Learning from Others: The autobiography of Syed Babar Ali

by Syed Babar Ali

To the world he is known as the master of an industrial empire, including Packages Limited, and the founder of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). At 89, Syed Babar Ali unveils his life story in his autobiography which sums up him as a master learner and the title “Learning from Others” says it all.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography

241 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[MadZiddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the rare genuine biographies of a Pakistani business leader amongst a plethora of didactic nonsensical ones like Such ka Safar by Sadruddin Hashwani. Perhaps the reason is that, despite the wealth he collected (#12 richest Pakistani according to Wikipedia), his emphasis was on building institutions. These enterprises were not only innovative in their products but fostered a culture of competence in their midst. In this goal , he was remarkably sucessful with Packages Ltd, a joint venture with Scandavians which produces quality packaging material in Pakistan. Packages Ltd was one of the first Pakistani companies was one of the first introduce a systems approach in Pakistani manufacturing scene . That he leveraged some of his wealth and several generations of family connections to establish the leading modern university in Pakistan, LUMS speaks volumes for his commitment to producing quality HR in Pakistan.
Syed Babar Ali comes from a family of old money, his father Syed Maratib Ali had considerable clout in pre-partition Lahore as supplier of goods to British Indian Army Cantonments. He made some lucrative investments including Mitchelle's orchards after partition for his daughter and husband in law. Babar Ali attended the elite Aitchison college and government college before proceeding to the US for his MBA. At the time of partition, he was in the US, and helped to create awareness there about the new country. Heading back, he lived in Karachi for some years before moving back to Lahore to head Packages. He had an eye for talent, for he hired a Harvard returned engineer working in government service, as CEO by luring him with the promise of sponsoring the biannual family visit to the US for his American wife. He showed similar acumen for senior advisers.He hired his old Aitchison teacher as an advisor and personal tutor. This not only allowed him to get advice from somebody who knew him since childhood but also focus on his business knowing that his two children were in good hands.
An extensive part of the book is devoted to the Swedish family who he struck strategic partnership for setting up the Packages factory. Initially relying on their technological acumen, it grew into symbiotic bond of trust and respect which provided much mutually beneficial advice. He was hardly the distant "seth", visiting the factory floor often to listen to the problems of the workers in detail. In fact, he led a very interesting tenure in the public sector as well. During the heady Nationalization period, he was selected as the head of the National Fertilizer Corporation by Bhutto. Initially reluctant to leave his own enterprise, he accepted it as a way to save his own businesses from becoming state owned.
It wasnt all about money. At Packages, he cultivated a garden of roses, unrivalled for his beauty and variety in the whole of Lahore. The importance of educational endeavour with LUMS was of no less importance. But not eager to flaunt his social achievements, Babar is a bit reticent of his role of setting it up. Not so with his leadership of WWF, a post he took over from the recently deceased Prince Philip. In fact, given his social and educational.achievements, it is no wonder that this business tycoon was consulted by the likes of Pervaiz Musharraf, then Commander Mangla, about his son's prospective career as an actuarial student. Truly Babar Ali has been a beacon of hope in the dog- eat-dog world of Pakistani business.

[Rahat Awan]

Good

[Ayaz Zafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book during lock-down due to COVID-19, and skimmed most of his early life and educational background.
He belong to an affluent family and one trait that made him stand out was his gregarious personality. Like all current tycoons (Dawoods, Seghals, etc.), he also inherited the fortunes from his elders but what turned around was his early life lessons his father taught him in his childhood. He would used to take him to cafe and made him observe the guest and their behavior. I believe this was the most valuable lesson.
As good things happens to you, chances are that more good things will happen increases. Same happened when he started Packages, the Rausing family went on to develop TetraPak and so did he got a chance to make a JV with Rausing in Pakistan. Further due to his good reputation among foreigner players he got to make a JV with NESTLE, likewise with Coca Cola & SIEMENS. He was offered chairmanship of National Fertilizer Corporation.
Maybe due to the need to giveback to the society or Maslow Hierarchy of Needs dictates he established public educational platforms like Ali Institute which used to train workers then later on teacher. He established Naqash Institute for Art & Craft and finally most famously National Management Foundation (NMF) or LUMS.
His time with WWF is also an interesting chapter and fun read.
He mentioned in the end his interactions with political personalities and no doubt he is a person with integrity since he called out Gen Musharraf incompetent. No other dared to do, as you can read Hashwani.

[Faizan Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Syed Babar Ali Sahab is an icon of business, industry, philanthropy, education, conservation and public service in Pakistan. Only a handful of individuals can claim to match his contributions and services to society. He recounts in this autobiography events from his life over the last 91 years. His is a life well lived and worth aspiring to. He writes about his life in an extremely humble manner; meticulously and generously giving credit and recognition to those who helped him along the way and from whom he learned. Everyone will draw their own lessons from his book, my take aways are: 1) Syed Babar Ali Sb was farsighted to partner with world class companies coming to Pakistan which were innovators & leaders in their domains - this paved way for sustained growth and profits shielded from excessive competition. 2) his philosophy of "treat your partner as you would like them to treat you" made him a preferred partner to work with in Pakistan 3) his legacy and name will survive for many years after him because he has given unconditionally and selflessly to others - prime example of which is Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

[Rohaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its an autobiography by Syed Babur Ali. He narrates accounts since he was a student at Aitchison until 2015. Its a wonderful book especially if you want to know how he managed to launch so many successful joint ventures with foreign companies, how extraordinarily he benefited and improved education in Pakistan, introduced conservation, served the Pakistani government and public while being upright and non-conforming to strong and wrong influences like PMs and I am Martial Law Administrators.

[Azaan Kazmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best autobiographies from Pakistan's most prestigious entrepreneur. A great infusion of his insights, learnings, timeline, milestones, achievements, while Mr Babar takes a very grounded and clear approach to go through all of it. A must read for every entrepreneur and aspiring entrepreneur in Pakistan.

[Azeem Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to read here kindly inform me

[Umar Cheema · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I have ever read. The language is so simple and he draws out results from history rather than just stating facts.