CORPORATE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
It is a proven fact: companies who invest in leadership development increase productivity, decrease costs and optimize their profitability – all essential when doing business in today’s challenging economy.
To help UAE companies improve their corporate leadership, Boston University in Brussels (BU Brussels) is bringing its leadership and management expertise to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for a series of special workshops covering excellence in project management, presentation and communication skills, and organizational and team dynamics. These events are open to the public.
SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT IDEA!
(As published in Zawya, 2nd April 2012) Abu Dhabi—Business support organisation Tamakkan has teamed with Boston University’s Brussels campus to launch a new competition for budding entrepreneurs in the UAE. The Social Enterprise Business Plan competition is designed to encourage and support entrepreneurs with a great idea in the field of social enterprise. Tamakkan founder and Managing Director of leading communications company BrandMoxie, Sana Bagersh, says the competition will promote a range of new ideas for SME businesses. “All entrepreneurs need to be supported,” said Bagersh. “We are delighted that one of the world’s leading universities, Boston University, is strongly behind this local Tamakkan initiative.” Entrants with a great social enterprise idea are asked to submit a one or two page outline of their idea, including funding options and a brief discussion of how the idea engages the community and promotes environmental sustainability. Entries close on Thursday 12 April and can be emailed to business@brandmoxie.com The winner will receive a ticket to the Corporate Leadership Workshop being conducted by Boston University’s Brussels faculty in Dubai (28-29 April) and Abu Dhabi (3 May) covering Excellence in Project Management, Presentation and Communication Skills, and Organizational and Team Dynamics. “This course will help accelerate the winner on the fast track of corporate leadership by enabling them to experience practical approaches to current dilemmas,” said Melissa Rancourt, Head of Faculty at Boston University in Brussels. Tamakkan, an initiative of BrandMoxie, is an organization aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation. Established in June 2009, it has steadily grown into a powerful knowledge sharing and training platform with free monthly seminars to encourage networking and business development. Ends Media information: For media information about the Social Enterprise Business Plan competition, contact Mr. Ian Mason, Manager, Tamakkan on 02 491 8624 or 050 739 5429....
SMOOTHING THE START-UP PROCESS
(As published in AMEInfo 29th March 2012) Many small businesses struggle to get established because they don’t fully understand the requirements for start-up, according to a leading Abu Dhabi business consultant. Speaking a recent Tamakkan seminar for entrepreneurs, Soaud Al Hosani from Nexus Business Services said it is very important to identify the proper rules and regulations from the start. “Most small businesses don’t have a clear idea of what is required to set up a business,” said Al Hosani. “There are many great entrepreneurial ideas out there, but many never get started because they have taken the wrong advice or not followed the right regulatory path.” “All start-up businesses should seek an experienced consultant to streamline things like permits, licences, company formation and office locations. Doing this properly in the beginning will improve the success rate of start-up businesses.” A brief survey of attendees at the last Tamakkan seminar showed that many entrepreneurs believe it is harder to source funding for SME businesses in the current economic climate. Despite this, most of those surveyed believe now is a good time to start up a new business. CEO of BrandMoxie, Sana Bagersh, who established Tamakkan in 2009, said there are mixed signals in the marketplace. “It is a difficult balancing act for entrepreneurs at the moment,” said Bagersh. “On one hand, the opportunities are bountiful right now with new sectors being supported by the government and private industry. On the other hand, many entrepreneurs find starting a new business to be quite challenging in areas such as funding sources and regulatory compliance.” “Free seminars, like the ones organised by Tamakkan, are invaluable to supporting entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, with experts like Soaud providing critical advice.” The next Tamakkan seminar is scheduled for 24 April from 6.00pm – 8.00pm at Al Mamoura Theatrette....
Snapshot: Insider’s Guide To Publicity
PROGRAMME: Entrepreneur Quiz 10 ½ Rules for Gaining Publicity by Ian Mason, , Manager – CSR, PR and Training, BrandMoxie Entrepreneur presentation: Nexus Business Services – Souad Al Hosani, President, Nexus Business Services Entrepreneur presentation: Slices – Faisal Al Hammadi, Co-founder, Slices Panel session Ian Mason, Manager – CSR, PR and Training, BrandMoxie Souad Al Hosani, President, Nexus Business Services Ian Mason, Manager – CSR, PR and Training, BrandMoxie Faisal Al Hammadi,
Unneeded products a major reason for business failure
By Manar Al Hinai (As published in The National 10th February 2012) If there is one thing the UAE encourages Emiratis and residents to do, it is to start their own businesses. I stopped by the booth of the Khalifa Fund, a government effort aimed at sponsoring Emirati businesses, at Tawdheef’s recruitment exhibition last week, to ask about funding programmes. After a brief conversation about my small fashion business, the business counsellor encouraged me to consider expanding my line and even start a whole new business that would be fully sponsored and supported by the fund’s team of experienced business counsellors. When my late grandfather started his manufacturing business in the late 1950s, there was very little information out there on how to start a business, and yet he succeeded. Since then, the business world has evolved greatly. You could spend years going through the Web articles, magazines, books and videos dedicated to starting a business. But even with all of these resources and the flexible business laws in the UAE, many still fail. After witnessing the negative experiences of some friends and colleagues who failed to properly manage their businesses within the first year, I believe that the answer relies on a number of factors. The primary reason for failure is the entrepreneur’s fixation on a business product or service that is not needed. Great companies all over the world do this all the time. Google launched Google Buzz in 2010, and pulled it last year. Many business owners fail to conduct extensive interviews with their potential customers and find out what they really want. Proper market research not only builds early relationships with potential customers, but also creates a buzz around a brand and sometimes leads to some early sales or sign-ups. Bad management, poor accounting knowledge and lack of marketing can also suck the life out of a small business. A business owner does not need to be a certified accountant to properly run the venture but should understand an income statement, balance sheets and how to operate an accounting programme. Entrepreneurship is all about risk, especially during tough economic times, and this is something that business owners should always keep in mind. Sometimes an entrepreneur will take a calculated risk and encounter an unexpected problem. This is why it is vital to have a proper business plan that provides the flexibility to deal with unforeseen circumstances. Attending trade shows and seeking advice from people in similar businesses in the UAE or the region is useful. It has worked for me, and for many of my colleagues who started businesses. Tamakkan seminars, which take place every...
