One of my favourite books is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by American writer Mitch Albom. The story follows the life and death of a maintenance man, Eddie, who died trying to save a young girl in a theme park. In heaven where he's sent, he meets five people who played a significant role in his life.
The other day I came across this book again and it made me wonder about the significant people that have affected my entrepreneurship journey. Meeting new people in general has proved to be very beneficial for my career. Through the different events and seminars I attend, I’ve met new business peers and learnt from those who are more experienced.
Although I prefer to start a business on my own, it would be impossible to advance it without people’s support and input along the way. As this African proverb goes: “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together”.
Others may say that if you are good enough to start a business, then why would you need to network with others? Well, there are several reasons why. Some people may prove to be a good resource and connect you to the right people, others may hand out an opportunity you would not want to miss. You also do not know it all, no matter how intellectual and experienced you may think you are. There is always something new to learn, a new skill to master, or new information to help you with your business development.
But the best business contacts are the ones that can benefit you in more than one way. Here are my favourite three – the ones that have helped me a great deal. If you can find someone like this on your journey, then you’re on the right track.
• The one who has helped me shape my career the most has been my mentor – a financial adviser who has managed and started different ventures. For you this person should be someone who has been through what you have been through, although not necessarily within the same field. The mentor should offer you pearls of wisdom and become someone to turn to for advice. They should also have a network of contacts that they can connect you with when the need arises. When I first started my business and needed help with my business plan, my mentor connected me with a colleague who was able to assist me with the process. Dubai’s Chamber of Commerce is one example of a place which provides mentorship for entrepreneurs.
• Community influencers can also be hugely beneficial to you. I have met several through events locally and abroad, who have now become good friends. Being associated with community influencers can help to build a buzz around your business, especially if they have a huge following on social media. By giving a shout out about your brand, they could drive followers to your page. Consider the example of Dubai Shopping Festival; the organisers have worked with different social media influencers who post about the events and offers taking place across the malls. Those with a huge social media following, upload a video/photo of themselves in venues across town, highlighting the special offers of the day or sales that should not be missed. I applaud this effort and as a result I am more up to date with the festival’s activities than ever before.
• Last but not least, look out for local talent. Whether they are an emerging singer, graphic designer or a gift supplier, they could provide your business with a competitive advantage and a breath of fresh air. In my line of work, I see more and more international businesses becoming more local in the way they market/sell their businesses. From dealing with locally based market consultants or collaborating with new local artists to design a product, this shows how significant local, and fresh, talent is becoming and how they could help sell your business. Ensure your contact list is up to date.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and manages her branding and marketing consultancy in Abu Dhabi. Twitter: @manar_alhinai.
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Read more about the coronavirus
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How Beautiful this world is!
