We are pleased to introduce Khalid Alghamdi, a dynamic and visionary leader who serves as the CEO of NOMD Solutions. With a proven track record in the technology industry, Khalid brings extensive experience and expertise in driving innovation, digital transformation, and business growth.
As the CEO of NOMD Solutions, Khalid spearheads the company’s strategic initiatives to revolutionize the digital landscape and shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s economy. His forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of market dynamics have positioned NOMD Solutions as a leading investor in the digital world, driving the localization of the market and fostering a futuristic vision of digital transformation. Learn more through our interview below.
What is the idea behind Your Company?
NOMD Solutions is part of a holding group, which is a solution-oriented collection of companies based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is a pioneering organization in the usage and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Intelligence (BI). NOMD Holding’s investments are centered around various Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) fields, including ICT infrastructure, ICT distribution, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Marketing. As an umbrella company overseeing several tech and solution-oriented companies, NOMD is capable of providing comprehensive services to the market. NOMD Solutions aligns with the group’s vision by prioritizing advanced technology to develop and deliver business solutions in the areas of communication, safety, security, and disaster management. The primary objective is to go beyond addressing clients’ immediate challenges and take the lead in initiatives aimed at enhancing clients’ efficiencies and enabling the achievement of their primary business goals.
How did you embark on your career journey, and do you have any advice for beginners?
I believe it is often difficult to predict how a career journey will unfold. I would segment my career journey based on the types of organizations I have worked for and volunteered in. I have experience in various organizations, both large and established, like Saudi Aramco, as well as start-ups, including the one I currently lead.
During my time at Saudi Aramco, a major corporation, I had the opportunity to participate in and lead diverse functions such as technology, projects, strategy, and shared services. My transferable skills always revolved around technical and leadership abilities, while each function provided new knowledge and the chance to meet different people. Start-ups, however, offer a completely different experience, pushing leaders beyond their limits.
The career journey is greatly influenced by passion and personal goals. My advice to beginners is to set clear goals and revisit them regularly. Honest and well-defined individual goals will drive careers toward satisfactory results.
What is the goal of Your Company? What problem are you solving with it?
The company has several strategic goals that define its path and operations. These goals are designed to contribute to the growth of the kingdom’s economy, make a positive impact on Saudi Arabia’s achievements and vision, and support the development of local knowledge and talent. Therefore, the primary goal is to introduce appropriate technologies that will foster the growth of today’s business world. This involves carefully selecting technology, adapting it to specific challenges and operations, and, most importantly, localizing it. One example of the problem we aim to address is the redefinition of shared services functions, such as safety and security, from being cost centers to becoming revenue generators and overall business enablers through the implementation of technological solutions.
How important are employees’ energy levels for the success of Your Company?
The energy and passion of team members are the main drivers of any company’s success. Any leader recognizes that without passion and energy, efforts and investments will not yield tangible results.
How do you plan to motivate your team to go the extra mile?
When teams are correctly selected, meaning they share the same passion for the company’s intentions (as passion is not transferable), there are two main actions for me as a leader to maintain high motivation levels.
The first action is to design the strategy, draw the path, and obtain team approval and buy-in. Strategic goals and strategy execution should not be enforced in a one-way communication style, top-down.
The second action is to avoid silos and alienation of team members. It is important to ensure that everyone involved in achieving the collective goal is aware and included. Otherwise, the success of the project may be compromised.
What keeps Your Company moving forward, even in the face of challenges?
With ever-changing business requirements and regulations, the fast pace of organizations, and the demand for rapid growth, challenges are constantly presented to the company and its team. Having a common goal and including everyone in the bigger picture of the strategy helps the company effectively address these challenges and overcome them. The leader must be able to demonstrate the impact of each member within the broader context and highlight the contribution of each team member toward achieving the strategic goals.
In your opinion, how is technology driving changes in businesses, and do you believe it is aiding the growth of Your Company?
In my opinion, technology is the key and primary enabler of business growth. We have surpassed the age of automation, where technology helped reduce the workload on workers and contributed to the enhanced effectiveness of work processes. Integration followed, further increasing the efficiency of businesses. Today, we find ourselves in the age of intelligent machines that can support effective decision-making in the business world. Technology holds the answer to maintaining and reducing a company’s bottom line while enhancing profits.
How is Your Company adapting to digitalization?
Our company is technology-based, and it is crucial for us to lead by example when interacting with clients and partners. The influence of the holding group is evident as it has shaped our company to be built on digitalization rather than just adapting to it.
Do you use innovative ideas to be unique?
Innovation is a key factor in creating competitiveness and implementing disruptive business strategies. One of our common business practices is to establish strategic partnerships with international technology innovators. Through these partnerships, we leverage our knowledge of the Saudi market and our experience working with diverse organizations to innovate and improve existing technologies. In order to stay ahead of the game, businesses must understand their industry landscape and anticipate their customers’ future needs. It is important not to get fixated on the competition but rather to focus on meeting the demands of end-users. Once these insights are gained, finding innovative, creative, and passionate teams becomes crucial in delivering a disruptive market strategy.
What services, solutions, or products does Your Company offer in line with current industry standards? Additionally, could you share some insights into your upcoming products or services?
We aim to establish ourselves as the foremost investors in the digital world and shape the future economy and way of life in Saudi Arabia through market localization. This is achieved by harnessing the skills of local talents who share our futuristic vision of digital transformation. Our solutions are specifically designed to enhance an organization’s collective Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and empower them to achieve their envisioned goals. Our focus lies in technology scouting and integration to support cognitive cities. We are continuously enhancing our existing sensor management platforms to visualize and effectively analyze big data, enabling machines to learn site- and operation-specific processes and facilitating informed decision-making and action-taking.