Innovative Companies of the Year - 2021 | December

December 2021 Business Talk | 1 |

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With 2021 in its penultimate week, it’s high time to reflect on how our lives have changed in the last 2 years. With businesses acclimating to digital model & remote models, there has been accelerating shifts across verticals. It’s countering the crisis and promoting digital nomadism, philanthropy, and sustainable development goals.

With that, we have seen radical changes in industrial practices and interventions. For instance, innovative diagnostics and therapeutic research became necessary for COVID-19 testing and vaccine development. It shifted researchers and doctors from traditional processes to next-gen virtual structures, online consulting, and remote data collection. Remote clinical trials and similar development imprinted an impactful mark as well.

The period also introduced mRNA vaccines, first in human history, and other medical advances like COVID-19 test kits.

Remote work and video conferencing are two other significant changes. This area has radically evolved since the first lockdown, popularising virtual conferencing systems and working remotely. Visual collaborations allowed teams to develop and share content, interact, track projects, train personnel, and perform virtual team-building exercises, among other things. This digital trend stirred the entrepreneurial community with many new entrants. It also boosted the growth of conjoined verticals, like edtech, medtech, and more. The period also propelled the development of 5G infrastructure. Deep Technology is gaining popularity as it expands the usage of AI, IoT, ML, and robotics in the industrial automation space.

All of these, however, are centred on technology, which clearly states the fact – technology will keep evolving especially, deep technology. The segment has seen USD 20 bn investment in 2020.

EDITOR’S C O R N E R

HEADING TO A NEW HORIZON WITH ACCELERATING CHANGES

In developing countries like India, over 2000 startups are creating breakthroughs in deeptech. This also clears the fact that entrepreneurship will grow as a reckoning force of change. In this edition of Business Talk Magazine “Innovative Companies of the year – 2021”, we are proud to enlist many worthwhile enterprises revamping the traditional business legacy into nextgen problem solvers. Speaking of which, our cover page will feature Mammogen Inc., a next-gen biotech firm redefining women’s healthcare.

As the year comes to an end, it’s quite inspiring to see how the generation has levelled up with disruptions. COVID-19 still looms around the corner as a novel threat, but now, we are more than capable of handling disruptions and turning challenges into opportunities.

JEETENDRA THAKUR Editor | 4 | Business Talk December 2021

PUBLISHER HIMANI PARASHAR Managing Editor Rashi Saral

Editorial Contributors

Jeetendra Thakur, Avishek Singh, Shivani Goyal, Harish Kateghar

Creative Head Rahul Kushwaha

Digital Marketing Manager Jatin Shrivastav

Business Head Shubham Mehra

Corporate Team

Shelly Goyal, Himanshi Sharma, Hemant Negi, Ayushi Taneja, Kiran Mishra

Research Analysts

Anmol Bhatia, Harry Dsena

Finance Head

Girdhar Kumar Thakur

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December 2021 Business Talk | 5 |

CONTENTS C O V E R

S T O R Y

10 MAMMOGEN, INC.

ELIZABETH CORMIER-MAY, CEO | 6 | Business Talk December 2021

16

ADGS COMPUTER SYSTEMS

20

CUSTOMER CONSULTING GROUP

24 28 32

CHRISTOPHE BILLIOTTET CEO

MICHAEL HOPWOOD, MANAGING DIRECTOR

ELLI JUNIOR ELLI KASBI CEO

LINKEDCAR

MARIO SCHRAEPEN CEO

SOCIALEYES COMMUNICATIONS INC.

MARLY BROUDIE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

HOW TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS? 10 BEST TECHNIQUES TO MASTER YOUR MIND

5 LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP: TO MAXIMIZE YOUR INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE

HOW TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF [10 POWERFUL WAYS]

38 40 42

December 2021 Business Talk | 7 |

MAMMOGEN, INC. ___________________ 10

ADGS COMPUTER SYSTEMS ___________ 16

CUSTOMER CONSULTING GROUP________ 20

ELLI JUNIOR ______________________ 24

LINKEDCAR _______________________ 28

SOCIALEYES COMMUNICATIONS INC. ____ 32

| 8 | Business Talk December 2021

INTERVIEW with Business Talk

December 2021 Business Talk | 9 |

MAMMOGEN, Revolutionizing Early Detection Diagnostics for Female Healthcare

I try to do one thing very well, and that is to help people find where they excel and to pair that with what makes them tick, and that’s how you unlock someone’s full potential.

ELIZABETH CORMIER-MAY CEO, MAMMOGEN, INC.

| 10 | Business Talk December 2021

S T O R Y C O V E R

INC.

December 2021 Business Talk | 11 |

With the increasing ‘shentrepreneurs’ around the world, women are crushing the billionaire’s club. Being a woman is challenging, and leading a business is backbreaking. It’s tough juggling the complexities of running a business and raising a family. But it can and has been done. Against all backdrops, they are smashing glass ceilings and making a serious difference in technology, healthcare, education, and other fastpaced industries. In this regard, the dwindling gender gap in biotechnology has aroused interest in recent years. With the mounting numbers, the vertical is becoming more conducive to women than other stem sectors.

Many of them have devised apparently unsolvable solutions for the environment, medical sector, food industry, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. In this light, Elizabeth Cormier-May, a dynamic biotech entrepreneur from Connecticut, is reinventing women’s healthcare. In our latest issue, “Innovative Companies of the Year – 2021,” we are pleased to feature her brainchild, Mammogen Inc., for its tech and R&D-based solutions towards care for women, their families, and their loved ones.

REIMAGINING WOMAN HEALTHCARE “Never doubt a group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This thought-provoking note of Margaret Mead lays the foundation of Mammogen. Led entirely by women, it is on a mission to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s ailments.

But what makes Mammogen Inc. distinct in its arena?

It brings together data, technology, science, and personal experience to disrupt the status quo and break complacency.

The company is working on developing and commercializing multi-gene expression profiles found in RNA, a polymeric molecule involved in gene coding, decoding, regulation, and expression. These biomarkers are present in every bio-fluid (blood & saliva) and contain important information regarding bodily functions. Understanding the signatures and identifying changes in the RNA enables the early detection of complex diseases like cancer. Although DNA analysis has largely contributed to later stage patient care decisions, it is not well suited for early disease detection. For instance, information from tumor-derived DNA isn’t detectable until the tumor has both lived and died, thus making early detection improbable.

RNA analysis, however, provides real-time data on the biological response to disease, unlocking stage 1 detection.

Mammogen’s innovative multi-gene expression signature is non-invasive and painless, and it’s poised to bring regular, accurate screening to women who are underserved by current medical practices. The technology has the potential to reduce false negatives and increase early screening among women, while also reducing false positives and allowing for the safe monitoring of suspicious nodules. Ultimately, its goal is to offer every woman, regardless of age, background, and financial situation, or genetics, a chance at early and safe diagnosis, potentially saving millions of lives. | 12 | Business Talk December 2021

“Never doubt a group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

December 2021 Business Talk | 13 |

ELIZABETH CORMIER-MAY: A RECKONING FORCE OF CHANGE Elizabeth ‘Liz’ discovered her calling at a young age for improving women’s healthcare. She began her career as a medicinal chemist specializing in the early diagnosis of cancer at the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research. She eventually left the lab because she felt too far from the patient and wanted to make a real difference in the care continuum.

For nearly 20 years, she has been establishing new markets, products, and companies, all with the same purpose in mind: to introduce unique options and technology that improves patient experiences and save lives.

“I’d also argue that the pandemic has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that we must be able to detect a disease/ condition before we can treat it effectively,” | 14 | Business Talk December 2021

This inherent motivation also led her to Mammogen, where she and her team are creating products to get the right women to the right intervention at the right time. Mammogen is developing the genTRUTM breast products, two diagnostics based on 26 mRNA biomarkers, to detect breast cancer earlier in women who are not eligible for mammograms, and to rule out women who do not need to undergo breast biopsies. “With sensitivity and specificity in the upper 90%, these products are poised to disrupt breast health in the most impactful way possible,” says Liz.

Liz and her team are forming a powerful community of survivors, fighters, and previvors. Spending nearly two decades in this space, she understands how female malignancies influence people’s lives and how terrifying they can be for the victims.

She strives to bridge the gap between research and support, allowing people to talk about the concerns, anxiety, melancholy, marital difficulties, and body-shaming issues that occur with breast cancer. The team is also forming alliances with other female entrepreneurs focusing on clinical, social, physiological, and mental health issues that accompany the previvor, survivor, and remission journeys.

SOPHISTICATED TO THE LETTER Mammogen’s uniqueness and strength are built on innovation and technology. It aids in the saving of time, cost, and inefficiency in R&D, resulting in a risk reduction in clinical development and flexibility in market strategy. “We were able to cut the average R&D and analytical validation process by 7 years and save over 95% of the industry average cost,” highlights Liz. This shows how Mammogen approaches clinical development and diagnostics with a fresh look and understanding of how it is moving forward towards true precision medicine. Of course, this requires a multidisciplinary strategy that includes diagnostics, imaging, genomics, genetics, targeted medicines, and follow-up care after the “cure” or remission. Liz feels that, for the first time in medical history, multidisciplinary approaches incorporating diagnostics and unlocking early detection bring the industry closer to fully achieving personalized care.

Mammogen is one of three companies that make up IV BioHoldings, a bio innovation studio founded by Martin Keiser. The studio focuses on creating first-in-class RNA bio platform firms that will revolutionize disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The firm’s approach to product development, partnership creation, and commercialization unlocks their ability to excel in terms of speed, efficiency, and risk management.

THE DYNAMIC TEAM OF MAMMOGEN If technology is its heart, the team is the soul of Mammogen.

As previously stated, it is a completely female-led community, with everyone believing in and focusing on a cause larger than themselves. This inspires commitment and induces out-of-thebox thinking and problem-solving capabilities. “Nothing we do at Mammogen or IV BioHoldings is traditional; everything is by design inventive,” says Liz. It’s constantly reinventing the industry’s backdrops, rearranging the pieces, and pushing bestin-class products. And it’s always open to welcome new talents.

The inherent ingenuity and efficiency complement its team’s effort to go beyond the fence. The very reason, it is constantly seeking people who can keep the company focused on improving patient outcomes and creating meaningful impact.

The team’s consistency and performance describe Liz as a dynamic leader. Throughout her journey, she has been adaptive to the different phases of the company’s growth cycle. And as a leader, she has never stuck to only one philosophy or strategy that she expects to work across the entire business spectrum or all of the team building. “I try to do one thing very well, and that is to help people find where they excel and to pair that with what makes them tick,” she says, “and that’s how you unlock someone’s full potential.” Liz believes that transparency is the real heart of solid leadership. This fundamental quality helps her keep the team focused on the end goal while navigating the highs and lows. The team takes its successes and disappointments in stride, as one unified team. Liz also strives to instill an optimistic and realistic mindset, which keeps the team innovative while they devise strategic and meaningful tactics to achieve new milestones.

UNWAIVERED EVEN BY PANDEMIC It’s no epiphany COVID-19 has reinforced the need for clinical diagnostics. “I’d also argue that the pandemic has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that we must be able to detect a disease/condition before we can treat it effectively,” adds Liz. Needless to say, the period throws the spotlight on Mammogen to shine. Since its science is centered on mRNA as a medium and PCR as a technology, the company has experienced significant tailwinds in awareness around how their tests work. While there is still some work to be done before physicians and payers view diagnostics with the same importance as therapeutics, the pandemic has demonstrated that diagnostics are an absolute necessity for quality care beside therapeutic intervention.

While the pandemic caused severe agony across the globe, it also pulled together the entire scientific community to work towards a common goal. Liz believes this is the finest demonstration of total alignment of resources and what can be accomplished with a unified mindset.

CONSTANTLY CREATING BREAKTHROUGHS “A significant journey is less important than having a deep impact.”

Mammogen’s principal feature has been its ability to collect paradigm shifting early data. Its biomarkers have best in class sensitivity and specificity across all stages of the disease and within multiple biofluids. Additionally, the time it invests in creating a community that spans the gap between science and survivorship is a major laurel. “Companies rarely put this

level of commitment towards non-revenue producing activities, but we believe strongly that we must serve our patients in every way we can!” Liz asserts proudly.

“We are confident that our community will unlock our market and our market will fuel our community,” she continues.

With an upbeat ambition, Liz and her team are planning an early detection solution for breast cancer, with portfolio expansion focused on other areas that do not currently have viable solutions. Mammogen also has a defined focus on planning for the inevitable digitization of diagnostics.

Clinically, Mammogen aims to expand and lead with expertise in early detection – for both product and IP. On the digital front, Mammogen intends to stay ahead of the curve. With a planned mobile app, Mammogen is awaiting the day when a woman will order her genTRUTM test from her device or receive her results digitally and participate in the community from her phone. “We are innovating around every piece of a patient’s journey… not just disease detection,” asserts Liz. FOR PATIENTS AND ASPIRING MINDS

“Be present in your healthcare journey. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions to your care teams or to the industry that is providing your team with the tools they are using. And be vocal, as often as possible, about what you need as a person or patient as you’re navigating any health decision so we, as an industry, can continue to innovate in as many ways as possible to fill as many gaps as possible.”

December 2021 Business Talk | 15 |

S

ince the digital revolution, we have witnessed many innovation waves gushing the business world. Evolutionary technologies are advancing from lab to marketplace; companies are pursuing commercial application; and at the same, unannounced challenges are around every corner. These constant phenomena happening altogether create an ecosystem that promulgates the innovation surge. In this vein, deep tech is the latest entrant in the technological universe. This new wave spans innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, quantum computing, and other developments.

And is an energising force in both the startup and problem-solving realms.

Speaking of which, an increasing amount of startups around the world are moving into deep tech and setting benchmarks in life sciences, food & agri-tech, energy & cleantech, etc. Amongst such startups, ADGS Computer Systems is setting the standard in deep tech across the Gulf Region. With niche expertise in complex software developments, ADGS is solving problems that were deemed impossible.

ADGS COMPUTER SYSTEMS: THE DEEP TECH TRAILBLAZER OF THE GULF

| 16 | Business Talk December 2021

CHRISTOPHE BILLIOTTET CEO OF ADGS COMPUTER SYSTEMS

December 2021 Business Talk | 17 |

THE BEGINNING & GROWTH ADGS was founded in 2015 by Christophe Billiottet and is helmed by a small yet passionate cadre. However, Christophe isn’t exactly a traditional young entrepreneur. He is a 57 years old Ex-fighter pilot with a history of founding 5 companies since 1994. With ADGS, he finally founded a sustainable purpose, a bridge (Deep Technologies), connecting science with humanity. To see his venture flourish, Christophe and his team opened the doors to brilliant minds and built a small but genius team. Interestingly, many members had Asperger Syndrome, a light autistic behavior characterised by a remarkable focus and persistence, a strong aptitude to recognise patterns, and acute attention to detail. And it became a flourishing ecosystem where they could work and flourish.

The challenge, however, was convincing investors about the core idea of ADGS and why it was worthy of investment. Christophe explains investors weren’t able to understand the difference between “digital tech” and “deep tech,” and they based the criteria on fast traction, the market size, the competition, and the number of potential customers. Since the market was blurry, and people weren’t aware of the technology, it was a hefty challenge keeping the wheels moving. But, the company founded its silver lining with the Qatar Foundation. The organization funded its research for years, along with the founders.

Things changed after 2016 when deep tech started making a resounding effect on the global market. As of now, ADGS is working in 5 major industries: Govt., Military, Oil & Gas, and Healthcare. All of its products are R&D based and seek to bring a paradigm change across the verticals. In Christophe’s words, “ADGS developed AI algorithms that solve problems you never knew could be solved.”

A BLEEDING-AGE PORTFOLIO With the increasing digitisation, every business is riding on technology marvels. Needless to say, AI is what everyone’s prying. It’s one of the futuristic technologies with explosive potential. ADGS has proven this by building robust and innovative algorithms on AI. “Artificial Intelligence, Behavioral Biometrics, Natural Language Processing, Biotechnologies or Agent-Based Modelling. These are the technologies that have the power to change our world,” says Christophe. AI is also a learner-centric technology and builds its usefulness by learning from data. With proper data analytics, AI algorithms can also predict the precise outcome of future events. In recent years, ABM (Agent-Based Models) has forayed several research areas, stimulating actions and interactions of autonomous agents to understand system behaviors and what drives its outcomes.

Using ABM simulation models, ADGS has built many breakthroughs to stimulate missing data and feed clusters of information into AI engines. It has built tools like CARP (Capital Asset Replacement Prediction), which have redefined how some early adopters and Oil & Gas firms manage their assets and budgets. STROKK used Keystroke Dynamics, a behavioural biometric technology, to tackle the difficulties of 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) while substantially boosting the security of any password in cyber security and FinTech. TASMO (Text Analysis and Semantic Modeling) uses an advanced Natural Language Processing engine to manage Big Data, whether structured or unstructured.

By unifying ABM with AI algorithms, ADGS has driven many impossible resolutions. The combination of ABM with AI, in | 18 | Business Talk December 2021

particular, has proven to be a reliable model for predicting and creating responses to issues such as COVID-19, building evacuation, military combat output, and other situations when data is scarce. ADGS focuses on determining the best probable response to catastrophic situations by simulating as many instances as possible and comparing the results with an AI engine.

DEEP TECH – SHIELDING AGAINST COVID-19 Although many of Christophe’s interlocutors still don’t understand ADGS algorithms, its innovations helped turn the tide of COVID-19. Its flagship product PANDEXIT is helping nations reimagine how they are handling the new variants – DELTA and OMICRON. The platform assists decision-makers in identifying and implementing policies and settings to combat the new variants. Until recently, the platform has been successful in fast disseminating policy in several countries. Compared to the modest and insufficient efforts taken to curb the spread of the virus, PANDEXIT is a significant step. Where classic statistical models are overwhelmed by varied data of vaccinated/ unvaccinated, variants, preconditions, travels, PANDEXIT, with no additional modifications, can enter new parameters within minutes.

PANDEXIT’s efficiency has made it a decisional product that can keep governments a step ahead of the virus, making them proactive. Considering it helped in saving a lot of lives and mitigating the spread, this brilliant invention was declared one of the major health innovations of 2020 at the ‘World Innovation Summit for Health in 2020’.

THE NEXT INNNOVATIVE STEPS While ADGS had to face a lot in building cognizance for its algorithms, its prowess has been proved. Now, ADGS is working on an “Industrial process flows simulator applied to exceptional situations.” This allows for the simulation of industrial flows and the provision of strategic responses to a disaster. ADGS is preparing its next products, which will simulate errors in a long process that creates the ripple effect.

NOTES FROM CHRISTOPHE’S DESK

“Starting a company must not be a solitary journey: two or three very different and complementary profiles are great elements of future success.

You must also start with enough capital and be prepared to not being paid, or just the minimum. Also, the “entry ticket” of what you plan to develop must be high: if you have a nice idea, but that is easily reproducible for a reasonable cost, expect your idea to be copied as soon as it becomes slightly popular. In this case, you must rush for investor money or somebody else will.”

ADGS Deep Technologies made in QATAR

info@adgs.com www.adgs.com

“

We take this approach because we understand that too much change at one time, often results in a slower realization of the intended benefits. And in some instances, an inability to realize the benefit at all. It also means that our clients can see a return on investment much quicker. | 20 | Business Talk December 2021

CUSTOMER CONSULTING GROUP CONSULTANTS WHO HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE AND RELIABLE SKILL SETS FOR RESOLVING A WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESS PROBLEMS

MICHAEL HOPWOOD MANAGING DIRECTOR s a rising company, a top priority is to improve corporate processes in a way that provides a quicker and higher return on investment.

Today’s businesses are more tech-savvy and use more technology. Many vendors have made it easy to procure and modify their systems without involving certified professionals, thereby seemingly providing a path to save costs associated with the implementation.

However, in doing so, many organizations often find themselves 6-12 months later struggling to get the desired result. This often comes about due to poor user adoption which often stems from a poor system design and insufficient or inadequate training. As such the question arises, “Should I engage a specialist solution provider?”

Specialist solution providers know the importance of a solid solution design and the most effective ways to leverage the systems to perform specific tasks. They leverage many years of experience to know what is best for each organization and deliver optimal solutions within a specific time frame and budget, in a manner that maximizes the ROI. ‘Customer Consulting Group (CCG)’ is a specialist solution provider that focuses on technology-based solutions that enable small and medium businesses to find and nurture more clients, increase productivity, and mobilize their workforce.

Their primary solution offering is Customer Relationship Management (CRM), but the team also provide solutions that encompass collaboration platforms, digital forms, document management, electronic signatures, email and calendaring, human capital management, social media management, and websites from a variety of software vendors such as Microsoft, DocuSign, GoCanvas, ServiceM8, and others.

“We help with all project aspects including, general advice and guidance on the most appropriate applications to use, as well as the necessary implementation services required to ensure success. The implementation services range from initial design, documentation, and development through to delivery of training and ongoing support and maintenance,” says Michael Hopwood, the Managing Director.

Customer Consulting Group offers an initial free consultation to understand the business and then define a personalized business success strategy that often starts small, and gradually introduces additional improvements to the business, as it evolves.

Michael adds “We take this approach because we understand that too much change at one time, often results in a slower realization of the intended benefits.

And in some instances, an inability to realize the benefit at all. It also means that our clients can see a return on investment much quicker.”

The start of the COVID-19 Pandemic was the biggest challenge not only that Customer Consulting Group has experienced, but that the founder and Managing Director, Michael Hopwood, has faced in all his years in business. Nearly all active sales opportunities were paused due to uncertainties, existing in-flight projects were put on hold and many customers were no longer able to pay their bills. In essence, their revenue stream came to an almost complete standstill. Luckily the Australian Government assistance ensured that all staff were able to continue to retain their jobs and not be individually impacted financially, but the team knew that they needed to adapt to prevail.

“We came up with new service offerings to help organizations adapt to the new way of working,’’ says December 2021 Business Talk | 21 |

Michael. He continues, “We increased our social media presence to provide people with more education and remain visible as the world changed around us, and most importantly we stuck by each other and continued to persevere. Luckily, our persistence paid off and the projects started to kick off again. As the year progressed the demand for our services increased beyond the levels that we saw before the pandemic, and as a result, Customer Consulting Group got back on the growth path again, adding, new clients, hiring new people, and increasing profit margins to a point where the results outperformed the plans made in 2019.”

Customer Consulting Group has plans to continue to grow the business significantly over the next 5 years and aims to be Australia’s most trusted business software solution provider for small and medium businesses.

Although the business has only been operating for three years and still quite small, it has been recognized as an industry leader. CCG was a finalist in the Local Business Awards in 2019 and 2020 as well as a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champions Awards in 2020, a Top 10 CRM Consulting Practice by APAC CIO Outlook in 2019, a high achiever in the 2021 Australian Achiever Awards, and now most recently one of the 10 Most Dynamic Companies to Watch In 2021.

Michael adds “This sort of recognition is something that I would have typically expected from much larger organizations that have been around for a longer period.

I owe this to the dedication of all of our employees to help deliver outstanding solutions for our clients, that | 22 | Business Talk December 2021

ultimately drives them to become reference sites and help us to continue to grow and evolve.”

Innovation and creative thinking are critical components for CCG’s success, not only for the solutions they offer to their clients but also for the way they conduct business.

“We are constantly thinking of ideas for ways that we can help our clients, find & nurture more customers, increase productivity and mobilize their workforce. Many of these ideas come in the form of new product ideas.

Sometimes they might be an add-on to an existing piece of software that we sell and support, and other times its completely new product offerings. We encourage all staff to capture their thoughts and add to a product register for further review and consideration. We have so many wonderful ideas that we are in the process of starting a new division of Customer Consulting Group that will be focused on developing these ideas into products that we can take to market.” shares the MD. Michael highly credits that non-cognitive skills play a vital element in building a business. He advises young leaders that a significant factor in achieving results is hard work, and that economic growth is almost unlikely without a willingness to work tirelessly in the beginning.

“Never give up and always stay true to your word. Even when it seems that nothing is going your way, if you continue to deliver on your mission to work towards your vision, whilst upholding your values, the universe has a wonderful way of giving back all of the good energy that you put out. Sometimes it takes a bit longer than you might have liked, but trust me the reward is worth the wait.” advises Michael.

www.designworldmedia.in

ELLI JUNIOR: AN EMINENT BRAND FOR YOUR PARENTING NEEDS

| 24 | Business Talk December 2021

There is an old saying, “A baby is a miracle that you would like to share, an angel that you always handle with care.” While parenting is undeniably difficult, it has a beauty all its own. Children truly make our life complete.

The determination of parents to bring a child into the world is a journey, unlike anything. After the baby is born, every parent wants to give their toddler the best care, dress them in the most stylish clothes, and provide them with all they need to develop healthily. And this is definitely not a fancy trend - it is a passion that portrays parents’ love for their children.

But, there needs to be some considerations while choosing fashionable items for kids. If its clothes, fabric selections, openings and fastenings, fit and ease, trimmings - must be kept in mind to conform to their skin’s sensitivity and care.

In the case of other accessories, the relevant comparable elements should be ensured. Elli Junior is a holistic brand that understands the needs of kids in every stage of development. It’s a one-stop-shop for everything your kids need for comfortable growth.

ELLI KASBI | CEO

“A baby is a miracle that you would like to share, an angel that you always handle with care.”

ENVISIONING COMPLETE CARE Elli Junior is the innovative concept of a passionate mother, Elli Kasbi. Having two beautiful daughters, Elli believes that every child deserves a joyful upbringing, which is why she started her online store. The platform offers every fashionable product parents can think of for their kids, including baby accessories, wooden toys, interiors, and furnishings. It sources products from the best-inclass European brands, like Elodie Details, Jabadabado, Teddykompaniet etc. All the products are suitable for newborn to age of 5 and envisioned to make the world a better place. Along with kids, the brand also cares about a mother, specifically, the moms-to-be. It has a specific category called “Pregnancy and Postnatal Must-Haves” that has everything you need to make your pregnancy happy and “easier” 9 months!

THE FOUNDER AND HER VISION Beautiful and lively, Elli always envisioned being an entrepreneur, even as a professional woman. She is Persian by origin, brought up in beautiful Sweden and in Dubai for the last 7 years. Expressing her life in UAE, she says, “I now call Dubai home, and we love it. We love to see the sunlight 365 days a year, endless opportunities, the diversity of all nationalities and most of all, I love the beach.” She has strong experience in IT and finance, having worked for one of Sweden’s largest banks in Stockholm. She also worked for two years in a media company in Dubai.

Throughout the stint, she has witnessed the highs and lows of the business world, including both success stories and initiatives that did not do well.

December 2021 Business Talk | 25 |

However, her underlying passion was always fashion and e-Commerce. After 2 years in Dubai, she found a deficit in the children’s apparel. And, as a longtime lover of the Swedish label Elodie Details, she imagined high-quality clothing with a Scandinavian aesthetic and a focus on sustainability. The concern made her imagine an online marketplace for exclusive baby apparel and accessories. She wanted to bring the exclusivity of the Swedish Brand into the GCC region. Thus, she brought Elli Junior into existence. “I had no experience in retail, e-commerce, or import/export; all I knew was that I wanted to change the deficit in the UAE market,” she says. Her vision has unfolded in great strides. Elli Junior is present in 20 trending stores across the GCC. In Jan 2020, Elli Junior launched its own collection of high-quality organic baby towels, playmats, bamboo blankets and lots more. Recently, the brand launched its first open shop in Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall.

And while all its offline fronts don’t have the entire collection, its online platform offers the whole gamut. The brand also offers cash on delivery, fast and free shipping with free gift wrapping. While the business focuses on online expansion, the Dubai Mall site draws a massive attraction, allowing customers to touch and feel the products.

UPKEEPING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Elli Junior is a one-stop-shop to buy anything from a baby shower and birthday gifts to decorative accessories. Its environmental and sustainable approach to design makes it preferred to customers. The Brand’s vision is to be “The Designed sustainable premium alternative” across the GCC region. As one of the exponentially thriving regions, parents here only prefer eco-hygienic products for their children. As such, every product is tailored to the region’s living standards and the quality that parents expect. Furthermore, it places a high value on customer service and packaging, ensuring that what is delivered is a high-end product to every home. “Our concept is to distribute high-quality European brands with a focus on design, quality and sustainability to the entire Middle East,” says the founder. Staying on this course, the Brand has expanded through word of mouth.

It also has 24/7 customer service maintained to the highest standard.

Customer satisfaction is its utmost priority - it is what has sailed them through waves and tides. The brand sustains relationships with clients.

Instead of eyeing competition, it strives to be the best version of itself. R&D plays an integral part in this. It helps to adapt to the generation, adhere to customers’ myriad needs, and ensure they don’t settle for less. Put it simply, R&D helps in stepping up the game while staying close to the customers.

A HOLISTIC SETUP OF PASSION AND MINDS Elli Junior is led by an indomitable mother but supported by many young heartfelt minds. Although it is a startup, its team goes over and beyond on a daily basis. Their tireless efforts keep the brand running like a welloiled machine. “Where we are today would not be possible without my amazingly dedicated team,” proudly shares Elli. Each team member contributes the passion, drive, and dedication necessary to achieve the brand’s goal in a responsible way.

“Nothing is impossible for us, we are fast and we are fearless” - Elli Kasbi

However, Elli does believe that her team deserves more than she gives them.

They’re a start-up, and since the market is still recovering, cash reserves are important to keep growing organically. But, she has given them an opportunity they are proud of.

| 26 | Business Talk December 2021

SET SIGHTS ON A GROWING TRAJECTORY With incorrigible inception, Elli Junior has made quite a buzz in the GCC region. It is witnessing a high average spend, with return customers. It has been growing since its inception, doubling its revenue every year. Elli wholeheartedly acknowledges her team for this growth. She is proud of them and believes their collaboration will help in thriving across the MENA region.

In the years ahead, she aims to enlarge this team with like-minded people to uphold the core quality and earn a much preferable presence among customers.

LinkedCar:

TRANSMUTING VEHICLE DATA MANAGEMENT

| 28 | Business Talk December 2021

“We could have stopped there, but the potential of our idea was too great, and we were so passionate about our vision that we couldn’t let it go.”

MARIO SCHRAEPEN CEO, LinkedCar

S

ince the days of the horse carriages, people have cherished and valued what they drive.

This bond is becoming stronger with digital transformations. Increased connectivity, IoT, wireless solutions, and rising customer expectations are all driving investments. Technology also espouses other elements of the automotive value chain, including design, manufacture , distribution, and retail. Also, e-Commerce has assisted the expansion of vendors of all kinds, whether offline, B2C, or B2B, by boosting car sales and transforming the traditional buying experience.

While technology keeps evolving mobility and its relationship with its owner, it’s important to realize that it disperses huge customer data. The decentralized data is exploitable and vulnerable to additional threats. Mario Schraepen, a salesforce veteran, intends to change this scenario and hand customer data back to the driver. With his innovative platform LinkedCar, he strives to offer a centralized database for everything related to your car, e-bike, etc.

A BRIEF UNDERSTANDING LinkedCar is an award-winning customer-first mobility platform for the mobility industry. Powered

by Salesforce technology, it collects vehicle data from dealers, manufacturers, insurers, fleets, and even live data from linked vehicles and allows to choose whether the driver wants to monetize it.

LinkedCar works on a B2B2C model - and while its ambassadors are its consumers, the revenue stream is generated from its mobility business partners (car dealers, lease/fleet management, insurance, fuel card companies, roadside assistance, etc.).

The platform also intends to change the business framework for dealers. It helps dealers streamline the sales and after-sales process for loyal and sustainable relationships. The platform offers a 360° overview of its consumers, including GDPR consents, quotes or social media interactions. LinkedCar provides a centralized solution, bringing customers’ digital footprints directly to dealers, and ensures a longlasting, overwhelming experience for consumers that generates more revenue.

December 2021 Business Talk | 29 |

THE IDEA AND ITS FRUITION Mario found the idea of LinkedCar back when he was driving a leased car for a while. He did not know whom to ask for proper maintenance, whether it’s changing a component or repairing a cracked windshield. He discovered there was a lot of data scattered about and wondered why no app focused on both the driver and the car, even when switching vehicles, and gathered it all in one spot. He pitched his idea to people in the automotive sector, such as leasing and insurance firms. And while they liked it, they flagged the fact that the idea didn’t include real-time data. For them, information on the miles driven safely by the driver would add more value to their business model. Bringing the idea and feedbacks together with his extensive experience in Salesforce technology, Mario founded LinkedCar.

The leader adds how his endeavour has unfurled. In his words, he says, “In the back of our minds, we always had the mission to return connected vehicle data to the driver, so that they can decide for themselves who to share the data. And now, all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together... with our smart IoT device, our mobile app, and our connected Mobility Platform built on top of Salesforce. We are now effectively listened - what we intend to do with vehicle data. We believe we are at the beginning of a movement.”. The leader has spent over 15 years in Salesforce Technology and is well aware of its capabilities.

It allows LinkedCar to be more functional for customers by covering security, transactions, business process, etc. His brilliance rewarded him with the ‘Salesforce Partner Innovation Award.’ He also acknowledges his unshaded achievements (first employee, our first Gin & Tonic Friday, our first customer) as prominent milestones.

A PROMINENT TRENDSETTER Although LinkedCar is a recent addition in the startup arena, it stands as a trendsetter. There isn’t any other player that brings so much aggregated data and offers connected vehicle information to the driver for free. While this portrays LinkedCar as an agile startup, its hardware sets it apart. Its smart IoT device can be mounted on any vehicle with a battery, and the AI algorithm allows it to intercept multiple signals of all these vehicles. Since its business thrives on mobility data, it constantly explores the space for discoveries. LinkedCar is deep-rooted in R&D and continues to research multiple aspects to stay innovative and monitor the competitors and their innovations.

CLIMBING UP DESPITE TRANSGRESSIONS LinkedCar was born during the initial levels of COVID-19. Within 3 months, the scenario became chaotic and hit the Company hard. Many of their signed contracts, employment, etc., vanished overnight, casting a long shadow. But neither Mario nor his team was ready to give up. “We could have stopped there, but the potential of our idea was too great, and we were so passionate about our vision that we couldn’t let it go,” he says. To survive, they started streamlining their operations with a focus on where they wanted to be. They began collaborating with researchers from Karel de Grote Hogeschool to be more well-informed. The period has also made them humbler, whether winning an award or bringing in a new customer. Nothing comes for free, so they celebrate every win with the team - no matter how small!

Mario commends his team wholeheartedly for their unyielding endeavour during the turbulence. Even being in a war for talent and in a very precarious situation, its team choose a startup that ideates to change the world of vehicle data. “I am so grateful and proud that they believe in our product and our corporate values,” adds Mario proudly.

| 30 | Business Talk December 2021

LEADER DRIVEN CULTURE Mario Schraepen refers to himself as a “chief believer,” which immediately conveys a management and personality that is friendly and interested in you as a person. He believes proper attention to individuals and space enables learning, which is paramount to their growth. He enjoys nurturing people through a trial-and-error approach, thus enabling the team to learn from their mistakes and each other’s passion and qualities. Under his guidance, the company has had a rapidly changing environment, and there’s a lot at stake. However, the team’s passion for keeping the Company in line with its vision makes the culture enthusiastic.

AWARDS THAT PROPEL ITS MISSION Starting amidst chaos, LinkedCar’s passion and perseverance has earned it a number of prestigious accolades. A few are mentioned below: • Most Trusted Automotive Mobility Platform Belgium (2021 - Corporate Vision) • Partner Innovation Award (2021 - Global - Salesforce) • Most Innovative Autotech Start-up Belgium (2021 - Corporate Vision) and • Top Automotive Solution Provider Belgium (2020 - AutoTech) LinkedCar is also listed amongst 1 of the 5 best startups in Belgium by DataNews! The Company is a complete powerhouse and celebrate every award, every win and every achievement to keep up the good work and fight for what it believes in.

STILL MILES TO GO… LinkedCar is more than just an innovative venture. It’s a movement that enables consumers to own and manage their data.

In the aftermath of the Pandemic, the Company is witnessing new possibilities with collected data and opportunities. For instance, it’s currently working on integrating Fitbit with driving behaviour to understand if sleeping influences driving behaviour.

The possibilities are endless, and LinkedCar seeks to lead the way with new insights.

WORDS THAT INSPIRE

“Never stop believing. “You will hear more ‘no’ than ‘yes’, but they don’t see the world the way you do. Keep fighting, keep fine-tuning your story so everyone understands, and you’ll get there.”

| 32 | Business Talk December 2021

CONQUER YOUR DIGITAL MARKETING WITH SOCIALEYES COMMUNICATIONS INC. MARLY BROUDIE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I take great pride in the fact that we are so much more than a social media company that focuses on creating content, posting content and hoping for the best. At SocialEyes, we marry digital marketing and business development, and I believe this truly sets us apart.

T

he surge of digital marketing has brought a revolution for business owners and has contributed to both opportunity and growth for businesses across the globe. The outbreak of Covid-19 hit the economy terribly hard. Industries shattered, people lost jobs and businesses crumbled. Those that saw opportunity, embraced different strategies for business growth and innovated, saw new heights. Digital Marketing is one of the most cost-efficient and effective tools to enhance awareness and boost business.

The Competitive Advantage There are thousands of digital marketing firms in North America; what makes SocialEyes different?

Located in Toronto, Ontario, SocialEyes Communications Inc. is a digital marketing and business development consulting firm that has pioneered the market with exemplary services.

The firm offers a variety of services in the digital space including social media management, advertising and lead generation, business development consulting, content creation and marketing, brand building, website design, video and photography, and digital marketing coaching.

A digital marketing strategy is only effective if it is creating new opportunities for the business as a whole. This element is largely a result of David Broudie, Marly Broudie’s husband and SocialEyes’ Chief Sales Officer (CSO).

Marly Broudie, CEO of SocialEyes Communications expresses that the main goal is “helping businesses hit and surpass their stride by empowering them to shift perceptions and penetrate the digital marketplace in unprecedented ways”.

As Marly states, “I take great pride in the fact that we are so much more than a social media company that focuses on creating content, posting content and hoping for the best.

At SocialEyes, we marry digital marketing and business development, and I believe this truly sets us apart.”

David has a background in financial services with extensive experience in digital marketing for business growth. He has coached, trained and mentored professionals in and out of financial services across Canada, and has led workshops, training sessions and seminars on lead generation, cultivating relationships and fostering growth.

December 2021 Business Talk | 33 |

• • •

•

Team growth: more than doubling the team at SocialEyes during a pandemic - from 5 full time employees in 2020 to 11 in 2021 Quadrupling the client roster from 12 in 2016 to over 50 in 2021 Hosting the first ever charity gala in support of SickKids Hospital in 2019, bringing together over 200 attendees, and donating nearly 35K to a cause that’s been close to Marly Broudie’s heart since the passing of her sister in 2011 Providing insights in several publications including Social Media Examiner, Real Estate Magazine Online, Lexpert Magazine, Lawyer’s Daily and Attorney at Law, Day Law Library and More

The Importance of Mentorship and Growth Whether a partner, friend, professor, colleague or co-worker, mentors encourage personal and professional growth.

Mentors and supporters can assist in guiding and shaping both present circumstances as well as future opportunity.

David’s strategic lens has been central to the company’s success. They get to know their client’s goals, objectives, strengths, weaknesses and vision prior to strategizing, so they can best leverage digital marketing tools to help their clients achieve success.

The firm’s unique approach, especially in the face of COVID-19, is a testament to their competitive advantage. “As companies weathered these storms, we spent a great deal of time providing insights and clarity that, for many, could have been the difference between surviving and thriving.

I truly believe our strengths in pivoting businesses in the face of unprecedented challenges, set us apart from the status quo.”

Encouraging Creative Thinking “Creativity is intelligence, having fun.”

Albert Einstein At SocialEyes, the goal is to inspire a culture where the team feels encouraged and comfortable to put ideas on the table, which allows creativity to breed and employees to feel motivated.

As the firm is operating virtually now and lacks face-to-face interaction with team members, collaboration has its challenges however, “we do try to encourage this culture by conducting virtual brainstorming sessions that encourage staff to work together, share ideas and collaborate.”

The Co-Relation Between Mission, Core Values and Vision Mission, core values and vision are three critical components needed to establish every business’ overall goals. During the onboarding, research and discovery phase with each new client, “we really delve in and establish these elements”.

“I have to take my hat off to my husband Dave. Not only is he my business partner and shares in the business wins of SocialEyes, but he has also been my biggest supportpersonally and professionally”.

Growing a business is not all rainbows and butterflies. Add a pandemic and children to the mix, things get overwhelming.

We all have moments that feel overpowering, or feelings of defeat or doubt step in. “Dave will push me to keep going, but he also realizes when I need to take a step back. He is the most optimistic person, who sees challenge as opportunity and weakness as strength – and that has always been very inspiring for me”.

The Future of SocialEyes As Marly states, “my goal has always been, and still is, to help businesses broaden opportunities through the power of digital marketing, and to build a team who shares in the vision of the company, who dare to think big, who are as tenacious, talented and who are mission-driven”.

For the Readers A few words of wisdom from Marly Broudie: “I think it is so important to be open minded and to welcome feedback and direction from others. Source out mentorship, align yourself with centers of influence and don’t be afraid of exploration. Sometimes what you think you want in life changes, and that is ok”.

The mission and the core values of a business will lay down the foundation – while the vision is the light that drives the company forward. “I believe that all three elements are integrated and crucial to help navigate the goals and objectives of any company.”

Over a spontaneous lunch about 9 years ago, I was told that one day I wouldn’t be a legal assistant and I should start paying attention to the things that excited me, and that invigorated me. I really thought long and hard about it – and I soon realized that the path was not exciting to me, it was not my passion, and it was not the path for me. That lunch was likely the first event that started to divert my attention towards what it was that I truly wanted – and had I been close minded, I likely wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Feathers in the Cap Boasting of the company’s achievements, let’s have a look at them:

Choose the career path that excites you and brings out the best in you… and if you started in the wrong profession, you could change it up!

| 34 | Business Talk December 2021

LEADERSHIP & SELF-AWARENESS | 36 | Business Talk December 2021

38 40 42

HOW TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS? 10 BEST TECHNIQUES TO MASTER YOUR MIND 5 LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP: TO MAXIMIZE YOUR INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE HOW TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF [10 POWERFUL WAYS]

December 2021 Business Talk | 37 |

HOW TO

CONTROL YOUR THOU 10 BEST TECHNIQUES TO MASTER Y

Unwanted thoughts can lead to a lot of frustration and distress. But you are not alone who wants to get rid of these thoughts. Unfortunately, it becomes normal to have such thoughts and feel downcast in the face of anxiety and other challenges. Therefore, to help you out we have compiled the top 10 ways to learn how to control your thoughts.

2. ACCEPT UNWANTED THOUGHTS It’s human nature to run away from pain, so of course, you’d choose to bypass thoughts that lead to distress.

Therefore, pushing away undesirable thoughts isn’t the right way to control that can make them more intense.

How to control your thoughts with these easy steps

Try to accept undesirable thoughts and tell yourself that nothing is going right. And you do a lot to change yourself, but giving up entirely isn’t just right.

1. IDENTIFYING NEGATIVE AND UNWANTED THOUGHTS This is your step in this list on how to control your thoughts. First, you need to identify what’s on your mind because if you want to control your thoughts it’s important to understand what kind of thought it is.

Sometimes we all get depressing and negative thoughts because of ongoing challenges in life.

Likewise, you might find it challenging to control spiraling thoughts or your mindset. | 38 | Business Talk December 2021

3. TRY MEDITATION Meditation is one of the powerful ways that lets you keep calm. Initially, you may find it difficult but you try to sit and relax, but no matter how you try to empty your head, random thoughts keep on coming to distract you from the peace you’re trying to achieve.

So, as we have mentioned above, First, you need to notice them, but then you let them go, which allows you to loosen their hold over you.

6. FOCUS ON POSITIVES Positive reframing is another way that can let you help regain control over your mind.

Positive thinking doesn’t suggest pretending there’s nothing bad, skipping problems, or failing to think of helpful solutions. Reframing will not change your actual situation, but it can change your mindset towards it.

7. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE Self-talk can help you change your mindset, but how you talk to yourself matters.

Trying to switch to a third-person perspective while addressing yourself in the first person doesn’t have much impact. It might feel a little uncomfortable, but this mental reappraisal strategy offers many benefits.

UGHTS ?

YOUR MIND 4. TRY FOCUSED DISTRACTIONS You won’t need to distract yourself in every situation, but focused distractions can let you redirect your thoughts and enhance your frame of mind. Specific types of distractions might even increase motivation and productivity. For instance, you feel down and out of sorts because bad weather has postponed your plans. You feel bad as you can not do anything about your scheduled plan, so you have to divert your attention to things you meant to complete.

5. WORK ON MANAGING STRESS When a situation goes out of your control and that leads to stress in your life. Therefore, controlling your state of mind at that point usually becomes more difficult. Stress and anxiety can increase unwanted thoughts. It can generate more worry, leading to a rapidly becoming overwhelming cycle.

Stress usually comes from outside sources. But unfortunately, you can’t always manage what happens around you.

8. TRY GUIDED IMAGERY Guided imagery is another meditation technique to visualize positive, soothing scenarios to encourage a calmer mind. According to a study, guided imagery leads to a more positive mood and may further ease stress and anxiety. Once you start feeling more peaceful, it may become easier to maintain a relaxed state and regain control over your thoughts and mind.

9. WRITE IT OUT Expressing your thoughts may not change your mindset instantly, but it can improve your control over unwanted feelings. A simple act of writing down a thought is usually enough to reduce its intensity. For instance, you can write down the ideas, positive or negative, that came up in your mind and are still fresh.

10. TALK TO A THERAPIST Understanding how to control your thoughts is sometimes easier said than done. If you are persistently experiencing mental health conditions and symptoms, including: • depression • anxiety • obsessions and compulsions • intrusive thoughts that keep on coming • extremely suspicious or negative thoughts about others • lingering grief or sadness

It’s good you have experienced support for any mindset that impacts your relationships and overall well-being. A therapist can support you in identifying underlying issues and exploring possible solutions.

WRAP UP You don’t have to be psychic to handle your mind. You may just require some practice and a bit of patience.

If you have difficulty regaining control over your mindset, a therapist can surely help you. We hope you like this article on how to control your thoughts and find it helpful.

November December 2021 Business Talk | 39 |

Having leadership skills lets you improve certain professional qualities, build and strengthen relationships and boost your earning potential. John Maxwell’s “5 Levels of Leadership is one of the most compelling theories that involve position, Permission, Production, People Development, and Pinnacle. So, let’s look at them one by one.

THE FIVE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP ARE POSITION When people have a managerial job, they have an authoritative position, so they have to showcase certain qualities to become strong leaders. They trust company practices, policies, regulations, and organization charts to influence their employees. Although, a more open-minded, welcoming attitude can improve your team’s motivation to deliver better work and enhance workplace satisfaction.

To enhance your leadership skills at this level, you should: • Empathize with employees to show them you care.

• Appreciate their work to boost motivation.

• Deliver and accept constructive feedback to continually improve practices.

• Regularly interact with your team to make sure that they receive the required information to perform tasks successfully.

5 LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP: TO MAXIMIZE YOUR INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE | 40 | Business Talk December 2021

PERMISSION When you assign any task to your team, they will give their best. Your employees assist you because they feel respected, involved in decisions, cared for, authorized, and valued. To have this level of leadership, make sure you: • Consider how your decisions will impact all the people around you.

• Treat all your employees equally.

• Always support your team members.

• Ensure that all of your employees can work well with other teams.

• Always hold people responsible for mistakes.

• Bond with your team well.

• Meet or exceed your goals.

• Receive positive reviews from your team members, managers, and clients.

Try to learn more about your employees as it gives everyone a sense of integrity and encourages them to give their best.

PRODUCTION Production leaders generate results and leave a significant impact on their organizations. They give you useful advice, help you resolve conflicts, and encourage people. Since they have amazing relationships with all of their employees, they rely on them to do an outstanding job. Leaders at this level can enhance their skills by making their communication more consistent, further improving their team skills. You can do the following: • Think of the best ways to make the connections required for employees to feel involved and empowered.

• Listen and guide them.

• Welcome workers’ input on decisions.

• Adapt new technologies or transitions in the industry.

• Ensure that all employees are well-trained.

• Admire people for their qualities, charisma, and technical skills.

Production leaders can build a high-productivity team, department, or company. Their leadership skills are better than most other people, but there is also a scope of learning if they improve themselves.

PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT To reach the leadership level at a large organization, you should understand how to support other people and help them become leaders. People Development leaders use their time, energy, and money to improve others’ leadership skills. Individuals who go from Production to People Development successfully are: • Consistent, sincere, inclusive, and easy to talk to • Hard workers who lead by example • Skilled at expressing expectations for employees’ roles clearly • Honest decision-makers • Mentors to employees • Ready to recommend employees for promotions • Keen to help former employees develop their careers • Willing to talk to the people in their team about any issue • Promoted for their excellent management skills

You must think of the future and consider the way teams across your company perform together to attain their goals. Make sure that you improve your interpersonal and communication skills to encourage others. That way, you can define your team’s goals in a way that encourages your employees and gets them enthusiastic about your company’s future endeavors.

PINNACLE Apart from mentoring employees, Pinnacle leaders should be skilled enough to support others in reaching the People Development stage and become outstanding leaders themselves. As a result, they enhance their organizations’ prestige, facilitating the most talented, innovative people to work there.

Pinnacle leaders: • Boost productivity and make almost any team or department successful.

• Build an environment that lets everyone contribute to their successes.

• Influence people outside of their organizations or the industries they work in.

• Treat everyone fairly and with respect.

• Demonstrate integrity, keep their promises, and act in an honest, ethical way.

• Let people supervise to make independent decisions whenever possible.

• Surround themselves with intelligent, talented people who want to do their best.

• Lead people who create innovative products and get excellent business results.

• Communicate well with other teams.

Pinnacle leaders usually speak or conduct workshops about leadership. They also have employees who believe that they always prioritize their interests.

To become a Pinnacle leader, you have to be a hard worker who guides by example.

So, these are the 5 levels of leadership that you must follow to succeed.

CONCLUSION After reading this post, you may have understood the 5 levels of leadership that everyone should follow to become a great leader. However, to earn respect, you need to first hone your skills.

December 2021 Business Talk | 41 |

Standing up for yourself is one of the biggest learnings that everyone should have as it will help you take charge of your life, believe in yourself, and facilitate you to reach for your dreams. However, learning how to stand up for yourself can be deceptive and discomfiting from a social standpoint, but trying and learning to stand up clears your perspectives and helps you in the long run. Therefore, we have compiled 10 simple yet powerful steps to help you learn how to stand for yourself.

10 Ways To Learn How To Stand Up For Yourself 1. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE FIRST Becoming assertive makes you feel uncomfortable, so let us tell you that you’re not alone. It can be hard to speak up, particularly when you’re used to remaining quiet or going with the flow. But keep in mind that doing so is a positive change, and you do not need to feel bad about it.

So, next time when you hesitate, it will help you change your perspective and make you realize that boosting yourself up doesn’t mean that you are putting others down.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME TO TALK If something is bothering you, it’s best to talk when the other person is able and ready to listen. So if it is important, it can help you if you find the right time to talk rather than just yelling on the spot. Moreover, setting the right time to chat will be quite helpful to your overall relationship or friendship.

3. BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE If you fear standing up for yourself, it will help if you pay more attention to your body language, as it will not only boost up your confidence but help you send a clearer message to others.

Body language might mean standing up straighter rather than slouching to look more assertive. Also, you can consider having open body language, such as standing with your hands relaxed at your sides, so you seem more receptive to conversation.

4. BE DELIBERATE WITH YOUR WORDS Speaking up for yourself and becoming your voice is the best way for others to understand you and learn how to respond to you. So instead of skirting around the issue or expecting others will read your mind, this might look like saying exactly what you want.

5. MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY Thinking about others’ schedules, expectations, and dreams may sound nice. But this habit may leave you feeling worn out and upset while also making it complicated to meet your own needs.

Therefore, being a little bit selfish is not a bad thing; it means you are prioritizing yourself wherever | 42 | Business Talk December 2021

HOW TO S FOR YO

[ 10 POWERF

STAND UP OURSELF

FUL WAYS ]

necessary. For example, it might contain putting aside time to do important stuff every day and prioritizing that.

6. LEARN TO SAY “NO” If you always say yes to everything and try to make others happy 24/7, this practice might be difficult to break. But here, you need to create more balance if you want to do so.

It’s okay if you say No when it comes to prioritizing yourself. However, once you start feeling comfortable with the word, it’ll become easier for you to stand up for yourself.

7. RESPECT YOURSELF Remember, there is a very close relationship between push-over and low self-esteem, and it will remind you that no one has the right to ignore you, be rude, or restrict your feelings. So keep this in mind wherever you go.

8. PICK YOUR BATTLES Sometimes there will be moments when it is not worth it to stand up for yourself; therefore, knowing the difference is crucial. For instance, it might be a one-time thing that may be someone having a bad day, or maybe it’s something you may want to test and let go of at that moment. if it’s someone who has been in ongoing trouble in your life, then you may have to address it right away.

9. SET BOUNDARIES Boundaries are crucial if you want to stand up for yourself as they also let others know how they should treat you. After all, anything that happens within boundaries you will not tolerate from others. Once these boundaries are fixed (and keep changing over time), you are ready to stand up for yourself 10. STICK TO IT Sometimes you may feel sorry after taking a stand, and this is where you need to resist the urge to apologize. Here, you don’t need to apologize as standing up for yourself doesn’t ensure that your partner, or anyone else, will resonate or accommodate. Still, it does imply that you are clear, specific, and hold to your boundaries and opinions.

These are the top 10 ways that will help you learn how to stand for yourself.

CONCLUSION After reading this post you may have understood how important it is to express yourself if you want to get respected by others. We hope that you find our post on how to stand up for yourself helpful.

December 2021 Business Talk | 43 |

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