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Mr. Bahzad said of the total Freezone administration staff of 187, 100% of top management jobs are now held by UAE nationals with 70% of middle management positions occupied by nationals. He added as per the Emiratisation goal of the Freezone, the target is to achieve from 70% to 75% Emiratisation of positions in five years time.
Despite a worldwide economic downturn, progressive modern management at the Dubai Airport Freezone has allowed the company to register positive growth in the first half of this year with a 48 % increase in revenue compared to the same period of 2008.
Mr. Behzad credited the high morale of both management officials and employees with a career path for all the employees based on Job family's model: "Most of our employees do have a personal development plan. This plan is reviewed by the staffer's direct manager on a quarterly basis."
To be more effective in their jobs, all employees €" UAE nationals and those from other nationalities - are supported with a programmed, pre- planned training.
"This plan is usually analyzed and determined on a yearly basis."
The Dubai Airport Freezone is home to top multinational companies and as such, employees have to deliver world class services to meet the high expectations of these companies.
Mr. Behzad said:
"Excellence is a strategic theme in our organization; therefore our organizational structure includes Strategy and Excellence Department. Currently, 90% of this department's staff is Emirati with 100% at the managerial level. This is due to our keen desire to attract local expertise in this area and to develop them technically by encouraging them pursue high level education in TQM and excellence. Most of this department's staff have obtained academic and professional certificate in this field during service with the Freezone (MBA's, EFQM certified assessors, Quality Audit) and were accordingly promoted to higher positions."
He added that all employees are encouraged. €oeWe also hold quality awareness sessions for all employees, and recently launched 'Quality Champions Program' which is aimed at instilling quality culture among employees. We also emphasize excellence culture in all our corporate systems and schemes; for example, we recently improved our corporate 'Recognition Program' criteria based on best practices in the field of excellence where employees are assessed against a set of excellence criteria, and they are recognized and rewarded accordingly."
To further encourage and motivate employees and foster a close bond among them, an employee recognition programme is in place which appreciates employees who are performing and who displayed excellence in their work.
These are the On the Spot Award, Employee of the Quarter, and Head of the Quarter. To promote a professional work place environment, The Freezone has a knowledge sharing session once a month, and monthly social gathering sessions.
Top Freezone officials meet with the employees on an emotional level sharing happy moments and sympathize with them on tragic occasions during the Director General and HC and S (Nada please write the full form of "HC and S) Executive Director Care Days where the joys of a new baby for example are shared with co-workers as well as condole the passing of a fellow employee's family member.
Posted by Nadeen El Ajou
