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Hisham Hammoud: Leading the Way to Economic Success

Backed by an eminent and respected group of shareholders, Aafaq Islamic Finance was established in 2006 to provide innovative Islamic financial services and products that comply with Islamic Sharia across the UAE and the Region. Headed by its CEO, Hisham Hammoud, Aafaq stands on the list of many prominent financial organizations delivering high-quality financial services for a wide range of institutions.

Hisham is a business leader and a banking professional with over two decades of experience in business execution strategies, consumer banking, investment and wealth management, treasury and capital markets, operations, technology, risk management, business process re-engineering, profit, and cost optimization.

Over the years, Hisham has worked in Senior Executive roles across organizations like Citi Bank, Dubai Bank, Dubai Tadawul Brokerage, Dubai Resources, Al Tagdeer Company, Bank Islami Pakistan Limited, Network International Group, and Ajman Bank.

Hisham also holds a Risk Management and Advanced Leadership Skills certification from the state-of-the-art International Leadership Programs in the US, EMEA & AP regions. Besides that, he has an in-depth understanding of auditing and the associated regulatory issues in both local & global banks.

As the Group Chief Executive Officer at Aafaq Islamic Finance, Hisham drives the group strategy to maximize shareholder value and achieve market-leading business growth while building customer relationships and loyalty. Hisham’s relentless ambition and energy have driven him to achieve and exceed targets, goals and attain objectives.

A Key Player in the Financial Services Industry

With a proven track record of delivering innovative and Shariah-compliant financial solutions to its customers, Aafaq Islamic Finance has established itself as a strong player in the UAE.

Aafaq Islamic Finance recognizes that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and it is committed to empowering them through its products and services. By providing exceptional financial education and support, Aafaq aims to help the younger generation achieve their goals and contribute to the growth and development of the UAE.

On the other hand, SMEs play a crucial role in UAE’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and economic growth. However, these SMEs often struggle to access financing due to their size and lack of collateral. So, by supporting SMEs, Aafaq Islamic Finance aligns with the UAE government’s effort to promote economic growth and diversification through supporting small businesses.

“We are also exploring new market segments traditionally underserved by the financial industry. Through our innovative solutions, we aim to bring financial inclusion to these segments and help them realize their full potential,”- explains Hisham. “Digital transformation and innovation are also key elements of our new vision. We recognize that the world is changing rapidly, and we must adapt and evolve to stay ahead of the curve. By embracing technology and innovation, we aim to transform how financial services are delivered and revolutionize the industry.”

Due to its commitment to innovation, Aafaq Islamic Finance strongly focuses on AI and its potential to transform the financial services industry. Through its investment in digitalization, Aafaq Islamic Finance aims to offer its customers personalized and intelligent financial solutions. The organization’s digitalpowered solutions will better understand its customers’ needs and preferences and tailor its products and services accordingly.

Hisham and his team at Aafaq Islamic Finance also believe it can help the organization improve its risk management and compliance process, leading to a more secure and transparent financial system.

Creating a Diversified and Sustainable Economy

Being a leading Islamic financial institution, Aafaq is extremely proud to contribute to the UAE’s efforts to create a diversified and sustainable economy. The organization’s initiatives are aligned with the UAE’s vision of promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, and it is committed to supporting the government’s efforts in achieving these objectives.

Through its products, partnerships, and services, Aafaq aims to support UAE’s vision of becoming a hub for innovation, a leader in sustainability, and a model for economic growth and development.

With the contribution of Aafaq’s customers, employees, and partners, Hisham is hugely excited about the organization’s new vision and looks forward to working together to create a better future for all.

“Our focus on digitalization is key to our new vision and initiatives. We are excited about the potential of this technology to revolutionize the financial services industry, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this transformation,” – states Hisham.

A Leading Provider of Islamic Financial Services

Founded with the goal of providing innovative and customer-focused financial solutions in accordance with the principles of Islamic finance, Dubai-based Aafaq Islamic Finance is now a leading provider of Islamic financial services.

Some of the products and services offered by Aafaq Islamic Finance include:

  1. Corporate finance: Aafaq Islamic Finance provides various corporate finance services, including project and trade financing.
  2. Retail finance: The company offers a range of retail financial products and services, including personal loans, credit cards, and deposit products.
  3. Investment deposits: Aafaq Islamic Finance provides Shari’a compliant Wakala investments. On maturity, Corporates can enjoy several renewal options, from rolling over the principal amount & profit to rolling over the principal amount and collecting the profit.
  4. Corporate guarantees: The company offers several types of corporate guarantees with flexible margin options and simple & fast processing. Aafaq provides the following types of Corporate Guarantees:
    • Bank Guarantees
    • Labor Guarantees
    • Establishment Guarantees
    • Financial Guarantees
    • Bid Bonds
    • Advance Guarantees
    • Performance Bonds
    • Retention and Maintenance Guarantees

Motivating Innovation and Creativity in the Workplace

In today’s dynamic and fiercely competitive business world, the key to success lies in being creative and innovative. Hisham recognizes this fact and is determined to cultivate a culture of creativity and innovation at Aafaq Islamic Finance to keep the organization ahead of the game in the financial industry.

Promoting creativity and innovation in the workplace can also help Aafaq Islamic Finance attract and retain exceptional talent while creating a conducive and positive work environment that inspires employees to generate fresh and inventive ideas constantly. Hisham firmly believes that this is an indispensable aspect of the organization’s success and continues to work towards enhancing it. After all, creativity and innovation are essential for any company striving to excel in today’s competitive landscape.

Tackling the Pandemic

The global financial industry, including Aafaq Islamic Finance, has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in significant economic disruptions, creating various challenges for financial institutions.

To overcome these challenges, Aafaq Islamic Finance, along with other financial institutions, had to adapt its business model to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. This involved adopting digital and remote services, reducing branch operations, and implementing health and safety protocols. Additionally, the company has prioritized supporting its customers during these unprecedented times by providing flexible repayment options, offering financial education and advice, and implementing measures to alleviate the pandemic’s impact on the communities it serves. Despite these challenges, Aafaq Islamic Finance remains committed to providing the highest level of service to its customers while ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees.

The Gender-Pay Gap Challenge

The gender pay gap is a persistent issue that continues to plague societies worldwide, representing a sobering reminder of the disparities that still exist between genders. Despite concerted efforts to promote equality and fairness, women continue to earn less than their male counterparts for the same work, with the gap sometimes widening. This insidious form of discrimination erodes women’s financial independence and reinforces negative gender stereotypes, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that undermines progress and undermines the potential of half the population.

Being an organization committed to empowering and encouraging women, Aafaq Islamic Finance believes the pay disparity can have long-term effects on women’s financial condition.

“Unfortunately, despite advances in equality and anti-discrimination laws, the gender pay gap persists in many countries and industries. Women often earn less than men for doing the same work. This disparity can have long-term effects on women’s financial stability and economic independence,”- explains Hisham. “But one thing is for sure, that we at Aafaq Islamic Finance do not have a gender pay gap, but on the contrary, we always encourage and empower women while we also have an internal equal pay policy set in place to ensure that women working in Aafaq receive equal rights.”

Preparing for a Better Future

As Aafaq Islamic Finance enters 2023, the company has set its sights on enhancing the customer experience, embracing digital transformation, and fostering greater financial inclusion, all while promoting sustainable and responsible investment practices. The year 2022 was dedicated to building a sturdy foundation enabling Aafaq to navigate new challenges and seize emerging opportunities, thereby securing a leading position in the industry.

 

 

 

 

Elena Schildgen: An Iconic Business Woman, Offering Core Legal Solutions at Meyer-Reumann & Partners

Dream big: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

When more and more women concentrate on strategic business areas, they motivate other women to shatter the glass ceiling and grow. To ensure that women receive the equal opportunity, career development, and advancement, businesses are attempting to promote and profit from their potential. In the past ten years, there have been a number of incredible female entrepreneurs who are not just transforming their industries but also the globe as a whole. Elena Schildgen, the managing partner of Meyer-Reumann & Partners, is a leader with such biblical qualities.

A highly educated and driven lawyer with over 30 years of experience practising law in the GCC region, the leading lady focuses on Wills & Probate, Family Law, Labor Law, Company Creation and Structuring, as well as managing a successful law firm. Setting her sails in 1995, Elena has played a crucial role in strategically expanding Meyer-Reumann & Partners, ensuring that it is now sized to provide advice on complex corporate legal issues, such as multijurisdictional corporate restructurings like carve-outs and mergers and acquisitions, without sacrificing the level of individualized attention provided by the attorneys working on the cases. She has developed into more than simply a successful businesswoman; she is now a role model for others and a seasoned professional in the field of international law.

Meyer-Reumann & Partners at a Glance

“We are a renowned name in the legal industry for delivering personalized legal assistance!” Elena Schildgen

Meyer-Reumann & Partners is a boutique legal company founded in 1989 that handles the majority of corporate and commercial business law issues. It was created by Mr. Rolf Meyer-Reumann, a maritime law expert who began his career in Saudi Arabia. He spent a few years working there in the 1980s before relocating to Dubai in 1989.

Meyer-Reumann & Partners acts as a legal partner and handles matters on a very individual basis, with the client always having direct access to the lawyer in charge. The firm has a small number of highly skilled and devoted lawyers who respond to the very particular needs of the client.

Clients mainly approach them if they wish to establish a legal entity, and following this, they assist them with all day-to-day legal issues such as the drafting and revision of contracts, handling employment matters, registering IP, and making sure they fulfil all the local compliance regulations. Also, they support private individuals in a variety of family, real estate, inheritance, drafting, and registration related problem.

Elena and her team’s primary focus is to ensure that clients leave their offices smiling, and this is how they measure success. In the future, they intend to diversify their clientele by adding markets like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.

Elena’s Begining: Towards a Victorious Endvour

Elena first arrived in Dubai in May 1990. She had initially applied for a position as a law trainee with Mr. Rolf Meyer-Reumann, the firm’s founder, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She received a response from Dubai, where he had moved the office in the interim in September 1989.

Elena applied for the internship because she had a strong interest in international private law, a subject she had always prioritized in her legal training and education because it presents a challenge in determining which law would apply when different nationalities are involved, assets are held in different countries, etc. Elena also applied for the internship because she wanted to learn more about how to become a lawyer. She was assigned a task to complete that involved an international family and inheritance as early as the first week.

From the beginning, Mr. MR and Elena got along well. He even left the office in Elena’s care while she was on an internship in 1990, and when he came back, he offered her the position to come work for him as a lawyer. A few years later, he proposed a partnership to the aspiring lady. Over the years, Mr. MR mentored Elena and also grew to be a close friend. The support that she has received from him at all times later on, including being able to combine business and family, has been amazing and invaluable.

Elena has recently taken on the role of Managing Partner, continuing to manage her own caseload while focusing on Wills & Probate. She also works to strengthen the firm’s footprint throughout the GCC region so that the team is capable of supporting local courts with their Shariah law specialists.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Company

Meyer-Reumann & Partners present a team of 11 legal professionals, where they have 6 different nationalities and 6 women; of the 7 lawyers working for M&P, there are 5 women. The firm can serve customers of all nationalities and religious backgrounds thanks to this. The firm also specializes in inheritance and family law cases where women and children need extra protection and assistance.

Jewels in the Crown

While moving along her path, the magnificent woman has helped several successful firms get started, de-registered an agency in the UAE, which was a difficult process, and won favorable outcomes for her clients in an ICC arbitration.

“I had a terrific team, and everyone was really helpful in guiding the workplace through this trying time. We got closer as a family rather than just as coworkers at the office. We worked hard on our web marketing strategy and visibility, and we established ourselves in the market”, Elena quoted.

Elena’s Take on Woman Leadership in the Male-Dominated Industry

I was able to rise in my legal career far more rapidly as a woman than I would have in Europe since I was given early responsibility for my own clients and cases.

I have always cherished Dubai’s diversity, the worldwide nature of the clientele, my involvement in a wide range of legal issues, and my interactions with people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds.

I was already a member of a group of friends when I first moved to Dubai. We were all lawyers from various nations, including Germany, Lebanon, Russia, South Africa, and Denmark. During that time, women already held in-house legal positions with national and local law companies, as well as owning their own firms. Once more, I think that Dubai’s major advantage is the fact that it offers opportunities in all spheres and industries.

Working as a lawyer, especially in Dubai, presents a challenge but also the chance to participate in what I called a “work in progress.” You are constantly involved in new legislation being introduced, new plans, new developments, and new goals, which gives you the sense that you are advancing the legal system and the community.

 

 

 

Iqra Khan: Creating Unforgettable Experiences, One Event at a Time

Meet Iqra Khan, the CEO of Talkingly, a Dubai-based Event Management company. With a wealth of experience and a passion for creating positive change, Iqra has not only succeeded in building a successful business but has also become an advocate for women’s empowerment. Iqra’s leadership style fosters collaboration and encourages her team members to think outside the box. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and determination to overcome challenges have earned her respect and admiration in the industry. Iqra inspires women worldwide to pursue their dreams and break barriers in their respective fields through her work. She is a true testament to the power of female leadership and a role model for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

Recently, we had an opportunity to sit down with Iqra and learn how she is changing the world of events with Talkingly.

Below are the highlights of the interview .

Q) Please tell me your story. Or How did you get your start?

Iqra) Thank you for considering Me for such an Amazing ‘magazine! I have been living and making life in Dubai, UAE, since 2015. I started my career here in Marketing with an Events Company and then moved into my own business in 2020, during the Covid times.

I felt that I was stuck in the Corporate world and wanted to start something of my own, through which I could challenge myself and support other young women entrepreneurs in UAE too, and Talkingly began.

Q) Please tell us about Talkingly and how it serves its clients.

Iqra) Talkingly is a Business Events Company that helps the business community and individuals coming to Dubai to learn about the market Norms and Business Terms. We Assist them in Connecting with Right Partners, Colleagues, and Business Aquantices through Events. We also assist our clients in establishing their business in Dubai from scratch through Events.

Q) What distinguishes Talkingly from its competitors?

Iqra) As I said, Talkingly assists New Businesses in Dubai through Events, which is unique. We provide a platform for the clients to join and get the business running through events, which no one else in the marketing is offering for now. We have successfully connected and educated many businesses so far, while many found partners through our network and community.

Q) How do you motivate creativity and innovation in the workspace while maintaining a healthy work environment?

Iqra) Talkingly believes in new ideas and listens to everyone who has something to share regarding business, we always welcome new Collabs that can support both sides, but one thing we make sure of is to execute.

Q) How do you focus on Diversity and Inclusion in your organization for success?

Iqra) Well, Dubai is a very diversified market itself, and it’s not very difficult to bring on multiple nationals to work together, so even in our company, you will find 4-5 different regions’ resources working together; that’s the beauty of UAE. We focus on having the best resources no matter which region or nation they are coming from

Q) Please explain the pandemic’s effect on Talkingly. And how you tackled it?

Iqra) That’s a funny story, during covid when talkingly was started, it was EXPO2020 time, the WORLD BIGGEST Show of Businesses, and luckily Covid was not a problem for us, as Dubai was doing the work of bringing the world together and the business in that time in Dubai was High. Lots of events were happening, and we were able to get good action in that period of time.

Q) What does success look like for you?

Iqra) Success is a never-ending journey. You make and achieve goals, and these small achievements make you successful. Never giving up is success too. I think it’s a journey, and not one thing can confirm that now I am successful cause the meaning of success will keep on changing.

Q) What are your plans for 2023 and beyond?

Iqra) In 2023, we are planning to focus on one-to-one events and big conferences in ‘Business Expansion in Dubai to capture New Businesses.

Q) What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Iqra) Teamwork.

 

 

 

Pulling The Crowds- How To Maximize Event Attendance

Business events are the way to go in the competitive landscape. Did you know that 97% of B2B marketers believe in-person events go a long way in achieving business outcomes? But pulling the crowds can be a big challenge.

If you’re planning a business event and want to ensure it’s a smash hit, you’ve got to promote it like there’s no tomorrow. It’s the only way to get people to notice your program in a crowded space, right? And you’ll surely want to max the attendance after putting in a ton of effort to plan everything out.

We’ve got some surefire promotion tips to help you get more attendees flocking than you ever thought possible. Here you go, business owners!

Get Social

Guys, if you aren’t promoting your business event on social media, you’re doing it all wrong. Who doesn’t spend hours scrolling through Facebook or Instagram these days? Missing out on these platforms means you may never reach the crowd.

So leverage them for free promotions by creating eye-catching visuals and compelling posts to create a buzz around your event. And think beyond just posting once and calling it a day. Keep the hype up by sharing repeat updates and behind-the-scenes peeks to keep the excitement on.

Go old school with flyers and posters

Well, you cannot forget the value of good old-fashioned flyers and posters when it comes to event promotions. Of course, online promotion is a popular option these days, but not everyone in your target audience may be a social media enthusiast, right?

Display your banners in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility. And ensure they are eye-catching and have clear messaging.

Ease the registration process

An easy registration process is another way to get more attendees to the venue. People are short of time, and you can’t expect them to struggle with a complicated process to register for your event.

Lucky for you- online signup forms make an ideal solution to reach out to a broader audience without breaking the bank. But remember to keep the forms simple with only the necessary fields. Also, ensure they are mobile responsive so that users can fill them up on the go.

Partner up

Don’t be a lone wolf in your promotion efforts. Collaborating with other businesses and organizations can be a great way to reach more people. Look for companies that complement your business and ask them cross-promote your event.

Try strategies like sharing each other’s social media posts and offering special discounts to each other’s customers. The possibilities are endless when you find the right partners!

Give attendees a reason to be there

People are pressed for time, so they should see a compelling reason to attend your event. Unless they have one, they might skip it altogether. Give them a good reason to be there beyond just making a noise about the program.

Well, there’s a lot you can do, from offering exclusive VIP access, early bird pricing, or a killer swag bag. Get creative and think of ideas to bring in more people.

What Next

So you’re all set to host a crowded business event with these easy tips. But remember, promoting it is only part of the equation. Ensure you’ve also got a great experience to engage and excite tour attendees. Good luck!

3 Budget-Friendly Strategies For Conducting Market Research

If you’re a savvy entrepreneur, you probably know the significance of saving every dollar. But should you do it at the cost of cutting corners? Well, you may consider moving ahead without researching the market. But it can land your brand in deep trouble.

Did you know that 42% of startups fail because there isn’t a viable market need for their product or service? That’s a scary statistic, but don’t let it make you give up on your dream. Conducting market research is the best way to avoid this fate.

But it can be expensive, right? What if you don’t need to break the bank to gather valuable insights? Lucky for you, we’ve got some budget-friendly strategies to get you started. Let’s dive in!

Tap into your network

Your network is an excellent resource for gathering market research data. And you can tap into it without breaking the bank. Reach out to your family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances instead of going too broad.

Ask for their honest feedback about your product or service to get a fair understanding. They may offer valuable insights you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.

You can also tap into online communities, such as Reddit or Facebook groups, to get feedback from people likely interested in your product or service. But adhere to the community’s rules and guidelines and disclose that you’re conducting research.

Outsource expertise

Well, you cannot rely on a small data set to get a clear view of your market, right? Moreover, people who know you may give a biased opinion. Think quantitative with measures like surveys, questionnaires, and polls.

But it sounds like a lot of work and expense for a business owner running on a tight budget. Why not hire experts specializing in Quantitative Research for Businesses to analyze the data instead of handling market research as an in-house process?

Outsourcing is always a better approach for businesses as it offers high-quality expertise at a fraction of the price. And you can save time and focus more on things that matter!

 Analyze your competitors

Analyzing your competitors can be an ideal method to gather market research data without a massive expense. You can follow them, see what they’re doing well, and use that information to inform your research strategy. That makes sense, right?

Start by identifying your top competitors and conduct a SWOT analysis to see how you stack up against them. You can also check their marketing materials, customer reviews, and social media profiles to get a sense of what they’re doing right and what’s working for them.

Following a tried and tested strategy gives you a head start and minimizes the chances of errors. You needn’t worry about a hit-and-trial approach.

Wrapping Up

Conducting market research doesn’t have to break the bank, so it’s absolutely feasible for small businesses running tight on money. There are a ton of budget-friendly strategies you can use to gather valuable insights about your target market. Don’t let a lack of funds hold you back from conducting research – get creative and gather data today!

The Success Trajectory of Angelica Sirotin: Accelerating Business Growth through High-Impact Messaging Solutions at Sirotin Ventures

This time Tycoon Success shines the spotlight on a founder, venture entrepreneur, and strategic global advisor who is on a mission to make a difference in the business world by helping entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises alike reach their goals. Yes, it is none other than Angelica Sirotin, CEO of Sirotin Ventures, who has emerged as an influential and strong entrepreneur in the global business.

Pursuing her passion for helping small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs achieve their goals, the businesswoman laid the foundation of her own consulting firm, Sirotin Ventures, which focuses on business strategy and high-impact messaging. She additionally works as a strategic adviser for investment and management consulting companies that have helped businesses all over the world secure over $1 billion in equity and debt funding.

Angelica is a co-founder of the Digital Pioneers Network (DPN), a think tank with a community focus that includes CXOs from notable organisations like NASDAQ, Bloomberg, Verizon, and Lloyds Banking Group. She also participates actively in a number of organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the B20 Digitalization Taskforce for Indonesia in 2022, and the Council for Good of the AI For Good Foundation. She was also earlier chosen as Swiss Cognitive’s Global AI Ambassador for 2022. Lastly, she serves as a startup mentor for VC and fundraising for Gener8or’s gBETA St. Thomas Cohort 2022, an accelerator programme ranked 11th out of more than 150 in the US.

Sirotin Ventures at a Glance

Sirotin Ventures, a professional consulting company founded in 2018, provides executives, SMEs, venture funds, and startups with customised business communication services. They have seasoned company owners on their team who are aware of the particular difficulties faced by organisations in various industries. They can develop messaging strategies that persuasively attract the target audience and produce outstanding results by thoroughly analysing the business models, products, and market positions of their clients.

Sirotin Ventures’ white-glove service goes beyond creating messaging strategies. Additionally, the team can help with go-to-market strategy, board of advisor’s formation, investor relations, and other related areas. With its deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, Sirotin Ventures is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate complex communication challenges and accomplish their goals. Sirotin Ventures’ services are particularly beneficial to startups, venture funds, executives, and SMEs that need to effectively communicate their value proposition to investors, customers, and other stakeholders.

The Journey So Far

The Founder & CEO of the company, Angelica Sirotin, shed some light on her overall entrepreneurial journey so far!

From a young age, I was determined to blaze my own trail instead of following in anyone else’s footsteps. As a first-generation American born to immigrant parents, I had a unique perspective on the world, which enabled me to see things differently and realise that taking a risk could lead to the discovery of a wealth of resources and opportunities. I made the decision to explore entrepreneurship and forge my own path rather than work a 9–5 job.

I came to understand during my middle and high school years that my true strength lay in my ability to communicate information in a manner that inspired others to act. How can I profit from this skill set, I thought to myself. The answer was pitch decks, business plans, and marketing and sales strategies. I created my first pitch deck for a local customer when I was 16 years old, and the rest is history; I never looked back.

During my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2018, I co-founded Alpine Esports (now Torrent) with my brother, Jonathan Sirotin. Jonathan had the hearts and minds of the community, but needed help structuring the business side of the venture. This involved creating business models, investor presentations, and developing digital strategies for the organisation. We sold the business later that year, and it was my first profitable exit. Under our leadership, Torrent became one of the most sought-after professional Rocket League esports teams in the United States. The success of this venture eventually led me to the next and I found Sirotin Ventures. 

Edge in the Realm: What Makes Sirotin Ventures Stand Out?

High Impact Copywriting, Investment Materials, and Business Communications are the three messaging services offered by Sirotin Ventures. This allows them to provide a comprehensive approach to high-impact messaging, with each service created to effortlessly complement the objectives of the clients.

Their white-glove services are designed to provide clients with the highest level of support. They can develop a tailored messaging plan that supports them in achieving their goals and expanding their firm by taking the time to comprehend their specific demands and ambitions.

Sirotin Ventures fills the gap in the market by providing white-glove services that promote business growth under one constant pattern of high-impact messaging, whether a fund manager needs assistance with investor relations or a startup wants to launch a successful social media campaign.

Overcoming the Major Industry Obstacles

The emergence of new technologies, such as AI and automation, is one of the biggest issues the business communication sector is currently facing. Even though these technologies have the potential to improve productivity and streamline procedures, their implementation could lead to a decline in quality. In order to ensure that all communications are of the highest quality and optimised for maximum impact, the team at Sirotin Ventures tackles this difficulty head-on by combining their data-driven approach with experienced subject matter experts.

They also leverage cutting-edge AI tools such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) to identify KPIs, trends and insights that can further improve the quality of the client’s messaging. This combination of human expertise and AI-driven analytics allows them to deliver high-impact messages with accuracy and speed.

The Trailblazer’s Insights into “Gender Pay Gaps”

According to a recent study, there can be a 3% increase in labour productivity for every 10% decrease in gender income inequality. It is obvious that closing the gender wage gap is advantageous for businesses from an economic and ethical perspective.

Sirotin Ventures is proud to be a 100% woman-owned and operated business, and they believe in fostering a culture of equality. They adhere to the principles of equal pay for equal work and have put in place procedures to ensure that everyone is paid equally, regardless of gender or other personal traits. Angelica is passionate about supporting women in taking leadership roles in the tech sector, and she is confident that her work will contribute to closing the gender pay gap in all sectors of the economy.

A Radical Future Ahead

The dynamic leader has been exerting every ounce of effort to advance towards development with high optimism and deliberate strategies. She plans to establish an early-stage venture capital arm of Sirotin Ventures with a headquarters in Minnesota.

Here, the team will concentrate on investing in startups that add value to society in the areas of health, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

On a personal level, Angelica wishes to elevate the craft beer market to new heights. “There is no better launchpad for my ambitions than the vibrant beer scene in Minnesota, which boasts over 180 craft breweries. This would serve as a complete pivot from my former venture in esports into a completely new market—a challenge that I am naturally keen to take on”, the leading lady quoted.

Parting Words

Angelica’s advice for entrepreneurs entering the business world is to stay focused, be persistent, and never give up. Understand that it will take time to achieve your goals, and there will be obstacles along the way. Create a growth mindset by accepting failure, learning from mistakes, and using them as stepping stones to success. Embrace change and view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Have a plan, but don’t be afraid to pivot and adjust as you move forward.

Personal Branding Is An Essential Trend In The Virtual World

What is Personal Branding?

Within the simple language of the commercial enterprise, Personal Branding is advertising or marketing yourself. The concept of personal Branding is attributed to Thomas J. Peters, an American business management writer. Personal Branding is nothing but advertising and marketing yourself.

Why and how much is personal Branding important?

Personal Branding is an essential aspect of this competitive world. If you want to be successful or even if you do not have a job to fulfill your daily needs, personal Branding facilitates you in those conditions. It is incredibly beneficial while finding a job or using it for your commercial business. Personal Branding is crucial in this technologically advanced and social media-oriented world. Personal Branding is a need for the future generation.

 A few simple characteristics expand personal Branding inner you

Initially, you need to understand who you are. The need for personal Branding is self-motivation so that you will understand yourself and then you can brand yourself. So you need to polish yourself with a few attributes like personality development skills, conversation abilities, confidence, creativity or an innovative attitude, and so forth; you could also improve your knowledge by studying different success stories and making yourself hard working. Work for your strengths and weaknesses. Upward push along with your extraordinary and precise ideas.

You can study the ‘Johari window model‘ to develop your personal Branding. Johari Window is a model that helps to control and includes self-awareness and self-communication. The window shows you open, blind, hidden, and unknown areas of your personality.

How to create a personal brand

While doing personal Branding, to start with, you have to outline your branding statement. How will you define yourself or your branding declaration? Find out your positive and negative traits and work on them. Publish your content on your website. Try and deliver your best content. Display your strong point, i.e., How you’re unique from others, your identification, your one-of-a-kind work, your values, your competencies, and so on. Inform your own brand story to people. Tell your brand purposes and benefits. Convince absolutely to accept it as true within you.

Increase the reach toward people

Use social media platforms, i.e., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, proficiently to grow your brand’s reach. Connect with people socially and emotionally too. Create your website and give information about your brand. Write the blogs on your website. LinkedIn is an excellent alternative to hooking up with an increasing number of people who depend on buddies, former colleagues, classmates, enterprise leaders, vendors, and professionals. Win people’s trust.

How to work on Personal Branding?

When trying to convince people of the importance of your brand, you first need to believe in your brand. Consequently, you should be conscious of your brand. Be loyal to yourself and others. Don’t copy others’ brands. Make genuine efforts for your brand. Hold a tremendous mindset approximately your emblem. You need to live your brand, it needs to come from the bottom of your heart, and at that point, you’ll be a hit. If you can’t succeed, do not lose hope; however, you should be mentally organized for failure.

Example of personal Branding

Personal Branding no longer comes from one night time. It is a miles extended-term system that comes from too many experiences, challenging work, expertise, struggles, etc. Personal Branding is to make the person a brand identity. There are so many successful people around us whose names are the only brand identity. Their names show that they are a brand. Among them, some unique names are Amitabh Bachchan, the brand name in the film industry, and Ratan Tata, the brand name in the business industry.

Now take the example of Ratan Tata, who is a well-known person and a successful businessman. He was a former chairman of TATA GROUP. How did he become a personal brand? He is a hard-working, visionary, and humble person who has made many efforts to become an industrialist. So that he is a brand today, let other people tell your story like Ratan Tata’s tale.

Conclusion

Just like you manage a brand for a goods or services, you can control the value of your own personal brand. All aspects of brand value are based on perception or image, an all-encompassing experience, trust and the assurance of consistent value, as well as an emotional bond and relationship. After you’ve won someone over, they won’t leave you until you break your promise, refuse to change, or are more highly recommended than you are. All of these are under your control. The future is in your hands.

Branding is actually about both information and feeling. It depends on what you provide and the accompanying emotional qualities. As the world gets more visual, computerised, and interconnected, the management of people’s emotions rises. One crucial component of your brand’s equity is your personal brand’s capacity to develop a powerful, pleasant feeling.

Decide on the promises or emphasis of your brand. Decide how to create enthusiasm to promote your unique brand. Aim to build one relationship at a time that will last a lifetime. Constantly consider whether your actions are in keeping with your brand. Never lose sight of the fact that every brand interaction is a transaction!

A brand is not anything but Goodwill. So make your Goodwill by the usage of personal Branding.

 

 

Rasha Abusaif : Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders in MENA 2022

People working with Rasha recognize her by her “persistent focus on quality and efficiency combined with a genuine concern and commitment for all who work with her.” These attributes have been the characteristics of Rasha Abusaif’s career. Representing true Jordanian entrepreneurship whose success in the ICT sector; Ms. AbuSaif is a well-rounded business leader equipped and driven to turn challenges into opportunities.

A crucial bit of advice I give people when they ask how to bounce back from failure is to always stay focused and mission aligned.

The pandemic accelerated the speed of technological change and, in turn, showed us that the capacity to be dynamic, agile, and ready to change direction at a moment’s sight will be more important than ever. Indeed, the companies that succeeded during this time were the ones that aligned their strategies with these three essentials.

Being a C-level expert, or having any stake in the business world, means you must be prepared to take risks. As Garry Kasparov, the great chess champion, once said, “If you don’t take risks, you don’t drink champagne.”

Since then, that was the philosophy I’ve adopted throughout my entrepreneurial journey, and it’s what’s enabled me to be dynamic- the essence of which lies in always looking forward, not back. I always say never be completely satisfied because this can quickly evolve into complacency, and complacency is the death rattle for any business.

Through the combination of my passion for technology and vision, I was able to grow different international, local, and startup companies not only by size, geographic representation, and revenue, but also in technological innovation and in the application of technology in various fields. Some of my successful journey in innovations included the development of the Arabic artificial intelligence parser and the creation of an electronic data interchange solution, implemented in many large European institutions, in addition to market one of the top education solutions, EduWave®, which currently holds the largest base of countrywide deployments and users worldwide.

“I believe that information professionals need to navigate these ethical issues effectively because they are likely to use AI in delivering services as well as contribute to the adoption of AI more widely in their organizations. In this context, I always attend podcasts and AI global and local events and podcasts to empower using AI semantic solutions that embrace CX.”

When an AI solution can switch between languages, this can answer any user inquiry and keep the customer engaged. A full-fledged AI Arabic robotic solution will be able to answer millions of requests in real-time with zero downtime. Also, understanding Arabic dialects will create a semantic automation to users’ requests and, eventually, will lead to the end of a successful request -whether this request is conversational or transactional. This will lead to creating success factors in enterprises or SMEs- including but not limited to:

  1. Increase Customer Satisfaction.
  2. Improve Sales and Leads
  3. Decrease Complaints and obtain more Customer Loyalty
  4. Boost Real Data (Historical Data) to understand customer behaviors
  5. Accomplish Intelligent reports and dashboards to analyze users’ UI/UX to come up with better enhancements in the proposed solution.

“A major roadblock standing in the way of the rapid uptake of AI technology is a lack of trust in AI solutions,
which often operate in black boxes. In the MENA region, AI designed to acknowledge this fact is essential to
improving human comfortability with these solutions to automate customers’ requests in Arabic within multiple
dialects. Through better communication, collaboration, and enhanced processes, artificial intelligence will help
decision-makers act quickly when encountering unexpected situations.”

Education is essential to grow, thus I always believe in work experience yet, obtaining professional certificates to lead by example. In 2002, I received my bachelor’s degree in engineering with a specialization in architecture from the University of Jordan. However, my passion for education never stopped, and I continued my studies and obtained a professional certificate in marketing as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM®) from the American Marketing Association (AMA). In 2019, I also obtained an advanced diploma certificate in Business Administration from Cambridge College, UK. Lately, I am joining Harvard Business Online to achieve a strategy implementation certificate.

With more than twenty years of experience in different companies in Fintech, Edutech, Healthtech, AI solutions ,and IT companies, and as an expert in the fields of Business and Partnership Development, including strategy implementation, marketing and communications, public relations management, projects planning and management, budgeting and commercial modeling, events, campaigns planning, customer experience (CX), and business growth, I was able to motivate cross-functional teams to be more efficient toward providing state-of-the-art solutions that generate more revenues and increase MENA outreach. Thus, I manage, lead, direct, and oversee the activities and operations of the business with excellent client relationship management to maintain a great customer experience impact.

Through joining FINCA in 2014, an international microfinance company located in 22 subsidiaries, I accomplished many assignments and target sets for the business through handling multiple tasks simultaneously and managing successful solution implementations in market intelligence functions, new procedures, and research, accomplishing over-indebtedness analysis, and client satisfaction surveys. Moreover, I was nominated as the top leader in all FINCA international organizations for leading CX from the inside-out and inspiring the team to achieve a growth of 35% by the end of 2016.

Naturally, moving from country to another, I learned to adapt, to appreciate not only the differences between cultures, but also the similarities between them. Above all, I learned to empathically listen to the words said by others. These invaluable skills I picked up, combined with my global experience, provided me with the perfect preparation for an entrepreneur in today’s fast-globalizing world.

In 2020, I joined WideBot, a startup company founded in 2016 and MENA’s No. 1 Arabic NLP cognitive AI business communications solutions provider, as Head of Business and Partnership, who was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing WideBot business strategies and MENA market growth. After a successful year of business growth, I was promoted to lead the company as WideBot Managing Director by offering quality end-to-end Arabic AI solutions and services worldwide. Rasha is also responsible for all development, communication, and physical facilities, leading the effort to enhance WideBot brand and increase its revenue in the MENA region.

WideBot is an intersection between scalable AI cognitive services and a customer experience (CX) platform. Founded in 2016, WideBot embraces building Arabic-focused AI solutions in the MENA region with the mission to empower businesses through AI-powered solutions that chat like human beings, so they can build strong relationships with their customers and maximize their outcomes through a seamless personalized experience.

“As Managing Director, I am glad to be engaged in supporting prospects towards using Arabic NLP AI solutions to increase customer experience (CX) and automate services seamlessly.“

Ashwin Chawwla : A Revolutionary Leader transforming Digital Escrow payments

Digital payments in UAE have experienced tremendous growth. With digital adoption ascending to its peak, the number of digital payment transactions grew at an annual rate of more than nine percent between 2014 and 2019.

Currently, with the increasingly digital-savvy population in the Middle East, the payments industry revenue in the UAE is expected to grow to $18.7 billion by 2031.

According to a new Boston Consulting Group report, revenues are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.7% in the upcoming years.

With such whopping numbers, the business world needs to put its best foot forward and up its game. Helping small and medium-scale businesses along the way and paving an excellent road map ahead for smooth and secure digital transactions is the one-of-its-kind platform- Escrowpay.

The Hook

Moving contingent money across payment rails is still broken, especially if one of the endpoints is an emerging SME. However, in B2B, there was no platform enabling a feasible solution, so there was a great need to innovate. Hence, this real challenge needed a solution and that’s how Escrowpay was born.

Meet Ashwin Chawwla

A serial entrepreneur in wealth management with over two decades of experience. Ashwin is the Founder and CEO of Escrowpay. He is a passionate learner and an avid reader, who is keen on discovering new things and getting to learn from them.

Education and Career Deets

His education qualification includes: completed graduation from Delhi University, MBA in marketing from the University of Liverpool, executive education from Universoty of Texas, Yale University and Stanford University.

His career in wealth management spans insurances and real estate before etering payments in 2015. He started his career as a corporate insurance agent in 2001 with Tata AIG and Birla Sunlife then moved to global real estate in 2004. Ashwin has hit many milestones in his career. Some of the most lauded ones include, he has successfully closed over $3B in transactions on behalf of his clients. He was instrumental in bringing Coldwell Banker, an over 100 years old real estate brand to India.

He also closed the largest land deal in India of over $500 M way back in 2013 from where the escrow idea was seeded. Ashwin has also travelled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Germany. He is a member of three panels on entrepreneurship & technology with Confederation of Indian Industry.

Currently based in Dubai, Ashwin is onboarding a new banking partner for expanding Escrowpay in GCC. Understanding the need of the hour, Ashwin reckons that the payment industry and the development of a FinTech ecosystem are among the growth drivers of the future economy.

The Foundation of Escrowpay

One hot afternoon in Mumbai, two leading developers DLF and Lodha Group were struggling to close a $500M land transaction. Ashwin happened to advise both companies. While trying to find a solution, someone suggested ‘Let’s escrow” and that rang a bell and that is when the Escrowpay idea was seeded.

Every day small and medium-scale businesses struggle to get paid on time. Litigation with your client is never really an option.

So, one day while sketching the product, he realized that the puzzle in front can be stitched, and a solution can be offered. His company then tied up with largest banks in india. With such an effective system, businesses now can enable trust in their transactions for ‘collecting on-time to payments on-time’.

At Escrowpay, the team was able to digitize the escrow piece 100%. Today, it offers an escrow account nearly instantly. It is the first company in the world to successfully open escrow accounts on WhatsApp.

Additionally, the perks of having an escrow account certainly help to make investing in the primary market a lot safer.

Core DNA of Escrowpay

In the business world, small and medium-scale businesses are creating an impact and marking their presence. They are equally important as the large-scale business

Hence, Escrowpay is fully aware of the requirements of SMEs and hence supports such businesses to succeed. This is at the heart of what Escrowpay does, helping small and medium-scale businesses to hit milestones and accelerate growth.

Until recently, only the big players could enjoy escrow, However, with its latest technology now, it is making digital escrow available for everyone, giving SMEs the chance to get ahead and aim for higher and timely revenues.

It endeavours to make life better for an SME. It is focused on the growth of SMEs worldwide, by helping them collect and pay on time.

An Overview of Escrowpay

Its Indian Banking Partners

ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, YES Bank & RBL Bank

Team

Escrowpay’s team handles escrows of over $1.5 billion and is a team that didn’t need “more money” to show PMF and growth

Problem

The problem Escrowpay is trying to solve is that banks today need 2-3 months in opening an escrow account with about 400 pages to sign.

Solution

Founded in 2015, ESCROWPAY is an all-in-one payment platform. Be its high-value, once-in-lifetime purchases, milestone-based transactions, long-dated sales, or even recurring regular transactions, the company protects the interests of stakeholders in all contingent-based transactions by creating a safe, secure, transparent, and smart digital escrow-centered ecosystem of payments. It has dropped the number of pages to sign to just 20. A platform with No hidden fees, No minimum balance, No ‘lock-in’, and No stress.

Better Experience

The need for ‘on demand’ trust in transactions is a booming business as businesses would always desire to collect and pay on time

Technology

Today, Escrowpay’s technology allows opening an escrow account faster than any bank in minutes, with complete checks and balances and the money in your account. Smooth, convenient, transparent, and delightful. It has married banking software as a service and API connectivity making transactions seamless and simple.

Product Suite covers:

  • Payment Gateway Services
  • Digital Banking Solution
  • Debit Cards
  • Trusteeship services
  • Identity checks
  • Digital signing capabilities
  • Digital ledgers
  • Digital escrow
  • eNach for recurring payments
  • POS business

Pivot

Escrowpay is today a digitally native business serving a large number of clients in different cities, no feet on the street, no DSAs, and no branches, and it offers an escrow account to every SME.

Why this – Discovering a Huge Gap in India 65M SMEs today run their businesses without an escrow account and run the risk of closure on account of delayed payments. As per an Ernst and Young report, $200 billion is stuck in delayed payments – A HUGE GAP in the 65M SME market

Why now – Digital transformation

When Escrowpay was founded a few years back, even the adhaar stack was not available. The company has walked a difficult path but continued to hold against all adversities. Demonitisation and all government initiatives for digitising payments like UPI stack etc has worked very well for Escrowpay.

In-house built technology

The platform build was completed in June 2020, taking all product development risks away from investors. In 2021, the team secured strategic partnerships, built white-label versions of the platform, and refined the application before achieving staggering results. While we all use payment gateway every day, Escrowpay is a ‘Digital Trust’ Payment Gateway.

Medulla – Escrowpay’s nerve centre

A powerhouse in the cloud helping onboard clients faster than ever. Backed by security protocols from AWS and Escrowpay’s proprietary algo, this is by far the biggest innovation Indian payments and banking industry has seen.

Awards

Technoviti Award, CII Innovation award, incubated by the US State Department and the University of Texas at Austin.

Key Insights about Ashwin’s Personal Life

Morning Rituals

Ashwin wakes up at 7 am, in the prayer room by 8 am. He starts his day by thanking the universe for all health, wealth, and happiness. He starts work by 8: 45 am, the meetings are largely online and have a great team to tide over all his requirements. Listening to music while working helps Ashwin relax and focus at the same time.

Favorite book

Rich dad poor dad

Favorite Quote.

“Failure is only when you quit”

Ashwin’s take on Women Entrepreneurs in Business

Women are great leaders and can build their empires as beautifully as they have built their homes. Ashwin has collaborated with some inspirational women in business.

Vani Kola from Kalaari Capital, Padmaja Ruparel from Indian Angel Network, Rema Subramaniam, Ritu Verma, Kamakshi Rao from Ankur Capital, and Vasudha Wadhera from Elevation Capital are some of the leaders in the funding space

Escrowpay’s Future Goals

As new specialized payment players bring the bigger picture to reality, the GCC will experience real-time advancements. Escrowpay is at the forefront of this opportunity including the CEPA deal which both India and UAE signed recently. With new and optimal solutions, Escrowpay aspires to become a blockchain-based fully digital bank for business owners with having global presence.

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