CHANNEL CHIEF
vital in this transformation, as majority
of businesses in the Gulf and Pakistan
cluster is channel-led.”
Hanan, started her career in the
company’s Gulf region as Human
Resources Director, and followed through
stints in North East Africa, France, North
America. Currently, she is building on
those experiences to come full circle back
to the Gulf and Pakistan. One of the biggest
challenges in such a wide-ranging Gulf and
Pakistan cluster is localising solutions to
the unique challenges of each country.
When Hanan joined Schneider Electric
in 2000, the company was not considered
a technology company. Over the last five to
ten years, green energy has seen increased
importance and take-up. Prior to working
for Schneider Electric, Hanan worked in
the fast-moving consumer goods field at
Procter and Gamble. Schneider Electric
presented an exciting opportunity to bring
smart cities and digital utilities technology
up to date, while transforming from a
products company to a software solutions
company on a global scale.
“My management philosophy is leading
by example and empowering the team.
I am not a micro-manager. Business
leaders need to work together to continue
clarifying and measuring their goals, and
also align with the wider business goals.
Teamwork requires more than working
together, it requires leaders to build trust
and confidence with executives. As part of
this team-building process, there needs to
be clear decision-making processes and
expectations. We want to build a healthy
organisation, and we want to ensure that
we have the right team members with the
right work ethic and values to step into the
roles and succeed,” elaborates Hanan.
The biggest technology trend for
2018 is Artificial Intelligence, which will
be integrated through every product
and edge computing solution in green
technology and sustainability. On
the back of Schneider’s recent global
summit in Paris, a key topic that was
discussed and debated was how artificial
This is not a
classical job.
I like to bring
new ideas and
innovations to
open new doors
and address
business
challenges,
especially
in emerging
markets with
geopolitical
and economic
challenges.
intelligence can complement the
workforce to simplify processes and give
customers real-time insights.
These insights can lead to actions
to enhance sustainability, energy
efficiency, machine reliability, and talent
development, and reduce carbon emissions.
Another vital technology trend for
2018 will be cybersecurity, and how
organisations need to reduce their threat
exposure. Organisations should also
collaborate with technologies, tools, and
processes to protect critical national
infrastructure across energy generation,
transmission, and delivery.
During her career, Hanan has never
thought about gender bias. Her belief is
that bias is everywhere, not just between
men and women, also between women and
between generations. Her advice is that,
women should focus on being competitive
in their own capabilities, and align with
supportive leaders who appreciate and
reward a strong work ethic.
“It is more important for women to
develop their capabilities to move up in
careers, and understand, integrate, and
adapt to corporate cultures. I am also a
strong believer in taking chances on young
women becoming leaders, and promoting
them into key positions,” she adds.
Hanan is supportive of Schneider
Electric’s goals to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce in the Gulf and
Pakistan. The HeForShe programme
commitments support a global family
leave policy, gender pay equity process,
and women’s employment in energy in
emerging countries.
Women should understand that it is
their personal choice to pursue leadership
positions. Women should not be afraid to
be themselves, as character and diversity
bring a lot to the business table. In
turn, organisations should also embrace
different cultures and lifestyles.
Organisations and their channel
partners should have a commitment to
supporting gender-balanced workplaces,
and integrating women in their
career paths, especially by fostering
an environment with a healthy work-
life balance. Women should prepare
to manage key life moments such
as marriage, and motherhood, and
also align with organisations that are
accommodating for their career evolution.
After work, Hanan spends as
much time as possible with her family
and supporting her children. I also
enjoy spending time with my dog and
participating in water sports.
As a yoga instructor, Hanan views
stress in life objectively. “Stress is often
a short-term condition that is frequently
generated by each person. I believe in the
power of yoga to manage stress better and
support a positive outlook on work and
life. We should resolve stressful situations
as quickly as possible,” she advises.
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