Get to know Hassan Kabbani, Zain Saudi Arabia Chief Executive Officer, in this up close and personal chat.

1. Up Close and Personal with
Hassan Kabbani, Zain KSA CEO
From an early age, I always wanted to make a
difference, to make the world a better place. I
grew up wanting to ensure that everyone was
treated fairly and that their rights were respected
. So, my first dream job was to be either
a lawyer or politician. However, I soon realized
that these professions were not for me !
In the early days of mobile telephones, in
1990, I joined the sales department of a mobile
telephony network in Lebanon. In those days the
network was still analogue, the phones were large
and very heavy and extremely expensive
, even so everyone found them fascinating and
wanted one .
Socially, I found myself to be in great demand,
just like the man bringing water to the
thirsty. I wanted to be part of the mobile
telecommunications business because I could
foresee its potential to change the world.
There’s never a dull moment . Every day brings
its new opportunities, challenges and requires
decisions that affect the lives of many millions
of people. It is great to work with really smart
people, who I continue to learn from .
I’ve always found the energy and buzz associated
with sharing successful achievements with others
the most rewarding moments, and in fact there
have been many .
For example, when we celebrated the first call
while launching a new operation, when seeing
people’s initial reaction to their first mobile
phone, when celebrating the milestone of the first
million customers and when celebrating the
successful turnaround of a distressed
Sub-Saharan operation.
We have already started celebrating successes
associated with the turnaround of Zain KSA ,
although I know there’s much more to come.
Zain KSA is transforming, we are changing.
As part of this constant change process many
of my colleagues have changed roles, creating
new opportunities for other colleagues and
opportunities for new talent. If you’re reading this
and think you can add value to Zain KSA, write in
and let us know how.
I am proud to see that Zain KSA is busy building
its capabilities across the organization for a better
future .
I’ve heard thousands of great interview questions
and tens of thousands of equally great answers
. Ultimately, we are trying to identify
people who are passionate about their work,
who are ready to go for the extra mile, who are
innovative and committed.
By joining Zain Saudi Arabia you become part of
the most successful mobile telecommunications
turnaround in the MENA region. Every day
you have an opportunity to achieve more,
improve and perform beyond your best, which
is very rewarding. You will be enthused by the
energy and buzz of the team. Every day there is
something to be learnt, which will develop your
career .
What was your earliest dream job ?
What was your first role and how did you fall
into it?
What do you like most about your current role?
What would you consider to be the most brilliant
moment of your career?
What’s your top job to fill at the moment?
What’s the best or worst interview question
you have ever heard?
Make us an offer you can’t refuse? (why join Zain)