Tarek Saadi
This is the blog of business consultant Tarek Saadi, founder and managing director of L Formation. This blog will explore various aspects of Mr. Saadi’s professional life and personal interests, covering a range of topics including the importance of diversity and inclusion in building successful teams, the strategic learning process, and the book Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole. It will also take a look at continuing innovation within Mr. Saadi’s former employer Ericsson and the role of operators.
Diversity
Embracing a policy of diversity and inclusion in the workplace makes sound business sense. A McKinsey report from 2015 concluded that of the 366 public companies assessed, those in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity in management were 35% more likely to enjoy financial returns above their industry mean average. Those in the top quartile regarding gender diversity were 15% more likely to experience returns above their industry’s mean average. Working with people who are different from ourselves may challenge our brain, sharpening its performance and promoting new ways of thinking, which likely explains – at least in part – the study’s findings.
Strategic Learning
The strategic learning process is a concept that informs Mr. Saadi’s consultancy work. The process has four interconnected steps: learn, focus, align, and execution. Each of these stages is designed to build on each other as part of a continuous learning journey. As a leadership process, strategic learning aims to balance flexibility with focus and creative thinking with thoughtful analysis. Strategic learning has been successfully deployed at major companies including ExxonMobil, Deloitte, Ericsson, Aviva, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.
Mr. Saadi is a keen reader and highly rates the book Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole by Dr. Allan H. Ropper and Brian David Burrell, which explores the mystery of brain disease. In the book, questions are raised about how to deal with the medical and moral aspects of brain disease and how diagnosticians can best approach life-altering afflictions.
Limitless Connectivity
In 2016, Mr. Saadi spoke to Telecom Review about Ericsson’s innovative video offerings, including products relating to video compression, video caching, and video optimizing in mobile networks. He also discussed a range of other new services offered by Ericsson, including the platform Media First. As an operator, Ericsson is committed to ensuring a connected and sustainable future. Limitless connectivity is at the heart of this vision, helping to redefine business and improve lives through democratized access to healthcare, experiential learning, the optimization of value chains, and the empowerment of completely agile enterprises.