressed their concerns about the interest rate. The governor assured them that the interest would not rise much, he added.

Bangladesh is participating in the 19th Malaysia International Halal Showcase,known as the biggest halal showcase in the world. The fair is organised by Ministry of Investment, Malaysia, Trade, and Industry, and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), according to a press release. It began on Tuesday at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and will end on Friday. A total of 1,040 companies are participating with 1,800 booths in various clusters, including food and drinks,modest fashion,e-commerce,Islamic finance, and fintech, among others. Sixteen Bangladeshi companies participated with nine booths in the Bangladesh pavilion in the fair under the overall supervision of Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh, the Export Promotion Bureau, and the Bangladesh High Commission in Kualalampur.

Imagine an earnest entrepreneur who, in the pursuit of staying ahead, constantly switches from one market trend to another. But at the end of the day, he or she finds the ventures faltering. In the same way, some people change professions frequently but fail to make stable career paths in the long run. This perplexing tendency is commonly referred to as the "Shiny Object Syndrome."  What is Shiny Object Syndrome? Shiny Object Syndrome refers to a tendency to be easily distracted by new, captivating things or ideas. People with this syndrome often jump from one exciting project or concept to another without successfully completing the initial ones. This inclination is a pervasive challenge in both career and business, often leading individuals off track.  In a career context, Shiny Object Syndrome is when an employee frequently switches between different job roles or industries, never fully committing to one path. For instance, someone jumps from marketing to sales to design without gaining expertise in any field. Read more: Investing in Yourself: 10 Best Ways of Investment for Self-Betterment In business, it is seen when a company constantly chases after the latest trends or technologies without following a clear strategy. For example, a tech startup keeps shifting its focus from developing one product to another, preventing it from establishing a strong market presence. Effects of Shiny Object Syndrome in Career Effects Shiny Object Syndrome can have significant negative effects on an individual's career trajectory and overall professional development. Some key effects include: - Stagnated Progress- Inconsistent Skill Development- Reduced Job Satisfaction- Limited Networking Impact - Impaired Decision-Making- Risk of Burnout- Missed Career Potential- Perceived Lack of Commitment- Long-Term Instability- Diminished Personal Brand. Read more: Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards How Can Professionals Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome? Define Long-Term Goals  A professional should clarify his or her long-term career goals and aspirations. Having a clear vision of where he or she wants to be in the future can help resist the temptation of fleeting opportunities that don't align with his or her objectives. Prioritize and Evaluate  Before jumping on a new opportunity, thoroughly evaluate its relevance to goals. One may ask oneself how this opportunity contributes to one’s overall career trajectory and whether it complements one’s strengths. Create a Focus List  It is better to maintain a list of one’s current career objectives and opportunities that align with them. One can refer to this list whenever a new opportunity arises to assess its potential impact on one’s goals. Read more: Overcoming Study Gap: How to Start Studying after a Long Break

In the dynamic world of business and the ever-evolving workplace, maintaining structure and order is crucial. This is where the concept of chain of command comes into play. When discussing the concept of chain of command, we are essentially focusing on the hierarchical structure that outlines reporting relationships and communication channels within an organization. The organizational hierarchy is the backbone of the chain of command. This structure ensures that each employee knows their role, responsibilities, and who they report to. What is the Chain of Command? The chain of command signifies the hierarchical arrangement that governs the flow of authority and communication across an organization. It outlines the formal relationships between employees, from top-level management down to the frontline workers.  Each individual in the chain of command has a clear superior to report to. For example at the peak of the diagram, one would find the founder, owner, or CEO (Chief Executive Officer), with those who provide information to them situated directly under them. It creates a structured framework for decision-making and task delegation. Read more: How to Make Money with AI for Beginners and Professionals Features of Chain of Command Hierarchical Structure  The chain of command plays a pivotal role in establishing a hierarchical structure. It fosters both order and clarity. This meticulously designed system outlines distinct levels of authority. It facilitates seamless communication and streamlined task allocation. Through this framework, responsibilities are clearly defined, leading to efficient workflow and effective collaboration. Clarity  In a chain of command, roles, and responsibilities are intricately delineated. It leaves no room for ambiguity. This outlining ensures that each individual comprehends their exact position and contributions. The clarity empowers decision-makers with well-defined authority. It fosters alignment and cohesion across the organization through clear lines of command. Decision-making  The chain of command accelerates the decision-making process by aligning decision authority with hierarchy. This approach curbs confusion and empowers leaders to make well-informed decisions.  This heightens the organization's agility and capacity to respond promptly to challenges and changes. The hierarchical structure ensures decisions are entrusted to individuals with the appropriate expertise, streamlining the decision-making procedure. Read more: Career Networking Tips for Introverts Accountability  The chain of command inherently improves a culture of accountability. Every member comprehends their role and recognizes their responsibility to those in higher positions.  This sense of ownership nurtures a dedication to excellence and performance. It becomes a driving force behind the organization's achievements. The hierarchical structure instills a shared commitment to maintaining high standards and contributing to the organization's success. Feedback The chain of command encourages a bottom-to-top flow of feedback. Junior members are provided a platform to communicate insights, express concerns, and present innovative ideas to their superiors. This exchange fosters a collaborative atmosphere. This nurtures a culture of ongoing enhancement and expansion. The organization benefits from a collective effort to improve and evolve.  Read more: Recession-Proof Your Career With Tech Skills Advantages of Chain of Command in the Workplace Efficient Communication  The chain of command optimizes communication pathways, guaranteeing the uninterrupted flow of information. Employees know their reporting superiors and know where to seek guidance. It facilitates efficient information exchange and eliminates potential bottlenecks.  This structure ensures that relevant information reaches the right individuals promptly. It enhances collaboration, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Specialization  In the chain of command, employees direct their attention to specific tasks. This specialization cultivates a deeper level of expertise, resulting in specialized productivity. This proficiency drives operational efficiency and plays a vital role in the organization's expansion. A pool of specialized talents collectively contributes to its sustained growth and success. Read more: Career Counseling: 10 Reasons you need a Career Coach Clear Direction  Employees have directives within the chain of command. This eradicates any vagueness, serving as a compass for actions. The chain of command provides a clear roadmap that empowers individuals to execute tasks effectively. This guidance ensures seamless task performance and contributes to streamlined operations. Stability  Stability contributes to a sound workplace atmosphere. It grants employees a clear understanding of both the organization's trajectory and their own roles within it. This sense of predictability nurtures a conducive environment for productivity. Also, employees navigate their responsibilities with a firm grasp of the organization's direction. Productivity Within a hierarchy, supervisors and managers cultivate intimate collaborations with their subordinates. It ensures an understanding of their roles. This involvement enables them to stay informed about ongoing tasks, enhancing accountability. As employees receive guidance toward achievement, their enthusiasm, and efficiency surge. This behavior yields heightened motivation and productivity levels. Read more: Interview Anxiety: How to calm your nerves and avoid stress