Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
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CONTENTS
"As human beings we want to connect and share encounters with people around us so community projects allow that. Sharing experiences via twitter, facebook and whatsapp is still indirect with no actual contact whereas sharing a cup of coffee in the neighbourhood mall has more charm and is special in that moment." - Davide Padoa -
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Setting Creative Benchmarks Chief Executive Officer – Design International
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World's First BNI Female Chapter in UAE Interview with President, Katie Steele, President of BNI Evergreen and Senior Financial Planner at Guardian Wealth Management
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Gadgets
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Business Accessories
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VAT in the GCC What does it mean in your Business
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Technology
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Evolving regional landscape set to impact Dubai real estate market, says Cluttons
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Line Investments at RECON MENA Interview - Marcello Larizza, Csm, Crx (Member Of Icsc And Mecsc)
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Revving it up Janice Hinson , PR Manager Audi Volkswagen Middle East FZE
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RECon MENA 2017 showcases the retail industry’s trailblazers
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Blocking Cyber Attacks
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Driving Agility Mark Langley - PMI CEO
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10 Things You Need to Know About Digital Transformation
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66
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Pure Storage in Gartner Magic Quadrant once again Positioned Furthest in Completeness of Vision
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ServiceNow Launches Intelligent Automation Engine™
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SUSE Forges New Training Partnership
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Stylishly Reimagined Abdul Rauf Razzak, Managing Director of Riveria Group
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Rose Park Hotel Al Barsha
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Pure Cruising Comfort Azimut 55 Fly
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Innovation and Dynamism CRN: 86
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Watches
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Luxury Grand Touring The all-new continental GT
Festive hampers from Mastihashop
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Mountain adventures with the Audi Q5 and SQ5
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Blueair Launches Advanced Air Purifiers for Consumers in the Middle East
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Sleek and Elegant Lines Infiniti QX30
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New age business tips for new SME’s
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Top things to do in Madrid
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1969 D LIGHT Luxury jewelry house Dhamani
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Pearl of the Adriatic Dubrovnik, Croatia
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Christmas at Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
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Building a great team
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EDITOR’S LETTER
EDITOR’S LETTER
TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR DESIGN INSIGHTS We may be a small country but in Fiji, we certainly do big things with a passion and sincerity that leaves most people around the world in wonder. Each day begins with us witnessing the first sunrise and this mentally makes us feel we are ahead of everyone else around the world.
GLOBAL REPRESENTATIVES ASIA PACIFIC:
Fozia Fareen Melbourne, Austalia
trendingbusinessinsights@outlook.com MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA:
Natasha Jasmin Dubai, UAE
trendingbusinessinsights@outlook.com EUROPE:
Leila A. Paris, France
trendingbusinessinsights@outlook.com USA:
S. Danish San Francisco, USA
trendingbusinessinsights@outlook.com
The Fijian mentality in me remains one filled with adventure and working on multiple print and online publications around the globe takes me to a different continent almost every few weeks. One thing that I notice in each city is the unique architecture and design so it was apt that we begin our journey with an Italian Designer, Davide Padoa who started his design career in Asia, is based in London and brings his designs to different parts of the world, including the Middle East. Great design combines the old and it adapts to different ideas that are always in context, relevant and has a strong message. As I get ready for new adventures, I am certainly going to pay more attention to design elements in buildings in Bologna, Milan, Taipei, Andalusian part of Spain, Istanbul which has become my second home thanks to Turkish Airlines and of course Slovenia and Croatia. Shereen Shabnam
MANAGING DIRECTOR Nishrat Nazeen EDITOR IN CHIEF Shereen Shabnam
ISSUE 1
FEATURES EDITOR Eric Richard ART DIRECTOR Verna Muerong
BUSINESS AND LIFESTYLE UPDATES (Publishing House) Registered No. RCBS2018I11862 P.O Box 126437 Nadi
Fiji Islands (t) +679 999 9913 (w) www.trendingbusinessinsights.com |4|
Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
DESIGN INTERNATIONAL w w w. d e s i g n i n t e r n a t i o n a l . c o m
‘The success lies in the ability to create an experience that is personal to each and every individual.’ Davide Padoa, CEO
SHAPING STORIES TAILORING EXPERIENCES
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MAIN INTERVIEW
SETTING CREATIVE BENCHMARKS Chief Executive Officer – Design International By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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MAIN INTERVIEW
D
avide graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Milan and finalized his architecture studies in California at the University of Pomona. After an immersive design experience in the USA and Italy, Davide moved to the U.K. and then to Indonesia, where he worked as a Design Director in one of the largest engineering and architecture practices. During that period, he lectured architecture at the Trisakty University and established an international relationship between the Indonesian and Italian governments for large regeneration projects. He returned to London in 1998, joining Design International to expand and further develop the company’s European and Asian operations. We speak to Davide about his considerable development experience and project leadership that ensures the production of remarkable architecture and commercially successful projects.
WHERE DOES YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION COME FROM AND CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE FROM A RECENT WORK DONE BY DESIGN INTERNATIONAL?
Inspiration is all around us. As an example from this region, I will touch on is our design for a new mall for Lulu Group in Silicon Oasis. The inspiration came from pebble stones I found when we first visited the mall site as the pebbles were grouped together in an interesting way. We evolved the designed from these pebbles into gigantic shapes but keeping space in between them so that they eventually became the walkable area in the mall. The stones had a round silhouette similar to river stones so nature is the key inspiration for fluid visitor flow with the sky light above the walkways. Each pebble represents an area, so for example the entertainment |8|
Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
pebble has the cinema, the gym, spa and all the leisure activities. This is the biggest pebble because this needs bigger volume for those activities. Then there is the family pebble, the F&B element and then of course the shopping pebble. There are five pebbles that shoppers can flow in between and each serves a different function.
WHAT OTHER PROJECTS HAVE YOU DESIGNED IN THIS REGION?
For the Middle East, we are working on a few retail projects for Lulu Group International based in Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Abu Dhabi.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TOWARDS ARCHITECTURE, WAS IT ALWAYS IN YOU?
As a child, I wanted to study economics and commerce and eventually become a businessman one day. As I grew older, I developed a love for mathematics and physics. Then one day after school I came across a friend crying as her family would not let her study architecture. I did not know what architecture so I explored further, became interested, went to the faculty of architecture of Milan, enrolled and five years later became an architect. I love it but I deeply love cooking too, so my first job was as a chef in a kitchen in London. Then I found a job in Indonesia as an architect and my career started very much from there in the biggest engineering and architectural practice in the country.
TELL US ABOUT DESIGN INTERNATIONAL AND YOUR GROWTH?
We tend to have a bespoke tailor – made approach for projects with 125 architects in three offices in London, Milan and Shanghai and now we are opening in Dubai as part of our plans to grow to 200 staff. We hope to expand into North America as well.
DO YOU FIND MORE DEVELOPERS ARE LOOKING FOR PRACTICAL AND MORE HOLISTIC COMMUNITY MALL PROJECTS AS PEOPLE LOOK FOR EASY ACCESS AND CONVENIENCE?
The convenience factor is always a priority and community malls reflect a natural evolution of a city that is becoming a community and is a natural evolution of cities wanting real authenticity as part of the urban experience. As human beings we want to connect and share encounters with people around us so community projects allow that. Sharing experiences via twitter, facebook and whatsapp is still indirect with no actual contact whereas sharing a cup of coffee in the neighbourhood mall has more charm and is special in that moment.
DO YOU A THINK A CITY BECOMES MORE COMFORTABLE WITH ITSELF AS A RESULT OF THE ARCHITECTURE IN IT. DO YOU FEEL LIKE DUBAI IS COMFORTABLE WITH ITSELF?
Yes, I see Dubai as a life of a person. Dubai started as a kid and it wanted toys. As it became a teenager it needed to find itself and learning to stand with confidence. The beauty about Dubai is that despite strengthening its identity as an adult, it will always remain young in spirit and continue creating different facets of its personality.
FINALLY, WHERE WILL YOUR OFFICE BE IN DUBAI?
We selected D3 as our office venue as it is a hub for creativity and and also for our regional work. The team looks forward to becoming part of the journey, contributing to the architectural landscape of the region.
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BUSINESS
WORLD'S FIRST BNI FEMALE CHAPTER IN UAE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT, KATIE STEELE, PRESIDENT OF BNI EVERGREEN AND SENIOR FINANCIAL PLANNER AT GUARDIAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
T
he BNI has chosen the UAE as the home of its first female chapter to meet the professional needs of the extraordinary number of female business-owners, leaders and professionals in the region.
With over 8,000 chapters worldwide in 73 countries, BNI aims to help members increase their business through a structured, positive and professional word-of-mouth program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals. We get some insights from President Katie Steele.
TELL US ABOUT BNI AND HOW IT CAN HELP WOMEN?
BNI not only opens doors for business opportunities, it is an environment where women support and grow together. Being in a room with inspirational women every week enables you to learn and develop on a number of levels as well as making great, long lasting friendships. Members are consistently improving confidence and I personally have overcome a fear of public speaking.
CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE NEWLY-LAUNCHED BNI EVERGREEN WOMEN'S ONLY CHAPTER?
We have women from a variety of different backgrounds and industries. We spend time together outside our weekly meetings getting to know each other’s businesses better and learning how we can help one another. We are currently performing in fourth place against all the other chapters in the region (13 in total), for performance-related referrals, lead generates and business passes, amongst other things. This is an amazing achievement for a chapter which only launched in June.
HOW MANY COUNTRIES, CHAPTERS, AND MEMBERS ARE THERE NOW FOR BNI? 4000 chapters in operation in 73 countries- over 255,000 members worldwide
HOW CAN MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM JOINING BNI?
Being a member of BNI is like having a whole team of sales people working for you. Women support each other and you build not only professional relationships, but you expand your network by making life-long friends.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU PERSONALLY GET REFERRALS FROM BNI?
I typically get about two referrals a week for my role as a Senior Financial Planner at Guardian Wealth Management.
HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED BY MEMBERS FOR MEETINGS AND NETWORKING ON AN AVERAGE?
We meet for 2 hours a week. Outside of the weekly meeting we aim to do one 1-2-1 a week. This is where you meet a fellow member to try to learn more about their business and the ideal referrals they are looking for.
GIVE US THREE KEY REASONS WHY MORE PROFESSIONALS SHOULD JOIN BNI?
1. Good, qualified referrals, which ultimately means more business generated 2. Personal skill development 3. Support/ advice and encouragement from likeminded people The members meet each week to discuss developments, learn about each other’s businesses, find referrals and introduce visitors.
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GADGETS
Nokia 8
Nokia 8 is a high performance, beautifully crafted smartphone, designed with content creators in mind. It introduces a world-first in enabling Dual-Sight video to be livestreamed natively and in realtime to social feeds such as Facebook and YouTube. It has Nokia OZO Audio, placing exclusive Hollywood technology in the palm of your hand. The Nokia 8 is 4.6mm thin at the edge and just 7.3mm slim on average, Nokia 8’s seamless unibody is precision milled from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and its pure design has been refined through a 40-stage process of machining, anodizing and polishing. Select models feature a high-gloss mirror finish that has taken over 20 hours to complete to achieve a flawless look. The phone features Qualcomm’s powerful SnapdragonTM 835 Mobile Platform and paired with the pure, secure and up to date Android experience ensures outstanding performance. Nokia 8 is Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM 3.0 compatible, meaning when your battery is running low you can get back to recording your important moments sooner. Nokia 8 will be available in four colours: Polished Blue, Polished Copper, Tempered Blue and Steel and will be available in the UAE at an average retail price of 1699 AED.
LG V30
LG Electronics (LG) introduces LG V30 which improves on the strengths of the V series phones in providing offering optimal multimedia features. The V30 features many industry innovations – the first F1.6 aperture camera lens, the first glass Crystal Clear Lens, the first OLED FullVision display, Cine Video mode for producing movie-quality videos, premium sound with advanced Hi-Fi Quad DAC, sound tuning by B&O PLAY, and Voice Recognition.
The V30 sets a new standard in the evolution of premium smartphones. For instance, Google Assistant on the LG V30 will feature unique capabilities specific to the phone. With a thickness of only 7.3mm and tipping the scale at 158g, the V30 is the lightest among smartphones in the 6-inch and comes in a sleek, integrated look and feel. The V30 with 64GB ROM will come in four beautiful elegant hues: Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet 2 while the LG V30+ with 128GB of storage will be available in limited markets.
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Xperia™ smartphones Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XA1 Plus
Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) now have two additions to its Xperia portfolio, Xperia XZ1 and its super midrange family, Xperia XA1 Plus. Xperia XZ1 incorporates the latest Motion Eye™ camera for capturing detail beyond human eye capability, new groundbreaking technology for mobile with 3D scanning, class-leading display technologies for beautiful on-screen images including HDR display, and a premium listening experience with Hi-Res Audio. It incorporates HDR (High Dynamic Range) in its 5.2” Full HD display with razor-sharp, detailed and brighter images on screen. Xperia XZ1 is water resistant , dust-proof and reinforced with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 on the display. The Xperia XA1 Plus features a 23MP camera, 5.5” Full HD display and immersive audio performance with ClearAudio+ Sony audio technology and Smart Amplifier. It comes in a rounded, sleek design with narrow borders and intuitive fingerprint sensor on the power button to give you personalised security.
Samsung Galaxy Note8 This next level Galaxy Note8 empowers consumers with a bigger Infinity Display that fits comfortably in one hand, an S Pen to communicate in more personal ways, and Samsung’s best-ever smartphone camera to capture stunning photos. The Galaxy Note8 has the biggest screen ever on a Note device, yet its narrow body makes it comfortable to hold in one hand. The 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display lets you see more and scroll less. One of the Note’s defining features the enhanced S Pen unlocks entirely new ways to write, draw, and interact with the phone and communicate with friends on the Galaxy Note8. The Galaxy Note8 is the first smartphone with two 12MP rear cameras with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on both, the wide-angle and telephoto lenses
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BUSINESS ACCESSORIES
NEW TECHNOLOGY TRENDS This issue we bring you some of our favourite gadgets to keep you digitally connected and business savy.
Merlin Digital Android Projector Lite A pocket projector that can share and mirror content from a smartphone. One can download and stream TV shows and videos from the android app.
Merlin Digital iTheatre Streaming
For complete cinema experience block all light. The Resin lenses reduce risk of dizziness and fatigue. The iTheatre can be connected to other devices via Bluetooth and Wifi. Games and apps available on Play Store. | 14 | Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
Merlin Digital Pro-Shot Gimbal
Shoot like a pro with the Pro Shot Gimbal for perfect, blur free motion images. Easy remote and joystick controls with sharpness.
Merlin Digital Procam Lite
Apt for ultra-HD images with a 16 MP 4K camera the Procam Lite has a waterproof case for bad weather. Smooth i-control makes recording easier with a storage capacity of 32 GB. It can be connected through Android and iOS app for sharing.
Merlin Digital Ridge VR
With Octa-Core processor, two full HD displays and 360 degree motion tracking, the Ridge VR gives the ultimate experience of another world.
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VAT BANKING & FINANCE
IN THE GCC WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN YOUR BUSINESS By Aaron White Regional Director for Sage Middle East
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O
n 1 January 2018, value-added tax (VAT) will come into effect for the first time in United Arab Emirates. Naturally, small businesses are concerned about the financial and operational impacts of VAT compliance, especially since they’re used to operating in a low-tax business environment. While there will be implications for systems, infrastructure, skills and training, there are a number of benefits to the new tax system on businesses and the economy.
ECONOMIC PRESSURES
But first, let’s take a step back to understand why VAT is being implemented in the first place. For decades, the economies of the GCC countries have benefitted from high oil prices. However, a drop in demand, increased global competition, and a substantial decrease in the price of crude oil per barrel – from a peak of $147 in 2008 to about $50 today – has forced GCC countries to look for other sources of revenue to diversify their economies and remain globally competitive. VAT is one such revenue source, and because tax is an unfamiliar topic in the GCC, you might have some questions about how it will impact your Small & Medium Business.
WHAT IS VAT?
(or the equivalent in other GCC states), you will be obliged to register as a VAT vendor. If you generate 50% of this threshold, you can voluntarily register for VAT, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The important thing to note is that VAT is not a business expense but a cost that is ultimately passed on to the end-consumer when they buy a product. Businesses act as the 'collection agents', collecting the tax on behalf of the government. In this way, they are helping to make the economy more prosperous and efficient. However, there will likely be indirect costs associated with becoming compliant, which will affect many areas of your business, including pricing, cashflow, financial reporting, tax accounting, supply chain and compliance processes. The cost of non-compliance could be even greater. Penalties are set at a minimum of Dhs 500 up to five times the amount of VAT that would have been payable for the period in question. At 5% VAT, this puts your maximum risk at 25% of tunrover.
HOW CAN I BECOME VAT COMPLIANT?
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to invest in an accounting solution that streamlines the VAT collection, record-keeping and reporting processes, and that automates the production of VAT invoices in Arabic.
VAT is a tax on the consumption of goods and services and has been set at 5% across GCC countries. This rate is among the lowest in the world, with some countries charging VAT of more than 20%.
While you have until 1 January 2018 to be fully compliant, full transition can take between nine and 12 months so, if you haven’t yet, you should activate your VAT implementation plans as soon as possible.
VAT is levied at each stage of the supply chain, from the manufacturer, to the wholesaler, to the retailer, taxing the ‘value added’ by businesses at each point in the chain. For example, raw cotton becomes more valuable as it moves along the supply chain to eventually be manufactured into a T-shirt, or the end-product.
Businesses that need to be VAT compliant should work through a detailed impact assessment with a trusted business partner like Sage to guide them through the implementation and operations phases. We have already started engaging and educating our channel partners on VAT requirements so that they can help their customers to avoid penalties.
Certain sectors will be exempt from paying VAT, such as healthcare, education, certain foods, some type of real estate transactions and local transport, but these may differ between member countries. Export of goods outside the GCC will be zero-rated, which means exporters can claim a tax refund.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF VAT? VAT is an efficient and transparent way for governments to increase revenue – the IMF predicts that GCC states can boost GDP by 1.5% with the implementation of VAT. This will help GCC states to diversify their economies away from oil and to continue delivering on their public service mandates.
An effective VAT system relies on shared responsibility between governments, businesses and consumers. The additional revenue will go a long way to maintaining effective public services and positioning GCC countries as globally competitive nations with truly diversified economies. While it may be daunting initially, preparing your systems for VAT collection and payment to governments needn’t be a massive or expensive undertaking. More than 150 countries have VAT systems in place - by partnering with a solution provider that has experience in these markets, you’ll be taking a smart first step to becoming compliant.
HOW WILL VAT AFFECT MY BUSINESS? If your business has an annual turnover of Dhs 375,000
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technology
Impressed with
GENERAL MOBILE’S GM6 By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
A
fter trying to back up nearly 30,000 images on my phone, I was naturally frustrated when a fellow journalist recommended I try one of the new models from General Mobile.
I was skeptical but once I heard that General Mobile was Google’s Android One partner I went along to the grand launch at the H Hotel in Dubai to see if I could indeed find a better and simpler way to take thousands of pictures and have a better storage plan online. At the launch, General Mobile has introduced three Android One models, the “GM 5”, ‘’GM 5 Plus’’ and “GM 6” and partnered with Muller & Phipps Middle East to launch the Android One smartphones developed by Google. As a committed partner of Google's Android One initiative, General Mobile has ensured the strongest user experience since its launch with an even more improved the user experience with their latest offering, the GM6. I tried the GM6 and found the size, the weight and the camera resolution just perfect for my needs. The 13-megapixel camera on the rear, and the 8-megapixel front camera proved sufficient to get images for both my print and online titles. GM 6 is powered by 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737T processor and it comes with 3GB of RAM. The phone packs 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via a microSD card. General Mobile supplies smartphones across 31 different countries. In the UAE, they have selected Muller & Phipps Middle East to lead the sales of all General Mobile products.
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HUAWEI’S
C
ultimate gift guide
oming up with great gift ideas for your favorite people can be tough, and it’s especially daunting when it comes to gifting your loved ones with their most important gadgets. Luckily, Huawei’s got you covered with its latest lineup of devices this holiday season. Huawei devices make thoughtful presents because in addition to being feature rich, they are also aesthetically pleasing with fine craftsmanship and stunning designs.
edges, the Mate 10 Pro is sought-after for its exclusive feel. It's also the phone everyone's been coveting after it caught the limelight at Arab Fashion Week in Dubai earlier this year with its intelligent speed, intelligent power and intelligent camera. The event's official photos were shot with the Mate 10 Pro, replacing traditional bulky photography equipment. The AI-powered camera, which automatically adapts and adjusts its settings, is likened to having a portable professional photography studio in your pocket.
FOR THE ACTION LOVER
FOR THE LUXURY DRIVEN
If you're looking for the perfect gift your loved ones will cherish everyday, the HUAWEI Mate 10 is the most intelligent choice. The world’s most powerful flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI) smartphone, the Mate 10 is ideal for both expert and novice users, offering an unbeatable combination of intelligent speed, power and camera performance. The intelligent camera automatically adjusts and chooses settings to help users take better photographs in a range of different environments. Whether it’s children running, a winning goal or dance moves, the Mate 10's AI Motion Detection makes it the ultimate device to capture those memorable action moments.
FOR THE STYLE OBSESSED
Unwrapping the most powerful flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI) smartphone would make anyone feel special, but especially your style-obsessed loved ones who are all about making a statement. With a dazzling, barely-there-bezel design and beautifully curved
For those looking for a festive gift that epitomizes the elite lifestyle with a premium look and feel, PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate 10 features a distinguished Porsche racetrack stripes design to show off its speed heritage. The limited edition model is driven by intelligent performance - intelligent speed, intelligent power and an intelligent camera. The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate 10 is the most powerful Mate Series smartphone, with a 6GB RAM + 256GB ROM storage solution that maximizes performance. Also the best in class device boasts a customized User Interface that complements the overall design to showcase the unique sense of speed and customization of Porsche Design. PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate 10 is delivered in special premium packaging with exclusive accessories and VIP member services.
Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 19 |
PROPERTY
EVOLVING REGIONAL LANDSCAPE SET TO IMPACT DUBAI REAL ESTATE MARKET, SAYS CLUTTONS Dubai government’s affordable housing initiative a watershed moment
R
ecent geopolitical developments on the regional front and new residential legislation in Dubai are both likely to impact the emirate’s property market, according to leading international real estate consultancy, Cluttons.
Cluttons’ Dubai Winter 2017 Property Market Outlook reports the geopolitical changes across the region are set to draw attention to the UAE and Dubai, in particular, from regional investors seeking an investment safe haven. The report also welcomes the Dubai government’s recently announced plans to legislate, through planning, the provision of affordable homes in some of Dubai’s core locations. Faisal Durrani, Head of Research at Cluttons said, “Overall market conditions in the emirate have been relatively healthy. Going forward, we see regional developments and local legislation playing a big part in Dubai’s property market. We believe that Dubai Government’s initiative to focus on affordable housing is extremely positive and is a watershed moment for the emirate. The change will help Dubai avoid some of the lessons learned by more developed cities around the world, especially with regards to curtailing the emergence of poorly connected, low income neighbourhoods that are segregated from the rest of the city, as is the case in many other global metropoles. “While exact details around the legislation are yet to be confirmed, we expect to see a balanced approach between the presumed establishment of quotas around the provision of affordable housing that is both built-to-rent and built-to-sell, so that both aspiring buyers and tenants, priced out of city centre locations, can benefit.”
RESIDENTIAL MARKET
Overall, residential prices slipped by 1.9% in the three months to the end of September, following on from the 1.5% drop in Q2. The annual rate of change at the end of Q3 stood at -5.6%. Villa values experienced their weakest performance in almost two years, with prices falling by 2.8% in the three months to the end of September. Apartment values on the other hand experienced a drop of 1.3% on average, taking the change during the first nine months of the year to
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-5.5%. No submarket registered growth during Q3. The weakest performing market was Jumeirah Village, where villas registered a 12.3% decrease in average capital values to AED 833 psf, from AED 950 psf during Q2. This was followed by apartments at the Green Community in DIP (-8.2%), where prices declined to AED 817 psf. The Arabian Ranches (-7.3%) rounded off the list of the top three weakest performers across Dubai’s freehold areas during Q3. Murray Strang, Head of Cluttons Dubai, noted, “These markets, in particular, have faced competition from surrounding developments that are newer, cheaper and often more affordable, especially for those looking for rental options. Arabian Ranches has faced stiff competition from nearby Nshama, while Al Furjan and the second phase of units at DIP have improved the amount of choice for wouldbe buyers and investors in the Jebel Ali area.” Transaction volumes remained relatively stable, with the number of deals during the first nine months of the year standing 4.6% higher than the same period last year. The volume of villa transactions however slipped by 1.6% over the same period to 874 deals between January and September 2017. The supply pipeline on the other hand continued to strengthen, with nearly 30,000 units announced during the three days of Cityscape Global in September, the report highlights. Durrani added, “Overall, we expect 79,738 units in total to be completed over the next three years. The corresponding growth in population, which usually averages 5% per year, should see a further 441,000 new people added to the city. According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, the average household size in the emirate is 4.2 family members, which would translate into demand of roughly 105,000 units over the next three years. While it may appear that supply and demand are well matched, particularly as 30% to 40% of the announced supply is likely to be delayed, or rephased, as has been the case historically, our concern remains centred on the fact that the vast majority of planned supply is designed to cater to the high-earning segment of the population.”
OFFICE MARKET
The Cluttons Dubai Winter 2017 Property Market Outlook reports the office market has remained very stable, with 13 submarkets monitored seeing no movement in headline upper limit rents during the last year. Paula Walshe, Head of Corporate International Services said,, “Dubai’s office market has been far more resilient than its regional peers, owing to the diverse nature of occupiers, which of course is linked to the emirate’s heavily diversified economy. With the market remaining fragmented and the impending introduction of VAT, office rental rates have held up reasonably well in many submarkets.” According to the report, outside DIFC owned stock, beyond core DIFC buildings, rents have shown some weakness, although where vacancy rates are sub 5%, they have held up reasonably well. “We expect the completion of Gate Avenue in spring 2018 to enhance the attractiveness of many of the more competitively priced peripheral buildings which will now be connected into the amenities around the DIFC core. This has prompted developers to move forward with plans to bring forward new space, such as the USD 1 billion ICD Brookfield Place, which is due to complete in roughly 18 months’ time. The building is positioning itself as the next generation Emirates Towers, offering unrivalled amenities and facilities that are
expected to aid its pre-letting”, added Walshe. The technology-media-telecoms (TMT) sector remained amongst the most active, the report highlighted. The depth of demand from the TMT sector has also prompted the Government to announce plans for an AED 2.7 billion e-commerce free zone, Dubai CommerCity, designed to capitalise on the region’s e-commerce industry. Strang said, “The recent AED 280 million sale of The Edge building in TECOM to Emirates REIT showcases the appetite amongst investors for assets occupied by this ever-expanding sector of the economy. The 92,000 sq ft, G+6 building is home to Oracle, Snapchat and McGraw Hill; a very strong, internationally attractive proposition.” Cluttons believes the resilience showcased by Dubai’s office market will persist as the end of 2017 approaches. 2018 is also expected to be another stable year for the city’s office market, for the most part, with any declines likely to be contained at 4% to 5% at most. Strang concluded, “The main upside risk for the market remains the impact of the Expo 2020 and the potential of the mega event to create fresh demand for office space as companies expand, or set up shop in greater numbers across the emirate to help deliver the ambitious construction and infrastructure projects in the run up to the event”.
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MANAGEMENT
LINE INVESTMENTS AT RECON MENA
Interview - Marcello Larizza, Csm, Crx (Member Of Icsc And Mecsc)
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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e meet with Italian born Marcello Larizza, currently working with Line Investments & Property LLC at the RECON MENA 2017. Marcello has over 20 years experience in the Shopping Center Industry conducting feasibility studies, developing, launching and managing Shopping Malls, Factory Outlet Villages and Airports with leading property developers and owners in Europe and Middle East. His expertise lies in the area of Development, Leasing and Management with a deep knowledge in Shopping Mall start-up phase. Marcello’s current scope of work as General Manager sees him in charge of the development of 3 new malls – in Silicon Oasis, Sharjah and in UAQ. He tells us more on the latest Line Investments projects.
LET US KNOW ABOUT LINE INVESTMENTS & PROPERTY AND YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH RECON?
Line Investments & Property L.L.C, a shopping mall and mixed-use development and management division of the Abu Dhabi based Lulu Group International oversees the operations of an impressive line-up of malls in the Middle East Countries. We take projects from concept stage, sourcing strategic locations, development, marketing as well as management of the projects in their portfolio, offering full 360 degree retail solutions. We have been part of Recon for a few years now and it is a great place for us to network.
WHICH OF YOUR PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
The Mall of Umm Al Quwain is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018. The construction contract for the mall in Sharjah has been awarded to Al Qabda Global Building Contracting and the work has started this year and we expect the project to be ready in 2019.
WHICH PROJECTS WILL YOU BE HIGHLIGHTING THIS YEAR AT RECON MIDDLE EAST? Yes, we will be highlighting the Mall in Sharjah, Mall of Umm Al Quwain and the Mall in Silicon Oasis.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE MALL OF UMM AL QUWAIN?
Eighty percent of Mall of Umm Al Quwain is leased and set to change the retail landscape of the Emirate with a variety of retail outlets, coffee shops and a food court with different dining options. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE MALL IN SILICON OASIS?
It is designed as a premium retail and leisure destination with a comprehensive retail mix, ample parking spaces and is a one-stop solution to service the needs of the neighborhood patrons. The primary trade area includes a selection of several affluent residential communities like Nad Al Shiba, the villa, Al Barari, Warqaa 2-5, Arabian ranches, and extends to most of Dubai and Sharjah due to its location on the intersection of Dubai’s two main arteries (MBZ & Dubai-Al Ain road). It offers a diverse range of dining options with casual dining restaurants and Cafes in addition to the food court.
ARE THERE ANY UPDATES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY MALL IN SHARJAH?
The Mall in Sharjah offers a premium F&B, leisure and entertainment experience with a Hypermarket, Department store, a cinema plus a Family Entertainment Centre. The most unique feature will be the food street experience that along with the cinema and Family Entertainment Centre will become a leisure destination for Sharjah community. We will have over 1,800 parking spaces to support the project.
HOW MUCH RETAIL GLA DO WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU IN TERMS OF CONFIRMED PROJECTS?
This year we are announcing 145,502 GLA for the UAE – naturally this will change when we get new projects in 2018 under our portfolio
HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN FROM POTENTIAL RETAILERS TO THE COMMUNITY MALLS?
The next mall we will be opening in Umm Al Quwain has had great response hence the huge demand from retailers leading to almost all the spaces being confirmed. We are shortly finalising the leasing areas the other upcoming malls.
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MANAGEMENT
REVVING IT UP
Janice Hinson , PR Manager Audi Volkswagen Middle East FZE
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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very visit to the Audi Volkswagen Middle East FZE office brightens our day with the smiling and charming disposition of the female power behind the brand success of Audi in the form of Janice Hinson.
Janice supports the growing Audi team in the Middle East as the brand posts one successful milestone after another with multiple car launches each year, impressive sales records and the increased demand for the brand. An Automotive aficionado throughout her career in the motoring industry, Janice speaks about Audi’s efficient drivetrains, high-end infotainment and driver assistance systems with as much ease as the brands marketing initiatives in the region. We bring you some insights from Janice through an interview recently.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH CARS AND HOW DID IT ALL START? My love of cars probably started with films such as ‘The Italian Job’. It was one the first films I saw and is still is an iconic film that I love. My first car was a very old, beaten, up mini, but as soon as I had enough money, I upgraded to a limited edition mini ‘Italian job’ and then my love affair with cars was made!
HOW DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK WHEN YOU GET UP?
It starts with an early morning yoga to balance my mind and my flexibility, then to the office by 8.30am. My day is never the same from then on. I am either in meetings, meeting the media, writing releases and presentations and organising or running events. The day finishes about 6.30, then it’s home, to the gym, or out for dinner.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR CAREER? I am very fortunate and there are so many for different reasons – I don’t value any one above another. My most memorable experience will happen tomorrow – the future is more important than yesterday.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IF ANY IN YOUR DAY TO DAY JOB?
In PR, everything is immediate and global. We have to be proactive, not only locally but internationally. Social media engagement is another dimension and audience. The automotive world is changing and it is exciting to be part of that change but it is also about learning and being ready to be part of the new digital world.
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, WOULD BE THE MOST VALUABLE AND USEFUL ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUR TEAM? Communication is everything. Speak your mind and have the courage to be wrong sometimes. Learn and be confident. But most of all, laugh and enjoy what you do. A happy team, who work hard and play hard are the best achievers.
WHAT ARE THE IMPROVEMENTS AND/ PLANS ARE IN PROCESS THAT MAKES YOU EXCITED AT AUDI?
The future of Autonomous cars is what is making me excited right now. Audi has been developing this technology for many years and the opportunities or the future are fascinating. With autonomous driving, there will literally be an extra hour in the day for many people to enjoy their lives. As a lover of driving, I am still going to enjoy my hands on the wheel, but I see real benefits in having the flexibility to enjoy autonomous driving in my Audi too.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING HAPPENING IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?
Smart cities and Urban Mobility Solutions are topics that really interest me. Technology will not only provide the best safety and road assist systems in the car but will enable us to connect seamlessly to find local restaurants and places of interest as well as park our cars for us.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MODEL IN THE AUDI FLEET? The Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder…. No question.. I am totally in love.
ANY WORDS OF WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE READERS? I would
not call myself wise, but what makes me better is my energy, enthusiasm and passion in what I do. If you commit 110% to your objective – it will happen.
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RETAIL
RECON MENA 2017 SHOWCASES THE RETAIL INDUSTRY’S TRAILBLAZERS Recon MENA is the longest running conference in the region – starting from 29th until 31st October at the Ritz Carlton Hotel DIFC, Dubai, UAE
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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he Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC) in association with the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) & Dubai Association Centre (DAC) present RECon MENA 2017 starting from 29th until the 31st of October at the Ritz Carlton Hotel - DIFC in Dubai, UAE. RECon MENA 2017 is aptly themed “Reinvention” in line with the shopping centre and retail industry which are continuously changing and evolving, driven by a new, dynamic, global transformation providing service, connectivity and convenience for customers. David Macadam, CEO, MECSC says, “One of the reasons that RECon has been running successfully for Twenty three years is due to the line up of speakers that we hand pick from all over the world, we methodically select influencers, change makers and thinkers that
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are reinventing the shopping mall & retail business on a global level. This year is no different and we are proud to introduce speakers like Kate Sweetman, Ali Al Saloom, Herculano Rodrigues, Darren Katz to name a few that will be taking the stage this year.” RECon MENA 2017 begins on 29th of October with a morning workshop on “The Art & Science of making great places and compelling customer experiences” by Gilbert Rochecouste (MD of Village Well). The afternoon session will be led by Chairman of the ICSC Global Design & Development Viva Awards Jury - Phil McArthur on “Global Shopping Centre Design and Development Trends”. The evening will conclude with a welcome reception at the Sunken Garden in Ritz Carlton Hotel DIFC.
RECon MENA 2017 Schedule: Day 1: Oct 29th (10 am to 4 pm) Pre- Conference Masterclasses on RECon MENA Design Summit 2017, and The Art & Science of Making Great Places and Compelling Customer Experiences – Sahaab Meeting Rooms, Ritz Carlton DIFC (6:00pm till 8:00pm) Welcome Reception – Sunken Garden at the Ritz Carlton DIFC Day 2: Oct 30th (9:00am until 3:30pm) Conference, Exhibition, Networking & Deal Making Sessions– Ritz-Carlton DIFC Hotel Samaya Ballroom Day 3: Oct 31st (9:00am until 3:00 pm) Conference, Exhibition, Networking & Deal Making Sessions– Ritz-Carlton DIFC Hotel Samaya Ballroom (6:00pm) – Cocktail Reception (7:00pm) – ICSC Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner
On 30th of October, the first day of the conference David Macadam (CEO of MECSC), Marwan Eskandarani (MECSC Board President) & Tom McGee (CEO of ICSC) will be welcoming the delegates of RECon 2017 and kicking off the start of the Conference, the speech will be followed by Kate Sweetman, Co-Author of Reinvention and an experienced leadership consultant, educator, author, editor and speaker. Kate will be followed by an education panel discussion with Maimunah Shebani, Gilbert Rochecouste, Mohammad Alawi, Prakash Menon & Ravi Raman. The day will conclude with Keynote address by Ali Al Saloom, an author, cultural consultant, professional speaker, TV show host (Ask Ali) and one of the fastest rising media starts of the Gulf, who will take us on a journey to always Think Quality. The final day of the Conference, 31st of October will commence with a welcome address by Kenneth Bernstein (Chairman of ICSC
and President & CEO of Acadia Realty Trust NY). Followed by a Keynote speech by Herculano Rodrigues (Associate Director of Javelin Group part of Accenture Strategy, London) who will highlight The Future of Retail – How to Create a Customer Centric ‘Living Business’. Taking the stage next will be Darren Katz, (Managing Director of Excellerate Brand Management), with his keynote address about understanding shoppers and what motivates them for retail success. The day will progress with a panel discussion on “Current Trends in F&B and its role in new real estate developments” with Mario Bauer (Executive Board Member of Vapiano SE), and Georgy John (Executive Vice President of Gastronomca Middle East). This will be followed by “The Benefits of integrating placemaking in to shopping centres” by Gilbert Rochecouste (MD Village Well). RECon Conference will conclude with the ICSC Cocktail Reception, ICSC MENA Awards & Gala Dinner – a celebration of Shopping Centre and Retail Industry achievements and great success. Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 27 |
fortinet
BLOCKING CYBER ATTACKS | 28 | Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
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recent survey by Fortinet revealed that almost half of the IT decision makers at 250+ employee organizations in the Middle East believe that cybersecurity is still not a significant priority for board members despite high profile cyberattacks continuing to occur according to findings of Fortinet’s latest Global Enterprise Security Survey. The research also highlights that many IT professionals believe that the transition to the cloud as part of their organizations’ digital transformation will in turn make security a growing priority. We ventured into Nice in France recently to meet with Simon Bryden, a consulting systems engineer at Fortinet who represents FortiGuard labs across the EMEA region and promotes Fortinet's threat intelligence capability both internally, and to customers and partners. In a candid interview, Simon talks to us about major IT security threats faced by enterprises and individuals in the Middle East.
1. CYBER ATTACKS ARE GETTING MORE COMPLEX AND OFTEN HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT LEADING TO MORE ORGANISATIONS AFFECTED UNLESS THE CHAIN IS BROKEN AT AN EARLY STAGE. WHAT STEPS CAN ORGANISATIONS TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?
If you go back three years ago, the big thing was banking mobile. The people were getting attacked by banking mobile, credential stealing and the PC would be infected and the credentials would be stolen and money will be taken from the bank account. How do you protect yourself from this? A lot of people have over the last few years become very much more aware how to recognize an authentic email and spam. Enterprises have a program to train people to recognize scam email and awareness of the security has improved a lot. I think the most important thing that the organization can do today is to take precautions, have back ups and identify ways to protect data.
2. FORTINET IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ADDRESS THE IOT SECURITY CHALLENGES. WHAT STEPS CAN ENTERPRISES TAKE TO LEARN, SEGMENT AND PROTECT THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST IOT THREATS?
There are a couple of things. If you are an individual and you want to put a camera outside your house so that from the office you can see if there is anyone in your house, you can get a security alert. There are two types of devices – one from outside of your home you can connect directly to and there are devices that you do not actually connect to the device but you connect to cloud servers. So in the case of the camera, sometimes you are connecting directly to the camera and sometimes you are connecting to your cloud servers it will show you your images from and camera and your camera is sending in to the same cloud services. That model is much more secure because you are actually protected by your DSL connecting provider. Customers around the globe are selecting the breadth of IoT solutions in Fortinet’s Security Fabric to secure their complex networks and endpoint devices, from manufacturing, natural resources, and aviation to government organizations. Fortinet also demonstrates its continued commitment to innovation in IoT with its expanded portfolio of patents on IoT security.
Simon Bryden, Consulting Systems Engineer, Fortinet 3. FORTINET SECURITY FABRIC PROVIDES END-TO-END SECURITY ARCHITECTURE TO ORGANISATIONS THROUGH A SINGLE MANAGEMENT INTERFACE. HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO THIS SOLUTION?
I think the important thing to know about the security fabric is that it allows us to focus internally. So knowing about the security fabric is all about this idea that we have all of these products and the different products talk to each other. We have a lot of communication between different products and so the idea is to formalized that into something that whenever we look at a product now, we are constantly thinking, what information does this product have that could be shared with another product or another service. Today I am buying a security system to handle my anti-virus, and another security product to manage my mail, and another one manage my web service and in fact you end up just and more in complex network by having more devices to keep updated, more devices to renew your subscriptions and it becomes very tricky. So the security fabric is not just about the management but also about keeping everything safe. Fortinet is producing new products and they seem to be connecting the existing products together. So that's the security fabric given the complexity of our network and a big chunk of that complexity is the security.
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INDUSTRY By Shereen Shabnam International Writer
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usinesses with high agility recognise that while technical skills are essential to meet the challenges of today’s global work environments, developing soft skills and business knowledge is just as important to support an organisations long-term strategic objectives. We meet with Mark Langlel of PMI to find out more.
WHAT STEPS DOES PMI TAKE TO PROMOTE ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AMONG PROFESSIONALS?
There are really three key areas that we advocate for the professionals and the value of project management with organizations. The focus of our thought leadership program is to generate the research necessary to identify trends and practices that aim for success in organizations and we have been doing that since 2012. The other two areas are the public and private sector. So we have government relations function that advocates to governments around the value and the need to implement formal project management and then we have a similar group that focuses on private sector organizations. We help them understand what they need to do to be successful.
DRIVING
AGILITY
Mark Langley - PMI CEO
HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE POSITIVE CHANGE IN BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND PROJECT DELIVERY? I think there is a realization for most organizations eventually that they do not do projects to programs because they are enamored with them. They do them because they want to achieve something.
So our focus there is what are the benefits that the private sector wants or in terms of whatever their focus is whether it is profitability or it is shared depending of the type of private sector. And in the public sector it is around value for money. It is about how can I more efficiently spend the public sector money to deliver value in the community and in the society. The other key part is with leaders and both government and industry is having them recognize that no matter how grand the innovation and strategy they developed, in order to achieve that, they have to have the capabilities. We help them make the connection between the strategy
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that they developed and implementation of that strategy. And that comes through the projects and programs because we know as an Institute that all strategic change happens in projects and programs. And if you cannot develop a mature function in our profession or rather in an organization to deliver that strategic change, you are leaving your success strategically to chance.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME STATISTICS ON ORGANIZATIONS WITH HIGH AGILITY AND WHY THEY WORK BETTER?
We define what we call champion organizations. These are 80 percent or more on time, on budget key business intent and have good benefit through organization maturity. And low performers or under performers are under 60 percent. So the difference on those two groups is that an under performer waits 28 times more than a champion performer in the research. When we talk about organization agility, which is really around developing a capability to respond rapidly to opportunities or changing market conditions, the organizations with high agility are better in few things. One is they understand that the people in process drivers are necessary so they are more likely to have incorporated skills development in the people side and skills development around the broad set of practices. So they do not have only a one way method to accomplish something, They have actually brought in multiple methods that can be customized to the type of project to program.
WHAT FACTORS HELP WITH INCREASING AGILITY AND DISCIPLINE IN COST AND CONTROL?
In our agility study in 2015, we identified the top 10 practices that the organizations with high agility used, so they include things like shorter review in decision cycles so if you want to move rapidly, it is not just the project that has to change. The organization has to provide the approvals. And in terms of controlling costs, things like Risk management and change management are two practices that are in the top 10 for organizations of high agility.
The better you are risk management, the more standardized you are into risk management. The more standardized you are in change management, the more rapidly you can take advantage of opportunities or respond to challenges such as cost overruns or the things that are causing cost overruns depending on the project.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR KEY TAKE HOME MESSAGE FOR THIS CONFERENCE?
The first I would say is balance, organizations have to find a balance so if you ask any executive if they want to be agile, they would likely say yes because agile sounds better than slow. But how you do that you cannot declare you are going do everything agile - you have to balance flexibility, stability with the balance of risk with speed and that is important. The second is they find a broad value delivery landscape. They use multiple methods I mentioned earlier so they more likely to integrate either of the practices with traditional practices so they have the right blend or mix in terms of how they deliver these major programs. And again it sounds very easy but it is takes some discipline and maturity to be able to do that effectively.
A LOT COMPANIES USE BACK END SOLUTIONS TO MAKE THEIR MANAGEMENT PROCESSES EASIER. HOW IS THIS HELPING THE PROFESSIONALS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAMS TODAY? One of the things we used in the past ten years show that project management systems were alongside of enterprise systems. Major software today however are integrating these existing systems into Enterprise solutions.
We are seeing project management systems use tools that are tied more directly to enterprise systems and the availability of the project data makes things easier.
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IT
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION By Sabby Gill Executive Vice President, International, Epicor Software
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igital transformation isn’t just a phase or a buzzword. Business leaders are now fast waking up to the important role technology is set to play in their growth strategies, with the latest report from Gartner showing a rise in the number of CEOs ranking IT as a priority–“The IT-related area rose from 19% mentioning it as a priority for 2016/2017 to 31% in 2017/2018.” The recent explosion of connected devices and platforms, for example, has made it imperative for companies to quickly adapt their products, services and processes, and move towards the digital world. This, naturally, requires transformation of some kind. However, the reality is that digital transformation will require some tough choices to ensure your business isn’t dragged along or left behind. But we all know that change is not easy. You might be thinking how do you start transforming? Does it have to cost lots of money? Or perhaps you’re experiencing resistance to change. What’s the problem with doing things the ‘old’ way anyway? Here are ten considerations that that will help companies on their digital transformation journey.
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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WILL CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS, BUT FOCUSSING ON THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CHANGE IS KEY
New digital technologies should be seen as an enabler for better, more seamless and streamlined business operations that make your business competitive–driving growth. Focusing on where digital transformation can deliver the most benefits and add the most value in your quest for growth should be where you begin the change process.
TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT IS CRUCIAL TO GROWTH BUT JUST BECAUSE THE TECHNOLOGY IS NEW, DOESN’T MEAN IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Sometimes less is more. The right use of technology can radically improve your business, but the deployment of technology for technology’s sake can be self-defeating. Being open to the transformative impact of new technologies is the most important consideration for companies around the world.
CONSIDER WHERE YOUR COMPANY IS ON ITS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
Growing your technology platform doesn’t necessarily mean your business will grow too. Sometimes it’s better to have fewer solutions than more, but it can be challenging for business managers to keep on top of the latest tech trends and new solutions being launched in the market.
Many competing technologies profess to drive digital transformation, however, the utility of solutions depend on the stage your company is at in the transformation journey. From mobile sales and field services, to wireless sales counters and warehouses, to advanced inventory management–different solutions provide new ways to reduce costs, improve the customer experience, and improve the bottom line.
NOT EVERYONE IN YOUR COMPANY WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Society and technology are changing more quickly than most companies can adapt. From enterprise resource planning (ERP) to cloud computing, new tools, platforms, and channels are creating unprecedented opportunities to connect with customers and improve internal processes—but only for the businesses agile enough to transform and adapt to these new digital realities. Even so, there’s no single roadmap for digital transformation and the path is different for every company and industry. However, there must be attempts to get employee buy-in from the start. This requires a commitment to digital technology from the boardroom to all levels of staff. You should have leaders with the right mind-set and motivation to lead the digital transformation process.
IT’S NO GOOD HAVING DATA IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
Firms that undergo a true digital transformation programme put data and information at the heart of their technology focused business models. Many are shocked to see just how much information they had but were not utilising properly. The new data landscape provides you with unique opportunities to turn data into insights–the fuel for any digital transformation journey–with real-time updates providing opportunities for better business decision making. In fact, Forrester Research has found that more than 70% of decisionmakers report planned or current initiatives to encourage more datadriven decisions, making unlocking the value of integrated business data critical to success in today’s modern distribution marketplace.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WON’T GROW YOUR PROFITS OVERNIGHT – EMBRACE CHANGE AS PART OF A WIDER GROWTH STRATEGY WITH MEASURABLE GOALS
Change is a constant in today’s dynamic marketplace, but it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve in a short time. A recent survey we sponsored, highlighted how high-growth companies embrace change. Seventy-six per cent of high-growth companies prefer constant innovation to business stability, while only 49% of low-growth companies do so. In an age where innovation is driven by rising customer expectations, growing companies have distinct short-term goals that embrace innovation and business change as part of a wider transformation journey for growth.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SHOULD MAKE YOUR BUSINESS MORE ADAPTABLE BUT IT WON’T MAKE YOU IMMUNE TO COMPETITION It has never been more important for business leaders to carry the
torch for digital transformation, but the most important factor is making sure digital potential is translated into competitive advantage. This requires top executives to champion the deployment of flexible, digital technologies that change the way they engage with their customers. As Gartner rightly states, “technology shapes business strategy, but market, political and financial factors prevail.” Nevertheless, embracing the right technology brings people together, allows businesses to land and expand into new geographic locations with minimum resources, and makes the product development lifecycle more responsive to consumer demand than ever before.
IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS To begin digital transformation, you need to look at your business from the inside out–consider the tools and systems you use, what works well, what doesn’t and ways these can be improved. But when technology is heralded above all else, there becomes an even greater disconnect between employees and the challenges that their business is trying to solve.
There might be isolated investments that are doing very well, but they’re still isolated. New solutions must be an enabler aligned with a bigger mission–to evolve internal processes, structure and culture, or to match the evolution in customers’ behaviour. Consider how you communicate both internally and externally, the strengths and weaknesses of your staff and if their skills are fit for purpose. Do you need staff with more digital skills and will you need to recruit them throughout the process?
YOUR CUSTOMERS DON’T THINK ABOUT YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, BUT THEY DO EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN
The digital trends that are impacting every part of business operations will not slow down, and it’s the same playing field for all of your competitors, and every start-up that's gunning for a piece of your world. Your customers expect that you are embracing digital transformation because they are doing so, and they need you to join them on the journey.
YOU CAN TALK THE TALK, BUT MAKE SURE YOU WALK THE WALK
To make digital transformation happen, high-growth companies don’t just pay lip service to ideas such as new technology and innovation– they back them up with investment. The growth survey we did, found that in the coming year, 88% of high-growth companies are planning significant investments in technology and innovation, while only 49% of slow-growth companies are doing so. Digital transformation is different for every business. While some manufacturers will have more challenges than others, and while some will also embrace more technologies than others, being aware of the ten considerations above will be helpful to every business that is embarking–or has already embarked on–this journey.
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IT
PURE STORAGE IN GARTNER MAGIC QUADRANT ONCE AGAIN Positioned Furthest in Completeness of Vision
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The joint FlashStack solution has thousands of deployments in more than 30 countries and continues to have triple digit growth year over year
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ure Storage (NYSE: PSTG), the market’s leading independent all-flash data platform vendor for the cloud era, has announced that it has improved its position within the Leaders Quadrant of the Gartner’ July 2017 Magic Quadrant for Solid State Arrays (SSAs) by Gartner, Inc., a leading global research firm. For the fourth consecutive year, Pure Storage is positioned furthest along the “Completeness of Vision” axis in the Leaders Quadrant.
Scott Dietzen, CEO, Pure Storage
In the past year, Pure Storage has continued to innovate at a breakneck pace. In October 2016, Pure Storage introduced a petabyte-scale configuration of its flagship FlashArray//M family and significantly expanded its collaboration with Cisco to enhance the companies’ joint FlashStack converged infrastructure platform. Cisco and Pure Storage have developed Cisco Validated Designs for FlashStack that include Citrix, Commvault, Oracle, SAP and VMware. The joint FlashStack solution has thousands of deployments in more than 30 countries and continues to have triple digit growth year over year. FlashStack customers span industries including retail, healthcare, education, financial services and service providers. Notable customers include Room & Board, Dominos, Texas Children’s Hospital and Secure-24. “Cisco and Pure Storage continue to drive innovation that delivers a unique combination of performance, simplicity, and efficiency for data center infrastructure,” said Nirav Sheth, VP, worldwide partner sales, Cisco. “Our joint FlashStack converged infrastructure solution enables IT organizations to easily scale with business requirements, accelerate automation and quickly deploy a foundation for hybrid cloud solutions.” Additionally, the company continued to invest in improvements to its Evergreen Storage program, which now includes an NVMe-ready guarantee.
In April, Pure Storage announced the market’s first enterprise-class, all-flash, all-NVMe array, FlashArray//X. In June, the company held its second annual user conference, Pure//Accelerate, where it unveiled its vision to provide the world’s most innovative organizations with the all-flash data platform for the cloud era. Additionally, Pure Storage announced a 75-blade system and continued momentum for its second major product, FlashBlade, with bleeding-edge customers like UC Berkeley, Mercedes and ION. With use cases across genomics, machine learning, AI, IoT and many more, FlashBlade powers today’s most complex workloads and enables tomorrow’s world-changing innovations. "Since inception in 2009, Pure has innovated to fix data storage---to make it dramatically faster, simpler, more robust, and lower cost to own over time, " said Scott Dietzen, CEO, Pure Storage. "This year's shipping innovations may well be our best ever with FlashBlade, FlashArray//X, ActiveClustering and our next-generation converged infrastructure in FlashStack. Part of what we believe makes Gartner remarkable is that they are uniquely able to collate insights from thousands of customers on what is really working and what isn't. We feel this is what makes our leadership in the Magic Quadrant so compelling, as we continue to enable our customers to unlock more value from their data, doing so for less cost---making Pure the best all-flash data platform for the cloud era." NOTE: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or any other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 35 |
IT
S
erviceNow (NYSE: NOW) recently announced machine learning capabilities to tackle some of the biggest problems in IT today. With ServiceNow Intelligent Automation Engine, companies can now prevent outages before they happen, automatically categorize and route incidents, predict future performance and benchmark performance against IT peers. Capability will also bring machine learning to ServiceNow cloud services for Customer Service, Security and Human Resources (HR). Most companies today want to innovate and drive transformation, but find that inside they are bogged down by tools, processes and work patterns of the past. The volume of back and forth work across every department for common tasks like resetting of passwords or onboarding new employees is straining the system. By 2020, 86% of companies say they will need greater automation to get their work done. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning provide a way out, but until today, those have been buzzword techniques or technologies looking for a use case. The ServiceNow Intelligent Automation Engine is machine learning intelligence applied to four of the biggest use cases that IT has
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today. ServiceNow has taken the combination of massive amounts of contextual operational data, huge R&D investmentand a team of leading data scientists, to address four big challenges for today’s IT organizations - preventing outages, automatically categorizing and routing work, predicting future performance and benchmarking performance against their peers. “Intelligent automation heralds a new era in workplace productivity,” said Dave Wright, chief strategy officer, ServiceNow. “With this game changing innovation, we have embedded intelligence across our Platform, trained with each customer’s own data, ServiceNow is enabling customers to achieve a quantum leap in the speed and economics of their business.”
KEY INNOVATIONS INCLUDE:
• Anomaly Detection to Prevent Outages
ServiceNow has bolstered its ability to help customers predict and prevent service outages with anomaly detection. The algorithm identifies patterns and outlying occurrences that are likely to lead to an outage. Combined with new dynamic threshold measures, the system learns what is the normal range of behavior and flags outliers that can indicate future errors or malfunctions. Initially delivered in
SERVICENOW LAUNCHES INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION ENGINE™
Intelligent Automation Engine Brings Machine Learning to Everyday Work Operational Intelligence for IT, the anomaly detection capabilities can correlate past events that led to outages and initiate workflows to pre-empt future problems when the same preceding events are observed again.
determine when they will achieve performance goals. Customers set a performance objective and based on the data profile, Performance Analytics uses the optimal algorithm to predict when they will reach the objective.
• Intelligence to Categorize and Route Work
• Benchmarks to Evaluate Performance Against Peers
ServiceNow will make available machine-learning algorithms to each customer’s unique data set based on the DxContinuum acquisition. By learning from past patterns, the Intelligent Automation Engine can predict future outcomes, including determining risks, assigning owners, and categorizing work. Initially, this predictive intelligence capability will be used in the IT Service Management offering to categorize and route IT requests with a high level of accuracy. Learned models set the category of the IT request and assign the task to the right team, as well as calculate associated risk of action or inaction. This capability brings new levels of speed and efficiency to IT delivery, and provides a foundation for the future, where connected devices create orders of magnitude increases in service requests. • Performance Predictions to Drive Improvements The Intelligent Automation Engine powers new algorithms in its real-time Performance Analytics application to help customer better
ServiceNow Benchmarks enables customers to compare their service efficiency to peers - such as similarly sized organizations or companies in the same industry. In the past, comparing performance to peers was difficult if not impossible, now, companies can not only know how they are performing against their own goals, but how their performance compares to like organizations. The Intelligent Automation Engine is part of the Now Platform™, which powers cloud services to speed and automate work for IT, Security, HR, Customer Service and custom applications for any department. As the platform evolves, all departments and applications will benefit from intelligent automation. By automating both routine and complex processes and predicting outcomes, every organization can dramatically reduce costs, speed time‑to‑resolution and deliver consumer-like experiences for employees, partners and customers.
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IT
SUSE
FORGES NEW TRAINING PARTNERSHIP WITH INGRAM MICRO Enterprise open sourcesoftware training offerings focus on software defined infrastructure solutions such as OpenStack Cloud, Software Defines Storage, Linux and Linux management
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USE, a pioneer in open source software, today announced a new training partnership in the Middle East with Ingram Micro, a global leader in technology solutions, mobility, cloud and supply chain services. As part of the partnership, Ingram Micro’s training centre in Dubai will offer a set of 18 instructed-led SUSE training modules designed to help organisations transform to digital businesses. These trainings will primarily focus on software defined infrastructure solutions such as OpenStack cloud environments, software-defined storage and Enterprise Linux solutions for SAP S/4HANA. Additional trainings will cover the management of multi-vendor Linux environments with SUSE Manager, to improve usability, provisioning, power management and compliance quality without compromising security. “With digital transformation a key initiative for several enterprises in the Middle East, the region continues to set the benchmark when it comes to innovation and appetite for latest technologies. However, in parallel with investment in technology, it is paramount that organisations ensure that their IT resources have the skills and the technical knowhow to reap maximum benefits from these solutions,” says Paul Abi-Chahine, Regional Director, EMEA at SUSE. “Through this strategic partnership between SUSE and Ingram Micro, customers can now benefit from a range of instructor-led Enterprise open-source trainings, delivered in region, to help them transform their businesses to digital while running it more efficiently and cost effectively.”
KEY TRAINING MODULES, EACH DELIVERED OVER A ONE-DAY PROGRAM, INCLUDE: • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP2 Administration (3116) Designed for system administrators who would like to become familiar with the Linux operating system as well as those who are preparing for the SUSE Certified Administrator in Enterprise Linux 11 exam. • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Administration (3124) Tailored for students with little or no previous Linux experience and seeking a fundamental understanding of the SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 operating system. It is also ideal for those who are preparing for the SUSE Certified Administrator in Enterprise Linux 12 certification exam. • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 for SAP Application Administration (3134) Designed for system administrators that administer SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 for SAP Applications installations. “As enterprises in the region continue to ramp up their investment in open source platforms, we believe we have significant opportunity to further expand our business by adding comprehensive Linux- and Open Source-software trainings to our offerings in the Middle East”, says Mohammad Sabry, Head of Services, Gulf and Near East region at Ingram Micro Training MEA. “With their unique delivery model, including hands-on training and simulations of several real-world applications, SUSE is an excellent partner for us, as well as for any IT professionals interested in becoming experts in Linux and open source platforms.” Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 39 |
real estate
STYLISHLY REIMAGINED Abdul Rauf Razzak Managing Director of Riveria Group By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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iviera Group is a trusted and renowned bespoke property developer with an impressive roster of developments that includes La Riviera Tower in Dubai Marina and La Riviera Estates in Jumeirah Village Circle. We meet with Managing Director of the project, Mr Abdul Raul Razzak to find out more about him and his projects. Rauf mentions the recent launch of the latest new project from Riviera Group, the La Riviera Apartments that provides buyers and tenants a new standard in luxurious apartment living. The 22-story residential building offers 144 stylish one and two bedroom apartments and two retail units situated in the Jumeirah Village Circle, a residential and commercial community featuring a stylish mixture of Arabic and Mediterranean villas nestled alongside stylish townhouses. A typical floor contains seven units of one-bedroom apartments and two units oftwo-bedroom apartments. Each apartment is designed for elegance and convenience in mind. The property features a barbecue area in one of the two especially dedicated areas for al fresco dining, a Riviera Retreat Lobby, a Riviera Retreat lounge and a state of the art health club with separate ladies and gents smart steam room. According to Rauf, the sales continue for the project, which is due to complete in the latter quarter of 2018. Added USP’s include a medical facility, school, shopping centre and convenience store right on La Riviera’s doorstep, with direct access to the main highway for added convenience. Rauf mentions that La Riviera Apartments are more than an investment – they are perfectly planned homes encouraging a calm and refined way of life. A typical floor contains seven St Tropez one-bedroom apartments and two Nice two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment is designed for elegance and convenience, with fixtures and finishing to the highest standard.
At La Riviera Apartments, you can breeze through the Riviera Retreat Lobby or unwind in the Riviera Retreat lounge for a feeling of absolute peace and calm. Unwind from the stresses of modern living in the state of the art health club, or pop into the separate ladies and gents smart steam room to feel stress simply melt away. Rauf mentions that the La Riviera Apartments is ideal for anyone looking for a retreat from the stresses of urban living and describes the apartment complex as “the perfect location for families or professionals in search of the perfect new luxury home with all the convenience and comfort they would that makes their life easy.” Construction of this deluxe apartment block is due to complete in the latter quarter of 2018. Since their inception, the Riviera Group has built approximately 1.45 Million square feet resulting in a 100% delivery track record of 969 units in Dubai that are fashioned to reflect people’s lifestyles, bringing them ease, comfort and a sense of security with more than 35 years international experience as real estate developers. We wish Rauf and his team success with this new venture.
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FOOD & BEVERAGE
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FESTIVE HAMPERS FROM MASTIHASHOP By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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astihashop presents a wide range of gift boxes and hampers for the upcoming festive season and for corporate giveaways plus for the popular festive occasions like birthdays, house warming and picnics. Gift hampers can be customized and presented with the company’s branding. The exotic Mastihashop collection reflects the modernization of traditional food remedies and include Mastihq infused chocolates, sweets, savoury products, cosmetics and skincare, pharmaceuticals, gifts as well as exotic coffee, ice cream, desserts and milkshakes. Mastihashop, offers clients the perfect bite, the
perfect gift and a cosy hangout for coffee, is located in the Aswaaq Building in Jumeirah 1, Al Wasl Road. Under the creative direction of the parent brand, Mastihashop in the UAE has evolved with Mansoor Al Bastaki, Founder and Director of Mastihashop at the helm. According to him, patrons and discerning UAE residents like to experience exotic food and products they normally find during their travels at their doorstep. Mastiha/Mastic is a natural and rare tree resin, which has proven to have health benefits with its anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Any raw Mastiha found around the world originates in only one place in Greece, in Chios Islands and Mastiha Shop is the sole supplier of the Mastiha raw resins. Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 43 |
ENERGY
BLUEAIR LAUNCHES ADVANCED AIR PURIFIERS FOR CONSUMERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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Blueair Classic, Sense+ and Pro aimed at improving the health and well-being of consumers in the region
wedish Blueair, a world-leader in air purification solutions for home and professional use, stressed the importance of clean indoor air as it presented a new range of air purifiers for consumers in the Middle East. The new range is technologically advanced and is smart-home and IoT compatible. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to human health with indoor air being up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. “Increased awareness about the positive health benefits of breathing clean air is driving residents to turn to technology to help improve their living environment,” said T.R. Ganesh, General Manager, Blueair Middle-East. “Air-purifiers are providing consumers with peace-of-mind and the assurance that the air they breathe indoors is free from harmful pollutants.” Blueair’s latest range is based on the Blueair patented HEPASilent™ technology which removes 99.7% of all airborne particles such as smoke, dust, pollen, bacteria, mold and pet allergens. Households, particularly with newborns whose lungs are still under development, and homes with elderly and members suffering from asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses would benefit from this technology. Blueair’s latest range combines award-winning aesthetics, whisper silent operation, energy efficiency and the convenience of connected appliances. Blueair also revealed its free Blueair Friend App for Android and
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iOS, which monitors the in- and outdoor air quality and enables users to remotely control their air purifier.
Blueair’s latest range consists of the below models:
CLASSIC
Awarded “Best-in-test” for highest capacity and performance, the Classic range is for the health conscious, technology savvy consumer who does not want to compromise on design. Products are connected and can be voice-controlled by Amazon’s Alexa or remotely, by the free Blueair Friend app.
SENSE+
Internationally-acclaimed Swedish designers Claesson Koivisto Rune are behind the award-winning Blueair Sense+ family. With an eyecatching color palette, the Sense+ is perfect for the design conscious. Sense+ is wi-fi connected and can be remotely controlled by the free Blueair Friend app, or by Amazon’s Alexa.
PRO
Blueair’s Pro range provides professional air purification for homes and offices as well as public spaces such as hotels, cafés and gyms. Blueair air purifiers comes with a 1+3 years’ warranty.
AVIATION
787 DREAM JET
The world’s finest business jet
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eading global business aviation company Deer Jet has announced Dubai-based strategic partner, UAS International Trip Support (UAS), as the exclusive global charter management company for the Deer Jet brand and will now manage an impressive fleet of 90 aircrafts including the world’s first 787 ‘Dream Jet’. Deer Jet Co. Ltd was established in 1995 as the very first business jet operator in China providing clients with a comprehensive range of services including private jet charter, aircraft management, medical rescue, aircraft sales, maintenance, FBO/ground handling, helicopter operations, and luxury yacht services. Deer Jet has selected the best pilots and first-class stewards to deliver the ultimate service and a superior travel experience for travelers on the B787-8 Dream Jet. The jet can fly continuously for 18 and a half hours, or 16,000 kilometres. Deer Jet’s strategic partner, UAS International Trip Support has been delivering award-winning, customized global flight support solutions since 2000. A one-stop shop for all aviation needs such as trip support, executive travel, and air charter needs, the company is trusted by Heads of State, VVIPs, Fortune Global 500 companies, and business jet operators worldwide. The partnership significantly accelerates growth and expansion plans as UAS also channels its expertise and experience into the creation
of game-changing technology solutions designed specifically for business aviation. To date, Deer Jet operates and manages a fleet of 90 aircraft flying to 820 airports across 180 countries and territories. It operates the only BBJ 787 in VVIP configuration – The “Dream Jet” in the world. On December 2nd, 2016, the UK-based World Travel Awards (WTA) titled the company “The World’s Leading Private Jet Charter” for second consecutive year.
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marketing
NEW AGE BUSINESS TIPS FOR NEW SME’S By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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our industry.
keep everyone focused on the big picture and have a system in place where you keep note on what methods and processes works best to implement the plan and stay on track.
HIRE THE RIGHT PEOPLE s the marketing needs and requirements of new entrepreneurs like us changes constantly, we find ourselves working more creatively with both traditional and modern publicity tactics to market our brand while collaborating with other stakeholders in
STAY DIFFERENT
Our service has to be unique for our customer base to love it. We can no longer assume what our clients want but there is a need to be part of discussion groups, forums to make sure your brand is not doing the same thing as everyone else in the market.
BRAND NAME IS CRUCIAL
The more creative and catchy the name is, the better. While it is sentimental to incorporate your grandma or child’s name into the business name, it may not always work. Find a name that reflects what you do so you are found easily when people are searching for similar services in your city.
REALISTIC BUSINESS PLAN
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The wrong staff can weigh you down at the start of your business and in the initial stages you need a team that has done it before. Previous experience in the team can help iron out problems and the best way to hire is by recommendation.
PUBLICITY
Get your inner circle talking about your brand as this will be the most credible recommendation. In the initial stages, do not use influencers with large numbers as almost every social networking site sells followers, likes and comments and the larger the figures, the questions and checks need to be done. Linkedin the best way to measure how connected an influencer is as professionals have a higher purchasing power.
END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS
Assess your achievements end of each year so when the accountants do your audits, take the time to audit your clients, your team and your stakeholders.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGES
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
here is a constant debate over the value of organic social media marketing in our region and even my 20 something university students in the PR departments are questioning the intellect of marketing directors of brands who are not able to use basic logic in determining the right influencer for their brand. The good news is that the new generation of PR and marketing students seem to be asking the right questions and in a case study we did in class, looked at why some brands are paying large sums of money to young trendy teens who clearly have bought close to 95% of their followers and had no clue how many of them could actually afford the brands they were promoting. The answer was falling into peer pressure demands where they follow a trend without actually thinking it through and if someone else is doing it then they want to be part of the trend. If a CEO of a company who promotes a supercar brand tells you that he/she has decided that the brands entire marketing and PR campaign will focus on influencers then you certainly know the industry has really lost the plot. If pretty girl pictures by a supercar actually sold a car, then the thousands of women who pose next to any supercar they come across should have sold thousands of supercars by now. The truth it, hardly
anyone in the followers’ list in the instagram accounts of the most popular and attractive girls can afford a supercar. On the other hand, linkedin seems to have the upper hand. At least we know that most of the followers of an influencer have real jobs and purchasing power. So why are brands not looking at linkedin since it is the most credible platform left to determine the real influence of an influencer. So....is organic social media marketing still relevant? The answer is that it definitely is. Social network spend continues to grow at a rapid pace more and more brands are committed now to funding organic approaches and move away from following trends and personalities that manipulate their images to give more focus to themselves that what they are promoting. When it comes to organic promotions, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are losing their credibility while linkedin is fast gaining importance, especially when targeting professionals. The marketplace is a challenging place for brands with a strong organic focus but as more and intellectual professional in marketing teams gain ground, trends will start to change and we will soon start seeing more authentic, accurate and credible influencers emerging with the new generation of brand and marketing change initiators.
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JEWELLERY
1969 D LIGHT Luxury jewellery house Dhamani
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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he Dhamani brand has been adding a brilliant sparkle to the lives of its clients for nearly forty five years, offering the finest quality jewels set in world-class designs. The premium brand satiates the appetite of contemporary and luxury-loving connoisseurs from across the globe through intricately crafted jewellery and are popular in the UAE amongst jewellery connoisseurs. Recently, the premium luxury jewelry house Dhamani 1969 unveiled its exquisite line of iconic ready-towear collection, D LIGHT, inspired by the elegant emblem of the brand and exclusively designed for Dubai Shopping Festival. Conceived and created by Italian designers, D LIGHT presents a unique line of posh pieces that reflect the classy style of the brand’s high-end diamond jewelry – perfectly suitable for today’s women on the go. A limited array of D LIGHT jewelry is available for jewelry lovers at special prices
from December 26th 2017 to January 27th 2018. According to Mr Amit Dhamani, CEO and Managing Director of Dhamani Jewels, the collection offers stylish and precious jewels to modern women who believe in a simple approach to luxury: the new pieces serve as focal point to their ensemble, standing out for their chic and contemporary look. He reiterates that through yellow, white and rose gold, tiny and bold options, the collection allows each woman to find the perfect match to her personal look. Expertly crafted, the pieces included in this special collection offers 4 different varieties of bracelet and pendant in rose, yellow and white gold, and the option of with and without diamonds. The first 4 models of D LIGHT will be available for purchase at Dhamani 1969 boutiques located in Dubai at the Grand Atrium - Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab Hotel and St. Regis Hotel.
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HOTELS
CHRISTMAS AT GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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y favourite place in Switzerland, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof Zermatt, dominated by the Matterhorn is a rare place where everything works in synergy and GCC travellers can enjoy memorable winter stays including a generous breakfast buffet during the festive season at this majestic property. My favourite memory from my visit is the transfer to and from the Zermatterhof and Zermatt station in a horse-drawn carriage or electric bus on the day of your arrival and departure. Guests can enjoy a generous breakfast buffet, mineral water and soft drinks from the minibar, Ronnefeldt-Tea, Nespresso coffee machine with capsules, use of the spa, pool, steam bath, saunas, jacuzzi, ice grotto and gym and wireless Internet in the room and in all public areas. Once you step into the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, hospitality and luxury takes on a whole new meaning. It is a hotel you want to spend time in, meet with other guests and enjoy a hot chocolate while gazing at the Matterhorn.
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Zermatt is situated far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. The historic village oozes with charm and the high street is lined with luxury shopping, world-class restaurants and stylish bars. And Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is where time means something different from what it means in the city. It is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. For ski enthusiasts, there is no better place than Zermatt to flirt with adventure and enjoy the sport with untouched stunning terrain and a helicopter to give you a lift there. Zermatt is the Alps’ largest heliskiing destination and offers the best snow with the stunning beauty of the Alps. Zermatt is a private playground for guests who truly want to get away and indulge in a memorable holiday.
Pure Indulgence
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON RESORT & SPA RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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his has been a year of exploring my adopted country Spain and during a road trip, we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Reserva del Higueron, belonging to the Hilton brand family. The first thing that greeted me at the hotel was the most beautiful classic car in the lobby and being a motoring enthusiast, I was in love. The hotel is a unique, modern, comfortable, spacious and airy complex. The Hotel is leader in design, leisure and services, with a combination of entertainment, health, sports, relaxation, culinary and activities. Ideally located in one of the most exciting destinations in Europe, "Costa del Sol" between Malaga and Marbella, is known for its sandy beaches, golf courses and subtropical climate with 320 days of sunshine a year. The Resort combines the quietness and the proximity to the best beaches. It is easy to reach from the international airport, and Málaga town center, 10 minutes by car or 30 minutes by train from the station just 200 meters distance from Resort entrance. The beautiful city of Malaga, one of the oldest in the world and known as the capital of the Costa del Sol. Through the combination of magical and monumental surroundings, this city offers visitors a cultural and cosmopolitan appeal with several major European museums (Picasso Museum, Pompidou and Thyssen) among others. Also just minutes away you can visit Marbella and Puerto Banus to enjoy a luxurious and exclusive shopping. The Resort has 177 rooms, including 24 junior suites, all with spectacular views of the Bay of Fuengirola, areas with permanent artworks,9 meeting rooms for up to 500 people, 5 restaurants. All in accordance with the standards and services of the Hilton brand. Sport Club and Spa Nagomi
Within the complex you can find Sport Club, a sports entertainment center with fitness facilities, monitored activities (Pilates, Yoga, TRX), 11 paddle courts, 2 tennis courts, an exclusive area of sand of 4,000 m2, two heated indoor swimming pools and 3 outdoor pools. Learn a new concept of wellness through Nagomi SPA experience with dynamic jet pool, massage, waterfalls, contrast pools, sauna, steam room and relaxation area. And a wide range of treatments for health, welfare, beauty and nutrition, with the help of the best professionals, also having hairdressing, manicure and pedicure. Infinity pool and terrace The Infinity top roof terrace, is one of the most impressive areas of the hotel, an infinity pool waterfall in south side that blends in harmony with the vision of the Mediterranean Sea. Impressive, pool accompanied by Balinese beds with stunning views of the Mediterranean where you can enjoy the best cocktails, drinks and snacks.
DINING OPTIONS
The Resort offers a comprehensive food and beverage concept where 5 restaurants including SOLLO´S, quality restaurant awarded Chef Diego Gallegos with Michelin Star 2016, specializes in river fish and caviar. ARARA BISTRO BAR by Diego Gallegos with the best options of Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine. PALMERAL BUFFET is an open and modern restaurant in the heart of the hotel offering breakfast buffet, a la carte lunch and dinner buffet, INFINITY BAR with fresh choices of meals and snacks, and Snack Bar LA HIGUERITA completes the offer healthy foods for sport people.
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HOTELS
ROSE PARK HOTEL AL BARSHA By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
from which to explore the surrounding areas. Rose Park Hotel – Al Barsha gives guests a 360 degree access of Dubai. The cozy new hotel is easily accessible to the Ski Dubai, the largest Ski zone at Mall of the Emirates, one of the iconic shopping malls in Dubai, the Jumeirah Beach and to Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. Thameem hopes that locals, hotel guests and visiting tourists will enjoy the hotel’s exceptional hospitality services and feel at home during their stay in the city. The hotel’s target market includes travelers and tourists from GCC, Asia, Europe and CIS and fast growing markets such as Eastern Europe, Far East and Latin America who visit UAE for business or pleasure. Combining fully equipped business space with luxurious rooms and premium facilities, the hotel meets the needs of those travelling for work as well as leisure. The 4 Star hotel comprises of 168 contemporary bedrooms with a choice of deluxe rooms, including 24 suites, all equipped with high speed internet and 49”inch LED TVs. Dining options include the ‘Bombay Urban Cafe’ restaurant with its lavish, fine dining ambiance. There is also a business lounge for busy executives.
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A well-appointed meeting room with a capacity up to 20 - 25 guests ensures all business meetings can be handled with ease. Guests can benefit from complimentary access to the hotel’s health and leisure facilities, take a dip in the swimming pool on the deck while sipping fresh juices amidst Dubai’s panoramic skyline view. Accessible 7 days a week, guests can keep fit with gym equipment, weights, sauna and steam room. nspired from past success in hospitality and the enviable reputation for delivering excellence in guest service over the last 10 years, the award-winning Rose International Hotels Management recently introduced us to the Rose Park Hotel in Al Barsha.
Centrally located in Al Barsha, across the street and a minute away from Sharaf DG Metro station, and adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, guests can have a warm and relaxing haven to stay in. With its calming ambiance mixed with intriguing design elements, guests are in for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Over a sumptuous lunch, Thameem Razick, Director of Sales & Marketing at Rose Hotels & Hotel Apartments tells us that the 4 Star hotel is the newest addition to the growing portfolio managed by Rose International Hotels Management.
Rose International Hotels Management continues to strengthen its portfolio with a focus on acquiring and managing properties. Since 2006, the group has been in the forefront of the development of luxurious commercial properties across key locations in UAE & Oman. The group has about six more hotel properties in the pipeline with around 687 keys, which will be delivered before Dubai Expo 2020. These are being developed in Science Park, Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jaddaf, Bur Dubai and in Oman - Ruwi.
Located close to Mall of the Emirates and only a metro ride away from Dubai’s tourist attractions and business centers such as the Dubai World Trade & Exhibition Centre, the hotel is the ideal base
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Classic Elegance
LUXURY AT EVERY TURN AT VILLA MAGNA, MADRID By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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n the way to my Spanish home recently, a stop in Madrid led me and my family to discover the luxury Villa Magna in Madrid where the ambience celebrates the old and new in a space that only be described as classically elegant.
In the last century, where this modern building stands today on the Paseo de la Castellana, was the Palace of Anglada which was demolished in the 1960`s. The hotel on the same site shows the same sophistication and after an extensive renovation, the luxury hotel has become a home to regular visitors who love the Bauhaus concepts and Chinese screens that combine to create a welcoming and luxurious atmosphere. From the moment we were picked at the airport by a private chauffeur to the moment we left, the experience we had was more than amazing. The Concierge led us to the most interesting exhibitions and fashionable boutiques in Madrid but the highlight of the excursions was our teenage daughter experiencing the VIP shopper experience at El Corte Ingles...a must for all GCC visitors. The hotel lobby is warm and welcoming with a large window offering a marvelous view to the Magnum Patio. To add a sophisticated touch the walls were adorned with Bauhaus and Vienna Secession designs. Different styles also combine among the furnishings: Louis XVI rosewood consoles, exotic screens and rugs with their geometric shapes give warmth to the marble floors. The Restaurante Villa Magna has beautiful natural light, complimented by the choice of light colours and a large framed mirror that reflects the space as a painting. The beauty of the carpentry work and the relaxing upholstery combine to make a perfect ambience relaxing.
The Lounge, off the Lobby of the Villa Magna, is the ideal setting to meet friends, discuss business or enjoy a relaxing meal at any time of the day. We spent our lunchtime mainly there with a selection of snacks, light lunch dishes whilst enjoying views onto the Lounge Terrace and Paseo de la Castellana beyond. The room we stayed in was spacious, comfortable and washed with soft lighting, bright colours and warm fabrics. It was tastefully done and every detail was taken care of...from attending to my love for chocolates to the availability of prayer mats in the cupboard. Our day excursions meant revisiting our favourite Madrid attractions starting from the “Art Triangle” the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, the Mercado and the Reina Sofia Museum to walking through Plaza Mayor and retail streets dotted with local and international brands. The Villa Magna´s Fitness Club is equipped with the latest Technogym equipment and a team of fitness experts to provide a personalized fitness programme. The Wellness Club is a quiet area to be pampered with luxurious body treatments and skincare in a retreat of tranquility and naturally I opted for a massage on arrival. With the city’s main shopping streets and attractions at the doorstep, the Villa Magna offers the most exclusive and ideal place to stay while visiting Madrid.
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YACHT
Pure Cruising Comfort
AZIMUT 55 FLY
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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he Azimut 55 Fly was recently launched and stands out for its juxtaposition of taut, flowing exterior lines by Stefano Righini, against warm, cosy and refined interiors defined by smooth lines and the creative flair of Achille Salvagni.
The decor is based on the combination of five different materials and, on this model too, the layout of the Lower Deck features three double cabins. The yacht makes an important style statement and was both a successful and a satisfying challenge for the shipbuilder and the two protagonists, Stefano and Achille of this ambitious and exciting project. The yacht’s exterior stands out because of the outline of the Flybridge, which extends even further towards the stern and is, in fact, unusually large, reaping the benefits of the extended rear section. This makes it possible, even on the 55-foot model, to include a second unexpected living area, sheltered from curious eyes, which can be furnished with two facing sofas. The Main Deck features a big sun lounging area in the bow. Designed to act as an oasis of comfort, it draws its inspiration from the idea of a cocoon, in which the oversize cushion set, defined by soft, circular shapes, creates a sense of all-embracing well-being. The elegant central area on the Main Deck, which is slightly raised above the entrance area, consists of a small lounge with a central low table and two facing sofas that have a magnificent sea view. The Lower Deck features three double cabins.
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The VIP cabin in the bow has a double bed, of course, while the spacious full-beam owner’s cabin, which is flooded with light through two large rectangular windows, is located in the centre of the boat. Between the two is the third cabin, which is fitted with twin beds. The yacht features latest generation technical solutions, identified by Azimut’s Innovation Lab in the framework of the ECS - Enhanced Cruising Solutions programme, to offer the best possible boat management: from Active Trim Control, to Electronic Power Steering, which allows the owner to customise the sensitivity of the control functions. The two 800 hp MAN engines have shaft-line transmissions, powering Azimut 55 to a top speed of 31* knots. The interior design by Salvagni is permeated by a sophisticated sense of calm that reigns over all the latest generation Azimut yachts, which are furnished with care lavished on every precious detail and finishing. It looks like a haven to be in for rest and relaxation.
BENETTI FAST 125’ M/Y SKYLER By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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enetti has made its name in the marine industry since 1873, making it the oldest Italian builder of motor yachts and anicon of timeless Italian styling and construction excellence.
Recently they have been introducing even more unique yachts built to suit the Owner’s needs and desires. Recently the Fast 125’ M/Y SKYLER has been awarded Best of the Best for 2017 under the 100180 feet category by Robb Report China. Skyler is the third unit of the Benetti Fast product line, built in composites and carbon at Benetti’s Viareggio shipyard, the Fast 125’ is a four deck semi-wide body yacht with a total of 5 cabins, a length of 38.1m and a beam of 8.3m. Skyler’s most impressive feature is its AZP C65 Azipull Carbon propulsion system. The Rolls-Royce pod system is the most technologically advanced on the market, and gives the 125-foot Benetti excellent fuel efficiency at low displacement speeds while allowing the yacht to reach a respectable top end of 22 knots. The pod thrusters not only deliver next-generation maneuverability and performance, but they allow Benetti to design the engine room farther back than most yachts its
size, thus lowering noise and vibration and increasing the size of the four staterooms on the lower deck. The sporty exterior was designed by Stefano Righini using an expanse of horizontal windows to accentuate the yacht’s streamlined look. Another key feature is a remarkable central element in the side of the superstructure that covers the access stairway to the upper deck. Benetti designs, builds and markets two product lines: “Class”, semi custom composite yachts from 28 to 45 meters, including the Classic, Fast and Lifestyle product families, and “Custom” which is split into the families Mega, for yachts up to 80 meters available in the Full Custom and Custom Now versions, and Giga for Full Custom yachts over 80 meters. Benetti employs highly skilled specialists at its two production sites, Livorno and the headquarter in Viareggio. There are also offices in Fort Lauderdale, Dubai, Hong Kong and London. Benetti is part of the Azimut | Benetti Group, the world’s largest privately held luxury nautical group.
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YACHT
M/Y “Christella Ii” Launched,
THE FIRST DELFINO 95’
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layout.
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
uilt for a Central European owner, “Christella II” is a displacement yacht with exteriors by Giorgio M. Cassetta and interiors designed by the shipyard’s style office. The main features of the yacht are its seamless lines, enhanced by large windows and an innovative
November 30 saw the launch in Viareggio of the Delfino 95’, the first unit in the new Classdisplacement line created for owners looking for extreme comfort, maximum liveability and the peerless quality standards typical of Benetti yachts. After the success of the Delfino 93’ (14 units sold to date), the shipbuilder decided to embark on a new project featuring spaces that flow into each other and an interior layout reminiscent of largersized yachts. In terms of its design, this is a yacht built to amaze with the volumes it offers: despite a length overall of 28.95 meters and a tonnage of less than 200 tonnes (an expert owner can pilot the yacht without the help of a captain), it has remarkably spacious cabins and can accommodate five crew members. On the style front, there has been a concerted effort to translate all functional elements into decorative features, as well as to develop a light designthat is both unique and innovative, drawing on the collaboration of UKbased design firm Aqualuce. The interiors are furnished in a modern style, with warm colours and moods: the main wood variety used is Canaletto walnut selected without flaming, interspersed with printed leather panels. The flooring in communal areas is parquet, while carpet has been used in the cabins. The Eramosa marble chosen for the yacht is cut in two different directions, with and across the veining, which changes its pattern. The Lower Deck is dedicated to guests, with four double cabins, including two intercommunicating VIP suites (through a big sliding door) with double beds and two twin-bed cabins. Each cabin has its own bathroom and the crew quarters can accommodate five members. The Main Deck is all on one level and features regular settings and shapes, allowing the spaces to be personalised as desired. The widebody owner’s cabin is particularly roomy, with a width of almost 7 meters and a length of 3.20 meters, and also has a separate wardrobe area, designed as a special request by the owner, while the bathroom is fitted with a big shower compartment. | 56 | Trending Business Insights - Issue 1
The main lounge stands out for the two large glazed surfaces on either side that run the entire length of this setting, while the sliding door in the stern provides a remarkable sense of continuity between indoor and outdoor areas. The innovative positioning of the entire command station on the top level allows the service area to be concentrated on a single deck, making it easier and more practical for crew members to perform their work and delivering more privacy for the owner and their guests. The galley is very spacious in terms both of floor surface and work top space, while the laundry area has been positioned in the center of the boat. The Upper Deck features a big rest and relaxation zone, a classic sun lounging area, the helm station and, behind it, a dining area with opening roof and mood lighting for the evening, while the stern area contains an open air living area of unprecedented size. The large teak deck can be furnished according to the owner’s tastes and needs. The life rafts have been incorporated into the superstructure, so they are in no way detrimental to the elegance of the exterior lines. In an important innovation for boats this size, there is also a Sun Deck with two sofas, one of them reserved for the outdoor helm station, in order to offer guests the chance to enjoy the view during navigation, as well as providing an extra helm station, which is particularly useful when manoeuvring the yacht because of its height above water level. The garage can accommodate a tender up to 4.40 meters in length and the yacht is fitted with two 1,000 hp Man V8 engines, driving it to a top speed of 13.5 knots. ----------About Shereen Shabnam Shereen Shabnam is an yachting aficionado hailing from Fiji Islands, which has over 330 islands, and boating and yachting has been part of her island lifestyle. She is an International journalist writing for multiple luxury lifestyle magazines and curates the VIP Marine Life platform for boating and yachting enthusiasts and the Millionaire Group members.
SUNREEF 50 AMBER Limited Edition By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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t is always a delight to come across a Sunreef Yacht and this year, the shipyard’s all-new sailing range has been a spectacular success. Recently Sunreef Yachts introduced the Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition - a special edition of its compact luxury catamaran. This limited, key-in-hand version will only see 10 launches. The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition catamarans include a carbon mast and boom and a complete pack of options perfectly adapted to worldwide cruises, carefully selected by Sunreef Yachts.
The Amber package was based on feedback from customers from all over the world and offers four smart layouts to choose from as well as an exclusive design incorporating hand-crafted amber elements. An all-around compact sailing yacht ideal for exclusive getaways, charter and transoceanic adventures, The Sunreef 50 boasts a superior level of comfort and a fresh, yet classically inspired design. We certainly look forward to checking this out and spend some good few hours sailing it for a purely satisfying nautical experience.
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WATCHES
WATCHES By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
BREMONT
Supermarine Type 300 and 301 models Bremont is known for making specialised dive watches, adopted often by both military and dive professionals. The predecessors to the Type 300 and 301 timepieces came in the form of the Supermarine S500 and the S2000, both remarkable pieces of engineering and very much inspired by Bremont’s core principles. The new Bremont Supermarine Type 300 range responds to the demand for a professional dive watch in a slightly smaller iteration. The watches’ namesake derives from the 1930’s aircraft company, Supermarine, whose first ever Spitfire prototype – the Type 300 – led to one of Britain’s most iconic aircraft. The new 40mm case of the Type 300 is also slimmer being only 13mm from sapphire crystal to case back featuring a uni-directional ceramic rotating bezel. Every Bremont Supermarine Type 300 is chronometer rated and houses a beautifully finished BE-92AE automatic movement. There will be two variations of the Type 300, and one sister model, the Type 301. Of the two Type 300s, the Type 300/BK has a black dial and ceramic bezel insert, and the Type 300/BL a blue dial and ceramic bezel insert. By contrast the Supermarine Type 301 is more vintage in look and feel and has a beautifully simple appearance.
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CALVIN KLEIN MINIMAL CORUM
Admiral Legend 38 Lady Corum’s signature Admiral’s Cup now comes forward to shine in the glow of contemporary watchmaking for the feminine wrist. Retaining the design codes that originally set it apart, the duodenary architecture of its case has now been made smaller, lighter and decidedly softer to form an elegant, yet distinct, frame for artistic dials certain to please the discerning female.
A classic revisited. Calvin Klein minimal. Inspired by vintage timepieces, this iconic offering for both men and women features a clean dial of exquisite control. Restrained and sophisticated, the new Calvin Klein minimal watch is offered in eight chromatic versions accented with different finishing – grey, black or brown PVD complemented with a mesh bracelet; stainless steel with a brown leather strap’ silver dial matching with a stainless steel flexible bracelet; or cool grey or olive green dial matching a silicone bracelet for ultimate comfort.
The brand-new Admiral’s Cup Legend line is neatly split into two categories to suit the needs and wants of each woman’s personality. Housed in a fashionable 32 mm case, the most petite of the two is a perfect companion to both day and night wear and does not need winding thanks to a highly precise, Swiss, quartz movement. This version is available in four different variations to further offer the type of playful versatility that women desire. Each of the cases bears Corum’s gold key logo in three different places: on the dial, on the crown, and on the case back in the place of honor. All cases are water-resistant to 5 atmospheres / 50 meters.
Aligning with the finest Swiss watchmaking traditions, RAYMOND WEIL is innovating by creating a new movement in collaboration with Sellita. This exclusive movement was developed and designed by the R&D department of the Geneva watch company and produced by the movement manufacturer based in Le Crêt-du-Locle, in the Jura Mountains. Its distinctive characteristic is the 6 o’clock front-dial positioning of its regulating organ. Named Calibre RW1212 as a nod to the postal code of the company headquarters in Grand-Lancy,
RAYMOND WEIL
Freelancer Calibre RW 1212
The freelancer “Calibre RW1212” is a two-hand model providing an understated display of the hours and minutes. Framed by a 42.5mm steel case, the balance-and-spring assembly is the focus of attention. The diamond-polished balance wheel and skeletonized bridges ensure transparent visibility extending to the very heart of the watch. Powered by a mechanical self-winding movement, the freelancer “Calibre RW1212” beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 38-hour power reserve. Trending Business Insights - Issue 1 | 59 |
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MOTORING
LUXURY GRAND TOURING The all-new continental GT
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
riving a Bentley is always a delight and this year, I drove their best models back to back over a few weeks. One of my favourites was the Bentley Motors new Continental GT, the definitive Grand Tourer designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, combining spirited and focused performance with cutting-edge technology. As a hard core driver, I find that most high end luxury cars are great to drive but not practical for day to day use but the beauty of this model is that you get to drive the car for your everyday chores while enjoying a powerful car with four seats, improved luggage capacity and luxurious cabin. The exterior design of the new Continental GT is based on a bold new vision that is unmistakably Bentley. While the Continental GT retains the usual classic elegance, the form of the new car is more sculptural and sharply defined. However, some key signature lines of the original Continental still dominate, such as the ‘power line’ travelling from the headlights to the muscular rear haunch. A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Continental GT. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. The Continental GT features the innovative and industry-first Bentley Rotating Display. At first glance there appears to be no screen in the centre of the dashboard. However, when we press the engine start button, the veneer in the middle of the dashboard glides silently
forward and rotates to reveal Bentley’s largest-ever touchscreen, a 12.3” retina-quality digital MMI display, elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen with three windows able to display the driver’s preferred functions, for example, navigation, media and telephone. The new Continental GT’s W12 TSI engine is the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. The unique ‘W’ configuration means that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting weight distribution and maximising usable cabin space. The new powertrain uses the very latest engine management technology, with 300 million software calculations per second. It produces 635 PS (626 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft.) of torque, and accelerates the new Continental GT to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds), and on to a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph). The all-new Continental GT redefines personalisation and bespoke luxury. Paint, leather, veneer and lifestyle options are virtually unlimited and tailored to the individual. The standard palette alone comprises 17 exterior paint colours, with up to 70 hues. There are also 15 luxurious carpet options, eight different handcrafted veneers and 15 choices of interior trim hide, which means that customers are able to specify their own choice of luxury finish. Clearly Bentley’s desire to offer customers the very best cars in the world with unsurpassed levels of luxury and performance and with fuel economy, reduce emissions for sustainable drive technologies for the future is achieved with the Continental GT.
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motoring
Mountain adventures with the
AUDI Q5 AND SQ5 By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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he sporty and dynamic SUV with the four rings recently came into our hands in the form of the new Q5 and SQ5 – both models that combine the sportiness of an Audi sedan with a multifaceted character of an SUV and a highly flexible interior.
We tested the new SUV on normal roads and the mountains of Salalah in Oman. The new Q5 also stands at the top of its class in its aerodynamics. The four-cylinder versions attain a cd figure of 0.30 with the aerodynamically optimized roof. Wind noises are exceptionally low, and vibration comfort is high – the new SUV from Audi indulges the driver and passengers with the best interior acoustics in its class. It comes in 12 different exterior colours (plus Audi Exclusive) and three newly configured equipment lines are available – base, sport and design. It also features a sculpturally flared Singleframe grille while a solid frame dominates its aerodynamically flat front end. The interior offers significant space for five persons, and it surpasses the previous model and its competitors in key dimensions. Its horizontally oriented lines underscore the impression of width and comfort, and a three-dimensional trim strip runs across the entire width of the instrument panel. The new equipment lines concept offers customers a broad selection of colours and materials.
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Operation of the new Audi SUV is intuitive and is marked by three great new features. The Audi virtual cockpit presents brilliant graphics on its high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. The MMI terminal in the centre console acts as the main control element and its logic is based on the flat hierarchies used in today’s smartphones. For music lovers, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound introduces the spatial dimension of height while the Audi smartphone interface also brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the new Q5 model range. With its driver assistance systems, the new Audi Q5 and SQ5 also tops its segment with a range of high-tech options offered in one package – “City assist with Parking assist” Cross traffic assist rear, the exit warning system, collision avoidance assist and turn assist are other new features that perform excellently in pursuit of safety. Park assist and hill descent assist complete the new features offered. In summary, the drive with the Audi SQ5 on different terrains proved how versatile and sporty the new SUV is. Plus it is elegant, comes with numerous personalization options, offers generous space and with technology that it is best in its class.
Lightweight & Sophisticated
CADILLAC XT5
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By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
uxury crossover vehicles is popular this year with almost every brand so we ventured out to test the Cadillac XT5 crossover which combines space, luxury and high-tech convenience resulting in a perfect lightweight Touring vehicle.
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that previously seen in the brand’s ATS and CTS sport sedans and is currently featured in the CT6. With SAE-certified peak output of 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 367 Nm (271 lb-ft) of torque, the V6 uses variable valve timing for strong response and smooth power delivery. Much lighter that the SRX, the Cadillac XT5 comes with a design structure specifically created to improve fuel economy, driving dynamics and interior space. It is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that previously were introduced in the ATS and CTS sport sedans and now used in the CT6. Key features include the rear camera mirror, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibilities, auto-heated steering wheel and front- and rear-seat USB capabilities. There is space for both phones and tablets in the center console, WiFi capabilities and charging ports conveniently accessible in the front and rear seats. Interior surfaces inside the XT5 are wider and more horizontal in orientation, emphasizing space-efficiency with the usual cut-andsewn wrapped panels. It is simple but sophisticated with reduced visual noise and clutter. The XT5 includes five interior color and
trim choices, with decorative trim options ranging from carbon fiber to two types of aluminum and four types of genuine wood. Cadillac’s Stop/Start technology automatically stop and start the engine when the vehicle is at rest in traffic stops, saving fuel and reducing emissions, while enhancing the quietness expected of a luxury vehicle. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard for the XT5, which also debuts Electronic Precision Shift – the first electronically controlled transmission shifter for a Cadillac. Electronic Precision Shift reduces noise and vibration, and it allows the cabin space to be further utilized with an innovative storage space beneath the center console. The 2018 XT5 sets a high standard for technology and safety features. Cadillac’s patented new industry-leading Rear Camera Mirror system is standard on 2018 XT5 Platinum models. The system enhances the driver’s rear vision by 300 percent, using a video display applied over the conventional inside rearview mirror. A Surround Vision feature enables a “bird’s eye” view of the perimeter around the car in parking as well. The crossover’s lean and sleek design and structure reflect the renowned Cadillac expertise for lightweight and agile luxury cars with improved interior space and fuel efficiency. The exterior stands out with flowing uninterrupted lines separated by crisp edges and hence reflects a more elegant, clean and modern craftsmanship.
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motoring
Sleek and Elegant Lines
INFINITI QX30
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development.
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
emaining true to the powerful and elegant design cues that guided the original QX30 concept, the all-new Infiniti QX30 comes with a sculpted exterior, unique crossover stance and asymmetric cabin design that exemplifies Infiniti’s design-led approach to product
In addition to its striking appearance, the QX30 offers an elevated ride height, confidence-inspiring handling, and a versatile attitude, underpinned by an Intelligent All-wheel Drive system. As a result, the vehicle is able to take on urban, suburban and winding rural roads in all-driving conditions. I drove it mainly around the city, which it was perfect for as it was easy to manoeuvre and was responsive at all speeds. Created for a new generation of premium buyers who appreciate category-defying design inside and out, the all-new Infiniti QX30 crossover boasts a purposeful appearance that makes a bold visual statement – and joins the Q30 as part of Infiniti’s new premium compact model line-up. Getting in and out of the car was comfortable and in cabin experience very pleasing. The QX30’s supreme interior quietness adds to cabin comfort, with some of the lowest noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the premium compact segment.
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The QX30 claims to be among the safest cars in its class owing to a range of active safety and hazard avoidance technologies that enhance the driving experience and provide maximum safety to all occupants. An Around View Monitor with moving object detection and automatic parking assistance makes the QX30 the easiest car to park in its segment. Overall, the QX30 gives the driver more control, more confidence, more power — no matter how far you go. With a range of dynamic performance technologies, such as Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the QX30 delivers a smooth, precise driving experience.
The Multifaceted Super SUV
DESIGN, PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS OF LAMBORGHINI URUS By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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e recently ventured into Italy to witness Automobili Lamborghini launch its third model, the Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini Urus is the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle and hence creates a new niche in the luxury segment with benchmarking power, performance and driving dynamics, unparalleled design, luxury and daily usability. The Lamborghini Urus stays true to the Lamborghini DNA in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion and is drivable every day in a range of environments. It is in other words a powerful luxury SUV with a super sports car dynamism that can be enjoyed by both driver and passengers. Its low-line coupĂŠ styling and commanding road position gives it a super car look and feel but once we got in and, it felt comfortable with a higher ground clearance and the luxurious space inside is coupled with the latest technologies. The Urus provides easy driving in the city, maximum comfort during long journeys, thrilling super sports car dynamics on the road and track, and versatile off-road abilities in a range of environments.
The Lamborghini Urus has a dual personality: it is multi-dimensional. It can be specified to be as sporty or as elegant as the owner wishes, and can equally be used as a daily luxury drive or provide an exhilarating super sports experience. The driving modes to select from include the Strada, Sport, Corsa, Neve, Terra and Sabbia and there offers a more enhance drive experience on road, track, sand, snow etc. The Urus features a 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 650 hp (478 kW) at 6,000 rpm, maximum 6,800 rpm, and 850 Nm of maximum torque already at 2,250 rpm. With 162.7 hp/l the Urus claims one of the highest specific power outputs in its class and the best weight-to-power ratio at 3,38 kg/hp. The Urus accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 12,8 seconds and with a top speed of 305 km/h. This makes it the fastest SUV available on the market. The Lamborghini URUS is built in an entirely new factory using the latest robotic manufacturing technology to work in tandem with the human workers on the floor and where we were for the launch event.
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travel
TOP THINGS TO DO IN
MADRID
With the holidays approaching, there’s no better time to start planning for your winter getaway. Madrid is one of the most celebrated and beautiful places in the world and a magnet for elite international tourism and shopping is always top of the list for Madrid visitors.
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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My daughter has a soft spot for the the iconic El Corte Inglés department store in Castellana, where she has her first ever VIP shopping experience and did a colour consultation that showed her which colours suited her the best. The store is a draw for shopping lovers as one of the world’s largest stores, there are many amazing activities for the discerning traveller within close proximity. And while you are in Madrid, here are some of Madrid’s top sights to catch between a shopping spree at El Corte Ingles.
1. SANTIAGO BERNABÉU STADIUM
Just a nine-minute walk from El Corte Inglés, Madrid’s main football stadium is home to the city's most popular team: Real Madrid. Opened in 1947, the stadium is enormous and has undergone multiple renovations over the years, now seating up to 81,044 people. There is no better way to experience an integral part of the Spanish culture than to cheer on Real Madrid at a game.
2. PUERTA DE ALCALÁ
A quick 10-munite drive from El Corte Inglés, the Puerta de Alcalá, meaning the “Citadel Gate” and derived from the Arabic word al-qal'a, is a neo-classical monumental city gate, and regarded as the first modern, post-roman, triumphal arch in Europe. It was built between 1769 and 1778, using granite and stone from Colmenar and makes a wonderful backdrop for a memorable picture.
3. EL PRADO ART MUSEUM
Not falling short on culture, Madrid’s Prado Art Museum is one of the world’s first museums to hold a royal collection of art from the 15th to the 17th centuries, including the works of Velazquez’s
‘Las Meninas’ and El Greco’s ‘The Annunciation’. Art lovers can also head to the neighbouring Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza finishing the Golden Triangle of Art to admire the works of many world-renowned abstract and surrealist artists, all only a short ride from the famous El Corte Inglés.
4. PLAZA DE CIBELES SQUARE
Adjacent to Paseo del Prado, marvel at marble sculptures at the city’s most famous plaza. Known for its stunning architecture, the fountain features the Roman goddess Cybele who represents Earth, agriculture and fertility, and was adopted by the city's football team. After a winning match for Real Madrid, this is the spot to celebrate the victory.
5. EL CORTE INGLÉS
The seven-storey department store is the hotspot for visiting fashion mavens. International visitors receive a 10% reward discount card year round and can ask to have their shopping delivered to their hotel or home country, along with assistance with their tax refund. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, this shopping mall is in the heart of Madrid, and a stone’s throw away from many local attractions. The store features over 8,000 Spanish and international brands and is the ideal answer to the most discerning shopper with its comprehensive collection of designers. People travel the world to find the beautiful and fantastic, and Madrid brims with exceptional experiences, whether it is the latest collection of a fashion designer at El Corte Inglés, a painting at one of its museums, or historic buildings that defy time. Let the imagination run wild and find inspiration at every corner of this storied city. El Corte Inglés is an iconic landmark of fashion that marks itself as a destination in its own right.
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TRAVEL
PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC Dubrovnik, Croatia By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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Dubrovnik in Croatia is a city for all seasons and one of the world’s most prominent tourist destinations. Surrounded by unique medieval ramparts, Dubrovnik attracts visitors for its rich history, mild climate, traditional hospitality and its many festivals, open-air events and architectural treasures.
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explored Dubrovnik, a UNESCO registered protected world heritage site during the evening and in the day taking in the charm of bustling streets, art and different cultural events. Walking along the promenade during the day meant coming across various art and artefacts on sale as well as live music performances. The open air performances add character to the different areas of the old town classical and jazz music and brings rhythm and charm into an already dazzling atmosphere. While wandering through the markets, we toured the filming location of the ‘Game of Thrones’ television series and enjoyed some retail therapy of the related merchandise for fans back in the UAE. The best part of Dubrovnik was exploring the old city, which had interesting markets, art galleries and city walls with fortresses offering beautiful views of the city, the open sea and the Island of Lokrum. For panoramic views of Dubrovnik, visitors can take the cable car and set out on a scenic adventure that includes breathtaking views of the old town and enjoy the sunset. Make time to head to the Island of Lokrum and Elaphiti Islands or visit the Trsteno Arboretum, which is a protected monument of nature. Dubrovnik is a great destination for adventure sports or active tourists
who enjoy horse riding, hiking, cycling or sailing. A jeep safari or a canoe tour is also an interesting way to explore the area. Dubrovnik was a gastronomic delight with an abundance of fresh and delectable food, often seasoned with olive oil. Try the naturally grown vegetables like courgettes, cabbage, aubergines tomatoes as well as seafood prepared in a simple way. I had a full day exploring the old town and came across a Salvador Dali exhibition, which was an unexpected delight. Visitors who enjoy experience centres will enjoy The Cultural History Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Archeological Museum exhibition at Fortress Revelin, the Dubrovnik Natural Science Museum and the Dubrovnik State Archives. The natural scenery in the area and panoramic views of the coast on the way to the old town in Dubrovnik were definitely some of the most memorable moments in Croatia. I am already planning my next venture into the land of fortresses and medieval architecture. Turkish Airlines recently added Dubrovnik, Croatia to its expanding network with three weekly flights for visitors intending to explore this beautiful city.
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FINAL WORD
BUILDING A GREAT TEAM
By Shereen Shabnam International Writer/PR Specialist
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he success of a company is often attributed to a great team. Proactive and collaborative teams are fundamental for almost every organisation no matter which industry one works in.
In most interviews, the willingness to work as part of a team is a common skill most employers look for when hiring new staff, hence it is beneficial to develop key skills required for effective teamwork. Enhancing teamwork skills however is not just for new employees as it is just as relevant for employees already in jobs and looking to get a promotion. One of the first skills to develop is communication skills which is crucial for being able to communicate eloquently with peers, clients, suppliers as well as your line manager. Having the aptitude to express your ideas, either verbally or in writing is important. Learning to communicate effectively is an interactive process and includes having patience learn how to listen and understand what other people are saying. Enrolling in public speaking courses or reading books also help improve your communication skills improving your career prospects. Cultivating good relationships when working in a team is also an integral part of creating a productive work environment. Interpersonal
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skills are essential for effective teamwork and for networking at work-related social events. Some of the most helpful interpersonal skills include assertiveness, negotiation and conflict resolution. There are also non-verbal communication skills, such as body language, facial expressions and gestures that play a part in developing positive relationships within a team. Another good way to have a strong and productive team is learning to accept criticism and feedback for professional development. It does not help to be afraid of negative feedback or being sensitive when criticised and instead use this feedback to improve relationships with team members and coworkers. A colleague shares ideas and encourages improvement helps build an open and honest work environment where other members of the team feel free to express their opinions and accept other person’s point of view. Hence, sharing ideas, using positive language and having open discussions are some of the key traits a person should have when working in a team.