It’s that time of year again, when women around the world are celebrated for their success and contributions. In March, there’s more focus on women in business than any other time of the year. Magazines dedicate entire issues to them, and corporations hold events throughout the month that are focused on women. As great and important as that is, that outpouring of support and enthusiasm for women in business around the world should extend beyond this month.
How can individuals and businesses further support women?
Mentor, mentor, mentor
No matter where female entrepreneurs are, it can be challenging for them to enter the world of business. When I launched my first start-up, one thing that helped me was having a mentor who was in a similar line of work and had decades of experience. I regularly met my mentor, whose generous guidance helped me to avoid many of the pitfalls that young entrepreneurs often encounter.
While I sought my mentor out, many entrepreneurs feel shy to approach others for guidance. To circumvent this, one thing successful individuals and corporations can do is take the initiative and offer these services to the public.
This is something that Goldman Sachs does with their 10,000 Women programme and it has proved successful. The online, free-to-access business education scheme was designed to meet the needs of female entrepreneurs in emerging economies.
While support from both men and women is valuable, sometimes it is more helpful to hear directly from women, who can relate more to female audiences. Successful female businesswomen can offer their time to young or aspiring entrepreneurs, while corporations can organise events where audiences can hear directly from their female leaders.
Show financial support where you can
One thing I have heard from some women time and again across the world, is how challenging they find it to monetise their businesses, particularly if it’s a venture that provides intangible services, such as consulting. It is not uncommon to hear from some business acquaintances that their work is undervalued.
To show women that you support their work, you can invest in their businesses, buy from them, or collaborate with them. In addition, you can support them by using your social media accounts to promote their businesses or allow them to use your platform to gain exposure. For instance, that can be through an Instagram Live, or other similar platforms. Media companies can also launch long-term coverage plans that highlight budding female entrepreneurs and their work.
Ask them how best they can be supported
While some of the suggestions above could be helpful for many businesses, it is by no means applicable to each individual venture. Each business has its own needs and, as such, perhaps the best way women can be supported is by asking them questions such as “What do you need?” and “How can I best help you?” and tailor your actions accordingly.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, one thing that is important to keep in mind, is not underestimating the importance of continuously thinking of ways to help other women succeed, because when women succeed, it is a beacon of hope to future generations.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant based in Abu Dhabi
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Company%20profile
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.