Arriving late, dominating discussions and loudly announcing you have to take a call are all major faux pas in business meetings.
A stern word is sufficient for most transgressions, but people who persistently take up too much airspace can pose a tougher challenge.
So how do you deal with them?
"Lead with a question, like do you think we have the budget for this? Because I'm really worried about how much we're spending," says Mandy Smith, a corporate training consultant who helps people brush up on their business etiquette.
"Not waiting for an answer but then stating your opinion makes people feel that they have been asked a question, rather than interrupted," she says.
The topic is high up on the agenda of the business skills course Ms Smith teaches at the Eton Institute in Dubai.
Students learn they must also watch their behaviour when they are attending events with colleagues outside of work.
Dressing appropriately at all times is important as first impressions are usually formed within 30 seconds.
"Make sure that you're dressed correctly and professionally, and here that means the need to dress slightly more conservatively than you may in some of your home countries," says Ms Smith.
Treat all colleagues equally and do not differentiate between them because of their position.
"People will see that if you treat one person poorly and the boss comes in and you're really nice to them, why you're doing that," she says.
"And you never know when the pesky sales person becomes your biggest client. People change their jobs quite frequently."
The course attracts a diverse mix, from company chief executives and directors to job seekers fresh out of university. "The only common thing they have is English as a second language. I have had occasional people who have English as a first language. That's generally when the companies know of the course and know someone who has had some success on it," says Ms Smith.
"They may have the mother tongue of English, but they might not understand the business etiquette side of things."
Mona Dib, 34, from Lebanon, who works at a distribution company for IT products, signed up to improve her English and business skills. "I find it difficult sometimes to find my words. "But she (Ms Smith) has given us a lot of phrases to use and showed us how to create the subject. I have found it very useful for my daily work."
The course, which can also be delivered to companies and tailored to their requirements, includes a section about the cultural sensitivities of doing business in the UAE.
"You can't point the sole of your foot towards somebody, so you have to make sure your feet are on the ground if you're in a meeting with UAE locals," says Ms Smith.
And people should not offer their hand to the opposite gender.
"I have a lot of locals that come to the course and I just suggest that they put their hands behind their back, because it becomes very awkward."
First meetings in the Emirates are often devoted to getting to know each other. Some of the questions might not be business related because people like to build a relationship first.
"It might not be until the third meeting that they will talk business, but after that they will never go anywhere else because they have built that relationship," she says.
gduncan@thenational.ae
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago 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.
Jebel Ali card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
The National selections
1.45pm: Cosmic Glow
2.15pm: Karaginsky
2.45pm: Welcome Surprise
3.15pm: Taamol
3.45pm: Rayig
4.15pm: Chiefdom
4.45pm: California Jumbo
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
