Story of Zeeshan Who became CEO One Month of Adecco, Middle East
Today we present to you our interview with Mr. Zeeshan Anwar Toor, member of Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) of UK, Certified Management Accountants & Accountants and Auditors Association of UAE. He has been selected as CEO One Month of Adecco, Middle East region which is a FORTUNE 500 company. Mr. Zeeshan was selected to the position after competition with 2000 candidates.
Mr. Zeeshan please tell us Brief about yourself ?
I am basically from Pakistan and my parents are doctors in the Army. After O and A levels, I started my ACCA and completed it with 2.5 years, within this time period I also did the B.Sc. Hons from Oxford Brookes University. After having worked for sometime in my country in Audit and Finance, I decided to look for a job in Dubai in order to get more global exposure heading toward Expo 2020. And now I have been here for 3 years now.
How did you applied for the CEO One Month job in Adecco?
The first time I heard about this amazing opportunity was on radio while I was driving to work. It immediately caught my attention and just had to apply. This was in 2016. I applied back then and successfully made it to the Top 3 finalist for the position. The other candidates were amazing and are really good friends now. However I did not make it that year but that did not make me give, contrary I was more motivated for the next year. During the year I studied for CMA (Certified Management Accountant) at PWC Academy and successfully completed it with a great results. Finally it was time to apply again and so I did. Had to go through tough tasks and interview but finally came out on top.
What are the challenges you faced in the CEO role ?
As the CEO One month, everyday is a new challenge. You have to shadow the actual CEO and contribute to everything. Meeting people much experienced than you and being in the shoes of their CEO is no easy task, and that too of a Fortune 500 company. Quickly adapting to the terminology the environment and not being too overwhelmed by it was a serious challenge. One other challenge that I came across was, one Sunday I walked in and My CEO told me that I was going to open the Country Wide Sales Meeting in 30 Mins. It was very exciting and I was successfully able to do that with a some help from my CEO in the prep. Social Media was another challenge, I had to be an active social media user in order to bring awareness to more people about this program.
What are the most important qualities of a CEO ?
CEO has to be a leader who leads by example. Developer, develops the people around them.
Visionary, keep the bigger picture in mind alongside thinking of new strategies to break new ground. CEO has to be inspirational. CEO has to be good at what they do. Communication is also a very important quality for a CEO.
Who helped you in this path to Success ?
Joyce Bijl, was my mentor and helped me learn a lot. But honestly, every person in the team at Adecco, Middle East was a source of help specially the higher management. Not only that, the other 49 CEO One Month selected all over the world worked together and helped each other when possible.
How did ACCA helped you in professional career Success ?
ACCA was a challenge for me. I had a engineering education background and ACCA was the first step into unknown territory. But as ACCA is structured, it takes you one step at a time and at the end of the tunnel you are much more than what you were. It helped me be curious and adaptable. It help me be calm during the Adrenaline rush. CEO One Month was also an unknown territory and taking one step at a time I was able to successfully complete my amazing and life changing month.
What are your plans for the Future ?
After being a CEO, your expectation do get a little high. You want something different something challenging. Finance and Marketing are the two field I am looking into to find my next challenge and make an impact on the world.
What is your message to young professionals who want to be a CEO of a Company one day ?
I would say this to everyone not just the young professionals. Always Be Committed (ABC). Know your ABC meaning don't just go through your college or university but actually learn and know what you are doing. Always believe in yourself
And last but one of the most important things, NEVER GIVE UP.
Interviewed by
Pasan Malinda katipearachchi
Chief Editor
Business Tomorrow
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