Let the UAE be the role model for business owners
On December 1, many in the UAE received a call from the number 1971 – the birth year of the country.
It was a pre-recorded message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
People took screenshots of the call and posted happy messages on their social media channels. It was a wonderful and thoughtful surprise on the UAE’s 47th National Day.
On the same day, it was also announced that the UAE’s passport ranked first on the Global Passport Index, making it the most powerful in the world. The goal was achieved three years before its deadline. All of this luxury we enjoy today with our travels was made possible because of the hard work of Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and his dedicated team.
Though all seems great, it is certainly not nearly close to the end of achieving the milestones the leaders have in mind. The UAE is working towards other grand goals such as becoming the No 1 tourist destination in the world by 2025.
When someone asks me what inspires me in my business, I always refer to the UAE. We live in a country where we are constantly motivated to be our best and to conduct our work in excellence. Nothing is too small and no goal is unattainable.
The UAE’s continuous success story provides important lessons that businesses worldwide can benefit from.
Foster a culture of motivation
The UAE’s leaders lead by example. They are hard workers, and, most importantly, acknowledge the achievements and work of their citizens and residents. Achieving the passport goal in the UAE before its designated deadline was not an easy task.
While we were spending last summer in the company of our family and loved ones, Sheikh Abdullah was spending a lot of his time in the air, away from his family and country, working towards achieving this goal.
When you are running a business, you need to lead by example too. You need to create a culture that will allow your employees to create and make a difference.
You cannot isolate yourself from that equation. You are your company. You are your business. What you do, and how you do it, will be reflected across your business. If you want your business to be No 1, you need to create a culture where your team aims to be No 1, where they are always inspired and motivated to do so.
Always aim for the stars
If the UAE’s story could teach us anything it is that nothing is impossible. Less than 50 years ago, many people in the world didn’t even hear about Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but now they are competing with cities such as London and New York. The UAE passport is No 1 in the world, and 200 nationalities are choosing to make this country their home.
Our Founding Father Sheikh Zayed realised this early on. Photos of him sketching his dreams in the sand are engraved in the memories of many Emiratis.
He aimed for the stars, saw opportunities when people could not see past what was in front of them and most importantly, he realised his dreams and those of his people.
Commitment should lead the way
Last but not least, to lead a successful business you need to realise that commitment is the way to go. If you want to achieve that dream it is not going to happen if you put in one hour of work a week. It is not going to happen if you visit the idea from time to time.
The only way you will realise your dreams is if you live and breathe them, if you commit to them 100 per cent, day in and day out.
Manar Al Hinai is an awardwinning Emirati journalist and entrepreneur, who manages her marketing and communications company in Abu Dhabi