Moniruzzaman Khan is Executive Director & Head of Digital Business at Green Delta Insurance. He tells Boris Plantier from Qorus about his daily life in Bangladesh and his experience, particularly in the health insurance sector.
Please tell us a little bit about your background
After a modest performance in my secondary and higher secondary education, I was fortunate to secure admission to one of Asia’s most prestigious institutions, the University of Dhaka, where I pursued both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration with a major in Finance.
My professional journey began even before receiving my MBA results when I had the opportunity to join Grameenphone (a Telenor business unit), the country’s largest telecom brand. However, the real challenge started when I was posted outside my hometown for the first time. Being in an unfamiliar place, away from my family, was a true test of resilience. Looking back, I am grateful for that experience, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop adaptability, agility and a strong sense of independence.
During my 12-year tenure at Grameenphone, I worked across multiple domains within the commercial sector, including mass retail and distribution, channel marketing, project management, operations, brand marketing and consumer engagement. This extensive exposure, combined with my academic background in finance, has shaped me into a business leader with strong strategic acumen and the ability to drive growth in dynamic environments.
What does your workplace look like?
As the Head of Digital, I am privileged to have a dedicated workspace in my office. While my room has a door, I always prefer to keep it open – ensuring that my team and colleagues feel welcome to walk in without hesitation. Right outside my workspace sits a dynamic, young team, brimming with energy and ideas.
Personal touches add character to my space. A small photo frame of my kids sits right beside my chair, reminding me of my purpose beyond work. But perhaps the most striking element in my office is a giant sticker on my glass wall – an illustration of robotics, AI, ML, social media and mobile apps, symbolizing the digital revolution we are driving at Green Delta. It serves as a daily reminder that while transformation might not happen overnight, it is inevitable and closer than we think.
Two quotes in my office define my mindset. One is from David Ogilvy: “If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative.” It pushes me and my team to constantly innovate with a sharp focus on customer experience. The other is a famous line from Joker: “Why so serious?” Life is too short to be overly rigid – embracing challenges with a sense of humor and balance keeps both work and life enjoyable.
Could you describe your usual working day?
Our office officially starts at 10 am, and despite the chaotic traffic, I make every effort to reach on time – though, admittedly, I don’t always succeed. The day doesn’t truly begin without a warm cup of tea, which is an essential ritual for me. By then, my team starts arriving, and we kick off with a quick chit-chat, often revisiting any pending issues from the previous day.
Working in the financial industry means numbers always take center stage. My first priority is reviewing the business dashboard – tracking targets, achievements and receivables. This is followed by discussions with my team, analyzing the numbers, addressing any roadblocks, and ensuring they have the necessary direction and support to overcome challenges, whether internal or external.
A significant part of my day is spent collaborating with internal stakeholders, helping them understand our business requirements, and ensuring timely execution. Meetings with clients and external partners also take up a fair share of my schedule.
Amidst the workload, our office offers a great space to unwind. Whether it’s a quick round of PS5, foosball or table tennis, these moments help reset my mind. Among all, table tennis is my absolute favorite – a perfect way to de-stress before diving back into work.
What is your favorite food?
I have a deep appreciation for local foods, especially different types of fish dishes. When it comes to international cuisine, Thai food is my absolute favorite – it never fails to make my mouth water! I also enjoy fruits and fresh juices. While I wouldn’t call myself a foodie, I do have a genuine love for good food.
What do you do when you need a break from work?
I love going on outings with my family, especially because spending time with my kids is the quickest way for me to unwind and relieve stress. However, with their studies keeping them busy, we can’t always travel outside the city. In those times, exploring different places within the city works just as well.
During my breaks, I enjoy watching movies across various genres – it’s one of my favorite ways to relax. Another thing I deeply cherish is sitting by the beach, doing nothing for hours, especially when work stress reaches its peak. Unfortunately, those moments are rare, but whenever they come, I make the most of them.
What is the key to building a successful team?
For me, building a strong team starts with selecting members who share a growth mindset, embrace agility, and align with the company’s short-term and long-term vision. A foundation of trust is essential – it brings the team closer, fosters mutual respect, encourages idea-sharing, and drives innovation and execution.
Creating space for every team member to contribute is equally important. Micromanagement stifles creativity and kills team spirit, which is why it has no place in a thriving work culture. Encouraging a safe environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities builds trust and respect between the team and its leader.
Above all, a leader should always see themselves as part of the team, not as a superior figure ruling from above. True leadership is about collaboration, empowerment and growing together.
There is a saying that we learn more from failure than success. Tell me about one of your failures and what you have learned from it.
Two years ago, my team and I launched a groundbreaking innovation called ‘Pharmacy Bandhu’ with the vision that neighborhood pharmacies could advocate for health insurance on behalf of Green Delta. Given their close relationships with the community, we believed people would trust their recommendations. We piloted the project in over 100 pharmacies, integrating a digital platform to facilitate seamless communication between Green Delta and the pharmacies.
The goal was to make health insurance easily accessible at the neighborhood level, and we initially thought this initiative would solve the problem effectively. However, the project did not achieve the success we had envisioned. We identified a critical missing link – the need for extensive human interaction.
In a market like Bangladesh, where retailers manage thousands of brands, expecting them to actively promote a financial product like insurance without significant on-ground engagement proved unrealistic. Unlike FMCG or retail products, financial services require a high-touch approach to build trust and awareness. This experience reinforced a key learning:
A digital solution alone cannot drive adoption; it needs a strong human intervention strategy until the product gains self-sufficiency.
For such initiatives to succeed, creating organic demand in the tertiary market is crucial. This means blending digital efficiency with an active field force to nurture trust, educate stakeholders, and gradually establish a self-sustaining ecosystem.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to succeed in financial services?
Success in any industry – not just financial services – begins with a deep understanding of the problem a service aims to solve and how it connects with individuals. It’s crucial to think from the end user’s perspective: Does this service truly add value, or does it need adjustments to better meet their needs?
Being proactive in solving these challenges is key. Market research, both local and international, is vital to staying ahead. Keeping an eye on industry trends – what’s emerging and what’s fading – helps in making informed decisions. Additionally, monitoring the competition is essential for those who aspire to stay one step ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
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