A DAY IN THE LIFE
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On the lighter side of things , we ask the industryexperts what makes them tick …
Ziad Salameh , Managing Director & General Manager Gulf , Levant & Pakistan and Middle East Services Leader , Cisco
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement ? I have several notable accomplishments in business transformation that has my finger print . At my first Job at Cisco , I was approached to lead and transform the services organization in Saudi Arabia . Withstanding challenges , the KSA STAR team was set up and we developed a big Managed Services operation in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East . High double digit growth and transforming customer experiences was an achievement .
What first made you think of a career in technology ? Where I grew up in Jordan , technology is highly recognized and it was my brother ’ s success in the ICT industry that encouraged me to study computer engineering and there started my exciting journey .
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ? I love what I do and try to surround myself with people who share a similar passion . Feedback is core to the way I work and I insist on providing an environment that leads to high performers who can enjoy their success as a team . I prefer to lead by example and stay hands off with guidance and direction when and where required .
What do you think will be the hot technology talking point of 2016 ? Undoubtedly the hottest technologies in 2016 would be around the Internet of Things , more so in the Middle East where governments are spearheading the initiatives with several interesting and large projects . Secondly , with data everywhere , analytics and automation will see an accelerated growth and will help fuel innovation and digital transformation for better user experiences based on real-time information .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside of the office ? I believe that we must get rid of negativity in all forms and always look at the cup as half-full . My greatest stress relief is during prayer time and without a doubt when I have quality time with my lovely wife and our four wonderful children , much like being in heaven .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ? You cannot go wrong joining companies who value the 3G framework ; Grow the business , Great place to work and Give back . Joining Cisco was the best experience of them all .
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