A Tete-a-tete with Roxana Jaffer, CEO of Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha

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. December 14, 2012

December 14, 2012 - Roxana Jaffer, the CEO of Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha talks about her astonishing yet meticulous success journey of a glorious career

If one has to name a business tycoon who has achieved outstanding corporate milestones and epitomises leadership through charity, it has to be Roxana Jaffer, the CEO of Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha. Her astonishing yet meticulous success journey is not only full of twists and turns but is certainly an inspiration to those who are aspiring for a career as triumphant as hers.

Roxana Jaffer started an early career in the UK with crucial roles in business takeovers and asset management as well as an extremely successful Managing Director for start-up ventures. Reputed for identifying potential and achieving goals, it was no surprise for Ms. Jaffer to get an offer to administer two hotel projects in Dubai for a UK partnership firm.

Roxana Jaffer says, “I learnt the ropes of project managing architectural work going up hoists in 47degree heat in July, inspecting progress on structural work as each floor got laid and checking if foundations were to international standards.

“I became CEO of an enterprise in a country that was new, a culture that was foreign, a trade where I had no experience and a work ethic that was strange.

“Despite the recession, all I knew was that success would avail. Success could only be grasped through self-awareness. I learnt to laugh at my inadequacies and strengthen weaknesses with the right acumen in the team.”

In spite of consistently remarkable achievements both professionally and personally, her modesty has not been affected at all. Her only priority is not the corporate world, but also the social entrepreneurship roles that a successful professional must remember.

“It can never be classified as my success. My faith in Allah helped as I learnt to grapple with challenges. But I can safely say the success lies with my team, especially those who believe in our organisation, who trust my leadership style and who give of themselves with love and whom I call upon at any instance.”

“Five years ago, as the property on Sheikh Zayed Road neared its completion, I proposed to acknowledge the untiring efforts of the labourers in scorching heat by hosting a lunch served by the opening team. The emotional pleasure on the faces of these workers as they were treated with dignity was the start of the conception 'Holiday Inn Loves You Campaign'.

“Every employee of the organisation, by virtue of association is a member of the Holiday Inn Loves You Campaign. Presently our target for 2012 is to feed 100,000 hungry children of the world for a day by collaborating with United Nations, World Food Programme. The staff is so excited as we have enabled funds to feed 85,000 children and the year is still not up!”

In her typical style and approach of being both high-energy and hands-on, Ms Jaffer manages to make time to go aboard on a 30 month full-fledged online Leadership MBA even as she is busy neck-deep in her daily commitments to the Holiday Inn Al Barsha. It is her dedication and sharp business acumen that today the Holiday Inn Al Barsha awards include "The Quality Excellence Award", "The Best Decorated 4Star Hotel in the UAE" and 'First Winner' in the “Spirit of the Nation” - 40 years of the UAE Union celebrations.

Our website visit at: http://www.hialbarshadubai.com