PEOPLE SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR OWN PATH , OR BLAZE NEW TRAILS . most advanced technology infrastructure , strong technology spend and CIOs with innovative mindsets .
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What do you think is the current hot technology talking point ?
The KSA is at the global forefront of adopting and leveraging breakthrough technologies to foster nationwide Digital Transformation , youth job creation and economic competitiveness .
Digital Transformation will fuel Saudi Vision 2030 goals and support new digital business models and new levels of customer and citizen experiences , especially in Smart Cities such as NEOM . Supporting Saudi Vision 2030 , we recently launched our public cloud data centre and our training and development institute is continuing to support Saudi young talent , start-ups and entrepreneurs .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
Being a managing director requires a strong dedication and commitment to supporting our customers at any time , from any location and on any mobile device . This requires a personality that is calm and thoughtful and can rapidly respond to challenges , embrace change and proactively find solutions to customer requests .
Outside of the office , I try to spend as much time as possible with family and friends . We like to slow down on the weekend and our favourite past times are having good conversations and playing sports .
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be ?
Early in my career , I was a pre-sales consultant and was offered the chance to move from consulting to becoming a business owner , shifting roles to business and sales . I declined and moved to my next
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firm in the same presales consultancy role . At the time , I thought it was important to build up experience before advancing into leadership .
While I have no regrets on my career path , in retrospect , I believe that it ’ s important to take chances when you ’ re young . If you ’ re offered a position that seems beyond your reach , you should seize the opportunity and can learn on the job as you advance . Careers are no longer straightforward and it can be worthwhile to follow your own path .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
Multinational IT companies such as SAP organisations and Saudi organisations across all sizes and industries are heavily investing in breakthrough technologies such as AI and Machine Learning , Blockchain , IoT , cloud computing , and cybersecurity . In KSA , SAP is seeing strong interest in the SAP Leonardo Digital Innovation Platform , the recentlylaunched C / 4HANA customer relationship management and solutions running on the SAP HANA in-memory database and SAP S / 4HANA real-time business suite .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in the Middle East ?
Unlike many emerging markets , the KSA and the Arabian Gulf have among the world ’ s
PEOPLE SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR OWN PATH , OR BLAZE NEW TRAILS . most advanced technology infrastructure , strong technology spend and CIOs with innovative mindsets .
However , we do face a number of challenges in implementing new technologies . Government regulations and standards , for example in Smart Cities , are advancing at a rapid pace .
The region faces a major IT skills gap , especially in a rapidly moving field such as technology . SAP ’ s Training and Development Institute is fostering partnerships between the public , private and academic sectors to help close this gap and train Saudi young talent .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
Over the past year , I have made a major transition in having a regional Middle East and Africa role to now being focused solely on KSA . The kingdom is one of the largest countries in the region ; in terms of population , innovation and economic strength .
As Managing Director for SAP Saudi Arabia , I have the opportunity to sharpen my focus on how best to meet the needs of creating transformative customer experiences .
In the next 12 months , we will further support and get closer to our customers in adopting cloud-based digital business models and continue to enable the Saudi government to meet its Saudi Vision 2030 goals . We will continue to foster young talent development . We are training and certifying more than 100 fresh graduates every year , enhancing our channel partner ecosystem and advancing our four-year SAR285 million investment plan for the kingdom .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain c-level position in your industry ?
For someone aspiring to become a c-suite position in the IT field , there is not one standard career path . It ’ s important to build up a wide range of experience , whether in sales , consultancy , finance or the academic sectors . People should follow their own path , or blaze new trails , and remain authentic and eager to learn something new every day . •
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