At the August 14 launch of Oman's first National Compensation Survey, the approach was such that things weren't just about the money. Conceptualised by ORDC and The Lighthouse, in association with BusinessToday, the multi-industry salary survey aims at compiling accurate compensation and remuneration data across major organisations in Oman's oil and gas, telecom, automotive and banking sectors, among other areas of business. As Devavrath Nambiar, ORDC's manager-business development, pointed out, "Employee retention is a key concern area for organisations. The compensation survey will not only provide an overview of market pay practices, but it will also answer for an employer the crucial question as to whether he is offering a competitive remuneration package that attracts, motivates and retains quality talent."

For HR professionals Masoud al Maskary and Sultan al Busaidy, who also spoke at the function, the survey was a tool with the potential to transform the job market. But as Maskary said, it would take the corporate world to turn the recommendations of the survey to reality. Added Busaidy, "There is no dearth of talented professionals in Oman. What is needed is a culture to retain them."

For the industry leaders who attended the launch function, steps detailing the survey process were laid out through various presentations. The survey will kick off with data being collected from participating organisations, representing more than 1,000 staff, from August to November 2006. The data analysis as well as the preparation of recommendations will occur in December 2006. Following this, the findings of the survey will be shared with the corporate leaders of Oman at a gala function in January 2007.

Entertainment encore
The inauguration of Al Wafi Plaza at Sur spells unlimited fun options

Adding to the entertainment quotient of the sultanate, Oman Arab Cinema, part of the Jawad Sultan Group of Companies, recently inaugurated Al Wafi Plaza in Sur. The formal inauguration function was held on August 10, under the patronage of H E Ahmed bin Sulaiman al Maimani, under secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate Finance and Regional Affairs.

Al Wafi Plaza, which will screen movies from Hollywood, the subcontinent and the Arab world, joins Al Shatti Plaza and Al Nasr Cinema, which are part of Oman Arab Cinema's portfolio. Oman Arab Cinema, established in 1971, was the first to introduce the multiplex concept in Oman. The move brought about a radical change in cinema viewing in Oman, introducing state-of-the-art screens and acoustics as well as comfortable seating to patrons. Al Wafi Plaza promises to add similar unlimited entertainment to the landscape of Sur.