How This Versatile Leader is Leveraging Technology and Talent to Transform Sectors!
“Financial professionals face new challenges and great opportunities due to changing market demands and rapid technological advancement.” This idea guides Sabry Mohamed’s approach as Group CFO at Emdadat Alatta Group, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading facility management firms. With a career spanning nearly two decades in accounting and finance leadership roles, Mohamed brings a forward-thinking mindset to his position.
Sabry’s academic journey has been driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and mastery of his field. His path began at Sohag University in Egypt, where he completed his accounting and finance bachelor’s degree in 2003. From there, a postgraduate diploma in accounting and auditing from South Valley University followed in 2020, followed by an MBA with a focus on general management from the Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences in 2022. Presently, he is pursuing a DBA from Mansoura University, further exemplifying his commitment to lifelong learning.
This extensive academic background seamlessly complements his professional experiences, which included a seven-year stint as Deputy GM at Astrum Company before joining Emdadat Alatta Group in 2021. Through roles in management and accounting across various sectors, he became acutely aware of the transformative potential of services and facility management solutions. This realization drove his passion to enter the profession.
As Group CFO at Emdadat Alatta, Sabry oversees the company’s finances with a keen eye toward innovation and expansion. Leveraging his expertise, he aims to optimize performance and uncover new growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive landscape. Central to this mission is Mohamed’s belief in the power of people—that skilled, motivated employees are vital to boosting a company’s bottom line.
Indeed, Emdadat Alatta Group’s core goal of connecting suitable talent with jobs across Saudi Arabia deeply resonated with him. Sabry recognized the company’s influential role in the national labor market and its reputation for honesty and exceptional service as sources of inspiration. Being part of an organization that positively impacts lives while upholding integrity is a driving force behind his work.
In the swiftly demanding finance realm, Sabry stands ready to lead the charge toward new frontiers. His impressive academic credentials, matched with decades of real-world experience, position him to drive sustainable growth and financial excellence at Emdadat Alatta Group. With challenges and opportunities constantly emerging, his innovative vision will be pivotal in elevating the company’s performance while amplifying its greater mission of empowering Saudi Arabia’s workforce.
Let us learn more about his journey:
Emdadat Alatta Group’s Commitment to the Saudi Labor Market
Emdadat Alatta Group, the leading company in the Saudi labor market, has been a prominent player since its inception in 2018. The company’s dedication to providing exceptional services has enabled it to cater to the public, private, and hospitality sectors. By focusing on professionalism in all its services, Emdadat Alatta Group has distinguished itself as a key contributor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s economic success.
The company’s comprehensive offerings include facility management services, equipped housing, transportation services for the workforce, and a customer-centric approach that sets it apart from competitors. Additionally, Emdadat Alatta Group provides reports, follows up with clients, and offers ERP-based cloud-based systems to track reports, requests, and staff performance. The company’s commitment to quality is evident in its assignment of a specialized account manager to each client, ensuring the validity of contracts and fostering long-term relationships.
From Academic Excellence to Professional Success
Sabry, a valedictorian at Sohag University in Egypt, attributes his academic achievements to a combination of strategic approaches and mindsets that have also served him well in his professional life. During his studies, he adhered to a strict study schedule and meticulously organized his studies to meet his academic goals. This focused approach was instrumental in his academic excellence.
Sabry’s self-motivation and curiosity about accounting and finance concepts also played a significant role in his success. His growth mindset and determination to learn and improve have shaped his problem-solving skills, allowing him to develop analytical and problem-solving abilities that continue to benefit him as the CFO at Emdadat Alatta Group.
Throughout his journey, Sabry has demonstrated resilience in the face of change, adapting to new situations and continuously seeking to learn new things. He believes that personal commitment, perseverance, and teamwork are essential for success, and these values were the driving force behind his academic achievements.
Evolution of Strategic Decision-Making
Sabry’s diverse educational background, comprising an MBA with distinction and an ongoing Doctorate in Business Administration, has significantly influenced his approach to problem-solving and decision-making in the corporate world. His broad perspective on problems has enabled him to consider multiple aspects and their potential impact on various stakeholders, ultimately leading to strategic decisions at Emdadat Alatta Group.
During his MBA, Sabry honed his analytical skills and problem-solving abilities by learning to collect and assess data, identify issues, and propose evidence-based solutions. This experience also instilled in him the understanding that businesses thrive not solely through profit maximization, but through value maximization. Through case studies and real-world scenario analysis, he developed analytical rigor, which has helped him grasp the significance of communication and leadership.
Sabry’s ongoing PhD in DBA has further refined his research and analytical skills, enhancing his leadership abilities and familiarity with industry best practices. This has allowed him to make informed decisions in complex financial situations and predict and understand business trends, competition, and organizational dynamics more effectively. This information enables him to think strategically and make judgments that drive growth and success for Emdadat Alatta Group.
His educational background has also contributed to his leadership development, enabling him to inspire, motivate, build consensus, and drive change. These leadership traits have been instrumental in Emdadat Alatta Group’s growth and adaptability.
Overcoming Challenges to Drive Growth and Profitability
As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Emdadat Alatta Group, Sabry faced significant challenges in driving organizational growth and profitability in the facility management sector. One of the most pressing issues was talent acquisition, as the labor market was evolving and the company struggled to recruit and retain top talent in a competitive market. To address this, he focused on employer branding, reflecting the company’s culture, values, and advancement opportunities to attract qualified and top talent across various regions.
To attract top talent, Sabry prioritized substantial training and development for personnel, offering work-life balance, competitive pay, and benefits. He also believed that a service-based firm must prioritize customer satisfaction, which he achieved by cultivating an open, timely response and a customer-centric approach, creating a client-focused corporate culture.
As a CFO, Sabry was concerned with cost efficiency and focused on strong financial management systems, simplifying procedures, and widespread automation. The finance team regularly assessed operational costs and searched for methods to decrease costs for efficient resource utilization. To stay ahead of the competition, Emdadat Alatta invested in progressive technology, such as an ERP cloud system, which improved client management, operational efficiency, visibility, processes, and decision-making.
Managing the Dynamic Workplace
Sabry has spent seven years honing his skills in facility management, public health, and landscaping. His extensive experience has taught him that today’s fast-paced work environment demands flexibility, where swift and informed decision-making is crucial. At Astrum, he has gained valuable insights into risk management, recognizing it as the cornerstone of organizational resilience.
A robust risk management framework is essential for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to minimize operational disruptions. Sabry has also come to appreciate the importance of encouraging personnel to experiment with new ideas, explore creative solutions, and learn from their successes and failures. This approach fosters a growth mindset, enabling the workforce to adapt to changing market conditions and seize new growth opportunities.
For resilience and adaptability, Sabry understands the significance of honest and open communication, which is vital for building organizational trust. To achieve this, he prioritizes communication, ensuring that everyone is informed about strategic goals and empowered to share their knowledge to adapt rapidly through collaborative efforts.
Balancing Professional Development and Daily Responsibilities
As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a diverse portfolio of business diplomas, Sabry effectively prioritizes and balances his professional development goals with his day-to-day responsibilities. Leveraging his PMP certification and extensive business education, he aligns his goals with the long-term objectives of Emdadat Alatta Group, ensuring a cohesive approach to career advancement.
To continuously improve, Sabry engages in various professional development activities, including attending webinars, industry conferences, online courses, and networking with peers. He also seeks guidance from experienced colleagues and industry experts, fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration. Regularly tracking his progress, he consults with mentors and coworkers to refine his development activities, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.
Sabry views setbacks as opportunities for growth, adopting a growth mindset that motivates him to learn new skills and knowledge despite his busy daily schedule. This mindset enables him to stay focused on his goals, even in the face of challenges, and ultimately drives his professional development forward.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
Sabry offers valuable insights to those seeking to emulate his success and make a lasting impact in the industry. For Sabry, a strong foundation in accounting, finance, or a related field is crucial, having earned a bachelor’s degree from Sohag University and a postgraduate degree in accounting and auditing from South Valley University.
To achieve success, Sabry advises aspiring finance professionals to prioritize continuous learning and adopt a never-give-up approach. This involves staying abreast of industry developments, legal changes, and technological advancements through courses, certificates, or graduate degrees. Additionally, career advancement requires exceptional leadership skills, including effective communication, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a team.
Sabry also stresses the importance of networking and connecting with mentors, as these relationships can provide valuable guidance and support. Furthermore, he encourages aspiring finance professionals to be adaptable, resilient, and willing to learn from failures, as these qualities are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.
Lessons from Egypt’s Tourism Industry
Sabry’s experience in Egypt’s tourism industry has significantly enhanced his understanding of the broader business landscape and his ability to adapt to diverse sectors. Companies in Egypt are particularly attuned to local customs, beliefs, and habits, which have refined their cross-cultural communication and market strategy adaptation skills. Respect for cultural differences is crucial for nurturing strong relationships, and the tourism industry’s customer-centric approach has instilled a commitment to exceeding customer expectations.
Egypt’s unique natural resources and archaeological monuments have also underscored the importance of sustainable business practices. This realization has transformed Sabry’s perspective on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental stewardship, as customers and investors across industries increasingly demand sustainability.
Sabry’s transferable skills, including navigating economic volatility, cultural sensitivity, customer service excellence, sustainability, and innovation, have enabled him to successfully adapt to various sectors and contribute to the success of Emdadat Alatta Group.
Objectives for Finance-Global Power Leaders
As Sabry begins the Finance-Global Power Leaders 2024 course, he sets his sights on achieving several key objectives. His primary goal is to expand his understanding of international financial markets, trends, and regulations, ultimately enhancing his productivity in Emdadat Alatta Group’s strategic endeavors. This course presents a unique opportunity to learn from renowned international leaders, allowing him to refine his global leadership skills, particularly in negotiation, dispute resolution, and cross-cultural communication.
The diverse participant pool offers a rich environment for networking, enabling Sabry to forge lasting connections with finance professionals from around the world and various firms. These connections can lead to global employment, knowledge sharing, and collaborative opportunities, ultimately broadening his professional horizons.
Pursuit of Knowledge and Balance
Sabry’s insatiable curiosity drives his passion for continuous learning and professional development. His intense curiosity propels him to stay updated on the latest financial and management advancements, fostering a growth mindset that enables him to overcome challenges, learn from mistakes, and push himself to new heights.
He maintains a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing activities that bring him joy, such as exercising, spending time with loved ones, and engaging in hobbies. To achieve his ambitious goals, he focuses on tasks with the greatest impact and earliest deadlines, delegating tasks whenever possible to allocate time for studying and other pursuits.
Sabry’s effective time management strategies include creating to-do lists, setting due dates, and breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. This approach keeps him organized, focused, and productive, allowing him to accomplish more in less time while maintaining creativity in his work.
Follow/Connect on Linkedin:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabry-mohamed-541863174/
