Alaa Alazem Email & Phone Number

İstanbul, Turkey

Damascus, Syria

For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of guiding and supporting numerous businesses and organizations, helping them achieve their financial goals and thrive in competitive markets.Success Stories:→ Strategic Planning: I have successfully led multiple enterprises through comprehensive strategic planning processes, resulting in significant growth and market expansion.→ Digital Transformation: My expertise in digitalization has enabled several businesses to modernize their operations, leading to increased efficiency and profitability.→ Financial Mastery: Through tailored financial training, I have empowered corporate clients and entrepreneurs to make informed financial decisions, ensuring long-term stability and success.→ Entrepreneurial Excellence: By using Business Model Canvas tool, I have mentored countless entrepreneurs, helping them turn innovative ideas into successful ventures.→ Life Skills Development: My life skills training programs have equipped individuals with the tools they need to excel both personally and professionally.Some of my top clients:» Tradinos Company» UNDP Syria» Aga Khan Development Network» GOPA» SKILLS – SEBC» Ventures International» Sanad Team for Development» Hayat NGO» Ghiras NGO

Damascus, Syria

In this role, I successfully led the creation of a Quality Management System, enabling the business to achieve the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification.Achievements and Success Stories:→ ISO 9001:2015 Certification: Spearheaded the development of a robust Quality Management System, resulting in the business obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification, a testament to our commitment to quality and excellence.→ Internal Quality Audits: As an internal quality auditor, I conducted comprehensive internal training and recurring Internal Quality Audits, ensuring all departments adhered to stringent quality procedures and processes.→ Certification Renewal: Successfully managed follow-up inspections with external auditors, leading to the seamless renewal of our ISO 9001:2015 certification.These accomplishments highlight my dedication to maintaining high standards of quality and continuous improvement within the organization.

Damascus, Syria

In my role, I played a pivotal part in the company’s early strategic planning, directly assisting the CEO.Achievements and Success Stories:→ Strategic Planning: Developed a comprehensive three-year business strategy that laid the foundation for the company’s growth and success.→ Team Development: Enhanced the team’s soft skills through targeted internal training sessions, fostering a more cohesive and effective workforce.→ Exhibition Success: Successfully organized Strata’s booth at the HVAC Syria Exhibition, showcasing our brand and capabilities to a wider audience.→ Marketing Excellence: Created all marketing materials, including brochures, website content, presentations, and social media campaigns, significantly boosting our brand presence.Additionally, I managed the tender submission process with precision and efficiency:✓ Tender Management: Effectively handled the submission of over 120 offers and tenders, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.✓ Comprehensive Coordination: Reviewed announcements, obtained and analyzed tender documents, informed management of legal and financial terms, coordinated with engineers for technical offers, and worked with the finance department on financial offers and guarantees.✓ Document Management: Maintained meticulous records of all pertinent documents, ensuring seamless archiving and retrieval.These accomplishments underscore my ability to drive strategic initiatives and manage complex processes, contributing to the company’s overall success.

Iraq

As the SMEs Lead Expert in SPARK’s program, “Iraqi SME Commercial Loan Application Preparedness and Success (CLAPS),” I have made significant strides in facilitating access to financing for SMEs in Iraq.Achievements and Success Stories:✓ Program Leadership: Successfully led the CLAPS program, which aims to streamline the financing process for Iraqi SMEs by providing training and fostering connections between financial institutions and potential SME business owners.✓ Enhanced Ecosystem Connectivity: Played a key role in creating a more interconnected and responsive financial and SME ecosystem, thereby increasing the overall volume of financing contributions to the Iraqi private sector.Key Deliverables:→ Survey Report: Delivered the comprehensive “Iraqi SMEs Access to Financing Capacity and Perceptions Survey Final Results Report,” providing valuable insights into the current landscape.→ Training and Clinic Design: Designed and implemented the “Iraqi SME Loan Success Training and Clinic,” delivered for 80 SMEs, to enhance loan application success rates.→ Best Practices Handbook: Authored the “Iraqi SMEs Loan Preparedness Best Practices Handbook,” a crucial resource for SMEs seeking financing.→ Pre-Assessment Results: Administered and analyzed pre-assessment results for the Loan Success Training and Clinic, ensuring targeted and effective training.Conference Contributions:» Speaker at “Unlocking Finance for Iraqi SMEs”: Presented assessment results at this pivotal conference in April, held in Erbil.» Moderator at “Pathways to Jobs in Iraq”: Moderated the “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” workshop in June, held in Baghdad, fostering discussions on enhancing the entrepreneurial landscape in Iraq.These accomplishments highlight my dedication to empowering Iraqi SMEs and driving financial inclusion through strategic initiatives and impactful training programs.

Erbil, Arbil, Iraq

Since 2020, I have been repeatedly entrusted by SPARK Iraq with the role of Head of Experts, leading initiatives to advance the Iraqi entrepreneurship ecosystem.Achievements and Success Stories:✓ Leadership in Entrepreneurship Development: Successfully developed and managed multiple projects aimed at evolving the Iraqi entrepreneurship landscape, demonstrating my strategic vision and leadership.✓ COVID-19 Response Program: Led a dedicated team of mentors to support 36 SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly enhancing their digitalization, marketing, risk management, and financial management capabilities.✓ Author of Financial Management Toolkit: Authored SPARK’s comprehensive toolkit on financial management, providing invaluable resources to SMEs for better financial planning and stability.These accomplishments underscore my commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting SMEs in Iraq through innovative and impactful projects.

Yemen

During this assignment, I successfully developed two comprehensive bilingual toolkits—one for Agri entrepreneurs and one for their mentors.Achievements and Success Stories:» Toolkit Development: Created detailed toolkits that included PowerPoint presentations, handouts, entrepreneur worksheets, business plan templates, suggested case studies, and a mentor’s manual and guidelines.» Implementation and Adaptation: Actively followed up during the implementation phase, incorporating feedback from SPARK and stakeholders to refine and finalize the materials.» Bilingual Excellence: Ensured the toolkits were accessible to a wider audience by developing them in both languages, enhancing their usability and impact.These accomplishments highlight my ability to create valuable resources that support Agri entrepreneurs and their mentors, driving success and growth in the agricultural sector.

Damascus, Syria

o Establishing the Accounting policies and procedureso Developing the chart of accounto Publishing the opening trail balanceo Uploading the opening data to Al Amean Systemo Uploading the budgeted data to Al Amean Systemo Coaching and training the accountant

Eastern Mazzah

o Expand local revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operationso Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brando Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunitieso Build partnerships with funders, media, governmental and community leaderso Evaluate the current managerial and financial challengeso Deliver a complete recommendation report tackling SWOT analysis

Free Zone Area, Damascus, Syria

Supporting the Technical operations of the company through setting a clear business model and professional procedures. Attracting new investors while invading new markets. Restructuring the company and implementing a transparent HR policy. Capacity Building for employees through training and coaching. Supporting the marketing team in building brand awareness for each product.

Damascus, Syria

o Several financial studies for high calibre clientso A full Report Titled: “Comparative Financial Analysis of Syrian Banks”

Damascus, Syria

1. Developing the Finance Department Policies and following up on implementation2. Coordinating with all departments to set down the annual budget3. Assisting the HR Department in financial positions recruitment4. Coordinating with the MIS supplier to develop an accounting system that meets MFI requirements5. Communicating with the Central Bank of Syria to publish the required reports and meet the legal standards6. Reviewing MFI financial projections and Business plan

1. Establishing the Financial Services Department2. Launching several Financial services such as: Analysis, Budgeting, Reporting, Valuation, Business Planning, Restructuring, and Cash Managment.3. Delivering Specialized trainings in Finance.4. Supporting the GM in achieving BRIDGE Objectives

1. Reviewing Client financial status through studying detailed financial statements, managerialstructure, and current market trend.2. Conducting research and analysis on various industries and markets3. Preparing Company Valuation Module4. Preparing Company Valuation Report5. Preparing the Marketing Documents once the client approves the valuation6. Advising the client on specific financial or managerial problems7. Contributing to the process of closing the deal along with following up with the client

Although I was a fresh graduate, I learned and achieved a lot during this employment by applying academic concepts to real business situations. I successfully developed a template for periodic financial analysis report, collaborated with 14 department directors to build an annual budget and upload it to internal budget system and Oracle Financials Software. I also participated in several feasibility studies for new investment opportunities. Finally, I was assigned as a Quality Control Coordinator to support quality department in implementing required policies and processes.

Masters In Entrepreneurship, Entreprunership, Level 7 Programme

This programme provides the theoretical concepts and frameworks that are particularly relevant to an entrepreneur starting up a new.

Master'S Degree, Financial Management

B.S., Finance

Activities and Societies: Syrian Culture Club, Students Business CouncilHonor List Student. Finished the B.S. in 3 years instead of 4.