Abrar Ahmed is a successful serial entrepreneur, CEO at Webiz Media and Founder of various successful online projects including Hamariweb.com – the largest web portal in Pakistan. In 2007, after 6 years of experience with US backed e-retailing stores, Abrar Ahmed decided to launch his own startup named Webiz Media. Within a short time, he proved himself as a versatile online entrepreneur, with the ability to run and manage a variety of online portals in the region.
1. Can you tell us more about the corporate culture at Hamariweb.com? How did this culture help you attract top talent in Pakistan?
The corporate culture of a company reflects your core values and business philosophy. From the initial stage, I made efforts to formally introduce a work culture that reflects the regional cultural values, social practices and business ethics. At Hamariweb, all assigned jobs, targets and incentives are clearly defined for each individual and department, and each employee is expected to give their best, both individually and as part of a team, to achieve the targets assigned. Every team member, senior and junior alike, are always ready to help, motivate and encourage each other to achieve individual goals, and in turn, the company’s target. This is one of the significant components of our company’s culture and success of business.
I also introduced a “partnership” culture, where each employee “owns the company” and contributes to the companies growth with great ambitions and responsibility. I believe that when you give a sense of ownership to employees, with a clear development path, and opportunity to grow, they will produce at optimal levels for the success of the company. I think it is because of this that I am currently managing the highest ratio of employee retention in comparison to the industry.
2. What makes a successful startup?
I believe that an entrepreneur’s vision is his key to success. I created my own company after working in a similar industry for six years. I spent two years setting the foundations for my company, without generating any significant profit or earning. Today, Hamariweb.com is one of Pakistan’s largest web portals – the website has witnessed tremendous growth, and has received recognition from the region and industry. The belief I had in my vision was the major force behind the success of my team and myself, and it is what has fed our hunger for growth and excellence.
3. What’s the best part about working for a startup as opposed to other companies?
I think working for a startup adds value to a person’s life. There is room for versatile learning opportunities as well as creativity and innovation. I started working a small startup team, with the goal to work independently and efficiently. During 2001 to 2006, the era of e-commerce development, there a huge learning opportunity for everyone involved, from a new angle. The other reason I chose to work with at a startup was to gain the “360 experience” of running a business. Generally I think that if an individual is enthusiastic to learn and to grow, then startups are the best choice.
4. What are the top 3 characteristics you look for in a candidate when hiring for your company?
Hiring is always a sensitive matter and it is similar to adding a new person to your family. I always keep in mind that I am not hiring a machine from which we expect particular standardized performance, but I am hiring a human, which is the most complex machine of them all, and finding the characteristics that make them special is difficult in a short time. After I find someone with matching technical skills, I also give a lot of importance to self-motivation, positive attitude, and integrity, because those are the driving force and the energy of the workplace.
5. What would you say has been the proudest moment in your career?
The proudest moment of my career was when my company made it to the top 500 regional list of ARABIA 500 entrepreneur startup companies. This happened back in 2012 at the 3rd Global Entrepreneur Summit, Dubai. It was officially inaugurated by members of the Royal family of Dubai including PM Sheikh Mohammed along with a video message from the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
6. Any advice for startups who want to compete with other companies and attract top talent?
With the lack of resources and recognition, it is very challenging for startups to attract top talent. It should always be your mission to convey that you are building a great business that will grow into success, to attract the right employees, who are motivated to work with you and help the company succeed. It is very important to associate your company and attend relevant industry events, to grow your network, and also build your company reputation. A startup should always try to hire “like minded” people who have faith in the company, share the same goals, and are ready to take on the responsibility of adapting to different challenges and wearing multiple hats depending on what is needed. At the initial stages of my company, I hired partners, and not employees, and to this date, it is still going strong.