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Arabs 'poor in management succession plans'

Dubai, February 9, 2009

Arab companies have not been able to adopt a clear policy on senior management succession to ensure business continuity, if C Suite managers leave or move to competitors, according to a top management expert.

Dr Ali Sharab, who has vast experience in studying the general trends in succession issues in the Arab corporate world, says readiness levels for replacing senior management persons is almost non-existent in most companies.

"Senior managers don’t pay much attention to the task of grooming top company officials who could take up a top position when the need arises."

"On one hand, these companies are deploying advanced management solutions, they lag behind terribly when it comes to preparing their associates to take leadership positions," Dr Sharab added.

The current crisis particularly calls for proven corporate succession techniques, and this preparedness can be a pillar in any company's growth and longterm success, he pointed out.

"The challenging part for companies is how to develop the capabilities of associates to head up a company even when they are not very prepared," he noted.

Dr Sharab said seniors have to teach their associates how to think strategically and share with them every single detail in order to provide them the tools and expertise to lead the business and ensure seamless transition.

"Only a few Arab companies have started to identify the potential in their middle managers with a long term aim of getting those managers to sit on a C Suite desk," he remarked.

"Companies have to handpick a few potential candidates so that there are options whenever a senior position falls vacant," he said.

According to Dr Sharab, Psychometrics is a key tool in assessing the suitability of associates for positions of first line managers.

"It also teaches how to motivate them for the role and nurture their skills and capabilities for promotion."

"Psychometrics is vital in succession plans, and so is the level of cooperation between the successor and the outgoing boss," he added.-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Arab firms | lag behind | management succession |

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