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Name: Barbara Van Pay
Business: SmartHR, HR & Recruitment Consulting based in Dubai
Industry: Coaching & Consulting
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Reason for starting: I aspire to make the world a better place each and every day and my philosophy of “life is not a dress rehearsal and we only get one shot to get it right” is testament to this. SmartHR is a boutique agency that has been operating in the UAE since November 2010. Based from Old Town Dubai our unique model means that we work on a virtual basis offering a number of advantages significantly for our HR clients, who require an outsource partner who is fully integrated seamlessly with their own staff. SmartHR is a leader in HR Consultancy and Recruitment in the MENA region. When you hire SmartHR, you hire a professional, enthusiastic team that’s eager to embrace your vision. We want to get to know you, your culture, your needs and your wants. We’ll use that background and work day and night to find the big thinkers who can help make your big ideas reality.
Related: Read about another female entrepreneur working in Dubai here.
How do you define success? Being grateful each and everyday for all aspects of one’s life. Without gratitude for what you already have, there simply is no way to be successful. Our philosophy is based on strong ethics and empowerment and a belief in demonstrating our core values with our clients whether they are a small business or a multinational. Our principles and values are based strongly on respect, trust, teamwork, excellence and loyalty. We believe in recognizing and appreciating people as the heart of every business. We understand how important it is to recognize the value and contribution made by every key asset of each business, ‘The People’, thus leading to a successful work environment and business.
Biggest Success: Being a Western woman building a successful HR and Recruitment Consultancy in the Middle East with no external financing or investors. I am a highly motivated individual and natural leader having held Senior HR and Recruitment Management roles across the US, UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, on both the client and agency side. My reputation for exceeding the expectations of clients is born from my experience of having been in Corporate HR, so I can put myself in others shoes and deliver to the very highest standard. My easy manner coupled with my depth of knowledge has made me instrumental in assisting clients across a spectrum of HR functions from recruitment, to coaching and rehabilitating poor performers, as well as Managing HR compliance.
Related: Reach about another consulting entrepreneur here.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Being a woman in a mans world is never going to be easy, especially in the Middle East but facing all the obstacles with integrity and honesty has helped me to achieve against all odds.
Who is your most important role model? My mother.
[box_light]Website www.smarthr.ae
Twitter @SmartHRs
Facebook www.Facebook.com/SmartHR[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange