We recently had an insightful conversation with Khaled T. Fourati, Country Hospitality, & FM Director & Regional Manager at National Company for Management & Services (NCMS). With over two decades of experience in hospitality and facility management, Khaled has made his workplaces vibrant hubs of passion and enjoyment. With a passion for bringing a positive impact on the hospitality sector, Khaled chose his current role at NCMS. The organization offers exceptional Catering & Facility Management services to various sectors and clients, aiming to improve the quality of life of the people they serve. In this session, Khaled shares his journey in this field, triumphs and challenges, and visions for the company.
Inspiration Behind The Journey
We started the interview by asking, “What motivated you to take on your current role, and how has it shaped your career?”
Khaled T. Fourati shared, “My motivation for taking on my current role was driven by a passion for Hospitality, FM, and Catering, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I was eager to take on new challenges, develop my skills, and contribute to NCMS (National Company for Management & Services) growth. This role has significantly shaped my career by enhancing my leadership abilities, broadening my expertise, and providing valuable experience. It has also allowed me to collaborate with diverse teams and strengthen my problem-solving and decision-making skills.”
Lessons From Career-Defining Moment
As someone who has navigated the ups and downs of the industry, Khaled has had his share of challenges and success. So, we posed the question, “Can you share a moment when you took a big risk in your career and what you learned from it?”
“I would speak about a big challenge rather than a risk when after 19 years in a well-established and comfortable position, I decided to take on my current role with NCMS. As NCMS is one of the largest companies in Hospitality – Facility Management and Catering in KSA, I was initially quite apprehensive about the transition.
However, it was both exciting and demanding, pushing me out of my comfort zone and requiring me to quickly learn, adapt, and make impactful decisions. However, this challenge has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to grow professionally, refine my leadership skills, and drive meaningful improvements in the company.
Through this experience, I’ve learned that embracing change, even after years of stability, is essential for personal and professional growth. It reinforced my belief that challenges are opportunities in disguise, and with the right mindset, they can lead to greater success and fulfillment.” He added.
Core Value Driving Business
Interested to learn what drives Khaled in his decision-making, we asked him to share, “What’s one major principle or value that guides your work every day?”
Khaled T. Fourati responded, “One major principle that guides my work every day, and which is shared by the entire team, is service excellence to ensure customer satisfaction. In our industry, ensuring that every guest has a memorable and seamless experience is my top priority. At NCMS, we all proudly believe that true success comes from consistently delivering quality service, paying attention to every detail, and fostering a culture of care and professionalism. By upholding this value, I strive to inspire my team, enhance operations, and create lasting positive impressions for our guests.”
Success At NCMS
We further asked, “Can you tell us about a project or initiative that has been particularly meaningful to you?”
“One of the most impactful projects in my career within NCMS was securing a high-value contract with an international brand client after hundreds of hours of meetings, presentations, and negotiations over more than a year. Especially as competitors were actively trying to win the same business. The process was incredibly challenging, requiring patience, persistence, and a strategic approach to relationship-building. There were moments of uncertainty, but I never lost focus. I worked closely with my team, refining our proposals, addressing client concerns, and ensuring we stayed ahead of the competition.” He added.
Adaptability ToTech-Driven Innovations
We asked for Khaled’s thoughts on adapting to AI in the current business landscape.
Khaled T. Fourati replied, “Adapting to AI in the current business landscape is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. AI is transforming industries by enhancing efficiency, personalization, and decision-making. I see AI as a powerful tool to optimize operations, improve guest experiences, and drive business growth. For example, AI-powered analytics can help us understand customer preferences and tailor services accordingly.”
Leadership In A Dynamic Industry
Effective leadership plays a crucial role in taking a business to new heights. To learn Khaleda’s perspective on this, we asked, “What do you believe is the most important quality for a leader in today’s world?”
Khaled explained, “The most important quality for a leader in today’s world is adaptability and innovation. With rapid advancements in technology, shifting customer expectations, and evolving business landscapes, leaders must think creatively and proactively to stay ahead.
This means finding new ways to enhance guest experiences, optimizing operations through technology, and continuously improving service standards. A leader who embraces innovation not only drives business growth but also inspires teams to challenge the status quo, adapt to change, and push boundaries, ensuring long-term success in an ever-evolving industry.”
Plans We Asked For Khaled T. Fourati
We further asked Khaled to share a major goal that he aspires to fulfill for his company in the next year.
“If I could achieve one major goal for the company in the next year, it would be to introduce full technology integration across all departments and drive a complete digital transformation. This transformation would involve digitizing processes, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and fostering a tech-savvy culture within the organization. This will lead to streamlined workflows, reduce costs, and deliver a more seamless and personalized experience for clients and guests.
Our management is fully convinced of the benefits of digital transformation and recognizes its potential. They are planning to implement it swiftly to capitalize on these advantages.” Khaled concluded.
Follow Khaled T. Fourati on LinkedIn.
Find NCMS on LinkedIn and visit their website https://ncms.com.sa/
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