Innovation and quality in a service or product are not just about what you put into it; it’s about what the customer gets out of it. For Afzal Nazlie, Founder of Colors & Shades, this philosophy is not just belief, but the bedrock of running a business. For over a decade now Afzal has been leading a great transformation of Sri Lanka’s interior and exterior design landscape through his brainchild.
Driven by a vision to cater to the evolving demands of modern living like sophistication, sustainability, and more, he embarked on his journey in 2013, laying the foundation for Colors & Shades. Drawing inspiration from his travels, experiences, collaborations abroad, he has instilled his business with a touch of international flair, bringing world-class products and services to the doorstep of clientele. From paints and textures to tiles and marbles, each offering is carefully curated to reflect utmost excellence. With each project, he reaffirms his commitment to creating spaces that not only meet but exceed the expectations of his clients, leaving behind a legacy of timeless elegance. This professionalism, integrity, and innovation have not only shaped the trajectory of Colors and Shades but have also inspired a new generation of designers and entrepreneurs.
Constant Progress & Delivering Promises
The company continuously introduces new, technologically advanced products like eco-friendly paints, streamlined project execution processes, and the integration of smart home features. This effort to progress ensures the company remains at the forefront of the industry.
To ensure that the team is on the same page, Afzal fosters a positive organizational culture that values collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. This focus on employee satisfaction creates a sense of belonging and purpose, leading to a more motivated workforce. Transparent communication, recognition of achievements, and opportunities for professional development contribute significantly to employee engagement. “When employees feel valued and connected to the company’s goals, they are more likely to excel in their roles.
This collective motivation, in turn, helps the company achieve its business objectives and maintain a vibrant work environment”, he adds.
Moreover, Colors & Shades prioritizes quality control, as proved by their ISO 9001:2015 certification. The company adheres to stringent processes to deliver its promises to clients. This well-defined process includes setting clear benchmarks for both products and services, and ensuring customers receive exactly what they expect. Thorough inspections are conducted at various project stages to identify and rectify any defects before final delivery. The company also invests in employee training on quality assurance procedures, instilling a culture of excellence and attention to detail.
Additionally, the team actively collects and analyzes customer feedback. This allows them to identify areas for improvement and address any concerns promptly. They prioritize working exclusively with ISO-certified suppliers who have a track record of providing high-quality materials for at least 30 years. This ensures that every component used in their projects meets the highest quality standards.
Employee engagement & trusted client relationships are the hallmarks of a trustworthy company
Leadership Message
Entrepreneurship might be the buzzword these days, with everyone wanting to leave their jobs and create the next big thing. But the journey is not easy. It’s about embracing challenges as opportunities, staying resilient, and never stopping to learn. Success, he believes, is not just about the destination, but also about enjoying the journey and having a continuous improvement mindset.
Afzal stresses the importance of adaptability, surrounding oneself with a great team, and letting passion drive innovation. “Every setback is a stepping stone for a greater comeback. Entrepreneurs should believe in their vision, stay persistent, and inspire others with their journey”, he shares.
Team, The True Pillar
Afzal’s leadership mantra, ‘Inspire, empower, and achieve’, shows the importance of motivating the team and equipping individuals to grow together. The ‘Inspire’ aspect focuses on creating a shared vision. By motivating the team, everyone works towards a common goal. ‘Empowerment’ is key to growth. By providing autonomy and recognizing strengths, employees at Colors & Shades gain a sense of ownership. This leads to increased innovation, productivity, and job satisfaction – a recipe for a thriving company.
Finally, ‘Achieve’ highlights the importance of teamwork. When everyone works together, the company is more likely to achieve sustainable growth. Clients take notice of a company that values its employees and consistently delivers high-quality products and services.
“Purpose-driven happy employees deliver better service, building trust and long-term relationships with clients through the ultimate acid test of any company, which is good performance. This focus on delivering on promises is a hallmark of a good company”, he highlights. The team is now focusing on the next step of retail services for a quality-conscious clientele through their new online platform, C&S Projects. They also see potential for expansion in the Middle East, aiming for a seven to tenfold increase in the group’s revenue within the next five years.
Afzal Nazlie, Founder, Colors & Shades
Afzal Nazlie is a front runner in Sri Lanka’s interior and exterior industry, prioritizes innovation, sustainable practices, long term customer relationships and a positive work environment.
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