BETWEEN US ONLY! - By Majid Said al Suleimany - I was invited last Wednesday to participate in the Oman FM Radio Tariq Live Talk — which is held every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
[] Interview objective
My interview covered two main areas and scopes: 1) The local and the Arab management issues: based on my two books Psychology of Arab Management Thinking and A Cry for Help! 2) My role as an Omani writer: based on my mission in writing and the scope of the topics that I write about. The reason of the interview was because it was felt that my thoughts and experiences that would certainly bring benefits and interest to the listeners — especially the young aspiring Omanis and others in general.
[] How I came into writing.
After the introductions I explained that in short I had ‘stumbled into writing’ after going into Management Consultancy business after voluntary early retirement from my old company after 25 years of service. The Interviewer reminded the listeners to see me every Sunday in the Oman Daily Observer under the column of Between Us Only! I then went into explaination on how my five books — and how they came into existence.
[] Local and Arab Management Issues — This is what I had said (in brief)
As Arabs and Muslims, work is considered as a very important aspect of our lives. A person who works hard is considered as if in worship in prayers. Then how come we are still behind the rest of the world? Second thing — you should pay the worker before his sweat has dried! (meaning metaphorically on time as he does his work). In addition this is what I had found — staff (including especially Omanis!) found themselves more committed, dedicated, appreciated and motivated during the times when they had expatriate bosses (mainly Europeans) then when they had our own Omani (Arab) bosses. So what went wrong?
[] Learning to say ‘No’ and in being assertive and affirmative.
I talked briefly on this main issue. Beside the point of generalisations, to be fair to the Arab manager it all stems from his culture and tradition ‘to always try to be nice’ and ‘to be accepted’ — to be polite and not rude, crude and abrupt — and this will take some time — though he is not alone in this and there are some expatriates that tended to behave like the Arab manager (and the local opposite in few cases).
[] I talked on the good Arab management side.
Many things including the element of them being ‘more kinder and compassionate cum caring and feeling’ when it comes to the discipline aspects — and especially to staff on losing their jobs and on being terminated.
[] Advices to the Omani youth
I think I gave very good advices to the Omani youth here – and from my own experiences myself and as a Management and Human Resources Professional. I ended by saying that as Omanis we do need to think more on the lines of our own country and company first and foremost — than just our own individual selves! This from the Board, the Omani manager and director and to the Omani trainee (Fresh Graduate).
[] Offices misbehaviours
I talked here briefly on the few cases of few misbehaving expatriates and as in my book A Cry For Help!
[] Books available locally
I explained that the books were available at Family Bookshops, Borders, Turtles (WH Smith — New Stores) in Oman — and UAE at Magrudy’s and Jashanamal.
[] Lack finance and support.
I explained on my need to launch my books-rest of the GCC and especially the Arab world — but did lack the finances and support to do so. I explained on my sixth book writing now — A novel — Sinking Deeper.
[] To be remembered.
I want to be remembered as one who had contributed to society and in management — not only in Oman — but the rest of the world — as my next project (Inshallah ) of a very good management reference book taking it from the two books as the start — and concentrate more generally and for references.
[] Thanks and appreciation.
It was a good opportunity for me and thank graciously the team and the Oman FM Radio for this — grateful and appreciative. This was my third interview here. For the full interview, please visit www.majidbooks.com and www.alsuleimany.com
