1- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Recently you were a speaker at the Performance Improvement & KPIs Conference in Dubai. What was the most important piece of knowledge that you gained from this experience?
Samar Aboulsoud: I liked the way the KPIs Conference was structured. The different tracks ensure relevance and the small groups ensured engagement and effective interaction. The most important take home message for me was that any performance improvement system will only be meaningful and sustainable if it is based on full understanding of the context where it is implemented and with proper engagement of stakeholders.
2- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Do you think that the KPIs of the same job can change across time, from one year to the other?
Samar Aboulsoud: Some KPI for one job will be stationary over time. However, there are others who should change overtime and this would definitely be linked to the organization strategic plan and prioritization matrix.
3- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: From your point of view what are the qualities of a clever public speaker?
Samar Aboulsoud: Strong believer in what he/she says and does, knowledgeable, passionate and engaging.
4- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: From your point of view, what is the major contemporaryHR threat across the Middle East?
Samar Aboulsoud: Attraction and retention of the right skills.
Non efficient plans for addressing skill gaps by training and education.
Linking performance to appraisal with opportunities for career growth.
5-What can HR do to support the health industry?
Samar Aboulsoud: Lots of things! Providing competent human resources is the cornerstone in the healthcare industry. The more important ad challenging role for HR is ensuring effective and efficient retention and professional development plans.
6- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Due to the increase of business conferences, do you think public speaking became as essential quality that should be considered before hiring any manager?
Samar Aboulsoud: Yes.
7- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: When you got promoted to your current job title, what were your first decisions you took?
Samar Aboulsoud: I made a number of decisions when I assumed that role. All my decisions aimed at the following: empowering the team, encouraging pro-activity, avoiding bureaucracy and facilitating innovation and creativity.
8- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Being a professor at the university, how do you think HR in universities can develop to support lecturers and the business?
Samar Aboulsoud: In universities, HR are privileged to work in an academic environment which provides them with enormous opportunities to support the presentation and lecturing skills of staff as part of their professional development.
9- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: From your point of view, what does the corporate world need to work on to have a better healthy environment?
Samar Aboulsoud: Engage the team in different work processes. Ensure that different teams are aware of each other’s tasks to ensure complementing functions rather than duplication. Appreciate and acknowledge efforts of team members. Leadership should be approachable to all team members.
10- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Many fresh graduates, middle age employees and professionals consider career shifting? What do you think about this move? And from your personal opinion why do you think the reason behind the increase in career shifting?
Samar Aboulsoud: Depends on the reason why you make this move. Many of the professionals in different fields have potential, talents and skill that will only be realized if they proceed with certain career moves or shifts. This will definitely result in a productive career compared to one that is considered for the employer a routine job.
11- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: As a professional you have been through several job interviews until you have reached your current position. What was the most difficult interview question you were asked, and what was your answer to it?
Samar Aboulsoud: Why should we hire you? What change are you going to bring to this organization?
Theoretically, it is easy to answer these questions, however in order to provide a valid confident answer one should be fully aware of the organizational challenges, systems, processes which will only happen when you join the organization and get immersed in the real work environment.
12- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What advices do you have to students who want to make a change in the world?
Samar Aboulsoud: Hard work and Perseverance are key to achieve your dreams.
Contribute and stay open to the global needs and diversify your options.
13- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What is your opinion regarding unemployment in the Middle East? And what are your suggested strategies to deal with the issue?
Samar Aboulsoud: It is close what I just mentioned; understanding the current needs of the market and being open to different options.
Suggested strategies are awareness campaigns and job markets that should be a collaborative effort between employers, universities and degree offering institutes. These efforts should also focus on cultural issues that can sometimes add to the complexity of the process.
14- HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: If you are to create your own HR Summit, which country will it take place in, and what will be the theme you would like to choose? Why?
Samar Aboulsoud: Egypt. There are many reasons for selecting Egypt, mainly because of the economic reform that is taking place now with lots of emphasis on overcoming unemployment and providing diverse career opportunities.
