Samer Mikdashi

• Business Modeling and market sizing for smart cities and smart services in main GCC states


• Identify & Propose opportunities and partnership models for smart cities, to Zain Group

• Led the Mkt CVM Program to deliver Mkt projects. It generated AED 30.6 Millions incremental revenues; in a record time of 4 months

• Participated in developing and improving the Products Life Cycle (PLC) process, and managed projects in the Consumers and Business portfolio of P&S

• Founded the Non-PLC Demand and Delivery unit to manage and report Eng projects with IT, Group, Corporate Strategy and C&WS

• Led feasibilities sessions from Commercial, financial, technology and regulatory aspects

• Participated in developing and implementing the corporate General Planning Forecast

• Participated in the IT-FIN reporting alignment project and sent final report to C-Levels

• Study future networks, technology infrastructures and latest technologies’ trends

• Streamlined the Technology Strategy with Corporate, Marketing and IT Strategies

• Came up with the concept of, developed and implemented in 2009 a cross-depts Governance Model & Marketing P&S Roadmap (Engineering, Marketing, IT, C&WS Portfolio). This vision paved the way for the PLC process in April 2011

• Assumed second-in-line function in Etisalat’s (and led numerous times) negotiating team with TRA and Du for the Infrastructure sharing program (Bitstream)

• Project Manager of $1.7M/ 8 months consultancy with Detecon: “Network Dimensioning & health Check”

•Project Manager of $0.9M/ 3 months consultancy with Detecon: “Optimization of Bitstream Access”

1- Mobile product management

• Acts as a Group ambassador to the Opco; having a mandate with some flexibility depending on the Opco.
• Plan/streamline mobile data launch program from all functional aspects with Zain local teams including product marketing, market communications, customer care, sales, IT, billing and network operations
• Coordinates with Group regarding customization of Marketing, technology, communications and products; to best meet the Zain Niger operation
• Liaise with agency to develop and finalize the communication plan (ATL, BTL), and seek Management approval on yearly budget.
• Develop and submit the pricing and 5 yrs Business case for Zain Opco. Data services to Zain Group
• Special focus on planning marketing and sales activities with Zain’s marketing and sales teams that will attract local customer demand for Mobile services
• Train commercial teams at Zain to take ownership in Mobile Data products after launch
• Develop and direct a market driven approach to launch Mobile Data products
• Manage various teams in defining strategy/tactics to launch/support mobile data products post launch
• Coach Zain Team on effective management techniques.
• Coordinate relationships and deliverables/compliances with the TRA.
• Provide consultancies regarding the Segments Management, customers profiling and research questionnaire preparations, Sales Management (Direct, Indirect), etc…


2- Program/Project Management
• Plan activities in detail level with all the functional areas, engage Zain Opco. personnel/monitor progress.
• Focus on activities on the critical path and look for solutions to challenges with Zain Opco. personnel, vendors and Zain Group persons
• Communicate the status effectively to the project steering group in the local and Zain Group’s Product Management
• Identify project risks early-on and create risk mitigation plans
• Manage timely and cost-effective project delivery

1- Mobile product management

• Acts as a Group ambassador to the Opco; having a mandate with some flexibility depending on the Opco.
• Plan/streamline mobile data launch program from all functional aspects with Zain local teams including product marketing, market communications, customer care, sales, IT, billing and network operations
• Coordinates with Group regarding customization of Marketing, technology, communications and products; to best meet the Zain Niger operation
• Liaise with agency to develop and finalize the communication plan (ATL, BTL), and seek Management approval on yearly budget.
• Develop and submit the pricing and 5 yrs Business case for Zain Opco. Data services to Zain Group
• Special focus on planning marketing and sales activities with Zain’s marketing and sales teams that will attract local customer demand for Mobile services
• Train commercial teams at Zain to take ownership in Mobile Data products after launch
• Develop and direct a market driven approach to launch Mobile Data products
• Manage various teams in defining strategy/tactics to launch/support mobile data products post launch
• Coach Zain Team on effective management techniques.
• Coordinate relationships and deliverables/compliances with the TRA.
• Provide consultancies regarding the Segments Management, customers profiling and research questionnaire preparations, Sales Management (Direct, Indirect), etc…


2- Program/Project Management
• Plan activities in detail level with all the functional areas, engage Zain Opco. personnel/monitor progress.
• Focus on activities on the critical path and look for solutions to challenges with Zain Opco. personnel, vendors and Zain Group persons
• Communicate the status effectively to the project steering group in the local and Zain Group’s Product Management
• Identify project risks early-on and create risk mitigation plans
• Manage timely and cost-effective project delivery

• Managed the Product Marketing, Product development & business development units

• Represented Marketing in monthly board meeting and steering committees

• Developed/followed up on the yearly marketing P&S, budget, and Marcomm

• Put KPIs for and coached Mkt, CC and Sales teams, and monitored their performances

• Managed the SIM/Scratch cards cycle and SIM stock and distribution

• Develop yearly plan with target customers and formulating the processes for all business activities

• Studying customers' needs, and negotiating with partners for potential solutions

• Preparing and submitting quotes/tenders/RFPs (commercial and technical)

• Managing project implementation, payment collections and support

• Managed the Product Marketing, Loyalty, Research & Geomarketing, Branding units

• Developed and monitored the yearly Marketing budget and P&S portfolio

• Managed the 4 Ps activities, and monitored products’ performances

• Coordinated with agencies, and approved their communications

• Engagement management with C-Level client, and channeled team’s deliverables

• Optimized the time to market of AlJawal yearly marketing Products and Services

• Led in the contracts formulation, tender evaluations and negotiation with third parties

• Business development to identify opportunities and Expansion of the P&S practice

• Established the PMO Office, to align programs with strategic corporate objectives

• Managed cross-functional programs/projects: internally, with the competition & TRA

• Developed the Governance, processes and dashboard, and business changes

• Head of the BOT committee which submitted and followed on the 15 years BOT Plan

• Head of coverage committee to lead rollout activities for a 99% pop. areas coverage

• Managed the sales activities, and customer support for SMB/Enterprises

• Managed the planning/feasibility/execution of new telecom projects

Training on Microwave Links, Antennas, Volmet Broadcasting system.

Training consisted of programming an EPLD to replace old components used in the DME frequency synthesizer. The design met expectations of performance and cost.

Training on Civil Aviation Equipment (ILS, VOR/DVOR, and DME).