Get to know: Hoda Mansour, Chief Operating Officer, APJ MEA, IFS
Hoda Mansour, Chief Operating Officer, APJ, MEA, IFS

Get to know: Hoda Mansour, Chief Operating Officer, APJ MEA, IFS

Describe your current job role and business model?

As the Chief Operating Officer, Hoda is responsible for spearheading growth initiatives within the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region. This involves the acquisition of new clientele as well as the augmentation of the existing customer base.

Please describe expectations and pain points of customers?

Customer expectations have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, driven by various pivotal factors, including pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties in different regions. These factors have had a profound impact on the customer expectations and behaviour.

Customers anticipate more than just transactional relationship with vendors; they seek enduring partnerships where they are expecting the offered solutions not only to fulfil their digital transformation requirements but to be reliable, agile, secure, personalised, cost effective, scalable, innovative and built on modern technologies including AI.

The pain points of customers include cyber security threats, systems complexities, unpredictable cost, lack of access to skilled resources, fear of vendor lock in, high technology costs and delays in shipment due to supply chain challenges.

Which technologies can make a difference to end customers?

Numerous technologies have the potential to significantly impact end customers by delivering distinctive customer experiences and enhancing operational efficiencies. These would include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Blockchain, Biometrics, 3D printing, renewables, environmental and sustainable technologies, among others.

Adoption of these technologies can empower businesses to deliver unique value propositions, elevate customer satisfaction and improve operational efficiency; allowing them to adopt more customer-centric approach and establish a competitive edge within the market.

How can a channel partner disrupt the regional market?

A channel partner well-versed in their current market dynamics can have a significant impact on their regional presence. Such partners can identify niche opportunities based on market research to address local requirements, broker the right partnership and alliances including local startups and social enterprises and leveraging local partnerships and alliances.

Furthermore, they contribute to scaling our presence while providing the necessary training, customer onboarding and supporting various social responsibility initiatives.

Which non-competitive business do you admire?

Telemedicine and health tech. Technology-driven businesses that enable telemedicine and remote patient monitoring are becoming increasingly important, especially in delivering healthcare services to underserved areas or during global health crises. Businesses that focuses on well-being and mental health including entertainment business are admirable.

Which aspects of your job role are rewarding, which challenging?

Meeting with customers from all over the world, exploring various cultures and being able to offer technology solutions that solves local challenges while witnessing how the solutions make real impact on businesses and people lives are incredibly rewarding.

However, the line between personal and business life blurring can be sometimes challenging.

How do you like to de-stress off work?

Hoda enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring diverse cultures, watching musicals, documentaries and movies. She likes to completely disconnect when playing with her two cats Gucci and Simba.

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