My career journey and what I can offer to you
My name is Seif Elguindy, an international businessman from an engineering background. I belong to the Millennials generation. I have worked in multiple countries, industries and employers. I was fortunate to have encountered people coming from all over the world. In my career, I have had my shares of ups and downs, like everyone, and I can share with you what I have learned through my career. It is also an opportunity for me to learn from your journey, even if you have just entered the workforce, there is always something which can be learned from each other. I offer my nonprofit online coaching service to Egyptians only as this is where I can more deeply understand their backgrounds and their motivations.
Acknowledgments
To my Parents, I owe any success and evolution I have had, to all your sacrifices. Without them, nothing for me would have been possible.
Also, I am thankful to all the people who crossed my path, all the companies who believed in me, hired me, gave me the opportunity to make a living and to experience an international career.
My journey in Egypt, Germany and beyond begins from here: College De La Sainte Famille Jesuites in Cairo and then the Bachelor at the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University.
Then came the obligatory military service and to my surprise, it prepared me for what was yet to come.
Started my career at SLB Schlumberger, an American technology corporation, leader in the drilling sector in the Oil and Gas industry. Job functions included Technical Field then Sales in Middle East region, specifically in the division of measuring and logging while drilling (MWD & LWD).
…working in this company enabled me to achieve many of my dreams at that time, including my childhood dream of visiting The USA, in addition of being able to invest in an MBA which openned the next doors…
Back To School: Full time MBA at the European School of Management and Technology ESMT Berlin, Germany. For one year, I was in a class of around 60 students coming from 40 countries, it was an eye openner.
My first entry into the German workforce: Joined ELA Container Offshore GmbH, a leading German manufacturer of portable accommodation solutions in container form for the Offshore industry, as a Business Developer for the Middle East region, based in Germany.
…through my work as a Business Developer in the Middle East region, I got the opportunity to spend time in The UAE as it was the main market for offshore portable cabins…
Then I have joined Corning Optical Communications, a leading American technology manufacturer of telecommunications equipment of fiber optics hardware with manufacturing plants in France, Poland and Germany. Job function in the Product Line Management group, responsible for the Fiber To The Home FTTH product line, based in Berlin. Here, I was able to apply in practice the majority of the theories I have learned during the MBA.
…through my work in the Product Line Management group at Corning, I was tasked to map the life cycle of my products on one curve, I then came to clearly see all products and services similarly to life, they have a time limited journey where they have a beginning and an ending, and from that ending, a new product is born in an endless cycle of evolution and that “the road to success is always under construction”. This picture I took at the BMW museum in Munich speaks for itself of a true product life cycle management.
Then, the planets align, and I am back to my first company, SLB Schlumberger, back to the Technical Field work in drilling, but this time in the European region, on onshore and offshore drilling rigs. Often visiting the company regional HQ in Aberdeen.
Then came the abyss…
To push to the front, sometimes you need to go to the back. My one year contract was not renewed by the drilling company because of a downturn in business environment and also a mismatch that I am no longer the same person as the one who started in that same company 15 years ago. Loosing my job was arguably the most difficult experience I went through in my entire life. It became clear to me, that I have evolved to become a Businessman and as of this stage in my life, any other technical role is not a good fit. SLB made the tough but correct decision.
Picture from Ray Dalio book Principles
As one door closes, fortunately, after effort and time, another door opens and it was the door of Malmedie Antribstechnik GmbH, a leading German component manufacturer of steel drum couplings which serves heavy duty cranes in the Port and Steel industries. Job function in the Sales group as a Sales Manager for the MEA region based in Germany.
Skills & Competencies
Product Life Cycle Management – Strategy and Tactics - Revenue Growth & Profits – International Mindset – Critical Thinking - Fiber To The Home FTTH - Sales Management – Business Development – Exhibitions – Cold Calling – Contract Management – Tenders Response – Costs Efficiency - Drilling Services – MWD/LWD – Drilling Rigs – Team Development
I value quotes and the people behind them, these are few of my favorite quotes:
“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there's life, there's hope.”
— Stephen Hawking
“All I am is what I am going after.”
— Alpacino
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
— Albert Einstein
“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”
— Rocky Balboa
“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”
— Robin Williams
“Learning is really easy when you can feel that your teachers love you.”
— Will Smith
Those books I recommend you to read before booking our coaching session.
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Ray Dalio
Principles
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Orison Swett
Pushing to the Front
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Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
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Arthur Markman
Bring Your Brain to Work