Episodes
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Today, I am joined by the founder and president of the Emirates Legal Network, as well as a managing partner at Elnaggar and Partners â Ahmed Elnaggar. Together with Ahmed, we discussed how lawyers can turn time into money, how to stay confident and composed under real pressure during tough negotiations, and how to use the power of words to get what you want. Ahmed shares his extensive experience in legal practice and explains how thinking differently about competition can help elevate any industry. This episode is packed with insights that we, as entrepreneurs, can learn from lawyers and apply to our businesses.
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Throughout my life in Dubai and working with inspiring women from this region, I have always seen Arab women as strong, inspirational, intelligent, and dignified. There is something truly magical about them; they combine genuine femininity with strong leadership and power - qualities traditionally associated with men. Unfortunately, there are still many stereotypes that exist about Arab women, particularly those from the Gulf. So, it was my pleasure to challenge some of these misconceptions by inviting an incredible Emirati woman, Maitha Shuaib, to share her story.
Maitha's hard work and dedication to her career have taken her from the Dubai Women Establishment to Dubai Cable Company (Ducab), a male-dominated heavy industry, where she now heads Corporate Communications as Executive Director. In this engaging conversation, Maitha shares her vision of "humanising" the industry and creating inspiration and love for this sector through a new brand narrative.
This episode is truly inspiring and filled with passion and pride for the UAE. It shows a great case study of how we can transform even the most traditional industries into captivating stories that people want to hear about. Enjoy the episode, share it with others, and don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments!Throughout my professional journey, I have always regarded Emirati women leaders as strong, inspirational, intelligent, and dignified. There is something truly magical about the empowering, kind, and purposeful atmosphere that thrives in companies led by such feminine and confident leadership. However, stereotypes about Arab women, particularly those from the Gulf, still persist. So, it was my pleasure to challenge some of these misconceptions by inviting an incredible Emirati woman, Maitha Shuaib, to share her story.
Maithaâs remarkable journey takes her from the Dubai Women Establishment to Dubai Cable Company (Ducab), a male-dominated heavy industry, where she now heads Corporate Communications as Executive Director. In this inspiring conversation, Maitha shares how sheâs leading the charge to shape the brandâs narrative, humanise the industrial sector in the UAE, while leveraging the companyâs legacy to shape its future. If youâve ever wondered how leadership and passion can transform even the most traditional industries, this episode is for you. Enjoy it, share with others, and don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments!______
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Recently, I came across a statistic indicating that the global turnover rate of CEOs, depending on the industry, is around 15% â a staggering figure that is only increasing. From my own experience, Iâve seen how this turnover, coupled with the immense stress involved, impacts not only the CEOs themselves but also their teams and entire companies. So, why is this happening more frequently? What are the reasons behind it?
Together with my guest, Navid Nazemian, the worldâs No.1 executive transition coach and international bestselling author, we explore why the life of CEOs is so stressful today. Navid shares his insights into the hidden âripple effectsâ of CEO decisions, the high cost of executive failure, and how to avoid common pitfalls. We also dive into the role of company culture, the importance of energy management, and more. I hope this episode will be valuable for C-level executives and those building high-stakes careers.______
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I hope this podcast becomes a therapeutic tool, as well as an inspirational and motivational platform for youâjust as it has been for me. Meeting and talking with remarkable people who have overcome challenges and achieved success in their professional journeys helps me realise that Iâm not alone in facing lifeâs complexities. It reminds me that there are always people to learn from.
This episode is for anyone going through difficult times in their career or workplace. I want you to know that youâre not alone and that itâs perfectly fine to open up and be yourself when you need support.
In this conversation, Iâm joined by Shereen Qutob, a Talent Management and Cultural Transformation Director. Together, we explore how to navigate job loss, deal with unhealthy work environments, why we tend to wear masks in the office, and whatâs happening to humanity in todayâs workplaces.
I hope you enjoy this episode, and I sincerely wish this conversation brings you comfort, insight, and support.______
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Combining marriage and business is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. In this episode, we explore what happens when two worldsâpersonal relationships and professional venturesâintersect. My guests, Will and Manuela, share their experience of running a hospitality business together and finding the balance between maintaining both their family and their company.
From learning how to work as equal partners to navigating the blurred lines between personal and business life, Will and Manuela open up about the lessons theyâve learned along the way. If youâve ever wondered whether love and business can truly coexist, this episode offers valuable insights and advice for those walking this complex path.______
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Running a business today can feel like a roller coasterâone moment you're on top, and the next day, because of cancel culture, nobody wants to talk to you. PR has become an essential tool for business owners' survival and success. I'll be the first to admit I've neglected PR for years, but now I realise just how critical it is.
In this episode, I'm excited to have Alistair Crighton, a highly experienced PR expert with over two decades of experience in the Middle East, joining me. We'll cover everything from the basics of PR and its connection to branding to the latest tools influenced by AI and the reality behind industry awards.
If you need some good PR advice in Dubai and beyond, Alistair is definitely the person to reach out to.______
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This episode was inspired by my personal experience. Today, the idea of being a highly effective person is incredibly popular, especially among entrepreneurs eager to achieve it all: building a successful business, engaging in regular exercise, and spending quality time with family. Not long ago, I believed I was excelling at all of thisâhitting every target and feeling super productive. But my wake-up call came when I was having tea with my mom. I realised I couldn't understand what she was saying. I couldn't focus, my mind was everywhere, except with her in the present moment. Whenever I tried to concentrate and be present, my thoughts wouldn't let me.
The guest in this episode is very dear to me as he helped me overcome that anxious state of mind and find peace in the present momentâGuruji. We had a deep conversation about the reasons why modern people fall into such traps and how to get out of them, to slow down time and start enjoying life instead of chasing unattainable ideals.
I invite you to listen in and explore how you can find true peace in a world that often feels overwhelming.______
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The GCC countries, including the UAE, are rapidly emerging as global business hotspots. Did you know that nearly 7,000 high-net-worth individuals are expected to move to the UAE in 2024? This influx of wealth is attracting entrepreneurs from all over the globe, eager to find investors for their businesses. The quest for investments has truly become a modern-day treasure hunt.
I've invited seasoned financial advisor David Linklater to guide us on this exciting journey to the treasure. David has a wealth of international experience; he has lived and worked in Southeast Asia, the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. In this episode, David shares his insights on how to find the right investors. He provides the roadmap and strategies to locate these investment opportunities and convince potential investors of your business vision.______
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The Middle East is booming, with new ventures opening every day. More and more people are considering changing their careers and leaving corporate jobs to embark on their journeys as entrepreneurs, hoping to gain more freedom.
This is exactly what happened with my guest, Nisreen Shocair, former CEO Middle East of Net-a-Porter and Virgin Megastore. She left her stable and successful corporate career to become an entrepreneur, realising that it is not as easy as it seems and finding joy in supporting people through her businesses and public speaking.
This episode is full of insights for everyone setting up or growing their businesses, especially those entrepreneurs who have just left the corporate world for their ventures.______
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I'm blessed to be surrounded by incredible women who successfully built their careers and businesses in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai. Through my podcast, I hope to inspire you with their stories to explore opportunities for your own endeavour and learn about the mindset that helps grow and advance yourself.
My today's guest, Mania Merrikhi, is the best choice for this purpose. Mania was recently listed among the 50 most inspiring women in the Middle East. She is a Deputy CEO of D&B Properties, an entrepreneur and my client who became my friend. Mania shared her endearing story and highlighted the approach, prospects, and challenges of building a business and career in a dynamic and competitive Dubai environment.
Please enjoy the episode, leave your comments, like and share if the content seems valuable to you. All of our team highly appreciate every reaction our podcast gets.______
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GCC countries have become lands of opportunity for many entrepreneurs looking to open new ventures or expand in this region. Today, the Food & Beverage industry is one of the hottest yet most competitive and saturated industries. Did you know there are about 26,000 F&B establishments in the UAE, with 13,000 in Dubai alone? However, experts say the market still has potential for new outlets, not only in the UAE but also in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
In this episode, I had a great conversation with Will Odwarka, who has over 30 years of experience in the F&B industry and has developed more than 1,000 outlets in over 40 countries. Our discussion turned out to be both a guide and a secret recipe for success for those looking to establish their F&B businesses in the Middle East market.
I hope you enjoy it! Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.______
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Recently, I've been hearing more and more concerns from those around me regarding the state of the world and our future. There's a common feeling that time is flying by and the world is changing so rapidly that it's difficult to keep up. Every day, we're bombarded with messages about the challenges of the future in the era of AI, distressing reports about jobs that will be outdated in the next five years, and advice to learn new skills, be empathetic, and diversify our careers. However, it can be challenging to know how to do it. How can we diversify our income? What skills do we need, and how should we adapt to competition from AI?
To be honest, I've often asked myself the same questions and haven't always been able to find the answers. So, I invited Aigerim Khafizova, a traveler, entrepreneur, business trainer, and a top expert in digital education and AI integration, to gain some clarity and discuss my concerns. This episode is filled with great recommendations from Aigerim on navigating our new reality and preparing ourselves for the future. After our conversation, I felt relieved, energized, and more in control of my future. I hope this episode brings you a sense of confidence in building your forthcoming career as well.______
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Please welcome my new episode created in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers.
I meet many entrepreneurs who want to enter the growing GCC retail market or expand their business within this region. In this special episode, I dived into an engaging conversation with David Macadam, a top-tier retail expert in the MENA Region with 40+ years of experience.
David covered various interesting topics, including how to become a strong player in the industry, how to prepare your business for high competition, and how to succeed in the market. We reviewed the pros, cons, and specifics of the retail industry in the GCC countries.
Hope, you'll find this video helpful for your business. As always, I would love to connect with you in the comments if you have anything to ask or share.______
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On the eve of International Women's Day, I'm honoured to shine a spotlight on the incredible women entrepreneurs that I've had the privilege to know and work alongside. Their purposefulness, creativity, and brave spirit inspire and motivate me in life and business.
In this special episode, I've collected for you their personal stories, challenges, and advice. I hope you will be as inspired as I am.
And, of course, happy International Women's Day 2024! To all the women reading it: thank you for your courage, your wisdom, and your endless contributions to our world!______
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I met my incredible guest, psychologist and executive coach Hayssam Alamine, a while ago when working on one of my projects. We've been trying to arrange a podcast recording for quite some time, but it happened only now and apparently for a reason. Currently, there is a period in my life when emotions overwhelm me, and I am trying to figure out how to manage them and stay focused on what is important in life.
Our conversation turned out to be incredibly enlightening and supportive for me. Hayssam shared his inspirational story of how a difficult period in life can become a source of strength; he explained how to deal with emotions and develop EQ, which is an essential trait of future leaders.
I hope you will get some useful tips and insights as I did. We also prepared a summary of the whole episode, a little "cheat sheet" filled with key takeaways that can be printed out as a reminder. The link for download is available here. Enjoy watching, and please share your thoughts in the comments.______
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Every day, more and more people, including kids, are venturing into the Metaverse. To be honest, as a parent, I get stressed whenever I see my kids with an iPad in their hands and going online. What are they doing there? Why are they wasting their time?
In this episode, along with the founder of Open MetaKids Club, Aygul Kupcova, we explore how we can transform our kids from consumers of online information into creators of online content. We discuss the benefits and positive impact of the Metaverse and have an insightful conversation with a new generation of creators, Ruslana, who is only 13 years old and already has her channel about science. She creates content that even adults can find super insightful.
I hope you will enjoy this episode and find inspiration together with your kids to become creators.______
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Dubai market is booming and attracting more and more entrepreneurs willing to catch their own luck. When youâre driving around Dubai, you can see the offerings of new and new luxury products or experiences nearly everywhere.
On one hand, it gives the impression of an opulent lifestyle and limitless opportunities to make money. However, on the other hand, âluxury" scooters, sandwiches, etc. devalue the genuine meaning of the word âluxuryâ. In todayâs world, this word has been overused in pursuit of profits.
Where are we going with that? What is the reality of luxury business in Dubai? What makes products and services truly luxurious? I discussed these questions with Antoine Massé, a retail and hospitality expert with a 25-year career in the luxury industry.______
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In today's world, terms like partnership, collaboration, co-creation, and co-production have become increasingly common. The SaĂŻd Business School at the University of Oxford emphasizes that partnership and collaboration must be foundational pillars of every company's business strategy to succeed in the future.
But what are the ingredients for a successful collaboration? How can we translate words into actions and produce valuable business outcomes?
In this episode, I am delighted to have my friend Rachel Meuleman, a Global Collaboration Strategist, who will answer these questions and provide tips for entrepreneurs seeking growth through partnership and collaboration.______
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This topic holds a special place in my heart due to my own recent experience with a business partner. While my relationship with my ex-business partner ended painfully after eleven years of building a company together, I dedicate this episode to him. I am very thankful to him for the knowledge he shared with me, for all the great times we had together, and for all the difficult times when we supported each other. I still believe in partnership as a powerful tool to create a better world and better companies.
To discuss this important topic, I couldn't think of anyone better suited than Fabian and Elena - exceptional business partners who have successfully run their entertainment industry company for nine years, growing and evolving side by side. I asked them to share their secrets of creating a harmonious partnership.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.______
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I meet a lot of business leaders, some of whom are great people who care about their employees. They are inspirational and understand the value of company culture. Unfortunately, there is still a significant number of business leaders who are solely driven by financial results. For them, people are merely a means to achieve their goals. What does the future hold for those leaders? Why are empathetic leaders more sustainable and likely to be successful in the future? What skills are necessary to be a truly sustainable leader?
In this episode, I had a great discussion with Charlotte Verhaert, a strategic leadership expert with over 15+ years of experience. Her purpose is to empower and help leaders to find empathy and become high and happy performers. I hope you enjoy this episode and share it with those who need to be a bit more empathetic đ______
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