ASPIRE - An Entrepreneur and Lifestyle Magazine - June 2022 by ASPIRE Business and Lifestyle Magazine

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JUNE 2022 ISSUE 19 aspiremagz.com —

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Lara Tabet

Fashionista and luxury brand ambassador, launches her beauty brand

Vinayak and Shilpa Mahtani meet the power couple behind Bnbme luxury holiday home management company

The

Futuristic Trendsetter Farzam Kamalabadi is transforming the fate of nations and corporations, starting with China, and moving across the world

Uniquely Styled Brands

What have Airbnb, Mailchimp, Dropbox used to uniquely style their brand

Adam Roosevelt

US military man turned entrepreneur on his journey through drugs, battlegrounds, and politics

The Save Soil Movement

How is Sadhguru planning to tackle the worldwide soil crisis

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Inside www.aspiremagz.com

05 Bulletin Bytes

Positive and interesting news from around the world!

08 Eat This

Food aggregator apps have transformed the way we eat. What’s at work in this business space?

12 Individual Medicine

Know more on Precision Medicine, a concept that makes healthcare as precise and personalized as possible

20 Farzam Kamalabadi’s zealous self-driven mission and drive to change has transformed the fate of nations, starting with China, and moving across the world. Peek into the spirit of this incredible man and what he aims to now achieve through his company ‘Future Trends’

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INSIDE 16 Death of the MBA Man Is MBA or a fancy degree a pre-requisite to success? Here is our opinion

18 Events

Regional events in the region

26 A Military Man

Adam Roosevelt, the US military man turned entrepreneur speaks on his journey through drugs, battlegrounds, and politics

30 Homing in on Success Vinayak and Shilpa Mahtani, the power couple behind Bnbme, talk about their holiday home venture, and its eventful journey

32 Setting the Stage for Beauty

TV presenter, entrepreneur, fashionista and luxury brand ambassador Lara Tabet speaks on her recently launched brand ‘Lara Tabet beauty’

34 The Save Soil Mission

Join Sadhguru’s Save Soil Mission - a movement to awaken humanity on the importance of soil conservation and its restoration

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38 Network That Hikes Your Net Worth

Here’s how to build meaningful, valuable relationships and gain income, credibility, and authority

40 Scaling the business: Up Your Game

Once your business is past the early startup phase, here is what you, as the CEO, will be required to do

42 Trademarks – understanding the basics

“What’s in a name?” Let’s understand the relevance of Shakespeare’s famous quote with respect to trademarks

44 The Gift of Giving

Juhi Yasmeen Khan, our CSR champion this month gives a second chance at life to those whom all is lost

PUBLISHER

Sumeet Gupta E: sumeet@aspiremagz.com CHIEF EDITOR

Shagufta Patel E: editor@aspiremagz.com CONSULTING EDITOR

Sangeetha Shinde Tee

46 Devilishly Good

Here’s why Tasmania’s biggest, award-winning festival - Dark Mofo, should be up there on your travel bucket list

54 Uniquely Styled

Can hand-drawn illustrations add style and uniqueness to a brand? We believe it does.

50 Eat To Live

JUNIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER

Qiraat Attar WRITERS

Pallavi Biju Clarilda Sharon Sreeram Vishvanath Deepika S PRODUCTION

The Purple Stroke M: +971 508 498820

Fad diets have never worked. It’s time move away from dieting to eating for good health

52 Charging Ahead

A review of the BMW i4 edition as the competitive EV market gets another solid addition

58 Aspire+

What must you Read / Watch / Do / Eat this month to keep you effortlessly in the loop beyond business

60 Meeting The Devil

Some unpalatable truths that our journey of self-awareness requires us to face

Dubai, United Arab Emirates W: thepurplestroke.com

Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the persmission of The Purple Stroke FZE LLC. All the information carried herein is checked and verified to the best of our knowledge and abilities. In matters of views expressed and opinions held, it is solely that of the authors and contributors themselves. The editorial or publisher or ASPIRE cannot be held responsible for unintended errors and oversights if any.

Email: hello@aspiremagz.com 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Editor's note Being You!

he Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first International ‘Being You’ Day to be observed on May 22, 2021, and annually after that. For those of you who did not know yet that there is a day celebrating the beauty of you and your unique capabilities, please make a note of it now. A day celebrating the gift that you are, rejoicing in your differences rather than feeling guilty that you can’t ‘fit in’. A day that is an invitation to explore what it means to be truly you, going beyond the definitions of ‘how it is supposed to be’. A day that prods you to leave aside the projections imposed by others and instead revel in what you indeed are capable of tapping into the power that is uniquely yours. Alright, so we have just passed the day. But why would you wait for a whole year to celebrate ‘Being You’ when you should be, well, celebrating it each day of the year. The purpose of earmarking a day on the calendar is to bring focus and attention to the subject, not just to make a big fuss on a single day of the year. Please take a moment… do it now… take a look in the mirror and thank yourself for BEING YOU! Farzam Kamalabadi believed that you could change the world by being yourself, and so he did. Adam Roosevelt, Vinayak and

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Shilpa Mahtani, Lara Tabet, all fearlessly authentic and bravely different, did what others only dream of doing. Sadhguru set rolling a global movement and has countries and governments taking heed of his message for the good of humanity. Juhi Yasmeen Khan is on a mission to create more humanitarian leaders to shape people’s lives positively. Paritosh Pathak single-handedly created and mastered the ‘Science of Networking’ on which he now coaches people. David Tee authored a book, ‘Upstart Ninja’ for the business community, bringing together his 35 years of experience in technology development, entrepreneurship, and international consulting. Manish Bhagnari chose to specialize in Trademarks and their legalities. Be it an innovative technology or a new trend, be it the launch

of a new auto model with enhanced features or be it orchestrating a festival of massive magnitude, be it carving a name for oneself in an already saturated industry or becoming acutely aware of the narc within; it all requires a sense of owning our quirks and loving our flaws. For it has been seen time and again that it is only from the space of ‘being yourself ’, can you put something in the world that was not there before. Be You Do You For You! ✪

Bulletin

Bioserve launches “Ironhand” Gloves to reduce injuries to workers The advancements in technology, especially in the field of augmented technology, work towards mitigating problems humans face on a regular basis. The workforce at a factory or warehouse is always at risk of serious and chronic injury either by handling heavy objects or by doing the same task repeatedly. A battery-powered glove may now be able to alleviate some of the workload pressure. The “Ironhand” glove increases the wearer’s grip, allowing them to execute repeated manual activities using less power. Bioservo, the company that created it, claims that it may boost the wearer’s hand strength by 20%. The apparatus referred to is regarded as a “soft exoskeleton” by the Swedish business. “When you have the glove on, it provides strength and reduces the effort needed when lifting objects,” says Mikael Wester, Bioservo’s marketing director. “It’s all in order to reduce fatigue and prevent strain injuries in

the long run.” The system comprises a backpack that stores the power pack as well as artificial tendons that link the glove to the backpack. When a user grips an object, the motor is activated by sensors on each fingertip. The grip strength and sensitivity may be adjusted via remote control or an app. Each Ironhand system is around €6,000 ($7,275). The gadget also captures information that allows the corporation to determine the wearer’s risk of strain injuries. GM is exploring a variety of exoskeletons, including the Ironhand. The exoskeleton market will expand from $392 million in 2020 to $6.8 billion in 2030, according to market research firm ABI Research. Although augmented technology has been gaining praise across the world, many criticisms have also risen against it, the most common one being that “Humans should not play God”. While the advantages outnumber the disad-

Photos: © Bioservo Technologies

vantages so far, the reality is that there is no governance, rules, or policies on these kinds of technologies that are not limited to any region. While research leadership has risen, we still have a long way to go before we have a comprehensive view of the ramifications of these enhanced technologies and, as a result, can design a fair management plan. However, there is no doubt that these kinds of technologies will continue to enjoy a rise in popularity, and we can expect a rise in augmented technology that can make human life easier in the coming years. 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Bulletin

Kuwait committee modifies residency rules to attract new investors

The Interior and Defense Affairs Committee of Kuwait’s parliament has approved a proposal to increase the maximum residency duration for expats to five years. Depending on whether they work in the commercial or public sector, expats in Kuwait must now renew their residency visa every two to three years. According to reports, the proposed modifications are intended to improve Kuwait’s economic climate and attract new investors. The committee’s chairman, MP Saadoun Hammad, said that the members had accepted the plan, which will now be sent to the parliament for a vote. The maximum residency time for foreign investors has also been increased to 15 years under the plan. Meanwhile, children of Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis, as well as owners of real estate holdings, will have a maximum residency time of ten years. The maximum family visit visa length would be expanded from three months to one year under the same plan. In addition, the daily fee for remaining in

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the country after the residency permit has expired has now been raised from KD2 to KD4. Furthermore, sponsors or employers will be responsible for expat workers’ deportation costs. The measure also enables the interior minister to repatriate expats if he thinks it necessary for national security and moral grounds. Finally, the proposed amendments prohibit Kuwaiti citizens from “exploiting the recruitment or facilitation of the recruitment of a foreigner,” which could include creating fake employment positions to obtain residency permits for foreigners, receiving financial compensation from those foreigners instead of

paying them wages, receiving financial compensation from foreigners residing in Kuwait to renew their employment residency permits, and unjustifiably refraining from paying wages to foreigners residing in Kuwait. Kuwait has a The proposed amendments population of 4.6 prohibit Kuwaiti citizens from million people, exploiting the recruitment with almost or facilitation of the 3.5 million of recruitment of a foreigner them being foreigners. In recent months, voices in the Gulf countries have demanded that foreigners be limited in their employment due to the economic consequences of COVID-19. Kuwait has lately increased operations on unlawful foreign residents despite providing them with many opportunities to change their status. According to the Interior Ministry, almost 18,000 foreigners were deported from Kuwait for various reasons in 2021. The introduction of this bill will definitely create a safer and more accommodating environment for expats and foreigners, leading to more investors and a safer economy.

New company classifications in UAE has come into effect starting June 1, 2022 The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced a new categorization system for businesses in the UAE, with three levels of classification. Companies will be classified based on their compliance not just with UAE labour laws but also with programs designed to make the UAE’s workforce more competitive and culturally diverse. The classifications are based on Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022, “Concerning Classification of Private Sector Establishments Subject to Labor Relations Regulation Law Provisions.” The firms will be classified using an automated system that allows for transparent changes to a company’s categorization based on the operations it performs or the transactions it conducts. According to state news outlet WAM, the categorization offers enterprises advantages and exemptions under national

economic goals and Emiratisation programs. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, talked about how firms can be promoted to the first category if they satisfy at least one of the criteria. These include increasing their Emiratisation rate by at least three times the target; cooperating with the “Nafis” program to train at least 500 citizens annually; being a venture owned by a young citizen in accordance with approved standards; being one of the training and employment centres that support the Workforce Planning Policy by promoting cultural diversity or being active in the targeted sectors and activities determined by the Council. Through the new federal law on unemployment insurance, as well as the decision to raise current Emiratisation rates by 2% annually for skilled jobs in private sector companies with 50

or more employees, the UAE’s legislative system related to the labor market and Emiratisation has seen the adoption of several decisions that help business development and support the Emiratisation of national capacities and the protection of workers and employees. The firms will be classified The ministry’s using an automated system measures will that allows for transparent assist strategic changes to a company’s economic security categorization based on the in the medium and operations it performs or long term. They the transactions it conducts also improve the economy’s ability to attract global competencies and skills, as well as launch new economic sectors that contribute to diversifying sources of income while also protecting workers and laying the groundwork for a flexible business environment that responds to global changes and transformations, resulting in a more sustainable and diversified economy. J 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Trending

FOOD AGGREGATOR APPS LIKE ZOMATO, UBEREATS AND TALABAT HAVE TRANSFORMED THE RESTAURANT SCENE, GENERATED EMPLOYMENT

EAT IN URBAN AREAS AND TRANSFORMED WHAT AND HOW THE CITY EATS. QIRAAT ATTAR EXPLORES WHAT’S ON THE MENU FOR THIS NEW BUSINESS PACE

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ood holds great power. We’ve doubtlessly been through some culinary milestones, be it the first instances of restaurants unearthed in the ruins of Pompeii to the trend of dining out with friends and family that began in the 1950s, that laid the grounds for the Food and Beverage industry as we see it today. At the time, people chucked the expected comfort of home food for the restaurant experience. All these years later, utilitarian dining, convenience, and quality food have made a comeback, with food delivery apps banishing your hunger and bringing food to your doorstep.

THE BEGINNING Remember when Dominos captured public attention with their home-delivered pizzas, complete with the ‘30 minutes or free’ strategy? Now, with food aggregator apps such as Zomato, UberEats, Deliveroo and more, restaurants have a common platform where they can vie for the attention of a hungry customer.

Cloud Kitchen Market size is estimated to reach

USD 71.4 BILLION BY 2027

Today, food delivery apps have done a thorough sweep and have all the aces up their sleeve to keep us going back for more. The one-stop approach is a game-changer, eliminating the need for separate apps for restaurants. Most food aggregator apps also revealed their vetting system to certify restaurants for their quality, hygiene, and freshness of produce, further assuring customers that only the best and safest was reaching them. But the real masterstroke that has worked for these apps is providing active, responsive, and effective customer service, ready to take your grievances of burnt food, delayed deliveries, broken packaging, or just a bad experience and turn your frown upside down. Most apps have also ingeniously switched to interactive chatbots that are highly accurate, with the human executives taking over only for more challenging queries. This has led to a seamless experience due to diminished wait times and reduced costs on the app’s end as they use fewer human hours than expected. Of course, it goes without saying that dining out has always been expensive, and that doesn’t change when the meal arrives home. Therefore, it is no surprise that Zomato and UberEats seem inundated with endless coupons, offering discounts for trying new outlets or ordering above a certain price. Through a mix of commissions paid by restaurants to be promoted and delivery charges and the sheer volume of orders that offers a guarantee, the apps still remain comfortably in the green with this technique.

THIS These apps have become ubiquitous for offering the pick of restaurants, as well as providing the peripheral mechanism of a delivery system, centralized payment system, customer service, coupons, and a smash of cuisine options. In 2021, food delivery apps earned nearly $28 billion in revenue. This is a steep increase from the $8.7 billion it acquired in 2015, which is a strong indication of where the industry is further headed. SPOILER ALERT: IT’S UPWARDS.

THE SURGE

THE OBSTACLE

Food delivery apps, joining its siblings’ apps of online retail aggregator apps, dating apps, home fitness apps, and other such services, are a cultural moment, a move towards indoor convenience. This makes particular sense in large and sprawling cities still suffering the brunt of the pandemic in numerous ways, which exacerbated issues of fuel prices, traffic, availability of quality services, etc., signaling the death knell for going out.

Food delivery apps are not browsing apps like Instagram; their success lies in ensuring that you place an order each time you open it, essentially converting an idle scroll to a purchase. However, with the stiff competition, price undercutting, and the pressure of delivering a good product when the app only controls the service, the business is fraught with treacherous processes and challenges. Keeping customer loyalty is a challenge. Thus, 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Trending good service should be consistent, and innovation must reign supreme to always stay ahead of the competition. Variety is key to this because customers appreciate having options. Smaller apps face stiff competition and may Statistics be dethroned when industry giants step in or for online try to make cross-industry moves into a new domain, such as Uber did with UberEats after their food ride-sharing portal. The familiarity of delivery the brand makes people trust them over an unknown startup. To stand apart, 4 Revenue in the you have to step up your marketing Online Food Delivery game, offer unmatched service, and segment is projected to use social media to convey information reach $343.80bn in 2022 with spark and entertainment as much as you can. 4 It is expected to Recall your own experience with show an annual growth these apps - how quickly have you lost rate of 8.38%, resulting patience with one that is constantly in a projected market glitching, has a frozen screen, or does volume of $474.30bn by not show you the price and payment 2026 options when you need them? A poor user interface, unplanned navigation, 4 In global compariand a confusing tableau can have cusson, most revenue will tomers exiting in drones. be generated in China Of course, all this discussion is moot (US$158,100.00m in without the most integral element to 2022) these apps - timely, unobtrusive deliveries. If a customer has to intervene to 4 The average revrepeatedly check on where their food enue per user (ARPU) is, then you’ve already lost. A superior in the Online Food algorithm and a competent tech team Delivery segment is are critical because delivery times are projected to amount to predicated on order allotment to the $177.10 in 2022 driving partners zooming across the city, and poor allocation can have you 4 User penetration in

the Online Food Delivery segment will be at 25.5% in 2022 4 By 2025, the number of users in the on-demand food delivery segment is predicted to reach about 498.5m

4 In the UAE, UberEats, Zomato and Talabat are the most popular delivery apps. 4 The global cloud kitchen market reached a value of US$ 56.71 Billion in 2021. (Source: Business Wire)

(Source: Statista)

(Source: Curlytales.com)

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lose precious minutes that frustrate customers.

THE SHIFT Food aggregator apps have taken some edge off the risk of being in the food business. Restaurants are famously known as the ‘riskiest businesses of all time’ and not without reason - nearly 60% of restaurants fail within their first year, and 80% fail within the first five years. But with food aggregator apps, a lot of the bells and whistles that come with being a fine-dining restaurant get stripped away - no plating, no wait staff, no need for decor, ambiance, or parking service. The only thing that matters is how good your food tastes, even after 30 minutes of coming out of a plastic box. Thus, ever since the delivery app boom, cloud kitchens and other such kitchen-only establishments are seeing their heyday. Dubai firm ‘Kitopi’ has reached a valuation of $1 billion by smartly investing in cloud kitchens like Taqado, 800 Pizza, Under 500, and Pizarro. ‘The Restaurant Times’ by Posist suggested that the global Cloud Kitchen Market size is estimated to reach USD 71.4 Billion by 2027, which gives us an idea of the popularity of this format.

Nearly 60% of restaurants fail within their first year, and 80% fail within the first five years

As per a statistic from Zippia, over 1,305,155 Delivery Drivers are currently employed in the United States. Of this frankly overwhelming number, the ratio stands at 5:1 of men to women. This number is even more disheartening in India, where some estimates say that of 100% of delivery personnel, only 0.5% are women

THE PSYCHOLOGY Food is an innate need, but cooking feels like a chore. This clash is what makes food delivery apps so indisposable, especially in urban areas. With a rampant population of singles, bachelors, nomads, nuclear families, and double-income households, food delivery is a viable option, especially when it holds at affordable rates and offers stellar service. Now, with these apps branching into other deliveries like groceries and even odd errands courtesy of their vast and established delivery networks, these food delivery apps will only become more pervasive, permeating different age and income groups with their amenities. As with most thriving businesses, the other aspect plays on human psychology, the chinks in the armor of human existence. In the era when our grandmothers helmed the kitchen, there was nary an alternative to home-cooked food. Even today, our nostalgia for our past is rooted irrevocably in the fragrance from the kitchen and what our mother packed in our lunch box for school. Women’s labor was also exploited to provide sustenance to the rest of the household. Now, with more and more women entering the workforce and having thriving careers post marriage and motherhood, any release from the shackles of domestic responsibilities is a reprieve. In some ways, our shifting family structures, work demands, and our need to lead a life of purpose, pleasure, and accomplishment mean that everyday tasks take a backseat, or get outsourced, which is where food delivery apps step in. Additionally, in a convenience-addled culture, where our entertainment is on-demand, the internet connects in less than a second, dating apps promise to find you a partner in minutes, you can buy clothes or even file paperwork online, and food delivery apps are part of how we live now, with the expectation of

being serviced at our beck and call. While some of it is a necessity, the abundance of amenities has perhaps exacerbated our procrastination and increased our reliance on external services.

THE ROUTE AHEAD An aspect least discussed, and perhaps the most important cog in the machine, is the labor of the delivery men, ferrying your food from source to your home or your office, out in the heat and rain so that you can enjoy that bowl of soup in peace and quiet. As per a statistic from Zippia, over 1,305,155 Delivery Drivers are currently employed in the United States. Of this frankly overwhelming number, the ratio stands at 5:1 of men to women. This number is even more disheartening in India, where some estimates say that of 100% of delivery personnel, only 0.5% are women. This marginalized workforce gets the short end of the stick from management, as well as restaurant establishments and even dissatisfied customers. Social media has been instrumental in revealing what they go through, from highlighting insensitive signboards that forbid them from using elevators at some restaurants and apartments to revealing the measly compensation they earn for the deliveries. The gamification of the system, tying their productivity not only to their earnings but to their accomplishment, as though they were characters in a DoorDash-esque game, may also impact them psychologically, and these aspects need redressal, or else the system is threatened to go haywire. Despite the kinks that need to be worked out, food aggregator apps are an addition in a row of convenience apps designed to make life easier, save time and provide value. Only time will tell if we will grow to over-rely on these services or manage to walk the tightrope between comfort and self-reliance. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Tech love

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Tech love Modern physicians and scientists have come up with innovative methods to make healthcare as precise and personalized as possible. This pursuit has led to a widespread interest in the concept of Precision Medicine, explored by Sreeram Viswanath in vivid detail

n this rapidly developing world, our choices and preferences are getting more and more distinct, each of them playing a necessary role in making our lives unique and enriched. These choices now define our very selves, making and unmaking us as they lead us down different paths. Precision medicine is an approach to healing along these lines, designed by doctors and researchers to accurately identify treatment and prevention strategies that would work effectively in different individuals or different groups of people.

A World of Precise Care

“You can match a blood transfusion to a blood type — that was an important discovery. What if matching a cancer cure to our genetic code was just as easy and just as standard? What if figuring out the right dose of medicine was as simple as taking our temperature?” - President Obama, January 30, 2015 Precision medicine is based on the idea that a medical condition may not have the same implications for everyone and would differ based on factors such as your genes, the local environment, associated symptoms, and treatment efficacies. “Precision care is a wider ability of doctors’ to use the patient’s genetic and other molecular information as part of routine medical care,” says Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay, Specialist Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool. The concept of precision medicine might still be in its infancy, but it has been around for a long time as a healthcare strategy. As a simple example, blood and organ transfusions are only done from a matching blood type to cut out the risk of any complications. More specifically, a drug known as imatinib (Gleevec) is used to treat leukemia only in patients with a specific genetic mix. Gleevec is a glowing indication of precision medicine’s vast potential for cancer treatment.

The Work Behind it All

The research for precision medicine involves the

gathering and integration of a repository of data. As more data is collected, we receive valued insights that may lead to better practices in preventing illnesses and a more personalized diagnosis system that makes it more accurate. Therefore, the treatment (which is personalized for every patient) gets more reliable and better. Anyone can aid the growth of precision medicine – be it researchers, clinicians, patients, or the community. The research so conducted flows into the information commons, a shared repository. The information commons is a space where data is structured into layers, just like a Google map. These layers help us discover connections and patterns that indicate the factors concerning prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. As per Dr. Jyoti, “We’re at an early stage of learning how best to put all of this information together to help patients make decisions with their doctors about how to best achieve health goals. Medical centers and universities are working to develop new information that will help doctors pair the right patients with the right medications.”

A collective initiative

President Obama flagged off the Precision Medicine Initiative in the 2015 Union State Address with this mission statement:“To enable a new era of medicine through research, technology, and policies that empower patients, researchers, and providers to work together toward development of individualized care.” This long-term research initiative is being carried out with the involvement of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and several other research centers. Its overall goal is to understand how genetics, lifestyle, and environment of a person or a group could help identify the best approach for prevention and treatment of cancer and other healthcare areas. A concept as deep and profound as precision medicine cannot be an initiative of a single major entity alone. Other organizations, including renowned research firm Academia, have also initiated research efforts with similar objectives. In addition, major business magnets such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have made significant contributions to precision medicine development; the former announced a $50 million investment in data-driven Alzheimer’s research, while the

As more data is collected, we receive valued insights that may lead to better practices in preventing illnesses and a more personalized diagnosis system that makes it more accurate 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Tech love “Precision care is a wider ability of doctors’ to use the patient’s genetic and other molecular information as part of routine medical care” Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay, — Specialist Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool.

latter donated $10 million to the UCSF Institute for Computation Health Sciences. Tempus, a Chicago-based company, boasts of holding the world’s largest repository of molecular and clinical data, all being built to offer doctors more clinical context for every case of cancer, for every affected individual. In China, Insilico Medicine is initiating research efforts with the sole purpose of driving healthy longevity through AI solutions for drug discovery. Healex, a firm based in the United Kingdom, is researching novel solutions for individual care using advanced data analysis. In the big Indian health market, a project known as Genome India is laying the foundation for precision medicine by mapping the diversity of the country’s mammoth genetic pool. Swagene is another Indian company that seeks to pioneer personalized medicine in the areas of oncology, fertility, and cardiology. On local shores, Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine plans to establish an interdisciplinary basic and translational cancer and diabetes research program to address the increasing challenges healthcare providers face in the UAE. The core focus of the institute is to play an active role in comprehensive, translational research and personalized medicine, with the aim of becoming a center of excellence and leader in developing personalized medicine.

wide-web, only revealed a sliver of their potential at the outset but have since gone on to change the rules of reality for human existence. Likewise, precision medicine is full of game-changing possibilities, but many will take time. As already observed, precision medicine will allow doctors to use patients’ genetic and other molecular information as a part of their medical plan. This can directly improve the capabilities that help better identify the treatment model for treating specific patients. As a result, doctors can have a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms due to which diseases occur. Even better, it can potentially create a significant perspective shift – from reaction to prevention. The challenge with precision medicine is quite similar to that of many other technologies that are in a stage of infancy. Researchers are still grappling with ideas to standardize the clinic and hospital data collection from the many who would contribute to the research. The data so gathered must also be efficiently stored, without which the noble contributions of many would be in vain. More importantly, the research being pursued as a part of the Precision Medicine Initiative must be conducted without affecting the privacy of those willing to participate, a challenge mighty enough given the many data threats we face every day. The research efforts that can make precision medicine possible require heavy funding, no doubt. But what is more worrying is that the cost of personalized medicines and treatments developed through the advancement of precision medicine could continue to be higher. On average, it takes 10-15 years to manufacture a medicine, which may cost around $ 1 billion. On a good note, though, it can reduce the cost of treatment and medicines for the many that go through the unwanted ordeal of lab testing and treatment methods that may not even be related to their condition. A field of medicine that has the capability to deliver patients the right medical intervention at the right cost could go a long way in reducing healthcare budgets. But would the time taken to manufacture a medicine delay the treatment of patients who may require medicines curated for them? The extraordinary research efforts of the many leading global centres indicate that this might be taken care of, thanks

On average, it takes 10-15 years to manufacture a medicine, which may cost around $ 1 billion

The Bitter Pill

All new inventions, from the printing press to the world-

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Tech love to the immense potential of data analysis. Despite the aforementioned advantages pertaining to the budget, healthcare’s biggest nemesis, the factor of affordability may continue to plague the disadvantaged. This is something that the healthcare fraternity must factor in. To sum up, the main pitfalls, as pointed out by expert Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay, include the high cost associated with precision medicine, fear of genetic discrimination, misinterpretation of genetic and health data, access and availability of genetic testing, and a relatively unprepared primary care workforce.

The World of Precision Treatment

Here’s an overview of a few areas where we know precision medicine could make a vital difference: Precision Oncology: While cancers have been earlier classified based on the type of tissue or part of the body where they show up, researchers are not trying to identify the molecular fingerprints of the different cancer types so as to divide them into precise types and subtypes. These research efforts have paved the way for a new model of cancer research, precision oncology. As per this concept, doctors would advise treatments based on the DNA signature of a person’s tumor. The DNA in our bodies contain our unique genes, and the cells in our bodies use information from these genes to produce proteins - elements that keep your body functioning normally. Cancers are caused if the genes react in a way that turns our normal cells cancerous. Dr. Jyoti explains, “The most promising area of precision medicine to date is cancer. Genetic testing can be used to figure out if you’re more likely to get certain forms of cancer. ‘Basket trials’ research cancer drugs being prescribed based on the genetic mutation of a tumor, rather than the type of tumor (such as breast, lung, or prostate).” Precision Psychiatry: The clinical specialties of psychiatry haven’t developed in the same vein as other major diseases, for mental health issues often escape the attention and urgency that physical ailments receive. Precision psychiatry seeks to change this by using systems biology and computerized psychiatry tools to create a biosignature, known as ‘Biomarkers’. This, when applied to individuals according to their unique biomarkers, could help doctors correctly interpret the biological pathways that relate to diagnosis and make more meaningful medical interventions, leading to happier outcomes.

Vision for the Future

The world is gathering together to make precision medicine a splendid success, precisely because we need much more tools in our arsenal to prevent

S TAT S

SAP & OXFORD ECONOMICS • 49 percent of respondents said precision medicine positively impacts patient volume, and 53 percent said they expect to see this in two years. • 38 percent of respondents said it has a positive impact on drug and treatment discovery, and 46 percent expect to see the outcome in two years. • Healthcare organizations are starting preparations for high-level privacy and security changes to accommodate precision medicine programs: 64 percent have changed their privacy policies, 60 percent

have increased the security of patient data, and 47 percent are changing organizational culture to reflect these privacy and security changes. • Healthcare organizations are mainly prioritizing their precision medicine work around diabetes (45 percent). Other illnesses and conditions include common cancers (38 percent), neurological diseases (33 percent), cardiovascular conditions (28 percent), aging (24 percent), autoimmune diseases (20 percent), rare or orphan cancers (12 percent), and other orphan diseases (8 percent).

and combat diseases, many of which continue to be a challenge in the advanced health ecosystem of the 21st century. These efforts can only succeed with integrity by ensuring that everyone’s privacy is respected and no one is disadvantaged by the consequences of these findings. At the end of it all, an effort supported by the community must support the community. J 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Opinion

Death of the MBA Man

Some of the world’s most accomplished don’t have a fancy degree. Bill Gates started Microsoft at 19, Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard and founded Facebook, Steve Jobs founded Apple in his garage. If you’re dogged by the question of an MBA, S.Deepika explores the value of the degree through a myriad of lenses “An MBA doesn’t impress me. A GSD does. GSD = Gets Stuff Done.” —christine comaford-lynch, serial entrepreneur and investor in over

200 companies

ith student debt crushing people, it is important to know what aspirants are really receiving for the money they invest. To many, an MBA is still worth the money for assets like social skills, critical thinking, business tenets, and specialized knowledge that you gain from. But for those who are conflicted about going for the degree versus the road not taken, how do you foresee the outcome of your choice? Maybe you can’t, so we bring the purported outcomes to you. Today, any credential is rather a blunt instrument because they reflect the assessment (and conception) of skills from technical educators who often teach by rule instead of emphasizing experience. Hence, it is no surprise that some mavericks are quick to wave off the formal degree. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, “colleges aren’t meant for learning but rather a place to have fun,” during a conversation at the satellite 2020 conference. Apple CEO Tim Cook said in 2019 that about half of Apple’s US employment last year included people without four-year degrees. To gain some perspective, we spoke to Haritha Maheshkumar, a product manager at Amazon Inc., who said, “We’re a society obsessed with labels. That reflects to an extent in the corporate sector when companies demand Tier 1 MBAs for certain

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“We’re a society obsessed with labels. Companies demand Tier 1 MBAs for certain positions. While this isn’t an ideal state, it is a filter that assumes that everyone with an MBA possesses the skills, street smartness, and personality needed for the job”

positions. While this isn’t an ideal state, it is a filter that assumes that everyone with an MBA possesses the skills, street smartness, and personality needed for the job. Perhaps it works out probabilistically, but companies forget we’re talking about human professionals who have their own diverse journeys and experiences that would make them suitable for the job, even without that MBA.” According to her, it may take a few additional years, but with consistency and focus, candidates can crack that barrier without the label of an MBA. The real question was if companies were consciously moving away from the label and displaying the same open-mindedness and daring they so often expect from candidates. She also sheds some light on the future of the MBA. “Unfortunately, it isn’t going anywhere for quite some time. But the light at the end of the tunnel is a significant increase in corporate leaders who are willing to invest in individuals who show potential - and value their intentional past experiences, which tend to validate their leap of faith. A little bit of networking to meet such leaders goes a long way.” Praful, a student of MBA at Murdoch university and region revenue head at Builder.ai, a software development firm, said that he began pursuing his MBA because of professional gaps he faced at work which were limiting his possibilities. For him, an MBA will be a cherry on top of his existing skills to get to the top positions. As per his prediction, MBA will not lose its relevance at least for the next 50 years because the course teaches you leadership, sustainability, and managerial skills, which he believes are quite useful and relevant to the work he does. In addition, this training gives most applicants a competitive edge when applying for jobs. “People with knowledge on sustainability, global business, accounting, and other themes can expect professional success in their future,” he added. While the present is undisturbed, the MBA course must evolve itself to fit in with the needs of employers and potential industries to stay relevant as a degree. So, where do you think the future of the MBA is headed? ✪

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Events

Regional happenings on the horizon FUTURE LANDSCAPES AND PLAY AREAS The importance of the environment and natural areas to human welfare and mental health has been highlighted in recent years. At the same time, there has never been a more critical time to address the importance of participatory and engaging play for children. This is especially important in Abu Dhabi, where a huge number of new developments, entertainment attractions, cultural sites, and public parks are set to open in the coming years. Meanwhile, the UAE’s inspirational environmental goals have emphasized the use of more environmentally friendly flora, materials, and irrigation methods. The 6th Edition of the Landscape and Playspaces Abu Dhabi will be held in Conrad Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers, on the 28th and 29th of June 2022 to address these crucial issues. The conference will offer a unique opportunity for government officials, public and private project owners, developers, architects, consultants, contractors, recreation and facilities managers, and equipment and solution providers to connect, network,

and help define the city’s landscape. You can register as a guest on their website for access to and information about this event.

GLOBAL EMERGETECH SUMMIT Economies and businesses are currently incorporating a diverse set of six emerging technologies: AI, IoT, Blockchain, Chatbots, 5G, and augmented reality. These technologies’ adoption is critical in propelling enterprises that want to stay ahead of the competition and evolve. Countries in the Middle East are some of the leading nations globally in adopting innovative technologies. This can largely be attributed to these countries’ early adoption of ambitious national ICT plans. The Global Emergetech Summit examines how critical frontier technologies like cloud and AI, as well as those that will bridge the gap between now and tomorrow, such as Big Data, IoT, and Blockchain, are affecting organizations. The Summit will examine the present state of adoption of these technologies in the Middle East, the benefits they provide, and the best and next practices that leaders and experts are employing to ensure a successful transformation. The event will be held in a hybrid format - you can join the event via the

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online live stream or in-person in The Address, Dubai Mall on 28 June 2022. The event enables all attendees to engage with targeted audiences, including decision-makers and influencers, meet experts in the field, and delve into the latest cutting-edge tools and frameworks. Registrations are now open on the official website.

GLOBAL DEFI INVESTMENT SUMMIT Following the success of the first three editions of the Global DeFi Investment Summit, where blockchain pioneers, cryptocurrency projects, venture capitalists, and business entrepreneurs gathered to discuss DeFi, Metaverse, Gamefi, NFTs, Web 3.0, and other hot topics in the blockchain ecosystem, GulfXellence has decided to launch the fourth edition of the summit dedicated to innovative technologies, bringing together the biggest names and thought leaders who are actively shaping the tech industry. Taking place from 29th to 30th June at Dusit Thani, Dubai, the summit is a space where attendees will be exposed to enterprise use-cases, motivational speeches, panel discussions, tech sessions, fireside chats, and speed pitches. The Global DeFi Investment Summit’s main purpose is to bring together global investors and projects under one roof and link them. In addition, several start-ups and local firms from relevant industries will attend and network to form commercial ties. Participants and investors will be able to see technology and business advancements during the Summit. The summit’s

primary goal is to raise worldwide awareness of the crypto ecosystem and connect blockchain and digital asset owners from all over the world. With over 30+ speakers & panelists and over 3000 attendees, the tickets start at $100 and can be bought online on their official website. Attendees will get to meet founders, DeFi & NFT investors, gain in-depth investing insights, explore future-tech investment prospects around the world, grow their credentials as thought leaders, and get access to a multitude of benefits.

GLOBAL VERTICAL FARMING SHOW TAB group presents the Global Vertical Farming Show 2022, a more dynamic and trailblazing of its type, following the exceptional success and reactivity of the first Global Vertical Farming Expo–GVF2021 (Virtual Connect) last year. The United Arab Emirates has devised a National Food Security Strategy intending to make the UAE the best in the world in terms of food security by 2051, including vertical farming as a potential alternative. The Global Vertical Farming Forum (GVF) is a ground-breaking event that brings together the whole vertical farming value chain to learn about the business, meet new people, get new initiatives, and build long-term relationships. GVF 2022 aims to create a worldclass environment for vertical farming and cutting-edge technology businesses to thrive to boost the industry’s economic prospects. Every possible idea required to scale up this new revolutionary vertical farming business exists in the Middle East, which will benefit foreign corporations in identifying the perfect channel partner and creating long-term commercial ties. Aside from finding the right channel partners, there are various commercial and long-term networking platform opportunities.

“The UAE intends to build the world’s largest vertical farm, which will provide essential food staples. It will soon be operational, producing many of the key food products we require, such as tomatoes and leafy greens, “said Essa Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi, Head of the UAE’s Food and Water Security Office. With over 1500 targeted attendees, 400+ senior conference delegates, 50 exhibitors and sponsors, and more than 40 expert speakers, this is the must-attend show for all things agriculture in Dubai. The event will take place at Conrad, Dubai on 27th and 28th of July. Registrations are now open on their official website. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

The

Futuristic Trendsetter FARZAM KAMALABADI is the most powerful man you don’t know. His zealous self-driven mission and drive to change has transformed the fate of nations, starting with China, and moving across the world. Read as SHAGUFTA PATEL captures the spirit of this incredible man. Written by QIRAAT ATTAR.

here are many who can say ‘No Dream Too Big’, fewer who begin to execute their dreams, and the rarest of them all, those few who dare to see them through to the end. Farzam Kamalabadi falls in the third category. With his vast network of resources and know-how in over 120 countries, the founder and president of Future Trends Group has led it to complete over 100 projects or transactions and generate a staggering turnover of some USD 30B in the past 25 years. The captain of the ship, Farzam Kamalabadi, is a force of pure human grit, having built Future Trends simultaneously as he forged and chiseled the fate of nations, particularly China, the Middle East, Africa, and the West. Over the years, he has risen to hold key positions, including Senior Economic Advisor to over 20 municipal and regional governments in China; advising and overseeing projects of the national oil systems of several countries, including Oman, Kuwait, and China; proved instrumental in the China-Oman trade volume hyper-jump by 18 times multiplication from $600mm to $11Bn between 2001 to 2007; masterfully guided the first-ever zero-bullet peaceful transition of power in Africa, Zimbabwe in November 2017; and successfully changed several rounds of key national policies of China. It is no surprise that he has been stated as “The Most Influential Foreign Figure in Modern China History” by Chinese state media and several international forums. We chat with Farzam to journey with him into the past, of how an Iranian boy with humble beginnings came to alter the fate of the world, past, present, and future.

TE ACHINGS FROM THE SE A

Growing up in the northern territory of Iran, between the mountain and the Caspian Sea, Farzam’s earliest teachers were the trials of nature and the way the seasons changed.

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COVER STORY

Farzam Kamalabadi, is a force of pure human grit, having built Future Trends simultaneously as he forged and chiseled the fate of nations, particularly China, the Middle East, Africa, and the West 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Hosting the Prime Minister of Mali, His Excellency Choguel Maiga, and Mr. Li Nonghe, Chairman of the Chinese Federation of Global Chinese Chambers of Commerce in Dubai

“My father was a complete humanitarian, the only doctor of nearly a hundred villages. He must have healed close to a few 100,000 patients in his lifetime.” Born in the middle of 5 children, one brother and one sister on either side of him as siblings, Farzam was a precocious and observant kid. All of three years old and barely speaking, a child in his own world, uninterested in the trinkets and flashy luxuries, he remembers a time loitering the beach with family, where they collected pretty, shiny shells and little conches, like gifts from the sea. Farzam came upon a shore-cast dead little fish and was aware that it should be in the water. As his older relative backslapped his hand, thinking he had mistaken the dead fish for a shell telling him that he should drop and toss the carcass away; instead, the little boy wordlessly lifted it with a look full of meaning, placing it gently in the water. As they watched, awestruck, the fish returned to life, swimming back into the sea with a second life, leaving Farzam with a meaningful look of satisfaction and moral victory. “I learned a lesson. If I had been one minute earlier, it wouldn’t be there. One minute later, it would have been really dead. So, you have to be in the right place at the right time, then do the right thing, without heeding to other people’s opinions who do not understand you.” This, among many other factors, created in him the urge to change the destinies of nations and humanity at large.

“

THE L AND OF OPPORTUNIT Y

In 1978, Farzam moved to Boston. 1979 saw the first ‘boat people’ arrive in America - Southeast Asian refugees, Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians. An immigrant himself, he forewent the crisis that comes with that enforced identity and instead found the courage to become a support for the refugee community and a leader indeed.

ou have to be in the right place at the right time, then Y do the right thing, without heeding to other people’s opinions who do not understand you

As he grew, the lessons from his surroundings kept shaping the man he was destined to be. Bored with regular slow fishing experiences, when he first witnessed the fisherman employ dynamite fishing, throwing an explosive bomb in the water to kill and capture hundreds of fishes at once, the empath in him was appalled, and the strategic mind in him was greatly intrigued. “There was a business strategy here - Don’t go for projects or clients one by one - don’t be linear. Instead, place a powerful impression bomb, capture attention, harvest group by group on the aggregate, and produce prolific results.”

With His Excellency Kinuani Kamitatu Massamba, the Special Envoy of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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At just 19, he was rallying the groups to come together and stay strong. “Even though I was at school, I missed most classes. I was up every day from early morning 4 AM till late night 2 AM, running around to the airport, picking up the refugees, housing them, getting them clothing, then barely going to my classes, taking them to obtain welfare, getting the driver’s licenses, so on and so forth.” Those years opened Farzam’s eyes to the breadth of human suffering and the combative power of human resilience. He saw people who met on the boat in the

! Signing Ceremony in Dubai with the Governor of Ajara Autonomous Republic of Georgia (Batumi) along with Mr. Li Nonghe # TV interview with Mali television during the visit of Prime Minister of Mali to Dubai explaining Future Trends Africa initiative to the press !! Receiving Mandate by the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Congo, HE Mr. Antoine Thomas Nicephore Fylla de Sante-Eudes ! Presenting Future Trends Africa Manifesto to the longest standing Minister in Africa, HE General Pierre OBA, Minister of Mining of the Republic of Congo

worst of conditions, yet fall in love, marry, and dream of a better life for themselves and their families. Most refugees were robbed of all their money and gold when on the boat, sometimes chucked out in the vast sea to drown, but against impossible odds, they got to the fabled land of opportunity.

BORN AND R AISED, AGAIN AND AGAIN

To help the refugees, he decided to learn Chinese. “I wanted to change ideologies, create a new civilization, a new mindset. I have seen that action with a pure motive and strong methodology can create the widest impact, and that fascinated me. So, I learned Chinese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese, asking Vietnamese villagers to teach me their language, and then formally took classes at Harvard University and drilled days till nights at Boylston Hall Language Laboratory.” Investing in languages allowed him to make friends out of weary strangers, widened his network, and thus made him a vital cog for the businesses around the place. “My first formal job was in the Baybank Harvard Trust, for I had such a strong community system and network that the banks said, oh my god, we need these clients. I had a strong network comprising 2000-3000 people from the Chinese community in Boston. So, I became the Iranian in America in Baybank Harvard Trust at Harvard Square in charge of the Chinese students and scholars.”

The Chinese academia were the first group of mainland Chinese arrivals in the USA, and they all became Farzam’s community as they arrived in Boston – to study at Harvard, MIT, or Boston University. “Just like with the refugees, I used to take them from the airport, go with them to their classes, translate for them and learn Chinese that way.” Just like that, Farzam was bestowed a second childhood – growing up with their memories of the Chinese cultural revolution. Within two years, Farzam had all the knowledge of how these thousands of students and scholars grew up in China. Their movies, the anecdotes, stories, and cliches swirled in his subconscious, as if he were born and raised in China. What started as merely learning the words became an adoption of their culture and mindset as his own. Farzam made some very astute predictions about China during this time, as consistently in various stages later, all of which have proved true in the decades that ensued. “I would give lectures about how China will move from being introvert to extrovert, from a follower to a leader. At the time, the scholars themselves were very pessimistic about the future of China. I became involved in giving lectures in universities and printed about 30,000 of my own articles or white paper of my analysis. It went to every top student and scholar from China, whom I didn’t know but were the children of generals and prime 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

ministers, people of top consequence. They took my thoughts and white paper and circulated them to the top national leaders of China as well. Unknowingly, I was able to influence a whole generation of China and their thinking.”

A CONFLUENCE OF IDEOLOGIES

Farzam’s work takes him places, but given that all his goals are humongous and long-term, it can be confounding for the layman to understand how Farzam profits out of his calling. He explains, “I have two initiatives - one is corporate, one is government. On the corporate front companies join me because my ecosystem and influence help their growth. I don’t work as a third-party consultant; instead, companies invest in me and offer shares, as I take on a chairman role and help grow the companies. I bring all the vectors of growth, global sales and distribution system, global partnerships, reps, resellers, agents and JVs, investors in each region, bringing in government support in the form of permits, branding, capital raising, increasing financial growth, an entire system of acceleration within each corporation. As they grow, the payment increases, the revenue increases, and so do the shares. I am working with 50 such companies at the moment – a Bel- With Botswana Government gian Renewable Energy representatives in Dubai Group, a US company HNO in the domain of hydrogen generation, fund operations in the Cayman, and a few blockchain companies, and at the moment finalizing several new partners and member companies.” Farzam is aware that his achievements are extraordinary; there are hundreds who perhaps envision creating an impact of this kind, but few can reach the heights that he has. On being quizzed if there is a scientific method or a process to his humongous growth, he answers, “Diversify – do not stay restricted to one region or industry. I have a plug-in system that leverages the seven vectors or verticals of growth in a global ecosystem. It’s like an implosion. I bring all my resources to be owned by the companies that join me. I download relevant resources in key areas of the growth – market, partners, government, capital, and then implement strategies through them so that the company starts growing, and often by mega multiplication.” The mantra here – implode (download into the member or partner company our key resources in parallel first), digest (turn those resources into commercial contracts

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and consistent monetary results), and explode (grow the company by mega multiplication).

FARZ AM’S OPER ATIONAL ST YLE

One can guess that ambitions of this scale are neither for the lonely nor the fainthearted. Of his system, Farzam says, “My global network, system, and process has a very wide coverage, with multi-layer value and having multiple strata, going from high to low. So, it’s like a high-resolution megapixel three-dimensional hologram, where you see all the different networks of all the different categories.” While most people simply consider good human resources and top connections as a huge win, to Farzam it is only the minimum. Whenever he is entrusted with a new client or a new project, he hires a trusted team of 3 to 5 people, sometimes more, who can work deeply with the client for particular functions to bring the goal into reality. But even that is the basic mechanics and tools of processing the resources. As he says, “I become like a rainmaker. My teams provide the key resources, and between their team and my team, we run the processes on our invented strategies. From time to time, my core team and I fine-tune the larger teams that belong inside these companies, which interface with my global resources; but ultimately, the main gain comes from our proprietary know-how and superior modeling developed by me within Future Trends.”

IN DUE TIME

To some, Farzam’s life may seem unimaginably arduous, akin to an obstacle course; to him, it is just proof that everything worth achieving takes its time to arrive. As he puts it, “The process of crystallization of results is at times slow, like how milk slowly turns into curd. You cannot rush the process, but there is always a tilting point of fast and sudden fermentation.”

! Hosting HE Mr Kinuani Kamitatu Massamba, the Special Envoy of the President of DRC in Dubai

For the first 25 years, Farzam hustled and broke sweat, consulting, brokering, and taking on ad-hoc transactions to prove his mettle. Now, as the pace slows but the dreams burgeon bigger than ever before, he is focused on building institutions. “Somewhere in the last five years, I have upgraded to a series of part-ownership model level. And now, we are on the verge of upgrading one more layer so that I can monetize the ‘Future Trends’ ecosystem itself, on digital economy, and blockchain exchanges. Our ecosystem will most likely have a native coin, and I don’t want it to become only commercial. So, we will not float it too aggressively into the market. But it becomes an umbrella or infrastructure within which my projects, programs, subsidiary companies, or assets are floated one by one in a digital world and will produce huge upside. That’s my next phase of mega monetization.”

“

Having never sought outside funding for his audacious vision but relying on his own money-generating machine that he terms has produced “mid-level miracles”, Farzam is proud of what he has achieved yet is aware of how much further he could grow with monies behind his vast global system. “What I can do with pools of super large capital behind me is unbelievable. I know it myself, and yet, I did not develop it until recently till my system is fully mature and powerful. So, I’m working on that element.” When a man doesn’t compare himself with others, his biggest enemies are only his flaws, the unquantifiable challenges of life. “My first enemy is mediocracy - being passive or being less than your full potential. The second enemy is time. The third enemy, actually, is a rather popular concept – which is called ‘beauty in the eye of the beholder’. I don’t believe in that. I believe that no matter what you are seeing, there is always a higher standard and new realities that one must strive for to discover and achieve.” As our time with Farzam ticks away, we are unwilling to let the conversation fade without a final nugget of wisdom from him. So, we go for the gold – what is the one thing that paves the way to greatness? He replies, “There is no one factor; instead, there is a formula. Like with any formula, there are 20 plus elements, and if any one element is missing, it falls short and is aborted.” He counts out a few – finding crystal clear the calling, the mission, keeping the vision, creating superior methodologies and modeling, observing and adopting a systems-oriented mind and process-oriented system, consistency and perseverance. One could say that parsing through his life so far and the experiences he has snatched

y first enemy is mediocracy - being passive or being M less than your full potential. The second enemy is time.

Given that Farzam has created an infallible business model, he is keen on evangelizing it. “From the beginning, my objective was to create a hybrid business model that is both for-profit and nonprofit in the same entity, non-governmental and yet related to governance, finance-oriented and humanitarian all in one to help people, while you create wealth. I’m still in the process of perfecting it. I want it to be a model that future companies can emulate.”

THE VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT

Farzam does admit the twinge of loneliness that comes with being centuries ahead of his time in his vision, but he is quick to dismiss it. “God surrounded me with a lot of good-hearted and strong-minded people, especially from the young generation,” he says.

away, even from the most unforgiving of situations, layout the blueprint to greatness. But he leaves the most surreal one for the end – a sense of destiny. Farzam’s destined focus during this decade is to affect the collective rise of Africa, a hyper jump in wealth generation and wealth distribution of its state nations and peoples, as stated and described in his open letter, the ‘Future Trends Manifesto for Africa’, a process which has gathered momentum and received huge reverberations in Africa and globally within a very short time. If you believe it is fated for you, there is nary a force in the universe that can’t be harnessed and tapped into, or that can stand between you and your greatness in impact and in service to the world of humanity. For Farzam Kamalabadi, this is his ultimate victory. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

A MILITARY MAN

SHAGUFTA PATEL speaks to ADAM ROOSEVELT, the military man turned entrepreneur and politician about his journey, and how he made it to Washington D.C. and now Dubai despite his humble past and a tumultuous upbringing, and how he channels battlefield learnings in business today

uring the conversation, Adam Roosevelt, an ex-military person from the US Department of Défense and Homeland Security, offhandedly mentions that Dubai is very different from the America he grew up in. Given his vast life experience, if anyone could say so with authority, it’s him. Born in southern Virginia to parents employed with the US military, Adam’s fate was inextricably linked to his homeland. Their discharge into civilian life was harder than anticipated, and his parents soon separated. Adam took after his father, studying in Granby High school while his father became a music producer, focusing on street artists and the upcoming hip hop scene, quickly carving a niche in their neighborhood. To Adam, this name and clout were needful currency. Being raised in the hood in the early 90s meant that danger lurked close, and there was a near-constant threat to life at any given moment. Given his father’s chosen vocation, Adam was exposed to it at a tender age, maturing faster than someone who lived a sheltered life. “I was a bit of the black sheep of the family; every family has one, and I was mine. When dad was out on the streets, there was a lot of criminal activity, danger, and drugs. I watched that world growing up.” But Adam was determined, sharp as a tack, and eager to make a name for himself. Surrounded by

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danger in school and always watching his back, Adam’s boyhood ambitions found an anchor in the actions of a neighborhood woman, who saved up every last dollar each year for the sole purpose of feeding the poor and hungry in Africa, despite facing dire financial strain herself. Her selflessness subsumed him with purpose, and Adam told his mother, “Her kids are barely eating, but she’s dedicated herself to a higher purpose. I think that’s political. I want to be a politician.”

BITING THE BULLET $ When assigned to NATO Adam recounts life during wartime

To his mother, there was one surefire route into politics – the military. Adam was understandably wary at the prospect. To him, the military would be more of the danger that had stubbornly followed him around all his life – in fact, he thought it unlikely that he’d even survive his first war. But against his misgivings, he bit the bullet. Starting with boot camp in Georgia, Adam quickly proved his mettle, moving on to cyber training at the Fort Gordon signal center of Excellence. “You’re running at 5.30 AM Every day, 10 to 15 miles a day. I trained in

INTERVIEW

“Her kids are barely eating, but she’s dedicated herself to a higher purpose. I think that’s political. I want to be a politician.”

INTERVIEW

cybersecurity, learning not just to leverage it, but also additional military assets that we were trained to use – knowing just as well how to destroy entire system architecture with one command as to pick up a rifle and engage the enemy.” Armed and educated, Adam was instated in the cyber unit deployed in Afghanistan for two tours, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom Sentinel, when Al Qaeda and the Government of The Taliban were in force and ISIS but a pale ghost of the future, as yet unseen. When assigned to NATO, Adam recounts a significant incident with both fear and mirth, one that could have ended his flourishing career as he knew it. “As a noncommissioned officer, I was never to leave the base.” One fateful day, Turkish officers barged into his office and demanded that Adam accompany them as they were facing trouble. “If the NATO comes in here, I have to help,” recalled Adam as he followed them into their vehicles. As the miles fell away, surrounded by Turkish officers who couldn’t follow English, Adam realized that he

their allyship. Having achieved the insurmountable at only 22, his trajectory rocketed skywards. Post this, Adam worked with Homeland security, working for the United States Secret Service, supporting the President and First Family providing direct support to the Protective Intelligence and Assessment Division. Here, Adam got a grasp of real authority. He says, “I took every project I could get, for I was the aggressive startup guy. I wanted to compete against the Fortune 500s, and nobody could outmaneuver me in the space. While they had big money, I had drive, compassion, and a mission to succeed. At its peak, I was program manager interfacing 17 government agencies, including Secret Service, FEMA, and intelligence agencies such as CIA and NSA.”

GETTING HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT Alongside his military duty, Adam Roosevelt is also known across 49th District Virginia as the Republican candidate who contested for the Virginia House of Delegates. Despite his defeat, he

! Departing for war Adam recounts his final goodbye to family and friends

was leaving the base and went into a panic. They took him nearly 40 kilometers out, with Adam increasingly concerned about defying orders. As it turns out, it was all just to fix a hard drive. Since breaking the key of the encrypted drive could spell trouble, they wanted an American soldier to do it. Adam carried out the order, but his superiors were furious at the transgression. He was reassigned, effective immediately. What seemed like a grave setback to him turned out to be a milestone. Adam was reassigned to be the Special Assistant to the Signal Support Group Resolute Support commander, commanding cyber security work across Afghanistan and responsible for every cyber activity. In this new role, he was often touted as the ‘politician on the camp’. While his transgression had earned the ire of his superiors, the Turkish saw in him a fierce and admirable loyalty, which earned him

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is well known amongst locals for upholding the cause of tax reforms, advanced STEM education, and the support and care of veterans. It was during this time that Adam began making frequent TV appearances, appearing on Fox News, Sky News, NBC, and Newsmax to weigh in on several pressing national and political issues. This visibility and a well-attested ability for public service meant Adam could be the politician he envisioned to be as a young boy, but as he recounts, the warring, dissonant Democrat vs. Republican ideology, as well as the apprehension of having an entrenched military official now making frequent television appearances made people have misgivings with him. Repeatedly chided and being held back from achieving his true potential, he took a leap of faith, leaving his homeland to venture into unexplored territory, and landed, both feet in, in Dubai.

INTERVIEW

# Adam prepares for address to america on critical topics facing the nation

ON FOREIGN SHORES In his second innings in Dubai, Adam’s work has undergone a transformation. Within a year, he has turned advisor and board member of the office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi. Learning quick, Adam is a unique specimen in this space, bringing acumen and learnings from his time in the military and his stint in Afghanistan. He acknowledges that he is not a local expert but is determined to learn exponentially to keep up with the economics of these prosperous deserts. The Sheikh’s office enables diverse businesses, playing a protagonist in UAE’s growth and economic diversification. It is a springboard for both new as well as established businesses and start-ups willing to expand their footprint in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa while enjoying the benefits of Dubai’s stable economy, supportive government policies, and a burgeoning business ecosystem. On being an entrepreneur in a foreign land, he says, “Sometimes you don’t get paid upfront, you have got to put your skin in the game. It has paid off in terms of respect and reputation, and I have built a name for myself in the community.” Adam Roosevelt’s TV days, however, are far from gone; these days, he’s busy mastering a new medium – YouTube. With reportage on hot button topics, Adam stays relevant and controls the narrative instead of a network news channel. “I’m trying to

“I took every project I could get, for I was the aggressive startup guy. I wanted to compete against the Fortune 500s, and nobody could outmaneuver me in the space” pitch a TV News Show to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Essentially, it’s a continuation of my engagements on television. I’ve covered Russia-Ukraine, covered issues in Iran, the assassination of General Soleimani, the Derek Chauvin trial.” Fearless, he says he has a penchant for covering stories that could get you in hot water if you say the wrong thing. His daughter, of whom he speaks proudly in glowing terms, is a miniature version of him. “I tried not to influence her, but the kid is a little politician already. She’s already doing the Pledge of Allegiance. She’s learnt it because she knows I like politics. So that reminds me, I have to do right by my kid because she is watching me and learning from me.” In a certain way, life has come full circle for Adam, who having learned how to survive on the streets from his father, now has his daughter imbuing the knack of politics from him, watching him succeed in Washington and beyond with a long prosperous road ahead of him, where challenges exist, but without danger. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

Homing In On Success

Vinayak and Shilpa Mahtani know business better than most. This power couple grew a two-man hospitality business into a 70 strong venture in a remarkably short period. They talk to ASPIRE about their holiday home venture, and its journey

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oth Vinayak and Shilpa have had different journeys through the uncertain lanes of self-started business, but it has brought them to the same wonderful place. Today, a powerhouse couple, Vinayak and Shilpa Mahtani, are forces to be reckoned with in business. Vinayak, a serial entrepreneur, ran a retail footwear chain with 35 stores in India before moving to Dubai nine years ago. Additionally, he is the founder and Chief Executive of Unique Precise International, a one-stop solution company for the Hospitality Industry based in Jumeirah and with offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, India, the UK, USA, and South Africa. Shilpa Mehtani was also blessed with the business gene. Born and raised in a business family in Mumbai, she wasn’t one to allow marriage and motherhood put the brakes on her pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration. Soon after, she joined her husband in his footwear company.

After the success of Unique Precise, Vinayak set up the holiday homes management company bnbme in 2018, managing properties on behalf of owners and marketing them on short-term rental websites. What started as a humble effort is now approaching its first-ever million-dollar short-term rental deal while negotiating properties worth over 100 million AED. Together, Vinayak and Shilpa manage close to 150 luxurious holiday homes in Dubai and are looking to expand into other regions. Aiming to provide guests with the luxurious touch of a hotel with the comfort of a home, bnbme has earned them a reputation for creating WOW experiences for their worldwide guests.

About bnbme and the business bug ‘Bnbme – Holiday Homes by Hoteliers’ is a luxury holiday home management company that works with property owners in managing their apartments and villas for short-term rentals in some of Dubai's swankiest, most in-demand locales. He explains the business process. “We market the apartment on various platforms, managing the guest journey from beginning to end. The property is maintained to the best possible standards, resulting in higher rental returns to an owner. Our hospitality background allows us to deliver high standards in terms of sleep experience, amenities, and customer service. We manage properties all over the UAE and have recently expanded our operations in India too.” When quizzed on how bnbme stands apart from the competition, they respond, “Very often, we see our competition executing the same marketing strategy that we did a few weeks prior, or speaking the same language we spoke several weeks backwhich is great because by then, we have already moved on to the next phase. So if I must put it down to what really makes us different, it has to be our speed and agility in execution.”

The evolving nature of hospitality “The guest is ever-changing, and this calls for the hospitality industry also to evolve. The fact that we can call ourselves as part of the hospitality industry is an evolution, for it’s no longer about a great building with 500 rooms and mass service. Instead, it’s about bespoke living spaces and creating new experiences.” UAE, of course, is seeing a rise in the holiday homes business and this business duo is visibly excited at the prospects. “The market for short-term rentals or holiday homes in UAE is very much on the rise. The country is growing as a tourist destination, roping in a growing percentage of tourists each year. With the recent success of the Expo, coupled with upcoming events like the Football World

Cup, Dubai has positioned itself on the global map for tourism. As a result, many homeowners and investors are converting their properties today into vacation homes, with real estate still being more affordable when compared to other cities worldwide. The average global traveler is also looking for ‘home-awayfrom-home’ experiences coupled with great service, making such holiday homes the obvious choice. The pandemic created a considerable shift in traditional travel and been a boom to local tourism and staycation travel.” Having started off a small en“What started as terprise with the husband and wife working out of their garage, a humble effort is today it is a soaring enterprise now approaching its with 70 handpicked employees. first-ever million-dol“Once we identified our core vallar short-term rental ues, we have since then stuck to them. Every person getting ondeal while negotiating boarded to our team today is first properties worth over analyzed on their core values and 100 million AED” then interviewed for their capabilities. Customers (Property Owners) are aligned with our core values, and so are the guests. This is the fabric that holds us together.” In addition to holiday home management, the couple also run two other divisions – glamperbybnbme, which provides glamping experiences to guests across the Emirate, and Supper Clubs by bnbme offering amazing dining experiences to guests in different properties across the region.

Life philosophies “Shilpa and I are both strong believers in destiny, so often if she’s stressed, I say, no matter what phase we’re in, good or bad, it has to pass. So, we are always prepared and take whatever comes gracefully in our stride. We are also aligned in giving back to the community and work in that endeavor.” The aura of business reigns supreme over their domestic life too, as Vinayak chuckles that their pillow talk always turns towards business. “Our 17-yearold son is a young entrepreneur, having started his own business and is making profits. My 13-year-old daughter too, has started earning her extra pocket money through her small online business.” When asked about their goals, they respond, “We would like to see bnbme listed on the stock market with over 1,000 properties and be the benchmark for vacation rentals in India and the Middle East.” One can confidently say that with the way they’re crossing one milestone after another, this goal is inevitable. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

Setting the stage for Beauty If anyone has an eye for beauty, it’s TV presenter, entrepreneur, fashionista and luxury brand ambassador Lara Tabet. Having recently launched ‘Lara Tabet Beauty’, she walks Shagufta Patel through her passion for beauty and business, and her expertise at blending them both

woman of many talents and laurels, Lara Tabet’s journey to the zenith started at a very young age, when she worked in her family business in the hotels and hospitality sector, until she was headhunted by the first English language TV station set up in the region. Rising quickly to the opportunity, she soon began producing and presenting several of her shows. During her television tenure, she conducted over 7,000 interviews with celebrities from all over the world. Owing to her popularity, she began to be approached by high-end luxury brands to represent them as a brand ambassador in the region, which led to the launch of her own initiative, ‘luxurywithlara’, showcasing brands from all over the world. Soon, identifying a gap in the fashion industry where designers and entrepreneurs faced challenges in connecting with potential partners and investors, she had a brainwave and thus formed the Arab FashionPreneur to effectively help them out. A multi-faceted woman, Lara has recently launched her new business, venturing into the glamorous domain of makeup with her own line of beauty products. We get her to tell us more.

Lara, tell us a little bit more about your platform, Arab Fashion Preneur. The Arab FashionPreneur is a platform for start-ups

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as well as established businesses within the fashion fraternity to connect with customers, distributors, partners, and potential investors in the region and worldwide. In addition, the platform highlights new trends, technologies, and innovative business models that will transform the industry in the future. The Arab Fashion Preneur also hosts regional events as well as local and international workshops, conferences, seminars, and fashion shows. It serves as a networking platform contributing to developing the fashion entrepreneurial ecosystem

in the Middle East, valued at over 50 billion dollars in the region. Dubai is famously known as the fashion hub, where the average spend per person on fashion is amongst the highest in the world. The fashion industry has developed dynamically in the last decade, with at least one fashion event per week, many of which are of the same standards and caliber as those we see in London, Milan, and New York. Since the retail scene is changing worldwide partly due to technology and partly due to Covid’s impact - and the fashion industry has not been spared in any way, we are quick to highlight the changes and assist this ecosystem in adapting and growing further.

What is the idea behind your makeup line, Lara Tabet beauty? Tell us a little bit about your brainstorming and process of designing the brand. Lara Tabet Beauty is a brand that I have worked on for the last three years. It is a brand that is meant to represent the bold, beautiful, sophisticated, and confident woman who is gorgeous, not just from the outside but also on the inside. I spent hours and hours selecting the right co-

“Lara Tabet Beauty is a brand to represent the bold, beautiful, sophisticated, and confident woman who is gorgeous, not just from the outside but also on the inside

lours, aromas, packaging, and textures of the products until we came up with the right look and feel of the lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeliner, and eyelashes to start with. The eyelashes are a selection of five different types of mink, from the day look lashes to the afternoon tea lashes all the way to the evening look lashes. The lipsticks and lip glosses are in five different shades, from the Beige nudes all the way to varying shades of pink and then through to the intense reds. What differentiates Lara Tabet Beauty glosses from all others in the market is that these are really intense glosses, and the lipsticks will last the entire day on your lips.

What do you want Lara Tabet beauty to stand for? The brand represents self-love, confidence, kindness, resilience, determination, perseverance, empathy, inspiration, motivation, and giving back. The women of today are empowered and supportive of each other, striving to achieve their dreams and ambitions, and want to reflect a confident and bold style.

What is the range of products you are currently offering under Lara Tabet beauty, and what is in the works? The initial launch will include five different types of eyelashes, lipsticks, lip glosses, and a black intense, long-lasting liquid eyeliner. Other products in the pipeline include mascara, foundations, compact powders, eye shadows, blushes, highlighters, and makeup brushes. A body makeup line, a male grooming line, and a daily skincare line are in the works. At some point, we will be launching a fragrance as well.

What sets Lara Tabet beauty apart from all the beauty brands in the market? The ‘Lara Tabet’ brand is developed in this region, made for women in this part of the world. And as it happens, this region has the most diverse population than anywhere else in the world, so we will be relevant to a global audience. In this way, it is the best of local and global. Our products represent the aspiration that our women have, to be bold and confident about themselves. " Lara Tabet with her new business launch ‘Lara Tabet Beauty’

If you could have any celebrity or personality endorse your brand or wear one of your products, who would be the ideal person for it? My personal idols are Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. They are both self-confident and bold women who are very different from one another but have an incredible appeal to women of all ages and are adored not for their looks but for their talent, courage, self-esteem, and the energy they carry. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

THE SAVE SO

Riding his way from London to the tip of Southern India, on a motorcycle and with a strong message, Sadhguru demystifies the known and the unknown by transcending the barriers of the material and spiritual world. Ayaat Attar covers the Global Visionary and founder of the ‘Conscious Planet’ movement, as he speaks his heart at the Dubai World Trade Centre

umans are fascinating beings. At the peak of conscious evolution, a human often lives in oblivion of his mortality. He forgets that from the soil he has come, and to soil he shall return. The 20th of May marked the 61st day of Sadhguru's renowned 100-day, 30,000-kilometer lone motorcycle journey across 27 countries to raise awareness and work towards soil health restoration, despite storms, snow, rugged mountains, harsh rains, and sandstorms. Hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the spiritual leader brought to light to the citizens and residents of the UAE, the ticking time bomb that humanity is oblivious to - the soil crisis.

SOIL - BED OF DEATH AND CRADLE OF LIFE “In 2060, a handful of world-renowned scientists were

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able to arrange a meeting with God Almighty. They respectfully asked him to retire as they could now do everything he boasted of bestowing. With the snap of a finger, they created babies and other wonders of the world. But when God asked them to create soil, the researchers were left stumped.” Sadhguru narrated this story in humor to an enamored crowd of over ten thousand at the Dubai World Trade Center, bringing to their realization that as a life-giver, soil is irreplaceable and cannot be recreated. It can only be restored. The largest carbon sink in the world, the offerings of soil to the world are truly wondrous. Referred to as ‘topsoil’ by geologists, the first eight to fifteen inches of the earth forms the largest organic ecosystem in the world. Scientists have discovered that a handful of topsoil houses more than eight billion microorganisms, which belong to about 60 different species. However, according to the United Nations Food

Sadhguru is on a mission to spread awareness and advocate the importance of bringing 3-6% organic content into soil globally and establishing supporting policies to make this happen

IL MOVEMENT and Agricultural Organization (UNFAO), 27,000 species are going extinct every year. Each year soil worth one football field is getting lost forever, and if the trend continues, we are looking at 2050 with 90% of soil loss. Lack of organic content turns soil into sand, leading to food crisis, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, climate change, loss of livelihood, conflict, civil wars, and migration. The class of people most affected by these disasters are the women and children, but no one will be spared its wrath. And Sadhguru is on a mission to spread awareness and advocate the importance of bringing 3-6% organic content into soil globally and establishing supporting policies to make this happen.

chemical fertilizers to nourish the soil and grow crops. “If fertilizers are banned, we will have only 25% of food generation for a population of 8 billion, which will bring with itself disastrous results,” he says. However, the yogi emphasizes the importance of not turning the battle towards living soil into a moral issue, where we stand up in arms against fertilizers and pesticides. With only 45 years of agricultural soil left, we are standing before a staggering population of 9.3 billion in 2050, but with 45% less food generation. In response to the soil crisis, Save Soil is a forward-looking implementable strategy that aims to be the voice of soil at the cusp of extinction. Sadhguru has braved the harshest weather on his 100-day journey from London to India and plans to continue amassing support and spreading awareness about the current status of the topsoil, which is the life-giver of 80% of the world’s lifeforms. As per the statistics, with only 80 to 100 harvests left before us, we have a tough choice to make – to be the generation that stood at the cusp of an oncoming famine and changed things around, or slept through it till it met the impending doom. “Sleeping is no crime, but sleeping through a calamity is disastrous. And disaster is worse than crime,” warns

SAVE

SOIL

WHY SAVE SOIL? Sadhguru’s Save Soil is a global movement that started to address the soil crisis by bringing people from all over the world together to advocate for soil health. It also supports leaders across nations in implementing national policies and activities to increase the organic content in cultivable soil. The purpose of the 100-day journey is not only to ignite constructive conversation but also to get policies actioned across the globe for soil health. Of course, the sage does not advise against the use of

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INTERVIEW

“Sleeping is no crime, but sleeping through a calamity is disastrous. And disaster is worse than crime,” warns the spiritual leader. the spiritual leader.

AFTER THE PLEDGE So far 74 countries have voiced their support and ten have signed MoUs to together create a support system that aids the restoration of soil globally. Handbooks have been created, presenting the different soil policies that can be implemented based on the type of soil. The handbook outlines options but doesn’t necessarily say these are the absolutes as there could be many other ways to increase organic content. 193 policy handbooks have been made so far. The booklets have been prepared by a team of researchers involved with Agri research in close partnership with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO). Compiled over the span of the last three years, the unique handbooks have been made taking into consideration their latitudinal and longitudinal positions, soil type, economic conditions, and agricultural traditions in consultation with significant scientists in the world which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already approved of with great enthusiasm. The handbook also walks one through the soil health policies that one

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must follow to ensure that the soil under implementation holds 3 to 6 percent of organic content. The Isha foundation envisions that even if a country’s economy is a government’s priority electorally, the ecological concern should hold a strong second position on all agendas across political spectrums. The foundation is reaching out not just to the ruling parties but also to the two largest opposition parties of every country across the world. “Has any population ever asked for safeguarding the future of their children? Instead, we ask for short-term solutions that might not guarantee us a bright future. Right now, two billion people have raised their voice for soil, and we must keep the momentum going,” adds the mystic.

EMIRATES FOR CHANGE The only nation to have made the transformational journey from a desert to the commercial hub of the planet, the UAE has joined hands with the yogi and his vision to Save Soil in its region. UAE acknowledges that informed soil policy decisions need to be made with research, technology, and innovation at the pinnacle of all efforts. There is strong advocacy in the region that education and training systems that

# Prof. Khaled Amiri, a member of ICBA’s Board of Directors (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture) signs cooperation agreement with Conscious Planet Movement to Save Soil in the presence of Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, during Sadhguru’s visit to Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi

support the cause must exist, along with orientation programs for the general public. On 20th May, at the Conscious Planet Summit, the leadership of UAE announced that for peace to take precedence, the chances of war and crisis must be curbed, for they cause environmental damage of unimaginable proportions. This event was also a celebration of strong relations between India and the UAE. During the event, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan announced that the nation fully endorses the Save Soil movement. He further added that it is our responsibility as humans bound together to look beyond our baggage of identity and work towards fighting climate change in unanimity, regardless of race, nationality, gender, and religion. As the host of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC from 6-17 November 2023, the United Arab Emirates will be one of the strongest advocates on the global movement in an initiative to save soil.

FROM INSPIRATION TO ACTION! With prominent figures from across the globe like world leaders, artists, and intellectuals, including Jane Goodall,

Dalai Lama, and Tony Robbins, to name a few, Save Soil is slowly becoming a global phenomena all in a matter of 100 days. However, Padma Vibhushan awardee Sadhguru insists that we still have a long way to go together. “If global action needs to happen, this is the way it moves. First, all of us move in one direction, then emotions move in the same direction, then slowly policies and actions will happen,” he urges. To aid the same, he implores each and every one of us to be a part of the Save Soil campaign by raising our voices for soil over social media, so the issue of soil becomes a part of every governing body’s manifesto. With only 60% of soil left, Sadhguru brings to our attention that in pursuit of happiness, we have begun to eat into the reserves of resources meant for the unborn children of our future generations. Science proves that the difference between the DNA of a human is at a mere deviation of 1.25% from that of a chimpanzee. But the mental capabilities of humans are what make us conscious beings. As a guru highly revered for his tools and practices for inner wellbeing and way of living, Sadhguru powers on, telling us stories that reach the hearts and minds of people regardless of age and culture, hoping to amass four billion voices that will together Save Soil for the sustenance of the present but as hope for the future. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

PRO TALK

Strategic Networking Coach

Paritosh Pathak

Network

Hikes Your Net Worth In any profession, the importance of networking is now becoming apparent. But how do you get over the inertia and turn networking into your superpower?

Networking is not SELLING. Networking is about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. Networking is about GIVING VALUE.

uppose you pick two random people having their own random networks or social groups in two different parts of the world, there is a chance that these people, no matter how far apart or unfamiliar with each other, are connected. Thus, although vast and unknown, they are in a network with each other. According to six degrees of separation, the entire world is connected by five or six introductions. Study after study has proved this phenomenon scientifically, that any two random people anywhere on the planet are connected by just six steps (meaning six people). This means you can literally cover the 7.9 billion earth population and reach up to your dream contact in 5-6 steps. This may sound like magic, but it is no mythical power – it needs strategy and planning. Of course, you work actively on it, but

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once you get the ball rolling, the value generation is immense.

What is Networking? Networking is creating meaningful relationships, professional and social, where we interact with people of similar interests and give value to them in the form of ideas, information, and support. It is about exchanging benefits and value, but frankly, it works best when the emphasis is on giving before receiving. You form the most beneficial business relationship by providing value and not by taking.

Why is networking important? Networking acts as a catalyst in your professional, business, and personal growth. One cannot disregard professional networking if one wants to grow in career and business. Whether you are a start-up looking for funding or a business with a need to strike a lucrative deal, developing strategic business relationships in your business community can play a critical role.

According to HubSpot research, 85% of jobs are filled through professional and personal networking. Even statistics will tell you that your connectivity within an organization and outside the professional network can fetch you a desirable job change, promotion, or a salary hike.

A shared prosperity For success and growth, professional networking offers extraordinary benefits • Minimizes marketing costs – Your only investment is time. Spare your precious time for developing meaningful relationships. It is an underrated marketing and PR exercise. • Offers exceptional growth – You can multiply your returns on investment by 2x, 20x, or even 100x eventually if done consistently. • Helps gain credibility and authority - Fantastic medium to grow your personal brand and executive presence. Having your own professional network can do wonders. It offers the comfort of a safety net in tough times. If you are in trouble regarding a job or business, you can reach out to people in your network who offer you leads and help you get back on your feet. A network is also a pool of opportunity. When you broadcast your interests, strengths, and requirements to your network, you come across opportunities ringing your doorbell. Ultimately, if you require any specific or immediate support in terms of people, resources, ideas, or even funds, your network comes in handy. In a stable job market, contacts or a widespread network may not feel relevant. But, as observed, in a tumultuous environment, such as what the world witnessed during the 2008 recession, contacts and a vast professional network helped people out of sudden unemployment and displacement to keep their heads above water.

Getting over the hiccups By now, thanks to the internet, a strong LinkedIn culture, and professional coaches dishing out valuable advice, professionals worldwide have received counsel about the indispensability of a solid professional network. If this is the case, why do so many people still disregard this crucial advice? This could be due to several myths about networking, either due to underlying fears or a false belief. Do these sound something you would say? Myth #1: If only I were an extrovert, I would network more. This would lead to thinking that if one is an introvert instead, the world of networks is a vast

A network is also a pool of opportunity. When you broadcast your interests, strengths, and requirements to your network, you come across opportunities ringing your doorbell

and scary place. As a result, you may postpone doing it or give up even before beginning. Myth #2: My work will speak for me. You may feel like quality work gets you more appreciation. Well, maybe, but that’s not the only thing. Unfortunately, many highly talented executives remain in the shadows with this mentality, and many promising entrepreneurs stay unnoticed. Remember, quality work gets a chance to receive more exposure when you have a network to showcase it to. Myth #3: Networking is about selling and pushing. People assume, “I hate selling or being sold to. If I attend a networking event, I might be subject to either.” In fact, right networking is just the opposite. Here, your competence and character do the talking, not selling. The ultimate reason why people procrastinate on network building is that it is not a quick fix but a long-term investment. Networks are neither built in a day nor show immediate impact; they require long-term commitment, time, and energy. Remember that ultimately, it is not about how good your networking skills are but how consistent you are at it that will reap the benefit.

Know the expert Today, people know me as India’s No1, internationally acknowledged strategic networking coach. But when I started my networking journey a decade ago, it wasn’t so rosy. Ten days before my marriage, I left a lucrative paying job to pursue my passion for networking, which was not even a recognized career or skill. After being rejected 363 times, I landed my first client. With years of research, I have got networking the status of ‘science’, successfully set up two networking platforms, and trained and added value to 50,000 people. Today my network consists of highly valuable relationships with 10,000 people. I have gained authority, credibility, and net worth – only through networking. If you think you need to explore professional networking to advance your career and business, now is the time! Online technology has opened gates unexplored before, for you to connect with people in different places personally without having to travel. If I could share only one piece of advice - if you want your network to give you abundantly, then be a giver. As Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI says – “Givers Gain”. ✪ PARITOSH CAN BE REACHED AT support@paritoshpathak.com 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Serial entrepreneur, Speaker and Author

David Tee

PRO TALK

Scaling The Business

Up Your Game

Once your business is past the early startup phase, here is what you, as the CEO, will be required to do

eing a startup CEO is the most exhilarating yet challenging of roles and brings new learning every day. The role of CEO / founder in a startup is probably one of the most diverse jobs it is possible to have. There are many hats you’ll have to wear when you are in that chair to make sure things keep moving in the right direction. You do everything from buying the printer paper to paying the bills to developing the strategy. But the diversity is also the reward as you see your whole business grow and appreciate what went into that success. In this series, I will consider some of the things I have learned over 35 years in and around startups and share some advice for new CEOs. This month, we look at some of the key issues in running and growing a business once

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you have passed that very early startup phase.

Fire up: One of the key roles of a CEO is to fire up the staff and investors. An element of charisma and a dose of Steve Jobs’ ‘Reality Distortion Field’ is required. “The RDF was said by Andy Hertzfeld to be Steve Jobs’s ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing, appeasement, and persistence.” You have to be able to do this to some extent in order to keep the team working, under pressure, in times of duress. You need to be able to do this to keep investors in line and to stop them meddling (too much) in your business.

Grow up: If you are a young CEO, starting a

business will make you grow up fast. You may have started the company with colleagues, but as CEO, you have to make the hard decisions. And it’s lonely at the top. Find a mentor if you can, as this will really help you through the tough times.

Leg up: When starting a new business, you need all the help you can get. Any leg-up will be helpful. Getting a good mentor early on should give you a considerable advantage over CEOs without one. Mentors have usually been there, done that, and they can help you identify potential problems and either avoid them or overcome them. Mentors can be anyone; a successful family friend, an investor, someone from the local incubator. Find one and use them.

Neck up: As CEO, you’re usually in it up to your neck! Investors, customers, HR, and development issues all come your way, and all need resolving. Handling the stress of all these competing issues is a skill CEOs of small startups need. Until you are financially strong enough to hire the right skills, you have to cope with these issues. Mentors might help. Investors might help. But the buck stops with you!

Scale up: Starting a business is relatively easy; scaling a business is much, much harder. From one to two to ten people is easy to get your head around. If you group people together in a tight space, you can have a good feel for what each person is doing and how well they are contributing. You may have them all report to you directly, so there is no need for a hierarchy. But once you get much beyond ten, it becomes impossible to know everyone’s work, workload, and achievements. Scaling the human resource requires a different skillset to starting from nothing. Some CEOs can move easily up the scale, while others need additional support during this process. Scaling often means opening sales activities in new international markets. The CEO needs to be actively involved in this expansion, but they

The RDF was said by Andy Hertzfeld to be Steve Jobs’s ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing, appeasement, and persistence” need to be sure the ‘home market’ is not neglected. Scaling will also usually require new investment rounds. The CEO will need to lead the sales pitch, meaning their attention will not be on the day-to-day business. At this point, the business should be doing well, or scaling would not be an option. So, hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at this point can make a lot of sense. The COO’s focus will be to look after ongoing business operations, while the CEO focuses on new opportunities.

Bear up: As CEO, you carry the can for everything that goes right and everything that goes wrong in your business. You are under pressure from investors to deliver what you pitched them. From customers to deliver what you sold them. And from employees to pay them! You have to be highly resilient and be able to bear up under this pressure. When things are going well, you get to enjoy the privilege of leading a fantastic business. When things are going wrong, you have to show ‘what you are made of ’, make some hard decisions, and keep the business moving. ✪ David Tee has over 35 years experience in technology development, entrepreneurship and international consulting. He has founded and worked in Cambridge IT startups, consulted for a Silicon Valley-based advisory firm, and supported the development of innovation-focused incubation services across the world. He is currently on assignment in Turkey, and lives between Europe and India. 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Advocate and Trade Mark Attorney

Manish Manohar Bhagnari

PRO TALK

Trademark Your Brand

Understanding The Basics “What’s in a name?” How true is this when it comes to brands or trademarks? Let’s understand the relevance of Shakespeare’s famous quote with respect to trademarks

or about a decade and a half, trademarks in respect of chemicals, cosmetics, medicines, clothing, and electronics to advertising agencies, educational institutes, film production houses to charitable institutes, have been actively sought by big corporations as well as smalltown sole-proprietors. Any business one can think of requires trademark registrations for their goods or their services. Trademarks are part of broader Intellectual Property, which also includes Patents, Copyrights, Designs, etc., which have market valuations that may go up to many millions of dollars.

containing such products will serve to inform consumers or the public that they come from a particular person or entity. A trademark could be a word, name, slogan, number, device, logo, label, color, or any combination of these, that is used by a business house on its goods or services or any such articles of commerce to distinguish the same from other similar goods or services originating from other undertakings. Trademarks may also consist of drawings, symbols, or three-dimensional features such as the shape and packaging of goods and, in some countries, also sounds or smells.

WHAT IS A TRADEMARK?

Since the early days, manufacturers, merchants, and traders used to mark their agricultural produce and other goods to indicate ownership or quality. This practice of marking goods with signs or symbols depicted graphically intending to indicate the source of its origin and guarantee its quality had been widespread over an extended period in the history of civilized man. Over the past many decades, many devel-

A trademark (more commonly known as a brand name in layman’s language) is a sign or a symbol capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person or enterprise from those of others - for example, a word or logo functions as an indicator of commercial origin. If one makes chocolates or wines, then having a trademark over the package

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HISTORY OF TRADEMARKS

opments have taken place, contributing to the shaping of trademark law as we know it presently. Trademarks have also come a very long way to be treated as objects of valuable property, apart from performing other important functions. The first modern trademark laws emerged in the late 19th century. However, the earliest trademark legislation was the Bakers’ Marking Law, enacted by the British Parliament in 1266. Presently the trademark law is regulated and affected by harmonization at both the international and regional levels.

SELECTING A GOOD TRADEMARK The best trademarks are fanciful, invented, or coined words or similarly distinctive geometrical designs or logos. There cannot be a monopoly and exclusive right in generic, descriptive, and laudatory words and logos that describe and suggest the kind, quality, quantity, or any other important and intrinsic characteristic of goods or services, for example, good, best, great, perfect, etc. It is also important to keep in mind to avoid choosing a trademark that consists of a geographical name, common personal name, or surname unless there is significantly long-established prior use of the same, in which case the registration can be obtained by proving the goodwill and reputation of the trademark or logo among consumers and members of the public. It is highly advisable to conduct official trademark searches as well as to conduct market research to rule out any identical, near-identical, or highly similar marks that are already registered or are in use by others. A “strong” trademark is a word or combination of whole or part of the words with or without font design and style and pure geometric or logo that identifies the owner as the source of the products or services being provided. On the other hand, when a mark is descriptive or not sufficiently distinctive, it is considered a “weak” one. In other words, the stronger a trademark is, the easier and smoother it will be for it to obtain registration and seek protection from unauthorized use and malafide adoption and registration by others. The strongest examples of trademarks are fanciful, invented, or coined marks, such as Kodak for film and photography-related products and services, and arbitrary patterns, such as Apple for phones, computers, etc.

IMPORTANCE OF TRADEMARK REGISTRATION Trademarks are essential to business. They

identify a vast array of goods and services. They certainly make it easy for consumers to find particular products. Trademarks are among the most efficient marketing and communication tools and are the basis for building brand image and reputation. It’s no surprise then that businesses spend a significant amount of effort, skills, time, and money developing their brands and trademarks. The registration of a trademark gives exclusivity to use by the owner and creates a legal right that reinforces the position of its owner or holder of its rights, particularly in a lawsuit against for infringement or unauthorized use by others. Further, a trademark can be licensed to any other party for use and consideration. The use of the letters TM or ® symbol placed along with the trademark serves to indicate to competitors, consumers, and the members of the trade and industry that the registration of the said brand name is pending or in force. The letters TM or ® symbol are also used to claim

It is highly advisable to conduct official trademark searches as well as to conduct market research to rule out any identical, near-identical, or highly similar marks that are already registered or are in use by others proprietary rights in the trademark, suggesting any unauthorized use or infringement could have legal consequences. A trademark performs quite a few important functions, that includes primarily: 1 helping to identify the goods or services and their source of origin 2 helping to guarantee the unchanged quality concerning the goods or services 3 helping to advertise, promote, market, and sell the goods /services 4 helping to create goodwill, reputation, and credibility for the goods or services. The present-day trademark law and practice often also serve many more purposes, aims, and objects. For example, it is also helpful in obtaining broader protection in books and characters – that is, in the book’s title, the name of a character, and the representation of animated cartoons. So the answer to the famed question of Shakespeare - “What’s in a name? - it is quite a valuable intellectual property for modern-day businesses and organizations. It can also be said that trademarks are one of the most valuable and enduring business assets. ✪ MANISH CAN BE REACHED AT mail@mblaw.co.in 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Gift of Giving

Some people go the extra mile to make the world a kinder place. Qiraat Attar chronicles the efforts of Juhi Yasmeen Khan, a philanthropist for whom the act of giving is without boundaries

ow much philanthropy can one muster in a lifetime? Juhi Yasmeen Khan has certainly given and helped, beyond her share, lighting lives and alleviating the pains of thousands. With her heart beating for those who battle against the odds in life, Juhi is akin to a guardian angel, intervening and solving crises with no expectations. A CSR expert, a humanitarian, a philanthropist, a social activist, a fashion guru, and an entrepreneur, Juhi Yasmeen Khan is passionate about making a real difference to significant issues like the environment and sustainability, poverty, health, education, and family welfare of the underprivileged in the society. As the first Indian woman CSR and Charity Initiative Expert and Consultant at government organizations in

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the United Arab Emirates, she has been serving society through her involvement with several humanitarian organizations in the UAE. Owing to her knowledge and experience in her field, Juhi has been requested to become an advisory board member and judge of various awards related to Business, CSR, and Sustainability.

Charity par excellence Having over 24 years of experience in humanitarian, human relations, business, and marketing campaigns is no mean feat. In addition, Juhi has a consistent track record of offering guidance and setup for philanthropy and enabling good causes, having worked successfully with companies, individuals, charitable organizations, diplomats, and government officials over a wide range of settings. Of her own accord, Juhi founded

the JYK Community and Hospitality Services, Future Philanthropist CSR Initiatives Preparation company, and the JYK Fashion House and Weekender trading. Through her successful businesses, Juhi is involved in many humanitarian projects, CSR activities, and social campaigns. Juhi is also the founder of a help group called ‘Women Helping Women’. Having established it with some of the most influential women leaders from diverse fields in UAE, the group helps and empowers underprivileged women of the society. Juhi has helped many disadvantaged women through this avenue, including laborers and other blue-collar workers.

A natural ability Philanthropy requires one to come to the aid of those who can do nothing for you in return. For Juhi, this ability

The element of sustainability and philanthropy should be mandatory for all leaders. I am on a mission to create more Humanitarian leaders

comes as easy as second nature. Her personality and skillset are wonderfully suited to her life’s work. Easy going by nature and blessed with the ability to get along and interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures with people of all nationalities and social backgrounds, Juhi has a knack for assimilating and involve cordially with people at every level, from senior government officials to business leaders to volunteers. To initiate the next generation of philanthropists, Juhi has founded the Future Philanthropist CSR Initiative Company. About this noble effort, Juhi says, “My company is a bridge between charity organizations and companies or individuals who want to involve in charitable activities and guide them to obtain necessary permissions, as well as guide them about the Dos and Don’ts of charitable activities. Through this company, my objective is to mentor the companies, their leadership, and individuals so that they can organize and be involved in charitable activities.” Further, Juhi adds, “I strongly believe that we all have so much untapped potential. My work with Future Philanthropist and teams helps uncover natural strengths, deepen self-awareness and activate creative thinking to

ensure they succeed at work and in life. The element of sustainability and philanthropy should be mandatory for all leaders; thus, I am on a mission to create more Humanitarian leaders.” Beyond organized philanthropy, Juhi has helped countless people in difficult, bewildering times. In 2019, JYK helped Prem Sagar reunite with his cancer-suffering wife in India by arranging his passport, ticket, and salary. Through ‘Women helping Women’, she helped a pregnant Asian woman, Maliha (name changed), with the arrangement of medical help and other necessities while her husband was imprisoned. A grateful Maliha said, “It was the most difficult time of my life when she helped me. Words fall short of expressing my emotions for her. All I can say is that she has a very kind heart.”

Her impact To Juhi, UAE has been home for 26 years, helping her give back to society and positively shape people’s lives. To date, she has helped raise over 3.4 million dirhams in cash for charity. In addition, she has aided over 435,000 underprivileged people and has helped collect over 16.3 million Dirhams worth of consumer goods to distribute to people in need. From raising

awareness about the environment to organizing relief camps to free medical assistance for 32,000+ people, she has achieved milestone upon milestone to better the lives of the underprivileged people around the world. For her tireless efforts, she has received awards and adulation galore. She was listed as one of the 50 most influential women in ‘Women of Influence in the Arab World 2021’ by Gulf ’s most prestigious business publication ‘Arabian Business’ and ‘CEO Middle East’ magazine, as well as in ‘Emirati by Heart Women in the UAE’. She was also featured in ZAYED THE INSPIRER initiative by the Ministry of Interiors UAE in November 2021. When the world was gripped by the pandemic, Juhi’s work once again came to the fore. For the same, she was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation for ‘Corona Warriors 2020’ by the ‘Public Welfare Foundation, India’. There are few like Juhi in this world, but the reality is that we need so many more. Time and again, circumstances and events have shown that people are stronger together than alone. We hope that Juhi’s work inspires legions to do the same, and the future philanthropists she creates emulate her in strength and spirit all the way. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / tr avel

Devilishly Good Tasmania’s biggest, awardwinning festival - Dark Mofo, is not designed for the faint of heart. Pallavi Biju tells you more about this wonderful city that hosts this boisterous fiesta and why it should be up there on your travel bucket list

K 46

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Known for being extremely rambunctious, flamboyant, unorthodox, and highly controversial, the Dark Mofo festival is returning to Hobart, Tasmania, after a 2-year break due to the pandemic and amidst much contention. To embark on a clean slate, the mega-carnival is set to take place from 8 22 June with the subtly apt theme - ‘Resurrection’. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Dark Mofo is the winter version of the well-known MONA FOMA festival, also held annually in Tasmania. The festival commemorates the murk and gloom of the southern winter solstice and presents to its audience a variety of musical acts, extravagant light installations, and artists, being widely known for its winter feast. Inspired largely by the Tasmanian Gothic aesthetic, the festival shows off its pagan influence and noir themes, making it a must-visit for those who prefer unconventional festivities over typical candy-floss holidays, to make memories that last a lifetime. During the festival, the city of Hobart overflows with music, art, food, films, and all things artistic that explore the links between themes of birth and

Kid Laroi

Jeremy Shaw

Photo: Creative Commons: HappyWaldo

death, dark and light, ancient and modern. With nearly half a million attendees congregating annually from around the globe, the festival has risen in popularity. Artists and musicians stretch imaginations and blow audiences away with their artistic expressions, both in the museums and on stage, as Hobart becomes a playing field for playful yet controversial, twisted fantasies of its residents and visitors. A variety of new exhibits and artists, as well as old favourites, keep the enthusiastic crowds coming back year after year. This year, the show will be headlined by Sydney-born global star The Kid LAROI, who shot to worldwide fame with his song ‘Stay’ ft. Justin Bieber.

Other stand-out artists for the year include Jonsi, Boris, Moses Sumney, Perfume Genius, and other indie flavors. To kickstart this two-week extravaganza, exhibitions by artists like Fiona Hall with AJ King, Robert Andrew, and Jeremy Shaw will be unveiled at MONA. The Kid LAROI would be the first ‘mainstream’ artist in this offbeat festival, a dedicated effort to rebrand the event. Dark Mofo’s Creative Director, Leigh Carmichael, commented on the theme and the re-branding of the festival, “As the cultural world re-emerges from the darkness of cancellations and lockdowns, we are all experiencing a rebirth, of sorts… The forced isolation gave rise to a re-evaluation of what matters,

to new ideas and new dreams.” Akin to the Dark Mofo, Australia is also striving to re-brand its tourism after the global pandemic. The country, which was mostly closed for inbound and outbound travel since March 2022, has reopened its borders and beckons visitors with open arms. While this is great news to Australians stranded away from home, the ease of travel restrictions also gives hope to the country’s tourism sector. Although not as popular a travel destination as other Australian states, Tasmania, being an island state, is known for its beauty, lush greenery, national parks, and abundance of World Heritage Sites. Hobart, Australia’s second-oldest capital city after Sydney and the largest city in Tasmania, is well-known for its natural beauty, culinary delights, marketplaces, and goes without saying, its rich and outof-the-box festivals. So whatever be your interests - trekking, fishing, mountain climbing, or even just admiring art - Hobart offers something for everyone. Here are some ways to truly explore and make the most of your trip to Hobart, Tasmania.

Visit MONA

Fiona Hall

You don’t need an award-winning festival to marvel at the wonders in the Museum of Old and New Art. Regardless of whether you are someone who adores art or just wants to get away from the noise of city life, there is a reason why MONA has gained a significant place in Hobart’s landscape. None of the exhibits at MONA flaunt labels or information sheets; instead visitors are given a device that displays information about each exhibit, an ode to how avant-garde the gallery is. Also housing beautiful restaurants and marvellous modern architecture, the Museum is as much a destination as it is an art gallery. 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / tr avel has stuck since the brewery’s establishment. Cascades Brewery also features some premium offerings, including the Cascade Premium Lager, the Cascade Premium Light, a Tasmanian Range, and a Homebrew Range. However, if you are not one for alcoholic beverages, fret not, as the Brewery also has a range of non-alcoholic beverages known as Cascade Beverages which include Fruit Syrups, Sparkling Flavoured Waters, and Cordials.

Marvel at the natural wonders at Mt Wellington

Photo: Creative Commons: Dave Snowden

Go shopping at the Markets of Hobart Tasmania’s natural, clean air and demand for fresh produce led to a growing reputation for farmers and by extension, farmers’ markets making it an integral part of the Hobart experience. From the Salamanca market to Farm Gate Markets, Hobart’s marketplaces have it all – from produce, handmade decor, and artisan products to clothing, food stalls, and even live music. Another must-visit from the creators of the Farm Gate Markets is Street Eats @ Franko. Set in Franklin Square on Friday nights throughout summer, this gathering boasts delicious food, live music, and a wide array of local produce and is the perfect way to kick-start the weekend.

Grab some drinks at the Cascades Brewery Take a tour of Cascades Brewery, Australia’s oldest operational brewery established in 1824. The brewery’s most famous drink is Cascade Pale Ale, commonly known as ‘green’ or ‘Pale’, an Australian-style lager, contrary to its name. With a fruity mid palette and spicy end palette, the beer’s name

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 Salamanca market

 Cascades Brewery

Tasmania is known for its natural beauty and scenic landscapes, and as the state’s capital city, Hobart is no slouch in this aspect. Officially known as Kunanyi, Mt. Wellington is the summit of the Wellington Range within the Wellington Park reserve. Hobart is located at the foot of this mountain which rises 1,271 metres above sea level. The Tasmanian government announced a dual naming policy in 2013, and Kunanyi / Mount Wellington became one of the inaugural dual-named geographical features. The entrance to this mountain and the World Heritage Wilderness area is free; everything including picnic facilities, barbecues, and even bushwalking trails, is available to all visitors. Easily accessible via the Mount Wellington Explorer bus, this picturesque natural wonder is a must-visit for everyone who

visits Tasmania.

Combine Art and History at the Henry Jones Art Hotel The oldest waterfront warehouses in Hobart have been lovingly reinvented into Australia’s first dedicated art hotel, keeping the heritage and history alive. The Henry Jones Art Hotel, named after a Tasmanian industrial magnate, is devoted to displaying Tasmania’s emerging and established artists in every room and area, delivering a sophisticated and highly engaging lodging experience on Hobart’s waterfront with a streamlined design and more than 400 unique and contemporary artworks. The hotel embodies a blend of old and modern, art and design, luxury, and exploration. Every Friday afternoon, a tour of the area’s history and art is offered free to guests and at $15 to visitors. After the tour, you can head to the famous IXL Long Bar in the hotel for cocktails and lunch. Hobart, Tasmania, offers a plethora of activities that will cater to your palate across the breadth of your interests and

tr avel ! Mt Wellington

preferences. Beyond fun and adventure, this diverse city also extends a wide variety of business opportunities, especially in the service sector.

BUSINESS MATTERS Hobart was formed in 1804 as a prison colony, making it Australia’s second-oldest capital after Sydney. The population of Hobart in 2022 has seen a 0.81% growth from 2016, housing 186,833 people, most of whom are Aboriginals. Mining, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, forestry, and tourism have all been key sectors in Tasmania. The land is rich in resources, with copper, zinc, tin, iron, and gold mined here. Foodstuff ranging from salmon, beef, chicken, hog, dairy, and lamb farming and countless fruits and vegetables are also being produced. Apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, carrots, and a wide range of potato species are grown. Wild abalone and crayfish are popular in Tasmania. The crayfish in nearby waters is one of the world’s biggest rock lobster species, fetching high rates in the northern Pacific

The Tasmanian government announced a dual naming policy in 2013, and Kunanyi / Mount Wellington became one of the inaugural dual-named geographical features market. Tasmania is wealthy by international standards, with a gross state product per capita of nearly 68,000 USD as of June 2021. On a per-capita basis, Tasmania would be the 21st richest country in the world if it were an independent country. As the economic engine of Tasmania, Hobart has been attract-

 Hobart Dock at Dusk

/ Beyond Business ing many people from near and far to live and work in the capital. With feedback from key stakeholders, the City of Hobart has created an investment prospectus titled “City of Hobart Investment Ready Volume 1.” It includes Hobart’s major competitive economic advantages, investment prospects, Hobart’s vision for the inner place’s future, and information on what makes Hobart a chosen city to do business, live, and study in. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Hobart worked hard to help struggling businesses. With numerous grants and support for different sectors, Hobart ensured that its economy and key sectors weren’t affected by the pandemic. The Economic Response and Recovery Framework and Action Plan were created to guide the city’s immediate and medium-term economic recovery efforts. These were developed through interviews with Hobart companies and community people, as well as continuous discussions through City projects and activities. Be it business or pleasure, Hobart is a must-visit city, especially for those who need a break from the fast city life and be enthralled by nature. There are currently no requirements or restrictions for entry into Tasmania and, by extension, to Hobart. So book your flights and let this beautiful city capture your heart. ✪

2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / health

T A E TO

V I L

e never v a h s t e i Sharon Fad d a d l i r a l C .. worked. w we can move ho looks at dieting to m away fro good health r eating fo

Symbolized by a light blue ribbon, ‘No Diet Day’, observed on the 6th of May, is a focus on ‘health at any size’, dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. When you hear ‘No Diet Day’, maybe you are inspired to go off the rails, buy treats, and binge eat everything you crave! But the true meaning of the day is actually a reminder of body acceptance and body shape diversity. Furthermore, it is a crucial reminder to focus on wellness and expose the dangers of dieting. So, why not form a new relationship with the person in the mirror by putting away your scales inspired by the International No Diet Day? Many people, especially women, experience eating disorders, unhealthily restrictive diets, and low self-esteem as they succumb to the pressures of unattainable body standards. Mary Evans Young, an English feminist, introduced the concept of ‘No Diet Day’ after having battled bullying, anorexia, and body image issues for years. Though she originally

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intended to observe the day only in the UK with a few dozen women who joined her with “Ditch That Diet” stickers and a picnic, she was inspired to see it spread internationally. By 1993, women across various countries had joined the bandwagon.

Are we bingeing on diet culture?

Today, with so much going around us, especially in the era of unsolicited advice on social media, you and I are easily persuaded to fall prey to the false body images we see. Models posing with perfectly fitted dresses, unchecked photoshop, influencers flaunting their beach bodies, and friends sharing pictures of their zero figures can be truly intimidating and can honestly make us long for the same. And before realizing it, we are swearing on cutting carbs from the very next day! Over the years, the word “Diet” has been strongly perceived as eating less food and consuming weight loss supplements. However, what we fail to account

for are the consequences of lowering our intake. From our brain craving the feel-good hormones that usually have us end up overeating to not getting the adequate amount of nutrients our body needs, connecting diet to eating less costs us both physical and emotional health big time. At its worst, diet culture contributes to eating disorders, which can wreak havoc on growing bodies, especially those of teenagers. For women between the ages of 15 and 24, the mortality rate of anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the rate for any other cause of death. Even when not this extreme, unrealistic expectations of our physical appearance leads to only one thing - hating our bodies!

Think Wellness!

What’s the antidote to this madness? Wellness! Wellness is more than a buzzword – it is an active process toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Whether you are 20 or 70, wellness promotes healthy aging. And how is that done? By eating the right foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. Pramilla Ohlson, nutritionist, social media influencer, and a mother of two, said in a conversation with ASPIRE, “Eat the right foods, not fewer foods. It’s not just what you eat; it’s how much of

Wellness! Wellness is more than a buzzword – it is an active process toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Whether you are 20 or 70, wellness promotes healthy aging

“Eat the right foods, not fewer foods. It’s not just what you eat; it’s how much of what you eat” PRAMILLA OHLSON, nutritionist, social media influencer, and a mother of two

what you eat. It’s all about knowing healthy eating principles, such as balancing your plate, knowing compositions, etc., and following them every day. These principles are easy-to-do and make up for good health in the long run. It never has to be complicated. There are many healthy foods in every culture. Work with the healthy foods from your own culture, and don’t try anything different because you won’t be able to sustain it.” We must treat our bodies well. You may follow a healthy diet with a healthy workout routine and still have negative thoughts. Or you could own a beautiful body and hence be body confident, but eat mostly junk and not move your body at all. Either way, you’re not moving any closer to health. Reason: Health is about wellness, and wellness is about equally connecting the body, mind, and soul. Am I eating the right food? Am I drinking enough water? Am I sleeping enough? Am I letting myself relax? Is my mind flowing with positive thoughts? These are the questions that need attention. “Especially with women, there is very little emphasis on building muscle mass. If you don’t have muscle mass, no matter how good-looking you are, your body will fail you in the long run. Focus on Satvik food (foods freely provided by nature) that give life to your mind, body, and soul. We must ask ourselves - Can I grow old with this diet? - because when we have health, we add life to our years”, explained Pramilla. After all, healthy eating is not just for how our body looks on the outside, but more for our body inside.

Loving yourself matters!

Recognize that your body is beautiful exactly the way it is. Worry less about your body shape, weight, beauty standards and more about being active and healthy. Shooting for unrealistic body types and losing weight rapidly by sacrificing your greater health may change your body temporarily, but it is just a way of causing yourself harm. Instead, aim for a healthy lifestyle and simple life-changing habits to be happier and healthier. We guarantee that as you become healthier, loving your body will become more inherent to you. Don’t judge yourself based on a number. Throw away your scales of comparison. Instead, revel in your own uniqueness, and don’t let the pressures of society come in the way of embracing yourself, flaws and all. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / auto The first-ever purely electric Gran Coupé BMW i4 guarantees driving pleasure with a range of up to 600 kilometers (measured according to the WLTP test cycle). In addition, the electric car promises performance figures of up to 390 kW/530 hp, while its long-range capability makes it an ideal long-distance companion.

Design The exterior • Features elongated, coupelike exteriors nestled on a long wheelbase, creating an elegant profile. Its prominent front kidney grille features a numberplate breaking up its monolith structure, harmonizing well with the rest of the vehicle. At the same time, the rear taillights give the car a bold look.

Efficiency and Mechanics • According to the E-rating

ranking by British EV news outlet Electrifying, the BMW i4 is one of the most efficient EVs on the deck. • Showcasing an innovative, aerodynamic design and a powerful thrust, the precisely interlinked structural elements improve driving performance by increasing the rigidity of the body structure. • Effective reduction of air turbulence around the wheel area when compared to conventional alloy alternatives. • With the weight deliberately reduced by 15 percent, it operates as a much lighter drive.

• Its side profile looks akin to

standard BMW options, where the 19" rim gives the saloon an added sporty look and feel; 1720" sized rims are available on request. Note that the smaller 17" Bicolour Midnight Grey alloy wheels are reserved for the entry-level eDrive40, while the larger 20" Bicolour Jet Black Double-spoke style alloy wheels are ascribed to the i4 M50. Cabin style and interiors • The car sets itself apart with a brilliantly futuristic appeal with its unconventional interiors and self-closing doors. • A thin layer of non-reflective glass covers both screens. The entirely seamless design is angled subtly toward the driver. • Boasting ten cubic feet of space in the trunk, fold the rear seats flat and you've got an immensely spacious corner, easily accessed through its large hatch.

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CHARGING AHEA

Want to go electric without shouting it from the rooftops? If so, the BMW i4 is the ideal car for you. Gear up, as S.Deepika takes you onboard the car that’s pushing the envelope for electric vehicles

Tech and Infotainment • Tech add-ons include adaptive

LED Laserlight headlights and BMW's Iconic Electric Sounds playing through the interiors as though you were cruising in the future. • The latest iDrive 8 operating system comes with a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch digital gauges that rest on an ultra-sleek and contemporary curved screen. • Command your infotainment without missing a beat by either touching the command, using the console controller, or casual voice commands to perform tasks like switching the radio station. Plus, navigate like a champ with the Cloud-Based BMW Maps System. • Connect your smartphone with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ to jam to your playlist or stream movies. You can even safely respond hands-free to major notifications if you want to communicate while driving. • You can put the i4 into B-Mode to use regenerative braking and one-pedal driving, which actually adds a charge to the battery every time you take your foot off the accelerator, which is efficiency at its technologically finest.

Safety • Beyond standard anti-crash

Engine and Performance • The single rear-mounted motor in the model produces 335 hp and 430Nm of torque, which guarantees enough power for everyday driving. • The high points are its 5.7sec 0-60mph time and its ‘sporty’ dual motors that give it a 537bhp peak – considerably higher than the BMW M3 super saloon. • In comfort mode, the dampers eliminate most road issues and keep things relaxed and smooth as you cruise along - whether on a twisty back road or on the highway.

features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with low-speed emergency braking, and park distance control, its active Driving Assistant Pro offers cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping assist. • Going a step beyond, BMW's awesome Extended Traffic Jam Assistance feature steers the car by itself, without manual intervention, for long minutes in traffic as long as the vehicle stays under 64 kmph.

Near Misses • Some consumers are facing

teething problems with the car, bringing back the cardinal rule of car ownership – never buy a car during its first year in production. • The lack of battery crash pads too, is particularly worrying, given the extent of other safety features.

Nemesis The Polestar 2 and Tesla model 3 both make for formidable competition, offering similar features for a price that won’t hurt your pocket.

X-factor Feel like you’re in a movie with Hans Zimmer’s rousing music as your background score, who has created the mood-enhancing palette featuring synthesized sounds for the iX called ‘Iconic Sounds Electric’. In sports mode, a warm, burly warble rises and falls with acceleration and speed, creating a soothing rhythm. At peak power, the cabin is reverberating with a sustained, polyphonic power chord. In other modes, the car is hushed with minimal sounds to not interrupt your immersive experience.

Price point It sells at a starting price of AED 180,000 for the base trim in electric variety.

When does it launch? The car was launched in March 2022, and we’re sure with its electric Grand Coupe appeal won’t disappoint you. ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / st yle

Uniquely Styled Brands With artistic illustrations elevating products and services into works of art, Clarilda Sharon takes a look at how illustrations that feel hand-drawn change the perception of brands

If you’ve been to Starbucks, you may have received your coffee cup with your name misspelled on it. This comically endearing trend had people clamoring to share it on social media. In the beginning, the sheer volume of orders that Starbucks received perhaps led to the hilarious spelling errors, but eventually, that played out as one of the most effective ways to increase brand exposure. Starbucks has thus established its personality - charismatic and distinct from other coffee houses. Eclectic, amateur, but ultimately memorable scribbling and doodling has made a wave in marketing and web design. The branding world is constantly changing and evolving, and one of the biggest trends in recent years has been art that has its own personality, replete with quirks and imperfections. Youth-oriented brands often choose to showcase fun and humanness to their personality by basing their identities around hand-drawn art that sparks joy, and also succinctly shares their marketing message. Therefore, whether it’s a scribbled sketch on the site that makes customers look twice or the cute, animated toons that make people go “aww”, these branding styles suggest that a company is guided by genuine passion and shape the brand as charismatic and unpretentious. Instead of overtly formal, stylized, or sophisticated animations, going with doodles and scribbles create the impression of a fun, playful, approachable brand that is thrifty, affordable, and while serious about business, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Being widely embraced by designers and clientele equally, we have listed some quirky creations that tug at our heartstrings with ease.

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Mailchimp The hand-drawn, imperfect images on the bright yellow screen are certainly unlike anything else you see these days. Mailchimp, a leading marketing platform for small businesses that helps customers around the world grow their own way, has adopted sketch-style illustrations that are energetic and encapsulate an impression of the brand’s mission. It carries this style throughout all its marketing channels establishing a consistent brand voice. “We champion authenticity, originality, and expressiveness because it’s what helps us — and our customers — stand out. We hope to inspire them to be bolder and more creative in their own branding efforts,” wrote Gene Lee, VP of Design, in a blog post. All the weird, lovable elements endear customers and capture the essence of what Mailchimp has always been.

DropBox Personal, hand-drawn, and playful are the three words that ricochet in your mind when you see the art associated with “DropBox”, a file hosting service and a modern workspace. An anthropomorphized animal wearing a dopey smile, a pair of glasses, and shoes tell a story that is more emotionally resonant than any high-brow illustration. It all started when the company began using doodles created by one of its employees to communicate with users. Today, DropBox is proudly known as a design-centric company. Their crudely drawn stick figures have become an integral part of their brand and have made

their service seem simple and welcoming. In addition, these illustrations have helped forge an emotional connection between people and their products, which are admired by millions of users. The wry sense of humor, thus, is an authentic part of DropBox’s identity. 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / st yle

Paper Boat Has an image made you experience a sudden rush of childhood nostalgia? Paper Boat, which sells flavored beverages, aims to develop a connection via the feeling of nostalgia, targeting urban audiences with beautiful illustrations that harken back to childhood innocence that will remind you of your most treasured memories. To evoke this feeling, the brand follows a storytelling approach through lovely illustrations on their product as well as in their social media communication. “There is no memory more innocent than making a paper boat. Everybody in their childhood has made at least a couple of them. And we at Paper Boat bring back the memories with the most cherished tastes of childhood.” said Neeraj Kakkar, CEO, Paper Boat, according to India.com

Amul Amul, India’s favorite dairy cooperative, has been utilizing quirky, hand-drawn brand art for decades before it became a soughtafter marketing gimmick. Sketched by art director Eustace Fernandes, the Amul Girl, an adorable roundfaced mascot, came to represent a nation desirous of the delicious Amul butter that has remained a staple in Indian households. Over the past 53 years, Amul has made topical humorous sketches regarding every significant Indian and global event, such as Neeraj Chopra’s monumental gold win at the Olympics in 2021, or calling itself ‘the only bright spot every morning’ during India’s disastrous 1983 economic downturn. While not directly related to the products, the cartoons have gone way beyond just the brand – a cultural fixture, first in Indian newspapers and now frequently shared and enjoyed over social media. It is a rare but telling 56

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example of how art can connect – working to do more than just boost sales, but tie the image of Amul indelibly with that of India, giving the brand a legacy. If you have an emerging brand, make an attempt to move towards a “natural” or authentic connection, as that is how the wind blows in market psychology. Human psychology says that the time one puts into creating something determines its value to the receiver. This is why a handwritten note or a sketch received by a customer will carry greater significance to the receiver, validating them and creating an emotional memory over a transactional one. This leads

to the word-of-mouth goodwill that brands crave, improving their presence as much as their revenue. In the digital era, human interactions are increasingly rare. Giving the audience a “feel good’ vibe can go a long way in reflecting a brand’s ethos and building relationships - more than just business.

Headspace Whether it's mindfulness, relaxing exercises, or deep breathing, there is something for everyone in the Headspace app. And storytelling through illustrations has not only helped drive growth but has also helped people improve their mental well-being, one member at a time. “Most of my works are mini "comic strips" about my personal life, and it feels nice when others can get a laugh out of it or even relate to it,” said Karen Kong, Brand Illustrator at Headspace, during a chat with Blush Design. The styling of Headspace’s illustrated characters has an individual appearance, particularly the characters’ wide smiles giving the brand a friendly feel aligned with their uplifting tone. The simple orange and blue color with the inclusion of little characters reinforces the idea that feeling anxious and overwhelmed is not the end of the world, and anyone can use Headspace to feel better and achieve a sense of mindfulness.

AirBnb COLLINS, an independent strategy and design company, has given Airbnb a touch of humor and family feels with their sketches. The sketches, which are endearingly similar to the kind of wax crayon scribbles that kids make, envisioned by creator Matt Luckhurst have struck a chord with their customers. This particular campaign, crafted by COLLINS, highlights

‘LIVE ALOHA’, an expression that embodies the spirit that the Airbnb community is known for: one of kindness, unity, and love. As the firm puts it, “The campaign expresses the Aloha lifestyle across a series of depictions, mediums and a physical airport activation. We reached our core travel audience instantly and advanced a new way of thinking about the Airbnb experience.” ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / a spire+ An entrepreneur needs to know a lot. Way more than the business idea he or she is growing. ASPIRE brings you a range of know-how to have you effortlessly conversing with everyone you meet. Success is not what you do, it is how you do it…

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DETECTIVE SERIES

The Fall Starring the brilliant Gillian Anderson, who is known for playing Dana Scully on the cult classic ‘The X Files’, this detective series is sheer brilliance. Edgy, sexy, fast-paced, yet slow enough to absorb the character and plots, ‘The Fall’ tracks Agent Gibson as she heads a task force to in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to track down a serial killer. While the tension builds up in the first two seasons, it does not

THE UNPUBLISHED DAVID OGILVY

WATCH it

Business on the go

The Unpublished David Ogilvy is a peek into one of the finest minds this world has seen. A compilation of the letters and memos of the incomparable genius that was David Ogilvy, the book offers insight into his avant garde, creative and out-of-the-box thinking when it came to building his advertising empire and promoting his impressive list of clients. From downright rude to brilliantly witty this quick and easy read is a must for anyone starting out in business or trying to grow one. Anyone seeking a crash course on leadership, humanity and business management needs to read this collection of thoughts that flowed from the desk of one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century. Available as a print or e-book with most major book retailers.

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manage to carry that through to the final season. Despite that, the show delivers on all fronts with superb acting, nail-biting twists and turns and a story line that is gripping in intensity. Importantly, the show exposes in subtle and overt ways the way in which misogyny operates in all spheres of life making the world an unsafe place for women on all fronts. From bosses to killers, to colleagues to partners, the shifting roles of male-female dynamics are examined and exposed in ways that leave the viewers entertained and educated. A must-watch!  Available on Netflix.

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RUN YOUR BARS

Access Consciousness

THE KING OF FRUITS!

Summer’s here and with it comes the main summer attraction - mangoes! The divinely succulent and deliciously sweet fruit is much sought-after not only for its taste and high nutritive values, but also because it is notoriously seasonal (summers only), and the best varieties can cost a pretty penny. But that is no reason not to enjoy mango season! Mango is packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can replenish any deficiency you have and improve your overall health. Its vitamin K helps prevent anemia, while its beta-carotene content is proven to fight potential cancer cells. The only caution one must take with this fruit is if they are diabetic, for mango contains immense amounts of natural sugars. The other amazing quality is that mangoes have a wide spread of varieties available, each with its own flavor palette. The famed Alphonso is the sweetest and thus the most expensive of all, but its well worth the hype. If this is too rich for your taste, you can opt for Kesari or Banganapalli which are also sweet and do not over-ripen as quickly. If you are a sucker for tangy fruits, the Totapuri variety makes some of the most delicious chutney or raw accompaniment for your meals. Play around with the texture and style by whipping up mango smoothies, adding it to your curries, creating the choicest fruit bowls, grilling the tender insides or even pickling it! Have your full of the most bountiful of tropical fruits, to truly make this summer a tasty one.

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Mangoes

Access your best self. Founded by Gary Douglas, Access Bars® has been transforming lives since its inception in 1990. Offering over 7000 tools, this powerful technique has seen people clear their lives of negative blocks and manifest possibilities of some distinction in their lives. Access Consciousness empowers people to help themselves. It is available to everyone, can be included in everyday life, and can be applied without outside help. The tools and techniques of Access Consciousness focus on your knowledge about yourself and the world around you. Many modalities clear the limitations built around words; Access clears the energy underneath the words. Access Bars® helps you help yourself and as a practitioner of the modality it enables you to help others achieve a free-flowing state of existence. Book a session today with a qualified Bars practitioner to open up to a world of positive change or, better yet, train to become a coach yourself. Scan the code to start a conversation with Shagufta Patel, a certified Bars facilitator, to join an upcoming Bars class on the 25th June 2022. Get in touch to start living your best life.

COMPILED BY SANGEETHA SHINDE ✪ 2 0 2 2 — J U N E — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / the l a st word

Meeting The Devil

What drives us and what makes us better… the journey of self-awareness requires us to face some unpalatable truths

here are a lot of talks globally about narcissism these days. From the wonderful videos of the fabulous Dr. Ramani to a host of other literature in various formats, we are increasingly being made aware of who in our lives, both personal and professional, are likely to be narcissists... bosses, friends, romantic partners, celebrities, politicians, cult leaders, colleagues. It seems the human population is an ubiquitous minefield of self, serving, manipulative, deeply broken people who will destroy us. The experts tell us how to recognize this phenomenon, how to recover from it, and how to avoid it if we can. I’ve had my share of narcissists in my life. Partners and bosses certainly. Girlfriends... yes, quite a few. Relatives… goodness, yes. In fact, after being bombarded by all this information out there, there was a moment I truly believed my dog was a narcissist as he was brilliantly manipulating me into doing everything he wanted. Conversely, there is a wealth of knowledge out there in the big, bad world about being authentic and connecting to our spiritual selves, forgiving and loving humanity, and embracing that rather nebulous notion of self-awareness. I always struggled with these. Does true self-awareness require us to forgive those who harm us and be loving to those who seek to lay us low? I suppose I’m embarrassingly human in my need to bite back and growl at those who don’t value me in the ways I want to be valued. And in that admission, I realized something quite profound. That self-awareness is not just about setting boundaries, communing with the inner divine, or being the hero in the story we write in our heads or project to the world. Self-awareness is at the root of every religion or philosophical school of thought. It is an awareness of our own flawed nature and learning to curb our natural tendency to wound others, and ourselves in the process. I know a rather wealthy lady who likes to draw attention to her gourmet lifestyle on social media. It gave me

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enormous pleasure, once upon a time, to counter her posts with a few well-curated ones of my own, drawing attention to my own even more ‘distinguished’ everyday living. And THAT was the narc in me coming out to play… We are all on a spectrum. And we all have a thriving inner narc that will emerge from time to time. One of the best ways to be self-aware, I realized, was to recognize when the narcissist in me was exhibiting itself in all its brilliant guises. Indignant self-righteousness was my favorite, as it turned out. And so, I tried, mostly unsuccessfully, to curb my enthusiasm for my grand self that I wanted the world to witness. So I stopped posting on social media for many years. I stopped dressing to compete with other women and consciously tried not to brag about my achievements. And slowly, painfully, I learned to give without expectation of return. I learned to be happy, validating myself, and genuinely cheering others on. The narc in me is still there, but I keep her under close watch. Because I know now, that perfect as we all may think we are, our innate narcissism will always make us the devil in someone else’s story. Because if we’re truly honest with ourselves, we will admit that the first narcissist we will ever meet will be looking back at us from the mirror, and managing that particular narcissist will help us manage those in our outer world. ✪

Sangeetha Shinde Tee is an author of four books, editor of 3 international magazines, an acclaimed healer, and reluctant entrepreneur. Also an unconventional traveler, rebellious truth seeker, and inveterate animal rescuer, she is working on her fifth book - a collection of ghost stories from around the world. Find out more about her life, books, and work at www.sangeethashindetee.com

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ASPIRE - An Entrepreneur and Lifestyle Magazine - June 2022

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