Business News - February 2011

With record-breaking ticket sales, Emirates Lit Fest 2011 is already shaping up to be a huge event. One way in which our programme has expanded is the inclusion of more “business interest” sessions than ever - expert advice on to improve your leadership, your thinking, and your knowledge of the region in which you work.

Opening with leadership authority John Adair speaking about The Leadership of Muhammad, his new book about the Prophet of Islam, Thursday 10 March will also see four major international speakers address the UAE’s changing business fortunes.

Friday 11 March offers journeys into the mind and lessons in self-improvement from some of the biggest writers around: Tony Buzan will be talking about Mind Maps for Business, Richard Wiseman will teach how to master the Luck Factor, and Edward de Bono will answer the question of how to improve the world’s thinking. Meanwhile, US foreign policy expert Isobel Coleman will show how women are transforming the Middle East and how this drives progress in the region. 

Saturday 12 March wraps up the business strand with Tony Buzan’s second talk, Harnessing the Power of Poetry to Develop Your Mind, and a special talk by 2011's 'Festival Personality', Emirati businessman and philanthropist Juma Al Majid. 

And of course, throughout the festival there’s much, much more going on – more than 100 talks, debates, workshops and demonstrations. To enjoy the festival at the best possible price, buy online and receive a 20% discount on main programme tickets in any order of 300AED or more.

Hadef & Partners Business Panel

Politics, culture, and the economy have all played a major role in shaping and re-shaping the UAE business landscape over the last 40 years. But perhaps the rate of change has been more pronounced since the global financial crisis hit our sandy shores...

In this debate chaired by Philip Jolowicz, Head of Financial Services at UAE law firm Hadef & Partners, four diverse speakers will address the changes facing the UAE. Foreign policy expert Isobel Coleman, psychologist Richard Wiseman, BBC journalist Nima Abu Wardeh and businessman Salem Bin Dasmal will each contribute their thoughts on changes so far, and changes yet to come.

John Adair: The Leadership of Muhammad

The Leadership of Muhammad is the latest book from world authority on leadership John Adair. John's connection with the Arab world stretches back to his time as platoon commander of the Scots Guards in Egypt and as adjutant to a Bedouin regiment in the Arab Legion. In this book John offers a very personal study of the life-story and leadership skills of the Prophet, interwoven with Bedouin culture and the values of tribal leadership - such as integrity, moral authority and humility - that are important to any successful leader.

In his Emirates Litfest session, John will talk about the lessons in The Leadership of Muhammad and introduce the just-launched Arabic edition, translated by Rami Killawi.

Tony Buzan: Better Thinking with Mind Maps and Poetry

Tony Buzan is a prolific writer and world-renowned thinker, having authored or co-authored more than 120 books on the brain, the body and learning, including the BBC’s classic Use Your Head, as well as four volumes of poetry. He pioneered 'Mind Mapping' - a revolutionary system of planning and note-taking that has been taken up by millions over the decades.

His session on Friday 11 March is a chance to hear Tony speak in person about using Mind Maps to develop superior capabilities in core thinking skills, as he introduces his new book Mind Maps for Business. Then on Saturday 12 March he will demonstrate how poetry can enhance the brain and enrich the spirit, using the example of his friend and inspiration, Ted Hughes.

Richard Wiseman: The Luck Factor

Why do some people lead happy, successful lives while others face repeated failure and sadness? Why are some people always in the right place at the right time, while others are always unlucky? And can unlucky people do anything to improve their luck - and lives?

On Friday 11 March psychology professor and expert on the quirks of the human mind Richard Wiseman will be speaking about the Luck Factor: -the diference between a "lucky" and "unlucky" life - and how to master it.

Isobel Coleman: How women are transforming the Middle East

Isobel Coleman is Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where she focuses on the Middle East and South Asia, and is the director of the Council’s Women and Foreign Policy Program. Her book Paradise Beneath Her Feet: How Women are Transforming the Middle East has been described as 'a profoundly important book that illustrates how and why women are at the core of human progress, especially in the 21st century.'

In her talk on Friday 11 March, Isobel will enlighten Emirates Litfest audiences with her findings about the role women play in shaping the region.

Edward de Bono: Think before it's too late!

The world is full of problems and conflicts, but why can’t the world solve them? According to Edward de Bono, world thinking cannot solve world problems because, partly due to the internet, we have lost the ability to think through problems properly.

The man who coined the phrase 'lateral thinking' will be at Emirates Litfest in person to examine why we think the way we do, and discusses how we can change: if we strengthen our ability and raise our thinking level, we can improve both our personal and professional lives.

Festival Personality: Juma Al Majid

‘Every man has a duty to help educate another person in society... this provides a way for him to feed himself and be useful in society.  Therefore we can strive to wipe out illiteracy.’

Businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Juma Al Majid, founder of the Juma Al Majid Heritage and Culture Centre, will be speaking about his passion for education and the written word on Saturday 12 March. Come along to meet the man being honoured as Festival Personality.

Reflets Business Lunches

Only a handful of tickets remain for Pierre Gagnaire's literary lunches during the festival - but his restaurant Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire has also taken the opportunity to relaunch its Business Lunches. A three course menu of exquisite dishes is served from 12:00 noon - 2:30pm, Monday to Friday, priced 180AED per person. For those with a desire for the full experience of the restaurant, the dinner menu is now served from 7pm to 11pm, Monday to Friday.

Awarded the title of 'Best Restaurant in Dubai' in 2009, 'Best French Restaurant in Dubai' in 2010, and the only restaurant in the Middle East to be included in the 'San Pellegrino Top 100 Restaurants in the World', Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire has a vast reputation to live up to. Fortunately for the taste buds of Dubai, it’s a reputation that grows with each bite.

For more information please call Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire on 04 701 1199 or visit www.diningdfc.com.