Evolving Challenges,

From Idea to Growth

convincing people that Technology will make their life easy, cut down the mundane task, and improve their efficiency and productivity. While we explain this, their mind starts thinking that this technology will replace him/her.

WHAT IS YOUR 2023 PLAN FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO TAKE THE BUSINESS FORWARD WITH TECHNOLOGY?

Once the culture and team get aligned with new disruptive technology, even the sky will not be the limit. FMCG business has been growing at a better CAGR and will continue to do. The difference I want to make with technology is to provide an edge over my peers and competition. Data will be the key asset and automation with BI/AI/ML will give rapid progress.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD YOUR TEAMS?

There are plenty of team-building methods and activities, but my approach is simple and easy. I believe in 3 Es – Empowerment, Empathy and Engagement, and it

Though out my career, I have worked in MNCs, and teams with multiple nationalities, ethnicity, and age group. It has its challenges too, but with lot more engagement and showing interest to learn different cultures while working professionally on tasks, has always exceeded in success. During one of my projects, I stayed for around 2 months constantly in Cairo Egypt, and my English accents changed so much, that some of the local vendors were at times initiating conversation with me in Arabic thinking I am one of them.

WHICH WAS YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR COMPANY IN 2022 AND HOW DID IT IMPACT OR INFLUENCE THE BUSINESS?

Assisting in the preparation of the overall Digital Strategy roadmap, by providing BI, Data and Analytics roadmap, has clearly shown a path to success. A list of Projects with necessary expenditure and expected ROI has influenced the business to get convinced/ influenced for taking the route without any further delay. The definition of the Global Operating Model was the game changer.

DEFINE 2023 IN 3 WORDS.

• Disruptive

• Disturbing (global economy slowdown)

• Distinctive

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY HEADING IN 2023?

In 2023, I believe the tech industry will continue to heavily invest in AI, predictive analytics and automation as they become increasingly essential for businesses to remain competitive and innovative. We will likely see greater integration of these technologies into various industry verticals, from healthcare to finance to transportation, transforming the way we work and live.

In Your Opinion Has There Been An Increase In The Awareness Of Diversity And The Positive Role It Plays

At GCC Services, we recognize the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, not only for the benefit of our business but also to better serve the communities in which we operate. By embracing diversity, we can gain a better understanding of the unique needs of our customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders, and build stronger relationships with them. This also aligns with our wider ESG strategy, which prioritizes social responsibility and sustainable practices for long-term success. By prioritizing

ADAM LALANI, IT Director GCC Services

diversity and inclusion, we can demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility and build a stronger, more resilient business for the future.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WORK ENVIRONMENT AND WORK CULTURE?

I like to feel at the end of each day that I made a difference. I love to work with people who are collaborative and open to new ways of doing things – and a workplace culture that has an experimental start-up feel to it. Structure and order are important, but too much red tape chokes innovation.

WHAT IS THE MOST ENGAGING OR SATISFYING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB ROLE?

The most fulfilling aspect of my job is seeing the impact that my team's work has on our stakeholders. When someone shares how the team's efforts have made a real difference, it reinforces the sense of pride and purpose that we all share. I feel proud when team members grow and develop along with the company.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB ROLE?

The most challenging aspect of my job is dealing with unproductive calls that as they unfold show they have no clear purpose and often have to be the one to bring them to a close. There is enough time in our day to achieve everything we set out to if use it wisely.

WHAT IS YOUR 2023 PLAN FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT? HOW DO YOU PLAN TO TAKE THE BUSINESS FORWARD WITH TECHNOLOGY?

I don’t want to give too much away and surrender our competitive advantage, but at a high level, our company strategy is to pursue aggressive growth. Our departmental plans revolve around using technology to support that aggressive growth.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU LEAD A CULTURALLY DIVERSE TEAM?

As the leader of a multicultural technology team, I work with team members from 8 different nationalities. Each person brings unique perspectives and experiences to our work, which makes our team more diverse and dynamic. By embracing and leveraging these differences, we create a more inclusive and collaborative workplace where everyone can contribute and grow.

WHICH WAS YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR COMPANY IN 2022 AND HOW DID IT IMPACT OR INFLUENCE THE BUSINESS?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD YOUR TEAMS?

To build high-performance teams, people need to wake up in the morning and be excited by what they will do that day, what they might learn, what they might share, and if they make a positive difference in the lives of others. So, I always look to put people into roles they enjoy as much as possible.

In 2022, my most significant contribution to the company was actually twofold. Firstly, the successful migration of our datacentre from on-premises infrastructure to Azure cloud, resulted in improved scalability, efficiency, and cost savings. Secondly, a complete overhaul and redesign of our IT security model, ensuring that our company's sensitive data and information are protected against modern threats and cyber-attacks. Both of these initiatives have had a significant impact on our company's operations, security posture, and overall competitiveness in the marketplace.

DEFINE 2023 IN 3 WORDS.

AAA - AI, Automation, Analytics