Workplace assistant, Haidar Harb, goes above and beyond to help everyone at DAZN. He is a big character around the office. If anyone needs help, advice or even a chat, he is the person people go to!
I’ve seen that he has been doing some pretty cool things recently - working on big boxing events and interviewing big superstars like Louie Theroux! He’s the type of guy that grabs opportunities with both hands and puts his everything into them. We often chat around the office, but I wanted to find out more about him and what his life is like at DAZN. I reached out to him, and this is what he had to say…
How did you find yourself at DAZN?
After studying at university, I started working at our family run business and managed a restaurant.
After five years, I wanted a change. I wanted to do something new. I knew I wanted to work in the sports industry. I started looking online and saw a role for a workplace assistant at DAZN and something clicked. I knew the role was a perfect fit for me, so I applied and here I am, one year later, doing things I never thought I would be.
As a workplace assistant, I essentially look after the needs of the employees in our office. Fix things that may be broken, send production equipment across the world for events, talk to employees and just create a good environment for anyone that walks into the building. I love my role here!
What keeps you here?
My full-time role at DAZN is a workplace assistant, but I help the social media team on some of the big fight events at the weekends. DAZN have allowed me to explore other avenues of the business that doesn’t restrict or disturb my role now. It’s given me the opportunities to test my abilities in so many ways and use skills I never have before!
One thing about DAZN is that everyone here wants to help you. People give you their time. Every idea that I have thrown out, everyone says ‘go for it’. People here believe in you. In this type of environment, you will always thrive.
I’ve seen that you’ve been working on some big boxing events – how did that happen?
Two months into working at DAZN, I went to my first boxing event – Joshua Buatsi Vs Craig Richards at the 02 Arena in London. I’m a big boxing fan. I had an amazing seat and got a glimpse of the production side of things. In that moment, something clicked. I no longer wanted to be sitting in the audience, I wanted to be behind the scenes.
I reached out to the social media team and asked if I could help them out at an event. The answer was yes, I couldn’t believe it at first. They were so willing to give me the opportunity. Before I knew it, I was walking into the arena.
The first boxing event that I worked on was Derek Chisora vs Kubrat Pulev at the 02 Arena in London. Walking into the arena, I was nervous, but excited. I had a mental check in with myself - I told myself that I’m meant to be here and I’m not out of place. I reminded myself that I wouldn’t have been given the opportunity if people didn’t believe in me or think I was capable of it.
Since then, I have been helping the social media team on some of the boxing events and I’ve done some crazy things – interviewed Conor Benn, Louie Theroux and KSI!
I’m so grateful that DAZN are allowing me to test my skills and abilities in other areas of the business. I love trying new things and I love helping people. If we go back to the route of all of this, it comes from hospitality. At a young age, I went into the hospitality sector. I enjoy serving a purpose. It allows you to serve people in a way that you see satisfaction. I carried this into my role at DAZN working as a workplace assistant and I also took this into my first boxing event. There’s a satisfaction in seeing 18 to 20,000 people at the 02 arena, singing sweet Caroline and you’re sitting there thinking this is what dreams are made of.
What advice would you give to someone looking to try something new?
Once you know what you want. Go for it. Put in the time and effort. You will face obstacles. You may get rejected. People may even laugh at you but, if you are confident within your work, knowledge and ability, you can do anything.
Say yes to things - don’t turn opportunities down. Saying yes to things puts you in the right circles and leaves a good impression on people.
When I was working in the restaurant, I never believed that one day I would be working for the world’s leading sports platform doing the things I am today. Age is just a number, it doesn’t limit you. If you’ve got the fire and the passion, it’ll happen, at any age. Don’t dwell on the past, missed opportunities or time wasted.
It’s not about joining and thinking the rest is going to be done for you. People will give you time, if you ask the right questions. Be interested. No question is ever a stupid question. It’s worked for me, it can work for anyone.