Rowad Magazine Issue #17

Page 49

Rowad Contributors

particular sequence. The class is challenging enough to get the heart rate increased and the perspiration going, therefore if one is looking to tone up as well as losing weight this class is awesome. There are no high impact movements, modifications are allowed throughout the flow, the joints are not at risk as we move listening to our body, experiencing the progress at each breath and developing through the poses. The feeling of energy seeping through our body at the end of each class is to be discovered by the practitioners and each one of us will have a different experience which is linked to their efforts and ability to perform the routine. Like any other discipline practice makes perfect but the important message here is to keep moving with the breath. The basic and most important principle of both disciplines as you can all see is the breath, if we breathe properly we can move effectively and flowingly and fluidity can only be achieved through the easiness of movement initiated by the breath. Before we can flow we need to learn how to flow and we cannot flow if we do not know which direction to go and how to position our body in space as after all training modules should not create injuries by moving for the sake of moving, we need to know what to do, how to do it and why we are doing it in a specific way and sometimes the body needs to hold and be quiet and sometimes the body needs to flow. We have choices, so let’s keep on moving our body as the human race is designed to move and not to be so sedentary like in the contemporary age.

Roberta Trzebinski is the founder of Studio RCT (Rehabilitation, Contrology, Therapies), a functional movement studio in the heart of Bahrain. Roberta is certified in London through the Pink Ribbon Program as a post-rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist Web: pilatesbahrain.com

Will the real entrepreneur please stand up? By Abdulrahman Alawadhi I had the pleasure to travel recently to Lagos, Nigeria, as part of a UNIDO delegation to meet and present to senior officials from MSME support institutions in economic development, entrepreneurship, and investment both in the public and private spheres. This includes chambers of commerce, federal and state ministries, investment and export promotion entities, and many others (SMEDAN, NASME, NBTI, LCCI, NACCIMA, NIPC, NEPC). It was no surprise that they, as many other developing countries including Bahrain, have hopes of an improved level of collaboration in the entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem. My presentation covered: Who is an Entrepreneur? Perhaps this may be seen as the obvious, but hold on. Sometimes we need to take a step back in order to move forward, and this is especially important for those who would consider this a straightforward and already-grasped concept. The pretext behind accurately defining the “right” entrepreneur comes as a necessity due to the recent and very expensive hurdles faced by developing countries wishing to empower entrepreneurs as a means of economic and social development; their support institutions admirably inject serious funds, time, and effort into startups and entrepreneurs, but only to realize that such return from entrepreneurs fizzles away, along with their capital and any hope for tangible results - on any front. Many usually jump to the conclusion that we require evaluation metrics for entrepreneurs in order to select them more accurately and minimize risk. Others resort to the screening of business plans to assess viability and sustainability. While such approaches are logical, they remain as “banker talk” and are susceptible to negligence towards the human element behind impactful entrepreneurship. The fact remains: entrepreneurs are the main success factor behind their projects, rather than the projects themselves. Shouldn’t there be a complete science for identifying the right entrepreneur? “So tell me what you want, what you really really want” – Spice Girls - Defining priorities and ambitions, while implanting correct values

We are at an era with no shortage of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship has become a fashionable term, and its allures (perhaps considered pitfalls) are plenty. For some it’s a desperate attempt for income, and for others it’s all about the limelight; understanding the entrepreneur’s personality, drives, ambitions, and inclinations is critical towards any decision you may take as a support institution. The entrepreneurship allure is so shiny, it’s blinding. Support services in Bahrain towards entrepreneurs have never been more flexible nor available, and competes with many developed nations. As just a startup, you’ll find yourself on the cover of many Bahraini business magazines as a “success story” in no time, and for no real reason (sorry entrepreneurs). Your photograph will be constantly featured on instagram, and you’ll be eligible to win all sorts of startup awards. Support institutions will parade you and dress you as they like, to justify the amazing work they’ve done and you’ll probably revel in all the attention. Truth is, you’ve become a replaceable short-term commodity for an employee who shows you as proof of work, and that is worrisome. In some cases, the entrepreneurs have misaligned goals to their entrepreneurship. I’ve personally seen many cases where you might be an entrepreneur who started a company to simply “stick it to the man” with no real ambition, or you could be exploiting your business and gloat as you “prove yourself” to your boss or parent. You could just be experimental in your startup endeavours, or perhaps utilizing government funds to move your business out of the country. For those established entrepreneurs, maybe your mode of operation is “maximum return at zero cost”, where any form of expense makes you cringe and no positive spillover is possible despite you making money. Imagine a profitable entrepreneur who is engaged in social responsibility initiatives, hiring local talent, mentoring new entrepreneurs, and inspiring others to achieve their familial and communal responsibilities. Imagine the potential. This is not idealistic conjecture. The right entrepreneur isn’t a perfect person by no means, but shows certain entrepreneurial ambitions and qualities, or is driven to acquire them as he/she marches towards financial rewards and overall economic development. Let’s help them find these qualities. “Where is the love?” – The Black Eyed Peas - Nurturing a positive entrepreneurship culture Understanding the “human” behind the entrepreneur allows support institutions to

For Entrepreneurs By Entrepreneurs

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