Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, women have paved their way to achieving success. With more and more women in senior leadership positions, organisations are witnessing a positive transformation. Women are coming forward to support employee well-being and promote inclusion, equality and diversity in the workplace. They are evolving as strong leaders who can efficiently support their teams. This is encouraging and worth celebrating during the ongoing pandemic. Tao Xiao is one such leader who has been working hard to enable entrepreneurs and investors to enter the market smoothly.

A Partner at NH Management, a management consulting firm based in Dubai, she helps entrepreneurs establish their business and access a progressive business environment. As a business leader, Tao helps clients by providing them with tailored strategies and advice that eventually help them to set up or expand business in the UAE and GCC region.

She obtained her Bachelor degree from Jiangxi Normal University, China, after which she went on to complete a Master’s degree in Internet Computing from the UK. After few years working for a UK leading bank in the UK, she then decided to study for her second Master’s degree in International Financial Analysis at the University of Glasgow. Owing to her inclination towards economics and finance, Tao continued working in the banking sector in the UK. Over a period of 12 years she played various roles globally across organizations and eventually joined NH Management as Partner and Managing Director in 2020.

As a business leader, Tao believes that market changes are unpredictable; an individual ought to have Plan B in mind, in case the original plan backfires. She shared words of wisdom such as these and much more in an interview with the Women Entrepreneur Magazine Team. Here are choice excerpts from the conversation.

As the partner at NH Management, what are the various roles and responsibilities that you currently shoulder at the firm? What are the most challenging aspects of your current role?

NH Management is a management consulting firm that has a deep market knowledge and a strong relationship with the government & investment parties across the globe. We provide a one-stop service to our clients which makes us unique in the industry. What I love about working at NH Management is the challenge of conquering complexity, helping clients reimagine how they operate, and tackling large-scale, tough problems. As the Managing Director & Partner at the firm, I lead the team and also provide guidance to achieve the mission of the organisation. We make decisions and strategies and help clients to operate their business effectively, by solving their problems.

A uniquely challenging aspect of my job present is mitigating the problems caused by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the business world and helping clients identify business opportunities created by the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in a once in a lifetime period of transformation. The disruption our clients are facing is without parallel. Every industry has been impacted, some profoundly. One never knows which piece of knowledge which may seem irrelevant at one time, might become of critical importance in the future scenario. My role in the firm is to lead our staff to leveraging skills from across our company to be ahead of the market and deliver complex solution to fulfil our client’s requirements.

“As a business leader, i believe that market changes are unpredictable; an individual ought to have plan b in mind, in case the original plan backfires”

What strategies do you leverage to drive growth within NH Management? Tell us about the leadership philosophy or mantras that you follow.

In NH Management, we are deeply committed to ensure our staff are given this opportunity to grow with the firm. We always encourage the team to flourish by providing them with individual opportunities to grow. I also believe that a diverse workforce will help us achieve the firm’s mission. I believe that diversity of people brings diversity of thought, which expands the richness of innovation and drives better results. That is why diversity is a matter of strategic importance for our success, and that of our clients.

How has your professional journey been so far? What are some of the significant achievements that you have earned throughout the years?

I have been in a variety of industries across UK, China and Middle East, from FTSE listed banks to a Chinese state-owned bank to a private family office, and now my own firm. Prior to assuming my current role, I was in Beijing to establish a FWOE that brought a luxury fashion brand into China backed by a group of HNWIs. I have built a reputation among my community and many useful connections which allows me maintain my influences. Years of hard working enabled me to have the privilege to work on preferent projects at my own pace. My position also gives me freedom of time and has helped me to maintain my work-life balance.

How do you keep yourself well aligned with the periodic evolutions occurring in the industry and the tech world?

Innovation has always been at the core of our business. We are looking for projects that are the most promising and which have an impact on the industry. NH Management are working with many partners that can attract talented people in this region. As leading thinkers, we always keep ourselves at the forefront of innovation and work with startups that shows promises in the early stage. We help them in terms of company structure, raising funds, incubating programs and to develop & grow their business. Working with young entrepreneurs gives me insight into how the world is evolving and also connects me with the current generation concerning the tech world. It’s these activities that allow us to capture early stage innovation and leverage it for our large-scale clients.

“I believe that diversity of people brings diversity of thought, which expands the richness of innovation and drives better results”

As a successful business leader, what advice would you present to young women and girls who aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

I absolutely believe there are many opportunities for women to work and start their own business in the UAE. The business environment is flexible and encouraging to foster the next generation of women leader. However, as a working mother, I know there is more work to do for women to lead. My advice to young women who is entering the business world is: always keep learning and make sure that you have a skill that can be utilized at the workplace. Also, to keep a balance between your work and family, it is always useful to learn good time management from the start.

We know the early role models can change the mindset for young girls. attending programs such as internships and apprenticeship do make a difference. It’s why I sit on the board as a mentor in many initiatives to help young entrepreneurs especially female entrepreneurs to get started. We need more programs to help women to shine in the workforce.

Tao Xiao, Partner, NH Management

A Partner at NH Management, Tao helps entrepreneurs set up or expand business in the UAE and GCC region and provides them access to a progressive business environment through tailored strategies and sound advice.