Showing the way
As Al Habib & Company completes 30 years of rendering service to the real estate sector, Chairman, Ali Malallah Habib Al Lawati, talks to Mayank Singh and Sunil Fernandes on the company and the reasons for its success

1978 – a table, telephone and a 20 sq meter office in Ruwi

2009 – 1200 employees, 40,000 properties rented, valued over 10,000 properties over Oman…and still growing

Thirty minutes into the conversation and you realise, why Al Habib & Co, is perched at the very top, when compared to peers in the business. It’s the courage, confidence and clear vision of the Chairman, Ali Malallah Habib Al Lawati, which have helped propel Al Habib, into a premier real estate agency in Oman.

Few would like to move from a secure government job, into un-chartered waters, but this was not so for Ali. “My father always told me, one needs more freedom – freedom to think and freedom to act. Which is why perhaps, a job would never bring out the best in me,” he says. After graduating from the University of Cairo, he worked as an economic researcher with the Directorate of General Planning. However, the courage, enterprise, and his father’s words compelled him to start a small consultancy firm – which subsequently went on to become Al Habib.

“Something about the real estate sector fascinated me. When I went to Europe, I was impressed with the high standards of the estate agents. I thought of applying these best practices to Oman as well,” says Ali. But, when you ask him why the real estate sector; he is clear, that he liked the sector and saw immense scope for improvement. “I had just graduated in business from University and I had the idea about a business that depended on selling properties. I recognised that the real estate sector in Oman consisted of a mix of small brokers and large landlords, all operating independently of one another.

“I saw a gap in the market for professional, reliable and personal real estate services and wanted to develop, ‘model real estate company’ ,” he says. This vision has transformed, Al Habib, into the Sultanate’s largest and most professionally managed real estate services company over three decades now.

Envying statistics
The company began modestly with a 20 sq feet office, a telephone and a table. However, the chairman did have the ambition and determination to succeed. Today, Al Habib has 1200 employees, manages 2500 dwellings, and has helped in renting over 40,000 properties all over Oman.

The first big deal is always special. Ali still loves to recollect and cherish those memories. “I built a house for the Pakistani ambassador at Qurum. I remember charging RO1200. Today, my parents live in the same house,” he proudly says.

Ali is very reluctant to talk about his strengths. “I would say it’s my ability to motivate, imbibe values of trust and respect, yet accountability, with colleagues. You learn a few things at the University, but you do find a lot to learn from practical experiences as well. I believe, I am also able to build partnerships with key stakeholders, like financers, employees, clients etc. I am able to articulate a clear vision as well,” he says.

Ali slices time, between work and leisure. He works between 9am and 2pm, devoting time also for activities like reading and exercising. “I would say it helps you to relax and stay calm. I also listen to soft music and do watch movies,” he says. Ali does not strictly get into the micro aspects of the business, but maintains an overall purview of affairs, while arriving at a consensus on decisions. “I always delegate responsibilities. People in the company have been able to take-up these responsibilities. I have a good team in place and I am proud of the people with Al Habib,” he says.

Habib is a well-heeled traveller, visiting several places across the globe, mostly mixing work and pleasure on visits. “I have travelled to a lot of places. Somehow, I have missed Russia and Japan. In the future, I plan to visit these places, ” he says.

Business activities
Al Habib, covers all aspects of the real estate market. Its five professional divisions provide a full range of real estate services including: finding suitable land, providing consultancy, offering a valuation service, managing property rentals, undertaking property construction, as well as handling the buying and selling of real estate.

In addition, the company can also provide large scale electrical and civil contracting, civil engineering projects, building refurbishments and interior decoration. Besides these services the professional staff provides clients with expert advice tailored to their specific needs.

Al Habib has created several prestigious landmarks within the Sultanate. “Over the last three decades Al Habib has developed a number of landmark buildings including the Ernst & Young Commercial Centre, City Residence Apartments, Centre Point in Muscat and in Salalah, and the Salalah Sanitary and Drainage headquarters amongst others,”

An equally impressive ongoing projects, will add to the elite list of completed ones. Some of the prestigious projects underway include, the four-star Park Inn Hotel in Muscat and residential developments such as the Lavendar Apartments and Canary Villas as well as 40,000 sq mtr mixed commercial and residential block for the Ministry of Defense pension fund.

Economic turmoil
Ask him on the present economic turmoil, and he seems hardly fazed, though he admits that it does impact business. “The economic crisis is impacting all areas of business and industry. Sector wise, the current economic situation is creating problems as there is a lack of liquidity which affects investments and construction. However, due to our foresight and wise investments we have not been badly affected,” says Ali.

According to him, it’s still a good time to be in the real estate market. “I still think it’s a good time to be involved in the real estate sector. Real estate is a big and wide-spread industry, so overall I consider that it’s always a good time to be involved in it. The only question is where geographically, and in which segment of the industry i.e. mutual funds, direct investment, development, contracting, building materials, marketing, or speculation in barren land, etc,” he says

As far as the future plans are concerned, there’s no ambiguity in the vision. “Regardless of new comers appearing in the market, our aim is to retain our position in Oman – as a well-structured and organised business group leading the sector. In addition, I would like to diversify geographically, possibly looking at other industry sectors, with an increased involvement in investments and charity work. Finally, I’d like to build on the family involvement, with more family members continuing to serve the group for the future,” says Ali.
 
Clearly, the Chairman has a vision and knows to lead. As John Maxwell rightly said: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”