Seven Ways You Can Establish Loyalty (And Even Love) In Your Team
In creating an atmosphere of teamwork, you first need to establish a sense of belonging, and then a vibe of responsibility that keeps that team alive. Working towards a common goal in harmony is essential for any company’s morale and even for asset delivery. Loyalty is another ballgame altogether, and here are seven ways to get your team to say “I do.”
1. SHOW THEM LOVE To establish commitment, your team needs to see passion for the job being done day-in and day-out. Your team is more likely to stay tightly-knit if they share that passion with you. Take it a little further and actively discuss the factors about your work that you find remarkable.
2. OPEN COMMUNICATION CHANNELS Being accessible doesn’t necessarily mean getting too friendly. Be within reach to be able to resolve conflicts quicker with no misunderstandings, and leave no loose ends. The last thing you need is a surprise resignation, only to find out it was something that could have been rectified easily.
3. TUNE IN Listen to staff interests, and try to identify with their motives. The rest of the team might actually benefit from one member’s enthusiasm and drive. Similarly, hearing out staff viewpoints keeps you in the loop, and gives them a platform to voice concerns.
4. EXULT TOGETHER Hold people accountable for wins, individually and collectively. Announce a team member’s accomplishment, and let them take the win. More importantly, recognize your biggest contributors to that accomplishment by offering them praise one-to-one.
5. BE A ROLE MODEL Set an example for the attitude you’d like your team members to have. It is also your responsibility to set the record straight when it comes to member roles and responsibilities, and confirming obligations, leaving no room for overlap.
6. SUPPORT PROGRESS Give praise, feedback and guidance continuously throughout all project stages. The key here is consistency, consistency, consistency.
7. SHOW COMPASSION Understand the circumstances surrounding the decisions and actions taken by team members, and act for the greater good of the team goals. Emotional intelligence, empathy and sympathy, are important to the health of your company.
A committed team is essential to any successful business, and so focusing on your human capital is by far the greatest investment you’d be making. Growth opportunities, a good support system, and open communication channels are easy to build into your business framework, and they go a long way for staff retention.
Libyan Officials Withdraw “Political Isolation” Law
Libya’s UN-recognized parliament in the small eastern city of Tobruk has revoked the “political isolation” law that they had passed back in 2013. The law, which banned officials during the Muammar Gaddafi regime from ever holding office again, had been criticized by everyone from MPs to NGOs, who called it undemocratic and an obstacle in Libya’s democratic transition. However, though the parliament in Tobruk revoking the law could show a sign of good faith in potential re-unification, its influence is actually quite miniscule. For starters, Tobruk is a city of only 120,000 people, and as far as Libya’s other political entities and actors are considered, its laws and policies are of no concern or influence to them. Tripoli’s new General National Congress (GNC), for instance, is currently dominated by the Justice and Construction party, which many call as Libya’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The UN had previously attempted to mediate talks between the GNC and the Tobruk parliament, but those were ultimately suspended in late February. The massive internal divisions, along with a power vacuum, has also paved the way for the Islamic State (IS) and another local Salafist group Ansar Al Sharia to make their way into Libya. With IS releasing a video that shows the execution of 21 Coptic migrant workers apparently in Libya, and with Egypt’s response to the same with airstrikes, Libya’s situation today almost mirrors that of Syria and Iraq. perhaps passing that law has come a little too late.
Dubai Announces Aladdin City
It might just look like something out of Star Wars for some, but Dubai just announced that the very-real construction of a 4000-acre building project called Aladdin City will begin next year. Aladdin City will comprise of several residential and commercial buildings, in addition to hotels. The tallest of these towers will be a 34 storey high-rise. Aladdin City will be built in the Dubai Creek area, a historical commercial and touristic area that the UAE has been pushing to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. Released concept designs indicate that the complex will be situated outside the area that could potentially be a new World Heritage site, pending UNESCO. Whether you find this project relevant or not, one thing is for sure: this is only the beginning of some ambitious building projects in the UAE. The Dubai Eye, currently being touted as the world’s largest ferris wheel, is expected to be completed by 2018, and you’ll be able to check out the massive Dubai Frame at the end of 2015, if all goes according to plan.
James Dyson On Five Things To Know Before You Start Your Business
Over the years, I’ve been referred to as an entrepreneur, a term usually linked with the business world. As an engineer, I used to find that peculiar. However, it derives from the French verb entreprendre which means ‘to undertake’ or simply ‘to do.’ As my days are filled with ‘doing,’ perhaps I am one after all. And if we apply the same principle to other engineers, people like Thomas Edison or Kenneth Grange- the ‘do-ers’ behind some of the most useful and commercially successful products of the 20th and 21st centuries- I’m in good entrepreneurial company.
Here are some of the lessons I’ve picked up through trial and error which I’d offer to would-be entrepreneurs.
1. Trust Your Own Instincts
Stand by your idea. I wanted a clear bin on my machine because I believed people would want to see evidence of how their machine performed; in other words how much dirt was being picked up. Market research told me I was wrong. Some people thought I was mad, and one retailer even requested that the bin be frosted before they sold it. A few months later they acquiesced, admitting that people were coming into the shop asking for a Dyson with a clear bin.
2. Take Calculated Risks
Research from Cambridge University in the U.K. found that entrepreneurs’ brains were more active in the region responsible for making “risky” decisions. This trait becomes even more crucial while we’re in the midst of an economic downturn. I would argue that it’s a perfect time to take a risk, since you’ve got a chance to get ahead of the competition while they’re hibernating, waiting for good times to return. Dyson actually started in a recession, launching DC01 in 1993. Through economic ups and downs, we’ve continued to invest in the calculated risk of invention, and it’s paid off.
3. Be An Innovator
When some people think of an entrepreneur, they think of someone who has found a gap in the market which they are able to exploit- a quick fix to make a fast buck. But that’s not enough for enduring success. You need to make sure that your product is different and better than anything else out there. People want value for money and will pay a premium if they can see that they’re getting a superior design that will last. Long-term success requires something that’s genu- inely different and better.
4. If You Can, Do It On Your Own
I spent years trying to convince large multinationals about cyclone technology for vacuum cleaners. Some were worried it would affect their lucrative bag sales. The fact that it worked better was irrelevant- they just wanted to play it safe and protect what they had. As the companies had grown ever bigger, their appetite for risk had shrunk. Fundamentally, they were business people, not designers or engineers, and numbers took priority over ideas. In the end, I funded and manufactured the dual cyclone vacuum cleaner myself. It can be tough and it can get very lonely, but the rewards are greater than signing away your hard work to someone else. If you show total belief in your invention it helps others to catch on.
5. Never Give Up
You have to be persistent, determined- dogged even. It took five years and 5127 prototypes before the Dyson vacuum cleaner was ready for market. Success doesn’t come overnight, and it may take months or even years to see your idea come to fruition. And you don’t stop there. We could easily hang our tools up, safe in the knowledge that we’ve solved the problem. Our work here is done, let’s go home. But the entrepreneurial spirit throughout Dyson has ensured that this has not, and will never, happen. We’ll continue to innovate and push our technology forward. After 12 years of designing new technology for vacuum cleaners, we moved into completely unknown territory with the Dyson AirbladeTM hand dryer. We’ve tackled bladeless fans and digital motors. There is an entrepreneurial ‘can-do’ attitude that defines us as an organiza- tion. Who knows what else we’ll turn our attention to in the coming years. There are plenty more problems to solve
‘Trep’s Choice: The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Makes A Striking Impression
For a vehicle that looks so good from the outside, the cynics out there may search for something to complain about when considering the interiors of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. It’s safe to say that one will be hard-pressed to find fault with the premium features in this eight-seater SUV. With sleek aluminum trim and wooden inlays accenting plush leather-appointed seating, and a Bose surround sound system that amplifies every entertainment choice within the vehicle, the Denali has left no stone unturned in its quest to give its passengers a ridiculously relaxing commute. The driver’s needs aren’t forgotten either- besides the increased horsepower, torque and fuel economy, the SUV also boasts having the GMC brand’s “smoothest and most solid” drive yet, alongside a veritable suite of safety and security features. So, for those “treps wanting to make their presence felt on the roads- the 2015 Yukon Denali is the vehicle for you.
All Hands On Deck: Dubai International Boat Show
Whether you’re looking for your next boat to purchase or to market to the GCC’s boating crowd, or you just want to contemplate hitting up blue waters, the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) might be the place for you. To be staged from March 3-7 at Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, DIBS will present more than 430 yachts and leisure crafts from around the world, featuring interactive demonstrations for diving, sailing, fishing and watersport needs, talks and a networking session, a motoring market and marine luxury lifestyle brands, all in tandem with daily competitions. Besides indulging the desires of watercraft owners, diBs will also be addressing sectors that cross over with boating, including prestige services, diving, superyacht manufacturers and marine equipment suppliers. Together with dive middle east, DIBS is now in its seventh year, welcoming 26,000 MENA visitors in addition to international investors and enthusiasts from more than 120 countries. ships ahoy!
Talking Shop: Gulf Retail Businesses And The UK
With the United Kingdom being home to 55% of the world’s major retail brands, it’s fairly easy to see why Gulf businesses in this particular sector would be interested in the country as a launch pad of sorts for the globalization of their respective operations. The city of London especially is a major draw for retailers wanting to grow their customer bases- besides boasting of 8.6 million residents who are known to be avid shoppers, the UK capital also attracts more than 16 million international visitors every year.
“London is a natural gateway to Europe,” said Sir Edward Lister, Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor, Policy and Planning, London, when asked to give a reason why Gulf businesses looking to expand should consider the city as their next stop on their road to growth. “You have the English language [here], and we have the rule of law, which is very important from an investor’s point of view. And it’s the right time zone too, both for the Gulf on one side and the Americas on the other. So, if you are a business [in the process of] expansion, it’s just a good place to be.”
But while the benefits of setting up shop in London may be many, one simply cannot afford to ignore the high costs one will have to take on to start a business in the city. Besides the fact that London is indeed one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, international real estate consultancy CBRE also recently listed it as one of the world’s most expensive high-street retail destinations, with retailers having to shell out rents that go as high as US$1,328 per sq. ft. per annum.
Given the aforementioned figures, starting up a retail business in London is definitely a rather pricey proposition- but Sir Lister insisted that the rewards one could expect from investing in the city make it well worth the investment. “Costs are high, but so is the population,” he explained. “The potential purchases [here] are so much higher. I mean- this is a city of 8.6 million people. There are not many markets with 8.6 million [people] in them, all close at hand, and they are here. Indeed, London is an expensive city, but it’s an even playing field.”
Lister also pointed toward the efforts being taken by the UK government in making it easier for overseas companies to invest in the country. For starters, there is its UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) department, which is focused on supporting foreign companies seeking to set up their businesses in the UK. For the city of London per se, the city’s official promotional company, London & Partners, plays a key role in aiding foreign direct investment and helping overseas companies with their operations in the city.
“So we’re all there willing to help people get themselves established, get their business going, put them in touch with companies that provide them the kind of professional services to buy property, rent property, lawyers, accountants, all the rest of it, we can help you find those people,” Lister said. “And, of course, the great thing is that you can get a company registered in this country in a matter of days. It’s not a long process to get established here—it’s easy. I challenge you to do that in many other countries in Europe—this will be far quicker.”
And for businesses that want to start up in London, the city does have its own share of startup-friendly attributes that can be very enticing, especially for those in the retail sector. Elizabetta Camilleri, co-founder and CEO of SalesGossip, a digital marketing service that aggregates information on fashion, beauty and shopping, started up her company in London in 2011, after noting how the city’s thriving retail sector was just the right landscape she needed for her app and online service, which she aims to make “the Spotify of fashion.”
“We knew we needed to be somewhere where we can incubate the idea, grow it and then take it globally,” Camilleri said. “So London was perfect, because [of] its massive tradition in retail- if we could not make it work in London, we could not make it work in other places… London has an ecosystem of startups, but there is also the ecosystem of amazing long traditions of retail and businesses that are very transparent, very open, and interestingly enough, very supportive of small and innovative businesses. So being in London is perfect.”
When asked why overseas businesses should consider the UK to grow their operations, Camilleri, who is originally from Malta, replied, “What the UK, I think, has different from most other countries I have lived and worked in is that everyone at one point comes here… It’s super easy to open a business here, and it’s very, very transparent. It’s not complex- you get all the support you need, whether it’s from private organizations or government organizations. It’s amazing the amount of support you end up getting.”
This support that Camilleri talks about is clearly evident in the efforts UKTI has been making to woo businesses in the Gulf to launch their international expansions in the UK. One of these has been the 2015 GREAT Business Award, launched by UKTI in January this year, which offers business owners and entrepreneurs in the Gulf the chance to visit the UK and “benefit from a bespoke, three-day program of meetings with UKTI specialist business advisors and internationally recognized figures from the prestigious UK retail sector.”
The competition, which runs until March 31, is a great chance for business owners in the Gulf to check out what the UK has to offer in terms of business potential, and, at the same time, get their ambition and plans for their respective companies in the UK validated by a panel of judges that includes Camilleri, acclaimed British chef and restaurateur Gary Rhodes, Group CFO and Commercial Director of The Toy Store Mark Handley and British Ambassador to the UAE HMA Philip Parham.
Handley’s presence on the judging panel could be particularly interesting for Gulf business wanting to make inroads into the UK- after having made quite an impression in the GCC retail sector over the last ten years, his company, The Toy Store, is now gearing up for its launch in London on one of the city’s most famous shopping locations, Oxford Street. “It’s a great opportunity,” Handley said, in a video created by UKTI for the 2015 GREAT Business Award. “And it puts The Toy Store as a major player globally.”
The Toy Store is clearly hoping to follow in the footsteps of other GCC-originated businesses that have made it big on London’s high streets- these include perfume company Arabian Oud and gourmet confectionary maker Bateel, both of which started out in Saudi Arabia, slowly established their presence in the wider GCC region, and then staked their claim in the UK market. But while their success stories are indeed inspiring, business owners looking to start up in the UK would be wise to prepare themselves for an arduous journey ahead all the same.
“It took us three years to find the right location,” said Mohammed (Oliver) Zeitoun, Founder and Managing Director of the Maki Restaurant Group, when asked about his efforts in setting up a branch of his hugely popular GCC-born enterprise (it has locations in Kuwait and Bahrain) in London. In fact, Zeitoun only recently finalized a location for his restaurant in the city’s fashionable Soho neighborhood- the acclaimed restaurateur is now moving ahead with a plan to open the Japanese-fusion establishment in the summer this year.
But while it may have taken a long while for Zeitoun to get to this particular point, he also noted that he wasn’t willing to compromise on his standards, or the dream he had for the London location of Maki. “Our requirements were very specific, and we are passionate about our business- we don’t want it to be just another business,” he said. “So it took us three years. We were fortunate to find a location, but the premium is very high, cost of investment is extremely high. So that’s the biggest challenge.”
However, once that particular hurdle is crossed, Zeitoun noted that the rest of the process is a lot less complicated that what one might expect. “Everything else is extremely easy, as far as setting up the business, legalities, setting up an establishment, etc.,” he explained. “All these processes are very simple, straightforward… Once you get the appropriate connections -be it the lawyers, auditors, etc.- they will give you the proper advice, and they will [also] help with the setting up of your business.”
With help like that on hand -and not to mention the lure of the potential return of investment- it’s not too hard to make a case for why Gulf retail businesses looking to expand overseas should consider the UK as their first port of call. The costs involved may be rather worrisome in the beginning, and there may be stumbles along the way as well, but at the end of the day, London does represent a very valuable opportunity in terms of business growth- and Gulf businesses shouldn’t be wary of taking on the challenge head on.
The 2015 GREAT Business Award offers nationals and residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman unique access to the UK market to build their retail businesses. Entries for the competition are being accepted until March 31, 2015; more details about the same can be found by clicking here.
Five Minutes With Entrepreneur Roshni Shewakramani, Founder Of Smitten Boutique
When Roshni Shewakramani started to grow her family, she noticed a gap in the market: “Neither glamorous maternity wear, nor wearable children’s fashion was well represented.” Using her educational background in fashion coupled with her career experience at Chalboub Group, Shewakramani decided to launch Smitten Boutique. Describing it as a “one-stop shop for trendy mothers and their little ones”, Shewakramani is proud of Smitten Boutique’s agenda to keep up with trends without compromising comfort. Describing an entrepreneur as a “creator, a discoverer and fixated,” the founder advises “treps to do their research, “make the right associations, and shine bright.” The biggest lesson she has gleaned from starting her own venture? “Be open to ideas, talk to your team and most importantly to your clients,” and “try and translate that into all aspects of the business.”
What’s one thing you make sure you do for your company to run efficiently?
We follow a timetable: children’s wear and maternity follow two seasons- Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. So pretty much everything revolves around that. Buying season is the busiest, as we put in our order for future collections. Followed by deliveries of current season, merchandising and planning of events and marketing campaigns.
What moment in your career was the most discouraging?
When I started out with the concept of Smitten. Initially I had not given branding much importance four years ago, so the response was underwhelming. However once, that changed, we have experienced positive growth.
What is your source of personal motivation?
Seeing a happy client. Nothing beats that! When I meet customers inside or outside the store, and hearing positive or even negative comments, gets me extremely charged!
What do you think about the state of mom/toddlers fashion boutiques in the UAE?
It’s an exciting time for the retail industry in the UAE. Lots of interesting, artistic spaces are coming up where the owners are involved in each aspect. By giving personal attention to it, shopping is much more of an experience now than ever before.
Who do you think is a great entrepreneur in the MENA region?
I would like to stay within the industry, and say my friend Saima Khan, founder of Cheeky Monkey Play Areas. She is so inspiring, and I love her passion and knowledge for all things related to children’s entertainment.
Which MENA country, in your opinion, do you think has the most supportive SME space?
Dubai is a great space for new concepts and cutting-edge business ideas that SMEs are known for. I believe the next space would be Kuwait; I would like to plan something there next.
In your opinion, how much “risk-taking” personality characteristic is involved in being an entrepreneur?
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There is a fair amount, however with clever planning and starting out slow the financial risks can be minimized. I think patience is the most important characteristic required for an entrepreneur.
What is your daily routine like?
In one word– hectic. It starts with school drop-off, followed by a workout. Around 10 a.m., I reach the store at Dubai Marina Mall, chat with my manager and plan out the next few days. I pick up my younger one at 2 p.m., we stick around in school until my daughter gets done at 3 p.m. usually reading in the library, or enjoying the playground. This is then followed by their extra-curricular activities, homework and piano practice. Once the kids are tucked in, my husband Nilesh and I catch up with friends over a dinner or a movie. We usually wrap up by midnight.
What device or apps do you often use?
My Kindle Paperwhite is my permanent companion. On my iPhone, I have my workout apps (makes booking classes super easy). I have a meditative app called Headspace, it’s simply fab! And then the usual suspects like Uber (lifesaver), Instagram (addiction) and Deezer.
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Art Imitates Life: Global Art Forum 2015 Gets Techy
Hear ye, artsy folks, art season is back in full swing. Starting it off is the Global Art Forum, which will be held in Kuwait City from March 14-15 for the first time since its inception in 2007, continuing on to Art Dubai from March 18-20 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. With digital media part and parcel of our daily lives, this year’s forum, Download Update?, will be focusing on technology and its influence on the art and culture world. The three-day forum will discuss the intersection of technology and “how we think, interact, learn and create.” Presented by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Dubai Design District (d3), the forum will discuss the online art market, virtual museums, artists’ foray into technology and artificial intelligence, amongst others.
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Directed by art author and cultural critic Shumon Basar, he will also be joined by co-directors media entrepreneur and photojournalism platform Demotix founder Turi Munthe and MENA political and economic issues commentator and journalist Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi. To really get into the tech space, some of this year’s speakers will include Jawbone founder Alexander Asseily, Google Cultural Project director Amit Sood and education innovator Technology Quotient CEO Ayesha Khanna.
Qualcomm Fined By Chinese Government For Violating Anti-Monopoly Laws
Qualcomm, best known for its 3G and 4G smartphone chips, has been fined 6.088 billion yuan (US$975 million) for reportedly violating anti-monopoly laws. The tech firm, which generates most of its profit from licensing patents for chips to other companies, is said to have bundled patents in a way that forced licensees to purchase beyond their business needs. To protect local businesses and level the playing field, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, put an end to the excessive bundling and levied a hefty fine. Qualcomm currently makes half of its $26.5 billion revenue from the Chinese market.