The 10 Most Innovative Leaders Reforming Business in 2023 April2023

is to set the culture of their A leader’s most

Important Role Organation

Innovation Catalysts of The

IInnovationisthedrivingforcebehindsuccessful businesses.Themostinnovativeleadersarethosewho havetheabilitytoinspireandmotivatetheirteamsto thinkcreatively,takerisks,andembracechange.Innovative leadersarevisionarieswhohaveaclearunderstandingof wheretheywanttheirbusinesstogo.Theyhavealongtermperspectiveandareabletoseebeyondtheimmediate challengesandobstacles.Theyareabletocommunicate theirvisioneffectivelyandinspiretheirteamtowork towardsacommongoal.

Innovativeleadersarevisionarieswhohaveaclear understandingofwheretheywanttheirbusinesstogo. Theyhavealong-termperspectiveandareabletosee beyondtheimmediatechallengesandobstacles.Theyare abletocommunicatetheirvisioneffectivelyandinspire theirteamtoworktowardsacommongoal.

H ire character. Train skill.

Theseleadersarenotafraidtotakerisks.Theyunderstand thatfailureisanaturalpartoftheinnovationprocessand arewillingtotakecalculatedriskstoachievetheirgoals. Theyencouragetheirteamstoexperiment,failfast,and learnfromtheirmistakes.Theycreateaculturethat celebratesexperimentationandrisk-taking,andtheyreward thosewhotakeboldsteps.

Staunchbusinessleadersareagileandadaptable.Theyare abletorespondquicklytochangesinthebusiness environmentandadjusttheirstrategiesaccordingly They arenotweddedtoasingleapproachorsolutionandare opentonewideasandperspectives.Theyencouragetheir teamstobeflexibleandnimble,andtheyprovidethe resourcesandsupportnecessarytomakequickdecisions. Innovativeleadersunderstandtheimportanceof collaboration.Theybuilddiverseteamswitharangeof skills,backgrounds,andperspectives.Theycreatean environmentwhereeveryonefeelsvaluedandheard.They encourageopencommunication,constructivefeedback,and constructiveconflictresolution.

Theyfosteracultureofcollaborationthatencouragesteam memberstoshareideas,challengeassumptions,andwork togethertowardsacommongoal.Innovativeleadersare customeroriented.Theyunderstandthatthesuccessoftheir businessdependsonmeetingtheneedsoftheircustomers.

Theyareabletoanticipateandrespondtocustomerneeds andpreferences,andtheyusecustomerfeedbacktoinform theirdecision-making.Theycreateaculturethatvalues customerfeedbackandencouragesinnovationthatbenefits theircustomers.Mappingthejourneyoftheseinnovative leaders,InsightsSuccessshinesthelimelightonThe10 MostInnovativeLeadersReformingBusinessin2023. Flipthroughthepagesanddelveintothejourneyof excellencedrivingtransformationsinthedynamicbusiness arena.

Have a Delightful Read!

Abhishek

Joshi AbhishekJoshi

Cover Story

Reginald Vossen

Offering a Unique Platform for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs and Investors

C O N T E N T S

Deputy

Abhishek Joshi

Sihanee

Editor-in-Chief

Prachi M.

SME-SMO Executive

Circulation Manager

Business

Sales

Revati Badkas

Dominique T.

AdeshinaAdewumi CEO

CompanyName

AdeshinaAdewumiisasocialentrepreneur,MB1002021 Entrepreneurcommittedtousingtechnologytosupportsmall retailbusinessesasregardsAccesstomarketandFinance acrossemergingmarkets. FeaturedPerson

TradeLenda tradelenda.com

BruceMagown CEO,President, BoardMemberand Investor

DupeOlusola ManagingDirector andCEO

HeatherAnne Hubbell FounderandCEO

HenrikLund-Nielsen Founder&General Manager

KimRobertson CEO

LinaAcosta CMO

MohammedMubin Mallick FounderandCEO

ReginaldVossen CEO

SianMorgan CEO

IntegrationTechnologies interweave.biz

TranscorpHotelsPLC transcorphotelsplc.com

Phundex phundex.com

COBOD cobod.com

SmileFoundation smilefoundationsa.org

GLT glt.co

KiranSmart kiransmart.com

BANFlanders ban.be/en

HafanCymru hafancymru.co.uk

Mr.MagownistheChiefExecutiveOfficer,President,Board MemberandInvestorinIntegrationTechnologies,Inc.,(dba) InterWeaveSmartSolutions,whichprovidesaSaaS,IaaS IntegrationService,

DupeOlusolaservesastheManagingDirector/CEOTranscorp HotelsPlc.,Africa'sleadinghospitalitybrand;andownersof theawardwinningTranscorpHiltonHotel,Abuja&Transcorp HotelsCalabar

Heather-Anneisariskandregulatoryspecialistwithan extensivelegacyinfinancialservices,strategicplanning,digital transformationandcorporategovernance.

Henrikisaserialentrepreneurbasedon+20yearsof experiencewiththemanagementofintensivebusiness development.

Kimisathoughtfulandvisionaryleader,whobelievesthat throughinclusivityandempowermentshecansupportand guideSmile'svisionandmission

Linaisanon-stoplearner,entrepreneurandmarketingleader wholovestotakeanactivepartinthecreationprocessand growthofthecompany.

Mr.MohammedMubinMallick,theCEOandFounderof KiranSmartcompanyinKuwait,DubaiandIndia.

ReginaldVossenisanexperiencedChiefExecutiveOfficer withademonstratedhistoryofworkinginthefundraising industry

SianisanaccomplishedCEOwithatrackrecordofsuccessin businessdevelopmentandProjectManagementwhilstworking foravarietyofGovernmentBodiesandprivatesector organisations.

Reginald Vossen

Offering a Unique Platform for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

and Investors

BAN Flanders boasts an impressive track record of success. Under Reginald's leadership, the network has closed almost 500 investments in startups and scale-ups, and its membership of more than 220 business angels continues to grow.

C O V E R S T O R Y

Reginald Vossen CEO BAN Flanders

Innovation, transparency, and international cooperation are core values for BAN Flanders.

Envisionafuturebeyondwhatiscurrentlypossible. Afewleadershaveauniquetalentforinspiringand motivatingotherstoworktowardsacommongoal whiledevelopinginnovativestrategiestoachievesuccess.

Withsuchavisionaryviewofthebusinessworld,Reginald Vossenshapedhisprofessionaljourneyupward.Todayas theCEOofBANFlanders,hedemonstrateshisexpertise indevelopingarobustbusinesswithunmatchedexperience.

Letuslearnabouthisriseindepth.

TheEarlyCareer

Reginaldhelpedestablishoneofthefirstbusinessangel clubsintheFlemishregionofLimburgin1998.Withthe supportoftheRegionalDevelopmentCompany,Reginald's innovativethinkingandentrepreneurialspiritbrought togetheracommunityoflike-mindedindividualswho sharedhispassionforinvestinginpromisingstartupsand scale-ups.

Yearslater,in2004,Reginald'sleadershipanddedicationto thecauseofbusinessangelswouldonceagainmake history.Fourregionalbusinessnetworksformedthefirst businessangelsnetworkinEurope,theBusinessAngels NetworkVlaanderen.Andatthehelmofthisnew organisationwasReginaldhimself,nowservingasits GeneralManager

Today,BANFlandersboastsanimpressivetrackrecordof success.UnderReginald'sleadership,thenetworkhas closedalmost500investmentsinstartupsandscale-ups, anditsmembershipofmorethan220businessangels continuestogrow

Yearafteryear,BANFlandersreceiveshundredsofhighqualityinvestmentrequestsfrominnovativecompanies seekingthemoneyandexpertisetheyneedtothrivein today'scompetitivebusinesslandscape.Andthroughitall, Reginaldremainsadrivingforce,inspiringotherswithhis passionforentrepreneurshipandunwaveringcommitment tothebusinessangelcommunity

ReginaldVossen'sinfluenceintheworldofbusinessangel investingcontinuedtogrow,ashetooktheinitiativein establishingandmanagingthreeangelco-investmentfunds withatotalcommittedcapitalof42millionEUR.TheArk AngelsFund,ArkAngelsActivatorFund,andAngelwise TheFlandersAngelsFundstartedunderReginald's guidanceasmanagingpartnerorpresident.

ButReginald'sreachwentbeyondjustthesefunds.In2022, hewaselectedasthenewChairoftheBusinessAngels EuropeClub(BAEClub),whichconnects19oftheleading angelnetworksinEuropeandCanada.Reginald'sambition withintheBAEClubistopromotebestpracticesinthe angelmarketandfostercross-bordercollaborationand investment.

Toachievethis,hedefinedeightfocuspoints,including enlargingthenumberofjoiningnetworks,developinga levelplayingfieldonprofessionalstandards,andincreasing networkingandsharedknowledge.Healsoaimstopromote bilateralcooperationandecosystems,createbottom-up initiativesontherealneedsofthenetworks,anddevelop high-qualitypartnerships.Withinayear,mostofthese targetswerealreadymetorinitiated,showcasingReginald's leadershipanddedicationtotheangelinvestingcommunity.

TheUnmatchedExperience

BANFlandershasbecomeknownforitsflexibility, responsiveness,andresilienceinthefaceofever-evolving markets.Inachallengingenvironment,theorganisationhas beenabletoadapttonewcircumstances,whetheradjusting tothedramaticchangesbroughtonbyCOVIDor respondingtoneweconomicrealitiesduetoinflationand risingproductionandlivingcosts.Evenwhenfacedwith essentialredirectionsintradeflowsresultingfromthe RussianinvasionofUkraine,BANFlandershasshownits abilitytoadaptandthrive.

BANFlanderspridesitselfonitsagilityinwhatis traditionallyaslow-movingfinancialworld.The organisationintroducesnewservices,products,and proceduresconsecutivelytofosteruniqueneedsinthe market.Toincreaseparticipationinmid-stageinvestment projectswithmoreprominentinvestmenttickets,BAN FlandersandParticipatiemaatschappijVlaanderen,andCOI foundeda20millioneurosfundin2021calledAngelwise. Angelwisecaninvestupto3millioneurosinacompany andaimstofacilitatefollow-upinvestmentsinstartupsthat oftenneedhelpwithanequitygapastheyenterthenext developmentphase.With88participatingbusinessangels, AngelwisehasbecomeanessentialtoolforBANFlanders tosupportthesegrowingcompanies.

Innovation,transparency,andinternationalcooperationare corevaluesforBANFlanders.Reginaldhasdeveloped partnershipswithorganisationssuchasDoorwayS.r.l. SocietàBenefitafast-growingandleadingVentureCapital

operatorbasedinItaly.Theiruniqueventureinvesting FintechplatformallowsBANFlanders'investorsto participateinvariousinvestmentopportunities,from innovativestartupstoIPO-listedcompaniesand InternationalScale-ups.

BANFlandersalsoworkscloselywithEuroQuity,an initiativeofBPIFrance,whichprovidesaninternational (free)matchingplatformforinnovativestartupsand investors.In2021,theplatformcountedmorethan80 Belgianstartups,representinganinvestmentportfolioof90 millioneuros Withthesepartnershipsandinitiatives,BAN Flanderscontinuesdemonstratingitscommitmentto supportinginnovationandgrowthinthestartupcommunity

Reginaldtakesprideintheorganisation'spositionasoneof Europe'smostprominentbusinessangelnetworks.Withthis leadershippositioncomesasenseofresponsibilitytothe industry,asevidencedbyBANFlanders'commitmentto innovation,transparency,andinternationalcooperation.In 2022,early-stageinvestmentsfrombusinessangels

accountedforalmosthalfthefinancialinvestmentmarket, totaling1.45billioneuros.ThenumberofEuropean businessangelinvestorsalsosawsignificantgrowth, increasingby22%to39,410.Whileangelstendtohave diverseinterests,theyinvestinstartupsinthreekeysectors: fintech,healthtech,andenterprisesoftware.

MovingupWithTechnology

Businessesmuststayontopofmarkettrendsandanticipate emergingsectorstomaximisetheirimpactandinvestment success.BANFlandersisdoingpreciselythatby recognisingthegrowingimportanceofrenewableenergy, circulareconomy,personalisedmedicine,bio-based chemistry,andprocesstransformation,inadditionto alreadyestablishedareassuchasartificialintelligence, cybersecurity,andgaming.

Bydevelopingsector-specificexpertise,BANFlanderscan providemorevaluetostartupsinthesesectorsandmake moreinformedinvestmentdecisions.Theknowledgeand

BAN Flanders and BAE have ambitious goals to be leading organizations in the European business angel market.

experienceoftheirbusinessangelsintheseareasare invaluableassetsthatcanhelpstartupssucceedandgrow

SustainingtheNextChapter

BANFlandersrecognisestheimportanceofimpact investingandsustainability Thereisindeedagrowing globalawarenessoftheneedforcompaniestoprioritise environmentalandsocialimpact,andthisisreflectedinthe increasingpopularityofimpactinvesting.

BANFlandersisdevelopingitssustainabilitycharterand evaluationcriteriafornewimpactinvestmentopportunities. Thisshowsacommitmenttotalkingabouttheimportance ofsustainabilityandtakingconcreteactionstoensurethat theirinvestmentsalignwiththeirvalues.

PartneringwithorganisationslikeOVOtosupportsocial entrepreneurshipinAfricaisalsoagreatinitiative.It's importanttorememberthatimpactinvestingcanpositively

Reginald helped establish one of the first business angel clubs in the Flemish region of Limburg in 1998.

impactcommunitiesbeyondjusttheinvestorsthemselves, andsupportingentrepreneursindevelopingcountriescan beapowerfulwaytopromotesustainabledevelopment.

WhatdoestheFutureHold?

BANFlandersandBAEhaveambitiousgoalstobeleading organisationsintheEuropeanbusinessangelmarket.BAN Flandersisfocusedonservicingearly-stageentrepreneurs andangelinvestorsinBelgiumandthesurrounding regions.Atthesametime,BAEaimstofostertheangel marketandstrengthentheangelvoiceonaEuropeanlevel, potentiallythroughcross-borderinvestments.Thesegoals suggestacommitmenttoadvancingtheangelinvesting industryandsupportinginnovativestartupsthroughout Europe.

WordsofWisdom

Reginaldadvisesaspiringentrepreneurstoseek accompaniment,guidance,andsupport.Thereisalotof offeringoutthereinthemarkettobenefitfrom!

"The rules for startups looking for external capital have completely changed. Every company should have a stable financial backbone to start with in terms of equity capital. Too many starters are trying too soon to obtain loans from banks, resulting in a debt structure, not such an interesting position for a young company, and most certainly not with growing interest rates. Business angels bring in a capital "for free"; this should be used to build up a healthy equity basis to be leveraged upon and to drive the growth envisaged," Reginaldconcludes.

Bruce Magown

Dynamic Leader with a Resolute Approach

AsCEO,President,BoardMemberandInvestor

inIntegrationTechnologies,Inc.,andthecreator ofInterWeaveSmartSolutions,BruceMagown bringscustomer-focusedCRMIntegrationSolutionsin responsetocustomers'needsintothedigitalage.

MagownhasservedastheChiefExecutiveOfficer, President,BoardMember,andInvestorinSecurDigital, © Inc.,thecompanythatdevelopedSecurVoice ;thevoice, dataandvideoencryptionsolutiondesignedtopassFIPS 140-2certification.In2000,MagownservedastheChief OperatingOfficer,ChiefFinancialOfficer,headoftheAudit Committee,InvestorandBoardmemberoftheUncommon MediaGroup,LLC.

HealsoservedasPresidentandChiefOperationsOfficerof KnoaCorp.,aprivatelyheldcompanyfocusingon interactiveandmedia-richsolutions.Magownparticularly enjoyedhistenureatNetscape,whereheservedastheVice PresidentofNetscape,representingCanada,theUnited StatesEastCoast,andLatinAmerica.Priortothis,Magown wasanAVPofLehmanBrothersandalsoservedasthe ChiefExecutiveOfficerofInformationEngineering,Inc., ane-businesssolutionprovider

The approach we took was unique in the SaaS integraon world. We created a SaaS, Hosted Soluon that is based on business process/workflow selecon in configurable form at the object level.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Magownshares valuablefactsthathighlighthisprofessionaltenureandhis journeysofarintheniche.

Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothe industry?

TheapproachwetookwasuniqueintheSaaSintegration world.WecreatedaSaaS,HostedSolutionthatisbasedon businessprocess/workflowselectioninconfigurableformat theobjectlevel.AgoodexampleisourCreatio_Sage IntacctSolution.WereplicatedtheSageIntaccttransaction datainCreatioattheobjectlevel,thenpresentthistothe audience(typicallysalesadministratorandcontroller)in configurableformwhilediscussingBestPractice.

Inazoommeeting,wereviewtheAccounts Receivable/AccountsPayableselectionsthecustomerhas made,thenselectfromover300configurableoptionsto conformtotheirspecificbusinessprocessandworkflow. Thesolutioniscompletelycustomizedtothecustomer's requirements,andbeingaSaaSSolution,additions, updates,andnewselectionsareavailablewiththeiryearly subscription.

TellusaboutInterWeaveSmartSolutionsandits foundationpillar.

WelaidthefoundationstoneofIntegrationTechnologies thatisInterWeaveSmartSolutionstodayintheyear2000. InterWeaveisaCRMIntegrationSoftwareProductSuite thatoffersarapidlydeployableandinfinitelyscalable SoftwareasaService(SaaS)IntegrationPlatformand IntegrationServerforintegrationofbusiness-to-business, business-to-consumerconnectivity,businessprocesses optimizationandapplicationintegration.

Wefocusonthreeintegrationtenants:FinancialServices Solutions,PaymentProcessors,andMulti-Cloud integrationsinanintelligent,configurableway.SaaS,SMB, andEnterpriseCustomersmanagetheircustomer interactionswithsystem-specificbusinessprocessesand workflowtoprovideanextraordinarycustomerexperience. ForthebusinessCRMcommunity,

InterWeavehasadvancedtheirSolutionoptionsby focusingonautomatingbusinessprocessesandworkflow betweenentitiesinanintelligentconfigurable,intuitiveand expansiveway

Therearealwayschallengesandchoicestomakeasa technologyprovider,extendingproductfunctionalityvs focusingonROI.Thelessonistofollowyourownpath. Focusonmeetingthecustomers'requirementsandtheywill providebothfunctionalityandfocusforyou.

Welearnedthatifacompanyoperatesaclient-focused approachtoensurethattheyarealltreatedtothehighest possiblestandardsofserviceandsupport,thenyour businesswillgrow Theteamisrequiredtotreatclientsas theywouldliketobetreatedthemselves,asInterWeave understandsthatitsclientsarethedrivingforcebehindthe successofthecompany.

HowdoesInterWeaveSmartSolutionspromote workforceflexibility,andwhatisyourroleinit?

Ourpeoplehavetheoptionofremoteoronsite presence.Wesourceourworkforceworldwide, hencetheoption.Regardingflexibility,ifyoudo whatyoulike,thenit'snotwork.Passioniswhat drivesourpeople,andweareabettercompany duetothis.

ThedriveisinyourDNA.It'swhatyou're madeof.Thisisthekindofpeoplethat workatInterWeave.

Whatwillbethenextsignificantchange intheTechindustry,andhowareyou preparingforit?

Inaword,immersive.Wejustspenttwo yearsrepositioningandrebrandingthe companywiththebuildofourfivewebsites, andourtwelve-to-twenty-four-monthfocusisto buildoutinanimmersivetechnology environment.Ourbeliefisthatimmersivewill

allowpotentialandexistingcustomerstoexplorethe technologyontheirterms;timezone,language,process, etc.,andshowourintegrationsinreal-time.

Whatareyourgoalsintheupcomingfuture?

Withtherepositioningandrebrandingcompleted,the outboundmarketingcampaignwithLinkedIn,Facebook, Instagram,TwitterandYouTubeisourfocus.Havinggreat technologydoesn'tmeaneveryoneknowsaboutit.Wehave manyexcitingnewdevelopmentsthatwillbeannounced thatwillallowthefirmevengreateropportunitiestogrow andbuilduponourcurrentsuccess.Ourvisionistofocus onthecustomer'sneedsandconsistentlyprovideinnovative solutionstothem.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringbusinessleaders?

Listenandinnovate.Ourapproachwastoworkwiththe bestCRMPartnerswecouldfind,andthenprovide ConfigurableIntegrationSolutions,whichallowsthe selectionofbestbusinesspractices,workflowandmuch more.Oncethisisaccomplished,therealworkbegins:that is,listeningtoyourcustomers.Theyknowexactlywhat theywantandwillmotivateyoutoprovideit.

Bruce Magown CEO, President, Board Member and Investor Integraon Technologies, Inc

Emerging Trends in the Dynamic Industry- 2023

And

sweheadintothe2 quarterof2023,thedynamic

industrycontinuestoevolveandtransform,driven bytechnologicaladvancements,changing consumerbehavior,andglobaleconomictrends.Inthis article,wewillexploresomeoftheemergingtrendsinthe dynamicindustrythatarelikelytoshapethebusiness landscapein2023andbeyond.

DigitalTransformation

Digitaltransformationisoneofthemostsignificanttrends inthedynamicindustry,anditwillcontinuetogain momentumin2023.Companiesareinvestingintechnology anddigitalplatformstoimproveefficiency,streamline operations,andenhancecustomerexperience.Theriseof theInternetofThings(IoT),artificialintelligence(AI),and blockchaintechnologywillalsotransformtheway businessesoperate,communicate,andinteractwiththeir customers.

Sustainability

Sustainabilityisbecominganincreasinglyimportant considerationforcompaniesinthedynamicindustry Consumersaredemandingmoreenvironmentallyfriendly productsandservices,andcompaniesarerespondingby investinginsustainabletechnologiesandpractices.This includesreducingcarbonemissions,promotingrecycling andwastereduction,andusingrenewableenergysources.

Personalization

Personalizationisanothertrendthatisgainingtractionin thedynamicindustry.Consumersexpectpersonalized experiences,andcompaniesareusingdataanalyticsandAI todelivercustomizedproductsandservices.Thisincludes personalizedrecommendations,targetedadvertising,and tailoredpromotions.

RemoteWork

TheCOVID-19pandemichasacceleratedthetrendtowards remotework,anditislikelytocontinuein2023. Companiesareembracingremoteworkasawaytoreduce costs,increaseproductivity,andattracttoptalent.Remote workalsooffersemployeesmoreflexibilityandwork-life balance,whichcanleadtohigherjobsatisfactionand retentionrates.

E-commerce

E-commercehasbeenontheriseforseveralyears,andit willcontinuetogrowin2023.Thepandemichas acceleratedtheshifttowardsonlineshopping,and companiesareinvestingine-commerceplatformsand logisticstomeetthedemand.Thisincludesomnichannel strategies,virtualtry-ontechnologies,andsame-day deliveryoptions.

HealthandWellness

Healthandwellnesshavebecomeapriorityforconsumers, andcompaniesinthedynamicindustryarerespondingby investinginproductsandservicesthatpromotephysical andmentalwell-being.Thisincludeswearable technologies,digitalhealthplatforms,andpersonalized nutritionandfitnessplans.

Cybersecurity

Intoday'sdigitalage,cybersecurityhasbecomeacritical aspectofdoingbusiness.Cyberthreatsarebecomingmore sophisticated,andcompaniesmusttakemeasurestoprotect theirdata,infrastructure,andcustomers.However,despite thechallenges,cybersecurityisenablingdevelopmentsin thedynamicbusinessarena.

Cybersecurityisakeyenablerofdigitaltransformation. Companiesareinvestingindigitaltechnologiestoimprove efficiency,enhancecustomerexperience,andgaina competitiveadvantage.However,thesetechnologiesare

vulnerabletocyberthreats,andcybersecuritymeasuresare necessarytoprotectthem.Byensuringthesecurityof digitalplatforms,companiescanacceleratetheirdigital transformationinitiativesandreapthebenefitsofnew technologies.

Cybersecurityisagrowingconcernforcompaniesinthe dynamicindustry,anditwillcontinuetobeapriorityin 2023.WiththeriseofdigitalplatformsandtheInternetof Things,companiesarevulnerabletocyber-attacks,data breaches,andothersecuritythreats.Companiesare investingincybersecuritytechnologiesandprotocolsto protecttheirdataandinfrastructure.

EvolvingwiththeTechnologies

ArtificialIntelligence(AI)istransformingthebusiness landscape,enablingcompaniestoautomateprocesses, analyzedata,andmakeinformeddecisions.However,AI systemsarealsovulnerabletocyberthreats,astheycanbe targetedbycybercriminalsseekingtomanipulatedataor disruptoperations.

TheInternetofThings(IoT)isrevolutionizingtheway businessesoperate.IoTdevices,suchassensorsand cameras,canprovidevaluabledataandinsights,improving efficiencyandproductivity.However,IoTdevicesarealso vulnerabletocyberthreats,astheyareconnectedtothe internet.CybersecuritysolutionsforIoTdevicesare essentialforprotectingdataandensuringthereliabilityof IoTnetworks.

Cloudcomputingisbecomingincreasinglypopularinthe businessworld,asitoffersscalability,flexibility,andcosteffectiveness.However,cloudcomputingalsopresents cybersecuritychallenges,asdataisstoredinremoteservers thatareaccessibleviatheinternet.

Companiesareinvestingincloudsecuritysolutionsto protecttheirdataandinfrastructure,enablingthemtotake advantageofthebenefitsofcloudcomputingwithout compromisingsecurity.

Inconclusion,thedynamicindustryisconstantlyevolving, andcompaniesneedtoadapttostayaheadofthecurve.The emergingtrendsin2023includedigitaltransformation, sustainability,personalization,remotework,e-commerce, healthandwellness,andcybersecurity.Companiesthat embracethesetrendsandinvestininnovativetechnologies andpracticeswillbewell-positionedforsuccessinthe dynamicindustry

Managing Director and CEO

Dupe Olusola

LLDupe

eadershipqualitiesandcharacteristicsare necessarywhenleadingagroupofpeopletoensure thattheworkproducedmeetsthestandardsyour companyoryouresteemedclientsexpect.Themost successfulleadersintheworkforcetodayhavelikely stumbledalongthewayordoubtedthemselvesattimes;the differencebetweenmakingittothetopisthattheyhaveall learnedfromexperiencesandtheknowledgetheyhave gained.Standingoutwithexceptionaltraitsandsignificant expertiseisDupeOlusola.

PriortohercurrentroleasManagingDirectorandCEO, TranscorpHotelsPlc,shewasGroupMarketingDirector atUBA,wheresheledMarketingStrategyforthecompany acrossits20locationsinAfrica,NewYork,Franceandthe UK.

Overthecourseofherleadershipjourney,shehas encounteredseveralchallengesthathaveshapedherinto becomingatopexecutiveandarespectedvoiceinthe industry.Sheconsidersherselfluckytohaveworkedwitha lotofpeoplewhoarecommittedtoequity

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Dupesharesvaluable factshighlightingherprofessionaltenueandthejourneyso farintheniche.

Belowarethehighlightsfromtheinterview:

Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatTranscorpHotels PLC.Whatchallengeshaveyouhadtoovercometo reachwhereyouaretoday?

Iobtainedamaster'sdegree(MSc)inDevelopment EconomicsfromtheUniversityofKentin1997,after whichIworkedindifferentroleswithBloombergand NorthernTrustintheUnitedKingdombeforemovingback toNigeria.InNigeria,IworkedatSecTrust(nowAfrinvest) andlaterwithAfrica'sleadingPrivateEquityFirmSME

Manager/AfricanCapitalAlliancebeforejoiningtheUnited BankforAfrica(UBA),whereIledtheInvestorRelations department.

IjoinedTranscorpasDirectorofResourcesinJanuary 2010.IalsoservedasChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe Nigeria-basedagriculturalcompanyTeragroCommodities Limited,theagribusinesssubsidiaryofTransnational CorporationofNigeriaPlc(nowTransnationalCorporation Plc).Iwasappointedtothepositionin2014.WhileCEOof Teragro,Isuccessfullypositionedthecompanyasthe country'sleadingjuiceconcentrateproducer.Ialso promotedandshowcasedwiththeworld'sleadingbeverage producertotellthelocalsourcingstory,amongother successesrecorded.

Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompanyandits missionandvision;howdoesyourcompanythrive towardsenablingadvancementsinthedynamic hospitalitysector?

TranscorpHotelsPlcisAfrica'sleadinghospitality company,listedontheNigerianExchangeGroup(NGX). OurmissionistoredefinehospitalityinAfricathrough innovationandexceptionalservices,creatingvalueforour

customersandotherstakeholders.Ourvisionistobe Africa'sleadinghospitalitybrand.

WeownAfrica'sleadingbusinesshotel,TranscorpHilton Abuja.Traditionallyabusinesshotel,TranscorpHilton Abujahasgrowntocaterforevenmoresegments,suchas leisure,duetosomeinnovativestrategiesintroducedatthe onsetoftheCOVID-19pandemic.

Today,thehotelleadsthewayincateringtothefastgrowingBleisuresegmentintheWestAfricansub-region. WearealsotheproudownersofAurabyTranscorpHotels, afast-growingdigitalplatformforbookinghotels, apartments,andexperiences.WelaunchedAuraby TranscorpHotelsin2021aspartofourasset-lightstrategy

Throughtheplatform,weareexpandingtoplacesitwould haveotherwisetakenusseveralyearstoreach.Today,we haveover5,000roomsandcountinginownershipand managementacrossdifferenthotelsandapartmentsacross Nigeria.WithAurabyTranscorpHotels,weareleveraging thepoweroftechnologytofast-trackgrowth.

Also,weworkcloselywithdifferentstakeholdersand introduceinnovativeofferstocontinuetoimprovedemand, evenasweexpandourbusiness.WearedeliveringaworldclasseventcentreatTranscorpHiltonAbujain2024.We arealsoworkingonanewfive-starhotelintheheartof Lagos,Africa'sbigapple.

Describeindetailthevaluesandtheworkculturethat drivesyourorganization.

OurcorevaluesareExcellence,ExecutionandEnterprise. ThesethreeEsarethekeypillarsofourorganisational culture.Ourcorevalueshavecertainlyhelpedusbuildand maintainacultureofintegrityandinnovationatTranscorp HotelsPlc.,whicharesomeoftheimportantreasonsforour continuousgrowth.

Ourvaluesdriveustowardsacommonsenseofpurposeto createlong-lastingvalueforourstakeholders.Thesevalues deeplyrootedinouremployeesarethebedrockofour businessbeliefs,practices,cultureandphilosophiesthat havebeentestedandproventobringoutthebestinus.

Wesetourselvesapartwithourentrepreneurialand innovativemindset,willingtoalwaysgothe'extramile'to exceedourcustomers'expectations.Wearecommittedto seeingthingsthroughtocompletioninatimely,effective

andefficientmannertodeliverexceptionalresults.

Also,wearedrivenbythedesiretoconsistentlydeliver memorableexperiencestoourcustomers.Ourcorevalues areweftinourday-to-daylives,ourstandardsofpractice, teamonboarding,andinduction.

Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveraging technologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?

AurabyTranscorpHotelsisonemajorwayweare leveragingtechnology Aproductofourasset-lightstrategy, AurabyTranscorpHotels,hashelpedusfast-trackgrowth, withourroominventorygrowingbymorethan400%.

Technologyhasalsohelpedusimprovepersonalisation, usingtoolssuchasCRMandCEM,whichusebigdatato createhighlycustomizedone-to-oneinteractionswithour guestsatscale.Thisway,weareabletodrawondatato utiliseinsightsintoourguests'pasthabits,enablingusto tailoroffersandpromotionsandautomaticallyprovidethe servicestheywant.

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforTranscorpHotels PLC?

AtTranscorpHotelsPlc,ourvisionistobealeading hospitalitycompanyinAfrica,andIwanttoseeuscontinue togrowtodifferentpartsofthecontinentandtheworld over.OurphilosophyisdeeplyrootedinAfricapitalism.We haveastrongsenseofpurposetoimprovelivesand transformthecontinentthroughourbusinessoperationsas wecontinuetobuildtheAfricaofourdreams.Through TranscorpHotels,weareredefininghospitalityinAfrica.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehospitalitysector?

Don'ttakenoforananswer;continuetopushboundaries andbreaktheglassceilings.Beopentoopportunitiesthat comeyourway,anddonotletthefearoffailingtokeep youfromtakingachanceonthings.Doitafraid;itisbetter thannotdoingitatall.

Also,youarenotanisland;thereisalimittowhatyoucan doalone.Networkandcollaboratewithlike-mindedpeople andfosterstrategicpartnershipsforoptimalgrowth.

Heather-Anne Hubbell Founder and Chief

Execuve Officer Phundex

Heather -Anne Hubbell

A

Risk and Regulatory Specialist with an Extensive Legacy in Financial Services and Digital Transformaon

Heather-AnneHubbell,FounderandChief ExecutiveOfficerofPhundex,ispassionate aboutfacilitatingandacceleratingstrategic companychange,especiallywhenitcomestointegrating digitaltools,processes,andappstoboostproductivity.She workswithavarietyofclients,includinginternational financialinstitutions,smallandmedium-sizedbusinesses, anddigitalstart-ups.

Heather-Anne’sgoalistoanintegratedecosystemthat allowsbusinessestomanagetransactionsandprocesses withtheirstakeholdersmoreefficiently,nomatterwhere theyarelocated.Whereveroneiswithintheinvestment lifecycle,shewantsPhundextobethedefactoplatformfor managingtransactions,fundraising,duediligence,investmentmanagementandadministration,andreporting.

ThefollowingexcerptsfromtheinterviewwithHeatherAnneHubbellreflectherleadershipabilities,financial sectorknowledge,andeffortstochangetheindustry:

Heather-Anne,pleasebrieflydescribeyourprofessional journeyforourreaders.Whatchallengesdidyouface alongtheway?

Idescribemyselfasa“reformed”lawyer,banker,andrisk manager.I’vespentyearsworkinginfinancialservices, oftenjugglingfamilyresponsibilitieswithextensive internationaltravel.I’veworkedforandwithglobal financialinstitutionstohelpthemleveragetechnologyand improveprocessestotransformthewaytheydobusiness—notalwaysaneasytaskforthemorforme,consider-

ingIstartedmycareerbeforecomputersandmobilephones existed.

Oneofthebiggestchallengeshasbeenadaptingtoamyriad ofmoderntechnologiesandhelpingclientsandcolleagues understandthattechnologyisatooltoleverageand improvethewaywedobusiness,notjustaprojectthatwe needtogetthrough.

As the founder, I wanted Phundex to help businesses coordinate transacons and processes with stakeholders around the world.

Being able to see the status of deals no maer where you are is fundamental to promong workforce

flexibility.g

Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothefintech industry?

We’vedevelopedauniquecollaborationplatform forpeople,process,andtechnology.It’shighly secure,withdetaileduseranddatapermissions thatareintegraltotheflexibilityoftheplatform. Fortheuser,it’saneasilycustomizable workflowwithuniquedataanddocumentdue diligenceroomsthathelpsclosetransactions fasterandstreamlineprocesseswithout needingatechnologyteamtoimplementor supportit.Underneath,it’sanincredibly complexdatamodel,allowingusers differentpermittedactivitiesdependingon whetherit’stheirownbusinessortheyarea memberofanotherbusiness’team.The workflowcanbeadaptedtoyourparticular businessneeds,andweareconstantly evolvingthefunctionalitytomeetclient requests.

TellusaboutPhundexandits foundationpillar.

Wespentyearsworkingglobally onlargedealswithmany differentstakeholders.We decidedtheremustbea moreefficientandsecure waytomanagethese thanemails,spreadsheets,andproject plans.

Oursolution?Asecurecentralcollaborationplatformwith workflowanddatamanagementbuiltrightin.It’seven suitableforregulatedbusinesses.Moreimportantly, becauseitisdeliveredasaservice,itissimpletosetup, user-friendly,andhighlycustomizable.Thismeansyoucan streamlineandstandardizethewayyoudobusiness, coordinateactivitiesacrossteamsandjurisdictions,andsee thestatusofalltransactionsandprocessesataglance.

HowdoesPhundexpromoteworkforceflexibility,and whatisyourroleinit?

Asthefounder,IwantedPhundextohelpbusinesses coordinatetransactionsandprocesseswithstakeholders aroundtheworld.Beingabletoseethestatusofdealsno matterwhereyouareisfundamentaltopromoting workforceflexibility.Ourteamislocatedacrossmultiple countriesandbeingabletocoordinateonPhundexmakes thatquiteeasytodo.Thatmeansourteam(andourclients) canworkaroundtheirothercommitments,nomatterwhere theyare.Importantly,itmeansthatclientscanhave completelyremoteteamscateringtodigitalnomadswhile maintainingcontrolandgovernancearoundtheirbusiness operations.

Whatisyourtakeontechnology’simportance,andhow areyouleveragingit?

Technologyisfundamentaltoimprovinghowwework,but it’sbroaderthanthat.Tostaycompetitive,weneedto leveragesmoother,moreefficientprocessesanddigital opportunitiestodeliverourproductsandservices.We believeinitsopassionatelythatwebuiltaplatformto makeiteasierforbusinesseswithoutneedingatechnology departmenttosupportit.We’veevencreatedmoreefficient processesandtransactionmanagementtohelpclientsget startedmoreefficiently Thekeyisnottothinkof technologyasthesinglesolution,butratherasanenablerto increaseefficiencyandproductivity.

Whatwillbethenextnotablechangeinthefintech industry,andhowareyoupreparingforit?

Blockchainwillbecomemoremainstream,andwelook forwardtoembracingit.It’sagreatwaytoprotectdataand ensureitistamper-proof,andwelookforwardtopartnering withmoreblockchain-enabledpartners.Artificialintelligencewillalsokeepexpanding,andweareconstantly lookingfornewwaystointegrateitintothePhundex platform.Keepingupwithnotjustnewtechchangesbut alsohowandwhytheywork,iskeytobeingableto

considerhowfintechsolutionscanbesuccessfully integratedintoyourbusiness.Wearewatchingthenew technologycomingintothemarketplacetoseehowwecan connectwithittoincreaseseamlessfunctionalityforour clients.Leveragingaconsolidatedplatformtoaccessallof yourtechnologysolutionsinoneplacewillprovideyou withthemosteffectivewaytooperateyourbusiness withoutdrowninginaseaofindividualtechnicalsolutions.

What

are

yourgoalsintheupcomingfuture?

WewanttodevelopPhundexintothego-toplatformto managetransactionsandprocessesacrossmultiplestakeholders.Wecontinuetoinvestigatewaystointegratemore innovativefunctionalityintoPhundex,workingwithother FinTechproviderstomakePhundexaconvenientplaceto manageyourbusiness.ThatincludesafullAPIsuiteto integratewithotherplatforms,aswellasafullreporting suite.Wealsowanttoaddnewtransactionandprocess workflowstoprovideourclientswithmoreefficientways toruntheirbusinesseswithouthavingtostartfromscratch.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringbusinessleaders?

Dreambig—andthenexpecttheunexpected.Whatever yourgoalistoday,theworldwillchange,soyouneedtobe readytoshiftyourgoalsandtimelinestokeepyour businessgrowing.Don’tjustbereactive.Proactivelythink abouthowchangesintheworldoryourbusinessenvironmentcanbeleveragedtomeetthosenewchallenges.

Fromaleadershipperspective,lookatthosewhoinspire youandconsiderwhy.Understandinghowgreatleaders workallowsyoutoadoptyourstyleandbecomemorelike thoseyouadmire.It’simportanttorememberthatleading byexampleandinspirationis,inmyview,oneofthemost effectivewaysofleadingyourteam.Atthesametime,be suretoencourageyourteamtodevelopnewskillsand providethemwithchallengestoencouragetheirgrowth. Giveyourteamthefreedomtocomeupwithsolutions; you’llbepleasantlysurprisedathowcreativeandeffective thosesolutionswillbe.

Understanding the Core Aspects of Organizational Leadership

Organizationalleadershipisacriticalelementinthe successofanybusiness.Itistheprocessof directingandinfluencingpeopletowards achievingcommongoalsandobjectives.Leadersmust possesscertaincorequalitiestoeffectivelyleadateamor organization.Inthisarticle,wewilldiscussthecoreaspects oforganizationalleadershipandwhatittakestobea successfulleader

VisionandPurpose

Leadersmusthaveaclearvisionandpurposefortheir organization.Theyshouldbeabletoarticulateacompelling futurestatethatinspiresandmotivatestheirteam.Aleader's visionshouldbealignedwiththeorganization'smission, values,andgoals.

Avisionandpurposecanprovideindividualsand organizationswithresilienceandadaptability.Itprovidesa

senseofpurposeanddirection,whichcanhelpindividuals andorganizationsovercomechallengesandadaptto change.Avisionandpurposecanalsoprovideaguiding frameworkfordecision-making,whichcanhelpindividuals andorganizationsnavigateuncertaintyandcomplexity.

Avisionandpurposecanhelpalignindividualsandteams towardsacommongoal.Itprovidesasharedunderstanding ofwhatneedstobeachievedandwhyitisimportant.A visionandpurposecanalsoencouragecollaborationand teamwork,asindividualsandteamsworktogethertowards asharedvisionandpurpose.

Communication

Effectivecommunicationisacrucialaspectofleadership. Leadersmustbeabletocommunicatetheirvisionand purposeclearlyandconsistentlytotheirteam.Theyshould alsobeabletolistenactivelyandrespondtofeedback.

Goodcommunicationcreatestransparency,buildstrust,and fostersapositiveworkenvironment.

StrategicThinking

Leadersmustpossessstrategicthinkingskillstosetgoals anddevelopplanstoachievethem.Theyshouldbeableto analyzecomplexsituations,identifyopportunitiesand threats,andmakeinformeddecisions.Strategicthinking helpsleadersanticipatefuturechallengesandpreparetheir organizationtoovercomethem.

Strategicthinkinghelpsindividualsandorganizationsmake betterdecisionsbyconsideringmultipleoptions,analyzing theirpotentialoutcomes,andselectingthebestcourseof action.Itinvolvesgatheringandanalyzingrelevant information,evaluatingrisks,andconsideringthelong-term consequencesofdecisions.

Strategicthinkingencouragesinnovationandgrowthby challengingindividualsandorganizationstothinkbeyond theircurrentcapabilitiesandexplorenewopportunities.It helpsorganizationsidentifynewproductsandservices, expandintonewmarkets,anddevelopnewbusiness models.

EmotionalIntelligence

Emotionalintelligenceisakeycharacteristicofeffective leaders.Itenablesleaderstoinspireandmotivateothers, communicateeffectively,andcreateapositivework environment.Italsohelpsleadersunderstandandrespond totheemotionsoftheirteammembers,whichcanimprove teamdynamicsandperformance.

IncreasedSelf-Awareness

Emotionalintelligencehelpsindividualsdevelopselfawareness,whichistheabilitytorecognizeandunderstand theirownemotions.Itenablesindividualstomanagetheir emotionseffectively,identifytheirstrengthsand weaknesses,anddevelopasenseofpurposeanddirection. Self-awarenessisalsoessentialforpersonalgrowthand development.

BetterDecisionMaking

Emotionalintelligencehelpsindividualsmakebetter decisionsbyconsideringtheirownemotions,aswellasthe emotionsofothers.Itenablesindividualstothinkcritically andobjectivelyandconsiderthepotentialimpactoftheir decisionsonothers.Emotionalintelligencealsohelps individualsmanagetheirbiasesandmakemoreinformed andrationaldecisions.

ImprovedMentalHealth

Emotionalintelligencecanimprovementalhealthby enablingindividualstomanagetheiremotionseffectively.It helpsindividualsrecognizeandregulatenegativeemotions, suchasanxietyand

Emotionalintelligenceistheabilitytorecognizeand understandone'sownemotionsandtheemotionsofothers. Leaderswithhighemotionalintelligencecanmanagetheir emotionsandthoseoftheirteameffectively Theycanalso inspireandmotivatetheirteam,buildrelationships,and resolveconflicts.Emotionalintelligencehelpsindividuals buildstrongandpositiverelationshipswithothers.It enablesindividualstounderstandandempathizewith others'emotions,communicateeffectively,andresolve conflicts.Italsohelpsindividualsdeveloptrustandrespect, whichareessentialforhealthyrelationships.

Adaptability

Thebusinessenvironmentisconstantlyevolving,and leadersmustbeadaptabletochange.Theyshouldbeableto anticipateandrespondtochangesinthemarket, technology,andotherfactorsthatimpacttheirorganization. Adaptabilityrequiresflexibility,creativity,anda willingnesstotakerisks.

Accountability

Leadersmustholdthemselvesandtheirteamaccountable forachievingtheirgoals.Theyshouldsetclear expectations,monitorprogress,andprovidefeedback. Accountabilityfostersacultureofownershipand responsibility,whichdrivesperformanceandsuccess.

TeamBuilding

Leadersmustbeabletobuildandleadahigh-performing team.Theyshouldrecruitanddeveloptalentedindividuals whosharetheirvisionandvalues.Theyshouldalsocreatea collaborativeworkenvironmentthatfosterscreativity, innovation,andcontinuousimprovement.

Inconclusion,effectiveorganizationalleadershiprequiresa combinationofvision,communication,strategicthinking, emotionalintelligence,adaptability,accountability,and teambuilding.Leaderswhopossessthesecorequalitiescan inspireandmotivatetheirteamtoachieveextraordinary results.Aspiringleaderscandeveloptheseskillsthrough training,mentorship,andexperience.

Empowering the Prospects of Innovation

Henrik Lund-N ielsen

PPerhapsinthefuture,wewouldsayweprint buildingsratherthanconstructthem.Suchisthe innovationthat3Dprintingisbringingtothe constructionindustry.Thebusinessofconstructionisa time-consumingandlabor-intensiveprocess,butnow,with theadventofautomationand3Dprintingtechnologiesare poisedthewholeindustryispoisedtobedisrupted.

COBODInternationalisoneoftheleadersintheindustry thatisattheforefrontofthischange.Rapidgrowingscale upbusinesswhichispartneringwithbig-name multinationalsindustrialcompanieswithamissiontobuild smarterviamultifunctionalconstructionrobotsbasedon3D printingtechnology.Itsvisionistoautomateaminimumof 50%ofconstructionprocessesonbuildingsitesaroundthe world.

Thecompany’sFounder&GeneralManager,Henrik Lund-Nielsen,isatechnologyenthusiastandacareer entrepreneurwhostartedandsoldhisfirstcompanyat18to payforhisMBA.Henrik’spassionfornewtechnologies andbusinesscombinedledhimtoeventuallylaunch COBOD.

Underhisleadership,COBOD–ConstructingBuildingsOn Demand,3DprintedEurope’sfirstbuildingin2017. Subsequently,thefirst,second,andthird-storybuildingsin BelgiumandGermany,thefirstvillainDubai,thefirstwind turbinebases,andthefirstbuildingsinAfricahavebeen printedbyits3Dconstructionprinters.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen, in an exclusive interview with Insights Success, shares his journey to constructing success with disruptive technology.

Brieflydescribeyourprofessionaljourneyupuntilnow.

IdemonstratedearlysignsofentrepreneurialdrivewhenI

startedmyfirstcompanyattheageof18,whichI subsequentlysoldtopayformyMBAatAlliant InternationalUniversityinSanDiego.Myprofessional experiencecanbetoldasataleintwohalves,withthefirst halfofmycareerspentasanemployedexecutiveandthe secondhalfastheCEOofmybusinesses.

Afteryearsofsuccessfullymanagingdaughtercompanies ofmultinationalcorporations,suchasBritishAmerican TobaccoandVELUX,attheendofmycorporatecareerin 2002,Imanagedmyowngroupconsistingof14companies and1000employees.ItwasatthistimethatIdecidedto continuemycareerworkingonnewcompaniesasIdidnot findbigtobebetterforme.Ialwayshadaninterestinnew technologiesandhowsuchmaybeusedtostartnew enterprises,soitwasnotasurprisewhenthefirst companiesIstartedintheearlyyearswererelatedtothe mobileinternet,whichwasnewatthattime.LaterIwas involvedwithnewrecyclingtechnologiesonlytoarriveat 3Dprinting.

Afterdoingalotofstudies,Ilearnedthattherewasa possibilityforcreatingamoreintelligentmethodof constructionusing3Dprinting,solvingthattheconstruction businesshadbeenlabor-intensiveandinefficientforyears, andthatiswhenCOBODwascreated.

Whatchallengesdidyoufacealongtheway?

Asourgoalwasandstillistodisrupttheconstruction industryonaglobalscale,weneedallthehelpwecanget indoingthismassiveunderstanding.That’swhywe,from thebeginning,havebeenwantingtopartnerwithsignificant multinationalindustrialcompaniesthatcouldhelpus. Obviously,suchcompaniesarenoteasytogetincontact withandmakeagreementswithforasmallstart-up,butwe managed.

Automation is a keyword for COBOD. When utilizing COBOD’ s 3D printing technology, there are much fewer workers needed on site, delivery of the project can happen quicker, and less waste is generated. With the help of our technology, our customers are able to print buildings as they need.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen Founder & General Manager COBOD International

Toovercomethefinancialchallenges,wehadtoincrease ourefforttodelivertheservicestothecustomer immediatelysothatwegetthepaymentinstantly.We stoppedgivingcustomerscreditsforlongperiodssothat ourinvestmentisprotectedandbringitbackASAP Wehad toreduceourprofitmarginstogetcontinuousandmore business.

Ihavealwaysfacedhighchallengesinrecruitingtheright personforthecompany,andforthisIalwaysoutsourcethe selectionbyagentandfinalinterview.Itakeittogetthe rightcandidateswhocouldbereallyanassetforthe company

Generatingcustomersiseasy,butkeepingthemwithusand ongoingisnoteasybecauseeverydaywehavenew competitionandnewcompetitors,duetowhichwereally hadtogiveourbestsolutiontocustomers,whichistotheir budgetandnotcompromisingonthequality.Butatthe sametime,wearekeepingourteamonhighalerttoserve thecustomers24/7roundtheclock.

TellusaboutKiranSmartanditsfoundationpillar.

HowdoesKiranSmartpromoteworkforceflexibility, andwhatisyourroleinit?

Itisverysimpleforus,andwemadeitveryflexibleto workfromhomeandworkfromtheoffice.Thereareno timelimits,butweconcentrateonproductivityandtask completion.Myroleistokeeptheteamhappyand motivated.

WhatwillbethenextsignificantchangeintheTech industry,andhowareyoupreparingforit?

ThenextsignificantchangeinthetechindustrywillbeAI. AndthisAIwillbeineverything.Ifweseehow(OpenAi) ChatGPTismakingarevolutioninthetechindustry.

Therefore,inthefuture,therewillbeahybridsolutionthat willbeinclusiveofai,robots,andautomation.Butwe shouldnotforgetvirtualization,whichisanotherbigchange

coming.Wehavealreadyourteamwhoisworkingonthe changesandthetrendinthemarket.

Whatisyourtakeontechnology'simportance,andhow areyouleveragingit?

Lookingbackatthelast10years,technologywasmeantfor businessorcommercialpurposes.Butnow,Technologyhas becomeapartofourlife,whichmeansthattechnologyhas becomesoimportantinourlifethatwithouttechnology,we cannotlive,especiallythosewhoarelivingincities.

Weareusingthetechnologytothefullesttohelpand supportourcustomersandnotonlycustomersbutthe humanity.Therefore,weareusingourrobotsasoneofthe

advancedtechnologiestoimprovehumanlifeinthefuture.

Whatareyourgoalsintheupcomingfuture?

Wehavemanygoalstoachievehowever,atthemoment, ourmajorgoalistomakeourDubaicompanysuccessful likewedidinKuwait.Soourmajorfocuswillbeonthe UAEmarketnowaswearedonewiththeKuwaitmarket.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringbusinessleaders?

Tobeasuccessfulbusinessleader,onemustknowhowto forecasttheFutureMarketcorrectly