“I am a people’s person”, says Talal Al Murad of United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) well-known Al Murad group. With more than 3.5 lakh followers on Linkedin, Talal’s words look quite convincing. A successful second generation businessman, he is also a social media voice, mentor and thought leader.
During his recent visit to India and a brief maiden visit to New Delhi, he got a small yet good opportunity to know and feel the pulse of the city. “I am told that this month is full of festivities in India and when I landed in Delhi I could sense that as there was so much decoration and frenzy around. I found people in Delhi quite welcoming, open and friendly,” he shares. Talal was here to attend the inaugural ceremony of a stress management center in North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), established by Peacful Mind Foundation (PMF).
Coming from UAE’s one of the best known business families, Talal carries an important legacy of almost five decades. It was in 1970s that Abdullah Mohammed Al Murad, founder and the chairman of the group saw an opportunity to venture into photofinishing services and he soon became the sole distributor of Kodak services in the Gulf, laying a strong foundation for the Al Murad group. But that was just the beginning. Gradually, the group evolved into a conglomerate of companies in publishing, consumer and professional photo products and services, security and medical products, production studios, Arabic Television channel & FM Radio channels in four languages (Arabic, English, Hindi and Malyalam), Information Technology, AL Murad Real Estate, Sara Contracting and Interior Design and The Beauty Oasis Spa, soon to open at Al Murad Mall. Headquartered in Ajman, Al Murad group is now venturing into several new business domains under the leadership of Abdullah Al Murad.
However, young businessman and entrepreneur Talal feels that “titles don’t mean anything, Do what you love, have a vision and everything is possible.” He explains, “My interests are in keeping up with the ever-progressing technologies and currently applying them as solutions within our Group’s daily operations. As a team player, I firmly believe that one doesn’t just build a business- one builds people and then the people build the business.”
A sports enthusiast and a former National level tennis player, Talal is also an influential mentor and caters to a global audience through social media. “A lot of youngsters approach me for guidance. I tell them you need to build your CV on your own, grab every opportunity to volunteer or work as intern and learn. Do as much as you can, it’s going to benefit you in future. If you want to be successful you have to engage with people who are decision makers. You have to engage to get engaged,” he shares.
During his short visit to New Delhi, he delivered a talk at Brain International School in Vikaspuri, visited MCD headquarters at Civic Centre and was also felicitated by Peacful Mind Foundation.
Though, not a frequent visitor to India, Talal is now hopeful that he will be coming to Delhi more often and would love to experience the winter season of Delhi and its spicy food.