Off hours: UAE digital agency owner Alexander Rauser

Digital advertising entrepreneur Alexander Rauser loves tinkering with gadgets and currently spends his spare time programming the lighting system in his home.

Alexander Rauser says he appreciates that his position is ‘constantly evolving and pushing me’. Pawan Singh / The National

Alexander Rauser is the chief executive of the online and digital advertising agency Prototype Interactive, which he set up in the UAE in 2010. After working for several agencies in Germany, Mr Rauser, 35, moved to the Emirates in 2005 to become chief executive of another digital advertising agency before going it alone.

How do you spend your weekend?

Having a busy schedule during the week makes me enjoy planning less for the weekend, but I always look forward to a good time with friends by exploring the city and surroundings. Sports are also very important to me and I can often be found roaming around in my neighbourhood, on my bicycle or going to the gym. Working out really helps me to get my thoughts off work and relax.

How did you become a chief executive?

I started exploring business ventures fairly early in my ­career and at had set up a small side business developing ­software and websites for companies all over the world. My first position as a chief ­executive was for an agency, where I ran their digital company for five years before starting Prototype in 2010. Titles help people know what your role is in a company, my job description has changed constantly from being the chief executive and my own boss to managing more than 30 people. That’s the part of my job I like the most as it is constantly evolving and pushing me forward.

What is your go-to gadget?

During the week it is my iPhone, I am even writing this answer on it right now while sitting on a plane. It’s pretty amazing how much work you can get done now on a phone. From reviewing documents, presentations and communicating with the team, I can pretty much be mobile and efficient all day without the need for a laptop. The only thing that stands in the way to internal happiness is the usual poor battery life. On the weekend my Kindle and my Xbox are my best companions when it comes to gadgets. I have to admit, I still do like playing first-person shooters and while I am not a crazy book reader, I enjoy my Kindle and the ability to have all my books on the go.

What was the lowest point of your career?

I don’t think I know. So far it’s been going upwards and onwards. Of course starting a new business can be tough and there are always painful and dark moments along the way, but in the end it is all worth it if that’s what you really want.

What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?

Be bold and pick the people you do business with carefully. A good customer will give you more business and recommend you to others, while a bad customer will cost you money, energy and resources. You will never just have perfect clients along the way but the many great ones you create relationships with will remain with you for several years and you will appreciate them as much as they appreciate you.

What is your most indulgent habit?

As a child I would constantly dismantle my toys to find out how they worked and what was inside. I held on to that curiosity and every so often treat ­myself to a gadget that I can play with in my spare time. These days I am programming the lighting system in my home. It’s great fun.

What do you have on your desk at work?

My desk usually gets a little messy with loads of papers lying around, but apart from that you can find two toy cars, headphones, a Macbook, an old-school calculator and a pen that should be there but usually isn’t.

What can’t you live without?

My morning coffee would be one of the things I wouldn’t want to give up, together with internet access, free upgrades and the hope for world peace, eventually.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

Let’s be honest, is there a real work-life balance? We all work five days out of seven by default and I make no secret about the fact that I enjoy going to work because I love what I do. But to create a balance for myself I have a great team around me who I can trust to keep things running smoothly while being away.

If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be and why?

Being a cameraman for a nature documentary sounds pretty exciting, but right now I wish I could swap with the pilot flying the plane as I hate not being able to see where we are going.

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