In this week’s edition of PROFILE, we talk to Rosa Muthewuye, Operations Manager at MMO Facilities, a company specializing in office management and acquisition services. MMO Facilities offers customized solutions for multinational companies, with a focus on the East African market. Operating in several areas, the company guarantees the functionality of its clients’ assets through the efficient integration of people, locations, processes and technology.
A subsidiary of MMO and affiliated to Maris Africa Investment Holding, MMO Facilities takes advantage of its vast international business network and the expertise it has acquired throughout Africa to provide high-quality services. In this interview, Rosa Muthewuye shares MMO Facilities’ expansion plans and the strategies that have driven its growth on the African continent.
Profile Mozambique: How did MMO come about and what is your main focus?
Rosa Muthewuye: I’m 33 years old and I’m the Operations Manager at Mozambique Managed Offices (MMO) and MMO Facilities, both companies belonging to the Maris Group. MMO was founded in 2012 as the first Mozambican company to offer an innovative business model focused on office rental and management, pioneering this segment in Mozambique.
In 2018, a new opportunity arose when one of our clients decided to open its own office and asked MMO to take over the management of that space. Instead of just managing our own physical space, we accepted the challenge of managing the client’s office directly on their premises. This new operating model inspired us, and in 2020, our Director decided to found MMO Facilities, marking the birth of a new chapter in our history.
PM: How do the integrated services offered by MMO Facilities help companies focus on their core business and what are the main benefits perceived by clients?
RM: MMO Facilities is a company that aims to make life easier for clients. We take care of all the office management, including services such as cleaning, reception and administrative support. In addition, we offer procurement services, pest control, maintenance and other general assistance necessary for the smooth running of the work environment.
Our aim is to allow our clients to focus on their core business, without worrying about issues that might put them off. We take on these responsibilities because we specialize in this area, which makes everything simpler for us.
As for our services, we add value by taking care of all the organizational needs of the office space. For example, if a desk or computer breaks, someone has to organize the repair or replacement. MMO Facilities centralizes all these services in one place. This way, all you have to do is contact us and we’ll take care of the whole process.
PM: And what differentiates MMO or MMO Facilities from other office solutions, for example?
RM: What sets us apart is our focus on quality, both in the delivery to the client and in the training of our employees. Our professionals are well trained, and this is reflected in the excellence of the services provided.
Although MMO Facilities has been on the market for around 4 years, MMO as a whole has already been around for 12 years. This positions us as an experienced company, almost a teenager on the market. It’s worth noting that we are part of the Maris group, which has a global presence, allowing us to bring in international experience to improve our services.
PM: In the space of more than 10 years on the market, how is your market share today?
RM: I’d say the situation is stable, but the COVID-19 issue has had a negative impact on all sectors. I believe that the only sector that perhaps hasn’t been drastically affected is the food and/or pharmaceutical industry. In general, we have all been hit, and our company has been no exception.
Unfortunately, we were once in a better position, but we are now working to get back on our feet. We believe that we will soon reach our peak again. The segment in which we operate is marked by rapid advances, especially in the technology space.
However, we feel that our journey so far has earned us respect in the market, and this gives us a competitive edge.
PM: What plans does MMO Facilities have to expand its operations across the country?
RM: We currently have bases in Maputo and Pemba. At the moment, those are the two, but we have already received proposals to expand into other provinces, which we are considering exploring. Whenever an opportunity arises, we try to take it.
PM: What skills do you think are essential for a woman to stand out in leadership and in the corporate market, especially in a competitive and constantly changing environment?
RM: I believe that, first and foremost, women need to believe in themselves. It’s essential to have confidence in your own ability. Fortunately, at MMO, which is the Ecological Union of Being, we give high priority to female empowerment. Currently, 75% of our team is made up of women, and we have always valued the idea that women are capable and can achieve what they want.
It is essential that we pursue our goals with focus, seriousness and professionalism. The commitment to doing things well must always be present. We need to make every effort, because it is possible to achieve our dreams. We must always be one step ahead, preventing problems before they need to be remedied.
Innovating, studying, learning continuously and looking at the world around us are essential attitudes. It’s important to invest in our professionalization. In the end, that’s what drives us.
