Amazon Payment Services

As the leader of the global technology function at Amazon Payment Services, I am both passionate about and dedicated to re-imagining digital payments for customers and merchants throughout the Middle East and Africa region. 

My responsibilities encompass tech pre-sales and solutioning, merchant integration, software development (for new and existing products), infrastructure management, technical operations, information security, and data engineering. Additionally, I oversee the technology function responsible for delivering seamless payment products and experiences for Amazon shoppers throughout MEA stores. 

Together, our aim is to provide simple, affordable, and trusted payment experiences for merchants and customers across the MEA region.

Head of Technology

Amazon

Director, Software Development

Senior Software Development Manager

Software Development Manager - SCOT

Sr. Technical Program Manager - GIPA

Direct Energy

Promoted to build and lead 5-member team in designing, developing, and managing decision-support application and tools for front-office trading group, integrating with trading/supply, operations, risk management, pricing/structuring, settlements organizations.

IT Manager - Decision Support Tools, Supply

Extended inward-focused IT capabilities to external customers. Developed capabilities that underpin key business processes within the industry lifecycle including trading, scheduling, asset management and optimization, demand-side response, and settlements. 

* Challenged with building team, processes, and systems to support organic business growth into new market space with demand response management product (multi-million dollar project). 

* Leveraged technology to empower several key, new revenue streams for the business unit.

* Handpicked by senior leadership to course-correct and manage delinquent security appliances workstream of major datacenter migration that had put entire project at significant risk of missing deadlines. 

* Invited to join M&A (and other structured deal) due diligence teams after demonstrating thought leadership in both technology and operations to commercial stakeholders. 

* Updated business continuity program to eliminate operational risk from disruption to business-critical systems.

IT Manager - Digital Marketing, Upstream and Trading

Managed IS development and support function for variety of business-enabling systems across US power markets. Built and directed team of 6 IT professionals.

* Functions Supported include:

   a) ISO Settlements (NEPOOL, NYISO, PJM, CAISO, MISO and ERCOT) / nMarket Allocation  Manager and custom SSRS reports
   b) Scheduling and ISO Trading / nMarket Power
   c) Upstream Power / OSIsoft PI System and various other systems
   d) ERCOT Asset Optimization and 24 Hour Real-Time Trading Desk / nMarket Power
   e) ERCOT Asset Dispatching / OSI Monarch GMS

* Major Initiatives Lead:

- Texas Nodal Market Transition (Go-Live and Post Go-Live Support)
- Generation Management System (GMS) Implementation (Inception to Operations)

* Managed Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery plans for Direct Energy Upstream & Trading

IS Manager - Power Asset Optimization, 24-Hour Real-Time Trading Desk, and Upstream Power

* Developed a 3 year architectural - enterprise message bus centered - vision  for our Upstream and Trading business unit

* Developed a Data Integrity business case for our Upstream and Trading business unit

* Developed an interface for gas pipeline data with Bentek Energy

* Managed a Market Data Service initiative to consolidate Market Data into a single repository

* Managed environments to support our Proprietary Trading applications

* Managed testing environments for the Texas Nodal Initiative and various other initiatives

* Supported Proprietary Trading applications

Senior Analyst - Architecture and Proprietary Trading IS

* Lead the design, implementation and testing of the Trade Capture migration from a Java based API to a FIX based system with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)

* Developed various solution components in Java and TIBCO

* Supported DealCapture and E-Confirm applications

* Developed Retail Credit Risk BI solution to support B2B business better evaluate/assess credit exposure

Senior Analyst - Wholesale/Retail Interface IS

* Provided technical leadership over design, implementation and testing of the SAP HR implementation project, to replace existing PeopleSoft implementation

* Actively participated in the business blueprinting of to-be HR processes, and translating the processes into system functional requirements

* Provided technical leadership over design, implementation and testing of the Canadian Benefits outsourcing project as well as coordinating the Payroll Outsourcing Project 

* Initiated SAP ECC 6.0 upgrade recommendation and laying project foundation

* Lead the testing and training for the Scanning Solution of the Procure-to-Pay project

Senior Analyst - Corporate IS

British Gas

* Led a project to develop an absence management system and managed its deliverables

* Collected the requirements, designed and implemented system using an agile customer centric development methodology

* Successfully sold the system to different areas of the business which is now being rolled out across British Gas Residential IS as well as British Gas Business IS

* Supported and administered the system in production for 100 users, with about 1,000 users being targeted for the short term

*Delivered project benefits estimated to save 0.5 FTE in each of the areas that it is rolled out to

Senior Analyst

* Collected the requirements, designed and implemented a deal capture system to automate energy trade entry from ICE and NGX into the company’s risk management system

* Supported the system in production, providing second level support

* Developed a front end application to the system to make it self-administrative

* Delivered project benefits estimated at: saving 2 FTE, reducing the error entry rate to 0.5% and the Value at risk by $2.5 Million

* Researched Natural Gas storage fundamentals in North America and investigated potential of its use within the Wholesale’s group portfolio

Senior Analyst - IS EMG

Integrated Voice Communications

* Managed the installation of new equipment and periodic updates (both software and hardware)

* Marketed and sold new VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) routes to various international destinations around the globe

* Programmed Cisco Routers and CPM (Computer Protocol Malaysia) voice gateways

* Maintained a set of Windows NT servers and Cisco gateways

* Managed 24/7 customer support (both technical and sales) by email/phone/fax

* Maintained excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as rigorous documentation

* Coordinated with team members in different countries to ensure quality voice service

Founder and Managing Partner

Tech Director at Amazon Payment Services | Follow for posts about Leadership Development and Career Growth | Leadership & Career Mentor | Author Of Leadership in 60 Seconds

I ​am a global technology executive with over 20 years of experience. I am currently Director of Software Engineering at Amazon, leading the Technology function for Payments across the Middle East and Africa. In this role, my aim is to make the payment experience of our merchants (Amazon Payment Services) and customers (Stores) the most simple, affordable, and trusted.

Over my career, I'm honored to have delivered award-winning transformational initiatives that have created competitive advantage, enabled business growth, and exceeded customer expectations.

Known as a forward-thinking problem-solver ― skilled in both business and technology strategy ― I adapt and plan for evolving market needs, delivering initiatives with speed and agility. I am also deeply passionate about building, developing, managing, and leading high-performance teams. A strong communicator and relationship builder, I partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders and am a trusted advisor within the company.

Ever since I stepped into my first managerial role, more than a decade ago, I quickly realized the profound impact strong leadership has on individuals, teams, and organizations. From that moment, I made it my mission to empower others in their leadership journeys, guiding them to reach new heights in their careers.

In support of this mission, I have developed a community on LinkedIn of over 50K+ like-minded professionals with whom I actively support, engage, and share daily content on leadership, management, and career. I have been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice (Blue Badge) and ranked #1 LinkedIn Arab World Creator in Management and Leadership. 

Outside of work, I am passionate about everything automotive, especially F1 racing (Forza Ferrari!). I enjoy sports in general, both playing and watching. I also have a keen interest in collecting fragrances, working out with a focus on strength training, and all things food—from learning about it and exploring new cuisines to preparing dishes and hosting gatherings. However, my favorite pastime is spending quality time with my family. 

Languages: English 🇺🇸 Arabic 🇱🇧 French 🇫🇷

6 Proven Strategies to Lead Through Uncertainty:

(#5 is often forgotten)

1/ Listen Actively

➜Implement various listening mechanisms, such as surveys and feedback sessions
➜Identify potential issues early on and encourage people to speak up
➜Establish a safe space for team members to voice what's on their mind

2/ Communicate Transparently

➜Keep your team informed about challenges and steps being taken
➜Share details (to the extent you can) to build trust and strengthen your credibility
➜Schedule regular meetings for updates and open discussions

3/ Cultivate Optimism

➜Create a supportive atmosphere that emphasizes positivity
➜Inspire confidence in your team to guide the organization effectively
➜Celebrate wins to boost morale and motivation

4/ Keep Team Focused

➜Remind your team to focus on what they can control
➜Maintain a commitment to serve customers, especially during uncertain times
➜Hold regular meetings to make sure everyone is working on the right things

5/ Double Down on Empathy

➜Show genuine concern for your team's well-being and feelings
➜Foster a more compassionate and supportive work environment
➜Check in with people often and help those who are stressed or worried

6/ Be Available and Visible

➜Make yourself accessible and maintain a visible presence
➜Establish trust and reinforce your commitment to the team's well-being
➜Host 1:1s, skip levels, office hours and/or virtual coffee chats to encourage open dialogue


PS: Prioritize self-care to be in a position to help others.

🔁 Useful? It would mean a lot to me if you repost.

Image Credit: WisdomMadeEasy

Omar Halabieh

Tech Director @ Amazon Payment Services | #1 LinkedIn Arab World Creator in Management & Leadership | Follow me for Daily Insights on Leadership, Management and Career | Mentor

"I don't know what to talk to my manager about in my 1:1."

(#7 is the most important - yet often missed)

Here are 7 suggestions:

1. Align on top 3 priorities over the upcoming period
↳"Here's what I am focused on over the next 2 weeks..."

2. Share feedback about others or your manager
↳"I appreciated you adding me to meeting XYZ, I was able to identify..."

3. Seek feedback
↳"Any advice that you have for me on how I could have handled situation XYZ more effectively?"

4. Present ideas you have
↳"I noticed that across our teams we are spending X hours/week triaging ABC, I wanted to propose..."

5. Review progress on career growth plan
↳"Since our last career growth plan review, I have made progress on the objective of leading a project. My next milestone is to drive the steering group review."

6. Seek guidance on key challenges
↳"I am facing a challenge with getting support from team ABC on project XYZ, any guidance on how I can improve our collaboration?"

7. Personal Check-In
↳"The past few days have been hectic at home, preparing for our house move..."

What would you add to the list?

PS: Even if you think a particular discussion point is insignificant, it might be the very thing you need to discuss. Trust the process.

PPS: Project and status updates are better done offline. If you do cover them in 1:1 - timebox them to be able to discuss the rest.

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Promotions don't come to those who wait,

They come to those who act.

7 proven steps to unlock your next promotion - in collaboration with Caleb Mellas:

1️⃣ Take Ownership

→ Familiarize yourself with your company's promo process
→ Have a conversation with your manager and share your ambitions
→ Discuss your strengths and weaknesses, then act on feedback

2️⃣ Assess and Track Progress

→ Line up past and current experiences with promotion requirements
→ Align with your manager on what is met or yet to be (use traffic light colors)
→ Use this to guide future work and regularly review progress with your manager

3️⃣ Make your Work Visible

→ Keep track of your achievements in a brag doc
→ Review your work (in progress and completed) regularly with stakeholders
→ Seek continuous feedback on work and impact

4️⃣ Level Up Your Thinking

→ Spend time with peers at the next level to learn how they think
→ Identify what you need to start doing to show next-level thinking
→ Tackle each project with next-level mindset

5️⃣ Seek Opportunities and Deliver Impact

→ Ask your manager what you can help them with
→ Find problems or opportunities other senior peers are talking about
→ Get involved with key organizational goals or programs

6️⃣ Earn Trust

→ Deliver on commitments and speak up if something is off track
→ Manage Up - Ask yourself: "What would I want to know if I were my manager?"
→ Help others in as many ways as you can

7️⃣ Tap into Mentorship

→ Learn from their experience (technical, functional, or leadership)
→ Get objective feedback on progress and growth
→ Act as a sounding board for ideas and provide support


PS: Drive your promotion as a program.

♻ Useful? I would appreciate a repost!

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7 Most Powerful Questions Exceptional Mentors Ask:

(#5 is my favorite - try it today!)

1. Open-Ended Questions: "What challenges are you currently facing?"

2. Reflective Questions: "Looking back, what would you do differently?"

3. Future-Oriented Questions: "What are your aspirations for the next phase of your career?"

4. Challenge Questions: "If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you attempt to do?"

5. Clarifying Questions: "What makes you say that?"

6. Feedback Questions: "What can I do to support you better?"

7. Empowering Questions: "What's one action you can take right now to move forward?"

Bonus:

8. Perspective Shifting Questions: "How would you view this situation if you were in your colleague's shoes?"


PS: These questions aren't just for mentors to ask. Use these for self-reflection.


REPOSTING this means a lot to me (and others) ♻

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Feeling stuck in your career journey?

Are you:

    •Continuously applying for new career opportunities but receiving no interview callbacks?
    •Unsure about the steps to progress in your current role?
    •Concerned your leadership skills are holding you back?
    •In a new role, but overwhelmed about where to begin?

Navigating your professional path can feel like attempting to climb a mountain without a guide or a clear trail.

Without the right guidance, you're at risk of:

    •Pouring time and effort into applications, only to face the sting of silence.
    •Staring at the success of your peers, feeling the weight of missed opportunities.
    •Having a toolkit of skills, but paralyzed by doubt over how and where to employ them.
    •Jumping into a new role, just to feel like you're constantly playing catch-up.

Imagine the confidence and progress you'd experience with a seasoned guide showing the way.

This is where I can be your career sherpa.

Leverage my two decades of global leadership experience to navigate through your professional journey. I've successfully tackled the challenges of career growth, leadership development, strategic career searching, and smooth onboarding. With insights from my journey and that of hundreds of professionals, just like you, that I guided - your perceived obstacles will transform into stepping stones for success.

My guarantee to you: By the end of our first session together, you'll have crystal-clear clarity on the exact steps you need to take, plus the resources and confidence to drive these steps forward.

Rawan, a Global Senior Engineering Manager, had this to share after our initial session: "...Omar's insights were instrumental. He simplified intricate concepts, offering practical examples. His genuine commitment to my growth made a discernible difference... Highly recommended!"

Like Rawan, you can unlock the transformative power of tailored mentorship. Receive invaluable strategies, insights, and tools to elevate your career to new milestones.

Are you ready to redefine your career? Let's begin your transformative journey - schedule your first mentorship session here: https://tidycal.com/omarhalabieh/30-minute-coaching 

Sylvia Kmiecik, PMP®

“Leadership is for the extroverted.”

This belief, deeply ingrained in my mindset, presented a profound conundrum early in my leadership career. 

The archetypical leader, in my eyes, was always dynamic, outspoken, someone who could command a room with their sheer presence and eloquence. 

Yet, this image conflicted with my own quieter, more introspective nature. 

I found myself at a crossroads, torn between the necessity to be authentic and the perceived need to be an effective leader.

This narrow view not only limits the scope of what leadership can look like but also devalues the unique strengths inherent in quiet individuals. 

Many, like me, begin to doubt their potential, mistakenly believing that a quieter nature is a disqualification for effective leadership.

It wasn’t until I came across Susan Cain’s work on introversion that I experienced a seismic shift in perspective on the concept of quiet leadership. 

To further explore this topic, I reached out to my friend Angela Lin, a Quiet Leader and Finance Executive, on a mission to support Quiet Leaders to achieve their full potential. 

She shared with me the following 8 Hidden Strengths of Quiet Leaders:

1/ Win-Win: Resolves conflict with goal of win-win

2/ Strategic: Managing risks & scenarios for decisions

3/Reliable: Self-motivated, productive and gets results

4/Problem Solver: Critical thinkers with creative solutions

5/Deep Thinker: Analytical & detailed for valuable insights

6/ Humility: Asks questions & hire people smarter than them

7/ Calm in Crisis: Maintains stability during challenging times

8/ Empathetic: Listens, understand and responds to others’ needs


In leadership, the quiet is not just heard, but felt, making a lasting impact. Quiet is strong. Quiet is powerful.

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Everyone Talks About the Benefits of Appreciation in the Workplace,

But Few Explain How to Go About It.

10 Creative Ways to Thank Your Team, courtesy of my friend Anna Chernyshova: 

1. Surprise Treats

↳Occasionally, bring in breakfast, lunch, or snacks as a surprise treat. It’s a simple way to show you care and appreciate their efforts.

2. Personalized Awards

↳Create fun and personalized awards that recognize the unique contributions or qualities of your team members. These can be humorous or serious, depending on your team’s culture.

3. Learning Stipends

↳Provide stipends for employees to spend on courses, books, or conferences of their choice. This shows that you value their personal and professional development.

4. Extra Time Off

↳Grant additional paid time off for outstanding performance. This can be a full day off, a half-day, or even a few hours early on a Friday.

5. Office Enhancements

↳Improve the workplace environment based on employee suggestions, such as new furniture, better coffee machines, or standing desks. This shows you’re listening to their needs.

6. Employee Shoutout Wall

↳Create a physical or digital “shoutout wall” where team members can publicly acknowledge each other’s hard work and achievements.

7. Work-from-Anywhere Days

↳Allow employees to work from a location of their choice for a few days. This can be particularly appreciated by those who enjoy a change of scenery.

8. Customized Swag

↳Give out customized company swag like branded apparel, accessories, or gadgets that your team will actually enjoy using.

9. Family Involvement

↳Host family-friendly events or offer gifts that employees can share with their families. This can include picnic days, movie nights, or gift baskets.

10. Create a Mentorship Program

↳Pair team members with mentors within the organization to help them grow professionally and feel more connected to the company.

Implementing these strategies can make a significant difference in your team’s morale and productivity.

What else would you add?

PS: Authenticity matters, a lot. People see right through it.

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Ahmed Mohammed

Alex W.

My old approach to productivity:

-Working unreasonably long hours
-Being determined to tick off everything on my to-do list
-Gauging my success by the sheer volume of work I completed

My new approach to productivity:

-Prioritizing breaks and personal time
-Aligning my efforts with strategic priorities
-Evaluating success by the impact and outcomes my work delivers

My approach to productivity was leading me to burnout.

I constantly felt exhausted. Pressure was a relentless companion. Satisfaction was elusive, always just out of reach.

Now, I'm focused and effective. I am able to think strategically. Most importantly, I feel more fulfilled and balanced.

PS: Success and fulfillment begin with how you define productivity.

🔁 Repost if this is useful. 

Image Credit: HolistiqueTraining

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"I need to figure this out myself." 

This phrase was a constant refrain in my mind, deeply ingrained from my upbringing. 

Growing up, I was taught to value self-reliance above all else, to see asking for help as a sign of weakness. This mindset, I've realized, held me back in more ways than one.

In my relentless pursuit of independence, I missed countless opportunities to accelerate my learning and growth. 

There were moments when a simple question could have saved hours of frustration or unlocked new understanding. 

But my stubbornness to go at it alone, to not 'bother' others, as well as my ego kept me from these insights. 

Worse still, when faced with topics I didn't know or fully understand, I often chose silence over inquiry, letting my lack of knowledge solidify rather than leaning in on curiosity to learn.

More importantly, I overlooked a fundamental truth: asking questions and seeking help is a powerful way to connect with others. 

Each interaction is a chance to deepen a relationship, to show vulnerability and trust. 

It's through these exchanges that we not only gain knowledge but also build a community, a network of support that enriches both our personal and professional lives.

Now, I strive to balance this equation. 

While it's crucial to be considerate of others' time, it's equally important to not let ego stand in the way of asking for help. 

Before I default to 'figuring it out myself,' I pause to ask: "Is this a moment to reach out?" More often than not, the answer is yes. And in doing so, I've not only learned more but have also formed stronger, more meaningful connections.

Let's remind ourselves that it's okay not to have all the answers. In embracing our vulnerability and seeking help from others, we open ourselves to a world of growth and connection.

🔁 Useful? Would appreciate a repost!

Aigini Navaneethan

Trust is not something you have, but something you do.

8 proven ways to build unshakeable trust with your Team, TODAY:

1/ Respect First

↳Listen with empathy to understand others' views.
↳Be kind and show you value others.
↳Avoid gossiping or speaking ill of others.

2/ Transparent Always

↳Share information freely (while respecting confidentiality).
↳Be upfront about motives and agendas.
↳Invite questions and feedback.

3/ Own Mistakes

↳Acknowledge your part without making excuses.
↳Apologize and take corrective action(s).
↳Stand up for what is right, especially when it's difficult.

4/ Reliability Rules

↳Hold yourself accountable for outcomes.
↳Go above and beyond to get the job done.
↳Continuously improve and address problems proactively.

5/ Listen to Understand

↳Give others your undivided attention.
↳Don't interrupt or rush to give your opinion.
↳Ask questions to gain deeper insights.

6/ Do as you Say

↳Make promises carefully and keep them at all costs.
↳Inform others promptly if a commitment can't be kept.
↳Follow through on big and small commitments consistently.

7/ Say as you Do

↳Share your plans and goals with others.
↳Explain the rationale behind your decisions.
↳Communicate intent and any changes or updates.

8/ Extend the bridge of Trust

↳Take a risk and give trust to others.
↳Empower others and believe in their abilities.
↳Inspire trust by modeling it yourself.

These insights are inspired by Stephen M.R. Covey's "The Speed of Trust" and brought to you by Omar's Desk.

PS: Building trust starts with assuming good intent.

🔁 Useful? I would appreciate a repost!

Image Credit: Scope Vision

Conversation is the Relationship.

6 Most Destructive Communication Patterns to Avoid:

(#2 is quite common)

1/ Blaming: Assigning fault to others.

Example: "This project is a disaster because you completely messed up the budget. If you had paid attention, we wouldn't be in this mess."

2/ Placating: Avoiding conflict by agreeing or apologizing excessively.

Example: "I'm really sorry for everything that went wrong. I should have done better. You're right, it's all my fault."

3/ Computing: Responding with overly logical or impersonal language.

Example: "The data clearly shows that our strategy is correct. We need to move forward with the plan regardless of what you feel."

4/ Distracting: Diverting the conversation to avoid the topic at hand.

Example: (On discussing the project delay) "Did you hear about the latest product release from our partner?"

5/ Withdrawing: Pulling back from the conversation or refusing to engage.

Example: Silent treatment, looking away, or leaving the room without explanation.

6/ Demanding: Insisting on a particular outcome or action.

Example: "You have to complete this report by the end of the day, no questions asked. Just get it done."


These insights are inspired by "Conversation Transformation: Recognize and Overcome the Most Destructive Communication Patterns" by Dr. Ben Benjamin, Amy Yeager, and Anita Simon, and brought to you by Omar's Desk. 

PS: The quality of our relationships and outcomes rests on effective communication.

Image Credit: LetsFixItCounseling

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Everyone talks about the benefits of reading books, 

But few explain how to build the habit. 

10 proven mental models to crush your 2024 reading goals (without spending countless hours) - courtesy of Alex Wiec 📚.

Alive Time > Dead Time is a go-to of mine.

PS: What’s your favorite read of all time?

Visuals by Lewis O’Brien.

Mental Models to Read More Books

The Obstacle is The Way: 9 timeless Stoic principles to help you turn adversity into growth.

No. 3 helps me keep challenges in perspective. Which one will you implement today?

P.S. Repost this to help others, too ♻️.

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