Page 3 - Al-Rashed Newsletter July 2020

TÊTE-A-TÊTE

You are with Al Rashed for decades, how is it like to collaborate with such a big organization?
In any organization, the relationship between the employer and employee is characterized by a reciprocal process. As long
as the employer feels an employee is worth retaining, and the employee feels comfortable and satisfied with the
organizational atmosphere, the relationship will continue. Any disruption to said process will have a significant impact on the
relationship and end up either party calling it a day. Hope the above statements and the fact that I am still with Al-Rashed
expound your question.

We believe “When the problem starts your work begins”. What is your opinion about this comment? How do you
handle this pressure?
At first glance, your observation about the corporate legal department may sound justifiable, but over the last several years,
there has been a definite shift in the way that corporate legal departments are viewed. Corporations are now demanding that
their corporate legal department understands their business. Their legal expertise, along with knowledge of the industry,
corporation and how it operates, makes them go-to business strategists that can help organizations manage risks and keep
costs low.
Every job in an organization is essential and carries related work pressure though it may vary in nature and intensity from
desk to desk. As you climb the career ladder, responsibilities and stress level also will escalate, which is a typical corporate
phenomenon. Corporates demand an employee to be intelligently and emotionally fit enough to handle the work pressures
affixed with the position he is holding.

What is the kind of legal issues intrigue you?
As a corporate legal person, you will not enjoy the freedom of a practising Lawyer and nature of litigations will be limited to a
particular domain. As far as our litigations are concerned, the majority related to cargo claims and with the legal position in
Kuwait, which attach carrier liability to agent exposes our organization with potential risks.

In this COVID pandemic situation, what kind of challenges you come across related to your field?
COVID19 Pandemic caused significant impact on all industries and organizations around the world, and our field is not an
exception. Normal functioning of courts got hampered delaying the litigations. Clubs, Insurances and correspondents around
the globe have constraints causing unusual delays in response and negotiation/settlement process.

How you rejuvenate yourself after resolving a tough task?
Just forget the tough task that is already completed and hope the next task will be less complicated.

What is next for you, in the professional field?
COVID19 Pandemic taught us many lessons and exposed us to a different lifestyle we were not familiar with. Nothing
permanent or guaranteed and I believe inflated professional planning at this juncture is unsolicited. Let us tackle the situation
as it comes!

An advise that you would like to share with your colleagues?
I don’t think I’m a perfect role model or have any unique qualities to extent advice to my colleagues. Every individual is
unique, have their qualities, and the thrust to grow should commence from the inner self. We can observe the traits of self-
belief, adaptability, passion and strive to excel in successful people. They will be sincere to own consciousness and never opt
for tricky games or shortcuts for career growth. These qualities will benefit youngsters for sure.

MR. NARENDRAN MENON
-Interviewed by: Naseema Khan VICE PRESIDENT, CLAIMS
AND LEGAL AFFAIRS