By Hani Ismail
Country Manager, Procter & Gamble,
Saudi Arabia
AS a Saudi national who has worked in the private sector for over two decades, with a multinational based in Jeddah, I’m still asked by friends and acquaintances, “Why did you decide to join a business, when you could have worked in the government?”
I understand the question and the reason why it’s asked. I graduated with a good grade from King Abdulaziz University. I knew of family and friends who were working in government. And it would have been the right career path for me and people like me. I had the choice to join a Ministry or a governmental body, where consistent work, respect and a good salary were a guarantee.
I chose a different path.
For me, my career choices have reflected my desire to continually learn, grow and succeed in what I do. I always wanted to work in a company, and try my hand at different roles. I’ve also wanted to travel and gain experience outside of Saudi Arabia (one of my career highlights was working in Germany for two years) so that I could come back and both use my learning outside of KSA and my inherent knowledge of my own country to enable KSA’s growth.
There was another reason why I chose a career in business. I wanted to contribute to the national economy indirectly through my employer’s growth, and I wanted to ensure that I could use my understanding and insights as a Saudi national to positively influence the company I have worked for, to ensure that it caters to my fellow Saudis. I also wanted to prove to myself that I could compete against anyone and everyone, on merit.
I’ve been working in the private sector for over two decades. During that time, I’ve only ever worked for one company. I’ve changed roles and assignments many times over, working in areas such as manufacturing, marketing and management. Today, I’m the Saudi Arabia Country Manager at Procter and Gamble, which is partnered with Abu Dawood in Saudi Arabia. My family is proud of my achievements, and they will often share my story with others to highlight that Saudis can not only succeed, but excel in the private sector.
What I’m even more proud of is that many of the colleagues I work with are also Saudis. Over seventy percent of my company’s 850 staff are Saudi nationals. We are an example of what nationals in the private sector are capable of. I’m also delighted to see the government’s support for the private sector – as part of Vision 2030, the Saudi government’s goal is to increase the private sector›s contribution from 40% to 65% of GDP.
This increase in the size of the Kingdom’s private sector will create millions of opportunities, especially for young Saudi nationals. The growth of my company and hundreds of thousands of others in the country will provide the means to increase employment for both Saudi youth and also Saudi women. I want each and every Saudi national to have the chance to earn a good wage and a long, fulfilling career.
When I’m asked about my career choices, I end with a question. I ask, what are you passionate about, and what do you want to excel at? My advice is simple; follow your passion and join a company whose core values are aligned with your own. Look for an organization that has a clear path, a vision of where it is headed and the investments it is making along the way in its people to get it to where it wants to be.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and pursue your dreams. Expand your horizons, think about what you want and broaden your employment options. There are many ways to make a contribution to the country, and as an old Arabic saying goes: “There is no shame in earning a living in a decent way,” especially when you’re creating opportunities and economic success for others.”
