Driven by a vision to create a responsive, proactive, and solution-oriented financial services company, Rana Almaeeli established SINNAD. In this interview, Almaeeli talks to us about her leadership journey in the financial services sector and addressing the ever-evolving needs of customers.
Gulf Insider’s Business Leaders in the Middle East 2024 features a series of interviews with those at the helm of thriving, successful businesses in the region. From finance, education, and automotive to real estate, and more, we highlight the stories of success, journeys, and lessons learned.
Can you share your journey at SINNAD and what motivated you to be part of this financial services company from its inception?
My journey at SINNAD began at the very start of our establishment as a subsidiary of The BENEFIT Company, regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and licensed as an Ancillary Service Provider. I was driven by a vision to create a financial services company that truly understands and responds to client needs and realized that payment solutions not only facilitated payments but also fostered genuine relationships and trust with clients. It was essential to build a foundation that prioritized innovation and adaptability, ensuring we could meet the evolving demands of our clients in a rapidly changing landscape, besides deepening our understanding of our client’s unique challenges and goals.
How do you see the financial services industry evolving in response to client needs?
The financial services industry is fundamentally innovative, shaped significantly by client needs and preferences. Today’s consumers demand personalized experiences, transparency, and convenience. This has pushed SINNAD to leverage technologies to provide tailored solutions that enhance client engagement and satisfaction. Our focus at SINNAD has always been on anticipating these needs and proactively addressing them.
From your experience, what key qualities or skills should every leader possess to thrive in this industry?
Effective leaders in financial services must possess strong strategic thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. The ability to inspire and guide a team to achieve common financial objectives is a token of a true leader. While anyone with the right knowledge and commitment can evolve into a remarkable leader, it’s essential to remember that leadership skills aren’t isolated traits but rather a fusion of strategic insights, communication skills, and ethical decision-making. Besides that, effective leadership interprets into setting a clear vision and direction for growth, encouraging innovation, and steering the organization through market turbulence. By inspiring a sense of purpose and direction, leaders can motivate teams to outperform expectations, even in the face of challenges.
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned while implementing innovation in financial services at SINNAD?
We learned that Business success is not only about continuous product innovation, but also about creating a strategic ecosystem of partners who will allow the banks to scale more quickly and sustainably in an increasingly competitive market. It is important to listen to the clients and build a strong relationship, this is at the heart of what SINNAD is doing. We see our clients as partners in innovation, not only customers. SINNAD believes that innovation should be driven by genuine insights into business needs. The ability to pivot quickly in response to feedback or market changes can be a game-changer. Fostering a collaborative environment where teams feel empowered to experiment is an essential innovation that thrives when people are encouraged to share ideas and take calculated risks.
