Getting to know Alex Andarakis

With a graduate degree from Harvard, several senior appointments under his belt and an external adviser role to McKinsey & Company, many would say that Alex Andarakis is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, his drive and determination does not stop there.

 

Success

When asked about his mantra for success, he attributes much of it towards the power of reinvention. 

“Whether personal or professional, a brand must respond positively towards change and find ways to remain relevant”, he says. 

The rapid evolution of the digital landscape and the change in oil prices have escalated market movements, especially in the Middle East as we see oil based economies taking measures to diversify their revenue streams. This means, now more than ever, companies have to adapt their business models to suit the changing needs of the market whereas on a personal level, one must recognize gaps in their capabilities and be willing to expand their skill set, reflective of new job requirements. I read regularly and constantly keep an eye on new trends even in unrelated areas to expand my horizon and viewpoints.

 

Routine

Practice makes permanent. I am an early riser, and start my day with a good breakfast and a round of golf before heading in to the office for 9am. This gives me 3 things: energy, exercise and time to plan the day’s activities. A typical day will see me being hands-on with my team, preparing strategy, briefing sessions and overseeing follow through. No two days are alike, and we thrive off the excitement of a new project and seeing our ideas come to life. Our mandates vary from strategy and brand architecture to managing fully integrated marketing campaigns. My evenings and weekends are mostly spent with family and close friends, exploring a new cuisine or restaurant opening when possible. I come from Greek-Australian heritage, so a penchant for good food and sunshine is in my blood!

 

Work Ethic

I came up with the brand slogan Inspire, Propel, Partner because this is our corporate philosophy and sums up the way we work perfectly. Essentially we view ourselves as our client’s partners because it is an ongoing mutual relationship.This allows us to see our client’s perspective and work together with them to find feasible solutions that suit their vision, objectives and funding requirements. Having been in the client’s shoes, I fully understand the challenges and limitations to leading and executing a prolific campaign which is why we pride ourselves in being ready and able to turn things around quickly and deliver high quality work in short spaces of time.

 

Personal Philosophy

Work hard, strive for more- you only get one chance, so make the most of it. I bring a number of insights from my previous engagements in FMCG, real estate and retail but still ensure to push boundaries and expand into new arenas for the business. It’s easy to fall into habit and stick with what you know, but the key to growth is to constantly challenge yourself. Second, care about your employees and coworkers. They are your other family and knowing that you can count on each other is as rewarding as it is beneficial to productivity. And last but not the least, take time out. Give yourself a break to unwind and rejuvenate your mind. You’ll find that you can even make interesting observations while you are travelling or resting when you least expect it. There’s no point to making millions if you don’t get to spend it.