Mohamed Ibrahim, CEO, Lahint Business Services Co.
The rhythmic clatter of typewriters once dominated the soundscape of Saudi Arabia’s public service offices. Today, a new melody emerges: the satisfying click of a user submitting on a streamlined online platform. This digital symphony is conducted by Mohamed Ibrahim, the founder and CEO of Lahint Business Services Co., and it’s transforming the way citizens interact with government services.
Ibrahim’s journey wasn’t sparked by a fascination with technology, but by the everyday struggles he witnessed firsthand. Working as an accountant and finance manager, he saw citizens navigate a public service labyrinth – a maze of endless paperwork, long wait times, and eligibility hurdles that felt more like bureaucratic dead ends than checkpoints. Fueled by a desire to create a smoother experience, while Ibrahim completed his MBA in 2021, he recognized a significant opportunity to improve these services. Witnessing clients struggle with complex criteria, he envisioned a technology-driven solution. This realization led to the birth of Lahint Business Services Co.
“Driven by my passion for this field and my expertise in navigating its challenges, I transitioned my career towards becoming a public service consultant,” says, Ibrahim. “I founded Lahint to address these pain points by utilizing modern technology to offer real-time, efficient solutions, thereby transforming the delivery of government and public services.”
Building a Culture of Innovation: Streamlining Through Technology
Building a GovTech company in Saudi Arabia wasn’t without its challenges. The complexity of service criteria, often impeding eligibility determination, presented a significant hurdle. Ibrahim tackled this head-on by developing a system that meticulously processes intricate data. His team undertook a meticulous four-month data collection process where every detail was rigorously examined and tested across scenarios, ensuring an accurate and reliable system. This empowered users with immediate eligibility feedback, streamlining the process and eliminating the frustration often associated with navigating government services.
This meticulous data collection process laid the foundation for Lahint’s core values – innovation, transparency, and efficiency. These values shape Lahint’s approach, emphasizing team brainstorming sessions and a commitment to challenging the status quo.
Innovation Beyond Solutions
As Lahint began its journey, Ibrahim’s commitment to innovation and efficiency became the driving force behind the company’s culture. “Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Lahint,” says Ibrahim. “We encourage our team to think outside the box and experiment. It’s the only way to truly revolutionize this sector.” This commitment to innovation extends beyond developing solutions – it also defines how Lahint measures success. Defining success for Lahint involves a comprehensive understanding of their impact in the GovTech sector and the tangible outcomes they achieve. Initially, their graduation from the MISK Launchpad program and securing an entrepreneur investment license served as significant indicators of market validation and the demand for their services, marking their initial steps toward success.
To systematically measure its progress, Lahint relies on a set of specific metrics and milestones outlined in its business plan, including the adoption rate of its services, user satisfaction scores, and operational efficiency metrics. Additionally, the timeline of their product releases serves as a roadmap: a beta version launched in mid-April 2024, followed by a chatbot in May, mobile applications, and their first fully automated services in June.
Leading with Balance for Sustainable Growth
Recognizing the importance of both personal well-being and sustainable business growth, Ibrahim prioritizes effective time management at Lahint. He strategically delegates tasks to his trusted team, empowering them while focusing on core goals. Maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life is also key. Defined work hours allow Ibrahim to disconnect and recharge, whether through spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or taking vacations. This ability to fully step away from work fosters long-term productivity and creativity, enabling him to return with fresh ideas to guide Lahint’s continued success.
This focus on both personal well-being and a strategic approach to work exemplifies the kind of leadership that empowers others. It’s no surprise then that Ibrahim is an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs. In this spirit, he offers valuable advice: “My advice to anyone considering starting their own business venture is to deeply understand the problem you’re aiming to solve. This understanding will guide every decision you make and is key to creating a product or service that is truly valuable to your customers. Be patient, be persistent, and never lose sight of the real-world impact your solution can offer.”
Vision for a Click-and-Go Future
Looking ahead, Ibrahim’s vision for Lahint extends far beyond streamlining existing processes. He aims to revolutionize how individuals interact with government services in Saudi Arabia and beyond. By 2027, Lahint aspires to fully automate the user journey for a staggering 50 different government services. This ambitious goal takes its first step with the launch of its inaugural fully automated service in June 2024. Each subsequent service will be meticulously automated, ensuring a steady march towards their broader vision.
Lahint’s automation promises a transformative impact. Gone are the days of navigating labyrinthine government services, wasting time jumping between websites and offices. Lahint’s platform dramatically simplifies this process with a sophisticated chatbot that intelligently handles inquiries and automates requests through targeted questions. Users simply provide information and relax as the service efficiently completes itself. This goes beyond efficiency, aiming to revolutionize user satisfaction.
“At Lahint, we believe technology has the power to transform how citizens interact with government services. As we move forward, we are committed to continuous innovation and collaboration to make a positive impact on the lives of millions,” concludes Ibrahim.