Business Leaders - Gulf Insider

2 years ago

Nurturing Solutions: An Interview with Invita’s Rahul Bhalla

Rahul Bhalla, Chief Executive of Invita gives us his take on leadership, driving a successful business, and being at the helm of technological solutions for societal change. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? One of the most important lessons in leadership for me is the importance of leading by example. Effective leaders don’t just tell their team members what to do; they show them through their own actions and behaviours. I believe if I set a positive example, it creates a strong foundation for trust and respect within the team. It also inspires and motivates team members to follow suit and perform at their best. Leading by example involves demonstrating the values, work ethic, and commitment that I expect from my team. To me, it means being accountable for my actions, admitting mistakes when they happen, and constantly striving for self-improvement. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in your business? The COVID-19 Pandemic was the harshest test we had faced – operationally, financially, technologically and personally. Working from home was considered a luxury and then it turned into a necessity. Thankfully, our systems proved to be more prepared than us for this transition. We had […]

2 years ago

Fostering Collective Growth: An Interview with Foodvest Holding’s Mateo Ramos

Mateo Ramos, Chief Executive Officer, Foodvest Holding believes that seeing the invisible enables one to do the impossible. He dives into what shaped him as a leader, the power of collective action, and taking ownership of an F&B organisation and its brands’ success in this interview. What was the best ever lesson in leadership you’ve learned? During my late 20s, as I sought guidance, I delved into various books, and one that left a profound impact on me was John Maxwell’s “21 Laws of Leadership.” The very first law, known as the “Law of the Lid,” made a lasting impression. This principle emphasises that the overall performance of an organisation, business, or relationship is tied to the capabilities of its leader. This concept carries immense significance as it underscores the importance of humility. It serves as a constant reminder that as a leader, one must continually enhance their own skills, nurture character development, focus on skill refinement, and prioritise leadership growth. This commitment is paramount, for without personal growth and development, it remains impossible to elevate the lid of an organisation, subsequently limiting its potential. What was the greatest challenge you have faced so far in the business? The most […]

2 years ago

Creating Value and Fostering Growth: Dr Faisal Kanoo on Leadership in Education and Beyond

Dr Faisal Kanoo is the Deputy Chairman of ARKEDU and the owner of The K Hotel. Read his take on navigating challenges and succeeding as a business leader in this interview. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? Witnessing the formidable impact of a team under the guidance of a capable leader is truly awe-inspiring. Harnessing the combined power of individuals who are in sync, well-coordinated, and completely focused on the task at hand is an extraordinary experience. The potential of such a team is limitless, akin to moving mountains. It underscores the incredible feats we can achieve when unity and leadership merge seamlessly. What was the greatest challenge you have faced as a business leader? Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be an unprecedented challenge. However, I’m happy to see our collective resilience as we conquered those obstacles and adeptly adjusted to the new reality we live in. To date, what has been your proudest moment leading your various businesses? My proudest moments come from witnessing the thriving success of my businesses, creating value and fostering growth for every stakeholder involved – be it shareholders, employees, customers, or suppliers. It’s gratifying to see the positive […]

2 years ago

Leading With Compassion: An Interview with Dadabhai Travel’s Adnan Gilitwala

As Director of Dadabhai Travel, Adnan Gilitwala believes that making tough calls, delivering the best travel solutions, and being open to a world of ideas are hallmarks of successful leadership. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? The best lesson in leadership I’ve learned is to never stop learning and growing. Opportunities will naturally come to those who continue to better themselves and the other members of their organisation. What do you most love about working in your industry and what do you most dislike about it? What I love the most about working in our industry is the continuously evolving nature of it. I frequently get to meet people from all over the world working in the sector or in complementary industries with new ideas, products, and views that help us enhance what we offer and how we offer it. I also love being able to provide people with the best possible solutions for their travel requirements as that helps me learn more about people and the industry. What I dislike about the industry is the immense pressure that comes from the day-to-day trials and tribulations we go through while trying to make everything work smoothly. Most […]

2 years ago

Unleashing Joy: Ahmad AlShaya on Leading Dabdoob and Being a Team Player

Ahmad AlShaya, Founder and CMO of Dabdoob believes that a positive work environment is key to creating fun learning experiences for their target audiences – children. Is there a particular saying or motto that guides you? Creativity is looking at regularities from an irregular view. What according to you are the key qualities or skills that every leader should possess in order to thrive? A good leader should always provide trust to his team, encouraging them to make decisions, while simultaneously creating a peaceful, encouraging, and positive work environment. A good leader should always stand by his teammates. To date, what has been your proudest moment in the business? Looking back at Dabdoob’s journey, I would say that it’s triumphant to see where we are today as a company and a team. We started the company as four ambitious members, in a 3 by 3 meters office. Dabdoob now is all over the Gulf region, with a team that surpasses 500 members. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in your business? One of our biggest challenges in the sector is understanding the evolving needs of children and providing the right solutions and tools that cater to their learning, […]

2 years ago

Shaping the Future of Transportation: Hamid Haqparwar’s Take on Leadership in the Automotive World

Dr Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director of BMW Middle East shares the need for leaders to embrace innovation and technologies that can make a positive difference in the world. What was the best lesson in leadership you’ve learned? My golden rule is to lead by example. You should always lead from the front and actively engage with your team. This approach has been the cornerstone of my leadership journey. It means not just giving directions, but rolling up your sleeves and sincerely demonstrating the values you wish to instill in your team. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in your business? The automotive industry has faced many challenges throughout my career. Building resilient leadership during such shifts requires a calm demeanour and operational excellence. One of our most significant challenges is staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Technological advances, changing consumer preferences, and global economic shifts all require agility to adapt to. Navigating through these challenges while maintaining the brand’s legacy and ensuring customer satisfaction requires to be balanced delicately. To date, what has been your proudest moment in the business? Undoubtedly, one of the proudest moments in my career at BMW Group Middle East was the launch […]

2 years ago

Crafting Magical Experiences

Mohamed Abdulrazak Shirazi, Director, Bahrain Jewellery Centre talks to Gulf Insider about the upcoming Jewellery Arabia, the beginnings of BJC, and introducing global luxury brands to the Bahraini market in this interview. To date, what has been your proudest moment leading BJC? There have been many achievements and proud moments for us throughout the years. One of many memorable moments is an exquisite 22-carat rare pink diamond ring by Schreiner which was sold for $90 million at Jewellery Arabia 2019, it is the biggest-ever sale for the brand. The sale made news worldwide and it was a very proud moment for BJC to have a sale of such calibre. Another proud moment is the opening of mono boutiques throughout the Kingdom. We have managed to open boutiques such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Graff, Roberto Coin, Grand Seiko, and Tag Heuer, to name a few. Opening such boutiques shows the magnitude of the BJC brand, not only in Bahrain but in the Middle East as well. What can visitors expect from this year’s Jewellery Arabia? The lineup we have at Jewellery Arabia this year is beyond incredible. Visitors will be stunned by the renowned luxury brands that will be side […]

2 years ago

Innovation is in the DNA: An Interview With Yaser Alsharifi

Gulf Insider catches up with the CEO of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) to find out more about the Sharia-compliant banking system, innovation in the era of AI, and more. Does BisB cater to non-Muslim customers and if so, why would a non-Muslim choose your bank? Being an Islamic bank doesn’t restrict the institution or the customer from dealing with one another. In fact, Islamic banking sets its products and services based on equitable transactions, ensuring the risk/reward dynamics are fair and clear. The governance elements are quite strong and require transactions to be asset-backed. This provides an added sense of safety and security. In today’s world, consumers have the right to select whoever provides the best price and service. BisBmeets this need by providing innovative sharia-compliant solutions that enable our customers to achieve their aspirations, with an engaging and fast service. That’s what differentiates BisB as an institution. You are a recognised leader in the Islamic banking sector. In your opinion, why is this? I believe it’s the DNA of the institution. We started as the first Islamic bank in Bahrain and the third retail Islamic bank in the region. Right from the start, we set the path and that’s […]

2 years ago

Accelerating Potential: Leadership and Growth in the Luxury Automotive Sector

Richard Leopold, Regional Director of Bentley for the UK, Middle East, Africa and India highlights the need for a leader to inspire and support the team’s growth while ensuring their complete participation in the vision-building process. What was the best-ever lesson in leadership you’ve learned? I’d say never underestimate the importance of establishing a clear team vision and common purpose. Many companies have a corporate vision and often this can be too far removed for those further down in the organisation. Ask your team, “What is our role in delivering on the company’s ambitions?” Set a team vision together and then agree on the values and behaviours that you all believe are required to deliver it. By involving the team, their ownership, engagement and subsequently motivation increase dramatically. In my experience, this creates a strong foundation for a high-performance team. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in business? It has to be managing the supply and demand situation at Bentley during Covid. My role at the time was to forecast the sales demand and recommend supply adjustments at the factory in Crewe. When the pandemic hit China, it wasn’t too hard to estimate the potential impact of a […]

2 years ago

Embrace Change, Embrace Growth: An Interview with stc Bahrain’s Nezar Banabeela

Eng. Nezar Banabeela, CEO of stc Bahrain discussed the need for constant innovation, inspiring teams, and providing exceptional services in the telecom industry of Bahrain. What was the best ever lesson in leadership you’ve learned? The best lesson in leadership I’ve learned is the importance of fostering a culture of empowerment and trust. By empowering employees and trusting their expertise, we create a collaborative environment that drives innovation and growth. What was the greatest challenge you have faced in the industry? The greatest challenge I have faced in the telecom industry is the ever-increasing demand for connectivity and the need to stay ahead of technological advancements. However, by investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and fostering strategic partnerships, we have successfully met these challenges and provided exceptional services to our customers. To date, what has been your proudest moment in stc’s journey? I have been witnessing the transformative impact our stc had on connecting people and enabling digital experiences, launching the stc pay company was our biggest leap into the fintech world. Another one was the rebranding of stc, Bahrain which witnessed our vital role in shaping the way people communicate and access information. This fills me with immense pride and fulfilment. […]

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Nurturing Solutions: An Interview with Invita’s Rahul Bhalla

Fostering Collective Growth: An Interview with Foodvest Holding’s Mateo Ramos

Creating Value and Fostering Growth: Dr Faisal Kanoo on Leadership in Education and Beyond

Leading With Compassion: An Interview with Dadabhai Travel’s Adnan Gilitwala

Unleashing Joy: Ahmad AlShaya on Leading Dabdoob and Being a Team Player

Shaping the Future of Transportation: Hamid Haqparwar’s Take on Leadership in the Automotive World

Crafting Magical Experiences

Innovation is in the DNA: An Interview With Yaser Alsharifi

Accelerating Potential: Leadership and Growth in the Luxury Automotive Sector

Embrace Change, Embrace Growth: An Interview with stc Bahrain’s Nezar Banabeela

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