80% of Qataris Must Become Leaders
Oxford Strategic Consulting’s yearlong, first-of-its-kind market research study with Qatar Chamber on ‘How to maximize Qatari Talent’ revealed at VIP summit in Doha.
Oxford Strategic Consulting and the Qatar Chamber presented the results of a major new research initiative on maximising Qatari talent on April 14th at the Four Seasons in Doha. The research suggests that the unique aspects of Qatar’s national identity serve as advantages in the development of young Qatari leaders. Following the research launch, HR leaders from across the GCC met for the 3rd Gulf Talent Advisory Board (GTAB) Summit.
Professor William Scott-Jackson of Oxford Strategic Consulting explained that ‘the private sector, especially, is in a great position to attract and retain great Qatari talent; however, employers must understand the motivations and attitudes of young Qataris in order to attract the best talent. Our research identifies these key motivations and aspirations.’
His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Jaseem Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Oxford Strategic Consulting, who have a reputation for helping in the development of human resources across the GCC through high impact, practical recommendations based on sound research.”
According to the research, young Qataris are strongly motivated by ‘working for the country’ and also view Qatar’s leaders as important role models. The Qatari Leadership Style, taken from OSC’s groundbreaking research project into the Gulf Arab Management Style, can also encourage high levels of engagement amongst Qatari youth.
The report will present new ways of identifying and developing talent in Qatari youth– a crucial skill area for Qatar, employers and the young nationals themselves. Professor Scott-Jackson explained, “We will find innovative approaches, unearth world-class best practice and propose unique, high impact solutions in the form of toolkits, help guides and other practical aids. Our recommendations will be based, as always, on the most thorough and wide-ranging research ever carried out and, as always, will produce surprising, intriguing and thought leading ideas for employers to use straight away.”
This research follows other key research initiatives conducted by the Oxford-based HR consultancy, such as ‘Maximising Emirati and Omani Engineering Talent’ for BP and ‘Employing Saudi Women’ in cooperation with SAAB Bank and its Chairman Sheik Khaled Olayan. OSC has also conducted leading research initiatives with HSBC, SABIC, Aramco, Microsoft and the UAE Federal government.
The Qatar National Talent Summit 2014 was followed in the afternoon by the third Fellows’ Summit of the elite Gulf Talent Advisory Board, a fellowship composed of leading HR professionals in the GCC region. The GTAB Summit was presided over by Professor William Scott-Jackson, who lead a discussion with the GTAB Fellows on employee engagement.