MALAK Technologies Ltd.: A Case of Employee Retention and Talent Management

Organization Background

MALAK Technologies Ltd. (MALAK) is a leading software development vendor which was formally founded in 2006. It operates in the technology and communications sector and its major areas of expertise are software development services and computing and network services on a contractual basis (outsourcing). Since 2006, MALAK has been successful, demonstrating outstanding financial and market performance over a six year period despite the complex and dynamic business environment that characterizes the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector worldwide. More specifically, the ICT sector in Palestine is still in its infancy and its infrastructure is still not fully developed. The Palestinian legal and economic framework is weak, thus impeding the successful management of IT projects. However, MALAK demonstrated innovation in overcoming these impediments by creating a distinctive outsourcing-based business model that sources revenue by partnering with international clients. MALAK staff used to work virtually on challenging project assignments with international Information Technology (IT) oriented clients.

MALAK’s visionary entrepreneurial management team realized that despite the firm’s success, rapid changes in the IT industry and fierce competition by new market entrants could threaten their firm’s leading position. Therefore, in addition to international partnerships, they crafted a marketing strategy that also targeted niche markets by addressing customers’ specific needs. It focused on tackling challenging assignments through providing unique customized innovative IT solutions. This strategy was pursued vigorously as MALAK management deemed it a sin qua non to maintain the company’s leading position in the local market, as well as develop an international portfolio. The firm started with eight employees and now has a staff of over ninety members, most of whom are professionals of graduate level. The organization is designed in an organic team – based structure because the nature of their work is project – based and is enriched through a friendly and a cooperative culture.