The London Business Forum hosts speaking events with prominent speakers on topics such as leadership and management. Hany Mwafy, the organisation's chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa, discusses how business leaders can become more distinctive in how they run their companies.
You recently relocated your regional office to Dubai from Cairo, due to the unrest there. What's your goal by holding regular forums in the Emirates?
To present one idea that can have an impact or change on what they're doing,something that can help any of their stakeholders, whether customers or brand [partners]. Our objective is to empower people to conquer their future.
What's a challenge business leaders face in this region that might get discussed in your forum?
We are so busy trying to do things faster, better or cheaper. [It's] the trap we're all caught in, where we don't have the luxury of thinking differently, because we're not exposed to what's happening globally in terms of new stuff. This is the key challenge facing businesses today. It's so easy for those who think differently.
How can leaders think differently about their business?
By getting exposed to the big picture. By learning beyond your scope. Executives in Dubai and the Middle East, on the science part, have not [studied] that. They all have MBAs, bachelor's degrees, but we're all lacking the external stuff that's going on globally.
Where can leaders start to make their business unique?
Any function. It could be a human resources function or sales function. It could come from the top, as well. We have to look at alternatives. For example, we have to steal with pride from other industries. Get inspired, so if you are in aviation you can get inspired by banking or by another brand in banking.
And copy them?
No, get inspired. We're moving into a new economy. It's not the same economy based in the 20th century, when it was resource-based. We call it now an ideas-based economy, which is based on a unique proposition.
Can you share an example of a company with a unique spin?
AirAsia. It's unique because they set up an airline with a budget, but with a service of the top-notch airlines. Passengers fly in a very affordable course but get premier service. They have one of the most successful models globally and are loved by their customers.
As a leader, what idea has inspired you the most in your business?
I like this question. Our big idea is democratising knowledge. Everyone has the right to learn [and have] accessibility to power and content. [We were] inspired by the budget airline: it's low-cost, high-frequency and high-volume. We believe everyone should learn from global thought leaders. We don't want this to be exclusive only for the people who can pay US$3,000 [Dh11,000] and fly to London. [That's why] we are bringing these folks to Dubai for Dh999.
* Neil Parmar
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Rebel%20Moon%20-%20Part%20One%3A%20A%20Child%20of%20Fire
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My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
SPECS
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RESULTS
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Sweet%20Tooth
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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company%20profile
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Inside%20Out%202
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The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
BLACKBERRY
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