Penchant for innovation

Ghaya Al Barwani capitalises on her abilities to adapt to changes and take decisions. Muhammed Nafie reports

Ghaya Al Barwani, Head of Marketing of Ahli Bank, draws her inspiration from the two maxims that she used to hear from her superiors: Jedi Master Yoda’s famous “Do or Do Not, there is no try” and “QED – Quite Easily Done.” The secret behind her rise to the top echelons of the corporate sector has been the indefatigable spirit generated by these two ‘favourite phrases’ which inspire her daily.

Ghaya’s abilities to adapt to changes helped her brave all challenges and scale new heights in her professional life. Although Ghaya originally studied to be a town planner, she started her career with Citibank where she could develop and brush up her financial skills for four and half years. Later she moved to BankMuscat. Meanwhile, while working in Bank Muscat, she secured an MBA (Finance) from Leicester University which opened up new opportunities and responsibilities in front of her. She says, “I believe that my abilities to adapt to changes and take decisions are part of my core strengths. I capitalise on these strengths on a regular basis, to enable the bank’s business and communication to adapt thus remaining competitive.

Taking charge

Ghaya joined ahlibank two months after its inception in 2008. Under the guidance of the cooperative executive management team of the bank, she worked on the development and implementation of the retail products and services and the general communications strategy of the bank.

She believes that the management style of each team leader varies and is influenced by the overall organisational style, the task at hand and the level of expertise of the team members. She says, “At ahlibank, I am fortunate enough to work in an environment that invites and encourages the participation of all staff members to grow and develop the bank. Working with a professional team of ahlibankers and suppliers encouraged me to be more participative in management delegating responsibilities as warranted”.

She does not claim to have found a balance between her work and family commitments. However, she is happy that her family understands her work commitments and her organisation greatly appreciates that each individual needs to honour his or her commitments physically, socially, mentally and emotionally.

Referring to her role models in life, Ghaya says, “I have several role models and people who have supported me, starting from my parents who continue to evaluate and advise me professionally to superiors, colleagues, friends of family and friends who help me and inspire me daily.”
She spends most of her leisure time with family and friends watching comedy shows, going for out camping, driving off-road and enjoying delicious barbeques. Ghaya would like to travel to old metropolitan cities which offer a synthesis of the richness of past and the glitter of modernity. “My favourite cities include Cairo, Paris, London and Berlin. I look forward to enjoying more of the cities in Indian Subcontinent,” she says.


 

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