Being a YEA member, I was invited to a session for Talal Abu Ghazaleh, the owner of (www.tagi.com), the title was “ The Blessing Of Suffering”, the session was about his life and here is some observations of the fruitful session that I would like to share with you all:
-He simply started from scratch, being a refugee at Lebanon with absolutely nothing to eat and no money at all, he had to work at the age of ten so that he can live, while his dad was 70 years old, so I probably think he didn’t have any attention or sympathy or support from his parents, the suffering was that he had to work and quoting him “ it was a pure blessing, that I was forced to work, being pushed to the limit to excel”

- Having not enough money to go to university and having only one scholarship for UNRWA student, He had to study even harder to get the scholarship, and so he got it, again if he wasn’t pushed to do that, he might never be enrolled in any good university and not even any university, so again it’s the blessin of suffering.

-After graduations, he worked as an employee in Kuwait for 12 years, then he decided to start up his own firm, he had no money but he had the most important thing, that is the human resources, simply he resigned and 50 other people resigned with him to start up his dream, he told them “I cant afford you, I simply have no money” they said “when you can you will”, I believe that he had a great influence on people and had a very good leadership and persuasive skills to start up his own dream, that is a big ARABIC firm, and so he did.

-The competition was fierce that he couldn’t afford any mistake, one mistake and he will be doomed, again that is the blessing of his suffering, and he is really thankful for that.

-On one occasion, he went to the Kuwait prime minister (abedel latif Sakr, If im not mistaken) claiming that they (Giant firms )are fighting him because they simply they do not want any ARAB company to emerge and break through.

Sakr asked him: “you don’t want them to attack your company?”
Talal replied: “Yes!”
Sakr asked: “and you don’t want them to spread any rumors and false information about your company”
Talal replied: “Yes!”
Sakr Said: “then go home and simply do nothing and I will guarantee you that no one will attack your or create any rumors about your company”
Talal was touched, and it was an inspiration for him when he heard that, knowing as long as hes being fought then he is on the right track because he is simply doing a great Job

-He sees problems as a chance to train your mind and grasp opportunities
He admits that he made a zillion mistakes throughout his life BUT he learned from them and that was one of his greatest advantages.
-The competition was fierce that he couldn’t afford any mistake, one mistake and he will be doomed, again that is the blessing of his suffering, and he is really thankful for that.
- “Intellectual Property” took some margin in the dialogue with the attendees, and I have to say I was really excited to know more about what does Intellectual property means in its broader aspect? But unfortunately the session ended here J, so I will be more than glad if someone could provide me with some insight about it according to your OWN understanding or perception about it.