Swenglanese - talking business in the UAE

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a chat with Rami Shaar who is the CEO and Co Founder of the company Washmen Rami has had extensive experience in the corporate world - spending time in investment banking, private equity and some time at Uber as well. But had always had in the back of his mind that he wanted to start his own thing.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a chance to speak with a long term resident and business owner Nina Seredai-Udalova - Nina is the founder and managing director of Ninth Space. After finally getting our diaries to co-ordinate Nina shares her entrepreneurial journey from the early days of starting a business in the UAE and how things have changed drastically. As a female entrepreneur starting out back in the day, she had a completely unique experience of setting up her first business and moving things forwards. Just getting her first office is a story of respect and humility and shows how just asking can sometimes get you what you need. Involved in building and transforming brands, Nina takes her extensive experience in the region to drive companies forwards and really help them tell their story.

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had a great conversation with Debbie Nicol from Business En Motion Debbie tells her story from her early days in business. Of looking successful but not feeling content or authentic. Debbie goes into detail of how she was blaming someone else for not growing her and how her success in a career that wasn't connected to her was destined to fail. The learning from that early message was how can you lead anyone else, if you can't lead yourself. Fascinating conversation, incredible experience conveyed in stories and a real pleasure to speak with. Debbie now helps companies around the world dig into what is actually required to initiate change, but more importantly ensure that change is permanent and the old ways aren't defaulted back to.

In this episode Barry had the opportunity to speak with Beth Your Coach. Beth tells her story - going back to a childhood where she wasn't sure who she was. But decided to find out. Travelled, learned, and overcame obstacles along the way. All with a view to determining what her purpose was. She found it and talks about her entrepreneurial journey that lead her to setup her own thing to focus on helping young girls and women in particular to be the best they can be.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the pleasure of speaking with Paula Jane Cox. A people development specialist, trainer, coach and all round lovely human being. PJ as she's affectionately referred to gives us an insight into her entrepreneurial journey, from the yellow pages in the UK to Ferrari World on Yas Island and beyond. Really up beat energy filled chat - PJ's energy levels are off the chart and sharing that with you just makes you feel better. So much to learn from her experience and her general outlook on life. Thanks PJ, was a real pleasure.

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had the pleasure of speaking with Mayur Bommai, the co-founder and director of Laundryheap. An 'online' business that grew 300+% during COVID - Mayur talks about gaining experience in the family business before making the shift to the entrepreneurial way, scaling and growing a business and expanding into 10 countries, with more on the way.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the opportunity to speak with Brendon Hansford. A super successful choreographer, dancer, director and creative. Brendon shares his entrepreneurial journey to date, from his choices at 16 to heading out to the UAE for his current chapter. Charged with energy and providing some entrepreneurial nuggets of wisdom, it was a real pleasure of an episode.

On this episode of the podcast Barry got the chance to have a conversation with the fascinating Margeri Ottis. Her current business - KimonoGirl - is in a niche that no one has really explored before, but her journey to this point is enlightening with learning points of self awareness. Margeri talks about her childhood and early career journey as the pathway to finding a business that makes her and her customers happy. Pioneering the market space in the energy fashion arena, Margeri and KimonoGirl offer something truly unique.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had an enlightening conversation with Martin Tronquit Founder and Co-CEO of Infomineo - the company that helps with brainshoring. Yep that's a new word Martin made up and it's how Infomineo can help you. Listen in to find out more about Martin's entrepreneurial journey, why Infomineo exists and why he's started another business called DataXchange. Learn how optimisation is key to running two businesses as well as being a husband and father to three children!!! Really enjoyed this conversation and the learnings from Martin's journey so far.

On this episode of the podcast I had the real pleasure of speaking with Mike Khouri about his entrepreneurial journey so far. Our paths have crossed a few times over the years and I've really enjoyed seeing Mike take his agency - Tactical- from strength to strength. So it was really good to speak with him in more detail about his whole approach to business and life. Great conversation, easy to talk to and a very successful business builder here in the UAE.

On this episode of the podcast we had the chance to speak with Helen Chen, the CEO and Co founder of a company called Nomad Homes. We were lucky to catch her in Dubai before she hopped onto a plane to Europe. Helen tells us a bit about her origin story, working in the world of investments before making a jump into her own thing with her business partners. Recently securing $20 million USD investment into that business, helping people remove the pain of finding a home, whether buying or renting. The decision to move and find a home is not one that she thinks should come with undue stress and frustration - enter Nomad Homes.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a great conversation with Mohamed Al Fayed the co founder and CEO of a company called Grubtech. His illustrious career in the corporate world helping global brands digitise and explore opportunities in the retail sector positioned him to take a bold move into an industry he wasn't overly familiar with. Food and beverage, but he could see the same opportunities raising their heads just as they had done previously in the retail sector and he wanted to make a difference. Grubtech was born. Super nice guy to talk with, humble and doing some really incredible things with his business.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a really interesting conversation with Elena Agaragimova the Managing Partner of her company called Bessern. Her entrepreneurial journey is a very interesting one that involves the world of higher education and corporate learning. The huge gap between higher education and the corporate world is something that Elena and her business partner are looking to reduce. To help individuals level up and have organisations nurture a happier more engaged workforce.

On this episode of the podcast Barry speaks with Madhav Dhar - the co founder and COO of ZaZen Properties - Madhav tells his really interesting personal journey from birth in the UAE, boarding school, corporate life and then starting his own business in a super competitive niche. All in a country where that niche also doesn't have the best reputation. Precisely because of this, he's doing it differently, to change the perception of the industry but also to deliver properties that live up to the pre sales marketing hype.

David and Piero talk about their entrepreneurial journey so far and how it has brought them to Exirio. Helping expats take better care of their money and investments by leveraging technology.

On this episode of the podcast it was an absolute pleasure to speak with Dr Saliha Afridi, the founder of the LightHouse Arabia Centre for Wellbeing. Dr Saliha has had a bright and varied career to date and doesn't consider herself a business person or entrepreneur. But that aside, she is a person that has and continues to make a big impact in the region helping raise awareness around mental health, as well as treating people suffering from mental health issues. The staff at the centre are all about community and as with many of our interviews. We were left inspired and a little in awe!!

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the opportunity to speak with Aakansha Tangri, the founder of Re:Set your everyday. A daily online news organisation that looks to shine a light on subjects such as education, mental health, well being and inclusion. Aakanksha has had a varied career to date with time spent at CNN and Vice as a journalist, before turning her skills to build a platform to dig deeper into the conversations and topics that really matter.

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had a really interesting conversation with Natalie Banks - the founder of a not for profit organisation called Azraq. But her journey didn't start there and Natalie talks Barry through her start in journalism. Setting up an initiative to save the sharks, followed by a move to the UAE where Azraq was born. Motivating, inspiring and doing something she is truly passionate about. Talk about making an impact!

This is a particularly special episode of the podcast with long time friend Jeff Price. Jeff has been an integral part of the broadcast landscape for an extended period of time, both in the UK and very much a part of the foundations here in the UAE. Throughout his career he has tried to help wherever he can and his focus on catering to the wellbeing of children is what caused his and Barry's paths to cross in the first place. Apart from setting up Pearl FM which was a radio station specifically for children and their parents, Jeff has also been involved in setting up and running some of the commercial stations we listen to today, here in the UAE. Jeff and his family have also been on an excruciating personal journey over the last few years. Jeff gives us an insight into this as well as his experience. Culminating in the fact that he's back on the ground here in the UAE, ready to help in any way he can, across a variety of different areas too. Listen in and reconnect if you know Jeff. He'd love to hear from you.

This episode of Swenglanese saw Oskar and Barry catch up after Oskar's return to Sweden in the the middle of the COVID summer last June. The conversation was an update on what Oskar is doing, how the move from the UAE actually went and the changes he had to implement within his business - Strategic Tech Coaching to keep him going after 2 of his core niche markets were effectively shut down as a result of the global pandemic.

In this episode of Swenglanese Barry had the chance to speak to Rosa Bullock about her professional journey. Where it started with an interest in fashion, studying in London, to setting up a successful PR agency here in Dubai - Sociate PR. As with most journeys into entrepreneurialism, it isn't all plain sailing. Lots of ups and downs and a lot of perseverance.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the pleasure of speaking with Ziad Matar. Ziad's story is such an interesting one, spanning the corporate ladder of Ericsson through to investing in companies, creating companies and now his own Podcast too. Potential.com is an empowerment platform that has been used to help develop millions of people around the world. Coconut is the go to resource for recruiting in the hospitality industry. Meditari is the digital advisory network he helped setup, he's on the board of TiE Dubai after having been a member for many years and Wirelessly Yours is his awesome new podcast.

On this episode of the podcast Barry got the chance to speak with Vietek Ladislaav - originally a TV presenter covering Golf he transitioned into the world of video/content creation here in Dubai in 2013 with his own video production company Square Motion. He's seen the changes taking place here in the UAE and has adapted his business and himself to stay at the forefront of the niche. Now focusing on LinkedIn and helping leverage the platform for your business, Vietek has his training sessions called BeLinkedInSmart.com and is keen to help business owners make the most of an currently under utilised platform.

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had the chance to sit down with Sebastian Bates - the founder of the Warrior Academy and the global anti bullying movement, Not A Victim. Seb gives an insight into his entrepreneurial journey, his first job as a monkey chaser, the ability to spot opportunities and leverage them and how to hone the kind of mindset that allows you to delegate and keep you in the creator/innovator zone as an entrepreneur.

On this episode we have an in depth chat with Karl Edwards who runs his own production company KE Motion Pictures. We go back to the beginning and find out how he ended up making videos and content for some of the biggest brands on the planet. We learn a bit about how just asking, can get you where you want to go and also how things have changed on the ground here in the UAE in the content creation business over the last 10 years or so.

On this episode Barry speaks with long time friend and owner of Animus Creative Matt Wilson. They talk about Matt's professional journey starting in the UK in the newspaper industry, into IT networking and then to his own company, all with a design lead focus. Moving to the UAE about the same time as Barry, 15 years ago, Matt eventually setup Animus Creative to help people and companies really start to see how branding and design reflected in everything they do. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the chance to speak to friend and dentist, Dr Geoffrey Sharpe who owns and runs The Perio Clinic located in Healthcare city. Having made the decision to do his own thing, not a decision taken lightly, Geoff talks us through the journey of setting up a business here in Dubai that had to have a physical location as well as support staff prior to seeing a single patient. Deadlines, budget and planning are all covered in an interesting chat with our friendly neighbourhood dentist.

On this episode Barry had the opportunity to speak with Sam Dancy a PR professional and friend who has been involved in the UAE market for 15 years. Working across agency and in house, she made the jump to her own thing in 2013 and Footstep Communications was born. Sam talks about her own professional journey, the lessons learned and some top tips for those thinking about doing their own thing, or have made the leap and are wondering what do do next.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the opportunity to speak with Lukasz Spirala the GCC Area Manager for a company called Infinite IT Solutions.  During the chat we learn a little about Lukasz's journey from Poland to the UAE via Canada as well as how supply chain is being impacted by technology and of course COVID. 

So this is a special and somewhat sad episode with Barry and Oskar as things are changing. Oskar has been in the region since 2007 but is now relocating back to Sweden full time. We haven't quite sorted out what that means for Swenglanese as yet, but we thought it would be a good time to run through some of the highlights of Oskar's time here in the UAE. We didn't do video for this one as you might have seen some red eyes - due to allergies and nothing else.

On this episode of the podcast Barry jumped on a Zoom call with Massimo Cannizzo the CEO of Gellify Middle East. They talk through Massimo's career to date and the transition from corporate world to entrepreneur. Then into what Gellify actually is and how it can help startups, venture capitalists, investors and all those parties usually involved in getting a company off the ground and flying.

On this episode of the podcast Barry did his first Zoom recording for Swenglanese so there is video as well. He speaks with the CEO of Massar Solutions Richard Sikkel all about his personal business journey. It started in Holland, had a stop in the US at Tesla and now driving Massar Solutions here in the Middle East. As a leading mobility and logistics organisation, the current situation is having a huge impact on Massar, just like everyone else.

On this week's episode, Barry and Oskar dialled into a Zoom call, as is Corona protocol, to talk about business during this time. What can be done, what we should focus on and of course whether Oskar's home country's (Sweden) approach is the better way to go. 

Steve Cronin is behind www.deadsimplesaving.com and helps ex-pats take care of their finances. In this episode, Steve and Oskar discuss what to do with your finances during the Corona crisis. They discuss what small businesses can do, what to do if you lost your job, or had to take a pay cut and how you might still be able to invest and make your money work for you.

This episode of Swenglanese was originally recorded for Oskar's Strategic Tech Coaching podcast at the end of 2019 but we re-listened to it and thought it was a topic that would be of interest to parents regardless. In fact you don't have to be a parent to get value from this episode. If you have siblings, nieces, nephews grand kids or you just know young people that you care about this episode is for you. 

In this episode Oskar had the opportunity to speak to Sary Arab about the idea of the lifestyle hotel - specifically Zabeel House.  What is the affordable luxury segment and where does Zabeel House sit in amongst the upcoming trend of the more casual hotel. Oskar and Sary talk design, expansion and the product offering to it's customers here in the UAE. 

This week Barry was flying solo and got the chance to speak to a fascinating young lady who has changed the way we learn. Her own story sparked a fire that saw her wanting to help anyone that wanted to learn and also anyone that wanted to teach.  Thea Myhrvold is the CEO and Found of Teach Me Now and Get Bee. She has a fascinating story, a diverse background and all round pleasure to speak with. 

This week, whilst back in Sweden, Oskar got the chance to speak with the head of the Swedish Expo delegation to get his insight into the history of Expo, what Expo2020 is going to be and of course an insight into what people can expect from the Swedish pavilion.     

This week Barry and Oskar got the opportunity to speak to Yousef Caires, to find out a little bit more about Expo 2020 and more specifically Expo Live,  as this is part of Expo 2020 that can really help those people with an idea for a business, just starting their entrepreneurial journey, or those looking to take their idea to the next level. Listen in to Yousef explain why you are not going to want to miss the chance to get down to Expo 2020.

This week Barry and Oskar finish the year with a discussion about sales. The role it plays within the business and why it's so important to have the right salespeople within your business.  They explore the role of a salesperson, the skill set required and of course training.  Thanks for tuning in in 2018. Happy New Year and here's to a fantastic 2019. https://www.swenglanese.rocks/index.php/project/episode-41-oskar-and-barry-talk-sales-just-how-important-is-it/

This week Oskar had the opportunity to speak with the Group CEO of Platinum Heritage, Adam McEwan.  Adam has lead an entrepreneurial life from a young age and learnt some very important and intense lessons along the way. Some of which he shares with Oskar during their chat.  Want to know what it takes to build a luxury brand in tourism? Have a listen to Adam's story. 

This week Barry and Oskar had the pleasure of speaking with the one and only Dave Crane.  Dave is a stalwart of the UAE speaking scene. With 25 years experience on the ground here, hosting events, opening radio stations, presenting the Dubai Rugby 7's and now coaching people to become better speakers, his insight into how things work here is invaluable.  We were very grateful to get a slot in Dave's diary and have him tell us a bit about his journey and share some golden nuggets of information relevant to everyone out there that wants or rather needs to communicate more effectively

This week Oskar and Barry had a chance to talk about the idea of happiness and engagement at work.  Oskar has been delving into the subject and what he has found is that there's a lot that needs to be done to increase the levels of engagement and therefore happiness at work. Otherwise we have to ask ourselves what are we doing?  If the statistics are to be believed, then we are not doing what we should be doing because not many of us are happy doing what we are doing!!!

This week on the podcast, Barry and Oskar got the chance to speak with two awesome people in the co working space.  Jessica Edwards, the curator of NEST Dubai co working space in Barsha Heights and Shahzad Bhatti the creator of the Co Working Pop Up. We explore the definition of what a co working space actually is and what the scene is looking like in Dubai compared with the United States.  What are the benefits and how a co working space can benefit solopreneurs, entrepreneurs and enterprise companies alike are all part of the discussion on this episode. 

Sacha Christe is a 22 year old entrepreneur who set up his company Emirates Graphic aged 16.  It was a pleasure to speak with him about his journey so far and where he is going in the future.  The enthusiasm for business that this young man has is infectious and his company is aiming to make a difference in the web and app development world.  Listen in for his interpretation of the business world and what the future will bring. 

This week on the podcast we had the pleasure of speaking with David Cook who is the founder and Managing Director of Project Partners here on the ground in the UAE.  Project Partners is the current iteration of the company and David's journey so far is very interesting. He gives a lot of insight and advice on how to build a growing thriving business on the ground in the UAE and what it takes to make it work.  He's a very interesting entrepreneur and as many entrepreneurs sees so many opportunities. We will have him back on the podcast soon to discuss where he's going next! 

This week is a special episode of Swenglanese as it's very much a family affair! Barry Lee has his dad, Dr Barry James in the studio with him and Oskar talking leadership, cultural sensitivity and business here in the UAE.  Dr Barry has been in the UAE for over 22 years, is originally from Leeds, speaks fluent Arabic and has his doctorate in the comparison of expatriates and local Emirati's in the private and public sectors.  Culture has a variety of meanings for many and his own experiences have opened up many doors into what part culture plays in all our lives, both personal and professional.  Listen in to find out more about Dr Barry's interesting life to date and learn how we all need to be aware of culture, especially here in the UAE where it can make or break a business opportunity in seconds. 

This week Barry and Oskar have a chat about online reputation. What it is and how big a part of life it will play in the near future.  The value of your own personal online reputation and that of the brand you represent - are you consciously thinking about what you are posting on your social media accounts.  They explore the idea of personal and professional social media. Does this exist or are they one and the same thing?  Listen in to find out how you can start to consciously take control of your online reputation and why you need to do that today. 

This week Barry and Oskar had the pleasure of speaking with a very popular young lady here in the UAE and further afield. Nadine is a super hero wannabe, 7 times cover girl, Ahlan magazine personality of the year and Stylish Mag's Social Media Star. She's also human and sometimes things aren't always great. But how we deal with those times is testament to who we are and how we succeed. Nadine's story is inspiration, motivational and just full of boundless energy! 

This week on Swenglanese Barry was away in Ghana training their telecommunications provider on social media strategy and so Oskar managed to sneak another fellow Swede onto the show.  He had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Anna who brought Dubai the sports medicine clinic up and running. A really inspiring journey and step back in time to when Dubai really was an oasis in the desert. Sheikh Zayed road was a two lane dust road and the Chicago Beach Hotel and villas still existed.  Listen to how Dr Anna juggles being a doctor, a mother and a business owner in the same 24 hours we all have! 

This week Barry was lucky enough to get some time in Tanaz's diary to learn a little more about her journey from idea to successful business here in the UAE.  Insydo was born from a need for recommendations on what to do in the city, but not hundreds of recommendations when asking one question, but more like a trusted friend who would give you one, or maybe 2 ideas about where to go and why.  Tanaz is a true entrepreneur with a number of irons in the fire and takes the time to give her insights and tell a bit about her story and most importantly, the lessons learned along the way.