Bio: Ramzi graduated with a Masters Degree in HR Management from HEC Montreal, an MBA from LAU and a BA in Economics from AUB. Following his MBA degree, he worked within his family business in the contracting field before moving to the C.A.T. Group as a Job Analyst, Profiler and Developer. His prime responsibilities today include developing, implementing and monitoring different HR policies, procedures and forms.
1. How do you like living and working in Lebanon?
I cannot speak objectively when it comes to living in Lebanon since it is my country and homeland! I took the decision to come back in 2007 specifically for this reason. Working in Lebanon, in a multinational or regional organization is on its own an inspiring experience. You get to mix with different mentalities and diversified types of people thus enriching your multicultural experience while enjoying the unique Lebanese way of life.
2. What is your average day at work like?
C.A.T. Group maintains a rich set of values and habits founded mainly on a family spirit that distinguishes it from other organizations, thus enhancing a certain equilibrium between work time and leisure time. We have strong faith in our people’s capabilities therefore we highly achieve a big deal of employees’ loyalty and commitment. My typical day at work involves creativity, problems solving and definitely challenge!
3. What is your biggest professional challenge?
The biggest challenge for any HR professional nowadays is to place the HR function on the strategic level, consequently transforming it to a major partner in decisions making. This challenge involves 3 aspects - the internal aspect (within the HR function) consisting of aligning the department’s objectives to those of the whole organization, changing different procedures, trainings…etc, then the understanding on the top management level of the importance of the strategic role of the HR department in order to create a competitive advantage for the organization and finally the ability to surmount old cultural values still present in the organization smoothly in order to ensure a soft transition.
4. What is the most important thing you look for in new hires?
For me, personality is the most important factor. Skills, knowledge, experience and education are however primordial in the decision making process.
5. What is the biggest challenge you face in hiring talent?
The skills, knowledge, experience and education are widely available today, but finding acandidate who possesses that little extra trait (AKA leadership skills) is the biggest challenge!
6. What is your favorite part of your role?
Creating new policies and procedures, aligning them with the organization’s strategy and implementing them is my favorite part of my role.
7. What has been the highlight of your career in HR?
Thinking strategically in managing the human resources is the highlight of my career! The HR function, especially in the MENA region, is undergoing huge developments in this direction thus creating a giant experience field where I can apply my knowledge in an actual manner.
8. What do you read to keep abreast of industry developments?
As many articles and books as possible (L’Acteur et le Système by Michel Crozier and Erhard Friedberg was my latest) in addition to adhering to professional HR groups such as SHRM.
9. What is your advice to someone looking to enter the field of HR?
To have an understanding of the importance of the HR in an organization, to be able to think strategically, and mostly to have the ability to tolerate cultural and personality differences.
10. How do you see the Middle East evolve as a place to practice HR?
As aforementionned, the Middle East is a giant HR experience field! It is the place to apply the HR theories and develop them. For the years to come, many organizations will understand the strategic role of the HR function and will seek to involve it in the strategic decision making process.
11. If you could wave your magic stick and make a significant development in one specific area of HR practices worldwide, where would that fall?
I’d develop performance appraisal methods. I’d make them clearer, more straight forward and more transparent. I’d create an environment where the 360 degrees performance appraisal would be applicable!
12. Anything else you'd like to share with the community of Bayt.com Employers?
Keep up the great work you are doing and keep contributing to the development of the HR discipline in the Middle East!
