Personal Life of Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: Explain your background and your company in detail.
Muhammad Asim Baig: CEO and founder of a management consulting, training, certification, and Inspection company named Meridian Quality Management Professionals based in Canada, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. A mechanical engineer with a master’s in business administration. I am the First Quality Manager of the year for Saudi Arabia by the Saudi Arabian Quality Council, a Diamond Award Winner from the European Society of Quality, included in the legends list of NED University for outstanding Alumni, chosen by Who’s Who USA for the excellence in Leadership, a Toastmaster and awarded Competent Leader (CL) and Competent Communicator (CC) by TMI.
Senior Management Consultant, Speaker, Trainer, and Auditor with expertise in Quality, Environment, Health and Safety, Food Safety, and HR. A certified Lead auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 22001 from IRCA UK. Also certified Quality Auditor by the American Society of Quality. Keynote speaker at many International and national conferences in Cape Town, Brussels, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, and other places.
Meridian Quality Management Processionals is a leading consulting, training, certification, and third-party agency in the Middle East. MEQMP provides services in the fields of API Q1 and Q2, sustainability, quality, environment, health and safety, food safety, project management, six sigma, soft skills, and HR. Major clients include NEOM, ARAMCO, SABIC, TOTAL, NOV, Baker Huges, ABB, Jonson Controls, SHELL, STC, GCCIA, ZAMIL, TAMIMI, KANOO, ERAM, Abdulla Fouad and Saudi Binladen.
Challenges Faced by Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: What is the most challenging part of your job?
Muhammad Asim Baig: Being a CEO of a management company operating in the middle east, challenges are distinct in nature. The Middle East is a diverse region with multiple languages and cultures. Sometimes we face challenges in navigating and understanding the cultural nuances and practices of different countries in the region. We also need to develop strategies to differentiate our company and deliver unique value propositions to attract and retain clients. Finding and retaining top talent in the management consulting industry can be challenging, especially in a region where there is a high demand for skilled professionals. As a CEO must invest in recruiting and retaining talented consultants, ensuring they have the necessary language and cultural skills to serve clients effectively. Building and maintaining strong client relationships is crucial for success in the management consulting industry. Each country in the Middle East has its own regulatory and legal frameworks, which can vary significantly from Western standards. We need to ensure the company complies with local laws, regulations, and licensing requirements, which may involve navigating bureaucracy and complex bureaucratic processes as well. The Middle East is increasingly embracing digital technologies and digital transformation initiatives. We need to stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and trends in order to remain competitive and provide relevant solutions to clients.
The Arabia Times: How do you stay updated on the latest regulatory changes and industry’s best practices?
Muhammad Asim Baig: Staying updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices is an ongoing process. We need to make it a habit to allocate time each week to review news, participate in professional development activities, and engage with industry sources to ensure we are well-informed and able to provide the best possible guidance to our clients.
Staying updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices is crucial for a management consulting company in the Middle East. We try to implement strategies like:
- Engaging Industry Associations and Networks
- Following Regulatory Bodies and Government Websites
- Staying Connected with Clients and Industry Partners
- Maintaining a Knowledge Management System
- Monitoring News and Publication
- Leveraging Online Resources and Blogs
- Attending Professional Training and Development Programs
- Networking with Peers and Experts
Skills of Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: Which skills you acquired will make you a good Mentor?
Muhammad Asim Baig: To be a good mentor, several skills are essential. Here are some skills required to effectively mentor others which includes:
Communication, Empathy, Patience, Knowledge, Expertise, Problem-solving, Adaptability, Trustworthiness, Confidentiality, Networking, Connections, Leadership, and Continuous Learning.
Overall, being a good mentor requires a combination of interpersonal skills, subject matter expertise, and a genuine commitment to supporting and guiding others in their personal and professional journeys.
The Arabia Times: What skills do you use to establish trust with clients?
Muhammad Asim Baig: Trust of clients is the key to the success of any company. The skills required to establish the trust are Expertise of subject, Communication skills with all stakeholders, Integrity, Adaptability, Empathy and interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Continuous learning.
The Arabia Times: What is your philosophy towards work?
Muhammad Asim Baig: A philosophy towards work for a management consulting company typically revolves around a set of principles and values that guide the company’s approach to delivering value to clients.
Putting the client at the center of all decision-making processes and prioritizing their needs and goals. This involves understanding the client’s business challenges, aligning services and recommendations to address those challenges, and delivering outcomes that drive tangible value for the client.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, both within the company and with external stakeholders. This involves fostering a culture of teamwork, open communication, and knowledge sharing to leverage collective expertise and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Striving for excellence in all aspects of work and continuously seeking ways to improve performance and deliver high-quality results. This includes investing in professional development, staying updated with industry trends, and embracing innovative approaches and technologies.
Strength of Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: What do you feel is the biggest strength of “MEQMP” right now?
Muhammad Asim Baig: The biggest strength of a consulting and training company lies in its ability to provide valuable expertise, knowledge, and guidance to clients in order to help them improve their business performance and achieve their goals.
Ultimately, the biggest strength of a consulting and training company lies in its ability to empower clients to solve complex problems, improve performance, and achieve their desired outcomes. Through their expertise, customized solutions, industry insights, analytical skills, and effective training programs, consulting and training companies serve as reliable partners in driving organizational growth and success.
Our biggest strength is our local presence in the middle east and our satisfied clients. We have successfully executed big consulting and training projects with clients like Saudi ARAMCO, SABIC, Saudi Electric, GCCIA, Zamil, Abdulla Fouad, Jonsons Controls, Mitsubishi, Saudi Bin Laden etc.
The Arabia Times: What do you value the most about “MEQMP” vision?
Muhammad Asim Baig: The vision of a management consultancy and training company is to be a trusted partner and catalyst for organizational success. Our vision is to empower individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve their full potential and drive positive change in the business landscape. We aim to build long-lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and mutual success.
Advice for clients from Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: What role does technology play in your approach to advising clients?
Muhammad Asim Baig: Technology plays a crucial role in advising clients in today’s digital era. Technology enables advisors to gather, analyze, and visualize large volumes of data. This data-driven approach allows for more informed decision-making and strategic planning. Advisors can use data analytics tools to identify patterns, trends, and insights that can guide their clients in making better business decisions.
Technology allows for automation of repetitive tasks, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency. Advisors can leverage software and tools to automate tasks such as data collection, report generation, and financial analysis. This frees up time for advisors to focus on more complex and value-added activities. Technology enables advisors to seamlessly communicate and collaborate with clients regardless of physical proximity. Video conferencing, email, instant messaging, and collaboration platforms facilitate real-time discussions, document sharing, and project management. This fosters better communication, collaboration, and engagement between advisors and clients.
The Arabia Times: How would others define your communication style? Do you prefer to be close to your employees or maintain a healthy distance, and why?
Muhammad Asim Baig: My style of working with clients is quite friendly. I have an open-door policy. Each and everyone in my organization can easily reach me.
Advice from Muhammad Asim Baig
The Arabia Times: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Muhammad Asim Baig: Here are some key pieces of advice for new entrepreneurs which I want give:
Start with a clear vision, develop a solid business plan, Focus on your strengths: Identify your core competencies and areas of expertise, Build a strong team, Surround yourself with skilled individuals who share your vision and complement your skillset, Manage your finances wisely, Embrace innovation and adaptability, Build a strong network, Provide exceptional customer service: Focus on delivering a memorable customer experience and Persevere and stay resilient.
Remember, entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups, downs, and learning opportunities. Stay focused, be passionate about your business, and continually seek growth and improvement. With persistence, dedication, and a clear vision, you can navigate the challenges and build a successful venture.
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