Mahalakshmi Iyer, India
Dima Najjar, Middle East
Dirk Visser, Sub-Saharan Africa
India
Name: Mahalakshmi Iyer
Title: Global Cost Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Rebilling
Based in Mumbai, India Mumbai Service Center
How I started…
I joined Dow in 1998 within the controllers’ function, which at the time was fairly small (only three people). It proved to be an excellent starting point, as each of us had a fairly large amount of responsibility and were exposed to the many aspects of the function.
Subsequently, I moved on to cost accounting for Dow and also manufacturing accounting for Dow Agro Sciences in India (DAS). From there, I moved on to a commercial and shared services analyst role, in which I was analyzing and providing recommendations for improvements in processes and efficiencies. I was also responsible for both functions’ cost structure and budgets, communicating frequently with the key stakeholders.
Currently, I work with the Cost Process Technology Center (CPTC) as the global cost subject matter expert (SME) for the global rebilling process. I also support the cost expertise center based in Mumbai. I work on improvements to the current process, address user enquiries, support the global budget process during Pacific time zone to ensure systems are running smoothly and that all issues have been resolved and addressed. My role covers a large span of activities, including improving and developing issue resolution, support, etc.
Why did you choose Dow?
I chose Dow for a number of reasons.
I knew at the time of applying that it was a large, reputable multinational manufacturing organization and this worked very well with my background and experience in cost accounting.
I realized once I started my career at Dow that the company offers a lot of flexibility and freedom to do one’s job. They invest heavily in training and overall employee development. This is something I thought was very valuable and important. The atmosphere is also very friendly and very conducive to productivity and employee motivation.
I find the company to be extremely accommodating to employee’s various needs. They are quite flexible in terms of where or how I perform my job, and most importantly, I found them to be very understanding.
There is a lot of trust in employees, and a very strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion among the workforce. Moreover, Dow is very accommodating and supportive of working mothers – like me – and I found this to be a rare quality.
From a cultural standpoint, Mumbai really is a melting pot with so many religions, cultures and nationalities all living alongside each other. It’s an extremely diverse, vibrant and friendly city. In addition, the recent opening of the Mumbai Service Center here in Mumbai has also brought in Dow people from all over the world to create the same multicultural environment at work, as in the city.
What does Dow offer you?
Working at Dow has exposed me to numerous aspects of my professional career.
Not only has working for Dow offered me the opportunity to travel worldwide, it has challenged me to acquire new skills, as well as sharpen and hone the skills and expertise I already had in certain areas.
One thing I love about my job is that I get to communicate with people from various departments and businesses from all over the world, and this is something that I greatly value because it has really exposed me to so many different aspects of the company and taught me how to work with different cultures and perspectives. This has given me an incredibly enriching experience, something that I don’t feel many people get elsewhere outside of Dow.
My work experience thus far has really broken down my barriers, and though it has given me a very supportive platform that recognizes and pushes my different skills, I also feel that it constantly pushes me to try new things and continuously diversify and enrich my professional experience.
Middle East
Name: Dima Najjar
Title: Account Manager – Oil and Gas, India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA)
Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)
Coming from a multicultural environment, I definitely made conscious choices as to where I was going to start my career.
Growing up in Abu Dhabi, studying and completing my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the American University of Beirut, followed by a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Colombia University in New York really opened my eyes to many different cultures and aspects of life.
I am an Arab who grew up in a very international environment and though I studied abroad, I always felt the need to come back to the Middle East to start my career.
Looking back; I don’t regret a thing.
How I started…
I started at Dow in March 2007, in Dubai, U.A.E. It was a perfect fit for me, as I always wanted to work for a large multinational corporation in the Middle East.
Dow met many of the characteristics and options that I had prioritized for myself and for my career.
Being a large, reputable multinational chemical company, making heavy investments in the Middle East region and covering a broad spectrum of industries, Dow offered me exposure to numerous fields, which as an entry level graduate was invaluable.
Upon joining, I was placed in the Commercial Development Program (C.D.P), which is ideal for new employees as it offers a year of various project rotations that enable one to get a glimpse into the diverse range of fields and industries the Company is involved in.
My already keen interest and internship experience in the oil and gas industry, combined with the experience I gained from C.D.P. really solidified my confidence that the oil and gas industry was for me.
Once I had completed my year long C.D.P. position, I was placed in the oil and gas account as an Account Manager.
Why the Middle East?
I chose to come back to the Middle East for many reasons. Mainly, I wanted to come to Dubai, U.A.E. to start my career.
In a city with a booming economy, a rapidly transforming environment and a skyline that changes daily, I felt that I would be able to learn and grow a great deal, just from seeing this rare phenomenon first-hand, with one’s own eyes.
“The thing is, with a growing market and economy here in Dubai, I felt like I could help make an impact, I could make a difference – as opposed to the already established and mature economies of the west.”
Having said that, I feel that in Dubai I can get the best of both worlds.
It still has the Middle Eastern flavor that reminds me of my roots, but has the multicultural and diverse ambiance of a large cosmopolitan city. Moreover, what I find fascinating is the fact that though the city has become a melting pot of numerous cultures, nationalities and traditions. However, it has not melted into one culture yet, like other mature cosmopolitan cities, such as New York City. I anxiously await this transformation within the next 10 years. It truly is a unique place.
In terms of traveling, Dubai is also an ideal location as it truly is in the “center” of the world. Conveniently located between Europe, Asia and Africa, it makes the traveling distance to these three continents approximately the same.
What does Dow offer you?
Having Dow as my professional foundation in such a dynamic, emulous and rapidly growing environment is the best learning experience I have received.
I have the rare opportunity to see first-hand the massive investment, numerous partnerships and growth the Company is currently undergoing in the Middle East.
The fact that Dow is engaged in such a wide range of industries offers me the flexibility and opportunity to encounter new fields and new markets, greatly enhancing my exposure and professional experience.
Furthermore, being part of the commercial team, the Company does require us to travel quite extensively and this is something I have always wanted to do.
Dow’s “think globally, act locally” philosophy is put into practice throughout this region. The Company invests in its people and in the region and together with its 111-year global history and strong regional inroads, Dow is a truly exciting place to be.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Name: Dirk Visser
Title: Territory Manager, Dow AgroSciences Southern Africa IMEA
Based in Paarl, South Africa
How I started…
I received my B. Comm from University of Stellenbosch and my APE (Advanced Executive Program) from University of South Africa.
My career began in 1979, when I joined Agricura in Cape Town, South Africa. I immediately went into the Agroscience business, as a financial manager.
In 1980, Agricura was acquired by Sentrachem. For the next two years, I worked in the financial department prior to becoming the national marketing manager for Efekto, the home and garden division of Sentrachem.
In 1998, Dow purchased Sentrachem. During this acquisition, I remained the national marketing manager for Efekto. In 2000, I became a Six Sigma black belt for Market Sell.
In 2003, I became a marketing specialist for herbicides for Dow Agrosciences which, in 2006, was followed by a position as business manager for Dow AgroSciences’ Cape region.
In February 2007, South Africa RCU was integrated in the Eufrasia RCU and formed part of India Middle East and Africa region (IMEA). This same year, I became territory manager (country manager) for Dow Agrosciences South Africa.
Why did you choose Dow and South Africa?
I had always been in the agroscience business, and wanted to remain in the industry. When Dow acquired Sentrachem, I already saw the benefits of this acquisition, as I was given many opportunities thereafter to expand my career.
Upon receiving my Six Sigma black belt, I moved up quite a few times. There are many benefits to working for a multinational corporation, with numerous open-ended opportunities and fast career growth.
I always wanted to stay in South Africa, it’s a beautiful country and I was very happy with my career and ability to grow professionally.
With the new restructuring in 2007 and the growing industry here, I can see huge opportunity and vast growth, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
What does Dow offer you and what have you learned?
It’s a big challenge but definitely a beneficial one. Working for such a large multinational company brings continuous change to one’s job, the company and related industries.
The past couple of years have definitely seen numerous changes, and I’ve learned how to adapt to it and grow from it.
Dow has an extremely multicultural and diverse workforce. I find that being exposed to so many different cultures and perspectives makes one’s work interesting and different each day, and though I have had some challenging goals set, accomplishing these goals has been the most rewarding and enriching experience in my professional career.
