DUBAI - A NEW WORLD OF INNOVATION SPONSORED BY
FREE ISSUE 6 MAY 2016 DUBAI SPECIAL
CONTENTS SPONSORED BY DUBAI CUSTOMS
FOUNDER James O’Flynn CREATIVE DIRECTOR Aidan Creed SALES Hannah McKinney Published by SoMoGo Publishing/ admin@somogopublishing.co.uk/ www.somogopublishing.co.uk Global Innovation Magazine is published every quarter /Copyright SoMoGo Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored or transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, scanning, or otherwise without the written permission of SoMoGo Publishing Ltd. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services described. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or emissions. Readers should take advice and caution before acting upon any issue raised in the magazine. The publisher reserves the right to accept or to reject advertising and editorial material supplied. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the safe return of unsolicited photography, art or writing.
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001 | FOUNDERS VOICE WELCOME TO DUBAI
019 | CARPOOL ARABIA FACING THE SOLUTION HEAD ON
003 |
DUBAI THE CITY THAT INVITED INNOVATION INTERVIEW WITH HIS EXCELLENCY SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM, GROUP CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DP WORLD AND CHAIRMANOF PORTS, CUSTOMS AND FREE ZONE CORPORATION (PCFC)
021 |
007 |
GE INTERVIEW WITH RANIA ROSTOM, CHIEF INNOVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR GE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA AND TURKEY
013 |
WOMEN IN CONTROL INTERVIEW WITH SACHA FITCH AND VERONICA MUNRO, TWO OF DUBAI’S LEADING FEMALE DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS
TURN8 INVESTING IN SMART IDEAS: INTERVIEW WITH TARIQ SYED, A BUSINESS CONSULTANT AND LEAN DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT INNOVATION 360
023 | NEWS A FEW THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE IN DUBAI 025 | INNOVATING AT THOMSON REUTERS INTERVIEW WITH KATHERINE MANUEL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INNOVATION AND GAUTAM JAIN, HEAD OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONS, MENA 029 | RINGING THE CHANGES WITH MOBILEAID INTERVIEW WITH KHLALID SHARAF
015 | SYNECHRON INTERVIEW WITH THEIR HEAD OF INNOVATION, DAVID HORTON
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WILERSON S ANDRADE - FLICKR
WELCOME TO DUBAI
FOUNDER’S VOICE Everyone has an opinion on
with the Government department
Dubai. Even people who have
it’s more than likely you can
never been there.
service your request at the click of a screen.
That was me. I had never set foot anywhere near the region until
Dubai is a place that is always
I visited for this edition, and I
looking to improve, to make
arrived with a mixed sense of
things better; in terms of
excitement and trepidation.
infrastructure and in terms of how people go about their everyday
There are a number of visual sites
lives and business.
that are quite obvious as soon as you arrive, such as the height of
There is a sense of reflection here.
the buildings, and the scale of
People remember how far the city
development. This instantly tells
has come in such a short space
you Dubai has ambition.
of time.
But Dubai is also a place with
However it’s this looking towards
stories which take a little longer to
a better tomorrow that seems
hear. Stories about how 20 years
to be the essence of Dubai that
ago this dessert behemoth was
I walk away with most strongly.
little more than a few roads - a
The thing with Dubai is that you
small place, where the populous
just know it will achieve whatever
was really just a local one. Stories
it sets its mind to.
suggestions for image on this page?
about how even though people thought its vision was not possible,
Dubai is all of this and more and I
could not be engineered, little by
can’t wait to go back.
little it was achieved. Everyone has a personal story about how
James O’Flynn
the city came into being. People will also tell you that Dubai is a tolerant place where layers of different cultures, belief systems, religions and opinions live side by side. This can be seen as soon as you arrive. It is also an ‘e’ city where every service is possible on your mobile phone, and if you need to deal
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |002
THE CITY THAT INVITED INNOVATION “I MEANT THAT ALL OF YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR PATTERN OF THINKING TOWARDS POSITIVITY, YOU MUST BREAK AWAY FROM DEFEATIST THINKING, AND YOU SHOULD ACCEPT THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DEADLOCK. MY TEAM HAS NO ROOM FOR WHOEVER CAN’T BEHAVE LIKE THIS.” HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID
DUBAI
a bluster aimed at everyone. I was
trade: the airport free zone, the
Dubai as a city that communicate
so worried that I couldn’t wait but
Jebel Ali free zone, etc. The 1990s
electronically so he started with
immediately ask His Highness
was about tourism - early in that
government and everyone in
what he intended by that remark.
decade we had around 35,000
the private sector followed. At
Dubai is a city driven by innovation; its core, its heart - its
He answered smilingly: “I meant
tourists a year; today we have
very existence - is based upon doing things anew. Dubai is the
that all of you must change your
15 million. We wouldn’t have
frontier where anything is possible - as long as you imagine it,
pattern of thinking towards
reached this point if we hadn’t
Government, but will people
it can be done. What makes Dubai really interesting is the role
positivity, you must break away
started laying the foundations
embrace this? Won’t people want
the government plays in bringing innovation to life. Private
from defeatist thinking, and
then. It was also the dawning of
to go back to their old habits ?”
industry, dreamers, entrepreneurs and technologists all
you should accept that there is
the digital age in the 1990s, going
play their part but the catalyst to getting things done, driving
no such thing as a deadlock. My
paperless in Government. From
“Well, people used to stand in line
change and harnessing the power of innovation is surprisingly
team has no room for whoever
2000 onwards it has been about
for hours to renew their driving
nowhere more at play than in central government.
can’t behave like this.”
Will people want to go back?”
I was involved with the free zone
that could be reached and communicated with 24/7
such entities at the heart of the Government of Dubai that are
which I started in 1985, and then
via smartphones.
pushing and driving improvements and change, in the way they
DP World in the 1990s. A lot of
No, people want the most convenient option.
things that have happened in
Global Innovation Magazine Founder, James O’Flynn, travelled
and necessity is the mother of
to Dubai to take a look for himself and to interview His
invention. People often ask, “why
Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and
do you have so many high rise
Chief Executive Officer of DP World and Chairman of Ports,
buildings in Dubai?” - this is a
Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
necessity. Dubai is a small place; if we didn’t opt to go vertically
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
licenses physically, and today we do it from our mobile phones.
(the Jebel Ali free zone - JAFZA),
Dubai evolved from necessity,
SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM
Smart Government and in 2010
Corporation (PCFC), Dubai Customs and DP World are two
OVER THE YEARS, WHICH OF THE PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH SPRING TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD “INNOVATION”?
Sheikh Mohammed answered:
we started to see a Government As integral parts of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone
support both their customers and their staff.
the time, a journalist asked him, “Today you have an electronic
HOW HAS THE CHANGE IMPACTED THE WAY IN WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FUNCTION?
Sheikh Mohammed says: As a leader, I am a pioneer. I find new ways and my people follow me, I don’t copy others in case they made a wrong decision and follow blindly.
Let me tell you, through customs,
then our children would never see
ports, airports and free zones,
There were only 10 leading
nature, as the whole place would
we process about 18-19 million
traders at the time and most
have been covered.
documents a year. That is about
COULD YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?
1.5 million documents a month.
of the heads of government departments attending, when His
When I talk about Dubai and what
Before we launched the electronic
I grew up and went to school here
highness uttered (in Arabic): “I
I did, you can characterise it in
Government, we would never
in Dubai. I then went to Temple
need people with vision and
blocks of ten years. In the 1970s
have been able to deal with so
University in Philadelphia,
innovation to be part of my team.
it was more about infrastructure;
many, because it is not simply
and majored in business and
These are going to be the leaders
the United Arab Emirates was
a process, but a process with
economics. After that I came back
The first time I ever heard the
of tomorrow.” I never understood
established, the federation was
inspection and delivery all in one.
I worked for the Government
word ‘innovation’ was in 1987
what he really meant but read
signed, and we had huge projects
At that time, the Government
in the ports and customs
from His Highness Sheikh
between the lines as if he was
building schools, universities,
was clever. His Highness Sheikh
department. My job was in Jebel
Mohammed bin Rashid during a
criticizing me personally. Upon
hospitals, roads and ports. Jebel
Mohammed wanted to establish
Ali, and back in 1982 it was a
get-together with the traders and
leaving the place, some of the
Ali port was built to accommodate
an electronic Government. It
small place.
merchants of Dubai at a Ramadan
government officials who were
all the construction materials
was part of his management
gathering at His Highness’s
present told me that what we had
that were going to arrive. In
style. He managed by example
sports club.
just heard from His Highness was
the 1980s it was about enabling
and his intention was to have
DUBAI SPECIAL |004
THIS IS THE FREE TRADE ZONE, AS WE NOW KNOW IT, IN JEBEL ALI?
storage, some are concerned
the thinking is that we should go
the world, and then we will
convince them because when a
find new ways, to come up with
with manufacturing. I came
vertical. If I can do a minimum of
invest with them as a start-up.
person is as passionate as you are,
innovative ideas.
back and I said to my boss, “I
five stories, then good, but that’s
It’s working, it’s going very well
they will achieve the goal. The
think we can create something
the challenge we are facing today.
and we have people from many
biggest difficulty is not creating
Yes. I remember the words of
here”. He was hesitant, but
my Director at the time that I
didn’t want anything to do with it
joined. He said: I have good news,
and asked me to take the matter
and I have bad news. The good
directly with the government. So
news is that you have a job, the
I spoke to His Highness in 1983.
bad news is that it’s in Jebel Ali,
He liked the idea and he started
so when I went there I couldn’t
a dialogue with the merchants.
help but be influenced by his
In 1985, he issued the decree of
words. However, I was young and
establishing Jafza and appointed
enthusiastic and I felt sure we
me as Chairman.
the idea, but convincing your
from our employees, and our
people of the idea.
customers. In the 1980s, I used
inventor we had who brought us a
The way I lead is that I want
week where I would invite free
very interesting idea. He came up
people to challenge ideas and talk
zone companies, employees and
with a camera that can translate
to me without hesitation. I like
customers. We would brainstorm
Another example is of one
to have a breakfast meeting every
sign language into words. Who
to hear other opinions, so when
and come up with ideas. When
might be interested in this?
people bring new ideas I am
you listen, you learn so much.
A lot of the time, I will admit, that
People in immigration for a start,
extremely accommodating. I
Sometimes people want to talk,
innovation has come from within
as it allows communication to
welcome every single idea. What
they want to hear themselves
[the organisation, rather than
occur in customs departments,
happens then is that ideas can
talking, and they miss so much.
I was very young and very excited.
from the top]. For example, in
which is a brilliant idea.
be refined and adapted to find
Listening is an amazing art.
another way.
could do something to improve the area. I could never have
different countries working there.
AS A LEADER, HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE AND FOSTER INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT YOUR ORGANISATION?
imagined that one day we would
The first country I visited was
airport customs, they come up
have needed to expand Jebel Ali.
Hong Kong - we thought that
with amazing initiatives out of
It never came into my mind, at
many of the businesses would
necessity - not because we were
least not in my lifetime. Yet here
leave once it was handed back
pushing them, but because they
we are today, we are expanding,
to China. Armed with that
found a way that takes them less
it’s been a lot of hard work.
conviction, off we went - but we
time to do their job with precision.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU WITH THEIR INSIGHT OR THOUGHTS?
were surprised to know that the
One of the issues we had at
Looking back, I remember doing
Chinese government decreed the
customs was the length of time
some research and found a decree
concept of one country with two
it took to take a suspect package
Mohammed called My Vision.
signed by Sheikh Rashed in
systems. We were disappointed
or consignment to the lab and
It is a very inspiring and
1980. So I researched free zones.
but we started to think of other
back, especially considering how
enlightening book. He explains
Well, I run many different
I remember finding out as a
ways to attract business, so we
busy we are at the airport. What
how he turned around Dubai
businesses; the port, customs
There is a book by HH Sheikh
ARE THERE ANY STRATEGIES OR DEVELOPMENTS COMING UP OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THAT PARTICULARLY EXCITE YOU?
trainee that both Hong Kong and
started to market ourselves
they did was take a golf buggy and
and made it into such a vibrant
and the free zone, and they are all
Singapore were free practicing
as a distribution hub and we
added all the necessary sensors,
place. As a leader of a company
exciting. Sometimes people look
countries, so I went to both of
convinced many companies to
devices, cameras and analysis
I come up with many initiatives,
at customs and think that this is
those places and did some further
set up.
equipment to create a moving lab.
but the biggest problem I find is
just the government authority,
Today they can come to the belt
not passion itself regarding these
but so many good ideas come
and do the analysis immediately.
ideas, but making the people you
from customs. We are turning
study abroad between 1982 and 1983 that included Masan in Korea, Colon in Panama, Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone No. 9, Fort Worth in Texas, Port Authority of
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES YOU FACED WITH JEBEL ALI?
Every day in the port they come
work with as passionate as you
into an enabler of trade, we are
up with new ways, and they adapt.
are about these ideas. When I
not a hindrance. The challenge
We encourage this innovation.
have an idea I try to sell it, I try
is always the balance between
to convince people. You know,
adhering to your procedures but
New York, and New Jersey FTZ No. 49.
When we started we had one
We also have our own
as a boss, you can always just
at the same time enabling trade.
hundred million square metres,
collaboration - an incubator
tell people to do things, but if it
You have a goal. I want to protect
I visited these countries to get
today we have eighteen. Basically
called TURN8 - which DP World
fails they will just say, “I wasn’t
our country, but how do I do
a better understanding of free
I only have twenty per cent of
launched. We spend money on
convinced”. That’s why I always
this in a way that doesn’t hinder
zones; some are concerned with
the land, so the challenge and
people who have ideas to help
try and work with my people to
trade? So we encourage people to
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
Much of our success comes
© Wilerson S Andrade - Flickr
DUBAI SPECIAL |006
INTERVIEW WITH RANIA ROSTOM, CHIEF INNOVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR GE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA AND TURKEY
GE Rania Rostom is the Chief Innovation and Communications Officer for GE in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. GE, of course, is well known for its work globally in areas such as industrial technology, energy, healthcare, aviation and lighting products. But to keep near the front of those fields, innovation must be at the forefront of your efforts. Rania spoke to Global Innovation Magazine’s founder James O’Flynn about what makes the UAE so special, and how they approach open innovation to ensure they are producing exactly what their customers want.
CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOURSELF RANIA? I was born in Cairo, but I grew
I started my career in a PR and
rural healthcare, life sciences and
advertising agency in Cairo, and
digital transformation. We really
from there returned to Dubai. I
try and focus on the customer,
have now been back in the UAE
and that’s what excites us. The
for around 17 years.
innovation centres leverage the best of GE, not just here, but from
up in the UAE. We moved to Abu
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK AT GE.
across the world.
went to school. It was a wonderful place. I then moved to Egypt and
I lead both the corporate and
We know it’s important for us to
attended the American University
marketing communication
look outside our own organisation
functions as well as the
as well. Open innovation and
and mass communications
innovation function. I work
crowdsourcing is something
and minored in English
for the global growth part of
we are very passionate about
Dhabi in 1977 which is where I
in Cairo. I studied journalism
the organisation so we are
because we know great ideas
responsible for enabling growth,
can come from outside our walls.
finding new opportunities
This is particularly true for this
State University
and both building upon and
region, where so much of the
in the United
strengthening our position.
literature. Afterwards, I got a scholarship to do my junior year at Penn
was a fantastic experience.
population is under 30 years old. There is an incredible dynamic,
States, which We operate in a number of
entrepreneurial spirit here, and
innovation centres in the
we must tap into that dynamism
region. These are our industrial
and energy to make sure we are
incubators - places where we
getting the best out of the region
convene with our customers, state
and doing the best for the region.
owned entities, ministries, and think tanks, and collaborate on issues such as energy efficiency,
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |008
“I LOVE THE CREATIVITY IN DUBAI, IT’S BOLD. THERE IS A SENSE OF COURAGE AND VISION HERE. A VISION WITH A HIGH ‘SAY, DO’ RATIO, WHICH MEANS THAT INCREDIBLE THINGS CAN HAPPEN.”
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |010
TO PUT THIS INTO CONTEXT PLEASE SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS COME FROM YOUR APPROACH TOWARDS INNOVATION?
parts, and then teach them basic
insights into how the power
coding to make the robots move.
of collective collaboration and
It is hoped that the girls will learn
creativity can achieve wonders.
more, and get a taste of emerging technology, maths and coding -
If my reply on books isn’t telling
all skills which will be crucial
enough, I genuinely enjoy an
going forward. We are passionate Masdar is an organisation in the
about the programme.
UAE; they have a broad scope
‘escape’ when it comes to the movies. With two wonderful children aged 10 and 12, that
of work but a strong focus on
Last year, the UAE launched a
energy efficiency. Last year we
national innovation strategy and
see everything MARVEL and Star
got together and agreed an area
it has a clear roadmap. As we
Wars, and I love it!
of partnership around water
look to this, how we bring the
treatment, the idea being that
young people on board will be
you can’t look at water without
crucial. We are passionate about
looking at energy - they are
technology and innovation at
intertwined. The output of this
GE and we need to keep in tune
‘escape’ these days takes me to
WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE ABOUT DUBAI?
is a technology collaboration
with young people as part of our
programme where we are
drive. Innovation after all is so
bold. There is a sense of courage
considering how to become
important, it impacts all our lives.
and vision here. A vision with a
more energy efficient in water reuse. Through a pilot we are integrating areas of technology for the first time to increase productivity and efficiency within a water reuse plant. This, coupled
high ‘say, do’ ratio, which means
ANY BOOKS OR FILMS YOU HAVE SEEN RECENTLY THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS?
with a software and analytics programme, will further increase efficiency. The ultimate goal is an energy neutral waste water treatment.
I have recently read Ed Catmull’s ‘Creativity Inc.’ I absolutely loved the book, and it’s not only because I am a huge fan of how Pixar has transformed our world
ANY OTHER PROJECTS THAT SPRING TO MIND?
I love the creativity in Dubai, it’s
that incredible things can happen. Living here and seeing the changes to the region is inspiring.
IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAS GIVEN YOU, THAT HAS STAYED WITH YOU AND YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN YOUR LIFE?
with movies that brought together great storytelling with path-
Of course, over the years, my
breaking technology. Catmull
parents have shared many words
If we think about the region and
takes us behind the ‘behind
of wisdom. One that has always
the young people, we are also
the scenes’ and unravels the
stuck with me is “scarcity breeds
focusing on how we bring the
ingredients of how he has a built
creativity”. I’ve found that every
next generation closer to us. One
a team, culture and environment
time I was resource-constrained,
programme is called ‘GE Garages
where innovation and creativity
it has pushed me harder to find a
for Girls’. What we try and do
thrive above everything and
way. There is always a way.
over the period of a few weeks
everyone. The book takes you on
is work with a group of girls to
a journey of how his leadership
create robots using 3D-printed
has transformed Pixar, sharing
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |012
INTERVIEW WITH SACHA FITCH AND VERONICA MUNRO, TWO OF DUBAI’S LEADING FEMALE DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS
WOMEN IN CONTROL “When a woman succeeds, she reaches out to those around her
first-hand the passion and pride
forum reinforced our belief that
what is really possible for them. It
looking at TED talks for relevant
of the many successful Arab and
we can make a difference through
is structured in a way that brings
material - www.ted.com/topics/
international women leaders. We
supporting the development and
personal, as well as professional,
women. We would recommend
were in no way disappointed, as
continuing success of women in
growth throughout the journey.
initially; Eman Mohammed The
they stood out as role models
the region.
We want to empower women both
courage to tell a hidden story, Amy
and pulls them up with her. That is why, if you empower a
for the thousands of attendees
woman, you empower a whole society.” Queen Rania of Jordan
and offered inspiration to every woman looking to fulfil her
In February this year, Dubai hosted the Global Women’s Forum
potential. While each speaker
with the theme Let’s Innovate! This historic gathering was the
brought something different, the
first ever event of its kind in the Middle East, bringing together
common thread was the sense
leading stateswomen from around the world to share their
of purpose and belief that they
stories and encourage and enable women’s contributions to business and society. It hosted a glittering array of some 200 speakers, including
female colleagues, mentoring and
Power of Vulnerability and Sheryl
developing them in turn. It is our
Sandberg Why we have too few
hope that this innovative program
women leaders, all of which can be found easily on the ted.com
contributing to both the economic
website. Sheryl Sandberg is the
delivered. Alongside this was the
inspirational place to be right now.
growth and happiness of
COO of Facebook and has written
energy of 2,000 motivated women
There is a real energy here which
this region.
an international bestselling book
coming together to meet, learn and
makes you feel that anything is
collaborate with each other for the
possible if you want it enough. The
Queen Rania and IMF head Christine Lagarde, as well as one
first time in the region. This sense
growth of the city itself is a story
of excitement and opportunity
of innovation and achievement
numerous awards, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al
resonated throughout the forum.
that would seem incredible were it
Veronica Munro, two of Dubai’s leading female development
who you are, Brene Brown The
creates a virtuous circle of change,
of the most powerful Arab women in the world and winner of
Global Innovation Magazine spoke with Sacha Fitch and
Cuddy Your body language shapes
to act as role models forjunior
For both of us, Dubai feels a truly
Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance in the UAE Government.
Lean In which draws on her own
WHO ARE YOU TARGETING WITH YOUR PROGRAMME, ‘EMPOWER AND INSPIRE’?
not true. What we love is that it is
WHATIN PARTICULAR DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE FORUM?
leadership experiences and shares her ideas on what women can do to help themselves. Elsewhere there is an excellent
constantly evolving and changing,
The programme is designed
blog by Jane Horan (www.
and all the while becoming more
to be run for groups within an
thehorangroup.com/blog) with
aware of what it means to be a
organisation or government
a number of interesting articles
globally important city in the
department, but in reality it would
on development and career with a
For us, the primary take-away
modern world. We are inspired
work with any group of women
focus on women.
was that we are in the midst of
by the positive attitudes we have
who want to develop and grow.
an amazing time for women in
come across regarding women
One of the major advantages of
We first met several years ago
the Middle East. There was an
in work and as leaders, and also
having our own bespoke product is
while working in leadership
overwhelming sense of positivity at
by the steps taken by Sheikh
that we can tailor it to meet specific
development at one of the top
the forum with ideas being shared,
Mohammed to promote more
circumstances or environments
international banks here in Dubai.
new networks being established
women into senior cabinet roles
while maintaining the overall
We are both experts in executive
Almost immediately we discovered
and a real optimism about what
this year.
integrity of the structure.
You can find more details online at
coaching and experiential
we had a shared passion for
could be achieved in the future.
facilitation, with over 40 years
bringing out the best in people and helping them to achieve their
As two professional female
dreams. It seemed only natural
achievers ourselves, we appreciate
WHAT OTHER RESOURCES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO WOMEN LOOKING TO BEGIN THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY?
and_ inspire/
of combined global corporate
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SUPPORT WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
professionals, about the forum and their own initiative for developing women leaders, called ‘Empower and Inspire’.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELVES AND YOUR BACKGROUNDS
experience. This includes working with both senior leaders
that at some point in our careers
just how challenging it can be
we would work together to build
for women to build a career and
We have been working together
diverse range of cultures and
something based on this theme.
realize their goals. Together we
to develop a leadership program
share an aspiration to contribute
that is designed specifically to
numerous programmes to drive organizational and personal
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE GWF?
performance, including specialised initiatives for
What excited us about the forum
female leaders.
was the opportunity to experience
HOW DO PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME?
www.fitchbradley.ae/empower_
and emerging talent across a businesses. We have developed
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT DUBAI SPECIFICALLY THAT INSPIRES YOU?
to realize their own goals and
Alternatively, you can email Veronica (contact@veronicamunro.com) or Sacha (sacha@fitchbradley.ae) directly for further information.
more fully to the country and
take women on an exciting and
Nowadays, the best place to start is
community in which we have lived
inspirational journey; to discover
online where you will find a wealth
for over eight years. Attending the
their true value and to understand
of free resources. It is always worth
DUBAI SPECIAL |014
SYNECHRON
INTERVIEW WITH THEIR HEAD OF INNOVATION, DAVID HORTON
Synechron is a fast growing digital, business consulting and technology services provider based in New York, but with a global reach, including a base in Dubai. Understanding innovation is key to their ‘offer’ as a business working at the cutting edge of banking and finance, so we spoke to Head of Innovation David Horton to discuss (amongst other things) what inspires him and how he keeps up-to-date with fast-paced technological change.
COULD YOU SHARE A BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT YOURSELF, DAVID?
and teaching showing people how to use Microsoft Windows, which was valuable. Essentially showing people how to use computers, but
I am one of those people who is
in a very human way. It was great
a bit of a traveller; my parents
in learning how to talk to people
moved around the world. I was
in a non-technical way. I always
born in Zimbabwe, and moved
think this helped me in many
to South Africa when I was very
ways, particularly in the work that
young. My parents returned to
I do now.
the UK, then did a stint in the Middle East, so I did seven years as an ex-pat child here. I finished school and university then moved back to London where I worked for several years, before marrying, having children and moving back to the Middle East. It was a logical move for us, but I have
I GUESS WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH CLIENTS YOU HAVE TO TAKE QUITE COMPLEX IDEAS IN TERMS OF EMERGING OR PROVEN INNOVATION, AND EXPLAIN IT IN FAIRLY SIMPLE TERMS?
been all over the place to be honest.
Yes, exactly. When you speak with
In terms of work experience,
or technology, they want you to
my background is really on the
put things in business terms. It
business users about innovation
technology side of things - IT. Starting from being the guy you rang up on the helpdesk who helps everyone out, I found a few niche areas. I did some training
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |016
has to connect with their business
prototypes and demos and we can
digital transformation experts,
We also have other technologies
work; artificial intelligence, that
vision, and essentially how it
talk them through how they work
with lots of impressive sales
from drones and virtual reality, to
kind of thing.
will translate into a profitable
and the benefits.
techniques and tools, but as
robotics or natural language. It
a customer it is hard to know
is a fun experience as well as an educational one.
investment. Otherwise it’s a difficult sell. Ninety per cent of
The other part of my work is
where to go. Building a place that
what I do is around explaining
about building up the brand and
allowed people to make up their
HOW DO YOU KEEP ON TOP OF MOVEMENTS AND TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION?
technology in terms of how it will
providing thought leadership in
own mind was the next step. It
Over the last few years there has
benefit businesses if they decide
the area of financial technology,
seems to have worked as we have
been a convergence of innovation
to invest in it.
perhaps producing white papers,
been inundated with requests to
and it is really opening up doors
that kind of thing. It’s a mixture
see the space, both from people
to do things that were just not
By doing lots of reading. The one
of things and no two days are
local to the area and from people
possible a few years ago. For
thing that social media does is
the same.
internationally.
example, products such as
it allows you to follow and keep
HOW DID THE INNOVATION CENTRE IN DUBAI EMERGE?
WHAT CAN BE FOUND WITHIN YOUR DIGITAL INNOVATION CENTRE IN DUBAI?
TALK US THROUGH THE TYPE OF WORK YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ON AN AVERAGE DAY. Synechron is a fairly young company, operating since 2001.
Amazon Echo - a wireless speaker
in touch with thought leaders. I
and voice commend device that
follow five or six people on twitter,
uses natural language, opens up
particularly around FinTech,
really exciting possibilities for
which gives me a good oversight
customers. These kind of areas
of what is happening in London
are really accelerating. Blockchain,
or Silicon Valley. LinkedIn is also a valuable place to learn.
My work with them focuses quite
It was an easy decision to make.
heavily on digital innovation
When I first joined I was known
It is very much focused on retail
although in its early stages, is
for the banking industry and
in the local banking community
banking. When you walk into
another area that is definitely
financial services. As of now we
and one of the previous projects
the Centre we have built a mock
going to cause some disruption,
Just be observant. Kids do
are a US$320 million company
I had worked on was a ‘digital
digital branch, featuring digital
not just in banking but across so
things so differently, so watching
employing about 5,500 people
branch’, an innovative hub where
queue management solutions and
many areas. Certainly in the next
them and looking at where
across the globe, including Dubai.
customers would come in and
options to view and browse the
five to ten years entire industries
they are shining their lights is
will be quite different.
also valuable. I try to observe environment. I have a great
service their bank accounts or
bank’s products through digital
I don’t think any two days are the
financial products. Every so often
walls or digital tables. Even the
same, but typically I will have at
when clients came to meet me
fulfilment side is there - applying
least one client meeting, often
and ask about the previous work I
for a product in a self-service area.
about a specific challenge they
did, they were keen to talk about
It is all very visual for people to
have or an area of innovation
the ‘digital branch’.
see and touch.
ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR FILMS THAT YOU COULD RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS?
When you show people around
We have integrated ‘beacons’ into
Probably the book that had
really well. It is an incredibly
or so doing a presentation or
a place that is real, tangible and
the Centre which demonstrate
the most influence on my work
exciting area of work, and one
perhaps a demonstration on some
concrete it becomes an easy sell.
the potential for bank loyalty
was Bank 2.0 by Brett King. He
that constantly moves forward.
technology or innovation area.
It is not a presentation - people
schemes. As customers walk past
was the first person that I felt
can experience and feel the new
a particular point they get tailored
truly challenged the traditional business model.
as much as I can around my
they are interested in. This could mean spending an hour
so we often sit together and discuss opportunities and build prototypes which seems to work
More and more we are inviting
customer journey for themselves.
‘beacon’ alerts on their phone.
clients in to see our digital
I was convinced that if we could
This solution allows customers to
innovation centre because in
replicate that kind of experience
walk into a particular restaurant,
Personally, I am a big fan of
the space of a few hours they
in our office it would be a good
for example, and get an alert
science fiction movies. Things
can really get a feel for all the
sales and education tool. There
telling them they qualify for a
like the Back to the Future
latest technologies and how they
are hundreds of companies
special discount because of their
series. Anything that looks at
apply to banks. We have built
putting themselves out there as
loyalty package with their bank.
how technology in the future will
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
team with a big imagination,
DUBAI SPECIAL |018
FACING THE SOLUTION HEAD ON
CARPOOL ARABIA
I took the big step of quitting my
Hindsight is a great thing, but we
job and at a start-up weekend I
don’t have that luxury in business
anything related to sharing time
met one of my co-founders and
unfortunately.
or resources. BlaBlacar in Europe
Chief Product Officer, Guillaume It’s quite possible that whenever your car slows in traffic, and
Arnaud. We pitched the idea over
again was a great influence.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK, HOW DO I USE THE SERVICE?
HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY? At the moment we take a
you start to look around and wonder why, that you will notice
the weekend, saw its potential,
something. Most cars have only one person in them. You will
and decided to continue working
then more than likely move forward and cast that thought
on it after the event was finished.
aside like paper into the bin.
The company was bootstrapped
Download the app, create a profile,
with a $50,000 investment, and
get matched with commuters
commission from each ride, about
the website CarpoolArabia.com
heading to the same direction,
15 per cent. The passenger pays a
major world city, in that for the majority of us, driving in our
officially launched on February
chat with them, or see if you
small contribution to the driver an
cars is a solitary experience.
18, 2014.
belong to the same community.
on average it’s four times cheaper
Carpool Arabia brings a solution to Dubai. Car sharing,
WHAT WAS DIFFICULT ABOUT THIS PERIOD?
That’s the problem, and Dubai is no different to any other
cutting costs, making new friends and turning the drudgery of the daily commute into an interesting experience. We caught
That helps a lot. If you need a
than taxis. Drivers do not make
ride home or to your office, just
a profit. We also make revenue
tap one button to notify all your
through helping organisations,
commuting buddies. We are the
through promoting car pooling within their businesses.
up with company co-founder Benjamin de Terssac to bring the
The key challenges were the same
largest carpool community in the
story to life.
as they are now actually; educating
region so there is lots of chance
people and changing behaviour
you get matched with someone
is the most difficult thing. You
looking to carpool. The process
HAVE YOU LIVED IN DUBAI FOR SOME TIME?
are asking to people to break
needs to be effortless for the user.
went travelling to Australia for
ingrained habits, which is tough.
We want to show you only people
We launched two years ago, and
that could be a real match, not all
we were web-based, but we
I am originally from France. I
for another six, always doing
We didn’t know how people
have been in Dubai for the last
internships in different locations.
would want to use it at the start.
four years, but I was already in the
I wanted to continue travelling
For example, would people use
region, so in total I have been here
with my work, so we moved to the
it for specific events, or just at
for around eight years.
region, to Bahrain.
the weekend? However, it soon became clear that lots of people
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT DUBAI?
HOW IS IT ALL GOING THEN?
and law at university there. I six months, then to Vietnam
HOW DID THE BUSINESS IDEA COME ABOUT?
the people on the app.
getting a door-to-door service.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN AT THE START OF THIS JOURNEY?
realised we needed a mobile application which we launched
ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR FILMS THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS?
wanted to use it for commuting,
about 12 weeks ago. We have around 5,000 users and we grow at around 35 per cent week on week. We still have lots of education to do with the users
The Lean Start Up Book, by Eric
around expectations, but overall it
Ries is great but it’s not just books.
is going really well.
Its size, it’s a major world city,
I was travelling every day between
there are many things and
Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I was
activities to do here, I like it here
sharing the ride with my wife,
a lot.
which was nice quality time
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.
car pooling was very popular in
There are thousands of things.
mistakes from others is useful.
America and Europe so I started
How can I find users? What is
Even if it’s not related to your area
thinking about how could I make
the best medium to talk to users?
it can add a lot of value.
I grew up in Toulouse in the south
it work here. There are hundreds
Which are the popular and up-
west of France, and stayed there
of thousands of people making
and-coming areas of town that
I’m a big advocate of the sharing
until I was 25. I studied business
their journeys alone.
we can focus on? So many things.
economy, so something like
but it was super tiring. I knew
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
Airbnb was very influential,
I would recommend hanging out with other entrepreneurs, or start up people, everybody has their own journey, their own story but understanding how you can avoid
DUBAI SPECIAL |020
TURN IT ON - START IT UP The TURN8 programme is an initiative between Innovation 360 (a Dubai-based innovation consultancy) and DP World which offers support to individuals, organisations and start-ups with
INVESTING IN SMART IDEAS: INTERVIEW WITH TARIQ SYED, A BUSINESS CONSULTANT AND LEAN DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT INNOVATION 360 IT WOULD BE GREAT TO LEARN A BIT ABOUT YOU TARIQ.
innovative business ideas, both within and outside of Dubai. It aims to encourage innovative entrepreneurship worldwide.
I was born and brought up in
at creating an innovation centre
here in Dubai, but in places like
Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen
internally, but were also looking at
eastern Europe where there are a
Forces That Stand in the Way of
how they could do external work to
lot of start-ups that see Dubai as
True Inspiration by Ed Catmull.
improve their innovation activities.
a good market to test and initiate
Both are great books and are really
TURN8 is funded by DP World,
their businesses. This has been a
worth reading for inspiration.
but operated by Innovation 360.
success. It helps Dubai’s ecosystem develop. Previously, there was
Every day we interact with start-
lots of talk about non-disclosure
IF I WANTED TO BE SUPPORTED BY TURN8 WHERE SHOULD I START?
ups and there are multiple things
agreements before people would pitch their ideas, so the
for future accelerator rounds.
atmosphere was closed and quite
The website is a good starting place
Sheikh Mohammed. He has had a
The companies tend to be here
protective. Things have opened
for information on how to apply,
vision for innovation which he has
for around four months in Dubai,
up, people understand that there
and what’s involved, so I would
implemented and led from
so we have a programme that
are lots of ideas but everything
advise people to go there www.
the front. He is an incredibly
turn8.co/
inspiring leader.
evolution has meant there is more talking, networking and a greater
to the next level.
elements is an accelerator, starting
understanding of timing, launch,
in late 2016 when we hope the
funding and the wider picture.
CAN YOU THINK OF SOME GOOD ADVICE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY GAVE YOU?
Investors here also look at equity
My dad told me that it was always
six-month-old child.
a Business Analyst on the telecoms
HOW DID YOU END UP DEVELOPING THE PROGRAMME WITH DP WORLD?
I don’t have a mentor as such but I do look up to the ruler of Dubai,
fund for start-ups, and one of the
marketable ideas and supports them with funding, mentoring
DO YOU HAVE ANY PEOPLE AROUND YOU THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU OR DEVELOPED YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS INNOVATION AND BUSINESS?
going on. We shortlist applications
forward we will be providing a
I am married and have a
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
financial planning.
Elon. The other book is Creativity
supporting start-ups to take them
large IT company for four years as
about his work.
book inspires everyone as does
the globe. We don’t just work
as mentoring, coaching and
as an engineer then worked for a
While I was doing my MBA I
encourage start-ups from across
really depends upon the team
that can be refined and brought to market through a “seed
Consultant and Lean Development Manager at Innovation 360,
an accelerator, either internally or externally. They were looking
and how they execute them. This
accelerator” - a program that selects start-up teams with
which has a campus in Dubai.
becomes one of the main issues,
looks at things such as training,
Personally, I am 29 years old,
Global Innovation Magazine spoke to Tariq Syed, a Business
few clients on their books. This
Quest for a Fantastic Future. This
mentorship and coaching. Going
school. I moved to India to study
side. I completed my MBA at Hult
Elon Musk: Tesla, Space X and the
What we do as a programme is
on the innovation front, as well
The programme actively looks for people with ingenious ideas
International Business School,
There have been a lot of changes.
one of the end goals is to create
We work on educating corporates
Kuwait, which is where I went to
and training.
our own innovation framework and
fund will be operational. We do seed funding already but
much more rather than ownership,
important to plan and have your
what the new fund will do is
so that’s a big change also. Lots of
future in mind, so if you have
provide that follow-on financial
family funds are now becoming
any money that comes in, look at
investment. There will be more
angel investors, so that kind of
utilising and saving that money
stakeholders for the fund going
awareness is interesting and
towards your longer term plan.
forward, which is attractive.
progressive.
I believe that works a lot in the
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE SUCCESS STORIES IN THE PROGRAMME.
ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR FILMS THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY?
had an internship at Innovation
start-up world, so when they get
360, the innovation management
We were doing a consulting
consulting firm where I now work.
assignment for DP World. We have
their seed money often companies won’t plan, or save or think about the fact that they have only a
DUBAI SPECIAL |022
NEWS
A FEW THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE IN DUBAI
World Federation of Future Sports
The Drone Cup
Dubai Museum of the Future
currency system that has its own
amount of trust needed, every
and putting time into the area,
Ever wanted to watch driverless
A British teenager has won the
Foundation Launches -
value, can be compared to other
time you view your bank account
and the results could be game
car racing, drone racing, a
World Drone Prix that was held
Global Blockchain Council
currencies, and can allow you to
there is an element of trust, every
changing across multiple sectors.
cybathlon competition or robotic
in Dubai in March, so reports the Associated Press. Luke Bannister
purchase a plethora of goods on
time you get an email read receipt
The Global Blockchain Council
soccer, running, swimming, table
the internet. Bitcoin allows you
you are trusting your email
is going to explore transactions
tennis and wrestling competitions?
from England led his team, the
What’s the Dubai Museum of
to trade with complete strangers
provider to tell you the truth.
through the blockchain platform,
You are in luck. The first edition
Tornado XBlades Banni UK, to
the Future? The Museum of
without trust having to be an
People can lie, and security hacks
launch several initiatives
of the World Future Sports Games
victory in one of the world’s most
surrounding the area and explore
will be hosted in Dubai from 28
prestigious drone races. The pilots
its advantages and disadvantages.
to 30 December 2017. The Games
donned Formula 1-style get up,
will be held over three days once
with Luke also wearing virtual
Exciting times indeed.
every two years, and everyone
reality googles allowing him to see a firsthand view of the drone as it
the Future is a forward-looking
integral part of the deal.
can falsify information.
technological museum in Dubai due to open in December 2018.
Blockchain is essentially a record
Blockchain has the potential to
It will house some of the world’s
of digital events or occurrences,
change all of this by introducing a
greatest innovations, be a place
one that is shared between
digital consensus, a valid, truthful
from individuals, organisations,
that will spark ideas and generate
different people or parties. This
account of digital events both
research centres and academics
raced around the course four times,
programmes, as well as being
‘ledger’ or ‘record’ can only be
today, and in the past. It does
from around the world can get
and through hoops. Plenty of
an incubation center for new
updated by a consensus being
this all without security being
involved. The World Federation
people turned up to view the event
agreed by the majority of people
compromised, leaving an audit
of Future Sports is an initiative
with a prize booty of over a million
involved in the system. The bitcoin
trail and has the potential to lower
of Dubai Museum of the Future
US dollars. Master Bannister won
What is Blockchain? Blockchain
blockchain, for example, contains
fraud rates.
Foundation http://motf.ae/
has been heralded as one of the
a certain and verifiable record of
most important developments,
every single bitcoin transaction
It’s early stages but the banking
the Tornado XBlades Banni UK,
inventions, innovations (call it
ever made.
industry and several
advised he would be splitting.
innovations.
what you will) of our time.
start-ups are Here’s the problem. Presently
Blockchain is closely connected
every time a digital transaction
to Bitcoin - the global digital
takes place there is a huge
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
a prize of US$250,000, which the 15-year old, much to the delight of
investing
© Museum of the Future
© Tornado XBlades
DUBAI SPECIAL |024
INTERVIEW WITH KATHERINE MANUEL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INNOVATION AND GAUTAM JAIN, HEAD OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONS, MENA
INNOVATING AT THOMSON REUTERS Thomson Reuters is a multinational media, information and technology company operating in more than 100 countries across the globe, with various offerings from news and research to financial, tax and legal services. They employ over 50,000 people. It is often said innovation can be implemented far more easily in a small to medium sized enterprise than within a large multinational organisation. Innovating at scale is tough but essential for a company like Thomson Reuters as they move from a growth by acquisition strategy to a more organic growth approach. To get an idea of their approach to innovation, Global Innovation Magazine spoke to Katherine Manuel, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Gautam Jain, Head of Strategic Planning & Operations, MENA (Middle East and North Africa). We talked about embedding a culture of innovation across the organisation, and they shared the highlights of their innovation-focused work in Dubai.
KATHERINE, HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING IN THE WORLD OF INNOVATION?
something different so I started working more on the strategy communications side of things. When Jim Smith became CEO I came back to work in the office
One of my first jobs was working
of the CEO as a Vice President of
for a strategy and technology
Strategy. After some time here
firm for a few years, before I
working on the transformation
got my MBA degree. Thomson
programme I was asked to head
Reuters have a great management
up innovation.
associates programme where they rotate MBAs throughout the organisation. I moved around as part of the programme then began to work in the strategy side of the business. I ended up running the technology strategy area. After a few years I wanted to try
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
DUBAI SPECIAL |026
AND GAUTAM, HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING IN INNOVATION AT THOMSON REUTERS?
The MENA Innovation Lab was inaugurated in July 2015 by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The purpose of
I grew up in a small town
the lab is to foster a culture of
near Mumbai, India. I studied
innovation in MENA by providing
computer technology, then joined
multiple opportunities to staff,
the country’s largest IT consulting
clients and third parties to
firm, where I was a software
support and promote promising
POSSIBILITIES AS WE SEE VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES COME TOGETHER OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. I’M THINKING THE INTERNET OF THINGS, ROBOTICS, AI AND VR. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAS CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION?
What’s exciting about this time is
Through transformation we had
actually - but when we were
small anyway. It’s about having an
how we work with new talent, how
to rationalise and make sense of
accruing businesses, it was
open culture, being willing to fail
difficult to highlight our culture.
and having leaders or founders
we engage and communicate with
our acquisitions, but then drive
customers, and how we will grow
and grow, fundamentally through
Since then there has been lots of
who can get the best ideas out
going forward.
innovation. So that was the
work streams around culture and
of people, opening the conduit
message top down.
GAUTAM, DO YOU HAVE A PERSPECTIVE FROM DUBAI ON THIS?
That message ended up being
innovation; it has been a focus of
of communication, and valuing
ours for some time now and it’s
everyone’s opinion.
working.
many programmes across the globe. This was an exciting time
HOW DO SMALLER ORGANISATIONS INNOVATE? CAN YOU SHARE ANY TIPS OR IDEAS THAT PEOPLE COULD IMPLEMENT?
ANY BOOKS OR FILMS YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS?
engineer for a couple of years. I
ideas. It is a forum for people
then pursued my MBA in Finance
to gather, discuss and try out
I was recently at a senior leader’s
building a SMART city is huge
movement within the organisation
from Mumbai University and, like
innovative ideas. We already
conference with 150 or so
in Dubai at the moment. The
as well. I came into this role to
Katherine, joined the Business
have a few internal ideas in
colleagues from Thomson
Government is working with
head up the innovation office, and
Graduate Programme at Thomson
the implementation phase that
Reuters, and we heard from
companies from all over the
begin creating a more consistent
Reuters. During the programme,
resulted from the hackathon we
a wonderful external speaker
world, leveraging on all of the
push towards innovation across
I undertook multiple roles in
conducted in the lab in the latter
Andrew McAfee, who talked
technologies. They have launched
the company. The culture change
Katherine – Identify innovation
book I mentioned earlier) was
different locations including
half of last year.
about The Second Machine
a few labs to look at areas like the
was definitely driven through this
change agents - people who
phenomenal. The other one I have been reading on a personal front
Mumbai, Dubai and London
Expo 2020 and a drive towards
and there was lots of grass roots
Katherine – I will say that, from a work perspective, the Second Machine Age (the
Age - the book he wrote with
internet of things, so there are
transformative programme with a
can stimulate and highlight
that gave me good exposure to
The launch came at the right
Erik Brynjolfsson. Andrew talked
currently a lot of initiatives that
consistent message and example
opportunities. We provide the
is Authentic Happiness by Martin
the whole enterprise. I spent the
time given last year was also the
about how we are in the middle
tie into Smart City and Expo 2020.
coming from the top.
opportunity for our staff members
Seligman, who works out of the
who have good ideas to take them
University of Pennsylvania. It
forward, and get some time in
looks at how you take someone
initial six months on the customer
year of innovation in Dubai. The
of this incredibly exciting time
Introducing driverless cars and
helpdesk which was an excellent
lab would provide a platform
of accelerated change. Following
drones are also being discussed at
place to learn about our products
to encourage innovation and
this I was involved in a panel
an accelerated speed. As a country
and customers and gave me a
entrepreneurship in the region,
discussion where we discussed
the UAE is very open to all of these
great grounding. I had a few
allowing entrepreneurs access to
how the future isn’t necessarily
changes and always wants to be at
more moves in sales and strategic
tools and support around various
about us building everything
the forefront of innovation.
planning after this, but ended up
fields, including scientific journals,
ourselves, but more about how
back in Dubai working in the M&A
patents and trademark protection,
we open up, get involved in new
team for Middle East Africa and
market research and financial
partnerships, open platforms,
Russia. At the beginning of last
data. This enabled entrepreneurs
and find ways to bring start-ups
year I started heading Strategic
and start-ups to establish smart
within our walls. Things such as
Planning & Execution for MENA,
applications, transform data
how do we bring outsiders in to
which is where I also drove local
into knowledge, and ultimately
solve problems in a collaborative
Katherine - It definitely needed
innovation initiatives along with
give them a leg-up in terms of
and joined-up way? Another
to come from the top, from our
a few other local innovation
innovating. We are working with
interesting point discussed
CEO. At the end of 2013 there
champions.
some incubators in the region too
was that this is the first time we
were some big announcements
which is exciting.
SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT THE MENA INNOVATION LAB WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW GAUTAM?
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
KATHERINE, THIS A PARTICULARLY EXCITING TIME FOR INNOVATION WITH SO MANY
HOW DO YOU BUILD A CULTURE OF INNOVATION ACROSS A LARGE ORGANISATION?
I THINK WE HAVE ALL SEEN ‘INNOVATION’ WRITTEN DOWN AS A KEY COMPONENT OF A COMPANY’S CULTURE, THEN YOU TURN TO A COLLEAGUE AND ASK THEM ‘WHAT IS OUR CULTURE HERE?’ AND THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE. DO YOU THINK THERE HAS REALLY BEEN SOME SUCCESS HERE? DO YOUR STAFF REALLY SEE INNOVATION AS A KEY COMPONENT OF WHO YOU ARE?
front of our senior management
who is very happy, and how you
team to pitch and work out their
can make them even happier.
ideas. As long as the person has some level of sponsorship, then
Gautam – One of the movies
you can take forward that idea
I really like which links to
and discuss it with people in the
innovation is Her, which is about
organisation that could make it
a man who falls in love with his
a reality. I think recognising that
virtual assistant on his mobile
all our staff have that potential is
device. One of the scary things
a key building block in terms of
about this film is that I don’t think
developing innovating ideas.
we are really that far away from this, it could happen. I am in the
Gautam – My honest opinion is
middle of the book Getting Things
that it’s a lot easier to innovate
Done, by David Allen which has
have had four generations
in terms of transformation, and
working together, and how truly
one of the key messages was
opening up the way we work
we are changing and we are not
and think will allow for huge
going back, so this is not a phase,
Katherine - I do. There has been
opportunities with the diverse
it is reality. We had previously
a lot of work - and innovation
truly great ideas often originated
mindset this creates.
grown through acquisition.
is only one of the components
when organisations were really
and pivot in a smaller company,
lots of tips that can help in terms
exactly because of its size and
of productivity and managing time,
because often there are fewer
which has really helped me.
corporate barriers. Most of the
DUBAI SPECIAL |028
RINGING THE CHANGES WITH MOBILEAID
This was basically the foundation
We had to come up with new PR
that we built upon.
and awareness campaigns, and some focused marketing work has
We had little experience in
helped. We are moving forward
creating a new business, and all
on a great trajectory. We consider
the other aspects of company
ourselves a premium repair
development which you never
company and I am really proud of
consider such as marketing and
how things are going.
HR. We had an idea but needed MobileAid, a new mobile phone repair company, has launched
support. We approached a
in Dubai. And here’s the innovation: MobileAid comes directly
company in Dubai who specialise
to you and fixes your phone on the spot, saving you time,
in this kind of support and they
money and giving you peace of mind (your phone or tablet
provided us with legal services, IT
never leaves your side whilst it is being repaired).
services the whole nine yards. It
WHAT IS IT ABOUT DUBAI THAT ENABLED YOU TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS SO SOON?
was a win, win for us both.
Let me tell you about Dubai. We
spotted a gap in the market for mobile phone repair at a venue
We came up with the idea in
hard and like to be rewarded. I
that suited the customer.
August 2014 and by December
don’t like to waste time, so if
that year we had signed the
someone can come to me with a
Global Innovation Magazine spoke to Khalid in Dubai about
contract to formalise the company.
service that takes away hassle, I
how it all started.
Our first sale was 19th April 2015.
am going to use it. We hope to
MobileAid was born when cousins Khlalid and Essa Sharaf
love to be pampered, we work
perhaps expand upon this idea
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR BACKGROUND
You know how kids open their presents with wonder, amazement
WHAT’S BEEN CHALLENGING ON THIS JOURNEY?
when I get some new technology.
trade. I did my higher diploma
industry here is growing like never before.
and excitement? Well, that is me I am a mechanical engineer by
with different business models going forward. The service
The same challenge at the start is still a challenge today, and that is
here in Dubai then went to
In Dubai we have everything.
finding the right technicians. We
Boston in America to obtain my
You can purchase whatever you
need great communication skills,
WHAT’S NEXT DURING 2016?
bachelor’s degree. On my return
want here. However, we saw a
great presentation and amazing
I got a job at Emirates Aluminium
gap in the market for a service
customer service skills to perform
range this year, selling high
just as they were launching a
that repairs phones, tablets and
at the high level we demand.
quality accessories, which are
new project - phase two of an
PCs on your doorstep - at a venue
Finding that level of expertise is
in demand. We are introducing
aluminium smelter. I worked
convenient to the customer.
challenging.
there for two and a half years as an engineer.
We are looking to expand our
laptop repair, and are also looking at expanding into different areas
We have a lot of mobile phone
WHAT HAS GONE WELL?
of the UAE.
shops in Dubai, but having a
HOW DID THE BUSINESS IDEA DEVELOP? When I was doing national service,
GLOBAL INNOVATION | MAY 2016
wife who cracks her screen three
On the flip side we have had
times a year, I hated going to the
a great response from the
crowded areas of town, where
community here in Dubai. People
parking was hard to find. I had
have been really excited about
I had time to reflect and think
to trust the phone shop with our
what we are doing. Connecting
about my future. I am fascinated
personal details for several hours
with the ex-pat community has
by and love the latest technology.
at a time. I struggled with this.
presented a different challenge.
DUBAI SPECIAL |030