The only way to do grewk is to love what you do.
- Steve Jobs
A Calling Beyond a Job
BeingaCEOismuchmorethanholdingatitle;itisa
deepcallingthatrequirespassionanddedication. Formany,itisseenasholdingaprestigiousjob,but leadersknowittobeanemotionallydeepinvestment.A CEOhastogetinvolvedintheworkonmorethanone level-intellectual,emotional,andphysicallevels.
OnehiddenfactoftheCEOistheroleofresilience.The roadisarduous,andleadersneedtobeeffectiveduring failures.Severalpublishedworkshavereportedthat successfulCEOsembracefailureasalessoninwhichthey useitasfuelfortheirgrowthandthegrowthoftheir organization.
Evendecision-makingalonedoesnotdefinetheroleofthe CEO.ACEOshouldgivethepeopleworkinginan organizationaculturethatevokesexcitementwithinthem. Anactiveenvironmentatworkallowsformuchhigher productivitylevelsandsatisfactionlevels.Infact, companieshavesalesupto20%higheriftheirworkersare engagedthaniftheyarenot.
AnotherinterestingfactisthatmoreCEOsareprioritizing mentalwellnessandacknowledgingitsinfluenceon performance.Mindfulnesspracticessuchasmeditationand
reflection,highlycommonamongleadersthesedays,help themstaycenteredandfocusedamidsttheirhigh-stakes situations.
BeingaCEOisnotonlyanopportunitytoputheartintoall yourendeavorsbutalsobeingavisionaryleader,guiding theorganizationandservingasabeaconforeveryone involvedingrowingfromwithinthatoverallenvironment.
ThelatestissueofTheCIOWorldinitslatestedition titledThe10MostAdmiredCEOsinUAEfeatures leaderswhohavedemonstratedexceptionalqualitiesin navigatingthecomplexitiesofmodernbusinesslandscapes. TheseCEOshavenotonlyexcelledintheirrespective fieldsbuthavealsoshownacommitmenttofostering innovation,inclusivity,andsustainabilitywithintheir organizations.
Haveagoodreadahead!
C T
C O V E R
S T O R Y
Khalil Alami
Enhancing Financial Literacy through Community Engagement
Filmrise Names Jonitha Keymoore Head of Content
Hedley Lewis
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Nonprots in a Hybrid World
Editor-in-Chief
Deputy Editor
Managing Editor
Assistant Editor
Visualizer
Art & Design Head
Art & Design Assitant
Business Development Manager
Business Development Executives
Technical Head
Assitant Technical Head
Digital Marketing Manager
Research Analyst
Circulation Manager
Mia
Richard
Abdallah Al-Mutairi
CEO
Abdulwahab Alrushood
CEO Ahmed Almatrouk
CEO
Aliasgar Dohadwala
CEO Khalil Alami
Founder and CEO
EnerTech Holding www.enertech.com.kw Company
Kuwait Interna onal Fair Co. h ps://kif.net/en
Light Fields Food Stuff Co www.ligh ields.co
Visiontech Systems Interna onal LLC www.visiontechme.com Telr www.telr.com
Descrip on
Abdallah Al-Mutairi shapes financial policies for a technologydriven energy company, emphasizing investment in innova on and sustainable prac ces.
Abdulwahab Alrushood oversees financial health at an interna onal fair company, promo ng strategic partnerships and enhancing event profitability.
Ahmed Almatrouk drives financial strategy and growth at a company specializing in fresh food produc on, ensuring quality and innova on in their offerings.
Aliasgar Dohadwala is a visionary leader at the forefront of technology, driving innova on and strategic growth within his organiza on while fostering a culture of excellence and collabora on.
Khalil Alami is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming online payments, leveraging over 22 years of exper se to enhance financial accessibility and security for businesses globally.
20 Years of Transformative Growth, Customer-Centric Solutions, and Global Impact!
RememberwhatArthurC.Clarkesaid?"Advanced technologyislikemagic."Today,theenchantment oftechnologystemsfromitsdualpositionasa creatorandahelper Artificialintelligenceandaugmented realityareunbelievablefortheiringenuity,buttheirtrue worthisseenwhentheyareseamlesslyincorporatedinto customer-focusedsolutions.Thetruestrengthoftechnology isnotinitscomplexity;itisinmakingproblemseasierto understandandgivingsolutionsthatempowerboth individualsandenterprises. How can technology be both innovative and customer-focused, working toward solutions rather than problems?
Withabackgroundinbusinessandinformationtechnology, AliasgarDohadwala,the-dynamicCEOofVisiontech SystemsInternationalLLC,-sharesafascinating narrativeintheever-changingfieldofinformation technology.Duringhiseducationaljourney,hebecame fascinatedwithsoftwaredevelopment,whichledto graduationstudiesandacareerinmanagementwitha concentrationonmarketingandinformationtechnology. Thisunusualpathestablishedtheframeworkforhis distinctiveperspective,whichhelped himbecomea pioneeringforceinsystemsintegration.
AsaHeadofSales,herecognizedacriticalfactorinclient relations–thevalueofunderstandingandaddressingtheir immediatechallengeswhiletransformingtechnological constraintsintouser-friendlysolutions.Thisrealization fuelledtheinceptionofVisiontechSystems,aSystems Integrationcompanywithadistinctvaluestatementanda missiontoredefinetheindustry
Today,itstandstallasaleadingSystemsIntegratoraswell asmanagedITservicesproviderintheUAEandthe broaderMiddleEast.Whatsetsthemapartisnotjust technicalexpertisebutacustomer-centricandvendorapproachableethos.Thecompanyhasstrategicallydivided itsoperationsintosixsolution-drivenofferings,each spearheadedbyateamoftechnicalexpertscollaborating seamlesslywiththebusinessdevelopmentunit.
Withtwodecadesoffoundationalexperience,Aliasgarand histeamcontinuetolearn,evolve,andsharetheirinsights withstakeholdersacrosstheglobe.Whatbeganasalocal successstoryintheUAEhasnowblossomedintoaglobal venture,markingVisiontechSystemsasabeaconof innovation,adaptability,andcustomer-focusedsolutions providerinthedynamicworldofSystemsIntegration.
Let us explore his marvellous journey:
ITwithaClient-CentricApproach
Visiontech,co-foundedbytwopartners,boastsaversatile leadershipduo.AliasgarDohadwala,leveraginghiscore expertiseinSales,Management,andMarketingwitha backgroundinInformationTechnology,joinedforceswith MurtazaPitolwala.Murtaza,thetechnicalpowerhouse, tookchargeofpresalesandpost-salesactivities,currently servingastheCTOandCo-Founder
Fromitshumblebeginnings,Visiontechadoptedasincere approach,focusingondeliveringsolutions-drivenproducts andunparalleledproductsupport.Duringthisera,the definitionofITwasmoreconciseandclearer.Despite startingwithamodestteamoffive,itsuccessfully addressed25to30customersmonthly,boastingan impressiveorganicretentionrateof80%withinits customerbase.
Initsearlydays,Visiontechcountedesteemedentitieslike MAFGroup,Etisalat,HSBC,EmiratesFlightCatering, Landmark,AlHabtoor,andAlNaboodahamongits clientele.Technologicalprowessinprofessionalservicesset itapart,andthecompanyearnedreferralsandhigh customersatisfactionscores(CSATs),pavingthewayfor collaborationswithevenlargernamesintheUAE.
InsightsonBuildingCredibility
Aliasgar firmlybelievesthattechnologyservicesextend beyondmeretransactions—theyencompasstheartof sharingknowledge,trainingusers,andcraftingexperiences thatseamlesslyalignwiththeneedsofbothmanagement andclients.It'saholisticapproach,acommitmenttonot
justaddressingissuesbuttoearningthetrustofclientsand alleviatingtheirpainpoints.
InthezenithofITtrading,Aliasgarandhisdedicatedteam delvedintotheintricatechallengesfacedbytheir customers.Theirfocus?Utilizingagnosticsolutionsto overcomeobstaclesensuresatailoredapproachtomeet specificrequirements.Thisconcertedeffortculminatedin theofficiallaunchofVisiontech,amomentthatnotonly markedthecompany'sinceptionbutalsoshowcasedits remarkablecapabilitiesacrossvariousITdomains. Visiontech,thus,emergednotjustasaserviceprovider butasabeaconofexpertiseandinnovationinthe dynamicrealmoftechnologysolutions.
SettingApartinITSystems Integration
Inelucidatingthedistinctive qualitiesthatsetAli's TechnologySolutions'IT systemsapart,Aliasgar underscored,"The companyproudlystands asoneoftheexceedingly raresystemintegrators, consolidatingsixdiverse leadpracticesundera singleumbrella.Clients canengagewiththe company comprehensively, addressingtheir needsacrossa spectrum—from Endpointsto datacentre solutions,Unified Communicationto multi-site connectivity,ERP implementationto bespokebusiness application development,and spanningfrom cybersecurityto meticulousasset managementand beyond.
Thisholisticapproachensuresthatclientsreceivenotonly cutting-edgetechnologicalsolutionsbutaseamless integrationofdiverseelements,fosteringacomprehensive andfuture-readyITinfrastructure.Thiscomprehensive rangenotonlysetsthecompanyapartbutalsopositionsit asago-topartnerfororganizationsseekingaunifiedand multifacetedapproachtotheirITrequirements."
ApproachtoTechnologySolutions
Aliasgarenthusiasticallyunderscoredtheextraordinary capabilitiesofVisiontech'sremarkableteam,passionately emphasizingtheirextensivequalificationsandwealthof experience.Astaggering85%oftheteamboasts unparalleledtechnicalexpertiseandholdscertifications acrossdiversedomains.Theirunrelentingcommitmentto continuoustrainingnotonlyshowcasestheirdedicationbut alsonurturesahighlevelofadaptability,ensuringtheycan adeptlycatertoawidearrayofclientneedswithinthe dynamiclandscapeoftechnologysolutions.
Hefurtherrevealedtheformationofpracticegroups,each connectingwithothersbasedontheirdomainexpertise. Thisstrategicapproachaimstostreamlineclient interactions,eliminatingtheneedformanagingmultiple serviceproviders.Visiontech'sfocusisonprovidinga consolidatedscopeandaddressing,delivering,and supportingprojectsseamlessly
Thecollectiveexperienceoftheteamisnoteworthy,with anaverageofover15yearsinSoftware,25yearsin Hardwareanddatacentrefacilities,andover20yearsin CyberSecurityandServiceManagement.Itscommitment liesinofferingcomprehensiveandwell-roundedsolutions toitsclients'technologychallenges.
GloballyengagedCorporate
Aliasgarsharesanoverviewofthecustomerinteractions andsupportproceduresattheirmid-sizedcorporation.They employ100+peopleintheUAEand30+inIndia,andthey servemorethan300clientsonaverageeachyear Remarkably,70percentoftheseclientshavestayedwith themforthreetoeighteenyears,indicatingthattheyare happywiththestaffandtheservices.
Foreffectiveserviceandmanagement,Visiontechusesa ticketingapplicationtohandleasignificantpercentageof engagementandresolutionanswers.
Anonsiteandremotelymanaged24x7contactcentrehas beendevelopedtoguaranteeround-the-clocksupport.This projectisdesignedtoexclusivelyserveconsumerswho demandservicearoundtheclock,365daysayear.The companyisalsoincorporatingAIchatbotsintotheir services,whicharenowinplaceandwillsoonbeanormal featurefortheircustomers,toaddabitofcreativity Aliasgarseesthisasastepforward,highlightinga dedicationtousingcutting-edgetechnologytoimprovethe consumerexperience.
CurrentMarketDynamics
Aliasgardelvesintoacomprehensiveanalysisof Visiontech'scurrentmarketdynamics,sheddinglighton bothchallengesandopportunities.Accordingtohim,a pivotalhurdleliesinpersuadingclients,particularlyinthe SMEandmid-marketsegments,toadoptCSPandMSP partnerships.Thesealliances,essentialforadaptabilityand efficiency,faceresistanceuntilclientsfullygraspthe advantagesof"ValueAddedPartners."Merebuzzwords surroundingcloudandservicemanagement,heargues,fall shortofdrivingtransformativeshiftswithoutadeep understandingofthesebenefits.
Highlightingtheadverseimpactonperformance,Aliasgar stresseshowthisreluctanceleadstoallianceswith unsuitableserviceproviderschosenprimarilyforcost considerations,hinderingtheseamlessdeliveryofservices. Thesignificanceofaligningwithproficientpartners,such asVisiontech,becomesevidentinmakinginformed decisionsandpreservingthevalueofknowledge.In navigatingthesechallenges,Aliasgarunderscoresthe urgencyforclientstorecognizethetransformativepotential ofstrategicpartnershipsandtoprioritizevalueovermere costconsiderationsforsustainedmarketsuccess.
GlobalInnovationThroughTechnology
Aliasgardrawsinspirationfromalifelongpassionfor technologyandaprofoundvisionfordrivingpositive changethroughinnovation.Hisstrategicgoalin establishingVisiontechwastoharnesstechnologytosolve intricatechallengesandelevatebusinessoperations.
Charting a Vision for Future Growth and Success:
Ÿ GlobalReach:Visiontechaspirestoassertitspositionas agloballeader,strategicallyexpandingitsfootprintin keymarketsworldwide.
Ÿ Cutting-EdgeInnovation:Thecompanyremains committedtocontinuousinvestmentinresearchand development,ensuringitstaysattheforefrontof technologicaladvancements.
Ÿ Client-CentricApproach:Visiontechplacesastrong emphasisondeliveringtailoredsolutionsthatnotonly meetbutexceedclientexpectations,fosteringlasting partnerships.
Ÿ StrategicPartnerships:Recognizingtheimportanceof stayingabreastofthelatesttoolsandresources, Visiontechactivelyforgesvaluablepartnerships.
Ÿ TalentDevelopment:Nurturingtop-tiertalentwithinits ranks,Visiontechfostersacultureofcontinuous learningtokeepitsteamatthepinnacleofexpertise.
Ÿ EthicalValues:Upholdingthehighestethicalstandards isnon-negotiableforVisiontech,ensuringintegrityin allitsdealings.
Ÿ ThoughtLeadership:Visiontechactivelycontributesto industrydiscourseandemergingtrends,positioning itselfasathoughtleaderinthetechlandscape.
Asaresultofthesestrategicinitiatives,Visiontech envisionsbecomingagloballeader,makingapositive impactonbusinessesastheythriveintheevolvingdigital landscape.
CommitmenttoEmployeeDevelopment
Infosteringaworkplaceculturecentredongrowthand engagement,VisiontechInternationalprioritizesthe continuousdevelopmentofitsemployees.Thecompany's strategicapproachinvolvestailoredtalentdevelopment plans,mentorshipprograms,innovativelearninglabs, cross-functionalexposure,recognitioninitiatives,anda steadfastcommitmenttomaintainingahealthywork-life balance.Emphasizinginclusivity,Visiontechregularly gathersfeedbackthroughsurveys,fosteringtransparent communicationaboutcompanyobjectivesand achievements.Throughtheseconcertedefforts,italso investsincreatingahighlyskilledandmotivated workforce,ensuringalignmentwiththeorganization's missionandvalues.
AmplifyingMarketPresence
VisiontechSystemsInternational,drivenbyacommitment toserviceexcellence,hascultivatedimpactfulpartnerships thatredefineindustrystandards.AsMicrosoftGold CertifiedPartners,thecompanyleveragescutting-edge resources,ensuringthatclientsbenefitfromthelatest technologicaladvancements.Throughstrategic collaborationswithtop-tiertechproviders,industry specialists,andvaluedchannelpartners,itoffersadiverse arrayofsolutions.Thecompany'sdedicationtoexcellence isfurtherdemonstratedthroughvendorcertificationsand activeparticipationinindustryassociations.This commitmentpositionsVisiontechSystemsInternationalto delivertailoredservicesthataddresstheuniquedemandsof clientsacrossvarioussectors. CIO
A coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.
- Tom Landry
KhalilAlami FounderandCEO
Khalil Alami
Telr
The 10 Most Admired CEOs in UAE
l Khal Alam
Enhancing Financial Literacy through Community Engagement
Managingthecomplexitiesof
digitalpaymentscanfeel likeanuphillbattlefor manylocale-commercebusinesses. Withamyriadofoptionsandeverevolvingtechnology,entrepreneurs oftenfindthemselvesoverwhelmed, strugglingtoprovideseamless paymentexperiencesfortheir customers.ThisiswhereKhalilAlami stepsin,transformingchallengesinto opportunities.
AstheFounderandCEOofTelr, Khalilhasdedicatedhiscareerto simplifyingthepaymentlandscapefor businessesacrosstheMiddleEast.
Launchedin2014,Telrwasconceived toaddresstheuniquehurdlesfacedby localmerchantsinthedigitaleconomy.
Khaliljoinedthecompanyin2019, bringingwithhimovertwodecadesof experienceinfinancialservicesand fintechacrosstheUS,UAE,Jordan, andSaudiArabia.Underhis leadership,Telrhasemergedasa frontrunnerinthefintechsector, earningaccoladessuchasaspotin
Forbes's"TheMiddleEast'sFintech 50"andtheprestigioustitleof"Fintech CompanyoftheYear"attheFinance MiddleEastAwards2024.
ButKhalil’svisionextendsbeyondjust businesssuccess.Heisdeeply committedtoadvancingfinancial literacyandnurturingthe entrepreneurialecosystem,actively participatingininitiativesliketheArab MonetaryFund'sFintechWorking GroupandJordan’sYoung EntrepreneursAssociation.Through hiswork,KhalilAlamiisnotjust shapingapaymentgateway;he’s empoweringagenerationof entrepreneurstothriveinthedigital age.
Below are the interview highlights:
Couldyoupleasegiveabrief introductiontoyourcompanyand itsinceptionstory?
Telr,foundedin2014,isaleading paymentgatewayproviderinthe MENAregion,offeringarobustand secureplatformthatsupportsover120
currenciesand30languages. HeadquarteredinDubai,Telristhe firstcompanyintheregiontosecure bothPCIDSSLevel1andNESA certifications,confirmingtop-tier protectionforitsclients.
Withproprietarytechnology,Telr providestailored,hurtful-power solutionstobusinesses,allowingthem toaccessavarietyoflocalandglobal paymentmethodsthroughasingle integration.Beyondpayment processing,Telroffersadditional servicessuchassocialcommercetools, QRcodes,digitalinvoicing,recurring payments,BuyNowPayLater(BNPL) options,andTelrFinance,which providesmerchantswiththefinancing theyneedtogrow
Telr'smissionistoleaddigital transformationintheregion,setting newbenchmarksforsecurity, convenience,andinnovationinthe rapidlyevolvinge-commerceview
Howis
Today,morethanever,political
instabilityisimpacting businessstrategicdecisionsin theincreasinglyinterconnectedworld. Tradewars,politicaluprisings,and internationalconflictsmaycreate unclearenvironmentsforbusinesses.
This article considers how such instability influences the decisions taken by the CEOs and the strategies undertaken to find their way through it.
DefinitionofGeopoliticalInstability
Geopoliticaluncertaintymightbe viewedasanaccumulationof uncertaintiesandtensionsrelatedto politicalissues,economicsanctions, andshiftsingovernmentpolicies betweennations.Someoftheseaspects maydisrupttraderoutes,supply chains,andmarketbalances.General tensionsthatexistbetweentheworld's majoreconomiescanleadtoleviesthat changemanystrategiesofpricingand margins.Morethan70%ofCEOs expectgeopoliticalrisksto
significantlyimpacttheirbusiness withinfiveyears,accordingtothe WorldEconomicForum. ShiftsinStrategicPlanning
Giventheunstablegeopolitical scenario,CEOshavestartedtoreview andupdatetheirstrategicplansmore thanever Traditionallong-term planningstrategiesgetreplacedwith morefluidapproachessothatafirm canrapidlyrespondtoalterationin circumstances.Thisistheneedto addressriskwithsuddenchangesof themarketorregulatoryshifts.
FILMRISE NAMES JONITHA KEYMOORE HEAD OF CONTENT
NewYork,NY–2024—
FilmRise,theNewYorkCitybasedfilmandtelevision studioandstreamingnetwork,has announcedtheappointmentofJonitha KeymooreasHeadofContentforthe company. Shewillberesponsiblefor allcontentlicensingandproduction activitiesacrosstheFilmRise StreamingNetworkofAVODapps, FASTchannels,anddigitalstreaming partners.DannyFisher,CEOof FilmRise,madetheannouncement.
DannyFisherstates,"Fromthe momentJonithajoinedourteamat FilmRisethreeyearsago,herimpact hasbeenextraordinary.Herdedication, insights,andworkethichavemadeher acornerstoneofthecompany. Inher newrole,wehaveeveryconfidence thatJowillthriveandexcelandpave thewayforevengreatersuccessesfor FilmRise.”
Duringhertenure,FilmRisehas securedworldwidedigitalmediarights toalibraryofcontentfromBuzzfeed, Inc.,includingthehighlypopular celebrityseries Hot Ones, thesci-fi series Z Nation, thebelovedwestern Death Valley Days, andthepopular children’sseries Wiggles, tonamea few
JonithajoinedFilmRiseinearly2021 asSeniorDirectorofGlobal Acquisitions.Shewasresponsiblefor developingnewmulti-territoryfilm andtelevisionacquisitionopportunities whileworkingwithexistingcontent partnerstohelpbuildthecompany’s globallicensinganddistribution business.Shepreviouslyservedas SeniorDirectorofContent AcquisitionsatParamount,whereshe negotiateddealtermsforacquired contentacrosscableanddigital networks.
AboutFilmRise
FilmRiseisaNewYorkCity-based filmandtelevisionstudioandoperator oftheFilmRiseStreamingNetwork, theworld’slargestindependently ownedportfolioofad-supported streamingappsandFASTchannels. FilmRisedistributescontent worldwide,investsinoriginalcontent, andworkswithdigitalcreatorstohelp monetizetheirlibrariesinthegreater streamingspace.Foundedin2012by veteranproducersandfinanciers DannyFisher,JackFisherandAlan Klingenstein,FilmRiseisarecognized marketleaderandinnovatoratthe forefrontofanalytics-ledcurationand distribution.
FilmRiseholdsastrongmarket footprintacrossFASTandstandalone AVODaswellasalibraryofover 30,000moviesandepisodesacross genresincludingdrama,horror,action, unscriptedcrime,comedy,classic, holiday,andmanymore.
TelevisionseriesincludeGordon Ramsay’sHELL'SKITCHENand KITCHENNIGHTMARES;infidelity hitCHEATERS;classicseriessuchas theiconicTHEDICKVANDYKE SHOWandWesternDEATHVALLEY DAYS;popularkids’showsTHE WIGGLESandBARNEY;Canadian dramamainstayHEARTLAND; Britishdramatriumphsincluding PRIMESUSPECTstarringHelen MirrenandtheEmmy-winning UPSTAIRS,DOWNSTAIRS;true crime&mysteryfavoritesFORENSIC FILESandUNSOLVED MYSTERIES;andmore.
FilmsanddocumentariesincludeSpirit Award-nominateddrama DRIVEWAYS,featuringAcademy AwardnomineeHongChau;SURGE, ledbyBenWhishawandwinnerofthe SundanceWorldCinemaSpecialJury Award;THESHORTHISTORYOF THELONGROAD,featuring AmericansingerandactressSabrina Carpenter;indiecomedyclassic
PARTYGIRLwithParkerPosey;new holidayclassiccomedyA CHRISTMASKAREN;and documentaryfeatureTHESTATEOF TEXASVS.MELISSA,directedby SabrinaVanTassel.
FilmRise'soriginalproductionsinclude thetruecrimeseriesBLOODLINE DETECTIVESHOSTEDBYNANCY GRACE,STATUTEOF LIMITATIONSHOSTEDBYMIKE “THESITUATION”SORRENTINO andTHEINTERROGATIONROOM HOSTEDBYVIVICAA.FOX. FilmRisehasproducedPBSdocseries ICON:MUSICTHROUGHTHE LENSaswellasfordigitalcreator superstarsPRESTON&BRIANNA, UNSPEAKABLE,UNCLEROGER, viralsensationHOTONESandmany more.
Formoreinformation,pleasevisit FilmRise.com.
Contact:JillGoldstein DeanaDor JGoldsteinPR Jill@jgoldsteinpr.com 646-251-0908 deana@jgoldsteinpr.com 845-594-3669
,, ,, Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. Ifyou love whatyou are doingy , ou wi be successful.
- Epictetus
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