GrameenPhone, Bangladesh

GrameenPhone in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the world's most crowded countries. Recent statistics show the population per square kilometer is 900 people. In other words, 140 million people live in an area that is no bigger than Greece. In this country GrameenPhone, the leading mobile telephone company, in many ways has become one of the most important companies in the country's economy. GrameenPhone is owned 62% by Telenor, and 38% by

GrameenTelecom, a Bangladeshi organization focusing on rural growth and telephony services.

GrameenPhone has been working with Lots® for the last years in the process of reflecting and deciding on future steps to secure meaning, joy and financial success. This year Torge Øverli supported the management team in this process.

GrameenPhone is the marked leading mobile company in Bangladesh. They have had an extraordinary growth the last years passing 3 million subscribers in April 2005. The market is in the early phases of an expected growth up to at least 20 million subscribers in 4-5 years time. One important activity at this stage is a clear segmentation model with clear proposals to the different segments. GrameenPhone is in the forefront handling this and launched DJUICE, an international youth brand in the spring of 2005. The launch was a great success and the response enormous.

Erik Aas, Mangager Director, GrameenPhone Ltd, what will be the next steps for GrameenPhone?
"We will continue to build our network and secure a good coverage of all people in Bangladesh. This year alone, we expect to increase our population coverage from 55% to more than 80%. Furthermore, we are doing a number of efforts to prepare the organization for the expected growth over the years to come, this includes recruiting the very best people and also to launch new and innovative services for all customers or specific segments."

You have chosen to work with Lots®, why?
"When working on our strategy and organizational development, we need a structured approach looking into things with an open mindset and only a few boundaries. Lots® has so far been to good help for us in such a strategic approach."

How will you describe the benefits of using Lots® and the contributions from Torge Øverli?
"We feel the approach has been professional and the cooperation has been very good. For our strategy sessions we have been able not only to conduct some very good workshops, but the preparations as well as the follow up have been very satisfactory."

"Torge Øverli is good in securing progress during the strategic discussions, but at the same time giving time to reflect on issues that seems important to the team at certain points."

"We expect to continue working with Lots® for future strategic processes in GrameenPhone."