07/03/2011
Introduction
This is an interview with Abdullah Al Jufaili, who heads up Sharakah (Fund for Development of Youth Projects)
About MYS
Tell us about some of the highlights from your participation in MYS 2010.
I have participated in the 1st and 2nd Muscat Youth Summit and the first thing that I would say is there was a lot of positive energy amongst the participants. I was surprised with the wealth of knowledge coming from the youngsters and their eagerness to learn more. I particularly remember one student who came to me saying “starting a business has always been my dream and this is the first time that I learn how to go about establishing my own enterprise!”
What’s the focus of your MYS workshop?
Similar to last year, I will focus on entrepreneurship development with more emphasis on budgeting and cash flow management for a small business. We will do this using case studies and presenting scenarios from business environment.
What types of conversations and discussions do you hope will emerge during MYS 2011?
I would like to see every student asking themselves the question “what would I do differently after this?” and our challenge as speakers will be to make them realize that there is a lot they can do for the betterment of themselves and the community at large.
What do you hope will be the takeaway from your MYS workshop?
I guess I have answered this above
About Youth
How would you describe youth culture in a word?
Morph (what I mean to say its evolving quickly)
What do you think are the main issues facing young people today?
It depends at which age!
- At a younger age the need to feel that they belong to the crowd
- The need to be heard and when heard that their views are taken seriously
- Employment
- Financial security and fear of uncertain future with all changes happening in the world
The field of youth media is just exploding right now. Where do you see it heading?
I think in few years, majority of people looking for news will search for news in social media and other online sources. A number of examples come to my mind related to this, one of them is when cyclone Phet Oman in 2009. A group of SQU students start a group sharing authentic information about the cyclone. In few hours they managed to have more than 5,000 members in the group and the group was actually the most reliable source of information during the cyclone.
Which brands do you think are best connecting with young people today and why?
- Technology: Apple – iPhone really changed the way people use mobile devices
- Online: Facebook – until google+ become more popular facebook will dominate social interaction at different levels
- Furniture: IKEA – affordable and modern
- Food: Kelloggs - quick and healthy
What emerging trends do you see within youth culture breaking out soon?
Freedom of expression and freedom of choice. Probably in the past parents or elderly people dictated to a large extent what choices youngsters made for their future. The newer generation is more liberal and prefers to make decision themselves.
I also see a strong move towards bridging cultures, youth live in a world of their own where they are not limited to political barriers. I don’t remember having friends from across the globe before I went for college studies, an average youth nowadays will have friends from every continent in the world. This in turn provides an opportunity not to only share cultural values but also share them!
Young people today are ‘chameleons’ changing their look/character based on their environment/people they’re hanging with. Do you agree or disagree?
I say this does not apply to youth only, so yes I agree and I believe the surrounding environment plays a key role in shaping our characteristics.
About You
Tell us about a day in your life and what your work routine is like.
Weekdays, I spend most of my time at work meeting with staff, business partners and clients. I always start my day with a spicy ginger tea, it is rejuvenating and I end it with a cup of plain black coffee while I read business plans or write reports.
What are your insights from working with young people? What’s unique about working with this generation?
Younger people are so curious, they will not settle for a simple plain answers for their questions. You need to explain further. I find that my communication has improved even further due to adopting different communication style for different groups.
What’s something challenging about the work you do?
Maintaining balance between community needs, board expectations and staff requirements.
Do you have any role models or sources of inspiration?
Has always been and would remain the same Prophet Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him.
How has Facebook impacted your life?
Provided a new channel for me to communicate with family, friends and community members.
What`s something concrete and tangible you`ve learned in the last three months?
Even if you are at the top of the pyramid, you need a tap on the shoulder
About Youth Entrepreneurship
What got you interested in youth entrepreneurship?
The fresh and creative ideas that come forward from the younger generation. In addition an opportunity to transform these ideas into profitable business.
What are some of the key problems facing young entrepreneurs today? And how are they being solved?
An answer to this question is a research paper by itself, but I will try to summarize it.
- In general the process of establishing any business in Oman is very difficult despite all efforts made by MOCI and OCCI!
- The current financial schemes offered for start-up businesses are not suitable for all entrepreneurs.
- Barriers to enter (a market mostly dominated by large companies) are very high.
- There isn’t enough support offered in terms of guidance and skills development for entrepreneurs.
- There absence of trust in the community for local based business and Omani origin products.
- Lack of accurate and timely information to develop business plans (information about the market)
- Absence of role models
With only 0.25% of major commercial banks and MFIs dedicating financial services to youth, there’s no doubt that youth are marginalized. How should we be investing in our youth to promote entrepreneurial activity?
Before we invest in their project, we should invest in building their capacity. Not every is going to end up being an entrepreneur and that is a fact. Those who choose to be need to understand what it takes to establish and run a business.
Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup said: youth financial services aren’t the main factor in promoting entrepreneurship. “Money is easy. Individuals are an energy unit which we have to learn to harness.”
Wow, I am delighted that what I answered above is in line with this statement
Clifton’s sees entrepreneurship to be the result of the perfect mix of optimism and determination. It’s not just optimism – “optimism on its own can be annoying.” However, when you overlay it with determination, then you have something. Is he right?
I agree, but I would say that you also need to add expertise in the field of the activity to the ingredients.
Today’s older generation needs to expose young people to the challenge of carrying the responsibility for driving their country forward and giving them the opportunity to rise to that challenge. Would this approach help boost levels of enterprise and innovation among young people?
Yes
What kinds of policy recommendations would you make to governments to make entrepreneurship easier for youth?
Introduce entrepreneurship in the curriculum