Bayt.com recently met with one of Bahrain's hidden gems. He was among the first believers in the power of social media in empowering people and businesses in the region. Read our interview with Adel Maymoon, founder and CEO of Tawasul.
Adel Maymoon is a GCC-based entrepreneur, speaker and visionary in digital media and social media marketing. Born and raised in Manama, Adel is a certified PR Consultant with multiple degrees in PR, media and communication. He's the founder and CEO of Tawasul, a social media agency based in Bahrain that helps companies around the region connect to their customers through social media. Adel worked at Bahrain’s E-Government Authority and is a member of the Social Media Club Bahrain and Bahrain Internet Society. He is also engaged in many other social media projects in Bahrain. Adel received many awards in recognition of his work. He was awarded the GOYS National Youth Award in 2006 and the Social Media Days’ Online Social Networking Award. Adel also received Marketing@Bahrain’s 2011 Outstanding Contribution Award for his efforts in promoting best usage of social media in Bahrain. On a personal level, Adel describes himself as reader, leader, listener, traveler, and wisdom seeker. Here’s how our interview with Adel went…
Bahrain is one of the most liberal countries in the region. It is home not only for Bahrainis but also for many other nationalities that chose to live and work in this tiny – but prospering – island. A leader in education, industry, banking and ICT, Bahrain is full of opportunities. Here you can get the best education, land your dream job, build a successful business and grow in the entire region. Bahrain offers you a high quality, close-knit society, where everyone knows everyone.
I'm a morning person so I wake up before sunrise. My average day starts with: praying, reading books in marketing and social media, a 60-minute workout, writing down my 10 most important tasks for the day, checking my appointments, and planning my day. I'm at work by 8am. I work for 7 straight hours until 4pm. In the evening, I calmly follow up with clients and meet associates for tea or coffee. My day usually ends with some bedtime reading.
My business idea was a culmination of what I like to do best, which is helping people find solutions to their problems. My business is based on a vision that aims at benefiting my clients, their customers and the public in general. So you can say that my business idea was an extension of my personal ideology.
Bureaucracy! And it is something I have experienced all across the region.
Time management: You need to manage your time well and prioritize your tasks. We only have 24 hours in a day, and entrepreneurs need to understand this fact well and plan their days between work, rest, and spending time with their loved ones. Hard work: You don't need to be working 12 or 14 hours a day to be called a hard worker! All what you need is to work really hard for 6 or 7 hours per day and it will pay off. The overnight success term is a myth. You have to spend months and sometimes years working hard to achieve your goals. Dream, and dream big: The best thing about being an entrepreneur is the ability to achieve your own dreams. Just keep your motivation and spirits high and you will achieve anything you want.
Their ability to solve problems! When I'm looking to hire someone for any post, I rarely check their previous job experiences or educational degrees. What is most important to me as a business owner is that my employees are able to solve problems and come up with creative solutions that will add value to the work we do.
I think the biggest challenge would be the lack of determination and ability to get things done. I always ask my team and new hires to be determined; to believe in what they do, as it’s the most important factor in producing quality work from my point of view.
Just do it! When you feel the ability to do it for yourself, then go for it; don’t wait. Another advice would be to keep your expenses to a minimum and not spend your money on unnecessary things. For example, I’ve created a wish list and combined it with my goals. So, when I achieve my goals I can purchase the things I’ve wished for. This helps me get a sense of reward and appreciation for my achievements. And, it doesn't take much time to finish this list and start a new one.
