Hisham Darwish

Roots and Wings

Pair Bonding Status

BA, Business Marketing (1998 – 2001)

Business Computer Science (3 semesters)

MBA, Marketing (2011 – Present)

• Strategic Planning and Implementation: Formulate and execute comprehensive strategies tailored to each client's specific objectives and market dynamics. Provide hands-on guidance and support throughout the implementation process to ensure practical success and sustainable growth.
• Market Insight and Mentorship: Share expertise and insights gained from mentoring over 2000 entrepreneurs in the Middle East to help clients navigate market complexities. Offer mentorship and advisory services to empower clients with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their respective industries.
• Board Membership and Executive Committee Participation: Serve as a valuable member of boards of directors or executive committees, leveraging extensive experience and strategic acumen to drive informed decision-making and governance excellence.
• Turnaround Project Assignments: Lead turnaround projects for companies and operations experiencing challenges, employing a results-driven approach to revitalize businesses and drive profitability. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize operations, streamline processes, and enhance financial performance.
• Change Management: Guide organizations through periods of change and transformation, offering strategic direction and support to ensure smooth transitions and positive outcomes. Develop change management strategies and facilitate stakeholder engagement to foster buy-in and alignment with organizational goals.
• Sales & Marketing Growth: Develop and execute sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth and market expansion for clients across diverse industries. Identify opportunities for business development and implement targeted initiatives to capitalize on market trends and customer preferences.
• Training and Public Speaking: Deliver training sessions and public speaking engagements on a variety of topics, including strategy planning and execution, corporate governance, business modeling, leadership development, change management, and emotional intelligence. Provide engaging and informative presentations that inspire and educate audiences, drawing on practical experience and expertise in relevant subject areas.

• Increasing revenue: Developed and implemented strategies that increased the company's revenue, such as identifying new business opportunities, expanding into new markets and industries, and developing new products and services by launching a new fully automated wood factory. New vertical and horizontal business initiatives and investments to come. Stay tuned…
• Strategic planning: Developed a 5-YRS strategy for the company which resulted in 18 different crucial strategic initiatives and set the foundation of a robust strategic performance management scorecard. Most importantly, constructed a solid foundation and roadmap for an IPO listing.
• Corporate Governance: Developed and deployed effective governance that included every single main pillar in the company (human capital, operations and processes, and strategic objectives and roadmap).
• Improved customer relationships:Developed, retained, and maintained strong relationships with new and lost customers by identifying their needs, addressing their concerns, and providing excellent customer service. Managed to sustain a growing customer retention rate.
• Improved project management: Collaborating with project managers to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the client.
• Improved bidding and proposal processes: Developed and implemented systems to improve the company's bidding and proposal processes, including identifying new opportunities, reducing the response time rate to requests for proposals, and presenting proposals to clients in an automated and systematic way.
• Organizational culture: Developed a dynamic and healthy environment driven by leadership, a high level of competency and communication, commitment, employee empowerment, contribution and responsibility, professional career development, and character.
• Improved measurement and reporting:Developed and implemented automated systems to measure the effectiveness of the operations in every single department through Business Intelligence systems to report effectively business metrics to senior management.
• Learning and Development: Developed a custom-made virtual academy hosted through an advanced learning management system aimed at sharpening the soft and technical skills of the company’s human capital and staying abreast of modern practices in every department by partnering with subject matter experts in the field.
• Increased brand recognition: Developed and implemented marketing strategies and a complete revamp of the identity that increased the visibility and recognition of the company's brand in the construction market.

• Successfully advised clients on strategic business decisions that result in increased revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Developed and implemented tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of clients and address their unique business challenges and opportunities.
• Conducted comprehensive analysis of clients' business operations and identified areas for improvement, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
• Provided expert guidance and support to clients during periods of organizational change, such as mergers and acquisitions, expansions, or restructuring.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with clients based on trust, open communication, and mutual respect.
• Developed and delivered training programs that enhance clients' business skills and knowledge, improving their ability to succeed in a constantly evolving marketplace.
• Conducted market research and analysis to inform clients' business decisions, including identifying new market opportunities and potential threats.
• Developed and implemented effective marketing and sales strategies that drive business growth and increase market share.
• Advised clients on the implementation of technology solutions that improve business operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Provided ongoing support and guidance to clients, including monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of implemented solutions and making adjustments as needed.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Created and implemented a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement within the organization.
• Attracted and retained top talent through effective recruitment, training, and professional development programs.
• Expanded the company’s reach and brand recognition through marketing and public relations initiatives.
• Fostered a strong sense of community and engagement among employees, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Established the company as a thought leader and industry expert through speaking engagements, publications, and other thought leadership activities.
• Developed and implemented effective policies and procedures that ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Achieved high levels of client satisfaction and loyalty through excellent service delivery and support.

• Entrepreneurship EcoSystem development: Developed, launched, and operated 4 different CoWork spaces and incubators in different cities in Saudi Arabia.
• Increased number of successful startups: Developed and implemented strategies that increased the number of successful startups to reach 150+ over s period of 24 months that graduated from our incubator/accelerator program.
• Increased funding secured: Helped startups secure funding from venture capitalists, angel investors, and crowdfunding, and increased the total amount of funding raised by startups in our programs to exceed 30M Saudi riyals.
• Improved mentorship and support: Provided high-quality mentorship, coaching, and support to over 750 startup founders to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
• Improved educational resources: Developed and delivered educational resources to help startup founders develop essential business skills, such as financial management, marketing, and sales.
• Improved networking opportunities: Provided opportunities for startup founders to connect with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to build relationships and learn from each other.
• Improved partnerships: Developed and maintained partnerships with other organizations, such as universities, research institutions, and corporations, to provide additional resources and support to startups in the program.
• Improved community engagement: Built a strong community of entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders around the incubator/accelerator program to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth.
• Improved measurement and reporting: Developed and implemented systems to measure the incubator/accelerator program’s effectiveness and report on program metrics to stakeholders, such as the board of directors and investors.
• Increased public awareness: Developed and implemented marketing and public relations strategies to increase awareness of the incubator/accelerator program and its impact on the startup ecosystem.

• Learning management system development: Developed and launched a custom-made LMS Portal serving two business models B2B and B2C with advanced performance and reporting systems.
• In-House production: Developed a licensed in-house studio for media production and e-learning content digitalization equipped with state-of-the-art tools and equipment.
• Increased revenue and profitability through strategic planning and effective execution of business plans.
• Developed and launched new products and services that meet the needs of customers and the market.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and investors.
• Created and implemented a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement within the organization.
• Attracted and retained top talent through effective recruitment, training, and professional development programs.
• Expanded the company's reach and brand recognition through marketing and public relations initiatives.
• Fostered a strong sense of community and engagement among employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Established the company as a thought leader and industry expert through speaking engagements, publications, and other thought leadership activities.
• Developed and implemented effective policies and procedures that ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Achieved high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty through excellent customer service and support.

• Increased revenue by 20% as a floating average over 5 years period: Developed and implemented strategies that increased the company's revenue, such as identifying new business opportunities, expanding into new markets and industries, and developing new products and services (global offers and local developments such as panel boards and breakers). This expansion aided in gaining an additional 5 points in market share, especially in the switches and sockets market.
• New Factory in busways and transformers: Developed and launched a new factory with over 50,000 sqm in size through local and international partnerships targeting large and mega-sized projects in the region.
• Increased brand awareness and recognition through targeted marketing campaigns that effectively reach and engage the company's target audience.
• Developed and executed an integrated marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the company's overall business goals and objectives.
• Managed to transform the market approach in the middle east region from a sales-oriented to a marketing-oriented approach.
• Successfully launched new products and services, including developing effective messaging, positioning, and go-to-market plans.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, industry associations, and media outlets.
• Established the company as a thought leader and industry expert through speaking engagements, publications, and other thought leadership activities.
• Developed and managed the company's digital marketing presence, including website, social media, and email marketing campaigns.
• Achieved high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty through excellent customer service and support.
• Improved the company's reputation and public perception through effective public relations and crisis management initiatives.
• Developed and managed a team of marketing and communications professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Monitored and analyzed market trends and competitor activities, using insights to inform marketing and communications strategies and tactics.

• Increasing revenue over 7 years period: Developed and implemented strategies that increased the company's revenue, such as identifying new business opportunities, expanding into new markets and industries, and developing new products and services. This expansion aided in gaining additional market share, especially in FMCG market.
• Increased brand awareness: Developing and implementing marketing strategies that increase the visibility and recognition of the company's brand, both locally and nationally.
• Increased lead generation: Creating marketing campaigns that generate more leads and inquiries from potential clients.
• Improved customer engagement: Developing and implementing strategies to engage with existing customers, such as email marketing campaigns, social media engagement, and events.
• Improved customer retention: Developing and implementing strategies to retain existing customers, such as loyalty programs and customer satisfaction surveys.
• Increased sales revenue: Developing and implementing sales strategies that increase the company's sales revenue.
• Improved market research: Conducting market research to identify new opportunities for the company, such as new geographic markets, new products or services, or new customer segments.
• Improved content marketing: Developing and implementing content marketing strategies that position the company as a thought leader in the industry, and that provide value to potential customers.
• Improved digital marketing: Developing and implementing digital marketing strategies that increase the company's online visibility, such as search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, and social media advertising.
• Improved public relations: Developing and implementing public relations strategies that improve the company's reputation and increase positive media coverage.
• Improved measurement and reporting: Developing and implementing systems to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and to report on marketing metrics to senior management.

Reading is more than just a hobby for me; it is an insatiable passion. I'm a devoted narrative explorer, a ravenous reader, a veritable inkheart. I find solace and exhilaration in the dance of words across a page, and each new book I delve into offers a universe of ideas, emotions, and adventures to explore.

My passion for tennis extends beyond the court. I love the camaraderie it fosters, the friendships it has built, and the discipline it instills. It's a sport that has taught me about perseverance, sportsmanship, and the sweet taste of hard-earned victory.

To me, travel is the ultimate learning experience, a living classroom that constantly challenges and enriches my understanding of the world. I relish the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures, to sample foreign cuisines, and to learn from the diverse stories of people I meet along the way. Each journey expands my perspective and adds vibrant new shades to the canvas of my life.

I am intrigued by the unique stories each person carries, the diverse experiences they share, and the wealth of knowledge they offer. Engaging in insightful conversations, fostering relationships, and unraveling these narratives fuels my curiosity and broadens my understanding of the world.

Diving fuels my sense of adventure, beckons me to explore the unknown, and challenges me to step out of my comfort zone. The feeling of weightlessness, the sound of my own breathing, and the surreal quietude of the underwater world create an almost meditative experience that is both exhilarating and grounding.