SME Scaleup Disorder (SSD) | Ziad Maalouf | TEDxPAU

Описание: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often dream of scaling up, but the journey is far from smooth. This talk introduces the concept of SME Scaleup Disorder (SSD), a metaphorical diagnosis for the challenges that businesses face when navigating growth—from resource constraints and operational inefficiencies to leadership bottlenecks and market competition.

The speaker unpacks the symptoms of SSD, such as decision fatigue, loss of focus, and culture misalignment, while offering actionable remedies to address these growing pains. Drawing on real-world case studies and personal experience, the talk provides a roadmap for SMEs to achieve sustainable scale by fostering resilience, embracing innovation, and building robust systems.

This session is a must-hear for business owners and leaders looking to scale their enterprises while staying true to their vision and values. It’s a call to recognize, confront, and cure the disorder that comes with ambition. Mr. Ziad Maalouf joined Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited as the National Sales and Distribution Manager in 2008. He rose to the position of Chief Operating officer in the year 2014, and became the Managing Director of the Company in April 2017. His rapid rise to the position of Managing Director was a record for the Company. His dynamic way of thinking and his astute way of tacking challenges head-on was mostly responsible for his quick rise to the top of the echelon of the Company.

Prior to joining Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Maalouf served as the National Business Development Manager at Basamh Marketing Company, a distributor of Al Alali products in Saudi Arabia, from February 2004 to June 2008.

Mr. Maalouf believes copiously in Nigeria and especially in its human personnel, having an aptitude for growing the young to be giants in their various fields, while teaching them that the way to the top, while hard, can also be pleasurable. An ever-passionate leader who thinks and breaths innovations and ideas for change does not allow the devil in the details to stop him from seeing, aiming and gunning for the big win

Passionate about fostering growth and innovation in Nigeria and also believing that he needs to give back to the country; Mr. Maalouf spearheaded "The SME SCALE-UP '' initiative in partnership with Zenith Bank PLC and UNIDO. This transformative two-day boot camp equips SMEs with the tools needed to thrive in the business landscape, with a goal of impacting 1 million Nigerians through employment opportunities by 2035.

Mr. Maalouf's professional development includes executive programs at renowned institutions like the London Business School, Harvard Business School, INSEAD and Stanford Graduate Business School. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and an MBA from the American University of Beirut.

Aside from being the Managing Director of Seven-Up, he is also the Chairman at FBRA (Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance); an alliance setup to provide the pathway for responsible use, discarding and recycling of waste products that emanates from the production and consumption of food and beverages, thus reflecting his dedication to the sustainability of a healthful environment for all.

He is also the visioner, The SME Scale Up Initiative, a practical SME focused with a vision of employing one million Nigerians and dedicated to empowering and enabling business owners in Nigeria for exponential growth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx