Author Archives: Kamal Hassan
Most tools have a singular purpose. A hammer drives in nails. A saw cuts wood. A shovel scoops dirt. You can use these tools to do other tasks, but they work best for the purpose they were designed for. It’s the same with most innovation tools. Continue reading
Psychologist R.D. Laing made this observation many years ago, yet his words still ring true, especially today when the pace of change continues to get faster. Let’s think about what he said, especially we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing. Picture that. Continue reading
There’s something missing in the Middle East when it comes to innovation. I will call it The Missing Link between Innovation Strategy and Leadership. I have a theory about what it is, but first let me share some statistics that I think are relevant. Continue reading
I was honored to participate as a mentor and master of ceremonies at the first Startup Weekend Dubai. I met many entrepreneurs there, all of them with energy, enthusiasm and an idea for starting a business. Most of the ideas were innovative, or could be with a little work. Continue reading
It’s generally accepted that “playtime” is an important part of childhood development. When kids play, they learn how to form stories and use their imagination, how to make sense of the world around them and how to communicate with others. However, at some point on the road to becoming an adult, playing turns into a restricted activity. Instead of “go play” and “look at them playing, so cute,” teenagers often hear “stop playing around,” and adults are taught that playing is a privilege reserved for weekends – and certainly not something to be done at work. As adults, what happens when we lose our sense of play? Are we more focused and “serious”? More efficient and productive? Or do we lose the ability to create scenarios and imagine “What if?” Are we stuck using only words, instead of pictures and building blocks, to communicate our vision? Do we forget how … Continue reading
Dubai Port World (DP World) is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminals and major expansions in 31 countries. Formed in 2005, with the merger of Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and DPI (Dubai Ports International), the organization is young in name but rich in experience. Since its inception, DP World has sought to understand cargo shipping from the customer’s viewpoint and provide innovative solutions, especially in the areas of optimized port operations and automation. In addition, it has established a track record of recognizing advantageous partnerships and acquisitions that has propelled it from humble beginnings to a driving force in global logistics. In this Leadership Interview conducted by Innovation 360 Institute President and CEO Kamal Hassan, Mohammed Al Muallem, DP World’s SVP & Managing Director for the UAE, discusses how the company has evolved its business model over the years to become a market … Continue reading
