CEO Insights Magazine

CEOs should embrace the mindset that nothing is impossible, as it fuels their drive to overcome challenges and deliver substantial value to stakeholders. This outlook promotes creative thinking, resilience, and a pro-active approach to problem-solving. By envisioning endless possibilities, leaders like Alon Bar motivate their teams to exceed limits, achieve exceptional goals, and pursue ongoing improvement. This mindset cultivates a culture of excellence and ambition, ensuring long-term growth and success for their organizations.

Alon Bar, the dynamic CEO of Yoda Group, exemplifies leadership and vision in the real estate, shipping and finance industries. With a career spanning over two decades, Bar’s expertise and strategic insights have propelled Yoda Group to new heights, establishing it as a formidable player in these competitive sectors.

Below is an excerpt of Alon Bar’s exclusive interview with CEO Insights Asia magazine.

Give a brief account of your professional background and experience. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

With two decades of experience in real estate, shipping and finance, my career spans significant roles in companies affiliated with top multinational companies. Currently, I serve as the CEO of Yoda Group, a publicly listed company on the Cyprus Stock Exchange, working alongside the mentorship of Ioannis Papalekas, my mentor and the visionary founder and emeritus Chairman of Yoda Group, whose extensive experience and track record has been instrumental in shaping the company's success and growth in both real estate and shipping.

Our team’s dedication and ambition have driven us to build an impressive portfolio. Among our numerous investments, in the past years we’ve established together with our partners one of the Mediterranean’s largest hospitality platforms in Greece and Cyprus, and partnered via the acquisition of a substantial stake in a leading NASDAQ-listed international shipping company specializing in seaborne natural gas, ammonia and Co2 transportation, while we expand further in shipping in the new gas energy segment and real estate across Europe. The motivation and driving force behind our success is rooted in a core understanding of the sectors in which we operate with an in-depth analysis and hands-on approach. This philosophy pushes us to excel, overcome challenges, and continually create value for our stakeholders. Our relentless drive to excel, coupled with the support of a very talented and professional team, fuels our collective success and growth.

You possess about two decades of experience. How has your path to success been and what is your success mantra?

My journey has been shaped by unwavering determination, a commitment to constant growth and continuous improvement. Throughout my life, from my formative years through military service, education, and my professional career, I’ve faced numerous challenges. My success philosophy is simple, 'work tirelessly, never give up, aim for excellence in every endeavor, and learn valuable lessons from every obstacle'. This drive for excellence has been crucial to my achievements. I actively cultivate this mindset within my team, emphasizing that true success demands consistent effort, a willingness to evolve, and an openness to learning. Always strive to be better, be soft skilled, and never, ever give up, this is my mantra.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

My primary focus is on building a strong, competent team. Achieving great things alone is impossible, you need the best people around you. This means hiring top talent, spending time with the team, and empowering them with both responsibility and authority. At Yoda Group, we emphasize hard work and set ambitious goals with tight timelines. While these goals might seem difficult, they drive us to push our limits and achieve remarkable results. Our team is motivated and dedicated, working hard to meet our objectives. I believe in clear communication, ensuring everyone from juniors to seniors understands our organization's goals and vision. This transparency enables each team member to contribute meaningfully to our collective success. By fostering a culture of collaboration and relentless pursuit of excellence, we continually grow and progress, maintaining the rapid pace of development that defines our organization.

What is the future destination you are headed towards?

Our vision for the future is to elevate Yoda Group to a leading position in the real estate and shipping sectors, both in Europe and globally. Having listed the company at the end of 2022 and grown it to a two-billion-euro asset corporation, our aim is to continue this impressive trajectory. We strive to excel and become market leaders in both sectors, consistently expanding our reach and improving our operations. I see myself fully committed to this journey alongside our dedicated team. Our goal is to transform Yoda Group into one of the foremost players in the region, driving growth, setting new standards of excellence, and creating lasting value for our stakeholders.

In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the upcoming industry leaders?

As someone who’s constantly learning and growing in this dynamic industry, I'm hesitant to give advice to other leaders. However, from my experience, I've found that staying humble and continuously staying abreast of the latest market developments and trends is crucial. Our industry evolves rapidly, and being adaptable and responsive to these changes is key, so by definition, we expect to trade a lot of positions of the portfolio. Work diligently towards your goals, and remember that nothing comes easy. Aim to be at the forefront of your field by leading with dedication and hard work. Strive to be the best in whatever you do, and you should be well-equipped to achieve your goals.

Alon Bar, CEO, Yoda Group

Alon Bar, CEO of Yoda Group, has driven the company's remarkable growth and global expansion. Under his leadership, Yoda achieved a two-billion-euro valuation, showcasing his innovative approach and commitment to success. Bar’s strategic vision and dedication continue to shape the company’s impact in real estate, shipping and finance.