Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mentoring as Relationship
Milton Ramos,
Laboratorios Ramos
Nicaragua
“Transformation is not what we do for other people.
Transformation is what God does for us when we enter into an
equal relationship of sharing and receiving with other people.
We do not serve because we are transformed
but we are transformed when we serve.”
—Jose Ramon Alcantara Mejia
Milton Ramos has always been interested in seeking ways to improve the manner that business is done, both in his own business and in the country where his business is located, Nicaragua. He transferred much of that passion into his role as a founder of a small Nicaraguan organization dedicated to that vision. Eventually, Milton’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to a deeper search for ways that he could have a healthy impact on the lives of local businesses and their employees. His solution was through the development of his family-owned pharmaceutical business, Laboratorios Ramos.
Peter Schaafsma is a former executive of a large pharmaceutical company. He’s currently retired, yet today remains connected to the industry. Peter, like Milton, also feels drawn to serve his fellow businesspeople by utilizing the knowledge and experiences he has accumulated over a lifetime.
An unexpected introduction in Managua, Nicaragua became a catalyst for positive change on both ends.
In early 2005, Peter visited Nicaragua on a short-term work trip, never expecting the rewarding relationship that began developing over a short period of time. As Peter was painting walls at a local school, the CRWRC and Partners Worldwide staff working in Nicaragua approached him with the notion of spending an afternoon getting to know Milton Ramos. After learning that Milton owned a medium-sized pharmaceutical company, Peter jumped at the opportunity.
A few days later, after just a few moments of introduction, the two were deep in conversation regarding the state of the pharmaceutical industry in Nicaragua and its impact on Milton’s business. Months later, Milton invited Peter back to Nicaragua to deepen their cooperative analysis of pharmaceutical issues, and a deepening of their relationship, a sharing of support, experience, and knowledge.
During a two-week trip, Peter analyzed every facet of Milton’s business, from organizational structure to best manufacturing practices. According to Peter’s recommendations, and with a new loan of $50,000 from another North American partner, Milton was able to improve the organizational structure and employee ownership of Laboratorios Ramos, give managers more opportunities to influence the company direction, and make quality control improvements that increased production capacity. Today, Laboratorios Ramos has fulfilled a large order from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, using the profit to free itself from nearly all outstanding debt.
Like Laboratorios Ramos, the mentoring relationship between Milton and Peter has also continued to grow. During their last visit, Milton wanted to show Peter much more than his business, to show him the “real” Nicaragua. After days of consulting, evaluating, and sharing their experience and expertise, they traveled with family to some of the most beautiful natural wonders Nicaragua has to offer. Illustrating mentorship at its purest, the two continue to listen, learn, and grow together.