Abdelmadjid Benchamma

Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be a hard worker. Don’t be afraid to fail, but if you do, don’t be scared to begin again.

 

Abdelmadjid Benchamma is the owner of an engineering consulting company. He has been doing business within the oil and gas industry for the past 20 years. He provides strategic planning and engineering management services.

Abdelmadjid Benchamma is a native Algerian. He earned his Engineering degree from the Algerian Petroleum School of Engineering in 1988. He continued to educate himself when he went back to college in Alberta, Canada, to stay on top of the latest industry developments.

Abdelmadjid started his engineering consulting business in 2002. This company serves the oil and gas industry. As a consulting firm within the petroleum industry, the company has seen many changes to the industry. The company evolved from the very first project where their consulting services were provided. His company emerged through the successful completion of that project. Their engineering and management skills were very well coordinated. As a result, the company has remained one of the organizations sought after for its expertise in engineering as well as management and operations services. Abdelmadjid Benchamma plans to continue providing his expertise.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

The company evolved almost on its own. We were hired to consult for a pretty large company. Before we completed our consulting project with one company, there was another organization who was seeking our assistance. We became known for our engineering skills and we went from there.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I start my day early. My day consists of planning and strategy sessions. I communicate with the companies that I have contracted with to make sure that all is going according to schedule. I address any issues that they may have and make adjustments accordingly. I also make sure that we stay on budget.

How do you bring ideas to life?

My ideas come from my life experiences. I follow the experiences that were successful for me in the past. I may discuss operations ideas with the companies when I contract their services. I have to respect their expertise. If it makes sense, I will sign off on the concept and allow them to succeed.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I do not follow trends. However, the one thing that excites me is when I achieve my goals. If I consult with a company and they are satisfied with the work, we have done it is good. When we do the job on time and on a budget, it is very exciting.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit I have that makes me productive is that I am a very hard worker. Once I have a project, I am very focused on the project until I accomplish all goals we set out to complete.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell myself to be confident. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be a hard worker. Don’t be afraid to fail, but if you do, don’t be scared to begin again.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

In my business, there are many different opinions. I worked with a client at one point who disagreed with me about how a project should proceed. I knew that it was all in the numbers. When his way did not work out the way he thought it would, he came to me to let me know that we should have proceeded with my strategy. But that is how this business works sometimes.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Every project is different. There is a unique method that we use for each project. I can honestly say that there is not one single thing that we do exactly alike over and over again. It is the nature of our business.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

In the oil and gas industry, it is not a matter of going out and finding new business. If we did, it would be much more business than we would want to address at this time. In the industry, every organization is aware of those of us who work within the industry. Our consulting services are on-demand. We address each project as it presents itself.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There was a time that I worked with a business associate that clashed with my personality. We did not get along. But, we had a mutual respect for one another’s work ethic. Even though we did not get along, we were professional about it. We simply focused on our strengths, and we completed the project.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I think you have to research new business options based on what impact it will have on the market in the future. I have a specific niche. That is why we are successful. But you have to research and you have to go with the market. Perhaps you can develop a tool to assist with that kind of research more efficiently.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Family comes first no matter what money I spent. I make sure that my family has all that they require.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

We are fortunate enough not to have to use a lot of software in our business. We use project management software for my managers.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Energy” by Richard Rhodes. It tells the real cost of energy and our history.

What is your favorite quote?

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
― Mark Twain

Key Learnings:

• The oil and gas industry is a commodities market.
• If you have a niche in your market, you will be the one who is sought after for business.
• Research potential new business based on future potential opportunity and value.