Mr. Ghirmay Abrehe, Manager of Anberbeb Share Company, has recently published a book that focuses on modern management structures for Eritrean companies. Mr. Ghirmay joined the armed struggle for independence in 1975, making his contributions in various roles, including that of working as a supervisor at the EPLF’s garage in Anberbeb. He earned a BA in Business Management from the University of Asmara. Since 1992, when Anberbeb Share Company, an official agent for Japanese giants Toyota, Yamaha, and Komatsu, was reestablished in Asmara, Mr. Ghirmay has served as a manager, cultivating a deep understanding of the management landscape. His book is informed by his distinguished career, and it has been published with an intent to share his valuabl e insights gained over the years.
Congratulations on the publication of your first book. What inspired you to write the book?
My pursuit of higher education in Business Management after Eritrea’s independence was a pivotal moment, allowing me to realize a long-held aspiration. This period of continued learning, undertaken while I engaged in my professional responsibilities, proved to be an exceptionally enriching and practical experience. The theoretical frameworks I encountered in my studies made sense as I applied and analyzed them in the context of my own experiences. This constant interplay allowed for deeper reflection and a profound understanding of the application of the principles of management in the real world. Through this process, the theoretical lessons I absorbed began to coalesce with the practical lessons I encountered at work.
It became increasingly clear that management in today’s world is a multifaceted discipline that requires sophistication and nuanced understanding of organizational dynamics, strategic thinking, and human capital. This realization ignited a spark within me, a desire to articulate and share the theoretical knowledge and practical insights I had accumulated in the field of management over decades.
I was also deeply motivated by the desire to contribute to the continued progress of the Eritrean society. Our nation is characterized by an inherent spirit of innovation and a strong work ethic. To fully exploit this immense potential, it is crucial to complement it with scientific and structured management practices. By introducing and fostering modern management principles, Eritrean companies can enhance their efficiency, productivity, and overall competitiveness, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity.
Another significant driving force that led me to write the book was the remarkable history of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF). Its legacy of success extends far beyond the hard-won military victory for independence. The EPLF is also known for its remarkably efficient and effective management of resources, logistics, and various sectors during the protracted struggle. This often-untold story of organizational prowess deserves to be meticulously recorded and passed on to the new generation as an integral part of our national heritage. By documenting and disseminating these effective management principles, we can ensure the continuity of this valuable cultural asset.
And my role as the manager of Anberbeb Share Company, the official agent for the 88-year-old global giant Toyota, provided a unique perspective. Witnessing and understanding Toyota’s enduring success and their sophisticated management philosophies and then considering how these principles could be adapted and applied in the Eritrean context was a key inspiration. It’s about finding the applicable intersection between international best practices and our local realities.
Your book’s title suggests a connection to the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. Does this Japanese philosophy resonate with the Eritrean culture? How might Eritrean companies benefit by embracing internationally influential philosophies like Kaizen?
Yes, the core principle of modern management science lies in consciously structuring a company or business to operate according to well-defined methods, often default approaches instead of unstructured traditional methods. As a distinct discipline, effective management necessitates the application of scientific and proven methodologies that are carefully adapted to the specific local context and realities on the ground here in Eritrea. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this context, I undertook thorough research instead of mere assumptions.
My approach involved preparing detailed questionnaires tailored to various companies in different sectors. I made it a point to personally visit numerous companies across these diverse sectors. This direct engagement allowed me to gather firsthand insights into the prevailing operational practices, organizational structures, and overall performance levels of the majority of Eritrean companies. Drawing upon the data and qualitative information gleaned from this research, combined with my own experience and a desire to share knowledge, I endeavored to outline practical and relevant guidelines specifically for local companies. This framework is not simply a transplantation of foreign concepts; it is a carefully considered integration of my on-the-ground observations with the proven success of the Japanese Kaizen philosophy. My aim was to bridge the gap between global best practices and the unique characteristics of the Eritrean business environment, offering a pathway for continuous improvement and sustainable growth tailored to our specific needs and opportunities.
The Kaizen philosophy has definitely played a pivotal and undeniable role in Japan’s extraordinary post-World War II economic resurgence. Faced with widespread devastation and a global perception of producing inferior goods, Japanese industries, most notably Toyota, strategically embraced Kaizen as a fundamental approach to systematically overhaul their production processes. This commitment to continuous, incremental improvement became a cornerstone of the revolutionary Toyota Production System (TPS). The TPS, with Kaizen at its heart, fundamentally reshaped the landscape of global manufacturing. Its core tenets — the relentless elimination of waste (muda) in all its forms, the establishment of a smooth and continuous flow of production, and a deep respect for the contributions and capabilities of every individual employee — were instrumental in propelling Japanese automotive manufacturers from a struggling industry to the very forefront of the global market. This success demonstrated the power of a holistic and people-centric approach to efficiency and quality.
Furthermore, Kaizen’s core principle of empowering all employees to contribute to small, yet continuous, improvements fostered a culture of ownership and collective responsibility. This widespread involvement led to a dramatic and sustained increase in the overall quality and reliability of Japanese products across various sectors, effectively transforming Japan’s international image from a producer of inexpensive items to a maker of high-quality, dependable goods.
Interestingly, during the protracted and challenging Eritrean armed struggle, the EPLF, while not explicitly labeling it as ‘Kaizen,’ demonstrably applied a similar underlying culture of continuous improvement and resource optimization. Faced with significant limitations and the need for self-reliance, the EPLF developed innovative solutions, constantly sought to improve their operational efficiency, and fostered a culture of collective problemsolving at all levels. This pragmatic approach was undoubtedly a contributing factor to the ultimate success of the organization. Therefore, the management method I propose in my book is not simply an imposition of a foreign philosophy. Instead, it represents a thoughtful and strategic mingling of this inherent culture of work that was evident during the Eritrean armed struggle with the structured and globally proven principles of the Kaizen philosophy. By consciously recognizing and building upon this existing foundation within the Eritrean society and integrating it with the systematic methodologies of Kaizen, we can create a robust and effective approach to management that is both culturally resonant and internationally sound, ultimately fostering sustainable success for Eritrean companies. Ultimately, I believe that management efficiency is not a niche concern but rather a foundational element for the success and sustainability of every company, regardless of its size or sector. By sharing my experiences and insights, I hope to contribute to the development of a more robust and effective management culture within Eritrea, empowering our businesses and fostering continued growth and innovation.
What challenges did you encounter during the process of writing this book?
Perhaps the most significant challenge I faced was the fact that this was my first experience in publishing a book. There is no question that a strong internal drive and a compelling desire to share my insights did propel me forward, but the actual process of translating those thoughts into a cohesive written work was an entirely new territory. Having recognized my inexperience, my initial step was to seek guidance from those who had walked this path. So, I immersed myself in a variety of books with a view to learning the craft of writing a book, exploring ways to engage the reader and navigating the process involved in publishing.
I quickly realized that it was not an easy task to write a book. However, fueled by my internal motivation, I embarked on the journey. The entire process, from the initial conceptualization to the writing of the final draft, took three years. This extended timeframe was not without its personal costs. The demanding nature of writing inevitably encroaches upon your social and other areas of your life. The sheer amount of time required for research, drafting and revising demanded significant sacrifices.
There was also this constant underlying pressure caused by my deep yearning not just to see the book completed but to present a well-crafted piece of work to the public. This desire for excellence added another layer of intensity to the entire undertaking.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the numerous individuals who provided unwavering support throughout this endeavor, including my family, colleagues, and many others.