Irina
Licorne
The British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates 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 British-owned, Dubai-based companies, UK registered organisations, UK passport holders and brands that support British business.
Through a considered and strategic calendar of events, the BBG ensures high quality networking opportunities, market knowledge sharing, valuable engagement opportunities and exclusive experiences for our members.
The BBG 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 opportunity for our members and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact the BBG business team: info@bbgdxb.com
Email: info@bbgdxb.com
Website: bbgdubai.org
LinkedIn: /Britishbusinessgroup
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Welcome to the June-July edition of Yalla! magazine. With temperatures soaring across the Gulf, June, July, and August tend to be the quietest months of the year for events. But there are still some notable expos taking place, from the Saudi Food Expo, to the Saudi Manufacturing Show - and 20 events in our listings this issue.
Networking expert, Phil Bedford joins Freddie Pullen on the Into The Desert podcast. Phil explains why so many people get frustrated with networking and quickly give up - when it could make such a difference to their business or career paths when done correctly.
Founders, Alexandre Katrangi and Irina Duisimbekova, share their experiences at Licorne Gulf, an investment firm with activities spanning Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Switzerland.
Tamara Berrington writes about the impact of good quality rest on our wellbeing and productivity.
International Bestselling Author, Amy Chambers, shares her V.I.R.T.U.E.S framework for exceptional leadership.
Corina Goetz brings you a roundup of Arabian Gulf news, facts and events.
And in the studio, we’ve been exploring some of the latest updates from Adobe, in the form of Photoshop Beta. Released at the end of May, this version introduces cutting-edge AI that can generate imagery from text commands.
Enjoy the summer! Our 6th issue will be out in August.
Marisa Manns Keith Manns Marcus Manns
email: hello@mecs.design
Website: mecs.design/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ mecsdesign
Facebook: facebook.com/mecsdubai
Instagram: instagram.com/ mecs.design/
Twitter: twitter.com/mecsdesign
INDIA PROPERTY SHOW 10-11th June/ dwtc.com/en/events/ india-property-show-2023
JEWELS OF EMIRATES SHOW 1-4th June/ jewelsofemirates.ae
GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT FORUM KSA 12-13th June/ gpmf.sa
WORLD PHYSIOTHERAPY CONGRESS 2023
2-4th June/ wp2023.world.physio
IDC SECURITY ROADSHOW KSA 5th June/ idc.com/mea/events
SAUDI CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE SUMMIT 4-5th June/ scesummit.com
HEALTHTECH INNOVATION SUMMIT & EXPO 5-6th June/ htisummit.com
SAUDI FOOD EXPO 2023 5-8th June/ saudifoodexpo.com
DIGITAL HEALTH CONFERENCE KSA 14th June/ digitalhealthmena.com
HIVE FURNITURE SHOW 14-16th June/ hivefurnitureshow.com
SAUDI PRINT & PACK 12-15th June/ saudi-pp.com
MEET ICT BAHRAIN 4 -5th July / meetict.com
HRSE HR SUMMIT AND EXPO KSA 19-20th June/ informaconnect.com/hrse-saudi
MOMMY & ME EXPO 11 - 14th July / mommyme.events
THE SAUDI FOOD SHOW 20-22nd June/ thesaudifoodshow.com
GLOBAL TECH SUMMIT 17 - 18 July / globaltechsummit.com
INTERNATIONAL NURSING RESEARCH CONGRESS 20 - 23rd July / sigmanursing.org
WORLD VAPE SHOW 21-23rd June/ worldvapeshow.com
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE 21 - 23rd July/ expo-centre.ae
SAUDI MANUFACTURING SHOW 25 - 26th July / saudimanufacturingshow.com
SAUDI MANUFACTURING SHOW
25th - 26th July /saudimanufacturingshow.com
The manufacturing sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed massive expansion over the years as economic diversification has become priority on the national agenda.
The manufacturing sector will play a vital role in realizing the Saudi Vision 2030 and is expected to be its greatest driver of economy.
Manufacturing digitization is one of the key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s industrial development plan. Digital Transformation has transformed all aspects of manufacturing, touching not just processes and productivity but also people.
200 + exhibitors
4000 + delegates
800 + investment opportunities
500 + speakers
Into the Desert Podcast recently had the opportunity to interview Phil Bedford, a networking expert on a mission. Phil is a business coach and a certified Professional Behavioral Analyst and NLP Master Practitioner. He runs the UAE franchise of Asentiv, a business consulting and coaching agency based in Switzerland. In conversation with Freddie Pullen, he explains that networking is misunderstood and undervalued by most people. He shares his views on why that is, and how you can succeed with a simple shift in perspective and a more human approach.
Phil moved to Dubai 25 years ago, with a job in real estate sales. Being a commission-only role, he was effectively self-employed from the very beginning. And having spent some time studying in Spain, his hobby of salsa dancing in the UK quickly became another entrepreneurial outlet in the UAE. Within the first six months, he had begun teaching salsa four to five nights a week. He later began a kitesurfing business too, on the back of another hobby.
Phil was successful in sales but didn’t immediately recognise why. Sales were happening organically. He wasn’t cold-calling, he wasn’t aggressively selling, and he wasn’t advertising. Yet his sales pipeline was full of people.
It wasn’t until Phil joined Business Network International (BNI) in 2006 that he recognised why. He was a top salesperson that had never trained in sales and had never cold-called. He was converting people because he was networking. He was developing a steady stream of business from his social networks, built up by his side businesses teaching salsa and kit-surfing. It just hadn’t been labelled ‘networking’ until that point.
Phil quickly became proactive about the process from there on, delving into the science of networking. It was to be deliberate rather than accidental. He branded himself the Rebel Networker and was appointed BNI’s Regional Director for the Middle East in 2007. This involved setting up multiple networking groups and training BNI chapter directors and members.
Another reason that people can misjudge networking is that it takes time. There’s delayed gratification and no obvious sign of when your efforts will bear fruit. You may be regularly attending events, meeting people, and doing follow-up activities. But you don’t necessarily know when that will convert into new business. Notice that some of the most connected people in the UAE, for example, are people who have been residents for 10, 15, or 20 years. And that’s what is commonly called ‘experience’ in the Middle East. Of course, a small business owner typically has just 1 or 2 years. They need to get the ball rolling quickly, so they’ve got to be strategic and fast-track their networking efforts in months, rather than years.
One reason for that could be that it’s hard to value in monetary terms. To demonstrate, Phil gives a hypothetical example. Imagine you are given 2 hours with the U.S. President, and you are offered $500,000 to invest in your business, or you can have help from his network and ongoing goodwill. The value of networking may be intangible and hard to quantify, but Phil is adamant that you should always choose the network.
There’s also a sort of complacency. If you talk to people about networking, they often think they recognise its importance and think they already have contacts. Phil sometimes sees this with former CEOs who start their own businesses. They have a lot of confidence that their existing network will help them, but in reality, those contacts all belong to one tight-knit group. They might be former colleagues, for example, where everybody was in the same office. So it isn’t a broad, diverse set of contacts. In reality, you should start by asking yourself the right questions. Who in your local market would be in a position to ethically help you? And how do you build those connections?
He believes networking is widely misunderstood. Or at least greatly underestimated.
Then learn to network effectively. There is a right way to start a partnership with somebody: Give rather than take. Understand the basic human need to reciprocate and approach networking with the goal of enriching the other person. It’s not about “What can I get from this person?” but rather, “How can I be of use and value to them? How can I leave that person more enriched?” That value doesn’t need to be confined to the business arena either. You might connect them with a friend who shares their interests or leisure pursuits.
The important thing is to put the energy in and invest in networking. The effect is very different to turning up to an event, handing out business cards, trying to sell to each person and moving on. Particularly in Dubai, there’s an attitude that networking is a numbers game. That it’s about getting around to see everyone at an event. A company will give a salesperson a set of business cards, tell them to go to these events, give out as many cards as you can and then call them all. The fact is, that’s cold-calling face-to-face, which nobody should be doing.
Instead, Phil says you should resist the urge to sell immediately. If you try to sell to everybody you meet at an event, people are going to avoid you. But if you can change the dynamic of your interactions so that your focus is on enriching every person you meet, certainly people are going to warm to you.
This is a better approach all-round and the numbers prove it. We know from sales statistics that, in general, only 1 to 2% of people are ready to buy at any one time anyway. That puts the immediate sales pitch in perspective. Then, we also know that for someone to convert you generally need to follow up 8 to 12 times, historically. Firstly, most salespeople only follow up once or twice before giving up; 85% stop after just two calls. But more importantly, it shows why you need to foster longer-term relationships.
Talk to people and get to know them. Don’t try to sell them anything right away. After 5 or 6 conversations, they might express an interest in buying from you. When you keep following up, you keep adding value, and you keep thinking about how you can enrich these people, and you show that you’re professional, people will buy when they are ready.
Remember that it’s a human being that you’re talking to. Ask questions and learn about them. Listen intently and think of ways to offer value wherever possible. Phil is enthusiastic about business cards and uses them to jot down notes after conversations. He divides the cards into
two categories: one for people he had a good connection with and another for those with whom he didn’t. Most important of all, he follows through by reviewing those notes and providing some sort of support to those new contacts.
Phil Bedford Founder & CEO The Rebel Networker
Freddie Pullen Founder Into The Desert Podcast Co-Founder - Studio Nu
It may be widely misunderstood, but networking needn’t be complicated. It’s about building trust and maintaining relationships, with the goal of helping each other. Do that successfully and you’ll make true connections that will help your business grow.
Energy
Finance & Fintech
Tourism
Industry
Sport
Life Science
Licorne Gulf is a Capital Raising and Mergers & Acquisitions corporation with an international presence in the USA, Europe, MENA and GCC, providing investment services for start-ups, SME ’s, Family Businesses and Fortune 500 companies. We speak to the company’s two founders, Alexandre Katrangi & Irina Duisimbekova, about their startup journey and motivation. What inspired you to start your business? What were the motivating factors behind that decision?
I was lucky enough to be born into a multicultural and multi-faith family in the 70s. Even before globalisation became a buzzword, our family was already present in several countries. Being born in Paris, I grew up between Paris, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, where I could get exposure to international business.
Not that my family was in business. My father was a surgeon, and my mother a professor, but to talk about ecosystems and travel; that old adage that travel trains youth... It turned out to be true!
From my adolescence, and from the moment I passed my baccalaureate, I immediately wanted to continue to contribute to international exchange - to build something, to participate in the construction of projects which often change the face of a city, a country, or a population. Because the realisation of industrial, financial, sporting projects, or infrastructure projects can enormously change the philosophy and the sociology of a city.
My youth and early travels also motivated me to be an explorer. This year, as I celebrate my 49th birthday I have travelled all over the world and I am still discovering. And I still want to discover more, because our world, despite some of its faults, is fascinating. I find the meeting of cultures, peoples, and experiences is an absolutely magical adventure, and I believe it’s a necessity.
Being a product of a multicultural and multifaith family of Russian-Kazakh origin, I studied in several countries - in the UK, Russia, and France, where I finally set up with my parents. After graduating from business school in London, I enjoyed travelling and discovering new things and opportunities all over the world. So my inspiration to start my own business came from this desire to be free, to manage my personal time and achieve financial independence without any constraints.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced since starting Licorne Gulf?
I Alexandre
Oh, there have been many...!
Obviously, when you start a company, and this is what I tell our clients today, even if you have a goal, a strategy or a vision, you will eventually realise that this only represents 10% of the journey you are going to make. You can’t foresee the long road, as well as the different roads and forks that your company will take through synergies, painful experiences, new partnerships, extraordinary encounters, and other avenues.
Of course, as new entrepreneurs, the first challenge is and remains money. When you start a company it’s firstly about keeping afloat. I started with the few means I had, I accumulated some professional consulting projects at the same time, and as time went by I was able to build a portfolio of friends, relationships, and new contracts, which benefited us. The business is now profitable and allows me to reinvest in our project.
Moreover, I like your question very much, because the common denominator in fact always remains human. At the age of 20, I was lucky enough to be present at a meeting in the company of a great international businessman who introduced me to European and African heads of state. I remember one evening being at a palace and having a well-known, extremely influential head of state say to me - “Little one, you know in life you will meet many people, but never forget one thing: never kick your gardener in the ass... Because you do not know what he might become the following day!”
And indeed, I have kept to this adage throughout my life. Myself, I have suffered blows and arrows from all sides, that’s just the human nature of individuals. But at the same time, the richness of having been able to participate and meet a multitude of positive, benevolent people who wish with all their hearts to advance their vision or project has been immense.
In particular, I am thinking of Members of the Royal Families of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, our partners. We have been present in these three countries for 25 years. They have greatly contributed to our success through their wise advice and their stature, enabling us to access and trade in valuable industries at the international level - in a changing region at the heart of major economic and financial movements today.
Well, of course when you launch your business you learn a lot through experience as you go. At the beginning of your venture, you are a bit young and naive, thinking that other people are here to help to make you money! Big illusion!
Then you understand that the biggest challenge that your young company will face, is unpaid contracts. Many clients will try to abuse your confidence, play on the terms of your contract and you can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. The most important thing for our company was to get proper legal advice and prepare strong binding contracts that would compensate for our efforts.
“The secret of success is that one cannot do things alone”.
Again, on this subject, I will put human nature to the fore..., Indeed, in the past, we had already built excellent relationships and partnerships between several companies, with certain files or certain entities generating revenues in the millions, but it turned out that during the life cycle of these operations, certain jealousies, within the board of directors, or between strategic partners or with clients, led to dissension, misunderstanding very often, and in particular a lack of listening...
I think that’s what affects the whole world the most today, in particular the lack of listening and the reluctance to read things thoroughly. You notice that three-quarters of people, if you send them an email today, from the 10 lines you write they’ll pick up on perhaps 2 details. Nobody listens to anyone anymore...
We have, in the past, tried to bring together different talents within the same company during our mergers, acquisitions, and financing; because, as you know, the only secret of success is that one cannot do things alone. It must be a collaboration of several people, minds, and experiences that contribute to creating something new. But it turned out that very often, as is the case, everyone had a different agenda and did not have the same vision for the short, medium, and long term to achieve a common goal.
Of course, there are also external factors that can sometimes affect the business world, such as meteorological disasters or the Covid pandemic, which significantly slowed down a lot of business and construction projects during those years. We can also see today the chaos that exists in certain regions of the world, where development plans, especially when it comes to infrastructures, are set up for several years only to be stopped at some point due to conflicts or regional wars.
There is also the legal question, as we are seeing today, of sanctions: certain countries or quality investors operating with local companies suffer the full force of sanctions, which, by law in their country, impose a total embargo or the cessation of their activities. This contributes to completely destroying a whole strategic development plan that may have taken three or four years to build.
I would support what Alex said just above, human nature is one of the most vicious factors that you may meet along the way in your business. Whoever these people are: clients, suppliers, relatives, partners or simply “friends” - you may face rumours from various people trying to damage your reputation or label your business, sometimes simply out of jealousy.
One of the other "sticks in the wheels", as I call it, can be geopolitical conflict. For example, if you had some contracts with Ukraine when the war started, all such business would be discontinued. Geopolitics can be one of the biggest hidden points of failure in your business.
How did you overcome those obstacles and what did you learn from them?
Any particular lessons?
I AlexandreThe first lesson is to take a high view of things. Obviously, when there are dissensions between different people working on a project, it is necessary at some point to take a high view, listen to the arguments, and consider the examples put forward by the individuals, in order to establish a compromise acceptable to all.
And I would also say that there is a business rhythm, a momentum necessary for each transaction. Some of our clients, when they follow us and the momentum we impose on them, manage to have a linear approach to presenting their project, structuring it, financing it, and realising it.
Others—and these are the worst examples—are those who work on a sawtooth basis, as we say in French. ie. They advance for a while and then suddenly everything is blocked for three months. Then they go back to work for six months... Then they take a break for a month, and it is extremely difficult at that point to find them strategic partners and investors, particularly because there is an immediate loss of confidence as well as a constant delay in the return on investment and the realisation of their projects.
Presence is also important. We all do our best to be present with our customers, investors, and partners. Certainly, it is obvious that in today’s world of technology, there are many communication tools available, including the popular Zoom meetings which everyone has become an aficionado at. However, this does not replace physical meetings—a fraternal and friendly atmosphere can bring out so much more when people get along and there is that connection between people.
We are based, and our company is based in six countries. We are constantly travelling around the world because very often, especially in board meetings or strategic decisions and negotiations, there can be blockages. You may have seen already, when these problems start to be dealt with by email, WhatsApp exchanges, or phone, things can go into all the essence and become even more complicated than it was in the beginning! That’s why we constantly recommend to our interlocutors and partners punctual monthly and weekly meetings, not only in offices but during a dinner or a friendly reception, during lunch - precisely so that the small details that are to be calibrated, can be worked out in a harmonious way... By the way, a famous writer used to say, “The devil is in the detail!”
Time, trust and listening remain cardinal elements of all progress.
Yes learned a lot! I learned how to scan each client quickly, but with due diligence that would lead to fewer failures. Sometimes the client has their own vision but it doesn’t match the reality, so you have to explain how the whole system works and how they can be more successful with your guidelines. With more experience, you can almost instantly predict which company has good survival chances over the next three years and which startup will stay at the dreaming stage. So we have developed a lens through which we can easily determine the feasibility of any project, and only then proceed to the next step by presenting this company to the network of our investors.
So the key is to always learn from mistakes, analyse the client and the situation, and then prepare the solution if there is any.
In the last 20 years, we have helped to achieve partnerships and multi-billion dollar deals with international oil companies, technology companies, and sports clubs that we have set up in golf, where we have found them strategic partnerships and investors. Banking institutions, to which we have contributed by bringing them clients, dismantling entities, restructuring private debt, and listing shares in well-known companies. We have successfully worked with governments, and our international lobbying actions have enabled us to make strategic investment decisions for some countries. In our 27 years of activity, the list would be too long to include here; however, there is a multitude of company names and achievements that we have been involved with on our website and in the press.
To me, being successful is when people start seeking out your services through different channels or via recommendations from previous clients. It’s when you notice “word of mouth” spreading. Usually, with enough experience and notoriety, clients are the ones who are chasing you on a daily basis.
+500 78% +100
IAlexandre
Enormously, absolutely. The last 15 years have seen numerous changes in the business ecosystem, making it a lively period.
First of all, there are international regulations such as FATCA, SAPIN, OECD, and others that have been put in place and have been great contributions to the structuring and the possibility of filtering companies, financing, and business. However, sometimes these regulations have contributed to slowing down a lot of business opportunities due to that infamous international compliance.
There is also the involvement of large states or large state-owned companies with unlimited means that have changed the face of business enormously in regions such as Africa, for example, and the Middle East or the ballast countries; this came with immeasurable means to compete with a private sector, even if it was already heavily established.
With the advancement of new technologies, of course, we’ve seen the emergence of giants of technology or industry, utilising technologies to go faster, further, and in greater detail.
And, on a human level again, yes indeed, a whole series of new jobs, as they say, can appear and new professions can emerge, allowing a large part of the world to be reached even in the most remote villages; in this case, the Internet is truly the great revolution of the last three centuries.
Along with that, on the human level, the acceleration of the world and the acceleration of communication and business systems mean that there are fewer and fewer people who want to respect the timetable of business. And this means that today, as soon as a contract or a presentation document exceeds 30 pages, or even a simple e-mail exceeds 15 lines, people have got into the habit, and three-quarters of people have got into the habit, of reading it diagonally, and finally find themselves in a meeting asking questions whose answers were already written in the document!
But this is how I see it with some of our collaborators in Switzerland, England, or the Middle East who have been with us for more than 15 or 20 years. When we have to write to one of our clients or a service provider, I tell them to write a concise and simple email with even a bullet point that doesn’t exceed 10 lines. If you write a long and detailed report which is extremely enriching for the business, the client won’t even get halfway through.
Has your startup experience with Licorne Gulf changed you? As an entrepreneur, have you evolved with the company?
I AlexandreOf course, as I say all the time, we learn from our experiences and learn well; indeed, since the beginning of our company, we have grown from one country with three clients to now being in six countries with an average of 30 clients per year, and a total of 800 clients over the last few years. We have gained in maturity, we have gained in experience, we have gained in vision, we have gained in partnership, knowledge of certain markets that were at the time, totally unknown to us, and knowledge in jurisdictions, and that has taught us today to structure offers that are well balanced. That can be interesting for some of our clients, but after explanations and clarifications, they themselves end up finding it absolutely fair, logical, pragmatic, and efficient for their industrial, financial and infrastructure projects.
On a personal level, of course, I have evolved and I recognize that I go more directly to the point with certain clients, perhaps having less patience with age, and as I expressed above in particular, for those interlocutors who are not receptive to listening...I have always been surprised and amazed by some of our clients who decide to hire our services, pay us regularly, yet are not receptive and do not want to listen to what we
tell them, only to fail six months or a year later, coming back to us saying “I should have listened to you...”This cycle has always fascinated me... so, effectively, our years of business, development, and success have taught us from the beginning to try to explain and influence potential clients or partners towards making good decisions by always telling them to work on the three angles: short-term, medium-term and long-term. And by doing better, we can make sure he is receptive and follows the path that we want to engrave within his business.
IrinaAbsolutely, it teaches you life lessons almost every day and builds your maturity and experience. I have learned to analyse problems better and bring about solutions in a more optimised way. My approach to clients has changed, which is helping me to save my time and theirs as well. Self-confidence is also an important part of the key success factors that one builds along their business journey, by learning from social interactions and meetings with partners and clients.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses in the Gulf?
I AlexandreFirst of all, what I would say to any entrepreneur is to move forward. As Churchill said during the Second World War, “He who remains static has already lost...” And in business, it’s exactly that: we see a multitude of companies contacting us to help them develop or find strategic financial partners. Instead of diving into the pool and then swimming with the movements - because in business, there will always be movements. Instead, they wait, think, and question without ever starting anything, and without realising that each question will always lead to a different answer or a different option...
So, we always say to our entrepreneurs: when you want to develop in a country or region, of course, there are a multitude of solutions or options; however, you can never do them all at once... We, therefore, recommend that out of the two, three, or four possible options, you choose one and start it. It may not be the best, it may not be the right one, it may even be the least good, but at least start something and the life cycle of your company begins. I always used to say “A company is a living being-a being in movement-and there will always be changes.”
In this respect, the key word is “adaptation.” Throughout your life as an entrepreneur and the life cycle of your company, you will have to make choices morning, noon, and night; and it is your capacity to adapt that will help you make decisions and carry them out - since situations will constantly change.
There is also what I would call personality, as well as, once again, the darker side of the human psyche. Namely, the envy of those closest to you, whether it is friends or family... Having experienced it myself, whenever you try to start something in life, you will always have people around you who will tell you, it’s not going to work, you’re too far from being able to do something like that, you don’t have the abilities, etc. And I tell people all the time to move forward no matter what. Yes, you will take hits. Yes, you will have failures. But move forward on your idea, move forward on your vision, move forward on your project.
Besides, I have always coped using the Jim Lovel adage: “There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.”
It’s always challenging to start your own business, it can be a daunting task. But with the right mindset and approach, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the Gulf would be:
1. Conduct thorough market research before starting a business. It’s important to understand the market and competition. Doing market research can help you identify gaps and opportunities in the market, as well as potential challenges and risks.
2. Create a solid business plan that will serve as a roadmap for your business, outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It can also help you secure funding and attract investors.
3. Assemble a strong team of talented and dedicated individuals who share your vision and values.
4. Embrace innovation because the business landscape is constantly changing, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
5. Lastly, persevere. Starting a business can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating experience, but perseverance is key. Believe in yourself and your vision, and stay committed to your goals even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
Alexandre Katrangi Chairman & Co-founder ak@licorne-gulf.com
Irina Duisimbekova CEO & Co-founder
"You can choose to be successful if you really desire it and you move towards your goals."
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, it is easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of busyness. We become embroiled in the grind of work, family responsibilities and often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks, chasing deadlines, and sacrificing our precious downtime in the name of success. However, there is a profound truth we often overlook. We need rest. Rest is not merely a luxury but a vital component of our overall wellbeing and productivity. Let us explore the transformative power of rest, unveil its secrets and understand why it is essential for achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.
Rest can be difficult to define because it can look different for everyone, but it is more than just sleeping or taking breaks from work. Rest is a deliberate act of self-care that rejuvenates our minds, replenishes our bodies, and nourishes our souls. It encompasses various forms, such as quality sleep, leisure activities, mindfulness practices, and relaxation techniques. When we embrace rest as an art, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities that can profoundly impact our wellbeing and productivity. Rest is any behaviour aimed at increasing physical or mental wellbeing. It can be active, such as going for a walk outside (I often find taking my dog for a little stroll helps me to reset), or going for a swim. And it can be passive, such as taking 10 minutes to sit down and breathe deeply. Regardless of how you choose to rest, these daily behaviours can help you recover and recharge from physical and mental effort. That is why better rest is linked to better physical and mental health.
Imagine a dedicated marathon runner preparing for the race of a lifetime. Their goal is to achieve peak performance and cross the finish line victoriously. They meticulously design their training program, precisely tracking their mileage, incorporating strength workouts, and adhering to a strict diet plan. Their determination and hard work are commendable, but there is one crucial element they must never overlook: rest.
In the world of long-distance running, rest days are just as essential as the training days. They provide an opportunity for the runner’s muscles to repair, rebuild, and grow stronger. Ignoring rest would mean subjecting the body to continuous strain, increasing the risk of injuries and burnout, and ultimately hindering progress.
Similarly, in our pursuit of success and productivity, we often resemble that determined marathon runner. We set ambitious goals, work tirelessly, and push ourselves to the limit. We believe that more time spent on tasks equates to greater productivity. However, without incorporating regular periods of rest, our mental and physical faculties begin to wear down, and our performance starts to suffer. Have you found yourself busy trying to finish a task, but you just cannot focus and keep making mistakes? Try taking yourself away from your desk for just 10 minutes of down time, whether it is to have a cup of tea, close your eyes or go for a stroll. When you come back to the task you will feel more focused and recharged. Just as a marathon runner may find themselves stuck in a training plateau, facing a mental block or lack of motivation, taking a step back and allowing time for rest and relaxation can provide the much-needed breakthrough, acting as catalyst for inspiration and innovation. Rest rekindles our passion, fuels our imagination, and allows us to approach tasks with a fresh perspective. It is the delicate balance between pushing oneself and allowing time for recovery that leads to optimal performance and achievement.
Just as a marathon runner’s body requires rest to recover, our minds and bodies also need adequate downtime to rejuvenate. Studies have shown that short breaks and longer vacations enhance creativity, problem-solving skills, and memory retention. From a physical standpoint, adequate downtime contributes to health by boosting the immune system and promoting better cardiovascular health. Engaging in restful activities such as yoga, meditation, or simply spending time in nature can also reduce muscle tension and improve overall physical wellbeing.
When it comes to relationships, rest can be viewed as a source of nourishment. It provides an opportunity to connect with loved ones and foster healthy relationships. Quality time spent with family and friends strengthens bonds, increases happiness, and offers emotional support. By prioritising rest, we create space for meaningful connections and can build a stronger support network.
So, how can you incorporate rest into your daily routine? We make time every day to eat, take the children to school, do the chores, run errands and go to work. Why should rest be any different? Start by finding a relaxation technique that works for you. This could be meditating, practising yoga, walking, listening to music, reading a book, or any combination of these things. When planning out your daily routine, find a consistent time to rest. You could make time to meditate every morning or have a relaxing bath before bed for example. Rather than eating your lunch ‘al desko’ go for a short walk during your lunch break and eat ‘al fresco’. Ok, maybe not in the UAE summer, but you catch my drift!
No matter what your schedule or task list may look like, switching off and resting is vital to your longterm health. Embrace the wisdom of the marathon
runner and stride towards your aspirations, not forgetting that rest is not a sign of weakness but a pathway to greatness and improved wellbeing.
Learning to say ‘no’ and setting boundaries are integral aspects of self-care and rest.
When we say ‘yes’ to every request and fail to set boundaries, we spread ourselves too thin, which if left unchecked, can lead to exhaustion and burnout. By learning to say ‘no’ and setting limits on our commitments, we conserve our energy and allocate it to activities that truly matter to us. This allows for better rest and rejuvenation, and ultimately, productivity.
Setting boundaries also helps safeguard our mental health. It allows us to establish limits on the demands and expectations placed on us by others. By saying ‘no’ to tasks or commitments that would overwhelm us, we reduce stress and maintain a healthier work-life balance. This contributes to a more peaceful state of mind, promoting better rest and relaxation.
And let us not forget that rest is not just about physical relaxation; rest also promotes mental and emotional rejuvenation. When we say ‘no’ and set boundaries, we create space for reflection and introspection. This time allows us to evaluate our needs, desires, and goals, leading to greater clarity and a stronger sense of purpose. Such introspection can enhance our wellbeing and lead to more intentional and fulfilling rest.
“But I don’t have time for rest, I should be working,” I hear you screaming. Yes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling guilty when we take time to rest and prioritise self-care.
Learning to rest without feeling guilty is not only essential for our wellbeing, but also crucial for maintaining sustainable productivity and overall happiness. Recognise the importance of rest.
Start by acknowledging that rest and self-care are not indulgent luxuries, but essential components of a healthy and balanced life. Just as a car needs regular maintenance to keep running smoothly, our bodies and minds require care and rejuvenation to function optimally. Rest is not a selfish act; it is an investment in our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
So, take a moment to breathe, relax, and invest in the art of rest. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
www.tamkeentraining.me
tamara.berrington@tamkeentraining.me
I’ll never forget the first moment I really knew leadership mattered. I was 19, working as a teller for a regional bank, and a group of executives came to visit our office. The top-performing teller that worked next to me had been working hard for years and was trying to earn a promotion to become a banker. In advance, she was promised time with the executives that day to share her story and earn their endorsement. She had put a lot of effort into that day- she had purchased a suit to wear to work for that day and had gotten up extra early to do her hair and practice what she would say. When the executives left without saying a word to her, she fell apart. She cried in the back break room, and it was at that exact moment, I made a promise to myself that if I ever was in a position of senior leadership, nothing like that would ever happen on my watch. I vowed to be better.
This happened 22 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Since then, I’ve spent over 2 decades observing, studying, and being in leadership at all levels, including my last role as a COO.
I’ve created a framework for great leadership and put it into a book which was released this past February and is called the 7 V.I.R.T.U.E.S. of Exceptional Leaders: How to Become a Legendary Leader Who Transforms Teams. It became a #1 International bestseller on Amazon. If you want to be a better leader, these 7 practices are essential for you to practice.
All organisations want to accomplish great things, and nearly all of them track and measure their results. Problem is, all too many leaders spend way too much time talking about the “WHAT” and the “HOW”. What needs to be done, and how to do it. What they fail to discuss is the “WHY”. The why is where we inspire people, and not discussing it is a total miss. Great leaders have a compelling vision of a future reality that looks different than today. They frequently talk about why it must be done; why what the employees do actually matters.
Not only do they have this vision- but they share it, communicate it, and talk about it constantly Great leaders eat, breathe, and live this vision every day. They ensure that people know the “why”, are excited about the “why”, and then know how they individually contribute to the bigger picture. They always make decisions in line with the greater vision for the company or the team, and ensure there’s real congruence between the vision statement and what people do everyday and how they spend their time. The best leaders in the world always rally their teams around all three of the following things: the vision (why), the mission (what), and a set of core values (how). When employees fully embrace these three things, they work with far more gusto- they are more engaged, more self-driven, and more excited to succeed; all on their own.
The best leaders know leadership is not about them. Rather, it’s about others. Really outstanding leaders involve their teams, their peers, their partners, their clients, and as many people as possible, in nearly everything they do. When you’re in leadership, you no longer manage “things”. You lead and inspire the people who manage the things Terrific leaders know this. They involve others in key decisions, meetings, and events. They ensure that their direct reports get constant coaching, and that people are involved in their own development and action plans. They’re constantly asking for feedback
and ideas. Great leaders know that leadership is not about what they, personally, can do. It’s about what they can coach, develop, influence, and inspire others to do. It’s about helping others see how valuable they are, helping others achieve and accomplish things they never thought possible for themselves. If you’re a great leader, your top priority should always be to help other people unleash their true talent and be great. It’s always concerning to me when I see leaders spending far too much time in their offices alone, writing board reports or analysing results, instead of being out with their people.
Exceptional leaders have consistent routinesespecially around the activities and behaviours that matter most. They put the most important daily, weekly, or monthly actions that make a differenceon a cadence. They put it on the calendar- and don’t deviate from those plans. Coaching people both in a 1:1 setting and in groups, sharing business updates, team building, and creating space to learn new things are all examples of the actions that matter most. These activities shouldn’t just happen whenever there’s a fire drill, a problem, or an emergency- but on a consistent, regular basis. Poor
leaders say things like “I meet with my team when I need to”. Great leaders say things like “I meet with my team weekly, on this set day and time.” Great leaders not only make time for these activities- but they create structured, predictable schedules around these things, and loop others in so everyone knows what’s coming in advance. There’s not a lot of surprises with great leaders. Remember, consistency trumps intensity, every time.
Excellent leaders are often excellent communicators. However, one thing excellent leaders do incredibly well, is create environments where others can excel in communication, too. They work hard to establish safe, secure environments where people can have dialogue, ask questions, and share things they’re afraid of or nervous about. They’re constantly asking questions of everyone around them, and they listen well. Great leaders take the time to recap important conversations and follow up with people after meetings or events. They remember what people said, and they’re specific in their feedback.
Poor leaders deliver a lot of monologues- speeches with instructions and directions about what needs to be done, and by when. Great leaders, on the other hand, engage primarily in dialogues. Two-way conversations that again, INVOLVE numerous key stakeholders around a table, where everyone can have a voice.
Outstanding leaders know how very important learning and growth is for a team’s success. The business world is constantly evolving and changing, so if we, as people, aren’t upskilling ourselves, then we’re already falling behind. Great leaders are constantly creating learning environments, so people can gain new skills, learn new things, and grow. Often times, unlearning what we previously knew is just as important as learning new things. Great leaders don’t view training or teaching as the responsibility of HR or the Learning & Development department: they know that for understanding to truly take place, follow up is required, and their involvement matters. They get involved in helping train and teach their teams, even if it’s just to ask about what was learned in training and then ensure it’s applied and executed. Training and learning means absolutely nothing if people don’t apply it, and apply it consistently afterwards. Great leaders know how important this is, and they get involved in making sure that takes place.
Inspiring leaders are constantly finding reasons to encourage the heart by recognising and rewarding success. Great leaders don’t wait until a project has been fully completed to celebrate. They frequently find small wins to celebrate. Their goal is always progress- never perfection- so they’re terrific about acknowledging milestones and steps along the way- before a project has been completed or before the team is at the finish line. They don’t just praise results. Instead, they also readily praise effort
and behaviours. They talk about lead measures (which are predictable and influenceable), not just lag measures. This helps people feel their work is noticed, valued, and appreciated. When you feel your work really matters, especially to leadership, you work harder.
With everything that they do, incredible leaders walk the talk. They model the way. They showcase the very behaviours that they want to see in other people. They practice what they preach, and they truly live everything that they’re asking others to live. Their actions match their words. If they expect others to readily admit their mistakes and be vulnerable- they do the same thing. They eagerly
tell their worst war stories about their earlier days so others can learn from them. They create open, safe environments for others to do the same. They’re approachable and accessible- and never act like they’re above anyone or anything. They swim laps with their teams.
I guarantee you that if you follow these 7 PRACTICES you will be an exceptional leader. Your people will adore and respect you, stay fiercely loyal to you, and you will have sustainable and breakthrough results. Never forget that leadership is a tremendous gift and privilege, but it’s also great responsibility. People are counting on you to create an exciting environment where they can do their best work, develop and grow and make meaningful contributions. By doing all 7 of these things, you deliver just that.
Amy Chambers Executive Coach / Life Coach / #1 International Bestselling Author / Speaker / Consultant
June and July are the start of the hot months in the Gulf region, so if you are deciding to go there, be prepared for really intense heat. There are still some interesting events taking place that are worthwhile attending:
So here is your roundup of news:
7-10 June Al Ula will attract thrill seekers with their Extreme Adventure Al Ula – a festival for abseiling, hiking, cycling, dune buggies, rock climbing and much more.
Al Ahsa City in Eastern Saudi actually hosts tours during the summer where you can see the World Heritage site with their magnificent landscapes (and it is less hot there).
Qatar will host a Fintech conference in June with the latest trends called Finnovex.
One more thing… there is a really great exhibition in Doha on Valentino - this is on until September .
Dubai has a new feature at the airport for children – they can stamp their own passport. This is for 4-12 year olds only and they even get their own mascots called Salem and Salama.
UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi celebrated Eid El Fitr in Space but will he also be there for Eid Al Adha? – Stay tuned.
Saudi will now also send astronauts into space and one of the team will be the first Saudi woman in space, Rayyanah Barnawi.
Have you heard about Burj Mubarak? Kuwait has announced plans to build the “world’s tallest tower” –surpassing Burj Khalifa. Located in Silk City there will also be other attractions such as an “Olympic Stadium, a nature reservation area, a new airport and a duty-free area.
Dubai will not only open a new Expo City Mall in 2024 (which is being built by Emaar) no - get ready for the futuristic new flying taxi terminal due to be ready by 2026.
Saudi has announced 4 new economic zones: the ‘King Abdullah Economic City’ (KAEC) SEZ, ‘Jazan’ SEZ, ‘Ras Al Khair’ SEZ and ‘Cloud Computing’ SEZ located in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).
IMPORTANT DATES:
Don’t forget the following important dates for the region:
• Middle Eastern Father’s Day – 18 June
• Eid Al Adha – 28 June
• Islamic New Year – 18 July* * (depending on the lunar calendar)
WWW.STAR-CAT.CO.UK
Still branding shirts with just a company logo?
Edge-to-edge designs can take your branding to another level
Adobe Photoshop Beta has just been released with a revolutionary new feature - Generative Fill. Thanks to Adobe’s Firefly AI engine, users can quickly extend images, add or remove objects, experiment with inpainting and outpainting, and generate content with ease.
Generative Fill is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that can be used to generate images based on text prompts. It uses cloud-based image synthesis to fill selected areas with new imagery. It takes the user’s text input and creates something entirely new based on it.
We downloaded the Beta version of Photoshop shortly after launch. To see what Generative Fill can do, we started with this landscape image (A). Without cropping any of the original image away, we extended the image upwards to create a square 1:1 image ratio. We then used Generative Fill to predict and create a suitable skyline.
Given text inputs for a ‘clear desert sky at dusk’, images B, C, and D are the 3 variations created entirely by Photoshop’s new Generative Fill. In this example, a reasonably realistic result.
Experimenting with adding other details, we found the results were less realistic. We gave the AI detailed instructions about adding hot air balloons and birds to the sky, and while it was able to insert balloons into the scene, they never looked quite right. Those elements were obviously artificial CGI representations, rather than true-to-life photographs.
Nevertheless, Adobe’s groundbreaking new AIpowered Generative Fill capability is impressive and should be useful for dreaming up concept ideas.
Teaching children life skills, civic values, resilience, and socialemotional skills in formal and informal learning environments.
Plans (Grades 5 & 6) teaches specific civic value
SCOPE OF WORK:
Lesson Plans: an animated episode in discussions activities in the classroom activities home to do with parents/siblings
life skills
civic values
1001 NIGHTS
1001 Nights - Comic Books x10 sorts
Teacher’s Companion Story Book
Teacher’s Guide & Lesson Plans
Student Activity Book
Posters
DVD’s, USB’s
critical thinking
JORDAN - Arabic - 3 main versions of the Arabic language:
IRAQ - Kurdish- 2 main dialects / Kurmanji (Northern) dialect / Sorani (Central) dialect.
LEBANON - Levantine Arabic / French is the second language of Lebanon.
PHILLIPINES - Tagalog / Cebuano / Waray.
HOLLAND - Dutch.
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.
Some things have to be seen to be believed. Our
is one of them
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 our customer base remains based in the GCC.
We continue to welcome new clients across the Gulf region.
middle east creative services
Website: www.mecs.design
Email: hello@mecs.design
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ mecsdesign
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mecsdubai
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ mecs.design/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mecsdesign
Opportunity is won or lost on the strength of your marketing