Insights into starting, growing, and leading a business.
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AMY CHAMBERS THE POWER OF WORDS | CORINA GOETZ GULF NEWS ROUNDUP
HELEN MCGUIRE BOOK LAUNCH ‘THE FEMALE FOUNDER FORMULA’ | EXHIBITION DATES
The British Chamber of Commerce Dubai is a membership organisation that supports companies and individuals from the UK with existing business interests in the region and those new to the UAE. Our membership consists of Britishowned, Dubai and RAK-based companies, UK registered organisations, UK passport holders and brands that support British business.
Through a considered and strategic calendar of events, the BCCD ensures high-quality networking opportunities, market knowledge sharing, valuable engagement opportunities and exclusive experiences for our members. The BCCD provides an ecosystem that goes beyond Dubai, to the wider GCC and through the British Chambers of Commerce’s Global Business Network reaching and providing international exposure and opportunities for our members and stakeholders.
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Welcome to the January-February issue of Yalla! magazine!
Some of the year’s biggest trade shows are just around the corner, including Arab Health, Intersec Dubai, Gulfood, Big 5 Construct Saudi, the Dubai International Boat Show, IDEX, and more. These events set the stage for innovation and growth in the region, offering endless opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Speaking of growth, founder Erika Doyle shares her journey of building her award-winning online retail business, Drink Dry, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs.
Similarly, Amy Chambers dives into the power of confident communication, revealing how the right words can spark action, inspire change, and help you take charge of your life.
For aspiring female entrepreneurs, Helen McGuire’s latest book, The Female Founder Formula, is a must-read. This practical guide provides a roadmap to success, empowering the next generation of women leaders to thrive in business.
Confidence is key, and Aliya Rajah shares 5 actionable tips to boost your social confidence—a game-changer for networking and business success.
Stay up to date with the latest events, news, and insights from the Arabian Gulf in our newest roundup, curated by Corina Goetz.
Enjoy! Wishing you a belated Happy New Year—from all of us at middle east creative services!
email: hello@mecs.design
Website: mecs.design/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ mecsdesign
Facebook: facebook.com/mecsdubai
Instagram: instagram.com/ mecs.design/
X: x.com/mecsdesign
Marisa Manns Keith Manns Marcus Manns
STEELFAB
13 - 16 January / www.steelfabme.com
FESPA MIDDLE EAST 20 - 22 January / www.fespamiddleeast.com
INTERSEC 14 - 16 January / www.dwtc.com/en/events/ intersec-exhibition-2025/
LIGHT + INTELLIGENT BUILDING MIDDLE EAST 14 - 16 January / www.ight-middle-east.ae. messefrankfurt.com/dubai/ CONFERENCE
HORECA KUWAIT
14 - 16 January / www.horecakuwait.com
WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT 14 - 16 January / www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
IFX EXPO DUBAI 15 - 16 January./ www. dubai2024.ifxexpo.com
EROC - EMIRATES OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY AUDIOLOGY SWALLOWING & COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
CONGRESS 16 - 18 January / www.emiratesrhinologyandotology.ae
ORACLE CLOUDWORLD 2025 21 - 22 January / www.oracle.com
PAPER & TISSUE ONE SHOW 21 - 23 January / www.paperoneshow.net
ACRES - SHARJAH REAL ESTATE EXHIBITION 22 - 25 January / www.acresme.com
ACRES - SHARJAH REAL ESTATE EXHIBITION 22 - 25 January / www.acresme.com
AL THURAYA EXHIBITION 26 - 31 January / www.adnec.ae/en/ eventlisting/al-thuraya-exhibition/
SAUDI FRANCHISE EXPO 27 - 29 January / www.saudifranchiseexpo.com
ARAB HEALTH
27 - 30 January / www.arabhealthonline.com
GULF BRIDE EXHIBITION
27 January - 2 February / www.adnec.ae/en/ eventlisting/ 2024-gulf-bride-show/
ARAB HEALTH
Healthcare / 27 - 30 January / arabhealthonline.com
The trade show’s international appeal draws attendees and exhibitors from around the world, allowing participants to connect with a global network of healthcare professionals. This global reach facilitates cross-border collaboration, information exchange, and the introduction of innovative ideas from various healthcare systems and cultures.
Arab Health provides an ideal platform for networking and forging strategic partnerships. Attendees can connect with potential collaborators, investors, distributors, and customers, which can lead to new business opportunities and ventures.
3,800+ exhibiting companies
180+ participating countries
ARAB HEALTH TO CELEBRATE 50TH
With the 2025 edition expected to than 3,800 exhibitors, many unveiling exclusive innovations in the healthcare with visitor numbers expected to
180+ participating countries
50TH EDITION to draw more unveiling worldhealthcare sector, surpass 60,000.
60,000+ professional visits
3,400+ conference delegates
LEAP 9 - 12 February/ www.onegiantleap.com DEEPFEST
9 - 12 February/ www.deepfest.com
SIMEC - SAUDI INTERNATIONAL MARINE EXHIBITION 3 - 5 February/ www.en.simec-expo.com
02/25
MEDLAB MIDDLE EAST 3 - 6 February/ www.medlabme.com
AEEDC DUBAI - UAE INTERNATIONAL DENTAL CONFERENCE AND ARAB DENTAL EXHIBITION 4 - 6 February/ www.aeedc.com
WORLD OF COFFEE DUBAI
10 - 12 February/ www.dubai.worldofcoffee.org
ISS WORLD MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA 11 - 13 February/ www.issworldtraining.com
AIME - AIRCRAFT INTERIORS MIDDLE EAST (AIME) & MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL (MRO ME) 10 - 11 February/ www.mromiddleeast.aviationweek.com
REFUEL FORUM MENA
10 - 11 February/ www.openroomevents.com/ refuel-forum-mena-2025
JEWELLERY SALON RIYADH
10 - 14 February/ www.jewellerysalon.com
SAUDI TRAVEL MARKET
10 - 12 February/ www.stmksa.com
BREAKBULK MIDDLE EAST 10 - 11 February/ www.middleeast.breakbulk.com
www.openroomevents.com/
HIDESIGN MEA 12 - 15 February/ www.hidesignmea.com
BIG 5 CONSTRUCT SAUDI 15 - 18 February (Week 1) & 24 - 27 February (Week 2) www.big5constructsaudi.com
GULFOOD 17 - 22 February/ www.gulfood.com
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 19 - 23 February/ www.boatshowdubai.com
JEWELLERY SALON JEDDAH 18 - 21 February/ www.jewellerysalon.com
THE LUXURY SHOW KUWAIT 22 - 24 February/ www.luxuryshowkuwait.com
www.jewellerysalon.com
PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY DUBAI 17 - 18 February/ www.professionalbeauty.me
IDEX - INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE 17 - 21 February/ www.idexuae.ae
NAVDEX - NAVAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE 17 - 21 February/ www.idexuae.ae
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL GARDEN SHOW 19 - 23 February/ www.bigs.com.bh
XPOSURE 20 - 28 February/ www.xposure.net
CONNECTING HYDROGEN MENA 24 - 26 February/ www.connectinghydrogenmena.com
WCA WORLDWIDE CONFERENCE 25 February - 1 March/ www.conferences.wcaworld.com/ wcaworld2025
GULFOOD
Gulfood / 17 - 22 February / gulfood.com
This year, Gulfood celebrates 30 remarkable editions of shaping the global food landscape at the World Trade Centre. For over three decades, Gulfood has been a catalyst for innovation, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and redefining the future of food. As the world undergoes a profound transformation in food systems—driven by cutting-edge technologies, sustainability advancements, and visionary ideas—Gulfood 2025 will stand at the center of this revolution. This is where the future of food takes shape, and Gulfood invites you to be part of these groundbreaking changes.
1M+ products to source
150+ hours of learning
129+ participating countries
FOOD STRATEGY FOR CHANGE
The Food500 brings together top minds and innovative ideas to tackle key issues like international trade, investment, legislation, environment, health, and global food security challenges.
5,500+ exhibiting companies
Gulfood Discovery Tours take center stage at the milestone 30th edition of Gulfood, offering more than just a tour—it’s an immersive journey into the groundbreaking innovations and emerging opportunities redefining the global food and beverage landscape.
With six expertly curated routes—The Gourmet Route, The Alternate Route, The Smart Route, The Emirati Route, The De-Bunked Route, and the Jury’s Choice Route—each tour provides a tailored exploration of the latest trends, insightful perspectives, and gamechanging products from across the globe.
As the first premium non-alcoholic drinks marketplace in the Middle East, Drink Dry is transforming the way people in Dubai and beyond enjoy beverages. Their e-commerce store features a wide selection of alcohol-free options, including wine, beer, and spirit alternatives. Drink Dry has made online shopping for NOLO (that’s No and Low alcohol) beverages quick and easy for consumers in the UAE and Kuwait. We talk with the founder, Erika, about the start of this venture and her vision for the future.
Erika Doyle Founder Drink Dry www.drinkdry.com
The main reason I started Drink Dry was to fill the gap for consumers like me.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO DUBAI AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START DRINK DRY?
My journey to Dubai started somewhat very similarly to many expat women - my husband’s job required us to make the move to Dubai and we initially only planned to stay here for 2 years. Once you are here, it is impossible not to fall in love with the city, the people, the lifestyle. However, the one thing that I was really missing was good quality premium nonalcoholic drinks, so the main reason I started Drink Dry was to fill the gap for consumers like me - people who loved socialising and hosting and entertaining but didn’t drink alcohol. I wanted to introduce the brands and drinks I knew and loved from back in the UK and Europe.
I never wanted to start a business or to be an entrepreneur, but the desire to do something about the lack of choice in this market was too strong to ignore.
DID YOU HAVE ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES TO PREPARE YOU FOR FOUNDING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS?
I wouldn’t say I had any like-for-like previous experiences that could have prepared me for the roller coaster that starting a business is! I have never wanted to start a business or to be an entrepreneur, but the desire to do something about the lack of choice in this market was too strong to ignore. I would say in general, I am a tough cookie and have never been shy to take on a challenge. I moved to the UK (from Lithuania) by myself at the age of 16 and have been financially independent ever since. I had two or sometimes even three jobs while studying for my A-levels and while studying for my degree at the University of Nottingham. I have inherited a really strong work ethic from my parents and a strong sense of ‘everything is possible if you just work hard enough’. When I look back at the last 4 or 5 years of running Drink Dry, this motto has definitely served me well in my journey.
EVERY ENTREPRENEUR FACES MOMENTS OF DOUBT AND SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT TEST THEIR RESOLVE. COULD YOU DISCUSS THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGES YOU’VE FACED IN STARTING UP DRINK DRY?
I faced multiple challenges along the way, you name it - from funding, to finding the right people to join me on this journey, to managing brands and even the compliance of the products, but challenges are exactly that - challenges.
I say this with all the humility in the world, I have never had any doubts about starting Drink Dry and whether or not it will be a success. I believed so strongly that there was a demand for our products and that we just had to find the right way to communicate with our customers. We had to be authentic and introduce premium non-alcoholic drinks to the audience in a way that they could relate and understand. I, of course, (I) faced multiple challenges along the way, you name it - from funding, to finding the right people to join me on this journey, to managing brands and even the compliance of the products, but challenges are exactly that - challenges. There is always a solution to any problem, you just need to be willing to find it.
HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THOSE OBSTACLES?
HAVE THEY TAUGHT YOU ANY LESSONS, OR CHANGED THE WAY YOU OPERATE THE COMPANY?
I have learned that very often we tend to overthink things and we allow the challenges to get a lot bigger in our heads than they actually need to be. I have learned to ask for advice and help, and realised that people are more willing to help than I initially thought. I have always wanted to lead with purpose and for me, that means providing a great work environment for people at Drink Dry. We spend so much time at work and it is crucial that we are content and happy, that we smile and have a laugh at work with our colleagues. People are my number one priority.
My proudest moment was Drink Dry winning the eCommerce Company of The Year at Arabian Business Awards in January 2024.
WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
To this day, my proudest moment was Drink Dry winning the eCommerce Company of The Year at Arabian Business Awards in January 2024. We were nominated next to some incredible companies, such as Deliveroo - and we won. It gives me goosebumps just remembering that evening! This was such a culmination and true recognition of what a small but mighty team can achieve together, without huge resources or funding, simply by being really creative and willing to take risks. The absolute highlight of that week was taking the award into the office the next morning and seeing the pride and joy in everyone’s eyes. You can’t buy moments like this.
For every successful campaign, we have at least three that do not work! And that’s the reality of what we do.
CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF A CAMPAIGN THAT DIDN’T GO AS PLANNED AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT?
For every successful campaign, we have at least three that do not work! And that’s the reality of what we do and what success looks like. You have to be so resilient and agile all the time. I remember in 2022, we partnered up with an Arabic influencer agency to increase our visibility amongst the local Arab communities. We chose the influencers we were gifting our products to very carefully, and felt a lot of excitement, which was brilliant. However, what we did not foresee was that when we gifted our beautiful non-alcoholic wine hampers to Arabic influencers who were non-drinkers themselves, they had no point of reference or experience in how to serve and present our drinks to their followers. We started seeing content where influencers were
pouring our non-alcoholic red wine into water tumblers as opposed to wine glasses (they didn’t even have wine glasses!), adding ice and using a soup spoon to mix it before serving it to their friends. You live and learn and these lessons are invaluable. I would never call it a ailure though, it was simply a lesson to learn for us all.
WHAT ASPECTS OF THE JOB DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
People! Meeting people, spending time with people, getting to know people, introducing our products to different groups of people, getting feedback from people. I thrive when I am surrounded by people, it gives me energy.
ANYTHING YOU REALLY DISLIKE?
In general, in life I dislike pretending and not speaking the truth, hence I would never put my name to something that I did not 100% believe in myself. This has turned out to be the biggest USP that we have at Drink Dry - our authenticity.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR AMBITION OR GOAL YOU HAVE FOR THE BUSINESS? WHAT COMES NEXT, IN TERMS OF YOUR GROWTH?
I have a goal whereby Drink Dry becomes synonymous with premium non-alcoholic drinks. I want to see people refer to Drink Dry when they actually just mean alcohol-free drinks. You know when people say, ‘Oh, pass me a Kleenex please?’ What they are actually asking for is a tissue, but they are referring to it as ‘Kleenex’. This is a big dream, but I believe it is possible.
I thrive when I am surrounded by people, it gives me energy.
I have a goal whereby Drink Dry becomes synonymous with premium non-alcoholic drinks. I want to see people refer to Drink Dry when they actually just mean alcohol-free drinks.
2025 will be our 5th year in business and I have a good feeling about it!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE REMAINDER OF 2024, MOVING INTO 2025 AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN?
I want to successfully launch the brands that we have in the pipeline and I want the team to continue to grow in their knowledge and expertise. If we can achieve these two, the rest of the commercial success will come naturally. 2025 will be our 5th year in business and I have a good feeling about it!
LASTLY, FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?
Do your research, understand the market, understand your audience, trust your gut, go for it and work harder and smarter than anyone else! Success is subjective so be clear in defining to yourself what success looks like for you and then focus all your attention and energy in achieving exactly that.
Erika Doyle
Amy Chambers Executive Coach / Life Coach / #1 International Bestselling Author / Speaker / Consultant
Words have tremendous power. Our words convey thought, and thoughts create feelings. Feelings often lead us to act (or not act). So, the way we speak to ourselves (and others) matters greatly. When we say we probably can’t or shouldn’t do something, we’re likely to feel intimidated, unworthy, or afraid. When we’re feeling that way, we’re unlikely to act. Taking a chance and trying something new is already difficult, but it becomes far more so when we’re not feeling confident and courageous. When we say we’ll try to do something, we’re usually leaving the possibility open that we might not. When we say we will do something, we usually are committing fully to it (making it far more likely to happen). We can learn a lot about ourselves and others by paying close attention to our language.
If you tune into the inner dialogue you have with yourself, you’ll notice it closely resembles a conversation. We frequently ask ourselves questions and then respond to them. The way we answer these
The day I changed the questions I was frequently asking myself was the day my life changed.
questions is important because our answers largely determine how happy and successful we are. But, I’ve also discovered a hack: focusing on the questions we ask ourselves (instead of just the answers) is an even better way to influence and predict our happiness and success.
The day I changed the questions I was frequently asking myself was the day my life changed. The questions we ask ourselves can all be categorised and below I’ll share four categories of questions I ask myself now and the kinds of questions they replaced.
I grew up with what Carol Dweck, American psychologist and researcher at Stanford University, dubbed as a “fixed mindset”, in her 2006 book, Mindset. I was taught to believe that many of our traits (like intelligence, for example) are fixed and can’t be developed much. Individuals with a fixed mindset often shy away from new challenges or doing things that might expose any inadequacy or weakness. They prefer to play games they know they’re good at and can easily win. They can often say things like, “I don’t do that” or “That’s not who I am.”
After reading this book in 2016, I developed what Dweck calls a “growth mindset”. Individuals with growth mindsets believe that our traits are malleable, and like a muscle, they can be grown, developed, and stretched. As such, people with growth mindsets are far likelier to take on new challenges, puzzles, or games, because they view these as welcome opportunities to practice and learn something new. Since they don’t view their abilities as static and unchanging, they’re not as concerned with making mistakes, struggling, or failing, because they know those results aren’t permanent. Individuals with a growth mindset understand the power of the word YET. They’ll often say things like, “I haven’t done that yet, but I’d like to try” or “I’m not that kind of person yet, but I plan to become it.”
Before I realised that my fixed mindset was sabotaging me, I used to ask myself questions like, “What’s the easiest, fastest way to get this done?”, or “How can I emerge victorious?”, because I didn’t embrace the beauty of challenge and struggle. I didn’t enjoy making mistakes or failing, because I saw those things as inherently bad, embarrassing, or a sign that things weren’t going well. After developing a growth mindset, I viewed mistakes and failures as
Before I realised that my fixed mindset was sabotaging me, I used to ask myself questions like, “What’s the easiest, fastest way to get this done?”, or “How can I emerge victorious?”, because I didn’t embrace the e.beauty of challenge and struggle.
learning opportunities and exactly what I needed for growth, evolution, or transformation. Because I’d learned to grade myself not just on my results, but on my effort or behaviours, my questions changed. Instead of asking, “What grade did I get?” or “Did I win?”, I instead asked, “What did I learn? How can I improve? Did I give this my very best effort? What does my best look like in this situation?” I even learned to ask, “Did I enjoy myself today?”
The shift in these questions allowed me to focus on progress instead of perfection and on the journey instead of the destination. As I changed these questions, my focus on winning shifted to trying, and this opened an entirely new arena of life pursuits. Instead of saying, “I’m not a runner” because I couldn’t run a mile (yet), or “I’m not a skier”, because
I hadn’t ever skied (yet), I instead began to say, “I haven’t done those things yet and probably won’t be very good at them to begin with. But I can try.” Today, I’m both an avid a marathon runner and proud skier, but those things only became possible for me after I changed my questions.
The
shift in these questions allowed me to focus on progress instead of perfection and on the journey instead of the destination.
In life, my greatest success has always come from helping others be successful and when we ask ourselves how to best do this, the rewards always come back around.
My former boss, CEO Joseph Whitaker, has always said: “Success is not an individual sport, it’s a team activity”. Joseph’s right. No man is an island and none of us become great alone or in a vacuum. When it came to challenging myself so I could learn and grow, I’ve had a lot of help. I found some of the help I had by asking myself: “Who’s better than me at this? Who can I learn from? Who can help me with this? Am I enlisting all the resources and support I can find?” These questions have influenced me to make numerous key decisions over the last decade. Because of these questions, I’ve joined running clubs, boards, and networking groups. I’ve hired coaches, mentors, and countless vendors to help me run my business and publish two books. It’s takes a humble, vulnerable person to ask for the right help but doing so opens so many doors.
When I was 24, I was given my first leadership position. Grateful for the opportunity and raised as an achiever, I wanted to do very well. I remember asking myself, “How can I deliver results? How can I be considered a top performer? How do I position myself for bigger roles? How can I make more money?”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to get results, perform, and grow into bigger roles (with more pay). However, as I’ve researched, observed, and practiced leadership (almost obsessively) over the last 18 years, I discovered that these aren’t the questions the very best leaders ask. Promotions and increased compensation are instead the spoils or bi-products that the best leaders usually gain from having asked much better questions.
As I wrote in my first book, 7 V.I.R.T.U.E.S. of Exceptional Leaders, leadership isn’t about what you can do. It’s about what you can help others do. Your results are the results of your team or everyone around you. The best leaders don’t spend much time thinking about how to increase their own
performance or paycheck. Rather, they spend a majority of their time thinking about how to develop the talent around them. When leaders invest their time coaching, developing, and recognising others, entire teams begin to perform at very high levels. That, in turn, always reflects well on the leader.
As I evolved as a leader, I became less focused on myself and what I was getting, and more focused on others and what I was giving. I began asking myself on a daily basis: “Who did I serve or influence today? Who did I help grow today? Who did I recognise today? Who did I listen to today? Who did I make feel seen and heard today?” The more I asked these questions, the more people told me they loved working with me and the more they began to create breakthrough results. In life, my greatest success has always come from helping others be successful and when we ask ourselves how to best do this, the rewards always come back around.
When I was younger, I lived life reactively. For years, I started each day by first checking my phone and computer. My first focus was responding to texts, emails, and calls. If a friend invited me to have dinner or meet for happy hour later that same day, I’d often decide in the moment. At work, I felt responsible: I was meeting everyone’s needs by getting back to them. At home, I felt carefree: I would often say yes to last minute invitations.
But, something was missing. I didn’t feel entirely fulfilled. I realised I had a lot of long-term BHAG’s (big, hairy, audacious goals), and I realised I wasn’t really working towards them. I’d been raised as a peoplepleaser, and as such, I felt compelled to say yes to everyone and everything. A key goal was to make others happy, and I realised that instead of running my days, my days were running me. I was getting a lot of little things done, but I wasn’t making progress towards my wildest and most important dreams.
Whenever we say yes to one thing, we automatically saying no to an infinite number of other things, even if it’s just curling up on the couch with a good book (or heck, writing a book).
The turning point in my life arrived in 2015, when I finally penned my first personal vision statement. In that vision statement, I crafted some major life goals for myself: I wanted to write several books, become a marathon runner, find a great partner, have enough money to buy my dream house at the beach, travel more, and start my own business. As Stephen Covey wrote in his famous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “It’s easier to say no when you have a greater yes in mind.” My vision statement became my greater yes. I decided if I wanted to make these things happen, I simply couldn’t be saying yes to everyone and everything around me. I had to start saying no, so I could say yes to myself.
I stopped asking myself reactive questions like “Is everyone else okay with me right now? Did I let anyone down today? Who else can I make happy?” Instead, I asked more strategic such as, “What are the 2-3 most important things I need to get done this week or today? Where will they go on my calendar?”
Once I’d identified these things (and given them a place to live and breathe on my calendar), I’d ask myself, “Are they getting done? If not, what stood in their way? What do you need to change so that doesn’t happen again?”
As I did this, I gained control over my time (and my life). I disappointed some people and even lost a few friends. They probably weren’t true friends anyway, since true friends aren’t offended when we pursue our big goals; they’re happy for us! But, I gained so much more than I lost. I was able to manifest and achieve every single goal I’d listed on my personal vision statement. And, this wouldn’t have ever happened if I hadn’t started asking myself, “What absolutely needs to get done today? What will you do today to get closer to the person you want to be tomorrow?”
Rory Vaden, Keynote Speaker, Co-Founder of Brand Builders, and two-time bestselling author, puts it simply: “Time-management is really just self-management”. Rory is right. When we manage ourselves (to manage our time), our entire lives transform. The trajectories of wealth, success, and happiness building for people who are intentional and deliberate with their time versus those who aren’t cannot be overstated - it’s massive.
I stopped asking myself reactive questions like “Is everyone else okay with me right now? Did I let anyone down today? Who else can I make happy?”
Instead, I asked more strategic such as, “What
are the 2-3 most important things I
need to get done this week or today?
Around the time I wrote my first vision statement, I also penned my core values. Most of us have a set of core values, whether we know it or not. Often, the core values that we hold dear (even if it’s only subconsciously) dictate our actions. If we want to know what someone believes or values, we simply need to look at how they behave. As humans, we do a much better job choosing between conflicting priorities and living by our values once we’ve identified what they are, and that’s because knowing what they are allows us to act towards them consciously and deliberately, instead of only subconsciously.
A few of my top values are accountability, compassion, curiosity, humility, integrity, and transparency. I also have definitions for each of my values. Accountability means that I keep my commitments and do what I say I will. That’s why I’m writing this article right now - I promised the editor of this magazine to turn it in by tomorrow and I want to make good on that. Curiosity means that I consistently find ways to learn new things. That’s why I read a book a month. Transparency means that I don’t sugar-coat or hide the truth of what I’m thinking or feeling from anyone. People can count on me to give it to them straight. My hope is that my clients,
friends, family, and everyone I interact with will see these values shining through in everything that I do. That’s why some of the questions I frequently ask myself now include, “If I died today, what would people say about me at my funeral? Would it be the things I wanted? Would they talk about these values?”
Before I had a set of core values by which to grade myself, I’d often grade myself using other people’s paradigms. I’d ask myself questions like, “What do others think of you? Is anyone judging you or talking about you behind your back? What might they be saying?”, instead of focusing on what I thought of myself. This created tremendous anxiety and stress and left me completely vulnerable to the opinions of others (and their belief systems). I’ve since realised that we all get to define what success is for ourselves and that meant I needed to change the questions I asked myself.
I’ve since realised that we all get to define what success is for ourselves and that meant I needed to change the questions I asked myself.
Because my values are so important to me, I now ask myself a series of question at the start of each day. Examples include: “How (specifically) will I live my values today? How would an accountable person handle this tough situation? What would a curious person do today? How can you exude compassion today?” At the end of each day, I ask myself how I did. I’ve found this is a much better litmus test for how I’m showing up in the world and presenting myself, and it’s one that I have a lot more control over.
These four categories (and all the examples within them) aren’t an exhaustive list. There are many others that I see highly successful, incredibly happy people ask themselves. But, these questions are some of the most important, and are a great start to living a richer, fuller life. You’ll achieve the best success in guiding your key decisions and understanding your feelings about your life by using these questions consistently. Each question can be used in the morning and in the evening. You can start by picking a few favourites and asking yourself in the mornings, “How will I do these things today?” You can end each day by asking yourself in the evenings, “How did I do these things today?” If you follow this guideline for
even 30 days, I guarantee you’ll notice new things about yourself or your life that you haven’t before. If you choose to make new decisions because of those observations, I guarantee your life will begin to change. The choice is yours, but I wish you all the success in the world as you go on your journey.
Amy Chambers
For more information on these topics, check out 6 H.A.B.I.T.S. of Powerful People at the link below.
The code HABITS15 takes 15% off!
www.amymchambers.com/product/amy-chambers-second-book/
Women make up around one-third of entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Business friendly policies and incentives set to close the gap between male-owned and female-owned businesses.
‘The Female Founder Formula’ providing a practical roadmap to fuel growth in entrepreneurship.
Helen McGuire
The Female Founder Formula Executive Coaching/ Business Consulting /Content Strategy www.helenmcguire.co
That’s according to predictions from Dubai-based Helen McGuire, an exited tech founder, board member and author of the newly launched ‘Female Founder Formula’, a refreshingly honest and practical guide that challenges the conventional business playbook. Helen’s predictions support the major growth in the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which, thanks to a wave of business-friendly policies and mentorship programmes, has seen a doubling of early-stage entrepreneurial activity, placing the country firmly amongst the top five economies globally for supporting female entrepreneurship.
Encouragingly, support for female entrepreneurship is extending to the next generation of leaders too. Creative thinking and problem-solving in schools is increasingly becoming part of the curriculum, which is helping to showcase the merits of starting owned businesses and ‘being your own boss’ for young people. With the UAE actively driving towards its Vision 2031 goals to establish the country as a global hub for technology, AI and FinTech, which is being bolstered by initiatives such as the launch of the ‘Entrepreneurship Hub’, and the Nafis programme, the groundwork has already been laid to encourage more people into taking this career path, where there truly is no glass ceiling.
Indeed, women-owned businesses are already on the rise; contributing AED 60 billion to the economy via the launch of 50,000 business projects in the UAE. Whilst men still dominate the landscape, women now makeup around one-third of entrepreneurs in the UAE – a number which has doubled over the past decade – as a result of business-friendly policies, mentorship, training and skills building initiatives.
To further encourage more growth in the area, Helen McGuire, who is a renowned diversity and equality entrepreneur, has launched her first book, the Female Founder Formula to provide a roadmap for those juggling founder and family responsibilities – male or female. Born out of a lack of clarity of the steps that need to be taken to finding business success, the book focuses on multiple areas from Finding Your Purpose: Discovering how to align passion with purpose and profit for a business that makes a real-world impact; Building Confidence: Tools and strategies to develop a resilient mindset and confront challenges; Practical frameworks to guide you through setting up, scaling and selling your business; The importance of the seven purpose principles: Commitment, Collaboration Knowledge, Authenticity, Persistence, Empathy and Vision; and Creating Impact: Learning how a purposedriven approach can set you apart and attract talent, customers, and investors.
As the founder of two award-winning tech companies and among the 0.5% of women to have successfully had their business acquired, Helen’s approach for
founders also highlights the critical role that purpose played in all her business decisions and how it has fueled her innovation, growth, and resilience.
Commenting on this, Helen McGuire, author of the Female Founder Formula, said: “ Stepping out on your own can feel like the stabilisers are coming off – especially if you’re doing it against the backdrop of raising a family. There’s no safety net to fall back on, this is it, you have to make it work. Whilst it can feel overwhelming, it needn’t be, and the good news is that there’s a roadmap that you can follow.
“I was keen with this book to tackle everything from nurturing your idea and writing your business plan through to the set up and scale up of your own business – and even attracting investment when you’re up and running. But one thing I wanted to get very clear on was that having a business doesn’t mean having to sacrifice everything else that matters. You can have both a family life and a business. And whilst yes you will have to juggle tasks and commitments, the door is firmly open to both – and it’s especially a great time for women to consider taking their steps to set-up their own business.
“I hope through the Female Founder Formula that I provide a down-to-earth but gamechanging guide for those balancing big ambitions with life’s many other responsibilities. Because building a successful business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything else that matters.”
Helen’s book is based on the roadmap she wished she’d had when she started out as a female founder with young children, a busy family life and just an idea. Taking into account both passion and purpose, the launch of the Female Founder Formula follows news that the UAE – as well as the wider GCC region – is predicted to see a massive surge in startup funding from the end of this year, and running through 2025, spelling an even greater opportunity for those looking to start or scale up their businesses in the region.
Helen McGuire
Aliya Rajah Confidence & Public Speaking Coach www.aliyarajah.com
‘ I don’t feel confident talking to new people. ’ ‘ I feel really awkward in social situations. ’ ‘ I feel like I don’t have much to say. ’
‘ I think that I’m boring ’ ‘ I avoid social situations. ’
These are just a few of the stories that come up in sessions with clients who lack social confidence. They’re often at a point where they feel frustrated because there’s so much more that they want to do and believe they can do, but their fears and insecurities are a huge barrier. They manage to talk themself out of attending networking events, say no to speaking opportunities, and hold themselves back from socialising. Relatable?
Now, there’s a difference between not being interested in the above, nor seeing the value for yourself, either personally and/or professionally, and wanting to but not doing so because you’re getting in your own way. If it’s the latter, then let’s delve into that a bit more.
So when we talk about social confidence and a lack of, how can that be showing up in your life right now?
This could be in both a personal and professional setting. You receive an invitation for a birthday that, deep down, you’d love to attend, but when it comes down to the day, you end up talking yourself out of it and stay at home. Or you’ve been invited to speak on a panel, which would have huge benefits for building your profile, increasing your visibility, and spreading your important message; however, the fear takes over, and you decline.
Maybe you’ve had not-so-great experiences in the past, where you felt really awkward, didn’t know what to say, or spent the whole time feeling uncomfortable, which has now completely put you off from ever wanting to be in a situation like that again. Or maybe your go-to response is to always imagine the worst of every scenario: ‘What if I have nothing to say?’ ‘What if it’s really obvious how nervous I am?’ ‘I’m dreading how awkward it’s going to be,’ or finding yourself overthinking what it is you have to say.
If you struggle with feeling confident in social situations, a question to reflect on is: ‘How present am I during conversations or whenever I give a presentation?’
If the answer’s no, it’s likely that when communicating, instead of focusing on the person or people in front of you, you’re completely in your head. You’re obsessing over what people are thinking of you, how you’re coming across, whether or not what you’re saying is interesting, or regretting making a certain comment and wondering how it landed. And how stressful that is! No wonder you’re not enjoying your experiences if that is what you experience, and the more you’re in your mind, the less you’ll be able to connect with others. Less connection with others leads to a less smooth communication experience, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy!
Now, this one is such a shame and one that is incredibly common because you’re doing yourself such a disservice.
Maybe a goal of yours right now is to work your way up the career ladder and get to the top of your field. A way to work smarter, rather than simply harder, is to increase your visibility, develop relationships, and communicate effectively. However, due to your reluctance to get out of your comfort zone, these opportunities are missed and, unfortunately, can have pretty unfortunate outcomes, such as missed promotions or your ideas being shared by others and your efforts going unnoticed. In a time where there’s so much noise, being able to stand out and be seen gets you much further ahead than simply working with your head down and being the smartest or hardest-working person on your team. A study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that confident individuals are 70% more likely to be perceived as leaders, even if their actual abilities are the same as their peers.
And if we look at the impact on our health, a study in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that people with low social confidence are 38% more likely to experience chronic loneliness—a condition linked to health risks similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—so this is not something that should be dismissed or taken lightly.
So, if moving forward, you would love to get out of your shell, get yourself out there, build more connections, increase your visibility, and fall in love with life in 2025, then I invite you to set a clear intention to do so. A study from Cognitive Therapy and Research found that gradual exposure to feared social situations improves confidence in 85% of participants after six months, so be patient and focus on progress rather than perfection.
Confident individuals are 70% more likely to be perceived as leaders, even if their actual abilities are the same as their peers.
People with low social confidence are 38% more likely to experience chronic loneliness—a condition linked to health risks similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Get clear on your why
Why is it important to you to expand your network and start developing more relationships? Be as specific as you can, and write down how it will benefit you professionally and/or personally. Having a clear “why” with anything gives us a stronger driving force, and there’s that realisation that attending this specific event is really so much more and will benefit you not only today but in the future. As a business owner, I’ve found that building relationships has played a huge role in all that I’ve done today, and it enables you to work much smarter.
Have a networking buddy
Who says you have to go alone? Find someone else who has the same interests as you and would also benefit from attending the same kinds of events. You can go together, and it’s much more reassuring knowing someone else is there. If there are any awkward moments, you can go and join in their conversation!
Gradual exposure to feared social situations improves confidence in 85% of participants after six months, so be patient.
And there’s absolutely no shame in this. In the same way, you might work with a personal trainer to help you with your fitness goals so that they can give you feedback on what you’re doing and guide you on how to achieve your goals based on tried and tested methods; the same applies to working with a coach to help you with your communication skills. To date, I’ve worked with hundreds of people who have come to me and said, “I’m great at the technical skills of my role and am confident there, but I struggle with the social side of things and want to sharpen these skills so that I can communicate much more effectively with my team and external stakeholders.” The journey is always a lot of fun, and it’s always enjoyable to see the transformation that they go through.
‘The journey of a thousand miles starts with one small step.’ - Lao Tzu.
Yes, I know how frustrating it can be when you set a goal for yourself, and you’re like, ‘I just want to be there now,’ or perhaps it becomes so overwhelming that it seems like something far away in the distance. The key here is to start small. If you dream of one day speaking to an audience of 500 people but are terrified of conversations, then just start by talking to the barista next time you get a coffee. Strike up a conversation to ask about their day and continuously work the muscle little by little, which will prepare you to achieve your bigger goals ahead.
And an extra one I want to add is to enjoy yourself and enjoy the process! (One we can easily forget.) It can be so easy to get caught up in your head and overthink everything. But the more you let go, loosen up, and allow yourself to enjoy your experiences, the more present you’ll be, and the better your conversations will flow.
Wishing you a wonderful and social year ahead!
Aliya Rajah
So here is your roundup of news:
Tourism in Saudi is booming….and the outlook and opportunities even more. The Ministry of Tourism announced that the number of tourism hospitality facilities licensed to operate across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased to more than 3,950 by the end of Q3 2024, recording a growth rate of 99% compared to the same period in 2023. This means that there are now 443,000 rooms available as of the end of September ‘24 (+107%).
Sotheby’s announced it is launching an office and auctions in the Kingdom, where the market for art and luxury has grown exponentially in recent years. The first auction will take place in the historic town of Diriyah in February 2025 with art as well as handbags, cars and sports memorabilia as a focus
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has raised $318mn for Beta Technologies, a US electric aerospace company that is developing all-electric aircraft and infrastructure. In May, Qatar’s Ministry of Transport announced plans to start eVTOL trials by early next year.
The construction of the first aerial taxi vertiport in Dubai has been announced and will open up in 2026. It will be close to the airport and can handle 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually. The initial phase of the plan will feature stations located in several key areas including Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.
UAE real estate has recently seen a new variety of tech players come to the market because data security is emerging as a major challenge for the traditionally operating real estate industry.
DON’T FORGET:
11th February
Sports Day Qatar
22nd February
Foundation Day (Saudi)
22nd February
Sports Day (Bahrain)
25th February
National Day Kuwait
26th February
Liberation Day Kuwait
Italian exports to the UAE soared by 22% in the first 7 months of 2024 and is projected to do equally well for the rest of the year.
Corina Goetz is the Founder of Star-CaT, a Middle East Strategist and Cultural Expert for the Gulf. She helps her clients create better relationships in the Gulf region so they can grow and expand their businesses.
Your Insider’s Path to Saudi Business and Culture
- Avoid costly cultural errors, reputation damage and risk. Instead
- Build long lasting relationships, stand out with cultural intelligence and stay ahead of the competition.
Corina Goetz
“As your Cultural Adviser, I provide in-depth expertise on the region’s diverse business practices and etiquette”.
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Still branding shirts with just a company logo?
Edge-to-edge designs can take your branding to another level
by Luca Senatore
Luca Senatore’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. He went from not speaking any English and being fired from a kitchen porter job to building and growing seven successful businesses. In this book, he shares his experiences leading the award-winning digital agency Genie Goals, based in Cambridge. A sought-after speaker at Google and a top-five-ranked international marketing expert, Luca is known for his no-nonsense, straight-talking approach.
Google Ventures Startup Lab | GV partner Rick Klau covers the value of setting objectives and key results (OKRs) and how this has been done at Google since 1999. make new contacts in the sector, which we did at the UK Pavillion.
We’re experimenting with this software as a way to visually map our objectives and track KPIs at mecs.
Established in Abu Dhabi in 2006, Global Medical Solutions Hospital Management LLC (GMS) is a fully Emirati-owned company with extensive expertise in healthcare across local, regional, and international markets. GMS specialises in recruiting for a wide range of medical roles within advanced healthcare facilities across the MENA region.
Prior to the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, GMS teamed up with mecs to design and produce marketing materials for distribution at the event.
Recognising the unique sensory appeal of print materials, GMS aimed to enhance brand visibility through creative, tactile brochures and flyers.
These printed materials effectively captured the attention of attendees, encouraging deeper engagement and interest in GMS’s offerings. Additionally, e-brochures were developed to provide a further option for visitors to access information.
To cater to varying preferences, GMS allowed attendees to download digital brochures directly to their phones while still offering printed leaflets and catalogues. This dual approach proved highly successful, as it met the needs of those who preferred to travel light while ensuring others could enjoy the tangible appeal of printed materials.
Project Highlights:
Printed Brochures and E-Brochures
8-page brochures printed in full-colour process, enhanced with metallic ink and sealed with a varnish for a premium finish.
Printed on 250gsm fine matte coated art paper (German), ensuring a professional and durable quality.
Final brochure size: 235 x 165mm, folded, gathered, stitched, and trimmed to perfection.
This strategic combination of traditional print and digital media underscored GMS’s commitment to providing an engaging and accessible experience for all visitors, further strengthening its presence at the exhibition.
At a printing press, quality comes down to the people running the press. The latest machinery and equipment are useless in the wrong hands. A print company is only as good as it’s people.
This applies to just about any industry. Perhaps your’s too. Human ability still determines the final result.
At mecs, we call ourselves a graphic design and print management agency. Because printing has always been part of our DNA. Our founders include a British Master Printer, trained at City & Guilds, London. We bring you more than 45 years of industry-experience and an obsession with quality, detail, and precision that is as strong as ever.
For 25 years mecs has specialised in bilingual English / Arabic design and print. Starting out in Kuwait, our work quickly stood apart, and our services were soon sought by some of the most respected names in Arabian business. Reknowned for clear communication, elegant design, and outstanding production quality; clients turn to us for presentations that matter. We have worked across countless industries, with clients spanning the entire Arabian Gulf, the U.S., UK, and Europe.
Today we have a design studio located in Devon, South West England, while the focus of our work remains the GCC region.
We continue to welcome new clients across the Gulf region.
middle east creative services
Website: www.mecs.design
Email: hello@mecs.design
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