Out of Stagnation Stage

Last year, I sat down for a coffee with the newly appointed CEO of a well-established manufacturing company in Riyadh. Having previously known him from his previous role at another organization, it was clear from the outset that he was someone who truly understood the pulse of the market. His insightful words stuck with me: “We’ve […]

Last month, at the Gulf Food Manufacturing exhibition in Dubai, I joined a packed panel discussion on the future of consumer-packaged goods (CPG). Amid the buzz, one statement resonated deeply with the room: “We’ve perfected our distribution for yesterday’s market. But Gen Z isn’t buying like their parents did, and our channels haven’t caught up.” This wasn’t […]

For many companies operating in mature industries, the relentless battle of price competition feels like a never-ending game. Margins tighten, competitors undercut, and products—once innovative—start blending into the sea of sameness. This was the reality faced by one of the most contemporary and competitive mills in the region, a business known for its scale and […]

I was recently reading “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt, a book that challenges conventional thinking in business operations and decision-making. One particular idea stuck with me: organizations often focus on local efficiencies while missing the bigger picture—sustainable growth. It took me back a few years to a conversation with the CEO of a leading commercial […]