5 minute read
Q&A
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER
WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE CEO OF THE YEAR AT THE CBNME MEP AWARDS 2022. CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME SPOKE TO MOHAMMED TO DISCUSS HIS LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES, HOW HE IS DRIVING THE GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF IFM, AND SO MUCH MORE.
What were the initial goals and objectives that you set out when you were appointed the divisional CEO for iFM Holdings? It is essential to look at the bigger picture and promote a future-driven agenda for one’s business.
With so much to look forward to, my first few days as Divisional CEO at iFM ensured that there were strategies put in place for the business that were aligned with Eltizam Group’s plans. With renowned companies Tafawuq, 800TEK and Inspire Integrated within the business, it was vital to seek balance and development and help each of the directors, so they can enhance the business.
For our company to grow, we needed to devise an outline of ‘what winning means’ and integrate the business entities to be as efficient as possible.
Tell us about your leadership style and how it helps the individuals around you to achieve those initial goals and objectives for iFM Holdings? I consider myself a transformational leader and believe it is a vital quality to have, especially while we are integrating a new business within our company.
Leadership requires one to communicate effectively, be it internally or externally; this attribute supports the business most during an integration, where multiple challenges arise and need to be dealt with vigilantly. From director level to blue collar employees, we all realise the importance of effective correspondence; all the employees at iFM are coached to encounter challenges with exceptional communication skills to ensure an outstanding customer experience.
I try to use motivation and inspiration to boost high morale across the organisation. I believe this elevates the value of a relationship, enhances performance and therefore, aligns everyone’s vision towards a shared goal.
How do you see this brand filling a gap in the market and what are the growth plans put in place for the brand? The business entities under iFM Holdings have the flexibility to provide solutions to clients and end-users, whether it is a total facilities management solution or just one of our services. The world of facilities
management demands competent and skilled manpower - we meet these requirements with qualified staff across the layers of our organisation.
Additionally, we have developed training and assessment plans to support our employees to widen their horizons and increase their level of industry related expertise. Furthermore, we are steering the implementation of technology on ground, the way forward is all about tech-oriented equipment and we are moving with the times and educating ourselves towards a more techsavvy tomorrow.
We are known for our proficiency in introducing a new service offering to our clients every year, as we truly believe in growing horizontally as we grow vertically too. As part of our growth strategy, we have expanded some facilities management services to Egypt, where the operations have now been running smoothly for the past year and we intend to continue to move across borders to take iFM Holdings and Eltizam to the next level.
What attracted you to Eltizam and what are the unique challenges you faced and what changes you have introduced? Eltizam means commitment and as a company, it is committed – to its vision, ambition and mission across all business entities. It was crucial for me to join a company that has a well-defined visualisation of where they want to be.
I wouldn’t say I faced any major challenges however, I do believe that my colleagues and I were able to transform FM operations through the implementation of technology such as the cleaning robots, I-traps and more. Another successful change that was brought to the organisation was diversification of the market sectors that we serve; today we operate across a range of industries including hospitality, leisure, education, aviation, commercial, residential, infrastructure, industrial and many more.
What are some of the key trends in the facilities management industry? Today’s customers are drawn towards technology, cost efficiency, transparency and environmental impact. We, as
FM companies, need to increase the standard of our services based on what our customers want. I believe the key trends in our industry at the moment are information management, technology, sustainability, resilience and staff welfare and we ensure that we constantly shift our boundaries to accommodate the emerging trends within the industry.
With your vast experience in the facilities management industry, how has the industry evolved in the past 10 years and where do you see it going in the next decade? Our profession is a demanding one that requires people to have a diverse set of skills in order to be successful. We hail from a time where FM was just about preventative maintenance and it wasn’t normal to see a technician with a handheld device which is extremely common today. I believe that the next decade will see more and more usage of IoT and smart building solutions, direct interaction with the end-user through mobile applications and working smarter to provide solutions.
You were recently awarded the CEO of the Year at the CBNME MEP Awards. Tell us what this achievement means to you and how this reflects well on the company as well. I am honoured to be recognised as CEO of the Year and have my colleagues and company to thank - without their support it wouldn’t have been possible to be where I am today. The award will allow me to push my limits further, to do and achieve more, every day. The award is not just for me but it is for the entire team of iFM Holdings, it motivates us to elevate our game, take it up a notch and propel forward.
