Most Renowned Personality to Look for in 2025 Vol-4 March2025

THE MOST to Look for in

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.

- Warren Bennis

Editorial

A Trailblazer in Leadership and Resilience

Successisoftenmeasuredbytheabilitytoovercomechallenges,adapttochange,and

inspireothersalongtheway.FewexemplifythesequalitiesbetterthanYasserAbuLughod,avisionaryleaderwhosejourneyfromacuriousyoungexplorertoa distinguishedengineerandentrepreneurisatestamenttoambition,perseverance,and resilience.

In The Most Renowned Personality to Look For in 2025,wecelebrateYasser’s extraordinarypath—oneshapedbyapassionforproblem-solving,arelentlesspursuitof excellence,andanunwaveringcommitmenttoinnovation.Fromnavigatingculturalshifts whilestudyingintheUnitedStatestoestablishinghimselfasaleadingfigureinengineering andbusiness,hisstoryisoneofbolddecisionsandcalculatedrisks.HismovetoAustralia, whereherebuilthiscareerinanewenvironment,underscoreshisadaptabilityand determination.

Beyondprofessionalsuccess,Yasserembodiestheessenceoftrueleadership—balancing careerambitionswithpersonalresponsibilities,fosteringstrongrelationships,and prioritizingcontinuouslearning.Hisabilitytoturnobstaclesintosteppingstoneshas positionedhimasaninspirationforaspiringleadersandentrepreneurs.

Hisstoryremindsusthatgreatnessisnotsolelydefinedbyachievementsbutbytheimpact onehasonothers.Throughmentorship,leadership,andacommitmenttoexcellence,Yasser Abu-Lughodisshapingthefutureofbusinessandengineering.Hislegacyisapowerful testamentthatwithvision,hardwork,andresilience,successisnotjustapossibility—itis inevitable.

-Alaya Brown

THE JOURNEY OF LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE AND SUCCESS

STORY ABU-LUGHOD’S

Beyond professional achievements, Yasser’s legacy is defined by his commitment to making a difference.

Yasser Abu-Lughod

Most Renowned Personality to Look for in 2025

Life’sgreatestachievementsareoftenbuiltupona

foundationofresilience,determination,andthe couragetofaceadversity YasserAbu-Lughod’s journeyepitomizesthesequalities.Fromhisearlyyears exploringdifferentculturestohisremarkableriseasa distinguishedengineerandentrepreneur,hisstoryisoneof relentlessambitionandthepowerofperseverance.

Throughouthiscareer,Yasserhasnavigatedcomplex professionallandscapes,overcomingchallengesthattested hisstrengthandresolve.Hisabilitytobalancepersonal responsibilitieswithademandingcareerunderscoreshis exceptionalleadershipqualities.

Hehasbuiltalegacybasedonhardwork,innovation,anda deep-rootedcommitmenttoempoweringothers.Hisstoryis notjustaboutprofessionalsuccess—itisaboutinspiring individualstoachievetheirfullpotential.

EarlyYearsandtheFoundationsofLeadership

Bornintoaclose-knitfamilyasthesecondoffoursiblings, Yasser’supbringingwasshapedbyastrongsenseof curiosityandadventure.Summersspenttravelingacross Europebroadenedhisperspective,fosteringanappreciation fordifferentculturesandinstillinginhimalifelongpassion forexploration.Amongallthedestinationshevisited, Istanbulheldaspecialplaceinhisheart;itsrichhistoryand vibrantenergyleftanindeliblemarkonhim.

Eveninhisformativeyears,Yasserdemonstratedleadership qualitiesthatwouldlaterdefinehiscareer.Academically inclined,hethrivedinschool,alwayspushinghimselfto excel.However,histalentswerenotlimitedtothe classroom.Musicplayedasignificantroleinhislife,andhe developedadeepappreciationfortheartswhileplayingthe accordionaspartofhisschool’smusicalteam.

Yasser’s ability to remain flexible and open-minded allowed him to maintain stability in both his career and personal life

Inaddition,heexhibitednaturalleadershipabilitiesasthe captainofhisneighborhoodfootballteam,learningthe importanceofteamwork,strategy,andresponsibility

HissecondaryeducationatAlAhmadiHighSchoolin Kuwaitlaidthegroundworkforhisfuturesuccess.Withan unwaveringpassionforengineering,hepursuedhigher studiesattheUniversityofWisconsin-Milwaukeeinthe UnitedStates.Thetransitiontoanewcountryposedseveral challenges—culturaldifferences,financialconstraints,and thenecessityofbalancingstudieswithpart-timejobs.Yet, withrelentlessdetermination,hegraduatedin1981witha degreeincivilengineering,markingthebeginningofan illustriouscareer

APassionforEngineeringandtheEarlyCareer Struggles

EngineeringwasmorethanjustaprofessionforYasser—it wasawayofthinking.Hisproblem-solvingabilities emergedearly,evidenteveninchildhoodwhenhedesigned anefficientirrigationsystemtosimplifygardeningtasksat home.Thisinnatecuriosityandingenuitylaidthe foundationforhiscareer.

Uponreturninghomeafterhisstudies,heembarkedonhis journeyasacivilengineer Theearlyyearswerefilledwith obstacles—establishinghimselfinthefield,provinghis expertise,andearningthetrustofseniorprofessionals. However,heremainedundeterred,embracingeach challengeasanopportunitytolearnandgrow.

Hisambitioneventuallyledhimtoseeknewopportunities beyondhishomecountry.Hemadethebolddecisionto migratetoAustralia,amovethatrequirednotonly professionaladaptabilitybutalsotheresiliencetostartover inanewenvironment.Findingajobasanewlyarrived migrantwasnoeasyfeat,especiallyinthemidstof economicuncertainty.However,Yasser'spersistenceand technicalexpertiseenabledhimtosecureemploymentin hisfield,positioninghimforlong-termsuccess.

Neveronetoremainstagnant,hepursuedvarious professionaldevelopmentcourses,expandinghis knowledgeinleadership,management,andselfimprovement.Thisdedicationtocontinuouslearning propelledhimtowardanevengreateraccomplishment—cofoundinganengineeringconsultingfirmwiththreeother engineers.Underhisleadership,thefirmflourished, cementinghisstatusasavisionaryentrepreneurand industryexpert.

Yasser’s leadership philosophy is built on continuous selfimprovement and a commitment to standing out.

MasteringtheBalance:CareerandFamilyLife

OneofYasser’smostcommendablequalitiesishisability tobalancethedemandsofahigh-pressurecareerwithhis responsibilitiesasafamilyman.Fromanearlystageinhis professionallife,heunderstoodtheimportanceofstrategic timemanagement.Withlongworkhoursanddemanding projects,hecarefullyprioritizedtasks,ensuringthathe remainedproductivewithoutbecomingoverwhelmed. Settingcleardeadlines,planningahead,andusing productivitytoolsenabledhimtostayontrack.

However,successwasneversolelymeasuredby professionalachievements.Herecognizedthatmaintaining personalrelationshipswasequallyimportant.Establishing boundariesbetweenworkandpersonallifeallowedhimto dedicatequalitytimetohisfamily,ensuringthatcareer responsibilitiesdidnotovershadowpersonalcommitments. Hemadeaconsciousefforttoavoidbringingwork-related stresshome,allowinghispersonallifetobeasourceof fulfillmentandbalance.

Understandingthatathrivingcareerrequiredbothphysical andmentalwell-being,heplacedgreatemphasisonselfcare.Regularexercise,mindfulnesspractices,andsocial interactionswereallintegraltosustaininghisenergyand focus.Additionally,helearnedtoembracethepowerof delegation,trustinghisteamtoshareresponsibilities,which notonlyenhancedefficiencybutalsofostereda collaborativeworkenvironment.

Adaptingtolife’sunpredictabilitywasanotherkeyfactorin hissuccess.Whetheritwasnavigatingeconomicdownturns oradjustingplanstomeetchangingcircumstances,Yasser’s abilitytoremainflexibleandopen-mindedallowedhimto maintainstabilityinbothhiscareerandpersonallife.

TurningWeaknessesintoStrengths

Yasserattributeshissuccesstohisambitionand determination,qualitiesthatwereshapedbythechallenges hefaced.Growingupinamodestmiddle-classfamily,he wasinspiredbysuccessfulrelativesandaspiredtocreatea betterfuture.Financiallimitationsneverdeterredhim; instead,theyfueledhismotivationtoworkharder

Oneofthemostdefiningmomentsofhislifewasmigrating toAustralia—adecisionthatrequiredhimtoadapttoan entirelynewcultureandprofessionallandscape.Itwasnot aneasytransition.Languagebarriers,financialconstraints, andalackofestablishednetworksallpresentedobstacles.

One of Yasser’s most commendable qualities is his ability to balance the demands of a high-pressure career with his responsibilities as a family man.

However,ratherthanviewingtheseasroadblocks,hesaw themasopportunitiesforgrowth.Eachchallengerefined hisskills,strengthenedhisresilience,andreinforcedhis beliefthatpersistencewasthekeytolong-termsuccess.

Hisabilitytotransformsetbacksintolearningexperiences enabledhimtothrive.Whetheritwasovercomingfinancial difficultiesorfindingsolutionstounforeseenchallenges, Yasserremainedsteadfastinhispursuitofexcellence.He believesthatrecognizingone’sweaknessesandactively workingonthemiswhatseparatesordinaryprofessionals fromgreatleaders.

LessonsinLeadershipandSuccess

Yasser’sleadershipphilosophyisbuiltoncontinuousselfimprovementandacommitmenttostandingout.Hefirmly believesthatgreatleadersarenotcontentwith mediocrity—theypushthemselvestoachieveexcellencein allaspectsoftheirlives.Developingbothpersonaland professionalskillsisessentialforanyonelookingtomake animpactintheirindustry.

Resilienceisanothercornerstoneofhisphilosophy.Inhis view,successbelongstothosewhoperseveredespite obstacles.Challengesshouldneverbeseenasdeadends; rather,theyshouldbeapproachedwithcreativity,problemsolving,andanunwaveringbeliefthatsolutionsexist.He hasalwayslivedbytheprinciplethatifthereisawill,there isaway.

Leadership,accordingtoYasser,isnotjustaboutpersonal successbutaboutupliftingandinspiringothers.Atrue leaderleadsbyexample,fostersapositivework environment,andencouragesthosearoundthemtoreach theirfullpotential.Heemphasizesthatmentorshipisa crucialaspectofleadership,asgreatleaderscreatemore leaders,notjustfollowers.

ALastingLegacy:InspirationforFutureGenerations

YasserAbu-Lughod’sjourneyisapowerfultestamentto theimpactofhardwork,resilience,andvision.Hisstory servesasablueprintforaspiringprofessionals, entrepreneurs,andleadersseekingtocarveouttheirown paths.Evenafterachievingremarkablesuccess,heremains dedicatedtosharinghisinsights,mentoringyoung professionals,andinvestinginnewopportunities.

Beyondprofessionalachievements,his legacyisdefinedbyhiscommitment tomakingadifference.Whether throughsupportingcharitable initiatives,fosteringacultureof innovation,orencouraging futuregenerationstodreambig, hecontinuestoinspirethose aroundhim.Hisbeliefthat anyone,regardlessof backgroundorcircumstance, canachievegreatnessiswhat makeshisjourneyso compelling.

Hisstoryprovesthatwith therightmindset,relentless dedication,andan unwaveringvision, successisnotjust attainable—itis inevitable.YasserAbuLughod’sjourneyisfar fromover,andhis influencewillcontinue toshapethefutureof leadershipforyearsto come.

10 Cost Management Strategies IMPMENT Every BUSI Should

Effectivecostmanagementisamongthecornerstonesofbusinesssuccess thatunderliesthelong-termfinancialsustainabilityandsolvencyof companies.Businessesthathaveeffectivecostcontrolpoliciesareableto maximizeuse,improveefficiency,andhaveacompetitiveadvantage.Businesses cannotjustindiscriminatelycutcosts;theymusthaveastrategicplanwithhigh valueplacedonprudenceindecision-makingandallocationofresources.Tencost managementtechniquesthateverybusinessneedstoconsideradoptingare enumeratedbelow

CarryingoutaComprehensiveCostAudit

Amongthemosteffectivecostcontrolstepsisatotalcostaudit.Companiesmust carefullyscanalltheexpenses,fixed,variable,ordiscretionary,inorderto recognizeinefficienciesandareaswherecostcanbetrimmed.Aplungeintoa financialreportrevealswasteandindicateswhereexpensecanbeeliminatedand efficiencyenhanced.Continuedmonitoringofthecostsenablescompaniestomake anticipatorybudgetrealignmentsandshiftresourcestomorevitalfunctionsthat drivebusinessexpansion.

SupplyChainandProcurementOptimization

Procurementandsupplychainoperationswillprobablyberesponsibleforahigh percentageoftheexpenseofdoingbusiness.Companiescancutcostsby negotiatingcontractswithsuppliers,buyingsubstitutesuppliers,andtaking advantageofbulkpurchasediscounts.Just-in-time(JIT)inventorymanagement implementationkeepswasteincheckandminimizesstorageexpenses.Efficient andagilesupplychainallowscompaniestorespondtomarketfluctuationswhile maintainingcostsincheck.

LeveragingTechnologyandAutomation

Automationisapowerfulcost-savingmechanism.Human processesnotonlytaketimebuttendtobeerror-prone, creatingeconomicinefficiencies.Throughtheusageof cloud-basedaccountingsoftware,customerrelationship management(CRM)software,andartificialintelligencebasedanalytics,organizationscanautomateprocesses, minimizelaborcosts,andincreaseaccuracy.Thoughaonetimecostisinvolvedininvestingintechnology,cost savingsandoperationalefficienciesinthelongtermmake thecostacceptable.

ImprovingEnergyEfficiency

Energycostcansignificantlyaffectafirm'sbottomline. Firmscansaveenergyandlowertheircostsby implementinggreenmeasureslikeenergy-efficientlights, smartthermostats,andsensor-activatedlights. Telecommutingorflexiblehourscanlowerofficepower use.Thesepracticesnotonlysaveoperationcostsbutare alsoalignablewithsustainabilityobjectives.

OffshoringNon-CoreActivities

Outsourcingisagoodmethodtominimizebusiness expensewithoutcompromisinghighqualityofservices. Companiescanoutsourcesub-activitieslikeITservices, customercare,marketing,andpayrollstothird-party serviceproviderswhospecializeincost-savingservices. Outsourcingcertainactivities,companiescanbenefitfrom specialistservicesatalowerexpensethanmaintainingfulltimestaffinnon-corebusinessactivities.

ImplementingLeanBusinessPrinciples

Leanisallaboutremovingwaste,achievingmaximum efficiency,andcreatingmaximumvalue.Leanprinciples canbeimplementedbycompaniestomanufacturing, projectmanagement,andadministrativeoperationsinorder tosimplifyprocessesandremoveunnecessarysteps. Companiescanachieveincreasedproductivityatminimal operationalcostsbymonitoringprocessesandchanging themonacontinuousbasis.Theapproachissuitablefor companiesthatwanttoachievemaximumefficiency withoutcompromisingonquality

ControllingEmployee-RelatedCosts

Wagesaccountforthelargestshareofbusinessexpenses andhenceneedtobecontrolled.Firmsmaylowerwagesby providingperformance-drivenincentives,givingemployees

cross-functionaltrainingtodealwithvariousoccupations, andretainingtemporaryorcontractedworkersforless significantprojects.Havingwork-at-homepoliciesisalsoa strategythatcandecreaseofficespace,transportation,and utilitycosts.Aneffectivemanpowermanagementplan keepsfirmsfinanciallyingoodshapeaswellasboosts employees'output.

RenegotiationofFixedandOverheadCosts

Fixedcostslikerental,utilities,insurance,andsubscription servicesremainfixedforanumberofyears,butsuccessful renegotiationshavetheabilitytolowerthem.Companies needtoreviewcontracts,leasingdeals,andvendorservices regularlyandverifywhetherthelowestrateavailablefor themisdesirable.Bundlingservices,thetransferfroma singleservicesuppliertoanotherlessexpensivesupplier, andrenegotiatinglong-termagreementssavecompanies quitealotofmoney

EnhancingBudgetingandFinancialPlanning

Awell-formulatedbudgetiscrucialtocontrollingcosts. Companiesmustadoptzero-basedbudgeting,wherein everyexpenseneedstobejustifiedasopposedtojust paddingupthepastbudgets.Periodicfinancialforecasting enablescompaniestoprepareforpossiblecostoverrunand allocateexpenditurestrategiesaccordinglybeforehand.This ensuresthateverydollarspentgoestherightwayand workstowardthebusinessobjectiveingeneral.

DailyMonitoringandAnalysisofFinancialData

Financialmonitoringandanalysisareessentialcost managementaspects.Real-timemoneytrackingallows businessestoidentifyshiftingcosts,monitorcashflows, andadjustthespendingplanaccordingly Analysisofdata frominstrumentsgivesthebusinessinsightintothetrends inexpenditureandoperationalwastage,whichallowsfor informeddecision-makingleadingtocostsavingsthatare maintainable.

Conclusion

Effectivecostmanagementisnotmindlessbudgetcutting butsmartresourcedeploymentthatcontributesto profitabilityandsustainability.Withtheadoptionofthese tenstrategies,businessesareabletoimprovefinancial health,increaseoperationalefficiency,andmaintain competitivenessinanever-evolvingmarketplace.Active costmanagementenablesbusinessestoweathereconomic cycleswhilestilldrivinglong-termgrowth.

How to Apply Value Engineering

for Better COST EFFICIENCYIN

PROJECTS

Valueengineering(VE)isasystematicprocessto

increasethevalueofaprojectbyensuring maximumperformanceandminimizingthecostof waste.Itgivestopprioritytoevaluatingthefunctionalities ofaprojecttoensurethemostidealrelationshipbetween cost,quality,andefficiency TheimplementationofVE helpsorganizationstomakethebestuseofresources, simplifyprocesses,andimprovetheoutcomesofaproject withoutlossoffunctionality.

Valueengineeringisnotcost-cutting—valueengineeringis aformalprocessthatdiscoversthefunctionsofvalueina projectanddeterminesalternativemeansofprovidingthem atareducedcost.VEwasdevelopedduringWorldWarII, andsincethen,VEhasbeenastandardtechniqueusedin manyindustriesincludingconstruction,manufacturing,and productdesign.

Thefirstfoundationforvalueengineeringisthe maximizationofvalueprinciple,i.e.,valueisthat relationshipbetweencostandfunction.Havinggreater functionatconstantcostorthesamefunctionatreduced costformthisdefinition.

PrimaryStepsinValueEngineering

1.InformationPhase

Theprocessstartswiththecollectionofnecessarydataon theproject,suchasdesignrequirements,materials, operations,andlimitations.Theintentionistorealizethe basicgoalsandfunctionsoftheprojectandrecognizecost drivers.

2.FunctionAnalysisPhase

Thisphasedecomposestheprojectintofunctionsand analyzestheirrequirement.Functionsaredividedinto primary(projectsuccesscritical)andsecondary(improving performancebutnotcritical).Teamscanfindalternative waysofdoingthesamethingcheaperbyanalyzingeach function'svalue.

3.CreativePhase

Inthisstage,brainstormingprovidesnoveloptionsfor accomplishingrequiredfunctions.Thegroupsresearch variousdesignsolutions,materials,technology,and constructiontechniquesthatcanreducecostswithout compromisingorenhancingquality

4.EvaluationPhase

Thealternativeproposalsareassessedintermsof feasibility,cost,andperformanceeffect.Solutionswiththe leastcomplicatedimplementation,longestlife,and longevityareselected.

5.DevelopmentPhase

Carefulplansofimplementationofinstalledvalue engineeringsolutionsarecreated.Thisinvolvescost estimation,riskevaluation,andperformancemeasurement toconfirmcompatibilityofalternativeschosenwithproject objectives.

6.PhaseofImplementation

Implementationofthemutuallyagreedrecommendationsis thelaststep.Thisencompassesrevisionofproject specifications,modifyingcontractsofsuppliers,and incorporatingnewproceduresintoprocessflow.Regular monitoringensurescosteffectivenesswithout compromisingquality

AdvantagesofValueEngineering

CostSavingsWithoutCompromisingQuality

Throughprioritizingfunctionratherthanwastefulspending, VEsaveswithoutsacrificingorevenimprovingproject quality.Effectivematerials,processsimplification,and creativedesignsolutionsarethesourcesofsubstantial savings.

IncreasedProjectEfficiency

VEcutswasteinimplementationanddesign,completing projectsfasterandwithfewerresources.Optimizationis beneficialinindustrieswheretimeandcostconstraintsare mostcritical.

IncreasedSustainability

AdoptionofVEprinciplesfacilitatestheuseofenergyconservingmaterial,greenbuilding,andresource conservation,whichenablesenvironmentallysoundproject development.

RiskMitigation

Detectionofalternativesolutionsatanearlystage minimizeschancesofprojectdelays,costincreases,and wastefuloperations.

IncreasedStakeholderSatisfaction

Throughqualityandvalue-savingprojects,VEenhances stakeholderandclientsatisfactiontoensuregoodbusiness relationshipsoverthelongterm.

ValueEngineeringinReal-LifeSituations

MostindustriesuseVEtobecomecost-effective.Itisused inconstructiontominimizecostsandwastageby maximizingbuildingmaterialandbuildingdesign.VE makesthedesignbetterduringproduction,cutsout duplicateuseofsurplusmaterial,andoptimizesthe efficiencyoftheproduct.ITandcomputerprogramming cannothelpbututilizeVEtooptimizesystemarchitecture andmakethesoftwaremoreefficientatalowerprice.

Conclusion

Valueengineeringisacost-savingstrategythatsurpasses barebudgetreductions.Bythoroughanalysisand enhancementofprojectfunctions,organizationscansave costwhileprovidingquality,sustainability,and performance.Asindustriesevolve,valueengineeringisa valuabletooltomaximizeprojectperformanceandreturn oninvestment.