Business Leaders interview: Ali El Zein

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

I am a seasoned executive with over 20 years in retail leadership, known for driving strategic growth and operational excellence. My impactful roles at Spinneys Lebanon, Carrefour Market, and Spar Qatar highlight my expertise. As Market Manager at Ali Bin Ali, I am overseeing the Reckitt portfolio. I excel in transforming operations and enhancing performance. My strategic vision, passion for business development, and commitment to operational excellence drive sustainable growth and market leadership.

What motivates you in your work and what do you find most fulfilling about being a business leader? 

I’m motivated by driving growth, transforming businesses, and developing team members into leaders, with a passion for people and products.

How did you develop your leadership skills and how would you define your leadership style? 

I developed my leadership by prioritizing people, fostering growth, and empowering teams. My style is collaborative, and purpose driven.

Innovating is crucial in our very diverse industry. How do you stay ahead of trends and incorporate them into your global strategy?

I stay ahead of trends by learning continuously, reflecting on peer experiences, embracing technology, and integrating insights into a flexible global strategy.

What do you consider to be the key component(s) of effective business operational development? 

Effective business operational development starts with a clear purpose. It’s about aligning teams around a shared vision, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and leveraging insights to drive innovation and efficiency.

How do you approach identifying areas for improvement within a company's operations? 

I identify areas for improvement by understanding the company’s purpose, listening to team insights, continuously evaluating performance, and adapting strategies for growth.

Where do you think the most promising investments should be focusing on and/or made on? 

Investments should focus on technology and innovation, sustainability, and people. These areas align with my purpose and drive meaningful, long-term impact.

What is or are your biggest career achievement(s)?

My biggest achievements include launching three startups, scaling them into profitable models, and developing colleagues who now excel in senior retail roles

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned? 

The most important leadership lesson I've learned is that empowering others and embracing failures as lessons drives success; the biggest risk is not taking one.

Do you have examples where your leadership made a difference? If so, what were they? 

Yes, my leadership transformed three startups into profitable ventures, streamlined operations for significant growth, and developed key team members into senior roles, driving overall success.

How did you identify and seize opportunities for advancement in your career? 

I identified and seized career advancement opportunities by setting clear goals, taking bold actions, and leveraging continuous learning and personal growth to drive progress

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career so far?  

Not yet!

How important is personal development to your success, and how do you approach it?

Personal development is vital to success. I approach it by aligning growth with a clear purpose, seeking continuous learning, and embracing challenges to drive meaningful progress.

How do you prioritise tasks when everything feels like a priority? 

Effective delegation and focus on what important not what’s urgent.

What was the hardest decision you have taken as a leader?  

The hardest decision I’ve faced as a leader was cutting operational costs to ensure the bottom line, while balancing short-term impacts with long-term vision for sustainable growth.

What steps do you take to measure your own performance? 

I measure my performance by setting clear goals, tracking progress against key metrics, seeking regular feedback, and reflecting on outcomes to drive continuous improvement.

What does success mean for you as a business leader? 

Success as a business leader means achieving transformative goals, driving sustainable growth, empowering others, and creating enduring value with a clear, purposeful vision.