BHAGWANDAS (Bob) CHELLARAM THAKER

Managing Director / THE NATIONAL TRADING HOUSE

Business Sector: Retail General Trade

Myers-Briggs Personality Type: Protagonist - ENFJ-A / ENFJ-T

About me

Bob's entrepreneurial journey started when he was a college student where his family decided to start a packaging unit in India. He was involved in this greenfield project which entailed site selection, construction of a 2,000 square meter factory, machinery selection, installation and commissioning the project. Being involved in all aspects of this project gave him considerable experience from an early age. The project continues to operate profitably and currently employs 200 workers. His business journey in Bahrain started in 1984 where he joined the family business of trading and distribution. He successfully added several leading office products and FMCG brands like 3M, BIC, Imation, Pilot Pens to the family business portfolio. These brands are now market leaders in the Bahrain market. Bob successfully added new SBU’s to the family business and ventured into corporate gifts, audio visual products, toys, and consumer products. He was instrumental in the company, becoming the leading supplier of office products and stationery in the Bahrain market and to modern trade like Carrefour along with other chains. In 1995, Bob also started an office products distribution business in UAE that is currently successfully operating in the country. He continues to be on the Board and advises the business on strategic initiatives. Besides his business interest, Bob has served as a board member of The Rotary Club of Manama for 6 years, which culminated into him being elected as the President. He is also the President of Thattai Hindu Merchants Community, which is the oldest expatriate business community on the island and is the driving force behind the USD 5 Million redevelopment project in Manama. He has been an active member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and served as a Board member for 3 years. Bob is also a part time lecturer in Marketing and Management for the last 11 years, and taught undergraduate, MBA and professional courses at the BIBF & BUB.

Learning Style

• Auditory
• Visual

Areas of Expertise

• I have been responsible for generating revenue and profits for at least three years
• I have established a new company and raised sales and profits to break-even
• I have managed advertising and promotional budgets over US$30,000 a year
• I have managed social and community projects with budgets exceeding US$100,000 a year
• I have opened new sales channels for our products or services
• I have promoted a website and have achieved at least three sales orders and enquiry per day
• I have raised external finance for a business or a project
• I have raised external finance for a business or a project
• I have recruited and managed over 5 employees for at least three years
• I have sourced new suppliers and procured goods or services for the company