Hatem El Nazer is the co-founder and managing partner of HK Ventures in Dubai, an investment company that focuses on small and medium-sized companies. Mr El Nazer, 46, also serves on the board of Rameda Pharmaceutical, the Egyptian Telecom Services Corporation, Quick 24 convenient stores, and Ecco outsourcing. He is also an active member of the Young Presidents' Organisation (YPO), a not-for-profit global network of chief executives. Mr El Nazer lives in Cairo and is a regular visitor to the UAE.
How do you spend your weekend?
For me, it’s very important that I relax so that I start my week fresh and energetic. I often spend my weekend in El Gouna, a very nice beach resort around 45 minutes by plane from Cairo on the Red Sea. If not, then I’m with friends playing sports or relaxing with my wife and two sons, who are 10 and eight.
How did you become a chief executive?
I did my MBA in Holland. In my first job, for IDSC, I was paid 500 Egyptian pounds (Dh207). IDSC was the government entity that was in charge of introducing the internet and technology to Egypt, among other things. What I learnt was worth a lot more than my salary. I started my own business in the mid-’90s, providing telecommunications services for the local market. We started one of the first outsourcing call centres in Egypt and now we also have operations in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and are now starting a joint venture in Kuwait. It was obvious that I was a good business manager and the next step was to start investing in businesses. So I started HK Ventures to invest in small and medium-sized businesses, regardless of the industry. The first thing we look at is management. That’s what I’m focused on today.
What is your go-to gadget?
My Samsung Galaxy 6s mobile. It’s my calendar, my desktop and my source of information, I depend on it. I do a lot of investment in the financial markets so I’m always checking the stock market – commodities and other shares – and also the news on my phone.
What was the lowest point in your career?
The political unrest in Egypt, which lasted for almost two years. This was a big test for me. The lack of certainty was very challenging. It is much more stable and secure these days and there is some sort of governance now, compared to 2011. The most important lesson I learnt during that time was the need as a businessman to diversify your business exposure – to not put all your eggs in one basket.
What would you advise someone starting out in your business?
To be patient, be focused and not miss opportunities in the market.
What’s your most indulgent habit?
I love sports. They are my therapy. I play a lot of tennis and golf. This is the time when I really put myself first.
What do you have on your desk at work?
I believe a clear desk leads to a clear mind, so I don’t have a messy desk. I have three or five projects that I am working on today and I have my daily to-do list.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
My family. They are the source of my inspiration – if I have a tough day at work I get home and everything is forgotten. I live in a completely different world with my family.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
This is an area I need to improve on, which requires set rules that have to be honoured. It is something I have managed to work on through my participation in the YPO events, because I have been exchanging ideas with other CEOs around the Middle East. We all have similar issues and concerns. You have to decide your priorities, set your rules and then stick to them. I have a very flexible schedule, I manage my own time. I’m usually working from 8.30am to 4pm and then again I will have some business commitments over dinner in the evenings. I would like to be able to allocate more time to help develop the young people of my country, Egypt. Providing better education and mentoring young business leaders are two areas I am planning on being active in.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be and why?
I love what I do. I think it's challenging and satisfying and so I would not want to swap with anyone. I learn something new every day and that's what counts, it keeps me busy and challenged and I enjoy it very much. My father, Gamal El Nazer, was an Olympic swimmer, an active and respected politician and later on a prominent businessman. He was a high achiever, but still a very moderate person. He always valued tradition, integrity and simplicity. He had no regard for money and materialism. This is how I was brought up, and how I would like my kids to be.
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