Research has established that organizations with street-smart leaders are more adaptable and innovative, thus experiencing continuous growth. Street smartness provides leaders with real-life knowledge that helps them to manage businesses in a dynamic environment. This attribute helps them predict market changes, spot new opportunities, and avoid threats before they occur. Also, street-smart leaders are masters at relationship building and getting the best deals. In the current complex and volatile environment, it is crucial to be street smart, especially for the leaders of holding companies. It provides flexibility, strength, and a strategic advantage that leads the company toward sustainable growth and profitability in the dynamic business environment.
Zaher El-Khatib, Chairman, Zelere Holding is one such leader who has strong street smartness and business intuition. From an early age, he developed the intuition to feel the rhythm of the business, products, and markets. This sharp intuition enables him to predict market trends and assess business situations with a high level of precision, sometimes even before others do. Zaher has been very practical in his management and that has been his strength. He is of the opinion that for one to succeed in business, one must be involved in it every day with a vision and passion.
Zaher left for Kuwait in 1990 to join his late uncle in business. This period was crucial for him since he was able to get practical experience in the market rather than from the classroom. His uncle was a great influence in his life and helped him in choosing the right path in his career. Thus, by spending time with his uncle and observing business operations in the streets of Kuwait, Zaher gained a lot of experience that helped him achieve success. His career also took him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Libya, and Lebanon. These markets have similar consumer behaviors, meaning he can use his hands-on approach in all of them. He has been consistent and has ensured that he follows the market closely. Zaher has ensured that his group, which now has several companies and factories in the region, is always in tune with the market and its rivals.
Lean Organizational Structure
Due to his dislike of complexity, Zaher believes in leading by example and challenging teams to perform better. He creates a culture in which it is important to be on top of the day-to-day activities so that fast decisions can be made in the face of market shifts. His constant tracking of competitors and markets ensures that his company remains competitive and grows every year. He demonstrates leadership by always encouraging change and innovation within the organization, thus preparing it for any task. This proactivity combined with a low-tolerance organizational structure prepares his company for continued success and the creation of new opportunities.
High Engagement & Responsiveness
Zaher leads the decision-making process and ensures that everyone is involved actively in business activities with passion. His journey from Kuwait to other regions is a testament to the spirit of perseverance and flexibility. The importance of market surveillance in ensuring success in the face of competition cannot be overemphasized. This demonstrates his forward thinking as he seeks to connect different markets with flexibility. This culture of rapid and innovative action reflects Zaher’s management approach, encouraging others to follow his example of dedication to advancement. Therefore, his influence is not limited to geographical location, and he has an impact on business decisions and results worldwide.
Leading by Example
Zaher’s leadership philosophy is clear: practice what you preach. He is not just the boss, but a leader who leads by example standing in front of his team. He has played an active role in the market and competitors’ monitoring in all his businesses. For the past 25 years, he has concentrated on representing multinational brands, also creating the private labels brands and products of the group, and increasing the distribution network. He has also recently diversified into manufacturing, setting up a plant in Oman for disposable packaging, a detergent factory in Kuwait, also the acquisition of a frozen appetizers and finger-food factory in Kuwait. He plans to increase production and engage in exhibitions to market the manufacturing segment of the business internationally. Also, he intends to buy shares in factories in order to have better control over the production process.
Focus on Practical Solutions
Zaher applies the lessons learned from his late uncle to provide workable strategies to address the challenges that he has faced in his career. Shunning complexity, he prefers quick decision-making without being swayed by market volatility. Involved in every aspect of his business, he uses his knowledge of the market to make quick decisions in various industries.
His preference for results over procedures is helpful in ensuring that issues are dealt with in a timely manner. Being equally interested in the success of the business, he makes sure it meets its objectives. With keen focus and competition awareness, he captures opportunities, strengthening his market standing and preparing for future expansion.
Zaher believes in being directly involved in the management of the business & encouraging commitment & enthusiasm
Memory & Detail Orientation
He has an extraordinary memory and pays close attention to detail, which is why he can recall every detail, no matter how big or small, of the various companies, markets, brands, and business ventures within the group. He has a photographic memory and can remember every detail of the operations, which shows that he can integrate information and have a big-picture view of the organization. This sharp memory not only improves decision-making but also ensures that he is efficient and accurate in the management of different markets and industries, making him a great leader who is always focused on delivering quality results.
Diverse Market Expansion
Zaher’s flexibility in the market can be attributed to his active involvement and quick thinking. His constant involvement in all matters enables him to make swift decisions without being bogged down by bureaucracy. His direct involvement in operational processes, from the warehouse to deliveries, reflects his passion strategically for the FMCG business but also for other business categories, such as disposable packaging, pet food products, QSR restaurants, facility management, and industrial catering. Through this, he is able to monitor his competitors and markets on a daily basis, thus giving him a competitive advantage in business. As for the future, Zaher intends to expand the investment in manufacturing operations and enter the European market. This proactive approach is indicative of his active leadership and willingness to seize opportunities as they emerge, thereby guaranteeing continued growth and market stability in the future.
Future-focused Vision
Zaher believes in being directly involved in the management of the business and encouraging commitment and enthusiasm. Through this, he makes sure that the business also gives results in accordance with the energy and effort he puts into it. Furthermore, the group is also increasing its participation in exhibitions, and more specifically in the manufacturing sector. The objective of increasing production is not only to satisfy local needs but also to expand into neighboring markets. This approach is in line with the notion that constant engagement and a well-defined plan are key to achieving business success consistently.
Entrepreneurial Advice
When it comes to helping new entrepreneurs succeed, Zaher shares wisdom based on his own experience. He stresses the importance of being fully committed to one’s business activities, encouraging active engagement, commitment, and passion. This is where Zaher’s wisdom comes into play as he emphasizes the need to lead with passion and only do what one is truly passionate about. In Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East & Arabian Gulf, with an eye on Europe, he emphasizes the importance of staying focused and involved in day-to-day management. Zaher’s advice aligns with the notion that persistence and doggedness are hallmarks of entrepreneurship.
Zaher El-Khatib, Chairman, Zelere Holding
Chairman of Zelere Holding, is renowned for his streetsmart leadership and business intuition, honed through practical market experience across the Middle East. His proactive and adaptable approach, coupled with a strong emphasis on real-life knowledge and relationship building, has driven continuous growth and innovation within his companies. Zaher’s leadership philosophy of hands-on involvement and quick decisionmaking ensures his businesses remain competitive and resilient in a dynamic environment.
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