Marwan Ata‘s journey extends far beyond the conventional realms of consulting. In this exclusive DevelopmentAid Hero Stories interview, Marwan, the visionary founder of Beyond Consulting, unveils the transformative narrative that led him from his early experiences working with top global consultancy firms to the establishment of Beyond Consulting. With over a decade of experience as a strategic planning and management consultant, Marwan’s commitment to going ‘beyond’ expectations has propelled Beyond Consulting to become a trusted leader. Join us to explore the innovative methodologies that define Beyond Consulting’s success in 155 projects, serving over 100 clients and supporting 155 start-ups and entrepreneurs.
DevelopmentAid: Marwan, drawing from extensive practical experience as a strategic planning and management consultant, showcasing a proven track record in developing strategic and business plans, export market research, marketing strategies, and feasibility studies, your professional journey stands out. Notably, you took the entrepreneurial path by founding Beyond Consulting. What inspired the creation of Beyond Consulting?
Marwan: In the early stages of my career, I worked for various consulting companies, realizing over time that something essential was missing. This realization prompted me to establish my own consultancy, Beyond Consulting. The name reflects our commitment to taking consulting to a new level, emphasizing sustainable and impactful results for clients in both the private and public sectors.
Since our inception 11 years ago, Beyond Consulting has evolved to meet the dynamic needs of clients in the region. We excel in providing services that address sustainability and business continuity challenges that align with our original philosophy and values. Today, we pride ourselves on delivering impactful solutions for the sustainable development of businesses and organizations.
DevelopmentAid: What core values does your company embrace that distinguish it from other consulting firms? How do these values contribute to setting your company apart within the industry?
Marwan: First and foremost, our commitment revolves around going beyond in every project, treating each client as a VIP, and ensuring that our involvement adds substantial value. We distinguish ourselves as a boutique consulting firm, selectively choosing projects that align with our capabilities to benefit the client and we only engage in projects where we can genuinely make a difference, irrespective of the project’s inherent value.
Fostering a culture of continuous learning internally improves our ability to stay ahead.
This commitment is reflected in our impressive retention rates which is evidenced by the long tenures of our managing partners and mid-level professionals. Our success in retaining both seasoned professionals and attracting new talent is a testament to the effectiveness of our values. Internally, transparency, work-life balance, and a friendly culture are paramount values that contribute to maintaining our competitive edge. We work on creating an environment where they can thrive and showcase their best versions.
DevelopmentAid: Starting with the vision of creating tangible changes and impactful solutions, how do you support your clients in achieving these goals? In view of your commitment to only take on projects where you can add value, can you outline your approach to ensuring meaningful outcomes for your clients?
Marwan: We’ve crafted our distinctive methodology, emphasizing collaboration where we operate seamlessly as one team with the client. Rather than traditional consultant-client dynamics, we prioritize building a partnership from the outset, kickstarting each project with a dedicated phase that focuses on shared objectives. This collaborative approach is instrumental in gaining the client’s trust and developing a unified understanding of root causes, history, and aspirations through genuine discussions. Externally, we steer clear of heavy dependence on secondary data, opting for a primary research approach involving surveys, interviews, and mystery shopping – uncovering unique and often surprising findings. By extracting authentic information, we piece together a coherent understanding of the entire puzzle which sets the stage for value addition. Our strategic edge lies in substantial investments in thorough analysis which differentiates us in every project.
DevelopmentAid: You have shared insights into your career journey, from initial project involvement to current responsibilities managing people and shaping the company’s strategy and development. Which areas do you find most fulfilling and where do you derive the greatest satisfaction in your current role?
Marwan: Our employees and consultants initially gain exposure to various services and client types across our domain. After two or three years, we encourage them to specialize in areas they are passionate about. For example, those interested in financial planning and analysis join that specific team, while individuals who are enthusiastic about business or strategic planning align themselves with the relevant dedicated teams. We ensure that every aspect is managed by individuals who are genuinely passionate and knowledgeable.
As for me, I personally find great satisfaction in strategic planning. It’s akin to playing a thoughtful game of chess, leveraging innovative approaches to navigate complex situations. The strategic aspect of consulting resonates with me, and you can sense my passion when discussing it.
I focus on the visionary aspect, turning our aspirations into tangible plans.
We’ve instituted an innovative, engaging approach for all staff members. Each of us takes on a strategic file or initiative every year, including even fresh graduates who immediately become responsible for a key initiative. This approach ensures that everyone, regardless of their role, becomes an integral part of our overarching vision. Our internal discussions revolve around the collective effort, fostering a sense of loyalty among the team as they perceive the company not just as an employer but as a family they actively contribute to building.
DevelopmentAid: Creating a sense of belonging for your employees is indeed remarkable. Let’s look at your approach with clients. What specific aspects would you like to highlight to underscore the value your company provides for them?
Marwan: We offer comprehensive economic development consultancy services covering micro and SMEs, business planning, and strategic planning. This extends to home-based businesses and women-empowered enterprises. On the social development front, we engage with NGOs, donors, and social-related consultancy, including benchmarking, strategizing, job matching, and linkages. Additionally, we provide public sector development and reform services.
It’s worth noting that our operations extend regionally, with a track record of over 150 consultancy projects across Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, and Oman. We are currently in a market development phase and expanding our geographic coverage with official branches in Amman, Jordan, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while continuing to serve the surrounding countries.
DevelopmentAid: As you navigate this market development phase and expand geographically, what exciting developments or initiatives can we anticipate from Beyond Consulting in the coming years?
Marwan: We strongly believe that the future of consulting lies in the seamless merger of consulting, IT, and technology. This approach is crucial for the evolving landscape, as standalone strategic plans will no longer suffice. In the coming years, we anticipate that a strategic plan must be complemented by a system to manage its execution. For instance, delivering a business plan for a start-up or a semi requires a digitally enabled roadmap that facilitates execution and monitors results. As part of our future investment, we are actively developing our technological arm to offer these integrated services to our customers. We are currently implementing this approach in the public sector within the Saudi market. The emphasis will be on delivering both a strategic plan and assistance in its execution. However, I envision a growing demand for this model across all market segments.
DevelopmentAid: How have you observed the consulting industry evolving in recent times?
Marwan: We’re observing consulting firms hiring freelancers and consultants worldwide without developing harmony or synergy among them. They assemble teams, expecting instant value, but this approach is flawed. Successful companies have historically built and retained internal teams before delivering value to clients. Expecting immediate harmony and value from diverse experts overlooks corporate memory and the synergy of internal collaboration. The foundation for client value starts with a cohesive internal team.
DevelopmentAid: You express a contagious passion for your work which has made this interview truly inspiring. I noticed your active role in conducting seminars and workshops on your website. What inspired your commitment to prioritizing skills transfer and information dissemination in this way?
Marwan: That’s a great question. I share knowledge for two main reasons. Internally, I emphasize cultivating individuality among my team members. I often tell them to be passionate consultants in their unique way, not mere copies of me. This is crucial as I transition into a managerial role to focus on empowering my team for business expansion. For consulting companies, it’s about fostering a culture of shared goals, values, and passion. Externally, we share knowledge with clients for sustainability.
Our goal is to transfer enough knowledge so that clients no longer need us.
Witnessing clients grow independently is a measure of our success. If they return for new challenges, that’s a perfect outcome. Retaining clients while avoiding repeated issues is our commitment and, so far, we’ve succeeded in going the extra mile every time.
DevelopmentAid: You play a significant role in contributing to the broader development of the region, not only through running your business and assisting clients but also by actively pushing and boosting regional development through empowering people. How do you see this holistic approach impacting the overall growth and progress of the region?
Marwan: We refer to it as the ripple effect. We initiate the change and, beneath the surface of this effect, our clients further amplify it for their customers, creating a positive impact on the entire economy. When we assist NGOs for instance, the ripple effect reaches hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. Describing ourselves as the ‘Dark Knights’, our work may go unnoticed, but we are privy to the successes of our clients. Behind the scenes, a few passionate consultants set the ripple effect in motion, even if its origin remains unseen. As long as we witness the positive outcomes, there is no need for external recognition as the impact unfolds around us.
