We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Qutub Saify, a successful entrepreneur and Managing Director at Al Taher Chemicals Trading LLC / Al Taher Industries LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, starting his career as a Production Chemist in India and later moving on to take up various roles in UAE, including Technical Specialist and Business Development. In 2007, he fulfilled his dream of becoming an entrepreneur by establishing Al Taher Chemicals / Al Taher Industries, which has since grown into a leading chemical supplier in the UAE.
In addition, there are also Al Taher Tools and Alif tools in the Al Taher Global Range. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Dr. Saify persevered, and his company has been a valuable resource for many businesses. We appreciate Dr. Saify’s hard work and dedication, and his advice to never give up on your dreams is inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more through our interview below.
How did you start your entrepreneurship journey? Do you have some advice for beginners?
I earned my Master’s in Chemistry in 1995 and was recruited on-campus by Hindustan Chemicals, one of the largest chemical manufacturing companies in Bhopal, India, as a Production Chemist. It was a great way for me to start my career and learn about the product development process, which is at the core of any business.
In 1998, I took up an opportunity in the UAE. I quickly grew from a Production Chemist to a Technical Specialist spearheading Business Development roles, which gave me a broader perspective on business management. After 12 years of hard work and hands-on learning, in 2007, my dream and passion for entrepreneurship finally came true when I established Al Taher Chemicals / Al Taher Industries.
I would advise beginners to never give up on their dreams, no matter how challenging the journey may be. It’s important to always keep learning and growing and surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and colleagues. With the right combination of passion, drive, and innovative thinking, anyone can succeed as an entrepreneur.
What do you believe is the most crucial part of continuing business seamlessly?
The most crucial part of continuing business seamlessly depends on having a well-established foundation based on strong leadership, effective planning, robust infrastructure, adaptability, competitive advantage, strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders, and empowerment of employees to build a strong team. Ultimately, the key to continuing business seamlessly is having a combination of these factors in place and a culture that prioritizes stability, reliability, and continuous improvement.
We saw that you are active as a leader in multiple companies. What are your goals through your companies, and how do you plan to help individuals with them?
My primary goal is to achieve financial success for all of my companies by maximizing profits, increasing revenue, and minimizing costs. In addition, we aim to grow and expand our businesses by entering new markets and developing new products and services. We foster innovation within our businesses by investing in research and development, encouraging creativity, and staying ahead of industry trends. Furthermore, we strive to positively impact society through our businesses, which includes reducing our environmental footprint, supporting local communities, and promoting diversity and inclusion in our workplaces.
To help individuals achieve their goals, we create strategic plans, allocate resources, and develop programs and initiatives, such as employee training and development opportunities, supporting charitable organizations, and implementing environmentally friendly practices within our businesses.
Our goal is to create a business that benefits the company and its shareholders, employees, customers, and the wider community.
Describe yourself in one word.
“Passionate.” My passion for business and innovation fuels my drive to turn ideas into successful ventures. I believe that when you are passionate about what you do, you can overcome any obstacles to achieve the targeted goals. I clearly understand where we want to take the company and strive to inspire others by effectively communicating the vision and rallying our teams around a shared purpose.
Do employees’ energy and enthusiasm have a hand in business success? How do you plan to motivate your team to go the extra mile?
Yes, the energy and enthusiasm of employees can have a significant impact on a business’s success. Engaged and motivated employees are more likely to be productive, creative, and committed to their work, which can lead to improved performance and better results for the company. As a business leader, I strongly believe in creating a positive and supportive work environment that encourages growth and fosters a sense of purpose among my team.
To motivate my team to go the extra mile, I focus on setting clear goals and expectations, providing ample opportunities for professional development, and recognizing and rewarding their hard work and achievements. I also prioritize open communication, create a culture of trust, and empower my team to make their own decisions and take ownership of their work. By fostering a positive and motivated work environment, I strive to inspire my employees to give their best and drive the organization’s success.
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style can be described as transformational. I aim to inspire and motivate my team to work towards a shared vision. I lead by example and encourage and empower them to be innovative and creative. I believe in setting high standards for my team to follow by demonstrating the behaviors and work ethic that I expect from them. I strive to embody the values and vision of the organization and show my team how to do the same. This approach helps build trust and creates a positive work environment where my team feels supported and motivated to give their best.
Did you face any challenges during your career span? If so, how were you able to overcome them?
I encountered numerous challenges throughout my career, ranging from competition to changing market conditions, managing people, financial management, innovation, and statutory and legal compliances, just to name a few. However, one of the most significant challenges in our industry was navigating the intricate regulations and legal barriers surrounding the import of hazardous chemicals. Despite these obstacles, the key to overcoming them, and others, is to remain flexible, have a clear vision and strategy, and be willing to continuously learn and grow.
Are you adapting to digital transformation? How is it helping your business?
Innovation is at the core of every business that wants to grow and stay successful and relevant in today’s ever-changing times and trends. Adapting to digital transformation has helped us in several ways, including Increased efficiency by automating manual processes, streamlining operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity. Improved customer experiences with insights into customer behaviors and preferences by enabling us to deliver more personalized, seamless experiences. Better data analysis helps us to make informed decisions.
New revenue streams such as e-commerce, digital advertising, and data monetization. Improved collaboration and communication with digital tools both within the organization and with customers, partners, and suppliers. In conclusion, adapting to digital transformation is helping businesses stay relevant, increase efficiency and competitiveness, and improve the overall customer experience.
Do you use innovative ideas to be unique?
As an entrepreneur, innovation is at the heart of what we do. We constantly explore new and creative ways to solve problems, improve processes, and deliver unique and valuable products and services to our customers. By adapting cutting-edge technologies and best practices, we are able to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and provide our clients with the best possible experiences and results. We believe that innovation is not just about being unique but also about staying relevant and meeting the ever-changing trends and demands of the market. That’s why we are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to grow and evolve our business.
Where is your leadership going? What benefits do your clients get from your company in this competitive world?
Our business offers several benefits to clients that differentiate us from the competition, including a wide range of quality products and services that offer variety and versatility. We utilize cutting-edge technologies and processes to ensure the highest level of efficiency and quality in our offerings.
We are committed to providing exceptional customer support and services to enhance the overall
customer experience. Our competitive advantage is in offering better products and services at reduced prices. We also focus on sustainability by bringing in green products and services to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Overall, these benefits, combined with our team of resolute and talented professionals, make us a valuable partner for clients in today’s competitive world.
Connect with Dr. Qutub Saify on LinkedIn