The term Luxury Shopping is synonymous with the Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group in Kuwait. Pioneers in fields as diverse as Radio Broadcasting, Watches, Automobiles, Jewellery, and a range of other businesses, the Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group has upheld the tradition of Innovative Ventures and Trend-setting Initiatives. As it scales fresh heights, and gains depth in the various business segments that it operates in, it also maintains a long-standing relationship of trust with the Indian Community in Kuwait.

On the occasion of the release of Shukran, Kuwait, the Director of the Behbehani Group- Mr. Abdul Mohsen Ali Behbehani and the General Manager of its Trading Division- Mr. Shahzad Gidwani joined in conversation with Dr. Navniit Gandhi, IIK.

Navniit Gandhi: The Morad Behbehani Group symbolizes pioneering ventures and trend-setting initiatives in Kuwait. How do you feel taking care and nurturing this overwhelming legacy?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: It is an honour, being a part of this legacy. I can call it a wonderful responsibility, which my father shares with us. Integrity and Vision have always been our legacy. I hope to continue carrying this legacy alongside my father. At the same time, we aspire to grow further and to introduce more luxurious brands, and further expand our business.

Navniit Gandhi: What are some of the key lessons you learnt under the leadership of Mr. Ali Morad Behbehani?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: The most important and unforgettable lesson he has taught us is that 'Hard Work' always pays off. He has taught us that if you want something, and you are persistent in your pursuits, you will eventually reach your goals. He has also taught us that it is very important to be humble. He would tell us during our growing-up years that let your success speak for you, about you, and what or who you are. Another lesson I have learnt from him is that one should draw lessons from everything. One should never stop learning- from people as well as from situations. One ought to never feel that one knows everything; there’s always something new to learn every day.

NG: What values did he always uphold and advocate?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: Honesty, Dependability, Care and Concern for the Family, Loyalty, and Honour.

NG: Do you operate in any other country of the world?

Shahzad Gidwani: We operate in Bahrain and very recently, we have launched operations in Dubai. Other than these two countries, we intend to focus primarily on Kuwait. Our plan is to consolidate our businesses in Kuwait and grow therein.

NG: An important challenge in the present times for the corporate world is to manage the cross-cultural talent in the organisation?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: I will not call it a challenge. It feels wonderful to work with people belonging to different cultures. And also, especially because we offer International Brands to our customers, we are in constant touch with people who belong to different cultures. Accepting diverse cultures is important for every contemporary organization. Not only does culture impact on how an organization works internally, but it also has an effect on how a company is seen by outsiders,, particularly its customers.

We have a multi-national and a multi-cultural work force in our organisation. We have employees from India, Syria, Lebanon, England, Scotland, USA and many more countries. We accept everyone. There is the Behbehani culture that prevails and we have had no problem whatsoever in managing this diversity. Also, for Kuwait, this multi-culturalism is not a new development. We have always lived with people of various cultures.

NG: How has been your experience with the Indians in your team?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: It has been a tremendous experience working with Indians. I have found them to be hardworking, loyal, organized, and trustworthy.

India and Indians have always been important partners in our development since a very long time. Our ancestors were engaged in several trade ventures with India during the early days of the past century and also, if you are aware until the latter part of the past century, Indian rupee was the official currency of Kuwait.

My experience with our Indian colleagues has been outstanding and they have been amongst the most valuable assets of our organization. You will find that several key positions in our company are being held by the Indian nationals and I must admit that the values our Indian colleagues bring to our organisation- such as education, hard work, integrity and sincerity constitute an integral component of our success.

Our employees are our valuable assets, and we are grateful for the hard work they have poured into this organization.

NG: Mr. Gidwani, how has it been working with the Morad Behbehani Group?

Shahzad Gidwani: I share historical ties with the Behbehani Group. My father also worked in this organisation and I too, joined the organisation at a young age. My experiences in various divisions and on various positions have been vast and immensely valuable. There is a lot of freedom and independence in the working culture due to which one can optimise one’s potential.

I feel proud to be a part of this esteemed organization. The experience of being exposed to such luxurious brands as well as working for the MYB group has been tremendous. The organization provides so much more than mere opportunities for growth. It is a family, to which we belong.

NG: Your growth in this Company has been stupendous, Mr. Gidwani. The Indian community is proud of your achievements. What do you think are the essentials of effective adaptation and professional success, for expatriates?

Shahzad Gidwani: The most important requirement is to come with an open mind. There should be a willingness to learn and to adapt. The attitude must be positive and the belief in oneself, unflinching.

Also, we must never forget that knowledge is an integral aspect of every profession and learning should never stop. The day you feel you have learnt enough is the day you start regressing. We should keep upgrading our knowledge continuously with the changing trends in our fields and in other related areas. The knowledge that you gain every day and with every experience is what gives you the competitive edge.

Benchmarking is crucial too. Once you have a target, getting there will be difficult, and you may fail several times, but we know, you will reach there someday, somehow. Something will drive you to attain that target. It is critical to just keep your eyes on the target!!

NG: Would you like to give a message to our young Indian professionals who have just commenced their careers in Kuwait?

Abdul Mohsen Behbehani: Being a young professional myself, I can advise that as a professional we ought to focus on being one step better each day than what you were yesterday; to be more confident than what you were yesterday, to be wiser than what you were yesterday.

Shahzad Gidwani: Yes, I agree with him. Our new generation of professionals must be patient. While it is important to have an open mind, they must not forget that success comes slowly. We also need a workforce that is creative; has innovative ideas and has the capability to translate them into action.

NG: Mr. Abdul Mohsen Behbehani, the Behbehani Group is credited with several breakthroughs in Kuwait. The first private radio; the first AC; the first sports car... There has been a string of innovative launches and technological forays. What next?