Continuing its efforts to make significant local impact on topics of national interest, Sohar International hosted the eighth edition of its Chairman’s Forum - ‘Viewpoints’, in a successful virtual session recently. The session was an engaging dialogue and stayed true to its objective of bringing in global insights, and useful perspective by distinguished speakers from across the world.

Hosted by Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, Chairman of Sohar International, the virtual session featured Dr. Reinhard Christian Zinkann, as a fourth-generation Executive Director and Co-proprietor at the 121-years old Miele Group, who delivered first hand experiences and learnings on building a resilient family business, with several industry leaders, senior working professionals including business chiefs and entrepreneurs, in attendance via Zoom and Sohar International’s Youtube channel.

Presenting the welcome address, Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, Chairman of Sohar International, said, “Sohar International is proud to have pioneered change and bring in a truly world class experience to its stakeholders and audiences alike, with the Viewpoints forum. Continuing this legacy, we appreciate Dr. Zinkann’s valued contribution at the recently concluded Viewpoints, wherein he generated important messages that are relevant from the Omani perspective, as well as the nation’s economic development, and hence, critical to the Sultanate’s continued progress. Such thought leadership platforms are meant to drive purpose and Viewpoints has been rightfully doing so by inspiring transformational change that intends to create strong socio-economic value.”

During his presentation, Dr. Zinkann threw light on the sensitivities attached to growing a flourishing family business over the years. He emphasized on the importance of futuristic and process-led planning with respect to succession and defining roles of different family members within the business. Dr. Zinkann highlighted that the Human Resources function also plays a momentous role in catalyzing situations arising out of disputes, allocation of work responsibilities, and other job matters which are instrumental in seamlessly carrying out business operations. Additionally, the session touched upon some interesting insights, such as, the role of the women in the family who are not a part of the direct line of succession. <.p>

Multi-generational family businesses face a multiplicity of challenges like succession planning, lack of an external view, finding new sources of growth, and beyond. In fact, the management and consulting for growth and resilience of family businesses has become a cult profession today, with several global consulting firms setting up teams for the same. In Oman presently, several highly successful family businesses are playing a momentous role in the Sultanate’s growth. The latest edition of Viewpoints highlighted the challenges, and offered a few tangible solutions that can help these businesses prosper and grow through various successions.

Sohar International’s coveted property – Viewpoints - continues to observe a growing and remarkable response from its invitees, who are equally committed to the Sultanate’s vision for a strong, diversified and increasingly globalized economy. The platform continues to gain ground as a highly informative knowledge sharing platform and intends to continue bringing word on global best practices and ways to adapt these to drive value for Oman’s businesses. In the last few years, Viewpoints has gained audience eyeballs, for hosting the best of international experts as speakers. This, coupled with intriguing conversations, has put Viewpoints as a benchmark in events focused at building leadership equity.

It is worth mentioning that Viewpoints – Sohar International Chairman’s Forum witnessed wide interest following its success during its previous editions, featuring international leaders and prominent personalities. The 7th edition and 2nd virtual session of Viewpoints hosted well-known journalist Ms. Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National newspaper, who spoke about the future of media industry in the face of the ongoing digital transformation. The 6th edition of Viewpoints, also the first virtual one, featured His Excellency Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Kt, Minister for Investment jointly at the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The United Kingdom, who offered a comprehensive picture of expected long-term changes in a post COVID-19 world.