Face of the future: Kareem Tabbah

hey are a country’s crystal ball, and through them, one can see what tomorrow is going to be. We have all the good reasons to look forward to a better tomorrow, and every month we talk to one of those good reasons. Most heirs to family business are forced to follow their father’s example while putting their own dreams and passions on hold. Well the story is quite different in Karim Tabah’s case. The decision to let down interesting job offers in the UK and joining Nasco Group in Damscus was entirely his own; driven by a keen desire to discover the challenges and potentials of a controversial country; his own Syria. The vice president at the Nasco Group that is active in petroleum services, agricultural services, medical services and exhibitions, and the marketing manger of two of its sub branches, namely the Syrian Medical Services and the Allied Expo, you might think that 27 years old Karim Tabbah has bitten more than he can chew. Yet the young man’s enthusiasm goes beyond career and reaches community services and social involvement. Tabbah is an active member in three NGO; The Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association (SYEA), The Social Forum (Al Muntada aIjtimaii), and The Syrian Environment Association. Tabah left Damascus in 1996 to study Man-agement at the Royal Holloway University of London. There he experienced the dynamics of a real cultural diversity and dwelled in a real multicultural melting pot with students from around the world. Later he moved to the London School of Economics and Political Science and earned a Master Degree in Accounting & Finance in 2001.

Our Questions:

Do you think of leaving Syria?

I get frustrated from time to time from the low pace at which the Syrian society is progressing especially when it comes to business environment. Bureaucratic procedures, reluctance to change and slow reactions to the globalization challenges make me think sometimes whether the decision that I took in 2001 was right. Even though I have the luxury of being self employed, but I do sometimes think that I should have at least worked for few years at a multinational company in order to have the chance to team up with peers from all around the world.

What is the life achievement you dream of establishing?

To establish a Syrian based modern enterprise that is capable to compete at the inter-national arena

What is the one thing or thought that troubles you and keeps you awake and thinking at night?

Some of the business projects that I was in charge of were not as successful as planned which make me sometimes think about reasons behind such underachievement all night long

What was your first paying job?

When I was 13, I took a summer job as a salesman at my cousin’s home appliance. I worked for 8 hours a day for 8 weeks and earned $ 20!

Looking through your life, who’s the one person that influenced you most?

My father. He exposed me to different experiences at a very young age which gave me determination and self confidence.

Who is your inspirational figure?

I always get in such debates with friends and I do believe that our era is not about getting inspired by individuals and great personalities. However, I get inspired by theories, approaches and cultures.

Do you have any professional regrets?

I have professional failures but I do not regret them since they have never been fatal. At the end of the day, I consider such failures as learning curves.

Looking through Syria’s past & present, who is the female figure you admire the most?

Again, I am not the sort of person who gets inspired by persons either females or males.

A goal you would like to achieve this year.

I have been reelected this year as a board member at The Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association, and as a new VP to this association and being part of a team that consists of highly rated young Syrians, I would love to see this team directing this NGO towards achieving its challenging mission of groom-ing entrepreneurship among Syrian youth.

If you could, what one thing would you change in the Syrian society?

Professionalism

What experience must you have to feel that you’ve lived a completely satisfying life?

Enjoying a successful but yet planned and gradual business career

What’s your idea of a perfect partner?

You only get to a know whether somebody is a perfect partner through feelings rather than preset assumptions

What is your idea of a successful career?

Being able to establish a Syrian modern international enterprise by all means

Please give a 1 word (1 statement) answer: 1-I value: dedication to work 2-I am fascinated by: entrepreneurs of the industrial revolution 3-The world needs more: stability 4-I would walk a thousand miles to: achieve my goal in life 5-Where is your second home? My office 6-What is your favorite quote? “No mat-ter whether you are a gazelle or a turtle, it is the first who is ready to wake in the morning and starts running will reach his destination

first” by Ken Morse 7-What is your favorite book? Leon, the African by Amin Maalouf 8-List the three traits you admire in people. Honesty, dedication, professionalism.