Six key factors separate successful companies from struggling ones, according to Pikay Richardson, a professor at Manchester Business School, who was in Dubai recently to hold a seminar. He outlines the differences here.
What separates successful companies from struggling ones?
We've done a lot of research on this and we have found about six differences. The first one is successful companies do the right things, whereas poorly-run companies do things right. These are the same words, but when you swap the words around their meanings are different.
Can you give an example?
Before 1992 Nokia was a conglomerate of many small businesses. In 1992, the chief executive said we can't be a jack of all trades. Mobile telephones were just beginning and this guy was remarkably clairvoyant. He said in a globalising world we'll very soon be nothing. He sold all of the other divisions and put the money into the small electronics division and said I am going to build this into the biggest mobile phone company in the world, and he did.
What are the other factors?
Satisfying customers. Success comes from acquiring customers, retaining customers and having a workforce dedicated and skilled to deliver excellent service. Third, in a world that is changing very fast, customers are always changing the goal posts. Today they want you to supply them in packages of 20, tomorrow they will want them in packages of 15. Number four is competitor understanding. In a world of competition, the only way you can beat your competitor is to understand how they compete.
Good internal communication is the fifth. Why?
In the yesteryears of business, communication was always top down 'I'm the boss, do what I say'. In the fast changing environment, you (the boss) cannot be around all the time. So top down is not good enough. It must be bottom up, also. If you allow information to also come up, and you create an environment where even the cleaner can come talk to you, it is amazing what sort of ideas you get.
The last factor is strong leadership. What do you mean by that?
(It is a) leadership which is able to look into the future, a leadership which is able to scan the marketplace and see the changes going on to move the organisation in the direction of success, having convinced everyone that's the way to go.
And how does a leader convince everyone their way is the right way?
A good leader is one who can stand in front of people and get them on board. You need to deliver the message in such a way, so passionately that people think if you don't follow, we're all dead. Winning the hearts of people is a leadership skill. Telling people to pack bottles of water is a management thing.
* Gillian Duncan
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Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:
Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')
Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
England v West Indies
England squad for the first Test Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (captain), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Crane
Fixtures
1st Test Aug 17-21, Edgbaston
2nd Test Aug 25-29, Headingley
3rd Test Sep 7-11, Lord's
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