Leading business figures share their most valuable lessons and offer insights into what it takes to see your career take off. Read on for some first-class advice.
Samira Abdulrazzak
CEO, Dubai Infinity Holdings
Says Samira Abdulrazzak, "As a female in a developing society, there are always challenges [but] women are slowly gaining a stronger presence in the business world and
I am hopefully living proof." Indeed, under her pioneering leadership, Dubai Infinity Holdings has signed an exclusive deal with designer Karl Lagerfeld. The legendary fashion icon will design limited edition homes on Isla Moda, the world's first dedicated fashion island, which is located on Nakheel's iconic development, The World.
After graduating from Zayed University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Business Sciences, Abdulrazzak worked at HSBC Bank for four years.
She held managerial positions in various departments such as marketing, corporate banking and human resources. Perhaps it was her stint in human resources that led her to the belief that you should always make people your priority. "The quality of relationships you have with your investors, employees, suppliers and communities is crucial to a company's success and its ability to anticipate or respond to changing competitive conditions and social expectations," Abdulrazzak says. "We aim to build relationships that are based on mutual benefit, learning, accountability, transparency and trust. We deepen these relationships through disciplined growth and seamless execution."
Abdulrazzak believes it is the interests and energy of people who work in and interact with a business that underpin innovative ideas and she believes innovation is fundamental to every aspect of her life.
"My aim is to set an example for all the ambitious women of our nation and offer them the platform they need to achieve their goals through our projects," she says. Although Abdulrazzak is currently a board member for Forsa, a scheme committed to creating business opportunities for women, she aspires to establish community initiatives that deal with environmental and socially valued activities.
"I've always been ambitious and believe that if you dream big and work hard to get there, success is inevitable. It's a very competitive world and business professionals have to be on their toes to stay at the top," she says. "Perseverance is key and positive thinking should always be your best friend."
– Maria Dowdall Stapleton/Feature Writer
Dr B R Shetty, Managing Director and CEO, NMC Group
Binay Shetty, Executive Director, NMC Group
When Dr Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty arrived in the UAE in 1972, he was prompted by an irrepressible will to succeed in business.
In 1975, Shetty launched NMC Healthcare – the debut business for the NMC Group – with the opening of a small pharmacy in Abu Dhabi. Thereafter in 1977, NMC hospital began operations in Abu Dhabi. The business soon metamorphosed into a giant healthcare conglomerate. The establishment of Neopharma, the state-of-the-art pharmaceutical plant in Abu Dhabi, was the final link in the chain towards achieving complete healthcare integration. Shetty then set about in earnest on the diversification of business.
The UAE Exchange was established in 1980. With Shetty's business acumen, the one-branch organisation flourished into a company that has 400 offices worldwide and sends $3 billion (about Dh11.02 billion) to India alone. "Meeting and exceeding customer expectations has been challenging. There is a strong demand from the customers and there is a constant need to upgrade facilities," says Shetty.
Business is not the be all and end all of Shetty's life. He has played a vital role as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, being instrumental in building an ultra-modern cricket stadium that played host to official international fixtures. "It is important to maintain the connection with public service through endeavours that add value to people and society," says Shetty.
Shetty is on the board of directors of Haldwani Medical College in Uttaranchal, India, and Manipal Medical Academy of which he is an alumni member. He is also the founder and patron of Indian Pharmaceuticals Association in the UAE.
"It is not just in identifying one's goals and aiming for them, but in the constant evaluation of your progress, which determines the success of an individual," he says.
In 2005, Shetty was conferred the highest honour by the Government of Abu Dhabi – Order of Abu Dhabi, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the emirates. Earlier this year Shetty was also conferred the prestigious Ernst & Young Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award.
"Taking risks and learning from mistakes is an ongoing process in life. I believe legacies are not inherited but created, through determination, foresight and passion," he says.
When the new maternity ward opened at the New Medical Centre in 1983, B R Shetty's only son Binay was the first baby to be born there. Binay completed his secondary education at The International School of Choueifat in Abu Dhabi, before moving to Boston, Massachusetts to study for an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems at Northeastern University. He later transferred to Boston University, where he was a Dean's List student and graduated in Finance and Entrepreneurship in 2004.
Back in the UAE, Binay joined the family business, actively involving himself in a number of areas – from accounts to IT and human resources – experiencing as many aspects of the organisation as possible. He welcomed challenges. "Life is full of challenges, and they give us ideas to innovate," he says. "The rapid growth in the UAE has been economically beneficial to most investors; the challenge lies in growing the core business we are in, along with other investments."
Binay moved on to take care of Neopharma, taking an active role in Finance and International Business Development. "I think the greatest lesson I have learned is that one learns through one's own mistakes, as well as from other people's experiences," he says. "This way, we grow faster and mature as a business professional quicker." Binay is Executive Director of the NMC Group alongside fellow board members, his father and sisters. Maintaining respect for one another is crucial to a successful family business, he says. "I don't just work with my father, but also my mother and sisters. Respect and clarity on job responsibilities will help achieve your bottom line and ensure a smoother work flow."
Opportunities abound in the UAE, says Shetty, and his advice to budding entrepreneurs is to remain focused. "When starting a business it is important to study the market and industry in which you want to operate, and identify your core business, since these opportunities could throw you off track if you lose focus."
– Maria Dowdall Stapleton and Catherine Rankin Harper/Feature Wreiters
Yusuffali M A
Managing Director, Emke Group
Often considered the 'unofficial' ambassador of India to the Middle East, Yusuffali M A is one of the most successful non-resident Indian businessmen in the region. Under his dynamic leadership, the Emke Group has achieved significant growth and diversified into various business segments such as retail – shopping malls, hypermarkets, supermarkets and department stores, import and distribution – fashion, apparel manufacturing, food processing and exports, IT education and training, and travel and tourism. The group now has operations in the UAE, India, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen,
China, Hong Kong, Kenya, Benin, Tanzania, Indonesia and Thailand.
The Emke Group has more than 20,000 employees comprising 29 nationalities. The group's retail business is its mainstay. The company also has retail sourcing and manufacturing bases located in the Far East, India, Africa and Guangzhou in China. Its Indian operations include food processing, export of food and non-food products and a convention centre with bases in Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin and Trichur.
Setting up such a vast group with diverse operations and making it a global success has won him several accolades including the Padma Shri award, which was bestowed upon him by Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, in May. He was the first non-resident Indian from the Gulf and the Middle East to receive this award. His contribution towards fostering the interests of overseas Indians also led to him being awarded the important Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award – the highest honour conferred by the Indian government on non-resident Indians – by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, then President of India, in 2005.
An important milestone was his election as the Director Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). This was the first time that elections were held for the body and the expatriate businessman won overwhelming support from the UAE business community. He was also unanimously elected by the board members as the vice-chairman of the prestigious Trade Committee of the ADCCI.
When asked about the secret to his success, Yusuffali says, "In today's world, there is no dearth of resources and information but what really matters is that you find your core competency and channel your entire thought process and action in that direction. Needless to say, a commander is as good as the army he commands so identifying your key partners and sustaining them should also be your prime focus. And of course, there is no way up without hard work, dedication and honesty – and these values are timeless."
Challenges he faced, says Yusuffali, have helped his success. "The challenges that really prepared me for the future were the ones I faced very early on in my career here in UAE. It taught me how to make the best of the available and limited resources, be it infrastructure, comfort, finance or strategic information. Compared to that, today's challenges are more on a corporate level, which can be handled easily given the fact that you literally have all the resources and information at the tip of your finger.
"Looking back, those initial days were also the reason I could bring together a strong core team that's still with me."
Yusuffali also says that a lesson he learnt from his grandfather will always guide him through his endeavours. "I learnt from him that in life you must learn to see everyone as equal to you even when you become successful. The moment you start looking at less fortunate people as below your status, it will be the beginning of your end."
This advice has obviously had a deep impact on the philanthropist, who, in the past, has taken the lead in organising huge and timely relief measures from the Gulf during many natural calamities in India, including the Latur and Gujarat earthquakes and tsunami tragedy. Yusuffali was also the first to contribute towards the rehabilitation of the Calicut market fire victims, and provided free air tickets and other facilities to hundreds of disadvantaged Indians who could not afford a ticket back home during the amnesty period in the UAE.
– Neesha C Salian/Features Editor
Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb
CEO, Jafza and Economic Zones World
In September 2005 Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and Economic Zones World made history when she became the first female in the Middle East and North Africa to be appointed the head of a free zone. And she hasn't looked back since.
As a woman at the helm of Jafza, Hareb shares a piece of advice with people starting out in business. Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, she says, "Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." According to Hareb, "The competitive, fast-paced and sometimes brutal world of business can be very challenging but no one can dishearten you if you don't allow them to. Rock-solid self-confidence and resolve are the first things you need to embrace before you begin because this is what will keep you strong and on course."
By making Jebel Ali Free Zone one of the most customer-friendly organisations in the region, and possibly the world, Salma Hareb has not only changed the dynamics of the free zone business in the region, and quite possibly the world, but has also contributed towards its tremendous growth over the past two years.
In January 2007, with the launch of Economic Zones World (a new commercial entity created under the government-owned Dubai World group) Hareb's responsibilities widened to include Jafza's global operations under Jafza International, as well as other business parks within the group.
She currently oversees Jafza, its international arm Jafza International, Techno Park and Dubai Auto Zone. With all four businesses operating under a single umbrella, Hareb is now focusing on establishing a strong global presence for these units through her role as the CEO of Economic Zones World.
Prior to her current role as head of Jafza and Economic Zones World, Hareb has held various executive positions in reputed organisations including a stint as Chief Lab Technologist for the Department of Health and Medical Services. She is a post-graduate in Medical Lab Sciences from Cardiff Institute of Higher Education in Wales, and holds a Diploma in Computer Programming and Information Processing from City and Guilds Institute, London.
She graduated from Al Ain University.
Hareb also serves as a board member for Ports and Free Zones and Dubai Exports Development Corporation set up by the government of Dubai in 2006 for the development and expansion of the export sector, opening up new markets for exports and encouraging local industries to increase investments. She is also a member of the board of Dubai World venture Forsa. In 2008, Hareb topped Forbes Arabia's list of the 50 most powerful Arab businesswomen. Her services in the field have also been recognised with the Business Women Award 2006 for Leadership. Under her leadership, Jafza has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement of the Year and Industrial Area of the Year – Supply Chain and Transport Awards 2008; Industrial Area of the year – Supply Chain and Transport Award 2007; Best Port Special Economic Zones in the Middle East – Foreign Direct Investment 2006; Best Logistics Park – Sea – Middle East Logistics Award 2006 while Jafza Sukuk has been named Best Sukuk and UAE Deal of the Year for 2007.
According to Hareb, "Managing one of the most dynamic free zones in the world is definitely challenging. The biggest challenge of all is to keep pace with the explosive growth of Dubai and to determine ways to expand and enhance the company's current portfolio and services to achieve bigger and better results. While this is a challenge it is also an opportunity because the true excitement of creation is what drives me day in and day out." Hareb firmly believes in the saying, Enjoy what you do and share the joy with people around you. "This is a philosophy but it becomes an important lesson because sometimes we lose sight of the simplest and most obvious things in life."
– Esha Nag/Senior Feature Writer
Ester Crameri
Managing Director, Sprungli Middle East
It's easy to like Ester Crameri. She's warm, effusive and is willing to listen. She's also tough, making the combination a great asset, especially in the corporate world. But that's not all. Crameri says it's her curiosity to learn new things and the ability to dive into any experience with enthusiasm that has proved invaluable to her success.
Crameri started her career with Confiserie Sprüngli 13 years ago, managing the company's corporate business, e-commerce and customer service. Her efforts and its results in terms of turnover, especially in corporate business and e-commerce, won her a position of trust with the company's owners and her current role as the Managing Director of the Sprungli Middle East office in Dubai. "I consider this a real honour because this is the company's first foray abroad and the family has placed their trust in me to set up and run our operations here."
This is not the first time that Crameri's passion and dedication has won her a promotion. In fact, in one of her earlier jobs with Dow Chemical Pharmaceuticals, she was promoted within a short period from a sales administrator to an international trader for bulk chemicals and pharmaceuticals. But this isn't the only milestone that reveals her rich experience. Before she moved to Confiserie Sprüngli, Ester worked for the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zurich as its Managing Director.
"I was excited to be part of the upswing in China post the Tiananmen incident," she says. In addition, she has worked for Hargitay and Partners as a public relations consultant, working for multinationals such as Philip Morris and Union Carbide. She has also worked in a Zurich. travel agency and a cruise ship. Crameri, who has a diploma in public relations, speaks five languages.
Crameri says her management style is simple. She believes that a leader should do anything they expect their staff to do. "It's also vital to be a team player.
I believe that it is very important to engage people by motivating them to be their best. I trust that my team will make their own decisions and take responsibility for
their actions."
Crameri also advocates having an open door policy to let employees air their views. Crameri says that being a woman in a top management position is no longer the challenge it was years ago. However, she feels it is difficult for women to manage both the home and their careers without making any sacrifices.
"In fact, career women sometimes work harder than their male counterparts. However, being well organised and dedicated can make the job easier," she says.
"I do believe that intuition, often considered a woman's strength, helps. It has worked for me in my career, especially when it involved exploring new ideas or understanding what my employees want. Sometimes just going by the book is not enough," she says.
She also strongly emphasises that the key to succeeding, especially as a woman, is to keep the faith and 'give it everything' despite the challenges.
"The success you achieve will make the sacrifices worth it," says Crameri.
– Neesha C Salian/Features Editor
Ali Hussain Al Rahma
CEO, Eqarat.com
As the founder, CEO and Chairman of Eqarat.com, Ali Hussain Al Rahma traces back his success in the real estate sector to his dream as a young man – one that revolved around his zealous interest in built spaces. This dream drove him to establish one of the leading total solutions providers in the region's real estate sector.
With a degree in Management from the University of Hull in England, Al Rahma has been a prominent figure in the real estate market for 18 years. Since the foundation of Eqarat.com in 1991, he has led the company to evolve in the real estate industry through its innovative philosophy. The company provides a wide range of property services, from property consultancy to sales services for both individual buyers and sellers.
Al Rahma has established a full-fledged regional operation for Eqarat.com, with offices in the UAE, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait. Eqarat.com has played a defining role in the sales success of regional projects including the Fortune Serene Project, Andalucía Project and the Ryad Al Sawadi project. Al Rahma's strategic vision has also played a major role in the success and growth of this company.
Today, Eqarat.com has announced its plans to address the booming demand for housing units in the region and to provide value-added real estate services to more clients by launching operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the year-end. The company is also looking at establishing a significant presence within the burgeoning UK real estate market, where it is planning to open a sales and information base by next year. Plans are also on for a base in Morocco.
According to Al Rahma, "The greatest lesson that I've learnt in life is not to be too optimistic. It is important to be realistic in approach. Every day business is a challenge. In the real estate market we have to take decisions very quickly, and we have to close deals fast. There is a risk involved in all this, so having a realistic approach really helps."
His advice to people starting out in business is simple. "Do your homework well before you decide to start on something. It's important to do the initial market research and conduct the necessary studies. It's equally important to remain financially stable and to choose the right manpower, essentially people of good calibre and who can run the business well."
– Esha Nag/Senior Feature Writer
Colin Leitch,
Group Director, Automotive, Al-Futtaim Group
Colin Leitch joined the Al-Futtaim Group in 1990 as Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors and is now Group Director of the automotive division. During his time as Managing Director, Leitch faced the challenge of putting in place the building blocks that would support the tremendous growth the company could foresee. "It wasn't simply a matter of shipping the vehicles and hoping they would move out of the showrooms.
"Those showrooms had to be built, they had to be positioned in the right locations and staffed with the right people. We had to put in place the right network and fine tune the logistics, introduce effective marketing and back it all up with a level of service that would complement our world-leading brands and exceed our customers' expectations."
Leitch says that at the same time they saw genuine opportunities to take the business forward. "Our success in meeting challenges has been the catalyst for creating one of the most successful businesses in the country.
"The challenges don't go away. You respond to them positively and with a clear idea of the outcome that would benefit the business in the country," he says. Leitch oversees the activities of the group's automotive division, comprising Al-Futtaim Motors, Trading Enterprises, Al-Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company (FAMCO), Al-Futtaim Automall and Hertz in the UAE. He also looks after Al-Futtaim Group's overseas automotive interests.
His wealth of experience shows that Leitch has learnt many lessons along the way. "A good leader does not mean one who is always right," he says. "You should be prepared to listen and act on advice if you see it is right, no matter who it comes from. You have to bring your team with you. It is your job to make them feel they are privileged to do what they do for a living. Your people are your biggest asset. The human touch is important."
– Andrea Anastasiou/Feature Writer
Nilesh Khalkho
CEO, Sharaf DG
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) business schools are reputedly among the world's hardest to gain entry, with fewer than one per cent of applicants passing the Common Admission Test. Nilesh Khalkho was not afraid of this challenge – he passed the test, and went on to gain a post-graduate management degree from the IIM Calcutta (Kolkata).
Following graduation, he began his career as a scientist, specialising in defence research. Since then, his journey has taken him through a variety of disciplines, including science, IT, business process outsourcing (BPO) and new concepts in retailing.
Khalkho's career has not been without difficulty. "The challenges I have faced in my career are those of turning concepts into reality," he says. "This has been the common denominator, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it in the last 17 years in my various careers."
Currently the CEO of Sharaf DG, Khalkho has been the guiding force behind the recent expansion, which has included a new store in Deira City Centre and the grand opening of Dubai's largest one-stop electronics store at Times Square.
A new concept in Dubai has also been unveiled, the luxury electronics boutique, Sharaf DG+, which expects to open seven stores around the UAE.
His greatest lesson learned, he says, has been that of recognising potential. "The people working in your organisation are your biggest assets, who turn dreams and concepts into reality," he says. "Trust them and give them the space to explore your dreams."
He feels that a good team is the most important aspect of a business. "In a knowledge economy, all aspects of business can be replicated, except the alchemy of successful teams."
Khalkho's philosophy on teamwork would also be his advice to budding entrepreneurs. "Working in such diverse industries and achieving success has taught me that business principles are all the same," he says. "One needs to do his research, believe in his concept and build his team for successful implementation."
– Catherine Rankin Harper/Feature Writer
Sarah Rashid
Vice-chairperson, Saif Belhasa Group of Companies
Sarah Rashid is a great example of the modern Emirati woman. This savvy businesswoman is not only the vice-chairperson of Dubai-based Saif Belhasa Group of Companies; she is also the wife of Saif Ahmad Belhasa (Chairman of Saif Belhasa Group of Companies) and a mother. Rashid attributes her energy and optimistic outlook to her husband's unwavering support. The couple's effort as a team, in fact, has also helped their businesses grow.
"We have had our fair share of ups and downs, but through it all, we held our ground in the belief that what we were doing was right," says Rashid.
As vice-chairperson of the Saif Belhasa Group of Companies, Rashid is involved in several of its businesses, including the driving school, fashion and jewellery. She spearheads the group's driving school and oversees its entire operations, including finances, advertising and administration.
"The way I approach my work is very simple, I try to weigh different aspects that fight for my attention keeping the bigger picture in focus. The progress and prosperity of the company, customer satisfaction and ensuring the highest quality of service are the three main criteria that administrate all my decisions. Although my role is primarily consultative, it calls for a degree of multi-tasking and most decisions are taken collectively. In all deliberations and decisions, the single main objective for everyone is to aid in the progress of the company," says Rashid.
Rashid says she is proud to be a part of a nation where women are at the forefront of an enterprise. "The best part is that all our leaders are progressive and always encourage Emirati women to take an active part in the mainstream economy. It gives women a sense of self-worth and offers them a platform to realise their dreams and make their mark in the corporate world."
She believes that backed by the progressive policies of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Emirati women are now forging ahead to make their mark in the corporate world. In addition, Rashid says, it's also important to have the drive to succeed. "I think you have to continue trying to succeed and keep trying until you do," she says. This philosophy has helped her achieve several milestones despite being so young.
A well-known jewellery designer, Rashid has now commenced her journey to make her mark in the world of fashion. She also sees herself leading a thriving business conglomerate, which will be considered a benchmark in the Gulf.
Achieving this ambitious plan will not prove too difficult for this enterprising businesswoman, who believes: "Time is of the essence and nobody should lose out on anything at any cost."
– Neesha C Salian/Features Editor
Abdullah Atatreh
Chairman, Bonyan International Investment Group (Holding) LLC
As a young real estate visionary, Abdullah Atatreh beat many odds to establish one of the most successful property development conglomerates in the region. His passion to start a real estate empire developed during his student years at the Emirates University, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 2000. Atatreh also completed his MBA at the Madison University in 2004. He has been involved with various organisations in the real estate sector, which, in turn, has enriched his wealth of industry knowledge, helping him establish a business model for his company.
Today, Atatreh has successfully established a full-fledged regional operation for Bonyan International Investment Group, with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Riyadh and Amman. The Group's portfolio of regional projects include multimillion projects such as the Lulu Residential Tower, Sharjah Gate, Abbco Tower, Dubai Gate I, Dubai Gate II, Lagoon Plaza in Qatar and The Rose tower, which is reported to be the tallest hotel apartment building in the world.
The company's portfolio also includes its latest multi-billion flagship projects, such as the Dh5 billion Sama Al Jadaf project and the Dh3.5 billion Eye of Ajman. Atatreh has built the organisation through sheer hard work. Today, the group has diversified to offer a suite of integrated and research-based services, including real estate project development, project management and value engineering, sales and marketing, as well as investment and feasibility.
According to Atatreh, "Life is full of challenges. As a young entrepreneur I had to overcome many obstacles. There was not enough resources, the market was uncertain… but in Dubai everything is possible. Could anyone imagine 20 years ago that Dubai would be a vibrant city, admired internationally?
"I believe no one imagined that except one man, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He had a vision and he worked relentlessly to turn it into a reality." To people starting out in business, Atatreh, says, "Don't give up on your dreams. If you want to achieve something you need to work hard for it. No job is a small job."
– Esha Nag/Senior Feature Writer
Ahmad Shaikhani
Managing Director, Memon Investments LLC
A graduate in Finance and Business Administration, Ahmad Shaikhani is a founding member and Managing Director of the Dubai–based leading property developer, Memon Investments LLC.
He is also Managing Director of the Memon Group of companies, currently celebrating its 30th year.
At the forefront of an international business conglomerate that has operations in 90 countries, he has demonstrated his entrepreneurial acumen in an array of fields including trade and retail, industry, manufacturing and real estate. "Nothing beats knowing by heart the basic ideas," he says. "It is only those people with the mastery of the fundamentals who can bend the rules and create breakthrough projects."
Shaikhani and his company have been instrumental in transforming Dubai's real estate scenario by ensuring affordable housing and offering innovative and high-quality themed-projects. "The biggest challenge was to break free of the relatively stiff boundaries and norms in terms of creative design and ideas, as far as construction is concerned. Now, the region has successfully broken the creative barriers and is continuously pushing the envelope of innovation in the construction and real estate sectors," says Shaikhani.
"Responsibility to the community is one of the most important lessons I learnt," he says.
It is with this in mind that Shaikhani leads the Rabia Charitable Foundation, a charity organisation that has spanned a prolific 18 years. It was formed to alleviate the burdens of poverty, promote quality education and healthcare, support for children with special needs.
"Memon Investment's involvement with various charitable institutions is part of our commitment to become an organisation that operates in line with the moral fibres of society," says Shaikhani.
– Maria Dowdall Stapleton/Feature Writer
Yenal Gokyildirim
Senior Vice President, International Cluster, Philips Consumer Lifestyle
After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yildiz University in his native Turkey, Yenal Gokyildirim started his professional career in the sales and marketing sector.
Prior to joining Philips, Gokyildirim worked for many multinational companies including Singapore Airlines and Honda, where he learned about the subtle but crucial influence that cultural background has
in the business world.
"I learned very rapidly that different cultures have diverse ways of achieving similar results. Therefore it is crucial to build multinational teams if we want to run a global operation," he says. "Even for local operations it is necessary to have team members of diverse backgrounds to have the richness of opinion to address wider consumer groups."
In 1997, Gokyildirim joined Philips and worked in various divisions of the company before gaining promotions to general management and later, regional management. After living in Istanbul and Vienna, he moved to Dubai, where he is currently based, and leads the International Cluster for the Consumer Lifestyle Sector. He is responsible for 90 countries across three regions – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.
When asked about developing a successful career, Gokyildirim says, "In order to build a strong career, you need to be patient and enjoy the steps. It is important to never be satisfied with short-term gains but to make longer term plans. We all have great ideas to achieve excellent results but a proper quality of execution at every step is fundamental to success," he says.
As for his business philosophy, it is straightforward. "Do not look for the most sophisticated solutions, start with the simplest ones and improve them along the way."
– Maria Dowdall Stapleton/Feature Writer
Eisa Adam Ibrahim,
Chairman, Dubai Shopping Malls Group
A graduate of Business Studies from the University of Sudan, Eisa Adam Ibrahim started his career in manufacturing, and went on to advertising and marketing, to organising and selling exhibition space. He then shifted his focus to the shopping mall industry, making a debut with Sabco in Muscat, Oman, in 1988.
Later, Ibrahim went on to become the mall manager at the Al Ghurair Centre, and is currently General Manager of the BurJuman Centre and Al Reef Mall in Dubai. Over the years he has worked extensively and endlessly, putting his heart and soul into developing BurJuman as a shopping destination. Today it is due to his expertise in operations, marketing and administration that BurJuman stands as a retail icon, redefining the shopping experience in Dubai.
Because of his knowledge, calibre and experience, Ibrahim is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC), USA and has attended a number of seminars, conventions and study tours organised by the ICSC. He has been the President of the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and has made efforts to develop shopping centres in and around the Middle East.
According to Ibrahim, "One of the lessons that I have learned in life is that we should never give up. We need to keep moving and move ahead. We should keep ourselves updated with all that is happening around us. Another important lesson that I have learned and that has helped me a lot is maintaining relationships with your customers and business associates. Good relationships always come in handy, sometime or the other."
Currently Ibrahim is also the Chairman of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) which is an umbrella organisation of malls set up under the patronage of Dubai Department of Economic Development to promote shopping, retail trade and the mall industry in Dubai. Launched in 1998, one of the primary objectives of DSMG is to synergise marketing initiatives and improve the quality of services to the visiting shoppers in the malls.
Currently, there are 35 malls within this group. As Chairman of the DSMG, Ibrahim has planned many projects in coordination with the Government of Dubai such as the Summer Surprises and the Dubai Shopping Festival besides several other events and seminars on marketing, retail shopping and customer service.
Ibrahim is also a member of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing board, the Dubai Service Excellence Advisory board, Dubai Chamber of Commerce City that Cares promotion board and on the board of the Asia Pacific shopping malls. "The key challenge that I have faced is the challenge of change. In our industry one has to keep pace with the expectations of the customer and constantly upgrade oneself. It is a necessity to come up with new concepts on a regular basis.
"What I always tell myself is that, if you remain the same your customers will change and if you constantly change, your customers will remain with you."
Ibrahim advises young people to learn to adapt to circumstances and people all around. "When you start a new business, you are open to changes and are ready to adapt to the business climate around. But as you progress, a certain amount of rigidity sets in. It is a constant challenge to continue to remain adaptable. You should constantly be trying to exceed your own success."
– Esha Nag/Senior Feature Writer
S Gopalakrishnan
CEO and Managing Director, Infosys Technologies
SGopalakrishnan, known as Kris to his friends and colleagues, opted to stay in his native India after graduating, unlike many of his compatriots who headed west in search of better salaries. His decision has proved beneficial – he is currently CEO and Managing Director of Infosys Technologies.
Gopalakrishnan achieved a Master of Science in Physics in 1977 and a Master of Technology in Computer Science in 1979, both from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. He began his career as a software engineer with Patni Computer Systems (PCS) in Mumbai, quickly progressing to become an Assistant Project Manager by 1981 and distinguishing himself with his development of an innovative distributed control system for Rourkela Steel Plant, the first integrated steel plant in India's public sector.
"The transition from technical staff member to a management role was the greatest challenge of my career," he says.
In 1981, Gopalakrishnan and six others founded Infosys Technologies, with the princely sum of $250 (about Dh918) mainly borrowed from their families. From this humble beginning, the team ploughed profits back into the business to build the company into what it is today – a respected, successful IT and consulting company with revenues of more than $4 billion (about Dh14.6 billion).
Gopalakrishnan feels the biggest lesson he has learnt is the ability to remain flexible. "Don't be afraid to change the path you're travelling," he says. "Some things work, some things don't work."
Gopalakrishnan spent his first years with Infosys Technologies gaining experience in design, development and implementation, and support of information systems for clients in America's consumer products industry from 1987. In 1994, he became Vice President of the technical operations of KSA/Infosys, an alliance between Infosys and Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Returning to India in 1994, he was appointed Deputy Managing Director of Infosys until he became CEO and Managing Director in June 2007.
Persistence is key to success, he says. "Our business has been operating for 27 years, but it's only in the last 10 years that it has been really successful. You must stick with it to succeed."
– Catherine Rankin Harper/Feature Writer
Laila Suhail
CEO, Dubai Shopping Festival Office
Laila Suhail's rise to her current position as CEO of the Dubai Shopping Festival Office has been eventful. It has also set a paradigm for driven Emirati women such as herself. In the past, she has held positions as diverse as member of the sub-marketing committee of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), chairperson of the public relations committee and vice-chairperson of the marketing committee, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG), advisor for Character Dubai (INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Organisation Est.) and as a facilitator for retail sector participation in the 'Dubai Cares' initiative. The last position won her great praise considering that her impressive access to Dubai's dynamic retail sector made it the most successful charity campaign in the history of the region.
These stints have honed the enterprising and dynamic Emirati's management and marketing skills. However, it is her association with the DSF and DSS brands that have catapulted her into the public eye and up the corporate ladder. Backed by an excellent academic record, accredited professional training and an association with the annual shopping and summer events for more than 12 years, Laila Suhail has initiated projects and event ideas throughout the years for both DSF and DSS and achieved the set targets of turning them into acclaimed events besides spearheading the Modhesh brand.
Another feather in her cap was the Government Excellence Award, which was bestowed upon her by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for gathering high sponsorship during DSF 2001. She is also credited with obtaining the highest targeted sponsorship revenues in 2005 and catapulting the DSF/DSS brands to a higher level.
This vibrant DSF Director is involved in charting the overall strategy for the DSF Office while ensuring effective communication with sponsors and the private sector during DSF and DSS. As Chief Strategy Officer, before taking up the role of CEO, she managed the marketing, communication, corporate alliance and the media and PR Departments with 14 full-time employees.
She has also won praise for her management of the main DSF awards including the Ideal Arab Mother and Family Awards, Journalism and Innovation Awards and the handling of the Ahlan Dubai call centre and www.mydsf.ae, the official DSF and DSS website.
In addition, she was responsible for setting up an indigenous media centre in the DSF office, thus reaching out not just to the residents but also to regional and international visitors through a well-planned media campaign. These initiatives reveal an enthusiastic young woman with foresight and the dedication and determination to see the job through, which, she says, is much like many of today's Emirati women.
Suhail says, "Emirati women have had a major role to play in the fast-paced growth of Dubai in the past decade, and as such, the visionary leaders of the UAE have provided an ideal platform for women to display their abilities in fields such as education, economy, business, culture, and society. Emirati women have been at the forefront of numerous pioneering initiatives recently and it is up to each of us to explore our capabilities and seek a place in the dynamic growth of this country. Surely, there is no better time and place to achieve the heights of success than now."
– Neesha C Salian/Features Editor
Amna BinHendi,
CEO, BinHendi Enterprises
As the CEO of BinHendi Enterprises since September 2007, Amna has successfully led the organisation to the forefront of trading and distribution companies in the UAE. Prior to joining the family business, the ambitious young executive's experience included a brief stint at the Dubai E-Government, following which she joined BinHendi Enterprises as Vice President for Human Resources in December 2002. Due to her strong business and leadership skills, she has been promoted to become one of the youngest top female executives in the corporate sector. "Achieving a title of such responsibility at a young age and the expectations that come from leading a huge organisation are a huge challenge. But once in the shoes of the CEO, I strongly focused on my competition. Staying in the league stopped beginning to matter so much, what mattered now was staying ahead of it."
Born in 1980, Amna has already achieved a great deal and learnt a lot for someone her age. "The greatest lesson that I've learned is to be fair and make the right decision.
"I believe that everybody deserves what they are worth. There is only one thing that equates to rewards and that is hard work," she says.
– Andrea Anastasiou/Feature Writer
Fatima Al Jaber
COO, Al Jaber Group
Voted by Forbes Arabia in 2007 as the seventh most influential woman in the Arab world and by the Middle East Economic Digest as one of the most influential business women in the region for 2008, Fatima Al Jaber is Chief Operating Officer for the Al Jaber Group and is on the group's Board as an Executive Director. Her key responsibilities include overseeing the management of the entire group's contracting, logistics, industrial, trading, real estate and investment subsidiaries on a daily basis.
Fatima Al Jaber graduated from the UAE University in Al Ain in 1987 with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering. Between 1988 and 2005 she worked with the Abu Dhabi Government in various technical and managerial positions, with a pivotal role as the Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Services at the Abu Dhabi Public Works Department, and later at the Abu Dhabi Municipality.
As COO of the Al Jaber Group, Fatima also manages and liaises with external partners, contacts and governmental authorities in relation to the group's participation and contribution towards the growth of the UAE. Fatima has been involved heavily in the empowerment of Emirati women through her current position as Deputy Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen's Council and her previous appointment as one of the first female representatives to the Board of Directors of The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to Fatima, there is no substitute for hard work. "Hard work and dedication always pay off. No matter how long it takes to achieve your target, eventually you will get there," she says. Speaking about the challenges in her life, she says, "The main challenge was to be accepted and taken seriously as a woman in a dominant male industry (construction). It wasn't easy at first but with a lot of hard work and continuous support from my father and brother I have managed to overcome this challenge."
Her advice to people starting out in business is simple: "Believe and rely on actions, rather than words. Talking is easy, but to actually deliver something is truly hard work. Be proactive. Be progressive and appreciate all those who are around you because at the end of the day you are as good as the people working with you."
– Esha Nag/Senior Feature Writer
Wazir Ali Daredia,
CEO, Stakeholder and Founder Director, Trident International Holdings
Wazir Ali Daredia is serving on the board of Trident International Holdings, a branded real estate development that's valued in excess of Dh4 billion. The company specialises in luxury real estate developments and has residential propositions in Dubai Marina, one of the most sought-after addresses in the world. In 2006, Daredia was awarded the Best Real Estate Industry Leader award by the CEO club, UAE, in recognition of the valuable contribution he has made to the country's real estate industry. "My role as CEO is to catalyse Trident. As the leader of the company, I work to motivate people and align their values with its values," says Daredia.
As the CEO of a leading property developer, Daredia faces numerous challenges. While he mentions the importance of getting the right person for the right job as being one of them, the main challenge he feels, is the price escalation of raw materials. However, Daredia is rising to the challenge, ensuring that the company continues to redefine and articulate luxury. "Dubai is fast positioning itself as the emerging luxury capital of the world and we must continue our work in improving the benchmark we set with each development."
Despite starting out in the corporate world as a self-groomed entrepreneur, Daredia says that he has continuously worked on himself and his business skills.
"Learning from my mistakes has contributed immensely towards sharpening my professional capabilities. I believe in reading and that reading has helped me gain a global perspective and insight."
Daredia's advice to young businessmen is to expand across national territories. "To counter the competition, familiarity with global business strategies is a must."
– Andrea Anastasiou/Feature Writer
Maryam Bin Fahad,
Executive Director, Dubai Press Club
Maryam Bin Fahad has been the executive director of the Dubai Press Club (DPC) since 2007, successfully driving the organisation to emerge as a trendsetter in the Arab media industry through a vast strategic restructuring process. She also serves as the executive director for the region's two largest media development initiatives – Arab Media Forum (AMF) and the Arab Journalism Award.
Associated with the Dubai Press Club since 2005, Maryam Bin Fahad has played a crucial role in organising these two events, which were launched in 1999 to provide a platform for journalists to interact, network and discuss topical issues of Arab journalism.
In her capacity as executive director of DPC, Maryam Bin Fahad leveraged her management skills to lead a team of young media professionals for organising the last two editions of the AMF.
"Providing leadership for the organisation of huge events such as Arab Media Forum and Arab Journalism Awards throws up myriad challenges.
You have to make decisions that may displease important people.
"My job presents me with such challenges on a daily basis due to the nature of our work. It was also quite a challenge to come up with new ideas and projects that redefined the media landscape in the region. To engage the region's media – with its mind-boggling diversity and cultural sensitivities – was no small task. Dealing with diverse mindsets, contradictory view points and interests on a daily basis are the most interesting and intimidating challenges," she says.
Prior to joining DPC, Maryam Bin Fahad was actively involved in the media. She became manager of the Dubai Women's College Radio Station 'RawandFM' in 2000, where she acquired key skills in media leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Moving Image Production, majoring in Direction, from the Leeds Metropolitan University Northern Film School in the UK. She also possesses a higher diploma in media studies from Dubai Women's College.
Despite the impressive start to her career, Maryam Bin Fahad believes that the key to success is to never cease learning. "The moment you stop learning and think you know it all, you are dead as a person. Quite related to the process of learning is the ability to love your job.
"If you love your job, you have a career and you will never remain an implementer, but a creator of new things, ideas and new perspectives. If you do not love your job and just carry out your duties mechanically, you have no career but only a job."
– Andrea Anastasiou/Feature Writer
Arun Nagar,
CEO and Managing Director, Cellucom
Arun Nagar, founder, CEO and MD of Cellucom, is a well-known and respected entrepreneur in the MENA region, and has been instrumental in creating and building Cellucom, a telecommunication company headquartered in Dubai.
After completing an education in Economic and Operational Research in Udaipur and working as a sales manager in India, Nagar relocated to Tanzania, where he worked for four years. In 1993 he set up a new business in Uganda and ventured into retail. He set up a major store, Eagle Appliances, where he primarily dealt with home appliances. They became the authorised distributors for Konica film in Tanzania and Uganda. In 1999, opportunities lured Arun to create Cellucom in Dubai. The company emerged from Speedolink, which started in Tanzania in 1997 as a dealership for the local telecom operator Mobitel and then moved on to become a distributor for Nokia in East and Central Africa.
Initially, the purpose of Cellucom was to provide logistic support to the African operations, but the company's focus shifted from solely trading to value addition. This involved having direct contact with consumers by providing several points of sale and having a sales/after sales service.
From his experiences of setting up business, Nagar concludes that it's important to stay focused. "While it is important to know what to do, it is more important to know what not to do. Growth sometimes necessitates expansion of geographical presence as well as diversification of the business portfolio. However, one must always ensure that one has the necessary core competencies to support that expansion," he says.
– Andrea Anastasiou/Feature Writer
Michel Hassoun
CEO, Michas
Originally from Lebanon, Michel Hassoun started his professional career in 1975 when he joined the family trade in Beirut and assisted his father in introducing new brands and new product lines to the Hassoun Sport business, which had been established in 1957.
Under his guidance, the business grew to new heights despite the civil war. Hassoun believes that it was his focus, positivity and persistence that cemented his early success. "To make dreams come true, you have to be focused and know what you want," he says. In 1980 Hassoun introduced the sports accessories giant Nike in the Lebanese and Middle Eastern market through Hassoun Sports. Nike's contract with Hassoun Sports was renewed several times due to Michel's involvement.
With continued difficulties facing Michel because of the war, he migrated to Canada with his family in 1989 and established Hassoun Sport Inc. in Montreal. He continued to travel constantly to the Middle East and assisted Canadian companies in the export of their products to this growing part of the world especially in the sporting goods industry. He founded Michas Inc. in Montreal in 2001 to handle other categories such as food, cosmetics, construction, clothing and fitness equipment. Hassoun is firm that the success of any endeavour depends on, "The capacity to think things through, to weave the pros and cons into the right decision and then act upon it."
In 2004, Hassoun relocated to Dubai and brought with him the desire to use his business development experience to help international companies who sought to penetrate the untapped markets of the Middle East and in particular the GCC.
Michel uses his extensive trade knowledge and his proficiency in languages – he speaks English, French and Arabic fluently – to facilitate the entry of multinational corporations in these emerging markets. Michel says, "I learned that if I am willing to ask life for more happiness and more money, I am capable of creating my own success story."
– Maria Dowdall Stapleton/Feature Writer
