Alaan

ChAI with Alaan Season 4! ☕ This time, we focused on the topic of 'Maximising business growth using AI in finance'. At the end of the day, finance is a business function, and using AI costs money. How can we ensure that the benefits of AI tools outweigh their costs? We brought in Youssef Salem, CFO of ADNOC Drilling, to answer this frequently asked question. With over a decade of experience in finance and a deep understanding of digital transformations, Youssef knows the benefits, challenges, risks, and fears of AI usage. He generously shared his expertise with us during the fireside chat with Parthi. We asked him many questions, and he answered them all. Beyond the discussion, everyone networked and exchanged ideas on how they are using AI in their organisations, all while enjoying candid conversations over karak chai. It was wonderful to have so many finance leaders under one roof.

Introducing our next Chief Future Officer, Vinay Rachh, CTP! 💁♂️ Vinay strongly advocates for AI and automation and encourages more organisations to adopt them. During our CFO chat, we discussed his thoughts on the AI revolution in finance, the future of finance in the Middle East, and upcoming challenges in the region [link to Q&A in the comments]. About Vinay Vinay is a seasoned finance expert with experience in the UAE and India. He currently serves as the Group Treasurer at Hira Industries LLC. Known for his digital-first approach, he has led digital transformations using Oracle Fusion and Kyriba and has a solid understanding of SAP. Vinay excels in leading teams, cutting costs, maintaining strong relationships, and consistently driving profitability and strategic financial success.

And that’s a wrap! 🎊 Two great days at the Middle East Treasury Summit, perfectly organized by the Association of Corporate Treasurers. From the speakers to the attendees, we had some really meaningful conversations, digging into the challenges treasury leaders are facing. Youssef Salem, thanks for stopping by our booth and always being such a solid support! 🙌 Congrats to Thomas, Rosa & Michelle for being the luckiest ones to spin the wheel – it was great interacting with everyone. See you all next year! 👋

We are hiring! ✨ Like every other startup, we receive hundreds of applications and resumes every week. However, only a few capture our attention. Why? Because they ensure that they are not just applying for a job, but a job at Alaan. They put in the effort, and it shows. Here are a few things they do right, and you can do too. 💁♀️ 1. Do your homework (basic but uncommon) 😎 Read about Alaan – what we do, where we do it, and our history. 2. Show genuine excitement  🤝 Passion can't be faked, and we can tell when someone is genuinely excited about joining us. Rather than saying ‘I am excited’, show it to us. 3. Customise your application ✍ Tailor your message, resume, or cover letter specifically for us. Highlight experiences and skills that are particularly relevant to the role and as well as our company’s goals. 4. Go the extra mile 🚶♂️ It can be a personalised video introduction, a mini project, or a thoughtful critique of our recent work. For instance, if you are a Video Editor, you can edit one of our videos and show us how it has to be done. Lastly, when possible, respond promptly. Startups run fast, and we need people who can match that speed. On that note, here are two messages that we received on LinkedIn. As you may have guessed, we hired the second person. 👩💼

Over 45 people waiting at our booth at the same time – that's the kind of problem we love to have at events! 💪 Amazing day 1 at the Middle East Treasury Summit organised by Association of Corporate Treasurers. If you’re attending tomorrow, come say hi! 💁♀️

One day to go for the much awaited Middle East Treasury Summit, organised by the Association of Corporate Treasurers. 🗓 This exclusive in-person event will gather 1000 treasury and finance professionals to discover the latest in treasury. Among the list of speakers is our very own Karun Kurien. He will share insights on the topic ‘The petty cash trap: Unlock hidden working capital’. We hope you have secured your seat. We’ll see you there! 👋

How did I come up with the name Alaan? When exploring names, I knew a few things — I wanted the name to be in Arabic, simple and easy to pronounce, and a cherry on top would be the '.com' domain. Then I hit upon the word ‘Al aan,’ a word in classical Arabic but understood across dialects. Al aan means ‘right now’ ⚡ — I instantly resonated with its meaning and the energy it conveyed. It felt like the perfect reflection of both our product and the sense of urgency with which we build. Thank you The National News for exploring this word and describing its rich history and context. Link in comments.

What do the TPH Group and Alaan have in common? A commitment to simplicity. TPH Group simplifies facility management while we simplify business finances. We’re proud to share that TPH Group has been using our corporate cards and expense management software to streamline their finances. Here's how we've made a difference (case study link in comments). 💫 Thank you, Esmail El Fadly, for the kind words. 😁

We are in an era where AI is revolutionizing the business landscape at an unprecedented speed and scale. Organizations are embracing AI to drive innovation, reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and scale globally. Those who adopt it quickly get competitive advantage, while those that lag may struggle to keep pace in the increasingly AI-driven business landscape. Recently, Alaan , the UAE’s fastest-growing corporate card solution, partnered with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, hosted an exceptional event titled "Maximizing Business Growth Using AI in Finance." Youssef Salem, with his deep knowledge and real-world experience in AI, shared invaluable insights on how it is transforming the finance sector, enhancing efficiency, and driving companies to achieve their objectives more effectively. Parthi Duraisamy posed some thought-provoking questions, which Youssef addressed with clarity and depth. The audience's insightful questions further enriched the discussion, making the event even more engaging. It was a pleasure to meet Parthi, who possesses a charismatic and exceptional personality. The event also provided a great opportunity to network with prominent CFO and C-suite professionals, leading to insightful discussions and knowledge sharing. A special thanks to the Alaan team, particularly William Saad, Habiba Nadeem, and Pankaj Suresh, for their warm hospitality and for creating such a fantastic atmosphere. Looking forward to the next outstanding event.

Grateful to Alaan for organizing an insightful finance meet-up! We focused on the theme of 'Maximizing Business Growth using AI in Finance.' As finance professionals, we understand that AI can significantly impact our operations. I was especially impressed by Youssef Salem, CFO of ADNOC Drilling, who shared his deep expertise on how AI is being embedded in finance. With over a decade of experience in finance and digital transformations, Youssef has a clear grasp of the benefits, challenges, and risks of AI in our field. Thanks also to Parthi Duraisamy / Habiba Nadeem / Pankaj Suresh for organizing such a valuable session. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with my fellow Finance Leaders and exchange ideas on how AI can drive business growth. I’ve come away with some great takeaways that I’m eager to apply in my own work. #FinanceMeetUp #AIinFinance #BusinessGrowth #DigitalTransformation #FinanceDirectors Alaan