H E Adnan Al Noorani |chairman Of The Board | Business Leaders In Dubai

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H E Adnan Al Noorani |Chairman of the Board | Business Leaders in Dubai

Global capitalism believes in connecting the world through business. Add the word ‘Middle East’ as a conjunction to it, and you have everyone in the room agreeing to the fact of the success it has achieved in the past two decades. The early 2000s saw the traditionally tribal Arabian subcontinent blast itself on the economy of World map, attracting investors and businesses from throughout the world. The arid desert which was marked to be a monochromous landscape in the 20th century, would jump start the 21st century with colours beyond comprehension and skyscrapers towering beyond sight. The Middle East miracle was right there at the centre of the world led and championed by its visionary and majestic Royal Family.

Some attribute the success of Middle East to its oil reserves. While these attributions are not without merit, it must be contrasted with the fact that if it were natural resources that solely guaranteed success and development, perhaps other regions and not Middle East would have been the epitome of world economy. The world is ...
... yet to fully recognize and learn from the leadership and resolute statesmanship of the Arab people, but more importantly from its economic model.

Sitting on an elegant couch, a simple man with kind, dreamy eyes and brows bordering the innocence of a new-born, Mr Adnan Al Noorani, at first impression, completely betray the persona associated with the position and power he occupies within the country. It takes an extra-effort to make oneself believe that the soft spoken His Excellency is the Chairman of the Private Office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Ali Qasimi, and the most successful businessman in the Middle East. One should not be surprised if the naïve demeanour and elegance of his persona fails one to reasonably anticipate the brevity of the words that follows.

A graduate of University of Dubai in Business Administration and Management, Mr. Noorani started his career as Chief Financial Officer for Gulf Exchange and later Al Ansari Exchange. In 2009 he would go on to command Leo Petroleum as its Chairman and consequently be charged to brave as Director of Public Relations for Tez Tours and the Private Office of Sheikh Mana bin Hasher Al Maktoum. His vision materializing into recurring success stories would in 2019 earn him the prestige to chair as the CEO and Chairman of Private Office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Ali Qasimi, the corporate giant engaged in numerous successful ventures such as Manufacturing, Trading, Supply-Chain, Real Estate, Hospitality, Blockchain and International Subsidiary Development in the UAE. Recently he patronaged the organisation of the 13th Anniversary Global Family Office Investment Summit, which saw outpour of the biggest and most successful businesses and corporates across the world.

Nietzsche famously said, “He who has a Way to live for can bear almost any How.” A statement which attains relevance as truth when listening to Mr. Noorani and his life journey. It is only after his words have sunk into consciousness; one is able to get a glimpse of the secret of the Middle East success.

Lightening a candle every day in his office, Mr. Noorani begins his day with a prayer for all people within the nation and throughout the world. A humble prayer to God to bestow mercy and means to all human races. As the flame of the candle attains the serenity of the God-believing devotee praying in front of it, one cannot help but gaze in amazement at the kindness and compassionate aura Mr. Noorani exhibits. At first instance one must be forgiven if he does not strike one as a business tycoon, but rather a holy man. And it is later during the conversation when one comprehends that it happens to be in fact true.

A polymath eloquent in five different languages (namely Arabic, English, Hindi, Persian and Armenian), Mr. Noorani is currently learning German. He attributes his eloquence and knowledge to his passion to connect with humankind across the globe and to make a stark change in their lives. To illustrate the importance of learning different linguistic tongues, he tells, once during his childhood he went to visit the Old Masala Market of Dubai, a market which was predominant with shops and traders from South East Asia. As he was a local Arab of the region, the shopkeepers and the traders believed they could bargain a heavy price from him for their wares. But to their astonishment, he amused them by conversing in the dialect of their mother tongues to an extent that they were flattered to consider him a fellow brother and offered him heavy discounted prices. This incident greatly affected his psyche as to how knowledge can wield together cultures into solidarity and business. But more importantly it made him realise his calibre for using business as a medium for connecting the world.

Basing his business model on the principles of kindness and compassion for all, his ideology for business is simple yet tactfully far more superior and profitable both if we look from the perspective of human development as well as market profits. Drawing attention to the symbiotic link between the employer, employee, and community he believes that the welfare of any business corporation depends both upon the well-being of its employees as well as the people of the world. If the world considers the presence of a corporation as a fruitful catalyst for positive impact and world peace, they are bound to believe and support its ventures, and subsequently helping it climb new benchmarks of financial success. Such philosophy is quite unconventional if we look at the commonly offered presupposition that men should be considered as a means (or resource) for business profits. His Excellency, believes in reversing the roles, that in fact, rather the business must be a tool to better human lives. He invests a sheer amount of faith in the goodwill of the community and believes that a mere change of perception of the role of human from subject to rather the goal, can bring wonders. “If one take care of the people, then the people will take care about him”, he says.

Found often busy in his business ventures and engagings, Mr. Noorani is relentless, often sleeping only 3 hours a night. He believes that time is the most expensive commodity in the world and makes sure every minute of his time is spent in productive work. For him, nurturing new entrepreneurs is the most important aspect of his life. His company is engaged in offering free consultation, advices and building roadmap for budding business and entrepreneurship. He can often be found engaging with new people, personally counselling them to achieve their dreams. He quotes that the rules of life and business are the same, it is premised on listening to each other and respecting each-others tradition as well as point of views. He says, “You never know what you can learn from business meetings on the other side of the world. Every meeting is like a treasure full of gold.”

Implicit in his philosophy, he believes business can be a mode of change and welfare for all human races. While the world is still gripping itself with the innovative doctrine of ‘Welfare State’, the concept of ‘Welfare Corporation’ projected by Mr. Noorani is nothing less than revolutionary.

On being asked from where he derives his inspiration for such humility and faith in people while collaborating or counselling in new businesses, he reminiscences an anecdotal event of his life, where he met an old man in a party. The old man was profoundly impressed with Mr.Noorani’s success and had heard a lot about him. The old man went on to praise him and admired his grit and suggested that Noorani must use his skills to make world a better place. His Excellency asked the old man that since he believes in his calibre to do good, he must point out the direction as to how can he be helpful in this sphere. The old man replied, “Be kind. You are a gentle soul. Remember, in kindness there is no competition.” Those words has remained with Mr.Noorani till date, and he cherishes them as to the fundamental principle of leading his life.

His message to the world and to all the budding entrepreneurs is that one must always seek knowledge and read books. Books help one comprehend perspective and garner opinion, and subsequently spin their own dreams. They help the person gain the key through which he can open the door of opportunity when it presents itself. He says great leaders are always good learners, and it is the learning and knowledge which grants them the ability of foresight and vision into future. At the same time, he points that knowledge must always be complimented by humility and respect for others. “Respect is a weapon, by which you can melt your enemies and gain good friends all at the same time”, he remarks. The world, he believes can be a better place with peace and prosperity only when one recognizes that there is unity in diversity, and unity can be achieved only when there is recognition of the potential and respect for each-others culture and knowledge, and a solemn conviction to move ahead by mutually collaboration.