The Digital Workforce
MIDDLE EAST
Within a well-established bank like Mashreq , the transformation has to be not just the best , but also the most seamless , and that begins with asking a few vital questions .
“ The challenge is twofold . First , is the technology truly industrial ?” Chouhan ponders . “ You have to catch it when it is on the upswing of the wave , and being able to determine the industrial nature of these technologies is the first step . Once you ’ ve established that , can it scale ? Is it secure ? Does it have longevity ?
“ Second , you must think about your choice of partners and resources . A lot of technological innovation takes place through third parties , so the partners are the ones making the innovations , and as an end-user bank you want to partner with the right company , the right products , the right geographic reach , and aligning views .”
This is clearly a structure which works for a company that is often regarded as the most innovative bank in the UAE . Established by entrepreneurs , the pioneering spirit of Mashreq ’ s founders remains vibrant , even as – after 50 years – the business prepares to transform again .
“ The entrepreneurial spirit that represents Mashreq is forms our core DNA ,” says Chouhan . “ For the next 50 years , we want to continue to be the leading light in this transformative new age of banking for the UAE , the GCC region and the world .”
Chouhan is building on a wellestablished and well-loved heritage , but he and the business are confident and comfortable doing so , as constant evolution is part of the environment which Mashreq has created for itself .
“ It allows for this innovative spirit to blossom into something we cherish deeply , and we protect that hard ,” Chouhan says . “ Interestingly , anybody who comes to the region and is looking for an innovative partner gravitates towards Mashreq because they know we have this heritage , this hunger , this open-mindedness to take up a very disruptive and transformative business model .”
The Digital Workforce
While the banking industry has historically adopted a very human approach to business i . e . with a heavy
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