Elsewedy Electric is a very well-known global company, and you are the face and driver of its success. You have received many awards, met presidents and other CEOs, you influence important decisions, and are invited to speak at various conferences. Does this motivate you to continue to improve and grow or are there other factors that keep you going every day?
I believe that everyone must have a purpose in life that is freely chosen. I also believe that part of one’s purpose must be using the best of your ability to benefit your family, the people around you and society. You must focus on achieving your goals and having a positive impact on society; this is a shared responsibility to which each of us should contribute.
When you wake up in the morning, do you see challenges that you want to solve, or do you wake up with great new ideas that you want to implement?
When I wake up in the morning, I always have plans to do something new, add new skills and talents to the organization, identify new challenges, or uncover existing difficulties that needs resolving. I value the ability to be able to discover new challenges, or as I like to call them ‘opportunities to excel’. Identifying and resolving problems proactively is one of the most important things I do, as it keeps the company one step ahead of the game. I also occasionally consider recruiting new team members and planning the company’s future.
What is a ‘normal’ day like for you?
Travelling is a big part of my daily life. I typically travel for approximately two or three days per week to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or Asia. The main objective of my travel is to develop the business, but I am also keen to strengthen our relationships with countries and people. I meet with many people, such as country officials and company presidents, attend board meetings, and witness the signing of important deals. It is of the utmost importance to me that I give the operations and people of the country I am visiting my undivided attention, as it helps me focus on the primary business purpose of my visit and successfully provide the best value for the country and its people.
When I am not traveling, I usually wake up at 6am and begin my first meeting somewhere between 7am and 7.30am. I meet with one of the primary operations, which include Iskraemeco, Transformers, Cables, the Human Resources or Finance departments, where we discuss current business and future plans. We mostly concentrate on our vision and goals for the next three years. In the past, such planning was done on a five-to-seven-year cycle, but now it is done every two to three years because business and global situation are so dynamic that we must always be aligned and at the top of our game. At approximately 10.30am, I begin meetings with my team members or employees who want to see me or require assistance in addressing urgent matters. Between 2pm and 3pm, I hold external meetings with some of our most important clients and ministry officials to discuss business as well as regional and Egyptian-related issues. I typically conclude my workday at 9pm with a business dinner and return home at 10pm to spend the rest of the evening with my family.
Identifying and resolving problems proactively is one of the most important things I do, as it keeps the company one step ahead of the game.
You mentioned two things: long working hours and travelling. How do you balance your professional and personal life?
It is quite challenging, as I am only able to spend time with my family on Fridays and half the day on Saturdays, which I truly enjoy and cherish. Unfortunately, during the week it is difficult to spend time with them as I only see my wife and daughter early in the morning and for half an hour each evening. However, I soon intend to change this balance and devote significantly more time to my family.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges in today’s business, and do you see them as opportunities at the same time? How do you envisage business in the future? What will change?
There are numerous changes happening on multiple levels throughout the globe as we speak. There are changes at the national level, constant local and worldwide political changes, some of which affect the economy, such as material price hikes and availability, as well as the funding of banks. There are also rapid changes happening in the business environment; changes that will occur in the next three to four years have never occurred in the preceding 100 years. I am anticipating significant changes, and the way in which we conduct business today will have to adjust radically. Businesses that are not a part of this transformation and lack a vision for the future will struggle to survive.
With this in mind, I am currently considering many ideas. I am always searching for talented individuals, who can facilitate the transition process, and considering the creation of new professions, positions, products, and solutions, as well as the establishment of new departments at the level of both Iskraemeco and the Elsewedy Electric Group. I believe that this transformation will unfold quickly, and it is imperative that we are adequately prepared before it is too late for us to react.
Our portfolio of solutions and products has developed to embrace a ‘smart’ business strategy across all businesses. Elsewedy Electric has established Elsewedy Technology and Elsewedy Digital, which focus on integrating relevant technology into our digitisation process and assisting governments and other businesses in their digital transformation. I believe Iskraemeco is one of the major drivers of this digital transformation inside the Group, as its future focus is on smart services, software, and intelligent digital solutions for the energy industry, in addition to the manufacturing of smart meters.
There is a highly ambitious plan in place for Iskraemeco’s digital transformation, which I believe is attainable, and I look forward to overseeing its development.
There are also rapid changes happening in the business environment; changes that will occur in the next three to four years have never occurred in the preceding 100 years. With this in mind, I am currently considering many ideas.
Iskraemeco is just one of many companies within the Elsewedy Electric Group. In your opinion, what are the main strengths and benefits that Iskraemeco brings to the Elsewedy Electric Group? In addition, what do you think are the main synergies between the two companies and how does Iskraemeco complement the overall business of the Elsewedy Electric Group?
There are significant synergies between Iskraemeco and Elsewedy Electric, as well as several differences, which is beneficial because both companies complement one another. Iskraemeco is strong in the European market and is also establishing a foothold in other regions. Many local experts are doing great business, executing crucial projects, and assisting in developing regions. Iskraemeco also focuses on the energy industry by enabling energy management, a field in which the entire globe is currently concentrating. Everyone is talking about energy savings, but savings cannot be generated without accurate measurements of water, electricity, and gas. This is exactly what Iskraemeco does best: we provide a comprehensive energy solution for infrastructural development.
We all know that employees are important to you and that you, together with Elsewedy Electric as a company, place a high value on diversity, inclusion, and education. What would you say good, talented, and motivated employees bring to the overall success of the company? Why is it so important for the company to attract, retain and develop employees?
Our fundamental objective is to help society and those around us, and to be recognized for who we are and the good work we do. To do so successfully, we need people who believe in, respect and are devoted to the company. For this reason, I believe that employees must be content in the company and my job is to ensure that they have a promising future, a competitive compensation package with benefits, and the knowledge and skills necessary for their personal and professional development. I want every employee to feel valued and fulfilled in their role. When individuals grow and develop, organizations grow with them.
I depend heavily on fresh graduates; our aim is that they make up ten percent of our new hires. This year alone, around 1,200 new graduates will join Elsewedy Electric, which will affect the company’s mindset, as we are introducing new ways of thinking, young energy, and fresh ideas into the whole Group. Obviously, we cannot
underestimate the importance of experienced and professional individuals, as well as their wisdom and loyalty, which are also crucial and will guide and support the up- coming generation. By employing a work- force of varying ages, our Group gains a competitive advantage as well as financial benefits.
Everyone is talking about energy savings, but savings cannot be generated without accurate measurements of water, electricity, and gas. This is exactly what Iskraemeco does best: we provide a comprehensive energy solution for infrastructural development.
What are the most important values that you also implement in your business life and expect from others?
Perfection at work, innovative ideas, the ability to identify problems and propose solutions, teamwork and, of course, working together as one big family.
You have achieved a lot in your life. Do you still have any unfulfilled aspirations? Can we expect any big plans – either personal or private?
You are giving me too much credit, I consider myself normal, like everyone else! I might have numerous achievements, but admiring the past makes you neglect the future, which is where my focus is. I believe there are still many opportunities and things I can do, change, and accomplish. My focus is on the next three years and how we can successfully transform the company, thus ultimately improving the lives of our employees and contributing to the overall prosperity of society. Therefore, I am still heavily committed to activities intended to improve the future.
