As the Head of Legal & Director of Shared Services, Dr. Donia Dowidar’s role is multifaceted, requiring a blend of legal acumen, operational insight, and leadership prowess. By spearheading initiatives that Harmonize legal requirements with streamlined shared services, she drives organizational success through innovation and meticulous attention to detail. Saudi Projects spoke to Dr. Dowidar to discover how her commitment to fostering a collaborative environment leads to legal integrity and operational excellence.
Saudi Projects: Can you describe your role with BEC Arabia and your vision to take Shared Services forward?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: My role as the Shared Services Director centers on optimizing operational efficiencies and enhancing service delivery across all departments within the organization. I envision implementing innovative technologies and streamlined processes to foster seamless collaboration and support for every business unit. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and leveraging data-driven insights, I aim to elevate Shared Services to a strategic level, driving organizational growth and success. This entails aligning our efforts to optimize efficiency, drive cost-effectiveness, and exceed stakeholder expectations, enhancing the effectiveness of our support services across the organization and its subsidiaries.
Saudi Projects: What challenges do you typically encounter in managing Shared Services, and how do you address them?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: Managing Shared Services comes with its set of challenges. These typically include integrating systems and processes across diverse departments and subsidiaries, aligning stakeholders’ needs, efficiently allocating resources, navigating change management, and ensuring compliance and risk management across all entities.
To tackle these challenges, streamlined processes and technology solutions can be implemented to improve efficiency. Engaging stakeholders through open communication and feedback loops helps ensure alignment and address concerns. Continuously assessing resource allocation optimizes task prioritization and resource utilization. In managing change, involving employees, providing training and support, and communicating benefits aid in gaining buy-in and mitigating resistance. Lastly, staying updated on regulations, conducting regular risk assessments, and implementing robust controls help ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively.
At BEC Arabia, we prioritize gender diversity in recruitment and talent development
Saudi Projects: What are the key performance metrics you use to measure the effectiveness of Shared Services?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: At BEC Arabia, we utilize a range of key performance metrics to gauge the effectiveness of our Shared Services. These include Service Level Agreements (SLAs), cost savings, and process efficiency indicators such as turnaround time, error rates, and employee productivity. These metrics offer valuable insights into the efficiency, quality, and overall performance of our Shared Services, driving continuous improvement initiatives and supporting strategic decision-making to enhance operational effectiveness and deliver value to the organization.
Saudi Projects: How do you promote gender diversity and the empowerment of women within BEC Arabia?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: Promoting gender diversity and empowering women is not just a goal, but a fundamental commitment at BEC Arabia. We believe that diversity fuels innovation, fosters creativity, and drives sustainable growth. To empower women within our organization, we have implemented a range of initiatives aimed at creating an inclusive and supportive environment where women can thrive and excel.
We prioritize gender diversity in recruitment and talent development, actively seeking qualified women for leadership roles. We offer tailored mentorship programs, leadership training, and networking opportunities to support women’s professional growth. We actively promote work-life balance initiatives, flexible working arrangements, and family-friendly policies to support the diverse needs of our employees, including working mothers. By championing gender diversity, we enrich our organization and contribute to a more equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
We actively participate in industry forums, conferences, and networking events, engaging in meaningful discussions with thought leaders
Saudi Projects: Can you provide examples of recent process improvements or innovations implemented within Shared Services?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: In Shared Services, we’ve recently implemented several innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. These include leveraging Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to automate repetitive tasks, utilizing data analysis and machine learning algorithms to optimize processes, integrating AI technologies to improve decision-making, and upgrading our ERP system for streamlined operations. Additionally, we’ve developed in-house applications tailored to the specific needs of Shared Services, further enhancing our capabilities and driving continuous improvement. These tools have enabled us to make data-driven decisions, improve resource allocation, and enhance overall performance.
Saudi Projects: How do you foster collaboration and communication between Shared Services and other departments or business units?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: We foster collaboration and communication between Shared Services, other departments, and subsidiaries through various initiatives. Regular cross-functional meetings and forums provide opportunities for representatives from different departments and subsidiaries to come together, discuss ongoing projects, share updates, and address any challenges or concerns collaboratively. This fosters a culture of transparency, teamwork, and mutual support.
In addition, we leverage technology platforms such as collaborative workspaces and project management tools to facilitate seamless communication and information sharing across teams, including subsidiaries. These platforms enable real-time collaboration on shared documents, tasks, and projects, irrespective of geographical locations or time zone differences.
We’ve developed in-house applications tailored to the specific needs of Shared Services
Saudi Projects: How do you promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Shared Services team?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: At BEC Arabia, we encourage open communication and idea-sharing among team members, creating a safe space for individuals to propose new ideas, share feedback, and suggest process improvements.
Furthermore, we prioritize ongoing learning and development by offering training programs, workshops, and resources focused on new technologies, best practices, and emerging trends relevant to our field. This not only equips team members with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive innovation but also instills a mindset of curiosity and exploration.
Saudi Projects: How do you stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in Shared Services management, and how do you incorporate them into your strategies?
Dr. Donia Dowidar: We actively participate in industry forums, conferences, and networking events, engaging in meaningful discussions with thought leaders. This ensures we gain insights into leading practices and trends. Additionally, we leverage technology and data analytics to gain deeper insights into our operations, enabling proactive adaptation of strategies and processes to meet evolving business needs.
By combining these approaches, we drive continuous improvement and stay ahead of the curve in Shared Services management, ensuring our organization remains agile and responsive in a dynamic business environment.
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