In today’s fast-paced and complex business environment, organizations require expert guidance to navigate challenges and drive success. Dr Hanane Benkhallouk is a highly regarded business consultant with an impressive background in sustainability and a wealth of accomplishments.

With a distinguished academic profile, holding an MBA and a DBA focused on sustainability in business, Dr Benkhallouk brings a unique perspective to her consulting practice. Her expertise extends beyond academia, as she is a published author of the Amazon Bestseller book, ‘Seeds of Change,’ which has impacted over 5000 business leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Dr Benkhallouk’s influence and expertise span across continents, having worked with organizations and stakeholders in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Her exceptional contributions have earned her multiple awards, including the prestigious ‘Game Changer’ award by the Middle East Institute of Excellence and the ‘Saphira’ award, recognizing her as a positive ambassador by the Moroccan Government.

Notably, Dr Benkhallouk’s insights and thought leadership have been featured in reputable publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and more. She has made a significant impact as a founding regional leader of the first Lean-In Circle in the Middle East, an organization initiated by Sheryl Sandberg to empower women in the workplace.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr Benkhallouk embraces a holistic approach to well-being. As a yoga practitioner, a world traveler, and a multilingual individual fluent in four languages and dialects, she brings a rich cultural perspective to her work.

The Education View had the privilege to interview Dr Hanane Benkhallouk for its latest edition ‘Asia’s Most Trusted Business Consultants to Follow.’

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Please provide a brief introduction about yourself and your professional background.

I was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and later became a naturalized American in New York City, where I went to college, and started my early career in the late 90s early 2000, and where I witnessed 911 closely, which greatly influenced my journey and choices.

Currently, I reside in Dubai, where I was recently granted a 10-year Golden Visa as an ‘innovator and special talent.’ Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to gain diverse experiences across various industries, including banking, hospitality, retail, and entrepreneurship. These experiences have exposed me to different roles, such as operations, marketing and communications, business development, and senior management.

Additionally, I have had the privilege of leading multicultural and multifunctional teams. This rich and varied background has naturally led me into the field of consulting.

What specific areas or industries do you specialize in as a business consultant? Could you share some notable projects or success stories that demonstrate your expertise in these areas?

As a business consultant, I specialize in fostering human centricity, driving culture change, and promoting sustainability within organizations.

Human Centricity: I work closely with clients to develop strategies that prioritize the needs and experiences of employees, customers, and stakeholders. I help clients design employee-centric policies, develop customer journey mapping, and implement feedback mechanisms to create positive and meaningful experiences.

Culture Change: I assist organizations in transforming their culture to adapt to changing market dynamics and foster a high-performance environment. I help define and communicate core values, establish shared visions, and implement change management initiatives.

By fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and agility, businesses can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and enhance overall organizational effectiveness.

Sustainability: I guide organizations in integrating sustainable practices into their operations, products, and services. This includes assessing and developing strategies to mitigate climate risks. I also assist in establishing sustainability reporting frameworks and integrating social responsibility initiatives to create long-term value for both the organization and society.

By specializing in human centricity, culture change, and sustainability, I enable organizations to create positive impacts on their employees, customers, communities, and the environment. This holistic approach helps businesses thrive in a rapidly changing world while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

How do you ensure that your solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client?

Our SEEDS methodology, encompassing Sense, Engage, Empower, Develop, and Sustain, serves as a robust framework to guarantee the customization of our solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.

Let’s explore how each step of the SEEDS methodology contributes to this tailored approach:

Sense: Start by thoroughly understanding the client’s requirements, goals, and challenges. Through extensive discussions, interviews, and assessments, we gain deep insights into their specific needs, and it helps us in laying the foundation for tailored solutions.

Engage: Active engagement with the client is vital to establish a collaborative partnership. We foster open communication, creating a safe space for the client to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. By nurturing this dialogue, we ensure that their unique perspectives are considered throughout the process, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of their requirements.

Empower: The empowerment of the client is central to our approach. By involving them in decision-making and solution design, we harness their expertise and input. This collaborative approach ensures that the proposed solutions align with their specific context and requirements, promoting ownership and commitment to the final outcomes.

Develop: Armed with a deep understanding, active engagement, and empowered collaboration, we develop tailored solutions. Leveraging our expertise, best practices, and innovative approaches, we design strategies, frameworks, and action plans that directly address the client’s unique challenges. Flexibility and adaptability are prioritized to ensure seamless integration within their organizational context.

Sustain: Our commitment extends beyond implementation. We focus on creating sustainable solutions that can evolve and grow with the client’s changing needs. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and feedback loops guarantee the ongoing effectiveness of the solutions, aligned with their evolving requirements. We provide ongoing support, enabling the client to sustain and refine the solutions independently.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the business consulting industry?

I stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the business consulting industry through continuous learning, industry publications, networking, thought leadership, and client engagement.

Attending conferences and online courses and reading reputable publications keep me informed. Networking connected me with experts and thought leaders. By engaging in thought leadership activities, I contribute to industry discussions. Working closely with clients exposes me to diverse challenges and evolving needs.

How do you ensure ethical practices in your consultancy work?

I ensure ethical practices in my consultancy work through a robust framework that includes maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, acting with integrity, adhering to professional standards, and upholding client interests as the top priority.

I prioritize transparency, open communication, and ethical decision-making to ensure the highest level of trust and integrity in all aspects of my work.

What emerging trends do you foresee in the business consulting industry, particularly in the Asian market?

In the business consulting industry, several emerging trends are expected to shape the Asian market. Here are some key trends to consider:

Digital Transformation: The Asian market will witness a surge in digital transformation initiatives across industries. Consulting services will play a crucial role in helping businesses adopt advanced technologies, leverage data analytics, implement automation, and enhance cybersecurity to stay competitive in the digital landscape.

Sustainability and ESG: Consulting will play a vital role in helping organizations integrate sustainable strategies, address climate change risks, improve ESG reporting, and meet evolving regulatory requirements. As businesses strive for responsible growth, consultants will assist in implementing sustainable business models, enhancing supply chain transparency, and developing impactful social and environmental initiatives.

Market Entry and Expansion: The Asian market presents immense opportunities for global businesses. Consulting services will assist companies in market entry strategies, navigating local regulations, identifying potential partners or acquisitions, and developing effective expansion plans to tap into the region’s growth potential. Consultants with deep knowledge of local markets, cultural insights, and strong networks will be instrumental in helping clients successfully enter and navigate Asian markets.

What advice would you give to individuals who aspire to become successful business consultants?

Develop Expertise: Build a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise in a specific industry, functional area, or consulting discipline. Specializing in a niche area allows you to differentiate yourself and become a trusted advisor in that domain.

Continuous Learning: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices through reading, attending conferences, participating in webinars, and pursuing relevant certifications or advanced degrees.

Build a Professional Network: Cultivate a strong professional network by actively engaging with industry professionals, attending networking events, joining industry associations, and utilizing online platforms. Collaborating and connecting with others in the field can lead to opportunities, partnerships, and knowledge sharing.

Gain Practical Experience: Seek opportunities to gain practical consulting experience through internships, project-based work, or entry-level positions in consulting firms. Practical exposure helps develop problem-solving skills, client management abilities, and a deep understanding of consulting methodologies.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset by being proactive, taking initiative, and seeking opportunities for growth. Treat your consulting career as a business, continuously seek new clients, and strive to deliver exceptional value to clients.