Creating Opportunities

Once again we're back at Expo 2020, Dubai for another episode of Creating Opportunities and it's February 14th. St Valentine's Day. A day for flowers, chocolates, romance and Love, with a capital 'L'. However, even though we're celebrating Valentine's Day, our approach isn't all about romance. We wanted to debate the age-old argument of Love vs. Money. And, we live-streamed the discussions in front of a live studio audience at the Opportunity Forum at Expo 2020, Dubai. Whether you believe money can buy you love, or that money doesn't matter without love our event moderator, TV presenter and media personality Aishwarya Ajit, kept the questions coming for our guests...entrepreneur and business personality Paria Gorashi and clinical psychologist, Pascal Nakhle. Does money make you happy? Can love survive without money? Can money buy you love? Is love really all you need? We attempt to answer all of these questions, and more... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you might have noticed from the last few episodes, we've been spending a lot of time touring Expo and at Emirates NBD's Expo 2020 branch, enjoying the bank's Future Banking 'Pods'. The 'Pods' are all designed to be immersive, interactive exhibits offering visitors to the branch the chance to get involved and to take part to learn just how banking may well be in the near future. In this episode, it's the Personal Data Economy 'Pod' that we're taking a look at. It's fascinating stuff. It's all about our data, understanding just how much information we WANT to share online and how much of a digital footprint we leave behind online. This 'Pod' concept gives us a chance to seize control of our own data..and perhaps even monetize it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no doubt that Expo 2020, Dubai is the ideal place for Emirates NBD, the event's premier banking partner, to showcase what it believes might become the next big thing in banking and to demonstrate how advancements in technology, robotics and artificial intelligence might influence and shape our lives in the decades to come. After all, the very idea of an Expo is that they're all about the future. They're all about a universal coming together to consider what might happen, what might emerge...in terms of technology, in terms of inventions that might become 'the norm'. In this episode we're back once again at Emirates NBD's Expo 2020, Dubai branch considering potential new ways that we might be able to grow our money by investing in and owning an alternative asset class...Art. This time, on Creating Opportunities, we're looking at Emirates NBD's latest Pod here at Expo 2020, Dubai, the ‘Future of Investing'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're heading back to Emirates NBD's 3,000 square foot Expo branch once again to try out another of the bank's special Future Banking 'POD' concepts at Expo 2020. This time it's an initiative that rewards people for being healthier and more planet-friendly that the bank is championing in line with the key Expo theme of sustainability. Emirates NBD's Green Citizenship Pod is aligned to the UAE's Green Agenda and employs a smart mirror that will allow us to track how well we're doing in terms of green contributions. A Smart mirror may well sit in our home in the future, connected to smart home appliances and wearable fitness and health apps to reflect, advise, track and reward good green behaviour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expo 2020 Dubai is a chance to show us all where our futures might be headed. It's a chance to showcase ideas for the betterment of humanity, often through advancements in technology. And that's why Emirates NBD, the premier banking partner at Expo 2020, Dubai is showcasing what they believe could be the way forward through technology in the banking industry. For this episode of Creating Opportunities we're heading back to the Expo branch once again to consider another of the bank's Future Banking 'Pod' concepts. This time it's the Quantum Computing pod that we'll be trying to explain! Emirates NBD employs quantum computing in its daily banking life. It means the ability to track transactions at lightning speed, in real time. And that means better security for customers. The great thing about this 'Pod' experience at Expo is that it's gameified. Visitors get to take on the persona of the bank's fraud prevention officer and learn how to spot real life fraudster attempts, using a Sherlock Holmes style method of solving scenarios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After another quick, and this time food-related, tour of one of Expo's many different areas, we're back at Emirates NBD's Expo 2020 branch for another episode of Future Banking. The bank is showcasing where it believes the future of banking will be headed in the coming years with a number of unique conceptual 'Pod' experiences. And one of these is an initiative that echoes of one of the UAE's stated aims to be the world's leading hub in innovation-driven food security. For this episode of Creating Opportunities, we're talking all about at a food-based concept that the bank hope it might one day be able to champion in line with the key Expo theme of sustainability. It's something completely different for a bank offering. And when we say different, we mean COMPLETELY different. It's Urban Farming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the premier banking partner at Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates NBD is hosting a pioneering, site-wide, banking experience for residents and international visitors. They're also showcasing potential Future Banking experiences at the futuristic Expo branch on Al Wasl Avenue. As you walk into the branch, directly in front of you - there are five distinct 'pods' with immersive, interactive exhibits...covering a range of future-facing topics. Right now the pods are just concepts but each has an expert on hand with everything you need to know about what MIGHT be possible in banking in the near future. In the second episode of Season 4 we're back at Emirates NBD's Expo branch looking at a concept that isn't perhaps what you'd expect from a retail banking institution...the Music Marketplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this season of Creating Opportunities we'll be at Expo, the World's Fair, where Emirates NBD is hosting a pioneering, site-wide, banking experience for residents and international visitors as the Premier Banking Partner. The first episode of this new season takes place at Emirates NBD's futuristic new branch on Al Wasl Avenue at Expo 2020, Dubai. With immersive, interactive exhibits that re-imagine the future of banking, how will banking influence and help shape our lives in the decades to come? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rajan Israni founded Sun and Sand Developers  – a real estate company in the UAE with buildings such as Suntech Tower in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the  market was getting crowded. In the season finale of Creating Opportunities he tells us how the business has remained competitive and why he decided to start a new venture during the pandemic. We also hear from Rohit Garg, Emirates NBD's Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking, who tells us what people need to know about setting up a business in the UAE that they might not already know. www.emiratesnbd.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paresh Zaveri is the Chairman and Managing Director of Aurionpro –a technology products and solutions provider with operations across Asia and the Middle East. With digital innovation constantly evolving, he talks through the challenges of staying relevant in the fast moving industry. We also hear from Rohit Garg, Emirates NBD's Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking, who tells us how businesses in the UAE can capitalise on digital transformation opportunities. www.emiratesnbd.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it like to enter the UAE market only a few months before COVID-19 hit? For South Africa based Osman and Shaista Osman, the duo behind the entertainment management company, Blu Blood, it was their pre-existing network in the UAE which helped them navigate the uncertainties in the industry. We also have Emirates NBD's Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking, Rohit Garg, who weighs in on how companies can franchise out of one market into the UAE. www.emiratesnbd.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you go from being an employee to an entrepreneur, there is a lot at stake. For JP Sharma, the CEO of Captain's Freight, an International freight forwarder and logistics provider, it meant dipping into his savings in a very strategic way. With many others on a similar journey, Rohit Garg, Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking at Emirates NBD, discusses the practical ways the bank assists emerging entrepreneurs. www.emiratesnbd.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lorenzo Jooris, the CEO of Creative Zone, Dubai's largest business setup company, is well versed on knowing what it takes to launch a business from scratch in the UAE. From the key tenets required to succeed to why the UAE is fertile ground for entrepreneurs, Lorenzo has all the answers. Additionally, Rohit Garg, Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking, guides listeners on how to capitalise on opportunities for business development in the UAE. www.emiratesnbd.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of all the industries hit by the global pandemic, the creative field was by far one of the most heavily affected. The UAE's first female director and producer, Nayla Al Khaja, who is also the CEO of Nayla Khaja Films, had to think outside the box mid-production for one of her latest projects. Rohit Garg, Emirates NBD's Executive Vice President and Head Business Banking, talks us through the ways the bank supports businesses in the creative industry. www.emiratesnbd.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just because we’re social distancing it doesn’t mean that fraudsters are keeping their distance. In fact, this is a time when fraudsters look to prey on perceived fears. In this sixth and final episode of season two of Creating Opportunities, Emirates NBD's Head of Operational Risk, Bjorn Lenzmann tells us how to be confident that that our money is safe and secure when we're banking online.

Since we’re all social distancing as much as we can right now, in episode five we discuss how to stay safe by going contactless during Covid-19. Emirates NBD’s Head of Cards, Deepakchandran R (the man we affectionately know as ‘DC’) is back once again to discuss the ins and outs of contactless payments, the merits of contactless banking and why it always pays to stay safe.   www.emiratesnbd.com

What’s the message from Emirates NBD as a financial institution when it comes to looking after and getting the most from our money in times like these? For episode four, the bank’s Chief Investment Officer, Maurice Gravier, discusses what we can all do to deal with financial difficulty and, looking to the future, what coronavirus might mean when it comes to attitudes to saving and investing?   www.emiratesnbd.com

A pandemic like the coronavirus is uncharted territory. Traditional crisis communications playbooks don’t apply - Covid-19 is anything but ‘traditional’. At times like these, when so much has changed for so many, communication is more important than ever. In this episode, Emirates NBD’s Group Marketing Chief Moadh Bukhash tells us how he approached this responsibility.   www.emiratesnbd.com 

Eman AbdulRazzaq, Emirates NBD's new Group Chief Human Resource Officer shares her experiences and employee well-being stories for episode two. From physical and mental health initiatives, to eating plans and team-building exercises. From counselling staff with increased ‘life stress’ to dealing with the IT demands of remote working and virtual meetings. She also explains what working from home really means - particularly when family just have to get involved!   www.emiratesnbd.com 

How has the banking industry adapted to the changes that we've all been affected by in 2020? Emirates NBD’s Senior Executive Vice-President and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Suvo Sarkar and Executive Vice-President, and Head of Retail Banking UAE, Marwan Hadi, talk us through initiatives the bank has introduced to ease the burden in trying times and how current attitudes and thinking will impact Emirates NBD's approach to banking in the near future. https://www.emiratesnbd.com

What does V.A.T. stand for? What actually IS it and how is it applied and? How does V.A.T. affect our daily lives? Ludwig Nelson is THE man from Emirates NBD to explain - he's the bank's Associate Vice President for Taxation.

Property and mortgages, where we live and how we afford to live there. For most of us, buying a home is the most we’ll ever spend, so we called in an expert. Breaking down the information you need is today’s guest Prateek Vahie; Emirates NBD’s SVP and Head of Retail Assets, in the Retail Banking Division.

Lets say you're thinking about a large purchase...and you don’t have quite enough money. What do you need to think about before you borrow money from a bank? Also how does interest work, what are credit scores and how can you make sure you are getting a good deal? Emirates NBD's Personal Loans and Product manager JayaKrishnan, or 'JK' is today's guest and he is here to help. 

What should we be doing with our hard-earned cash! How, exactly, do we make sure we’re getting the most from our savings? From deciding HOW MUCH to save, all the way to WHERE to save it - and much more. Today's guest is Emirates NBD's Senior Vice President and Head of Liabilities and Transaction Banking Leslie T. Isaac has the answers.

Credit cards! Which one should you choose, how do they work and what should you look out for? Our guest today is the man we affectionately call 'DC', Deepakchandran R, Senior Vice President and Emirates NBD's Head of Cards Business, and he is here to help us answer all those questions. 

In the first episode of this brand-new series on how to get the VERY best from your money, let's go back to basics. Learn to budget, what kind of bank account to open and how to build a lifelong savings habit with Appul Jaisinghani, Head of Investment Funds and Structured Products at Emirates NBD.     

This season is all about personal financial literacy.