Roland Berger boss shares interview insight for EMIR web-series

Roland Berger Middle East boss Rene Seyger has shared his thoughts on the key question for interviewers in a video for EMIR Boardroom – an exclusive markets intelligence & research network for senior executives in Dubai.

Established in 2013 by current CEO Trevor McFarlane, a former editorial manager for the Oxford Business Group across Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, the intelligence & research firm EMIR (Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research) serves the CEOs of multinational companies and family conglomerates – providing them with local market intelligence, governmental insights, and high-level networking connections.

Among its offerings is EMIR Boardroom, an exclusive membership platform described as the most influential corporate intelligence network of CEOs and government officials in the Middle East and Africa, with its signature event a quarterly media-free private intelligence briefing in Dubai. Nevertheless, the public can still get a small peak behind the doors through EMIR’s ‘Successful Perspectives’ web-series, which features insights from leading local execs.

In the latest video in the series, which has in past featured tips and insights from among others JLL Middle East & Africa CEO Thierry Delvaux and former Facebook MENA managing director Jonathon Labin (who was replaced by ex-Booz & Co. executive Ramez Shehadi last year), Roland Berger’s newest regional managing partner Rene Seyger outlines what he considers the single-most important question for interviewers; ‘why change?’ “The must-ask question is very simple; why change?’ Why do you want people to join?” says the Roland Berger chief. “For me, the essence is that there is a lot of personal development in it for them. That they can step up to their own level. People who cannot articulate stepping up to the next level themselves, they will not be able to follow. They will also not be able to lead the kinds of teams they will be leading.”

Seyger continues: “So, for me, having a genuine personal development plan in the next step of their career is vital. I truly believe, and look at all the books which have been written about good teams and great teams, it is about having motivation. If people are motivated and know where you are going then ultimately they will follow. But also, they will be able to make their own decisions in line with where you’re going.”

While directed at interviewers, the words of the Roland Berger boss naturally provide a critical insight for prospective candidates as well, with EMIR’s content-editor Muhammad Ashraf further noting that the importance of a personal development plan extends beyond the professional to the personal – allowing job-seekers to better determine the appropriate company and cultural fit for them. Incidentally, Roland Berger currently has consultancy openings across its Dubai, Beirut and Manama offices, for all levels of professional experience.

Beyond Seyger’s key criteria, the firm more broadly states a number of what it considers its stand-out aspects, ideally reflected in a candidate’s profile; an innovative mind-set, grounded and pragmatic, entrepreneurial, empathetic, inspired, expert and diverse. But above all, the firm says, it’s looking for personality. “Being a true individual – your own person – takes character, strength and integrity. Exactly the qualities that make an exceptional consultant.”