One-on-One with Mohammed Al Mazrouie, Dalma Mall

FEATURED MEMBER

The Director’s Role–“Show Must Go On”

One-On-One with Mohammed Al Mazrouei

MOHAMMED ALSHAIBA AL MAZROUEI

PREFERRED NAME/NICKNAME:

MOHAMMED

TITLE/DESIGNATION/COMPANY:

Board Member & Executive Director- Dalma Mall Board Member - CBRE and Others

NATIONALITY:

UAE NATIONAL

HOBBIES/INTEREST:

CROSSFIT and ART COLLECTING

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“If your point of view is positive, you’ll see the challenges in the future as opportunities.” From HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Learning to celebrate success is a key component of learning how to win in the market. Success, achievements are best celebrated with the people whom you love and have an impact on your life. Hearing a success story or achievement is always good as this serves as an inspiration to many. The Retail People Magazine had an exclusive one-onone conversation with Mr. Mohammed Alshaiba Al Mazrouei, Board Member and Executive Director of Dalma Mall.

For those who don’t know you, what or how do you want people to know you as a professional, as an individual and as the Board Member & Executive Director of Dalma Mall? Can you share it briefly?

A Board Member & Executive Officer with 15+ years of experience spanning across diversified verticals ranging from holding companies to those engaged in Shopping Malls, Retail Management, Real Estate, Security and Cash Management, NBFCs and other diversified conglomerates. I envisage comprehensive expertise of the global financial marketplace with an astute and informed eye for new opportunities which has now made way for successful forward-thinking investment and spectacular results in all initiatives. I adore the technology and digital sector which is evolving at a rapid pace, enabling faster change and progress, causing an acceleration of the rate of change.

With a new influx of digital innovations, brick-andmortar and e-commerce, how does Dalma Mall prepare for this or what can you say about this? To what extent does social media help your company in marketing your services?

Digital Innovation, Technology and Artificial intelligence are into leaps and bounds wherein now we are experiencing a whole new virtual world “The Metaverse”. Every industry will henceforth be influenced and adapt to the changing sectorial environments and work towards enhanced business continuity and better returns on investment. However, will need to emphasise the fact that Physical Retail Space is a Consumer Habitat; it will prevail no matter what. Shopping is more to be seen as a pleasure activity and it has its relaxation dimensions. Basically, it’s a combination of Economic and Emotional motives. Digital World thus complements the shopping malls and does not compete with them. Hence, we try to offer to all our customers the right product mix, ample entertainment, films, food with various choices, day to day services and most importantly a place to socialize thereby creating an overall experience for the customers. Our principle is very clear give what the customer wants.

On the other hand, we fully acknowledge that this is the era of Digital Marketing and have been focussing our efforts on Digital & Social Media. Our Objective is never to buy likes or followers but to work on AECCC strategies i.e., Access, Engage, Connect, Collaborate and Customize and have noticed Awareness and Engagement metrics on the rise.

In tandem with your vast expertise, it would be great if you could share your insights on Covid Impact on the Industry as a whole and your vision as the way forward.

Covid had scourged every business entity in the world with a significant impact on the retail and shopping sector with indefinite closures, gathering restrictions and crowd limitations which were the very fodder of industry. There has been a substantial multidimensional impact across all operational aspects of the sector. It has slowed down the exponential growth the industry was relishing but this is not the end. A Comprehensive & Strategic Crisis Management and Business Continuity plan encapsulating all the components of a Shopping Industry from Leasing, Renewals, Marketing, Operations, Facilities Management & Finance and coming forth with a formula for a Successful Re-Gear and Re-Vitalising strategy is the way forward. We need to incorporate sinking funds for business continuity, take a short term hit on the annual annuity and create longevity and enhanced value of the asset. Strategic Timely Decision-Making, Optimal Delegation and Cohesive Stakeholder Management can surely assist in sailing through the turbulent times. We can also take the aid of Technology & Artificial Intelligence for Data Analysis, Periodical checks and to be conclusive on the right derivates in aspects of operative expenditures, rental efficiencies, marketing outlays and the overall NOI of the Asset.

How does it feel to be recognized as Retail Professional of the Year - 2021?

Recognition and Appreciation always is a positive boost towards striving harder and achieving higher goals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank MECSC+R and all the industry peers for their esteemed consideration and I am so honoured with this recognition. All I have done is to endeavour and strive to keep Our Retail Industry Momentous and shall continue to do so and, in the process, generate and revitalise valuable assets and work towards overall human capital development and fruitful stakeholder management. I would request each of your support and cooperation in enriching the entire retail fraternity.

What is your personal life philosophy?

I believe in the concept of a happy family in stakeholder management which can create a perfect symphony and synchronization of objectives, attributes, processes, and human capital and be beneficial to each and every stakeholder in line with their contribution and roles.

To end with “The Best Executive is the One who has sense enough to pick Good Men to do what he wants to be done, and Self-Restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” —Theodore Roosevelt