DUBAI PROFILE NEWS

Interview 27: Dimitris Papachristou-“BuildUp means always challenging”

2012-04-16T09:00:00.004-07:00

DPN: Dimitri, you are the Chairman in BUILD UP Company. Share with us the story of it.

DP: BuildUp SA constitutes the “next step” for the construction corporation “Christos Papachristou”, which is a company with a substantial, successful and solid presence since 1970 in the areas of residential and commercial development, utilization of selected privately construction projects.

BuildUp SA was founded in 2006 and its main activity is Real Estate Development and Investment Services.

DPN: In what type of projects is your company specialized into?

DP: BuildUp SA main sectors of the projects: residential, tourism and hospitality. -- Integrated Resorts, Luxurious Holiday Residences – Complex , High End Luxurious Villas, all of them in the most privileged areas of the Greek islands and mainland.

DPN: What opportunities arising in the Real Estate sector in Greece during the financial crisis that the country is facing?

DP: We can say…….”Greece’s new era”. Moreover, Greek real Estate prices are decreased. Greece is already a landmark. Also, Greece has the necessary manpower and the know-how to meet all requirements of the investments, and at this time at the lowest cost. In addition, in the past there wasn’t any specific regulation regarding Integrated Resorts and Holiday Residences. But this has been changed because recently the State has created a new legal framework for the above sectors, offering incentives in both real estate development and investment.

DPN: Fritz Kunkel, the famous German psychiatrist stated at the past that “to be mature means to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes”. Comment us that

DP: To mature …. means to take responsibility for your life and to face every difficulty as a challenge

DPN: Your Company participates the last years in the CITYSCAPE Exhibition in United Arab Emirates, one of the most successful real estate events in the region of Middle East. What results are you expecting for those participations?

DP: Greece is the new Hot Spot of the European and Southeast Mediterranean Real Estate Market. Our target is to present the opportunities for Investment and Development in Greece and the Projects of our company, in order to attract new investors

DPN: It seems that you do focus a lot in the market of the Middle East, why is that?

DP: We focus in the market of the Middle East because we believe that there is a lot of experience in the field of International and that has not yet entered in the Greek market. Now is the time, because Greece is a flourishing and promising market in the real estate business

DPN: From which countries are coming from your main target group of clients up to now?

DPN: Describe us one of your latest projects.

DP: Planning and Development of a residential and commercial project in the emerging area of Markopoulo, close to new Athens International Airport, and to the exit of the new urban motorway of Attica.

DPN: Do you believe that Greeks is an educated nation in the field of the Real Estate?

DP: Traditionally real estate was a developing market in Greece; it had however a complicated legal framework. For the last years and especially nowadays and due to the crisis it is gradually forward a more scientific approach. Buildup SA is sharing this approach.

DPN: Share with us the weirdest ever thing that ever happened to you in your working life.

DP: As in all jobs that come in contact with many people…… we have faced some weird situation.

DPN: Which one was toughest moment in your business career up to now and how did you handle it?

DP: Lately we faced a changing situation that required a lot of adaptation.

DPN: Which one was the most important phone call you have ever received and why?

From a very important person in Greece, who was interested to have business with Buildup SA.

DPN: Let us know a dream that never became a reality.

DP: I have hopes that my dreams will become a reality in the future.

DPN: How do you spend your free time?

DP: I like travelling with good friends, skiing and playing golf.

DPN: Give a title in the story of your life up to now.

DP: “Always Challenging”

Interview 26: Thodoris Katsibras-“Luxury vacations no matter what”

2012-03-16T14:53:00.002-07:00

DPN: Thodori, you are the General Operations Manager in LUXURY VACATIONS GREECE (www.luxuryvacations.gr) for the last 5 years. Tell us some things about your company.

After the completion of a successful year 2007 in the sector of alternative maritime tourism, by representing worldwide 4 luxury yachts, LVG has decided to invest more in the field of luxury tourism by offering to the elite luxury traveler the opportunity to experience Greece, either in an exquisite villa or a personally selected five star hotel suite. Therefore LVG has activated a range of websites, that refer to luxury and elegance, such as www.luxuryvillasgreece.com , www.themykonosvillas.com, www.greece-concierge.com www.luxuryvacationsgreece.com in order to cover all provided luxury services in the Greek territory. These last five years LVG promises and guarantees first class quality and services. LVG is not a travel agency but a unique boutique concierge service in Greece covering all the special demands of VIP clientele. Our highly experienced and enthusiastic team works passionate to make any clients vacation dream a reality.

DPN: You do have a great hospitality background in your career up to now. May you describe us this career up to now?

A career in tourism in Greece sounds like an easy thing, when you keep in mind a picture of Greece with thousands of sandy beaches and paradise islands. Although Greece has a natural advantage and is “on default” a very attractive touristic destination, does not mean that having a career and succeed in the domestic touristic field is an easy thing. I am working the last 15 years in tourism and from the very first years I was forced to pass all sections in tourism, which is not only accommodation but a range of services that are being connected to create the result – “happy client /visitor”. I had to work as waiter or stock controller of a hotel in order to understand how the procedure is and to comprehend the true meaning of hospitality. Facing the client every day and fulfilling his requests, not because you are forced but because you love it, have helped me filter which sector of tourism is the right for me personally. Being an employee in tourism had many advantages and many perspectives in my career but my dream was to open my own company and try to increase the incoming tourism in Greece. Therefore I opened in 2007 LVG, which is a dedicated boutique concierge office operating till today, despite the structural difficulties and problems, everybody faces when he does business in Greece.

DPN: You are talking 4 different languages. Is it a “must” that in your industry?

Languages are a “must “not only in tourism but in all sectors of economy. Handling with tourists all over the world indicates to the future tourism professionals the languages that they are obligated to know. English, French, German and Italian are the top languages needed. Here in Greece the last few years Russian and Chinese become very popular because of the increase of incoming tourism from China and Russia. However the thing that is the real “must” in tourism , and I mention it because I have seen it all this years from simple people that are not involved professionally in tourism , is the smile and the true desire to serve the visitors/clients.

DPN: If a young person would ask you if it would be a good idea to start his career in the hospitality industry what will be the first thing you will advise?

First thing is patience and second thing is the follow-up of events. Tourism has radically changed the last few years with the entry of internet and new technologies and anybody who wishes to get involved with the touristic sector has to follow-up all development in the society worldwide in order to create original touristic products. Anybody can understand that creating something original in tourism, needs time but mostly love and dedication

DPN: Greece is facing really difficult moments. Do you believe that a solid solution will come up for the country?

The Greek crisis raises big questions and the biggest is:

Can Greece find a solution, or is it just forestalling disaster? As a professional in Tourism I strongly believe that Greece could give up the euro, but not for good. Instead, it could take a "Eurozone holiday," temporarily sloughing off the obligations of the single currency and returning when the time was right. Being in the Eurozone, Greece is unable to restore its economic competitiveness by devaluing its currency. In this scenario, Greece would return to the drachma at a new exchange rate: one euro would equal one drachma. It would then devalue by nearly a quarter and return to the Eurozone after a few years had passed at, say, 1.3 drachmas to the euro. Such a measure would certainly cut labor costs and boost exports and at the same time make the touristic product of Greece more competitive in comparison with Turkey ‘s for example. Facing the today’s political status and after Greece has announced it has succeeded in a debt restructuring deal with private sector lenders that this will help the country avoid default. This fact brings me to wonder again:

Is this the solid solution?

DPN: more specifically how do you see the tourism industry in Greece at the moment, especially durin the timing of the financial crisis?

In my opinion luxury tourism will not be affected so much from negativism that comes due to economical issues. From times to times it is also not bad to have a crisis, because visitors might consider a luxury destination cheaper in terms of value for money. What needs to be upgraded in Greece is the ''product'' or ''service''. Take your time and define luxury your way, then bring yourself into the position of the customer-tourist or luxury consumer in general and finally try to seek it in your market. You will then notice that it is not Greece but the separate individuals (not all but in average) that do not offer or care about luxury. Also consider that ''luxury'' might be the very thing you can experience in one and only place and nowhere else... So in conclusion it is in our hands to make our products and services or even our place to look and be understandable as unique and then you will also notice that Greece is quite small and beautiful and could be a very busy luxury destination for 12 months /year.

DPN: From which countries are most of your clients?

Crisis has affected everybody but yes I could say that unique clients that love luxury products are not and this is why I am still running my business! Traditionally my clients come from the UK, Switzerland, Germany and the USA but the last few years Russian clients seem to have a real persistence in any service that is called VIP. Unfortunately Greece has left efforts in attracting the Arabian market and any individual efforts cannot come to success without a central strategic touristic plan from the Greek government.

DPN: Which are the places that are being mostly preferred from your clients? May you name the top 3 destinations that you do facilitate?

Greece is a vacation paradise and every spot especially during summer period has its unique characteristic. However when we are talking about 5 star luxury holidays, few places can cover all the needs of VIP clientele. Mostly they prefer Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes where we can find accommodation that refers to their standards but Greece has the advantage of the maritime tourism. My top clients prefer renting a yacht and create a unique vacation plan that covers places that are not popular or crowded – You cannot imagine how many secret sandy beaches the Greek islands have!

DPN: Thodori, “vacation used to be a luxury, however in today’s world, it has become a necessity”. Comment us that.

I never use the phrase necessity when I mention vacation. Vacation is something natural and this is why I will bring you a picture in mind: Blue sea -sandy beach – Two chairs- A table and a bunch of Greek mezze. This simple thing is vacation in Greece!

DPN: What’s your definition for “professionalism”?

Professionalism is love for what you are doing without trace of feasibility.

DPN: How is your standard day in the work?

Unfortunately in tourism you do not have a so called standard day in work. Especially in concierge services I feel that I am working 24/7 – ready for action!

DPN: Take us through one of your last projects.

As I told you before internet and new technologies is the future of tourism. I try to discover the needs of my clients and combine them with internet. Therefore my last project is handling with e-commerce and is the website www.luxuryvacationsgreece.com . This website aims in helping my clientele discover Greece through google map and allow them understand the unique characteristic of the Greek touristic product.

DPN: Share with us the most important phone call you have ever received.

It was when I received a positive answer of creating a boutique concierge office inside the most luxury resort in Athens -Starwood Astir Palace. It was a phone call that really recompensed all my efforts in my professional career in tourism.

DPN: How do you see the future for Thodoris Katsibras?

I love challenges and I love creating original things- Tourism is my passion and despite the difficulties I face as a professional in tourism here in Greece, if I could turn back time I would once again operate in the touristic sector . For the future I really want to expand my work in the Arabian or the Russian market and I am willing to relocate in order to understand & feel the passion the people of those territories share about vacation.

DPN: What title would you give in the story of your life up to now?

A romantic professional of Greek tourism!

Interview 25: Ramy Aziziah-“Lost souls of distant love”

2012-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN), Ramy Aziziah (RA) takes us through the magical path of music and through that is presenting us some of his major achievements.

DPN: Ramy, originally you are from Syria; tell us some things about your country.

RA: When I talk about Syria i found myself talking about the rich history it has and how ancient Damascus is, but other than that I can’t talk much because I have grown up and spent all my life in Qatar. I would say that a 32 years man who lived in Syria would answer briefly way better than me, I visited there few times only and up on that I can say it was really nice.

DPN: Do you believe that a solution will come up for your country regarding the sad situation that is facing the last period of time?

RA: I don’t have any kind of a believe regarding this matter because am so lost in this entirely new type of situation happening there and there for I can’t think of a solution, I deeply wish that this will end soon and Syrians with our family’s and friends will live in peace in a peaceful country.

DPN: You grew up in Qatar. What this country means for you?

RA: Well just like anyone who has grew up in any place in this world where your childhood is and all memories and dreams have been based as the surrounding is growing up with the person, all these things create strong connections to the place you live in and it only means one word which is “Home”, that despite any other sad fact that any foreigner will experience while living at this side of the world.

DPN: Many people claims that Qatar is the next hot spot around the world, with many events ongoing, especially after the WORLD CUP 2022 to be awarded to the country. Do you agree with that opinion and if yes or not, why?

RA: It’s not that I agree or not. Obviously its booming here but I personally don’t know where it is going and what will happen more from now until that time.

DPN: You studied music in Qatar National Music Institute. Tell us a bit your experience there and some words about the Institute.

RA: I was 7 years old when I joined the Institute; it was quite big and full of all instruments, but no Guitars! So I studied classical music on piano & violin, the place environments was normal but it had a selected collection of music experts from all around the world, I finished my three years there. Then I found later that they closed down for unknown reasons! Not much to say though I had a lot of boring time there spent on practice.

DPN: Do you believe that Qatar is a country with people who have a good educational background in the field of music or still there is room to grow there?

RA: The majority of people in all the Arabic countries, not only just in Qatar, are into their local traditional music. This is the only educational background of the Arabic nation, which understands really well regarding music. This comes from my experience.

DPN: You started playing the classical guitar self-taught at the age of 12 and you turned into a professional at the age of 20. How easy was that?

RA: It was not easy though I had to focus in both my life and my music, and I knew judging from the environment from which I grew up in, in an earlier age that there must be some sacrifices from my life or my musical life. I did those sacrifices wisely because it was important to me to stand where it’s safe in the end, still, there is some life changing decisions I made that have caused some negative marks which remains in my life for the sake of my musical achievements. Still those will be facing me every day. But even thought, those were the best eight years of my life while my music character was created.

DPN: At the age of 16 you managed to become the youngest teacher in Qatar Music Institute, an achievement that took also a lot of publicity in the country. Tell us some words about this achievement.

RA: One day I’ve heard of the “Qatar private music institute”, and I basically wanted to know what do they have for guitar there, so I went there and decided to join them as a student. Then classes started, first day, second day and at the third day the institute manager came to me and told me with a smile on his face that he discovered my secret: “Ramy, why you are here?” Then, I honestly answered to him: “I am just having fun Sir, filling my time”. He replied to me by saying that it would be fun if I will start teaching the other students. That’s how it started and I stayed there to teach for two years.

DPN: Your biggest concert was entitled “The Classical Guitar Evening”. Take us through this experience.

RA: Out of the all the concerts which I did, this one was the most unique thing ever happened to me. One of my best friends surprised me, so he got sponsors and booked a concert hall for me and just announced that to me. Everything went really fast up to the time of the concert but it was the best among all other performances. The way I felt that evening was “magical”. Also the best audience I ever had attended it. You may watch it even in youtube by simple writing my name there.

DPN: You are a big fan of rock music. Which are your favorite bands?

RA: I like almost everything in rock music, even in metal music. My favorite taste of rock and metal is the instrumental side of it and my favorite musicians are, Tony Macalpine, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker and Joey Tafolla.

DPN: If your life was a song what the title shall be and who the performer of it and why?

RA: My life would be a song called “Lost soul of distant love” and the performer would be “the story teller of dimensions”. The reason is that nothing can be more fantasy than that.

DPN: Take us through a dream that never came true.

RA: Not to be a musician is a dream never came true.

DPN: A great project you did was the “Riding The Silence”. May you describe that for our readers?

RA: “Riding the silence” is my musical identification that reflects and show music the way I see it through my eyes. The name “Riding the Silence” explains the human escape from the new world life essentials which i call “the forest of concrete” that split the man kind from the natural original that God created us to live it. To a place where a human is real again, the mythical title “Riding the Silence” is that place where a person separate him/her self to find peace in a silent sphere that remind us of our original self in a middle of the hot life we are living which i call “decorated hel”, the music in “Riding the Silence” explains the suffering of human soul that is trying to find peace. So you ride the silence to go there. This will be always my solo album musical project that I did alone, that is how it is, solo albums is in working title mode to be released soon.

DPN: Martin Luther, a German famous professor, said once that “music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable”. Comment on that.

RA: I don’t completely agree with that aside of my respect to Martin Luther, people react with the music they hear as a receiver side. Musician is a sender side which means that the receiver “people” will have different feelings according to what type of music they are exactly hearing that reflect the psychological mode of the sender “musician”. Martin Luther maybe said that after hearing a certain type of music that delivered them this feelings, he might have heart some of J.S.Bach organ pipe etudes. What I want to say there is that music may translate all type of feelings not just the beautiful sensations and manners he experienced. It’s just that people don’t know that music can be dangerous in some levels when it says “mistress of order and good manners”. There is a music that delivers very bad feelings and can be seriously negative, and there is a music that will let you fly in galaxy’s and gives you a fantasy imagination, etc.

DPN: Recently you became also a business man in the music industry. Talk to us a bit about your company.

RA: it’s a 3 years old establishment that I did with my best friend and brother “Rami Hareth” of “Nervecell” based on our experience in musical instruments and music market in the area. Our SHREDDER’S PLANET music store is the house of B.C.Rich guitars / Cordoba classical guitar / Randall AMPS and others. It’s because we are musicians ourselves so we always knew what other musicians in the regions want starting from the brands ending with instrument care and services. It was a dream for both of us long time ago, then it started small and it grows until it became what it is today. A place for all musicians who are looking for the right treatment for their interests and instruments, 90 % of our customers are professional musicians who trust in our abilities and services, which leave us proud and satisfied. We wish more success to come within the years for us and for our friends in the music industry. You may check more in our website www.shreddersplanet.com.

DPN: Do have any words of wisdom?

RA: Wisdom always comes usually too late; wish I could have it the time when I missed judging things.

DPN: Any specific wish for 2012?

RA: Yes, I wish that all the forthcoming time to bring a better future for all the world.

Interview 24: Panagiotis Serdaris-Psychology talks

2012-02-11T05:47:00.001-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) we do present a great personality, a Professor in Psychology, Mr. Panagiotis Serdaris. It is a really interesting interview from a person who has loads to say.

DPN: Professor Serdaris you lived many years in Bulgaria, during a difficult time. May you describe us that period of time?

PS: The social – politic ultimate systems do have the power within an X period to create a specific way of thinking and acting for a whole nation. The system of those years in Bulgaria managed to homogenize the society in the fields of finance, culture, education and work in exchange for their personal freedom and way of thinking. Something which we can still spot in some other countries nowadays.

DPN: What are the prospects for Bulgaria nowadays after entering the European Union?

PS: Bulgaria nowadays is living the dream, I could define it as an illusion somehow, and that managed to “open their eyes”. The privatization of everything along with the corruption in the society and in the financial sector changed totally the way of living of the people. When the country will be a 100% member of the European Union the people will turn into poverty as the cost of living will increase dramatically. Hopefully mistakes of mismanagement will not take place but nobody knows about that at this stage.

DPN: You are teaching psychology for many years. What the field of psychology means for you?

PS: Psychology is a field that nobody can claim that knows everything. In my specialty which is the “social psychology of management and personality”, it is quite challenging to understand the changes in the psychology of the society under the pressure of the social and economic trends that governments tend to apply worldwide.

DPN: Up to now you have a great academic career as already you have completed 2 PhD. What means for you this academic career?

PS: There are great psychologists worldwide that I do admire. My career and my work is just a small contribution in the procedure of finding ways to improve the quality of human relationships among the society. My aim is to motivate my students about the social/economical and psychological matters of the modern person so to be focused on that and at the end through their own scientific work to contribute in the society.

DPN: Describe us in few words your business career up to now?

PS: At the early beginning for 15 years worked in a special teaching unit while at the same time I was preparing my first PhD in order to broaden my horizons. During that time it was my worst period as I realized how fake were some people in front of the others that needed their support. After that I did continue my career as a professor and I do hope to remain there and offer as much as I can.

DPN: Your hometown is the city of Kozani in Greece. Describe us your place.

PS: Kozani is a city in the countryside of Greece. It is located at the Northwest part of the country. The city has a number of educational institutions as well. People here are described as “Surdi” which is a local idiomatic word to describe people that have a specific way of humor.

DPN: During your childhood did you have any hero?

PS: I had a really difficult childhood. I used to work as a child and also I had a walking issue, things that didn’t really allow to me to have heroes in my life. Maybe the only hero I ever had were the dreams I had while I was a child, the dreams which inspired me to become who I am today.

DPN: Which is the most important phone call you have ever received up to now?

PS: The President of the educational institution in which I am a professor today when he called me and he said “tomorrow at 9.00 in the morning you are becoming a professor”. I was speechless as I saw my dream to become true.

DPN: If you had the power to solve one of the global issues which one would be?

PS: Nowadays, we are not talking about one problem only but regarding numerous problems that were created from the humanity. But if I could choose to solve only one problem then that would be the issue of the poverty which I do consider as a major one.

DPN: Professor which is your future plans?

PS: My future plan will still be research and writing about social psychology and management. I am really motivated to do as much work as possible in this field.

DPN: Describe us your daily routine.

PS: Every morning up to afternoon I am teaching and the rest of the day I am doing my research and also writing new essays. In the evenings I do go out with friends and colleagues and having interesting conversations which usually are about philosophical matters. Moreover, quite often I do have many visitors, people who need psychological support without getting paid for that as I do consider my job as that, I need to offer.

DPN: Share with us some wisdom words that life taught you.

PS: Mahatma Gandhi shared with the world in his thoughts the 7 sins, which I do agree with his way of thinking totally on that.

DPN: What exactly you do see when you look at the mirror?

PS: I do see my “alter ego” which criticizes really hard any mistake that I have done.

DPN: Professor, if your life was a movie what the title would be?

PS: “The man made from marble”.

DPN: May you describe us as a psychologist the definition of the term “Success”?

PS: to succeed all the small targets that each person is having in his life. This daily success will lead into the total success at the end.

DPN: Describe us the most difficult situation in your life and how did you face it?

PS: Life brings us always in front of a number of difficult situations that we do have to face. I do believe that each person shall have trust in his own shelf so to solve all of them. I shall not name a specific experience of mine and how I did solve it as something like that would sound selfish “nobody is getting born as a hero, the situations make him to seem as that”.

Interview 23: Ross Higham-“Golf isn’t just a game”

2012-01-30T14:09:00.001-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN), Ross Higham, a really promising professional golfer is sharing with us the reason why sky is the limit sometimes and the way you have to follow so to succeed in. one of the really interesting interviews which has much to say to all the readers of it.

DPN: Ross you are a young and promising Professional golfer. Tell us what golf means for you.

RH: Golf means everything to me it was my hobby and now it is my job. I consider myself to be very lucky that I am living my dream. I enjoy all the aspects of golf. I love playing and practicing, but I also get great satisfaction from coaching all age groups. Its good to see the improvement children and adults make after coaching sessions.

DPN: from which area of U.K are you coming from? May you describe your place?

RH: I live in Horsham, West Sussex. This is in the South east of the United Kingdom. It is a great place to live, as there are great transport routes into London and other parts of the country these can be accessed by both road and rail, also we are close to Gatwick Airport so it is very convenient for international travel. Horsham is a very old market town that was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and features on the Bayeax Tapestry. It is surrounded by open countryside and the South Downs.

DPN: Charles Rosin, a famous screenwriter stated that “Golf isn’t a game; it’s a choice that one makes with one’s life”. Comment us that.

RH: I believe that this is true. I have been incredibly fortunate to have a very supportive family who has been behind me 100% through my junior and amateur golfing career. Being able to take part in golf competitions and representing my county has helped me not only with my golf but to be a confident, articulate individual. It has made me learn to dig deep in difficult situations and to face my fears.

DPN: You are one of the most promising golfers in U.K. Tell us some things about your career up to now.

RH: There are a lot of promising golfers in the UK and I would like to think that I am amongst them, at the start of what I sincerely hope will be a long and accomplished career

DPN: Ross, up to now you got a number of awards, which one was the most important for you up to now?

RH: I would say that all of my trophies are special in there own way, I thoroughly enjoyed representing my county against the elite Spanish team in La Manga as all of my family were there to witness it, and several times since I have been approached by several people who have said that they seen my photograph on the clubhouse wall in La Manga, which is great. However even though I didn’t win it I think that the William Hunt Trilby Tour was a defining moment in me deciding to become a professional golfer. It came down to a three-hole playoff between me and another young golfer, and it was just unfortunate that on this occasion I lost out. It was a very close thing and quite honestly it could have gone either way. Again my family were there my brother was my caddie, and I’m not sure who was more nervous me, or my dad. On the back of being runner up I was invited to play in the professional competition, a few weeks later and I had the privilege of playing with Phillip Archer and David Howell (European tour players). They were great and very encouraging and I wasn’t out of my depth playing with these guys. So this finally made my mind up for me.

DPN: What the future holds for Ross Higham?

RH: The future holds a lot of promise for me. The sky is the limit, as far as I am concerned as I am willing to put in a lot of hard work, sweat and tears to reach my goals. I believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and are prepared to put in the hard graft that is necessary.

DPN: How far you do believe that you can reach as a professional golfer?

RH: I would like to think that there are great things in store for me in the future. I believe that you should always follow your dream and never give up on it. Robert Rock was proof of that this weekend winning the Abu Dhabi Tournament. He started out his golfing career as the professional at a golf driving range, and this weekend he beat a host of big names including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

I would love to be in that position in the final day of a big tournament one day in the not too distant future.

DPN: Pro Golfers as yourself are always surrounded from sponsors who support their career. What kind of sponsors are you looking for?

RH: I would like sponsors to help me with my tournament fees and all the costs associated to it such as travel, accommodation, and food, as this can be very expensive. At the moment I am unable to play a full season on the many tours that are run over in the UK as I just don’t have the funding. With the economic climate the way it is over here it is very hard to find any business willing to part with their money. I have many sponsor packages in mind that offer great value to the sponsor and would love the chance to discuss them in more detail with anybody who might be interested.

DPN: Who is the greatest golfer in the history in your opinion and why?

RH: Tiger Woods is in my opinion the greatest golfer we have ever seen when you look at his record and the manner of his victories it really is outstanding. I have been fortunate to see him play live when he was at his best. Having watched him with interest over this weekend apart from the final round I thought it was the best I had seen him swing the club for several years and I think he is working on the right things with his new coach. I think this year could be a big one for him, I really fancy him for the masters.

DPN: Is it easy for a young person who is willing to learn golf? What advise will you give?

RH: I teach a lot of young golfers and I believe it is easier for a young person to take up the game, clubs in the UK are now more welcoming and a lot actively encourage junior golfers and run junior coaching events. My advice to any young child interested in taking up golf would be to get you joined or associated with a club. Here you will have junior organizers and PGA professionals who can guide and develop your game. It will also give you the chance to meet other young golfers who you will compete against. The most important thing is you will learn many skills that you will take into all walks of life you will also make friends for life.

DPN: Are you attending other sports apart from golf? Is there any specific club you do follow?

RH: I am a big football fan, and the team that I have followed since I was 6 years old is Arsenal Football Club. They play exciting football, and although they haven’t won any major trophies in the last few years, I believe that you support your team win or loose.

DPN: One of your plans is to relocate in the United Arab Emirates. Why’s that?

RH: The main reason for me wanting to move to the UAE is for a change of lifestyle and culture. I want to challenge myself in a different country and broaden my development as a Professional Golfer. Also with the economic climate the way it is in the UK it will be very hard for me to achieve the lifestyle I am looking for. I think that UAE offers fantastic opportunities for me, the economic situation the weather/climate, the boom in tourism and the global interest in golf are all good reason. I am a very driven person and always looking outside the box and to me the UAE is the most up and coming market in the world with regards to golf and I want to be a part of it. I currently have 1 year left of my PGA degree programme to complete and will be looking to move over as soon as it’s finished.

DPN: Do you believe that there is future for golf in the Middle East?

RH: Absolutely there is a strong future for golf in the Middle East. That is the reason I am looking to move there. You just have to look at the quality of the courses and facilities to see that. The fact that the European tour holds so many events here and the quality of the players that it attracts shows how good it is.

DPN: How do you define success in life?

RH: Quite simply - health, wealth and happiness. To me waking up everyday knowing what I do makes a difference and helping people achieve their goals is a massive motivator for me.

Interview 22: Jon Truby-Living the Qatari dream

2012-01-23T09:04:00.001-08:00

This week in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN), Jon Truby a talented academic person who is experienced the life in the Middle East, is sharing with us his experiences and dreams.

DPN: Jon you are a really talented academic person living the last year of your life in Qatar. Tell us some things about your profession.

It is a constantly self-improving profession that requires a great deal of enthusiasm. Gone are the days when old lawyers would ‘retire and teach’. The law is a cutting-edge field and students must be ready for that, so their professors need to have the skills and motivation to keep up to date. Teaching is however only part of the job. A lot of the profession is made up of other University projects, administration, committees, and constantly looking for ways to improve education.

Perhaps the most crucial part of any academic profession is research, and the law is no different. At Qatar University College of Law, we have just launched a new journal called the International Review of Law. It is a fresh new publication for legal discourse from any legal field and from any jurisdiction. Importantly, it is open-access and bilingual (English and Arabic), to maximize our readership. We’ve attracted some great names to publish with us and serve on our editorial board, and we’re making every effort to ensure the journal is of the highest quality as its credibility is of extremely high importance to us.

DPN: You live the last years of your life in Doha, Qatar. What does this city means for you? Is the Middle East the place you were thinking before you came?

The city is a centre of opportunity and probably one of the most multicultural cities on the planet. It is an ever-expanding development that is at its most pivotal point in history. It is a high quality and interactive place that has met and exceeded my expectations, for I live a very happy and social life here. I have made some lifelong friends, have got to travel to a great number of places in the Middle East and beyond, and am experiencing new delights each day.

DPN: Before you started teaching in the Qatar University you were in the Newcastle Upon Tyne University in U.K. How much different is the “teaching experience” between the two countries and why? Are there any similarities?

I have adapted my teaching style to the local environment, where the learning style here is in a transitional phase towards self-learning and individual research away from an older style of purely taught-learning. This is important in any academic institution and the College of Law is putting large efforts and resources into ensuring teaching methods are up-to-date and of international standard, and the University at large is focusing substantially on ensuring there are the research resources to ensure that the University can reach its potential of being a research establishment. I admire the student’s capabilities to learn law in a foreign language, not an easy feat! This requires lecturers to slow down and ensure the students are following, and to concentrate on ensuring the fundamental points are understood. As in the UK, teaching is becoming more interactive and a technology-based, with a heightened focus upon online teaching to compliment the classes.

I have also needed to research local laws in order to teach it here, namely Qatari business law and Qatari environmental law and regulations. This has been extremely interesting to compare and enabled me to understand further how laws are designed and operate in Qatar. Lawyers in the UK are accustomed to having instant access to any law, legal case or policy document detailing how the law is made, and researching here has been more challenging since that information is still in the process of being made publicly available – though there are now concentrated efforts by a number of providers to do so. There are difficulties in the translation of laws, and the way laws are drafted differs since it is based upon French and Egyptian law rather than English common law. However this has made the research all the more interesting and I have managed to publish on issues of GCC environmental laws. One of the subjects is teach and research is the environmental law of Qatar, and it is a very exciting place to do so because of the differing environmental issues here, the understudied nature of the subject, and the possibility of making a real difference by both educating people about environmental concerns, and actually recommending amendments on environmental regulation to policy-makers which can make a real impact in a country in the transitional process of developing its environmental code and with a will to achieve environmental objectives.

DPN: In Doha you are a resident of the Pearl Qatar, which is a quite new development. May you tell us some things about it?

The Pearl is a modern luxury development on reclaimed land and an entirely privately funded island. Porto Arabia is both a residential and commercial area, with numerous high-range fashion outlets like Armani; a small number of grocery shops such as Spinney’s and franchised restaurants including the likes of Gordon Ramsay’s. Viva Bahriya is the ‘second island’ which is more residential and still largely under construction. It all has a very modern and amenable atmosphere that makes it popular with expats who can enjoy having a gym, swimming pool, spa and often private beach in their own apartment complex. The location within Qatar is fantastic as it is close to many of the hotels, restaurants and West Bay. It is conveniently close to the University, allowing me to get to work within ten minutes’ drive. It is the best place I have found to live and enjoy to wake up with a coffee and a sea view, plus the West Bay skyline in the background at night is quite spectacular. The Pearl is becoming steadily more popular but is still not attracting enough customers to its shops or restaurants which seem to be loss-leading and now even more so after recently making news in the Wall Street journal after a local licensing issue; this must be worrying for investors. The Pearl though retains a very upmarket whilst comfortable feel to it and is a must see for any visitor to Qatar.

DPN: Qatar is about to host one of the greatest worldwide events, the Football World Cup in 2022. How successful you do believe it will be?

The official line is ‘expect amazing’, and I have no doubt that it will be. Once Qatar puts its mind to something, it can achieve anything, and this is going to be one seriously glitzy 5-star World Cup. Just imagine an entire country being built for a football event that will be Qatar’s crowning glory, the final jewel in a string of big successes. The entire nation is under construction and a $25bn metro system is being constructed to reduce the traffic and dependence on driving before it starts. As an environmental lawyer I am very excited to see how Qatar meets its innovative and high-tech intentions of achieving a carbon-neutral World Cup. Hosting the World Cup in the winter months would be a much better experience for the fans and enable them to enjoy Qatar, with all of the outdoor arenas available to visit that they simply could not in the summer. I cannot see it being too much trouble for FIFA to organize with ten years to go, and would save English footballers from playing in the snow in the winter! We all hope the organizers learn from the past sporting events and ones leading up to 2022, so that it can be the best possible event. There have been problems reported in the local news from previous events such as the Asia Cup when fans turned up with tickets from Australia and Japan to watch the cup final, only to be turned away because the organizers had let spectators in with no tickets which reportedly led to the police turning violent on them. There also needs to be enough taxis and transport for fans, recently many fans of a major tennis tournament had to wait outside in the heat for hours for a taxi as they are often difficult to come by. These hiccups cannot happen in 2022 and I am extremely positive that it will be the best sporting event the world has seen.

DPN: One of your hobbies is travelling. May you share with us some of your travel experiences? What is the most unique one for you and why?

I do have a real passion to see the world and have spent a lot of time doing so, backpacking, meeting other travelers and I enjoy seeing the sun set in some of the interesting and often less travelled places in the world. My last trip was to Iran, which I found to be a particularly hospitable country with tremendous cultural opportunities for travellers. It has some fabulous sights to see and probably the best Islamic architecture and historic sites such as Persepolis, an excellent public transport system, is very cheap and has very friendly people who enjoy talking to the few tourists who make it. Of course, there are difficulties for travellers such as the inability to withdraw cash because of international sanctions, unusual and often antiquated hotels and a lacking nightlife, but it is all part of the experience.

If you keep travelling you live experiences you could never imagine and are often difficult to describe how you got into that situation! A few spring to mind, such as feeling the joy of being the farthest from civilization one could ever imagine on the Allepy Backwaters in Kerala, crossing the border from Rwanda to go to a treehouse night club in DR Congo called ‘Zebra’, swimming beside sharks and giant turtles off Kecil island in Malaysia, gate-crashing a College frat party in Virginia, sleeping in a cave and getting bitten by leeches and giant ants whilst avoiding wild elephants as I trekked and kayaked Aboriginal country of the Malaysian jungle, chartering a light aircraft to and landing in the perfect Zanzibar, seeing the beauty of an active volcano spew into a turquoise crater after a day’s intense climbing in Lombok, and travelling by a UN armed convoy across the Western Tanzanian ‘bandit country’. I think my most memorable experience would be sitting about 2 meters from an enormous silverback mountain gorilla in its habitat, one of about 700 left in the world, an observing one another and his family for an hour that I’ll never forget, after one of the most exhausting and stimulating journeys of my life across Uganda and through the rainforest.

DPN: Qatar is a country with a big number of expatriates. How interesting is to deal with different people from different nationalities and culture in your daily life?

I love the international atmosphere and find it of continual interest to meet people from the entire world. There are always things to learn from each other and stories to tell, but it is always interesting how much people have in common! As well as Western expats, I have made many Middle Eastern friends. One of my major ambitions here is to learn Arabic so that I can interact and understand the culture more.

DPN: Before you moved in Qatar you lived in Tamil Nadu, South India on a tsunami relief project in a wrecked fishing village where you spent time rebuilding. Share with us your experience there.

Despite the tragic events that preceded it and the emotional difficulty of working in such a place, this was the best time I ever had and completely changed my life. It was humbling, exhausting and saddening, but I became so engaged with the project and in wanting to help the local families that I loved volunteering there and put my heart and soul into the rebuild. I had never been to India and moving to this southern state which is much less developed and considerably more traditional than the north, required me to completely forget about ways I had learnt to do things from communicating to eating, and instead embrace how local people did things. The trauma the villagers had gone through was horrific yet they were determined to recover and retained a proud sense of positivity that was inspirational to all of the volunteers on the project. I worked as hard as a I could beside local skilled workers, and tried to engage as much as possible in village life. I made some of the finest friends there I could, both volunteers and locals. I was happy when one of the local children decided to go to school and my friend and I had a uniform made for him. After a tough week of working in basic, dirty and extremely hot conditions, the volunteers would take a weekend break to a ‘local’ city or resort (usually meaning an 8-10 cramped and hot bus ride) where we would relax and sight-see. I will never forget my time there and I think it helped me to see what the world had to offer and realize that I enjoy being an expat and wanted to live more of it!

DPN: If a young fellow would like to come and work in the Middle East what would you advise to?

Search out reputable employers and perhaps make a visit here as the personal touch works much better that emailing in the Gulf. Focus on why you want to get the job, what you have to offer, and concentrate on what skills you have the will make you suitable for the job. Be prepared to be adaptable and flexible, things can change here at a moment’s notice and it’s important not to get stressed by that. Take everything in good humor. When you get here: respect and try to understand the local culture. Be a sociable as possible; don’t turn down any invitations especially at the start, as you need to make friends here to enjoy it. Try to get out and about as much as possible to enjoy your new life!

Interview 21: Giannis Kriaras-Real Estate in the beautiful Crete Island

2012-01-20T00:40:00.001-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN), Giannis Kriaras the MD of a successful Real Estate company, KTIMATOEMPORIKI, is sharing with us with working and personal experiences and how can someone reach the top through difficult moments.

DPN: Gianni, you are the Managing Director in KTIMATOEMPORIKI COMPANY for the last 18 years. Tell us some things about your company.

GK: When we founded Ktimatoemporiki in 1994, our mission was to deliver exceptional homes and workplaces at great value for money. Throughout these years, the response has been amazing and the feedback enlightening. Just like the very first day we went into business, our success stems from our clients. An important part of our expertise is in taking into consideration their needs and preferences, and offering the perfect housing solution. Our fanatical devotion to high quality standards and focus on the needs of our clients has paid off tremendously year after year, not just in financial terms, but also in human terms. It may seem old-fashioned, but our BIG reward is still the clients’ satisfaction. In recent years, we have all been witnesses to improvements in our living and working environments. Property is no longer a product, but a whole experience: a living and working experience. After all, our homes and our workplaces actually represent the stages of our lives. Our job, here in Ktimatoemporiki Company, is to make sure that we find our clients a property which is a natural fit at that particular stage of their lives.

DPN: What sacrifices you needed to take in your life up to now to make your company a successful one?

GK: A difficult career does not require more sacrifices than those one allows one’s self. There were times that I used to think that 24 hours in the day were not enough. However, I have come to realize that good time management is the means to successful prioritization of tasks and objectives. I think that with good will and a little luck everything is possible. In general, however, I believe that we ourselves largely make our own luck, so we should never miss those opportunities.

DPN: If a young person would ask you if it would be a good idea to start his career in the real estate sector what would you advice?

GK: Good behavior, that is good manners, treating people well, honesty and integrity, both in one’s business and personal life, will bring its own rewards. Don’t keep score in life. Love what you do. You have to follow those principles in life generally, and if you do you will be a happy and successful person.

DPN: Greece is facing really difficult moments. How do you predict the exit of this crisis?

GK: As well as problems, every crisis also gives birth to opportunities. Professionals can best benefit from those opportunities if they do not simply seek profits, but also improve the quality of the services they provide. From this perspective, therefore, the crisis does not scare me. The crisis simply requires the redefinition of professional objectives and adaptation to the international situation. Here in Greece it needs strategic brand repositioning: we need to convince the world that Greece is not only sun, sea, summertime and islands; it is also creativity, quality, innovation, sociability, taste and pride. We must promote all these fine qualities abroad, alongside our products and services. In addition, the economic crisis has made Greece an attractive investment destination, as it offers businesspeople numerous investment opportunities stemming from Greece’s strategic geographic location and its competitive advantages. Greece is a natural gateway to the markets of South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, regions with more than 140 million consumers and a GDP reaching 1 trillion Euros. I am positive that Greece’s economic problems will soon be behind it, leaving it stronger. Greece is a rich country with great natural resources, most significantly 175 billion barrels of oil south of Crete, while the gold value in Thraki and Macedonia reaches 38 billion Euros. And, according to the Geological Institution of USA, the value of Oil and Natural Gas alone reach 10 TRILLION dollars. In addition, Greece offers a vast wealth of mineral resources. Lignite, which is used for making energy in Greece, and bauxite, the raw material needed for aluminum production, are two minerals that are found abundantly in Greece. Other mineral deposits include ferronickel ores, magnesite, mixed sulfurous ores, ferrochrome ores, kaolin, asbestos, and marble. Mining accounts for only 1% of the GDP. As the center of neighboring emerging markets, Greece provides access to populations where there is high demand for consumer goods, infrastructure modernization, technology transfer and innovation networks, energy, tourism and light industry. In parallel, Greek companies and banks are well established and play a key role in the markets of neighboring countries. Investors are increasingly discovering that Greece combines features unique in Europe. The country is a premier global tourist destination, is an emerging regional energy center, and has a highly educated and multilingual workforce.

DPN: More specifically how do you see the Real Estate industry in Greece at the moment?

GK: The Real Estate sector has long been one of the main pillars of the Greek economy. Some people may not be aware that state owned real estate assets are estimated to be valued at 300 billion Euros, largely unexploited until now, which are going to bring new blood to the market. Real estate offers good yields even during the crisis, as the market has fallen just 10% during the last two years of recession, making it the best investment, on average, in terms of return, compared to the stock market and bank deposits. The Olympic infrastructure boosted construction activity during previous years. Now it is time to get the best out of it, while demand for new modern buildings and new projects in urban and rural areas of the country bring new investment opportunities. Building costs are going down because of the decline in investment in construction. Historical data shows that real estate pays better than all other investments in Greece, and the sector has proved quite resilient even during the current crisis. Despite a strong decline in construction activity and transactions, prices were set accordingly. Taking all the above under consideration, I would not say the real estate Industry in Greece is changing. I would say it is evolving. Even in the current economic climate it is encouraging to see that Greece is a favorite, and it looks likely to stay that way. Even if current economic conditions cast some doubts, the popularity of the country is growing both as a tourism and holiday home destination and for inward investment. As regards the time to invest in Greece, now is definitely the right one. As the economic crisis has not left prices untouched, sale prices of some properties have been reduced, in some cases up to 50%. In all categories there are true bargains to be found and the properties vary from completed apartments and houses to renovation projects as well as villas, businesses, marinas, hotels etc. In addition, Greece offers an attractive Mediterranean climate, endless islands to visit, spectacular nature, a fascinating history, mouth-watering cuisine, and an eclectic urban mix which all combine to create a lifestyle that is unequalled. We have over 300 days of sunshine a year, one of the lowest crime rates in Europe and a choice of cosmopolitan lifestyles. Our native population has lived through thousands of years of a rich history living in Greece in harmony with many races. Demand for property in Greece is increasing at a rapid rate and typical growth rates of 20% plus per annum in carefully selected locations can be observed.

DPN: I guess that foreigners are interested mainly to do also investments for pleasure in Greece, by buying a property in a Greek island. Which islands are popular and why?

GK: It is true that Greece has proven over the last years to be one of the more popular destinations for Europeans looking for a holiday home, a retirement home or an investment property. More specifically, demand for its beautiful islands is increasing at a rapid rate. Every island has its own unique beauty and charm. There are Greek islands for every type of character: remote and quiet islands, touristy, party islands, unspoilt islands, romantic and many other types, so everyone can certainly find one to suit them. For example: Santorini for its romantic sunsets, the unique sunken caldera and the still active volcano; Mykonos for its vibrant nightlife, the traditional Cycladic architecture and its long, sandy beaches; Corfu for its Venetian architecture and Rhodes for its rich medieval history. And of course there is the island of Crete, renowned for its mountainous landscapes, the coast with many beautiful beaches and rocky coves, its beautiful towns and charming villages and harbors, its excellent food and exciting nightlife, ancient sites such as Minoan Knossos, a relic of one of the greatest civilizations ever, and much more.

DPN: From which countries the foreign investors are coming usually from? Are there also Greeks that still are investing in Real Estate?

GK: Our clientele is from all around the world, particularly Europe, the USA and China. They are not only individuals, but also private and public companies either already established in Greece, or interested in extending their business into the Greek market, due to its perfect location between three continents. It was not by accident that ancient Greeks used to say “Greece is the navel of the world”. As for whether Greeks are still investing in real estate, even though Greece is facing problems, which are of course also affecting the real estate market, it is not that Greeks are not buying at all. Indeed they still buy but are maybe more cautious when it comes to investing their money nowadays. Real estate in Greece remains a fairly sound investment.

DPN: Ed McMahon an American comedian stated that “golf courses sell real estate and that’s why they’re built”. Comment us that.

GK: Golf is not just a game of physical and mental skill, it is a whole lifestyle. The golf property market is well recognized as an important sector of growth for every country and there is fast development in this area, as golfing is fast becoming more and more popular. In Greece golf is fast becoming a popular sport and there are already some very good golf courses available and more in the planning stages. Greek golf courses are excellent during spring, summer and autumn; also the mild winters allow playing all year round. The country where the sun shines 300 days a year makes its way up to the world of golfing.

DPN: Describe us one of your latest projects.

One of our latest projects is “the future”. And by that I mean solar and wind energy parks, which are at the forefront of transformative changes which are attracting investors from around the globe. With Greece emerging as the energy hub of Southeast Europe, deregulation in the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and energy supplies, and an aggressive drive for renewable sources to play a major role in energy supply, the country is at the centre of significant growth opportunities. One of the core components of Greece's energy profile will be solar, or photovoltaic, energy. Greece has a superb sun radiation capacity and it is estimated that one third of Greece's energy requirements could be met with solar power. Experts believe that the market will grow impressively and have a value of more than 4 billion Euros in just a few years. Wind, or aeolic, power is driving growth in the renewable sector as well and represents a huge investment potential in Greece. The superb wind resources in Greece are among the most attractive in Europe, with a profile of more than 8 meters/second and/or 2.500 wind hours in many parts of the country. Capacity increased by an average of 30% annually between 1990 and 2003 and almost 30% of total capacity was installed in the period of 2003-2004.

DPN: Your company is located in the beautiful island of Crete. Talk to us a bit about your place.

GK: Crete is the largest island of Greece - the fifth largest in the Mediterranean - and is located in the south of the Aegean Sea. Crete is one of the most famous Greek islands and often visited in conjuction with Santorini. Crete is an island with an exquisite 1,000 kilometer-long coastline dotted with numerous coves, bays and peninsulas, which afford a multitude of soft, sandy beaches along the beautifully blue Mediterranean Sea. After all, it's among the finest islands in the world and has been established as one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. And, of course, the island's historic importance as the home of the Minoan civilization with important archeological finds at Knossos, Phaistos and Gortys, is evidenced by the tens of thousands of visitors to these sites each year. There are many other jewels just waiting to be discovered by the more adventurous explorers of holiday treasures.

If you haven’t visited Crete yet, this summer may be the time to come and discover this fascinating Greek island. If it captures your heart, don’t worry. Come back next year and Crete will welcome you once more with its smiling Cretan sun, the sounds of the Cretan lyre, the scents of orange blossom and jasmine and a slice of cool red watermelon.

DPN: How will you define the real professional person?

GK: Above all, a professional is judged by the final result. Personally, I do not claim anything else, I do not aspire to be anything more. We strive to do our work as well as possible, and hope that the results are positive and perceptible. My definition of success is to do normal things exceptionally well. One is considered professional when the name of one’s company is a synonym for that profession and, naturally, when the name inspires respect, reliability and confidence in the market.

DPN: Describe us your typical working day.

GK: So many things are happening on a daily basis that it becomes very hard to stay on top of it all. A typical working day, though, always starts with an iced coffee. After that I prioritize the tasks to be completed with, of course, appropriate free periods built in to leave some time for other unscheduled tasks that may arise during the course of the day. Aside from setting priorities, I review the progress of existing projects, and then check the calendar to refresh my memory on the upcoming appointments for the day and the week. Other than that, my daily schedule is full of meetings with investors from all over the world, lawyers, consultants, and appointments to view newly assigned properties, phone calls, e-mails and the endless list goes on and on. But it all comes down to listening, interacting with people and exchanging ideas. It can all be summed up in one word: communicating. Luckily, because of my work I come into contact with many people from all walks of life. I encounter new ideas; become a better professional and in the end a better person. One does not need to seek profit. From my career I take full advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I try to minimize any disadvantageous circumstances I meet.

DPN: How do you spend your free time?

GK: Good time management means I have plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation. In my free time I recharge my batteries and relax. After all, a rested, relaxed person functions better, professionally, methodically and objectively.

DPN: How do you see the future for your company and for you personally?

GK: The truth is that I prefer to think of the present more; however I do have dreams for the future and wishes which I would like to be fulfilled. Above all health is the most important - as trite as this may sound - any other problems can be overcome with effort. Enterprise is good, but we must not lose sight of our personal life. I have personal goals that I want to achieve, for example to travel to every corner of the world. In general I want every day of my life to be as good as it can get, to enjoy every single moment. Carpe diem, as the ancient Romans said.

DPN: What is in your opinion the secret for success?

GK: As the real estate market leader in Crete, and one of the biggest real estate agencies in Greece, we do indeed have a secret ingredient for our thriving business: trust.

DPN: Any wish you could share with our readers for 2012?

GK: I hope to keep the best and forget the worse. This is also my world theory. I believe that the fortunes as well as with the difficulties of life make me a better person. And finally every change in life, good or bad at that specific moment, gives me the opportunity to re-evaluate my own life and take the best out of it. The important thing is that you make the most of the positives and minimize the negatives. This is also my objective for 2012. Above all certainly comes health; the rest will follow. A happy and prosperous new year and a positive balance at the end of 2012!

Interview 20: George Kratsas-Legalizing dreams and high expectations

2012-01-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN), George Kratsas a promising young lawyer with a great academic career, is discussing various topics, which for sure will be interesting for all the readers.

DPN: George, during a short period of time in your life you have achieved some remarkable academic records. May you talk to us about your career up to now briefly?

I studied law and specialized in EU and Competition law. In 2008, I undertook a PhD on the subject of financial regulation, which is my new research area. I have taught US and EU law, state aids and drafting contracts. I deeply enjoy teaching and publishing papers in legal journals. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about attending long legal conferences. To a large extent, my trajectory is something I owe to my previous professors, co-workers and my parents, all of whom have been an amazing source of inspiration for me.

DPN: You have spent the last years of your life among various places. Which places where those and where is finally the home of George Kratsas?

We youngsters today are lucky to grow up in a deeply globalised world where we can spot opportunities arising beyond our country’s borders and traveling is relatively easy. In my case, my interest in European and comparative law led me to study in countries such as the UK, France and Belgium. I embarked on my PhD in the UK whilst I also conducted research in the US as a visiting scholar. Last year, I spent a term working in Qatar as a lecturer and then worked for a Brussels law firm. In other words, where we live is the result of our academic and professional choices. Although many young people understand this today, many still feel inhibited to go abroad. As to the idea of home, Herman Hesse has said, “one never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time.”

DPN: Originally you are from Greece. May you share with us some comments about your country’s recent difficult economic situation?

Greece is undergoing the worst form of sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone as well as suffering from a serious lack of confidence in its ability to overcome it. At the moment, the Eurozone is showing its support by providing it with capital at a low rate. However, more solidarity is needed at a multinational level, and a greater sense of responsibility is required at a national level. More precisely, it is imperative to establish better mechanisms at the EU level to tackle debt crises at an early stage. It is also crucial to further consolidate integration, through the creation of common borrowing mechanisms and central fiscal supervision. In addition, Greece’s Eurozone partners should postpone the latter’s payback. For instance, the UK paid the loans it obtained from the US during the WWII as late as 2006, i.e. 60 years later. Why can’t a similar measure be applied to Greece? Having said that, Greece needs to build up its competitiveness, but for that we need reforms that bite such as: opening up closed industries. In addition, Greece needs to radically tackle chronic failures, one example involving the privatization of public providers to consolidate their basis and reduce waste. The Greek government also needs to be more honest about its inability to remedy certain aspects of the public sector, such as the tax collection mechanism. Private companies could play a role there too. Finally, nowadays Greeks often speak of a needed change in mentalities, for instance, in relation to corruption or tax evasion. In fact, many believe that the shock of the crisis is sufficient to effect such a change in mentalities. This is wrong in my view. Long-established attitudes do not change through internal shocks but, rather, through the influence of external factors, such as external motives or the establishment of a well functioning social system.

DPN: You have had various teaching experiences in different countries. Which one was the most unique one and why?

The most unique experience so far has been teaching in Qatar. I was struck by the country’s rapid expansion and the citizens’ optimism, especially when compared to a stagnant Europe. It was also an unprecedented cultural experience as I had to adjust to a new environment and interact with a culture which is largely unknown in the West. Although Gulf countries still require development and reforms, I feel very privileged to have lived in one of them.

DPN: Why do you think that the English essayist, Charles Lamb once stated that “lawyers I suppose were children once”?

Lamb’s quote, refers to the strictness and apparent seriousness when they interact with lawyers. This, however, is a wider issue about branding law in society. For example, lawyers often appear to live in a bubble. I would wish to see lawyers become more culturally rounded, and more in touch with social issues. Legal education and law firms have a role to play in this. At the same time, I hope to see society become more aware of legal issues and developments. I am not simply talking about knowing laws as such, but rather understanding the inner workings of the law and how these may affect them. To that effect, introducing law in the teaching of other disciplines and inviting non-lawyers to legal conferences could help achieve this aim.

DPN: describe to us a situation in your life that everything went wrong and how did you deal with it

The most recent experience I had where I was under severe strain was during my trip to Iran. Due to the imposition of international sanctions, neither mine, nor my companion’s credit cards worked. Thus, for some time we found ourselves in an unknown region with no acquaintances and no means of paying even for basic needs. Although it was quite stressful, this adventure gave me the opportunity to experience some of the generosity and kind assistance of the Iranian people. The problem was eventually solved and we managed to execute a bank transaction, but I was left with an important lesson: simply being deprived of facilities, does not mean that one needs to reassess what he considers important in life.

DPN: you have travelled up to now to numerous countries. Take us through the most fascinating trip you have done up to now

My trip to Yemen was definitely my most fascinating one. In this country, one can experience the world as it once was and meet people who often don’t have access to technology or modern facilities, completely unaffected by issues prevalent in modern societies. From the point of view of a Westerner, Yemen comes very close to a true Rousseauian experience: it demonstrates how social and technological developments change one’s mentality and attitudes towards life. In essence, it feels like a travel though time.

DPN: You have visited many countries in Middle East. What is your opinion about this part of the world?

The Middle East has been undergoing profound social changes over the past few years, which recently culminated in the Arab revolts. It is very inspiring to witness the assertiveness with which Arab people demand social rights, even at the risk of their own lives. I deeply believe the Middle East and the rest of the world have a lot to benefit from the establishment of working democracies in this region. However, I would like these movements to look beyond the removal of tyrants alone and focus on establishing each country’s future governing principles. As opposed to most westerners, I do not feel threatened by the establishment of Islamic Republics in the Middle East, as long as their governmental structures are open and accountable to their own people and maintain a healthy cooperation with international players.

DPN: Do you have any philosophy in life that you could share with us?

Traveling has taught me that if something is conventional knowledge, it is probably wrong. Academia has made me explore why.

DPN: One of your main interests is politics, how come that?

My interest in current affairs stems from my family environment, where politics was always the main topic of discussion on a daily basis. Another reason is that I am Greek. Greeks are very prone to discussing politics, partly due to our recent turbulent history.

DPN: You once received a scholarship from the ALEXANDROS ONASSIS FOUNDATION. Tell us a few things about the great personality of Aristotle Onassis.

The Alexandros Onassis Foundation was established by Alexander’s father, Aristotle, to honor the memory of his late son. Aristotle Onassis was the biggest shipping tycoon of his time. Reading about his life enables one to learn many lessons about business and life in general. He was an extremely hardworking and cunning individual with unlimited ambition. One aspect of his personality I admire was his ability to deal with all people, regardless of rank or background. It seems Onassis was very self-conscious about his own deficiencies and had an impressive gift for picking talents and delegating. Unfortunately, his life was marked by the death of his son, which he never managed to get over.

DPN: How do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

At the moment, I try not to see any further ahead of the completion date of my doctorate, let alone predict my life in ten years from now. Whatever I do, I wish to continue to make publications and teach but also further my experiences in the developing world.

DPN: George, if you could change 2 things about the world what would those be?

Firstly, I wish to see world leaders address environmental issues more decisively, such as through the establishment of a binding successor to the Kyoto agreement. Secondly, more specifically to the Middle East, I hope the undergoing social and political changes touch upon more social issues, such as those relating to gender issues. We can only hope the New Year will bring the desired change in both domains.

Interview 19: Dave Cook-CELTIC FC, one of the most historical European football clubs

2011-11-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) we do host a really interesting interview of a promising business talent, Dave Cook (DC) who is working in one of the most historical European football clubs, CELTIC FC, from Scotland. He takes us through the an interesting journey through football success.

DPN: Dave you are operating as the Business Development Manager in one of the greatest football clubs in Europe from Scotland, CELTIC FC. How is your working experience there?

DC: It’s a great privilege to work for Celtic. We have a fantastic tradition and heritage and we look to try to build the commercial program that we have at the club.

DPN: Let us know some things about the history of CELTIC FC.

DC: Celtic was the first British Club to win the European Cup (now Champions League) in 1967. The whole team was born within a 20 mile radius of the stadium! The club has very strong charitable belief’s that have been prominent since the clubs inception in 1887.

DPN: Share with us what is the vision of your football club?

DC: The vision of the club is to maintain a high performance in European football with strong domestic success. It’s important to ensure that we continue to engage with our supporters to maximize the fantastic support they offer us. We are also working hard to extend the reach and interaction with the club in many territories around the world.

DPN: CELTIC FC has launched an International Coaches Convention for February 2012. Take us through this new project.

DC: It’s something really exciting for me and the team here. We have been to so many coaching conventions around the globe and whilst there are some great ones out there, we just felt we could deliver something that offers brilliant value to coaches showing them all how we do things the Celtic Way. No other club will offer a program as in depth as us – showing the coaches how we work with 5 year olds right the way through to players who go in to the first team squad.

DPN: People from the football industry characterize you as one of the most promising talents in the football industry. What are your plans for the future?

DC: I’m not sure about that, I just keep working hard and try to learn from people I work with and also take my successes and build on those and of course analyze my weaknesses and think how I could improve for the next time!

DPN: Before CELTIC FC you worked also in another great club of UK, EVERTON FC. Talk to us also about your experience there.

DC: Everton is in my heart! Much of my family hail from Liverpool so it was an absolute honor to work for the club that I have and continue to support today as a fan! The EPL is such a fantastic league. I was perhaps a little too inexperienced to be at the club during that time but learned so much that is helping now to improve.

DPN: Both in CELITC FC and in EVERTON FC you interacted with a number of great football stars. Who is the one who impressed you most and why?

DC: Tim Cahill was someone who made a great impression on me. Tim is very committed to develop youth football. He is helping many young aspiring Australian athletes to get their big break in European football.

DPN: Some days ago Sir Alex Ferguson completed 25 years as a coach in Manchester United. May you comment this achievement?

DC: Incredible and a feat I do not think we will see repeated in the modern era. People forget it took Fergie 3-4 years to win a trophy at the club – in today’s game he would have probably have been fired before the success kicked in. Whether you like or dislike Manchester United you have to respect his achievements and the style of play of the team.

DPN: You studied an MBA in Football Industries in the University of Liverpool. How your studies added value in your business career up to now?

DC: The MBA was a great program for me as it allowed me to transition my career from a fund management and client service background in to sports where my passion lay. The best part of the MBA was the incredible network that surrounds the course. We got to meet key decision makers in the game on a weekly basis which was fantastic. Now the MBA course has more than 300 graduates and we work as strong network/alumni to help us all in the industry.

DPN: Dave, who is the person from your life that inspires you most and why?

DC: A great inspiration for me was a former colleague at Everton FC called Tosh Farrell. He is an incredible youth football coach with a fantastic personality and outlook on life. He remains a great friend also.

DPN: Football in Middle East is trying to develop the last years and there are a couple of indicators which shows that. The greatest Diego Maradona came as a coach in a football club in U.A.E and Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022. Comment us that.

DC: For me, football is the sport that people in the UAE and Qatar care about most. It’s of course very different to football in Europe as we have the history, heritage but also the advanced leagues with world class talent. But I see a lot of commitment to improve and develop things. I think the game will continue to grow positively. If there is one area that I think needs improved it is on patience! Teams change management and coaching staff far too easily that there is no chance for continuity in many clubs.

DPN: Do you recognize any Arab football player who you do believe has a great future among him?

DC: If I am honest there are no Middle East players that jump out to me – but as I have focus on the commercial side of the business rather than the talent identification that is to be expected. I am sure there will be scouts from across Europe scouring the region for talent.

DPN: What is the future of the football industry, especially during the global recession?

DC: Out with the top 2 or 3 leagues in the world, the football industry is tough. Sponsorship revenue in particular is extremely difficult and will be for the foreseeable in my opinion. With the desire for the main leagues like the EPL and La Liga, I think they will ride out any recession as the TV rights for these leagues continue to grow from strength to strength.

DPN: Sports in general is the bright side of life for many people. Earl Warren, the 14^th Chief Justice of the USA said “I always turn to sports pages first, which record people’s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man’s failures”. Do you agree with that?

DC : As a fanatical sports fan and as somebody who sees on a regular basis what football and sport means to many sports fans I can completely understand the love and passion people have for it. It’s a chance to share in collective success and happiness for many. Sport can give an identity also which is really important for many people. A saying I use in many of my sponsorship presentation is “Football creates the greatest affinity of all” – and I am sticking with it!

Interview 18: Thanos Niforos-Finance talks

2011-11-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

This time in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) Blog, we do host a really interesting interview about the financial market, especially in days where the world is facing a deep recession. Thanos Niforos (TN) a person with a long term experience in the banking industry share with us his ideas and thoughts. For sure an interview that is more than worthy to read it. The contact email of Mr. Niforos is nniforos@square1financialsolutions.com

DPN: Thanos, you got born in Athens, Greece 43 years ago, what do you remember from your childhood?

TN: It is wonderful that nowadays it is possible to make personal movies of our own lives and our loved ones, places of play, study, work and holidays. It should make the human memory refreshed all the time. The power of our own recording device is vastly greater than that of any technological equivalent such as a camera and I believe all our life experiences are recorded in its smallest detail at all times. These details are my parents’ new ventures and travels all over the world and their commitment to provide me the best education that I could get. I remember our visits to my parents’ birth places and their efforts to inherit to me the ability to recognize the context of family, culture, community and society.

DPN: Thanos you do have an exposure in the Banking Industry from 1991. May you let us know briefly your career up to now?

TN: I have an exposure in Banking since 1991, in Investment & Corporate Banking since 1996, in Brokerage and Wealth Management positions since 2005. In the domain of Banking, Finance, ecurities Industry (BFSI),I have served as a Investment & Corporate Banker, Equity & IPO Analyst, Equity Broker & Wealth Manager with presence in EMEA, MENA and APAC regions. The last 20 years, I have been involved in conducting business plans, offering memorandums, DCF valuations and comparatives multiples analysis, equity partners introduction, financial analysis, reporting, negotiating contracts, commercial due diligences, supervision of key micro and macro indicators, structured LTV facilities, factoring and leasing. I have raised Euro 500 million in new funds via multiples IPO's, SPO's, syndicated loans, working capital vehicles, convertible bonds, private placements and I managed investment requests for portfolio investments as well as investable assets totaling Euro 250 million in traditional, hybrid and alternative asset classes. Currently, I advice, structure and represent, visionary business plans and valuations which are seeking new funds and co-investors from major financial hubs as well as wealth portfolios which are seeking a worldwide expertise.

DPN: You used to be also a member of a core Investment Banking team advising public stated companies in Greece for their privatization process. Describe us some of your achievements.

TN: I was a member of the Investment Banking team of National Investment Bank of Industrial Development the Investment Banking arm of National Bank of Greece. Undoubtedly, it was one project of major significance to me, since I was involved in a national objective with a large scale financial engineering with innovative procedures for those days and for the prevailing financial framework. During the privatization process of the public stated companies from 1997 up to 2000 in Greece, my primary responsibilities were the analysis of financial statements of the Public Utilities Industry, the preparation of the due diligence questionnaires with active participation in the interviewing process with the top management. My primary objective was to gather and process all the necessary quantitative and qualitative data for the development of business plans, evaluation reports, preliminary and final offering circulars.

DPN: How do you see the future of Greece after all the latest developments there?

TN: Your question is taking place in a very difficult global political and financial environment and time for my country. We are in front of a coalition-interim government and the leaders involved in this government will lead and guide with their decisions the future of the Greek nation and the vision of the European Union and Euro zone to a new era. The future of Greece is in the Euro area and we have not to stop dreaming of a better future and we have to make a concerted effort. The situation is like that someone hung in our feet unbearable weights throw us in deep water sea and ask from us to swim to the next coast. We know how to swim but we need to strengthen our muscles and to get out from these murky waters stronger and safer. Aldous Huxley once said that, “experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you.” In numbers, Greece had forecasted €17.9 bn for debt service in 2012 so a €4.5 bn reduction in debt service is a big deal, although this is a 25% reduction, not a 50% one. The government had budgeted a 1.5% of GDP primary surplus in 2012, which this deal could boost to 3.6%. What is less clear is debt amortization: Greece needed €35 bn to amortize debt in 2012 and €37.6 bn in 2013. Presumably some of that debt is either shaved off or pushed into the future. But we do not know how much yet – that can make a big difference on how much of the second €100 bn official sector tranche goes to merely replace private sector debt.

DPN: Robert Sarnoff, sad that “finance is the art of passing money from hand to hand until it finally disappears”. Comment us on that.

TN: Whenever we are talking about personal, corporate or public finance we have to understand if finance is an art or science. At the end finance is the process of channeling funds from savers to users in the form of credit, loans, or invested capital through agencies. May be finance is both an art, because it contributes to a product development and science because it has tools of measurements, although these activities increasingly converge through the intense technical and institutional focus on measuring and hedging risk-return relationships that underlie shareholder value. But since we talk about finance we have to define money whether paper or coins, fiat or electronic, and your question guides me to a philosophical path which in reality is a historic one, of what money is? The growth of monetary institutions has largely paralleled that of trade and industry; today almost all economic activity is concerned with the making and spending of money incomes. The history starts by the use of barter-like methods that may date back to at least 100,000 years ago, though there is no evidence of a society or economy that relied primarily on barter. Instead, non-monetary societies operated largely along the principles of gift economics. When barter did occur, it was usually between either complete strangers or potential enemies. From the earliest times precious metals have had wide monetary use, owing to convenience of handling, durability, divisibility, and the high intrinsic value commonly attached to them. Whether an article is to be regarded as money does not, however, depend on its value as a commodity, except where intrinsic worth is necessary to make it generally acceptable in exchange; the relation between the face value of an object used as money and its commodity value has actually become increasingly remote. Paper currency first appeared about 300 years ago; it was usually backed by some "standard" commodity of intrinsic value into which it could be freely converted on demand, but even during the early development of currency, issuance of inconvertible paper money, also called fiat money, was not infrequent. These gold standard notes were made legal tender, and redemption into gold coins was discouraged. By the beginning of the 20th century almost all countries had adopted the gold standard, backing their legal tender notes with fixed amounts of gold. After World War II, at the Bretton Woods Conference, most countries adopted fiat currencies that were fixed to the US dollar. The US dollar was in turn fixed to gold. In 1971 the US government suspended the convertibility of the US dollar to gold. After this many countries de-pegged their currencies from the US dollar, and most of the world's currencies became unbaked by anything except the governments' fiat of legal tender and the ability to convert the money into goods via payment. So, money I can say is a “token”, like the cloakroom “ticket” that can be redeemed for one’s coat at the end of the operatic performance and please add what Joey Adams said about bankruptcy; that is a legal proceeding in which you put your money in your pants pocket and give your coat to your creditors. Otherwise, money if they are about to disappear, they were never there.

DPN: Apart from Greece, the whole European region is into an ongoing recession mainly in the south part of it. Whats your forecast on what will follow? Are there ways to exit this recession? Are China and other Asian and BRIC countries willing to bailout Europe?

TN: Undoubtedly, we need new avenues for growth and to tackle the increasing problem of unemployment together with a political logjam. The problems are not Greek, are not European, are not American but global even though some believe that Europe woes are bigger than the US worries. Obviously, the European crisis is quite serious at this moment but it is all interconnected. Had the United States had a more effective recovery, it would have made a big difference in Europe as well. Maybe the huge fiscal crises in Europe, the whole sovereign debt crises in Europe might have been arrested. If the Germans want to save Europe, they must reverse their policies and start running large trade deficits even if that comes with slower growth. If not, the euro will break apart and peripheral Europe will almost certainly default on its obligations to Germany. Either way Germany loses. The only way to save the euro (and incidentally to prevent Germany’s banks from being forced to absorb huge losses on peripheral European debt) is for Germany to spur consumption and investment enough to reverse the current account surplus. Only this will allow peripheral Europe to grow and to earn the euros needed to repay the debt.

As political horizons get shorter, leaders choose short-term fixes at the expense of medium-term solutions. Since they are unlikely to be in office to benefit from the medium-term improvement, they discount its effect at much higher rates than they discount short-term policies. The result is that the crisis gets worse, not better.

This seems to be what is happening in Europe. In order to postpone the crisis, perhaps because of upcoming elections in a number of important countries, European leaders are choosing quick fixes at the expense of long-term European growth, and of course this will simply increase the probability and cost of a crisis. Europe is capital-rich and in fact is a net exporter of capital. The reason peripheral European governments cannot get financing is not because there is a lack of capital or liquidity but simply because their solvency is questioned by investors. If Europe is asking China to lend into a fund that is effectively guaranteed by Germany, then there shouldn’t be much Chinese reluctance. In that case however I would have to wonder why Europe needs help from foreigners. Germany has little difficulty in borrowing on its own. But even if this will take place it will probably occur through a strengthening of the euro against the dollar. And given weak domestic European demand, this means that either Europeans will buy from foreign manufacturers what they would have bought from European manufacturers, or it means Europe will export less.

DPN: Do you believe that the future of the global economy is in Asia-Pacific and Middle East and North Africa Economies?

TN: There has been no decoupling of developing economies, or more narrowly the BRICs, from the developed world. All that has happened is that the transmission from one to the other has been delayed. Since most global consumption comes from the US, Europe and Japan, the collapse in their demand will ultimately be very painful for the BRICs and the rest of the developing world. But, I would like also to mention that the significant step towards a Trans–Pacific Partnership with a broader scope as compared with a Free-Trade Agreement, that took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Honolulu among nine economies like Singapore, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, US, Vietnam, Australia, Malaysia and Peru. The next step is for Japan to apply to join the FTA something that I think we will have a very significant step towards an Asia-Pacific Free Trade Agreement, in a time of instability in the world economy and when you look at what's happening in Europe. As far as Middle East is concerned, a region of extremes, technically, is a region that includes southwestern Asia and Egypt with the most countries located in the region has rich deposits of oil and therefore depend on mining to run the economy. On the one hand, rich countries such as Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia dominate the oil industry around the globe; poor countries such as Gaza and Yemen rely on subsidies and aids. But, like everywhere else in the global economy, the financial crisis has taken a toll on the Middle East and Central Asian economy as well. The Middle East economy was hit in 2008-2009, as oil prices dropped. But the downturn proved to be a blessing in disguise for countries like Qatar due to high demand for gas. For most Middle East countries, the prime cause of the decline in their GDP was the cut in oil production by the OPEC. According to the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the OPEC will begin to increase oil production once the economy gains traction. Analysts have predicted that oil prices would reach an average of $75 in 2010, as compared to $62 in 2009. If oil prices reach the predicted levels, the Middle East economy will witness growth, as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Until now, the Middle East and North Africa region continues to grapple with instability in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings. The draining of public finances, elevated levels of inflation and high rates of unemployment seem to paint an unfavorable picture for the region in the short term. According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook report, inflation in the region is expected to average around 7% in 2011 and 10% in 2012. In addition, the report noted the adverse impact of weaker growth in the United States and Europe on commodity prices, foreign investments and economic activity. The IMF expects the oil-exporting economies to expand 5% this year and slip to around 4% growth in 2012 due to continued economic uncertainty. On the other hand, economic growth of the oil-importing nations, particularly the ones hit by social unrest, is likely to remain subdued in the near term. Furthermore, it has forecasted an average growth of 1.4% in 2011 and 2.6% in 2012 for the oil importers. And encouragingly, the report has slightly raised its growth outlook from 1.0% to 1.2% in 2011 and 1.8% in 2012 for Egypt – the most populous Arab nation. According to the IMF, Saudi Arabia and Qatar would be the fastest growing GCC countries, while the UAE will experience relatively slower growth.

DPN: You advise, structure and represent visionary business plans and strategic models which are seeking new funds and co-investors from two major financial hubs such as Singapore and Dubai in the context of a diversified portfolio of investments. What makes a business plan successful? What are the differences among VCs, Business Angels/Seed Capital and Incubators/accelerators?

TN: Good question indeed! I am a traditional banker the last 20 years covering a large range of banking activities with the last six years focusing in private wealth management. But there is nowhere such challenge to compare with that of designing something from the very beginning; from the idea generation up to the exit strategy. Is part of my strategy for the wealthy family vision, values and organization. There are far more investment choices available to the wealthy family today for tactical selection within an overall strategic model of Hybrid and Alternative Asset Classes, than for any preceding generation. It is important to understand and to pick very carefully and at the right time only the items that fit the investor’s overall strategy and add specific value to the portfolio. This is the reason that business ideas have no value and it is the planning, not just the plan, that makes business planning work. As Warren Buffet says “our favorite holding period is forever” and why not if something is planned well or is a unique invention like social media? Anyway time is fictitious. So answering to your question what makes a business plan successful, I would suggest that it has to get people committed and to be communicated and to identify assumptions clearly. The idea of itself it may be the root for a big success but the implementation of a realistic ideas get points. Every business plan ought to be measurable and to include tasks, deadlines, dates, forecasts, budgets, and metrics. So the key to your question what makes a business plan successful is answered with a new question. Does it achieve the business objective? We in SquareOne Financial Solutions Pte Ltd simply can’t look at business plans as generic. You have to start with whether or not the plan achieved its business purpose. Some plans exist to get investment. Some are supposed to support loan applications. Those are specialty uses that apply to some business situations, while almost all businesses ought to develop management-oriented business plans that exist to help run the company, not to be presented to outsiders. The business plan used internally to manage the company doesn’t have to polish and present the company to outsiders, so it probably lives on a network, not on paper. But the plan as part of high-end startup looking for VC or angel investment does in fact have to present the business to outsiders. These are very different plans. Some of them have sales objectives, selling an idea, and a team, and a market, to investors. Some have a support objective, reassuring a lender about risk, usually with assets. My favorite business plans are about structure the necessary financing ingredients and managing: starting and growing a company. But what are the differences acting as a Business Angel or Venture Capitalist? The underlying characteristics that delineate angel investors are much different than that of venture capital firms. Venture capital investing is generally the most well-known type of start-up investment services available in the market. Although many entrepreneurs are aware of venture capitalists and associated venture funding, many are not aware of the process, issues, and concerns that arise when engaging with venture capitalists. This is primarily a function of nature of the organizations and background of the two types of investors. Where angel investors generally invest smaller amounts of money with the goal of facilitating the start-up company’s move to the next level of third-party investment from venture capital firms, venture firms generally invest large sums of money with the goal of cashing out in three to five years through an initial public offering (IPO) or through an acquisition by a large corporation. Angel investors focus much more on seed and early stage company funding. In addition, the interaction between the angel investor and the start-up company versus that of the venture capital firm and the start-up company are generally very different. Where the angel investor(s) are more nurturing and patient toward the start-up company, the relationship between venture capitalists and the start-up firm can many times be better characterized as an “adversarial” relationship based on meeting financial projections with unrealistic expectations. The start-up company is concentrated on the “should be projections” of the financial statements, as opposed to the realistic issues in developing a business. Given this difference, and the necessity of working with the venture capital community, it is highly recommended that entrepreneurs and their start-ups work with venture capitalists that have “hands-on” start-up experience. This will facilitate a much more mutually beneficial relationship between the two parties, the entrepreneur and the investor. Acting as an incubator can be challenging and it cannot replace business initiative, personal effort and resourcefulness. There is a term used called "incubator syndrome" in which the entrepreneur allows their initiative and judgment to be replaced by those of the consultants in the center. While the consultants may give superb advice, it is the entrepreneur's responsibility to make the business succeed. A growing trend in incubators is for the incubator to receive a piece of the action in exchange for office space, cash and lots of business support. They are essentially becoming venture capitalists with the benefit of being on site to help get the business off the ground. The usual amount such incubators ask is about a 20 percent equity stake. Many of the incubators that operate this way style themselves as "startup junkies." They know a lot about what gets a company off the ground right and are enormously helpful in getting a business off on the right foot. For an investment of anywhere between $100,000 to $300,000 plus office space and services, they receive the vicarious thrill of being part of a startup and substantial returns if the business succeeds. For each spot available there are at least 20 applicants so this new type of venture definitely is appealing to all. So far results have been impressive if you are one of the lucky ones to win a place in these incubators. Statistics claim that among US companies that received angel investment funding last year, the average amount of capital raised was about $450K. While the top tier of angel investments go to the technology, medical and healthcare sectors, investments have been made in a wide variety of business sectors. The amount of active angel investors in America continues to grow, with the Small Business Administration estimating that there are now over 250,000 active angel investors in the US, and that they provided funding for about 30,000 companies per year. Figures from the UK showed that 40% of business angel investments delivered a negative internal rate of return (IRR), but 10% delivered an IRR of more than 100%, usually over a five to seven year period. No figure has been estimated for the Middle East, but the large number of wealthy individuals should mean there are plenty of potential angels. This is what the Arab Business Angels Network (ABAN) aims to address. The network was conceived by the Young Arab Leaders during the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2005, with Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private equity investment arm of Dubai Holding, its founder and lead institutional investor. DIC made its first foray into angel investing last year through its US$2.6 million Pan Arab Business Plan. It invested in an ostrich farm in Jordan and paper producer in Egypt, both of which have successfully expanded following the capital injection. ABAN will bring together individual and corporate investors who want to access early stage opportunities, with membership by invitation only. The target value for each investment is between $100,000 and $1 million. In the same philosophy, is that in recognition of its growing professionalism and catalytic role in the venture ecosystem of Singapore, the Singapore government agency in charge of promotion of start-ups (SPRING Singapore) offered public funding support to BANSEA (The Business Angel Network Southeast Asia) since 2007. Under a scheme called the Incubator Development Program (IDP), SPRING provided funding for up to 70% of the qualifying cost of BANSEA operations. This public funding support enabled the organization to employ a full-time executive director who could organize activities professionally and provide services to members to generate income. Ending, is part of the wealthy family organization and for the next generation vision to create a business angel investment which has a history of creating jobs - something that is crucial to the continued development of the Middle East and Asia-Pacific economies - and should also create deal flow for venture capital and private equity firms as the businesses mature and are ready for later stages of funding.

DPN: Do you have any life philosophy to share with us?

TN: A meaningful contribution for innovative ideas with the potential for systemic change. My driving force is the social entrepreneurship behind an innovative idea that chooses action over rhetoric every time.

DPN: One of your next projects is a multi-thematic blog which is coming on-air soon. May you let us know some more things about it?

TN: The discover the Equator Capital & Vision @ World blog, is not a simple blog to explore. It is more than an innovative portal-blog, is a personal hub of my views of the world markets, businesses, art and personalities adjusting according to the sentiment that it prevails worldwide. A roller coaster of social and business innovation which it will host new ideas, artistic creations, ventures, personalities, expressions of lives.

Interview 17-Vassilis Theocharides-Promoting Cyprus in the Arabic region

2011-11-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) Blog this week hosts a really talented young person, Vassilis Theocharides (VT), the Director of the Cyprus Tourism Organization in Middle East. Cyprus is a lucky country that such a technocratic and multitasking mind is representing the country with loads of success. Let’s learn more about him.

DPN: Vassilis you do represent in Middle East through your position the tourism of one of the most beautiful countries around the world, Cyprus. Tell us some things about your place.

VT: Without going through the usual clichés, Cyprus offers the ultimate break from the Middle East at just 3.5 hours from Dubai. In summer our beaches and clear water are of course the main attraction, but now that the winter festive season is creeping in, I suggest for visitors to rent a car and discover the island. It takes 3 hours from west to east coast; one can discover typical villages in our mountains, go for wine tasting, visit our cities and naturally enjoy huge variety of mezzes at one of our local taverns. Basically Cyprus offers the safety of a small island, the relaxation of having he Mediterranean Sea around you and above all genuinely hospitable people!

DPN: Someone said “Vacation used to be a luxury, however in today’s world, it has become a necessity”. Comment that please.

VT: We are spending more and more time at our workplace, and now with smart phones, Ipads and other gadgets effectively we are at work all the time. Let’s not forget during a recession our employers also are pushing as more and we have to deliver, so yes to remain sane, and manage our life’s holidays are mandatory. Perhaps we are not taking full months off like our parents but shorter breaks just to get back to what really is important.

DPN: How do you promote Cyprus within the Arab region?

VT: Marketing has evolved since I joined the CTO in 2005, before it was about heavy advertisement through the traditional media, however with the exponential growth of the web based placement we decided to follow the current demands. So advertisement is done to attract the public, we also participate in exhibitions and keep the press informed through our PR. Second fold we need to keep our clients informed, and that the travel agents and tour operators, either through marketing support, training, educational trips to Cyprus or our new e-learning platform www.agentslovecyprus.com .

DPN: We do experience a global recession. Is tourism industry the present and the future for Cyprus and if yes, why?

VT: It is the present that is a fact. About 11-15% of our GDP can directly be related to tourism services so it is a huge industry. As for the future is concerned we shall continue attracting tourists, but through diversification such as conference centers, marinas and golf courses. So tourism will join other industries to offer a more comprehensive role to our industry. So the why part is because this is what we do best.

DPN: You live in Dubai, UAE, the last 6 years of your life, what this city means for you?

VT: The city is continuously growing, changing, evolving into a truly unique metropolis. I always called in the NYC of the east as it has similar patters of diversity and energy. I actually feel proud to live in this city, but above all in the Middle East.

DPN: A number of young European people are looking for their business future in Dubai. What would you advise them?

VT: They need to understand the different cultures that make this city function. When moving to Dubai one has to read well about the whole Middle East, Iran and India before moving here. It’s imperative that assimilation to the rainbow of cultures is undertaken and not sticking to ones ethnic group only.

DPN: You are a person with a strong Hospitality background. How do you see this industry in Dubai the latest years?

VT: Obviously tourism is very susceptible to the slightest external turbulences, however although occupancy is not as it was before I think the fundamental infrastructure of Dubai will keep on attracting tourists. With such a choice of hotels, and not only luxury properties Dubai has the capability of still being a leader in revenue and occupancy. What is even more interesting is the hoteliers adaptability to custom their products to the ever-changing tourism industry. I’ve noticed more and more Chinese speakers in Dubai hotels, and this is just to anticipate the massive wave from China, which is slowing coming to Dubai.

DPN: You grew up in Switzerland, a country with which you do hold strong relationships. How different is in comparison with United Arab Emirates?

VT: Well I think a similarity can be drawn from the set-up of the two countries. Without going into too much detail both countries are set by very unique states (Emirates in the UAE and cantons in Switzerland). These federal states although proud in their independent spirit have still very loyal and proud citizens. Therefore perhaps there is something to say about not amassing all the power in the central government but allowing all states/cities to have their say in the development of the nation.

DPN: through your position you are travelling in a number of countries. Share with us some unique travel experiences.

VT: I love the Middle East. I think one of the most interesting situations was when some journalist friends in Saudi Arabia invited my colleague and me for dinner. Now we were expecting for a normal dinner, however they had rented an entire ballroom with a buffet for 150 people, but we were only 6! It just shows the hospitality of the people in the region and the value they attribute to friendship!

DPN: In your opinion what is the future of the world tourism industry?

VT: The future is a return to less generic; corporate experiences such a worldwide brand to a local experience. I think people are becoming more savvy travelers looking for local sights and sounds. Furthermore we are going to have to change our product to adapt to the new players in the market which are the BRIC countries, thus tourism is shifting from the traditional western markets to the new ones from the East and Brazil.

DPN: You worked a number of years in Atlanta, USA. Is really the “American Dream” exists?

VT: The American dream exists, it is one of the few countries that if you work hard you can go far. Whatever we can say about the US, no other nation has such a spirit of entrepreneurship and can do attitude.

DPN: Take us through one of your biggest achievements.

VT: We decided to support an agent in Lebanon that was selling civil weddings. Our campaign was a small one with the travel agent; however once it started it snowballed and international press took the subject (including the economist and USA today). What we had done was actually cause a slight controversy, as civil weddings are illegal in Lebanon. Thus we managed to ride the wave of slight discontent with this law in Lebanon by positioning ourselves as a solution to the peoples need to marry outside of religion institutions. Now nearly all agents in Lebanon are selling civil weddings!

DPN: Describe us a situation that you experienced and everything went totally wrong. How did you deal with it?

VT: I think our biggest failure was in Saudi Arabia; basically we were throwing money in a big well. We had poor fights, no embassy and we had to realize Cyprus is not the ideal destination for the more conservative Saudi populace.

DPN: Is there a person in your life that inspired you mostly?

VT: My father, he had worked in the UN for many years so was very cultural sensitive, he was also born in Sudan and new very well the region. He always pushed me to work hard and never accent mediocrity and question everything.

DPN: How do you see yourself in the next decade?

VT: I have no clue, ask me in ten years.

DPN: Share with us a wish.

VT: That the people in the region get the leaders they deserve.

Interview 16: Megaklis Vintiadis-A true legend in the TV

2011-10-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

This week in the DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) Blog we do host Megaklis Vintiadis (MV), a person who spent all his life in the TV industry, a person who created his own legend. One of the most interesting interviews that may teach us loads of things, enjoy it.

DPN: Megakli your origin is from Egypt. What this country means for you?

MV: Egypt is my country. I was born there; I grew up and spent my best years of my life. I was raised in the hug of the river Nile. My life began from Egypt.

DPN: You are a true legend in the Greek TV. May you describe us in some words your story in the TV?

MV: Well, as soon as I left Egypt and moved to Greece I attend for three years the famous that time “Athens School of Arts” of D. Rondiri. Upon my graduation I was working as an actor in Greek Theater. In 1966 there were auditions for three plays. In “Lysistrati” of our ancient Greek Aristofani , in “Andigoni” a musical play of the well known around the world composer Mikis Theodorakis and a musical play of another famous composer Stavros Xarhakos called “Monastiraki”. I succeed to all of them, and here I am performing in major cities all around Australia and New Zeeland in the “Festival of Elizabethan Theater Trust of Australia” under the sponsorship of her Royal Highness Queen Mother of England. Then everything came upside down. I fall in love! You think of a woman? Unfortunately, I was in love with Television! Throughout our interviews in several TV I was fascinated with this world it was like a spell on me. I felt that television studios was my world, there I was belong. USA here I come!!! I studied in Boston and I worked there as a director, but life is unexpected and my return to Greece was beyond my will. Though I got lucky because Greek Television that time was an “infant” and as a good “father” I took care of this child during the adulthood and its successful life for me and for “her”.

DPN: A number of the today TV stars in the Greek TV owns their success to you. How is your relationship with those people now?

MV: The truth is that I was lucky enough and had the chance to work with the greatest names of Greek cinema. Actors as well as writers and my duty were to give opportunities to others and help them succeed. I have given my knowledge to young generation actors, presenters and anchormen, directors, who all of them have been and they are very successful as we speak. I am proud of them. Personally, I believe in people’s soul, education, respect and ethics. I did what I had to. If some of them appreciate my role in their life and respect it, I am happy. Others are trying to forget. It’s OK who says that life is fare. Although, I love each and every one of them and still I am watching through distance the progress of their carrier.

DPN: Unfortunately, Greece is facing really difficult times. What are the reasons in your opinion that led in this situation in your opinion?

MV: Greece had to know that some time the result would be this. Unfortunately from 1980 and onwards there have been lots and crucial mistakes from all Greek Politian’s. Shall I begin commenting on the Public Sector? Thousands of people were hired for a vote. Millions of Drachmas and Euros were come and go from one pocket to on ether, countless of economic scandals. Lack of public organization, beaurocracy, lack of public health, lack of public education I could write pages with the lack of. All governments had one and only interest to get voted no matter the cost (short run and long run). Alas, all these have to stop one day. Nevertheless it’s not easy, I could say it’s very hard and it becomes harder while all these politicians who brought Greece in this situation as it today they became Greece saviors. I wish whenever Greece gets out of this crisis, Greeks take a good lesson and learn from their mistakes.

DPN: Who is the ultimate star in the Greek TV and why?

MV: I don’t think that there is ultimate star. In Greek society there’s not such a star system as we are all familiar to. There are many popular and successful personalities all well known artists some of them worldwide. I believe that, a star has a character, an attitude, strong beliefs, education, public recognition and a certain way of life style. If you want me to name someone as a star of today, I should say to you Lakis Lazopoulos. He is talented; he has the acceptance of the public and collects some of the criteria. He is very successful.

DPN: Recently you visited Dubai. What’s your experience from that city?

MV: Dubai is a city phenomenon; allow me to tell you that I could give the Dubai “city of the millennium”. Dubai proves that if a man has vision, ambition, and belief can create anything. My first visit in Dubai left me speechless and every time that I come is a new experience for me. I love Dubai.

DPN: You are a person who has travelled a lot. Share with us some of your travel experiences.

MV: My life is traveling around the world. Recently, I realized that through my trips all these years I became the person who I am today. It fascinates me the fact that each country either in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and America has a story to tell. I enjoy learning each culture, habits and way of life, taste the food, feel the air, the smells because each and everyone has its beauties. Needless to tell you, that my favorite countries are those of the Middle East. It’s difficult to share experiences, because every traveler keeps in his hart what “feeds” his mind and soul.

DPN: If your life was a movie what the title would be and which actor would be the protagonist?

MV: “Good Night & Good Luck” leading actor: Al Pacino

DPN: Share with us your future plans?

MV: It was my dream to create a friendly cozy restaurant bar where people will enjoy good food and good wine and spend their valuable time enjoying. Some day in the near future, I want to believe that it will come true. Meanwhile, I consume a lot of time in my wife’s yachting company which has to do with renovation and refitting of motor yachts. It’s a demanding, and very creative activity.

DPN: Who is your favorite film director and why?

MV: Quentin Tarantino, simply because he is a “psycho”, inventive, and innovative. It takes a piece of “nothing” and he turns it to something.

DPN: Do you have a life philosophy?

MV: Whatever I do in my life “I do it my way”. It may sound selfish, but this is how I survived. It’s all upon survival, and lives a life that every single morning you say “this is a new bright day grab the opportunity and make it happen”. Life is too short. Size the day and live your life as worthy as could be.

DPN: What was the most difficult moment you faced in your business life and how did you manage it?

MV: Our life is a risky business. I take my chances and I move on learning from my mistakes, evaluating each and every moment. Difficult moments come and go all we need is the brain, and soul to overcome these obstacles. Media is a fast paced life fulls of “difficult moments” my belief is that when you have a strong “stomach” and common sense you do not step on the “mud”.

DPN: Share with us a dream that never came true.

MV: Once I would love to be a singer! But, when I heard my voice I decided to let others sing for me. I suppose that this dream will never come true. The only place that I sing is my bathroom sometimes.

Interview 14: Kanat Kutluk-Turkish businessman shines in Dubai

2011-10-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Kanat Kutluk (KK) a really successful business man who is experiencing the life in Dubai, shares with us his story in this interview of Dubai Profile News (DPN) Blog. After managing 12 years a MN company for sure his words counts.

DPN: Kanat you are a successful professional working in ECOLAB in a high managerial position today, for more than 12 years. How is it to work in the same company for such a long time?

KK: It is something really pleasant. Nowadays, business environment networking is crucial both inside and outside of your company. The more time you spend in the same company and you work in different regions, the more you have the chance to get to know more colleagues and clients that enables your operation and strengthens your career. Of course, there are downsides of it as well.

DPN: You live the last years of your life in Dubai. What does this city means for you?

I spent almost 6 years of my life in Dubai with loads of traveling within Africa, Middle East and Subcontinent countries. Dubai is my home and my family, the city where I always return. It is also the ‘City of Life’ like a recent Emirati film stated a real cross cultural hub.

DPN: Originally you are from Turkey. Tell us some things about your country.

KK: Like the rest of the population I feel very much connected to Turkey whether living abroad or in the country. I think Turkish Republic has achieved to establish a democratic state from the ashes of one of the major empire of its time. Even though that still we so struggle in ideologies from the past and future but for sure people are willing and are passionate to do their best for a better living and the future seems to be brighter.

DPN: You are managing at the moment 65 countries under the umbrella of your company. How do you handle such a responsibility?

KK: Teamwork, delegation and trust. I work with a highly talented and committed team that makes things easier. Additionally I need coordination, collaboration and dedication. Today’s market is a war zone, and each additional asset on this battle zone is welcomed. Courage, leadership and strategy are also essential elements for the success.

DPN: In Dubai you are a resident of the Palm Jumeirah Island, the dream of many people. Share with us this unique living experience.

KK: In general Dubai is providing really high standards of living for its residents but living on the Palm Island, right on the sea is just fun, we are really enjoying it. However, after a while you are getting used of it and become a routine.

DPN: Due to your business responsibilities you need to travel really a lot. Let us know some of your more interesting trips around the world?

KK: Africa is far away one of the most interesting place you a person may travel. Nigeria is a country with huge potentials but at the same time with a number of difficulties. In one of my trips we headed straightaway from the airport straightaway to a public hospital for vaccination. Ethiopia hosts a really beautiful environment with very nice people but on the other hand you can see loads of poverty there. A really dangerous experience that I could share with you was a time that I was in Lahore, Pakistan, very close to the Liberty square, when some people started shooting the Sri Lankan cricket team convoy on the morning of 3rd march 2009. I also traveled to Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles for business, places which are more than pleasant. The more you travel the more you learn. I do enjoy it.

DPN: Take us through one of your latest projects.

KK: Makah Royal Clock Tower by Fairmont - Raffles Hotels is a giant Hotel project with almost 4000 rooms. It is a hotel which will set new standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia along with the new opening of the Ritz Carlton Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is like a film in fast forward, things change rapidly.

DPN: You are working for a MN company and you are the person who established the Dubai
office. How was that experience?

KK: To establish the Dubai office was a unique experience, I have done a lot of new things I wouldn’t normally do if I didn’t have this opportunity. Human Resources in Dubai is quite diversified, you need to build up the experience to be able to make the right selection. I have learned a lot and new skills through experience.

DPN: Apart from being a manager in your company you do need to “manage” also your family. What is the balance between a successful professional and his family?

As I do reach in a few years my 40s, I start reconciling business and family life and I am a stage comes that I shall spend more time and energy with my family. When I do say “energy” I mean that sometimes we are physically with our family but mentally not. And this is something that children may sense the difference. Also I have to say that we are a really good team with my wife as both of us we do work and we share responsibilities and try to take the best decisions and implement as much as we can. I do feel lucky.

DPN: Who was the role model in your life?

KK: I guess many guys would give you the same answer; my father. His passion to do things in the best possible way always impressed me. Many skills of him as his hard work, the dedication, the commitment and his patience always inspired me.

DPN: If a young person would like to work in Dubai what would you advise?

KK: I would recommend to that person to be innovative as it is not easy nowadays to get a really good job. First of all he shall try to focus on the distinctive specialties he has to do his job compared to others so to differentiate. That shall be stated in the CV in a very clear way. First question to ask is “why to recruit myself for this job”.

DPN: How do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

KK: Either as the Company Director in a MN company or as a Company Owner of an International Trading company preferably based in Dubai.

DPN: Share with us some words of wisdom that you follow.

KK: Whatever you do in your life do it in the best possible way and work hard on yourself at the same time. The day you think I that you are done the day you start declining, it is a journey that never ends.

DPN: Henry David Thoreau, the famous American author said “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it”. Comment that.

It is true that one can only reach success if he constantly seeks and works for it, you need to be ambitious to be able to get there. On the contrary, I must say I have recently started rediscovering the meanings of success and in parallel happiness. There might be some other ways to achieve that and those might be different than the ones we are thought. I think all depends on our choices about life.

Interview 13: Maria Karchilaki-Bringing action in our homes

2011-09-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Maria Karchilaki (MC) is this week interview of DPN Blog (DPN). A war reporter sharing with us some amazing stories from her work and life, this is an interview which everybody shall read. Enjoy it.

DPN: Maria from 1993 you are reporting in the Greek TV from War Zones. Give a title for this overall experience up to now.

MC: “A very interesting life choice”

DPN: How come a lady to follow such a direction and report about War Zones instead of something more softly?

MC: My DNA, I suppose. On the other hand, war reporting is THE journalism! It’s the journalism I dreamed of. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity in 1993 and I’m recording history as it unfolds ever since.

DPN: Where did you grow up your childhood? Share with us some experiences from that time.

MC: I grew up in Heraklion, Crete. My father, a Second World War hero, was a radio operator in the Greek Navy at first and then in the Greek Civil Aviation Authority. My mother was a teacher. She was my teacher too, in the first three grades of the primary school. I have no brothers or sisters; I had animals instead. Alex & Rose were my favorite cat pets; Mother and son. My parents have both passed away. I miss them very much. That’s why I don’t visit Crete that much anymore. It makes me feel so sad.

DPN: Who motivated you to be what you are today?

MC: My mom and dad, definitely

DPN: You are covering a lot of topics about the Arab World. What’s your point of view for this side of the world?

MC: Rather misunderstood I’m afraid. The notion many people have for Arabs is that they are driven by Islamic fanaticism and spend their day hating America and Israel. The Arabs that I know (and I know a lot) are like everybody else; they are looking after their families, striving for everyday life and afraid not to lose their jobs. Break the stereotype of bad Arabs -this is what I say to my circle.

DPN: You have also covered a number of topics about Saudi Arabia. How was your experience there?

MC: The Saudi society is a conservative one and most of its symbols are linked to Islam. I didn’t come across…terrorists though and I assure you that ladies are not always wearing a headscarf in the Kingdom! A very hospitable people.

DPN: Following a number of travels that you had which one was the most interesting one and why?

MC: The Bosnian war between April 1992 and December 1995. Through it I got deeply into this business. First love is really unforgettable, isn’t it?

DPN: Describe us your latest coverage.

MC: Libya of course… Based in Tripoli, lucky enough to find a room in the most “vibrant” hotel in the city; Al Waddan Hotel, which was managed by the Freedom Fighters themselves! Plenty of information round-the-clock and best terraces to do a live report. We arrived in Tripoli with my cameraman while the street fighting in Abu Salim district was still raging after a very long journey from Tunis through Nafusa Mountains. That was my second assignment in Libya. The first one was at the beginning of the Libyan revolution in February and March. I was based in Benghazi for 40 days.

DPN: The situation in Libya today is a quite unstable one. What’s your prediction about that country?

MC: The Libyans have a long way ahead. Building a democratic state is a very complex task. I really hope they will manage to do that. If they do it, Libya will be the first successful experiment of the Arab spring!

DPN: We are more than sure that you have visited Dubai, how can you describe this city?

MC: I have stayed in Dubai less than 24 hours, just passing through while returning from an assignment in Pakistan. I don’t have an opinion I’m afraid. I was impressed by the huge buildings though.

DPN: If a young person comes to you asking you to become a war reporter what would you advise?

MC: Follow your heart!

DPN: Finally what is the most important that counts, danger or result?

MC: What counts for me is good journalism, neither danger nor result. I deeply believe that good journalism can make our world a better place…

DPN: Usually you are the one who is taking the interview how’s the feeling of giving one?

MC: I enjoy it. Don’t forget that I’ m a story teller…

DPN: Who is the most interesting person you ever took an interview and why?

MC: A young paraplegic girl named Charitini, so full of life and energy.

DPN: Do you have a life philosophy? Share it with us?

MC: A life lived in fear is a life half lived.

DPN: As I am sure a number of our readers would like to contact with you to express their feelings of reading your interview, how they can reach you?

MC: My twitter account is @karhilam

Interview 12: Costas Varcarotas: Suppporting the "young heroes"

2011-08-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

Costas Varkarotas (CV) is shouting through DPN Blog (DPN) in this interview Wake Up people. Read the interview and hopefully some of us wil help our World to become a better place! Young heroes are giving life leasons.

DPN: Costas you are a successful professional who is operation in the trade fair industry in Las Vegas. How’s the business nowadays in U.S?

CV: Its been a very challenging last three years, I believe our industry is going through a trying time and frankly needs to reinvent itself.

DPN: Las Vegas is one of the most sparkling cities globally. How is it to live there?

CV: Just like every other city, it has its plusses and minus. It's definitely a unique city, very plastic, exciting and vibrant... This truly is a town that never sleeps.

DPN: Originally you are from Greece but living in the U.S for all your life. Which place do you consider your hometown and why?

CV: I was born in Greece and grew up there, it’s very dear to my heart definitely...went to school in the US and have lived in Asia for close to ten years....I'm truly a man without a home, just kidding....I guess I can call the US Home for now.

DPN: Costas one of your children, Christopher is a child that deals with a terminal disease every day and you witness that pain. That situation was your motivation to begin the foundation “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES”. Share with us what exactly is the “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES”?

CV: Christopher is our inspiration..He's a very special child who has literally taught me many things about life. Through our personal experience, we have witnessed how many families in the same situation deal with this challenge. A couple of years back when I decided to help out before the holidays, I witnessed a little girl who was in agony at the children's clinic. When I gave her a gift, for a few seconds she forgot about her pain and her beautiful smile appeared. That was it for me, I knew then and there what I had to do....

DPN: Are you receiving details on what each child want?

CV: Sometimes, however, this year we have established a form that will be given to the child's parents that can give us some insight on what they like...

DPN: What is the vision for “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES”?

CV: The vision is simple, grow expand and place as many smiles on these children's faces as possible.

DPN: In “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES” you just ask 50 US Dollars per child. How big is the response from the people?

CV: It's been great. This started as a grassroots foundation and now its taking off...I'm just thrilled. This year, the EDPA has joined us and hopefully together, we can take this great cause nationwide and hopefully down the road across the globe...

DPN: How do communicate your cause to the public so to reach awareness for it?

CV: E-mails, phone calls, word of mouth and now social media...We have a page on Linkedin and Facebook (Exhibit 4 Smiles)

DPN: Last Christmas a number of companies and individuals supported your foundation from a number of countries. May you let us know from which sides of Earth did you receive assistance?

CV: We received support from Dubai, Germany, Greece, Singapore and across the US.

DPN: As “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES” has an international following. How do you handle the international donations outside from the U.S and how would you prefer people from overseas to proceed with?

CV: I found the best and easiest thing to do is go to the Toys R Us website and purchase a $50 gift certificate or more depending on what you would like to donate. They will e-mail the link to us and we can go out and buy a gift on the sponsor's behalf.

DPN: Describe us the feeling during the “delivery day”?

CV: Ahhh...amazing!!! Words cannot describe the emotions of that day...First, the children when they receive their gifts are just so joyous and happy, and it’s priceless. Sometimes the reality hits you, when the nurse/parent shares with you their child's condition; it’s just amazing what these kids endure....Then there's the element of the parents themselves. It's truly magical!

DPN: There are a number of children dealing with terminal diseases all around the world. Would you like one day “EXHIBIT 4 SMILES” to spread all around the world?

CV: Absolutely, then I know that I have made a contribution in this world that truly matters....

DPN: One of your aims is to create a website for your foundation. As I am sure a number of web designers are reading this time your interview how do you think that they could voluntarily support your cause?

CV: Yes, it’s my next step and I am open to any assistance with that from anyone out there....

DPN: How many children did you manage to make them smile last Christmas?

CV: Over 70...we hope to reach 100++ this year here in Las Vegas and we are targeting six/seven other cancer clinics around the country.

DPN: On behalf of DPN and of our readers, let me wish you all the best for your cause. We do wish that the next Christmas you will become the Santa Claus for a number of children that you never imagined before. For our readers who would like to support you cause, let us know how they could contact with you?

CV: Absolutely...If you would like to participate and sponsor a child, please contact me at varkarotas@cox.net and make sure to join my network on Exhibit 4 Smiles on www.linkedin.com

DPN: As a closing may you share with us a wish?

CV: Peace on earth and a cure for cancer and other terminal diseases. Children are innocent and deserve a simple life without drama...Thank you for your support and kind words. I love what you do and I wish you great success.

Interview 11: Donatos Zkeris-Intellectuality is the future

2011-08-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

Donatos Zkeris (DZ) a young writer is this week interview of Dubai Profile News (DPN) Blog. He is a promising intellectual person who thinks out of the box and has loads to share with us. Let’s meet him better.

DPN: Who is in your opinion the best author in history ever and why?

DZ: I would have to say that the best authors in history are the authors of all kinds of religious books from the testament, the Bible to the Quran and the books of all the religions around the world. As far as story telling goes, we have to admit that they are they the best. Everything they write has a lot of fiction in it and it is full of miracles, continuous battles of good against evil, fear, killings, blood, rivalries, armies of angels, prophets, demons, beasts. You name it. Everything is in there. And of course we can’t overlook the fact that their books sell a lot. So either they are very good at what they do or they are backed up by an exceptional marketing team (maybe the church?).

DPN: Do you believe that a story creates a life or a life creates a story?

DZ: When the story is not fictional then it is life that practically dictates the story and it is up to the writer to see it, listen to it and present it in a way people will like.. When the story is fictional then it is the life of the writer or a life that the writer creates in his mind that makes the story. In any case the story jumps out of something alive.

DPN: What’s your first, most vivid memory from your childhood?

DZ: My first, most vivid memory is a smell. The smell of fried onion rings at a fast food chain in Chicago. Until this day whenever I smell fried onions, my mind travels back to the first five years of my life in Chicago.

DPN: Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?

DZ: I spent my first five years in Chicago USA and the rest of my childhood in Marousi Athens in Greece. I have some memories from both neighborhoods but if you are asking about the neighborhood that I believe that influenced my life more, than it will have to be Marousi. When we first moved to Marousi Athens the road where our house was built resembled a village road. It was kind of a cultural shock for me to move from a clean and tidy neighborhood on the suburbs of Chicago to a small place full of dust with no roads and very hot. All houses in the street were old small refugee houses with gardens that looked like small forests. I grew up eating all kinds of fruit from my garden and the neighborhood’s gardens. Of course everyone knew everyone else. It was like a small community. One of my most vivid memories of my neighborhood is climbing on our roof with my best friend Kostas and watching the sea of Piraeus which is over 30 km away. I enjoyed my neighborhood very much. There were a lot of kids and we used to play all day sometimes until late at night without any cars coming by. I consider myself very lucky because I grew up in a place where I was given the chance to play outside and be constantly in contact with a little bit of nature!

DPN: Apart from USA you lived in a period of your life in Czech Republic. What does this country mean for you?

DZ: The Czech Republic for me represents three things.

1. “Love for literature”. I haven’t seen anywhere in the world people reading books everywhere (in the metro, at home, at bars, cafes and clubs). It is just amazing how much they like to read.

2. Beer. No comment. You have to visit the country to find out what I mean.

3. Standing on my own feet. It was the first time I left the country alone and actually I chose to do it without thinking much about it. I went to Prague without knowing anyone except my employer whom I have met only once. For some people this would seem frightening, but for me it was an adrenaline boost. I remember being eager to see the city live the life of the local people and embrace the culture. I ended up learning the language and crying when I had to leave the city.

DPN: What was the best gift you remember receiving ever?

DZ: My electric guitar I guess. I bought it to myself for 100€ two years ago. Still using it every day, but it is time to get a new one.

DPN: What was your first job? What did you like or not like about it?

DZ: My first real job (excluding internships) was for an IT consulting firm in Greece where I worked as a SAP Consultant. I didn’t like anything about it. The wage was very low for an engineer and above all the job was very boring. I don’t want to seem racist, but people working in the IT sector are very boring and I am 100% sure that the boredom comes from the job they are doing.

DPN: Which do you think you have the most of: talent, intelligence, education, or persistence?

DZ: Talent: Never had much talent in anything or if I do have some kind of talent I haven’t discovered it yet

Intelligence: Always had it. I guess you are either born with it or not

Education: Got it on the way

Persistence: Had it but lost it on the way. I am still very stubborn though.

If I had to choose one of the above I would go for intelligence. So far it has helped me to avoid a lot of traps in life.

DPN: Do you have any special sayings or expressions?

DZ: I have a few but my favorite quote is not mine. I will have to give credit to Bill Hicks, in my opinion one of the most influential comedians of the recent years. The saying is the following: “There is no such thing as death. Life is only a dream and we’re the imagination of ourselves”. And to add to it a twist of my own, I believe that our life, the society we live in is just a hallucination, a vision, a product of our imagination and we are hallucinating together as though we are all on some kind of drug. For some the drug is food, for some it is money, for some it can be something simpler like water or benzene. The bottom line is that no matter how we begin dreaming in the end we are living the same dream.

DPN: What’s your favorite book?

DZ: I will redirect you to an older post on my blog. Keep in mind that the more I read the more books become my favorites.

“What is the scent of life? Is there an elixir of immortality? How does it smell? What color is it?

How many blind people can make blindness? What would you do if everyone around you was blind and you could still see?

What is the answer to the biggest question of the universe? Is melancholy a choice or is it just a result of boredom? If I fall from up high and simply fail to hit the ground does that mean that I can fly?

How far can an ancient Egyptian doctor go in search of love?

How much water fits into a dried up well? Who took the cat?

For answers to all these questions and many others you can just read the following books. The best books I've read so far in my life.

Tom Robbins - Jitterbug Perfume

Jose Saramago - Ensaio sobre a Cegueira

Douglas Adams - Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy

Mika Waltari - Sinuhe, egyptiläinen

Haruki Murakami - The Winding Bird Chronicle

And if you cannot buy some of the books due to the financial crisis just give me a call and I'll bring them right at your door. Because there is nothing more inhumane for a book than to kill it by letting it rot on a shelf of your library”

DPN: Who are three people in history you admire most?

DZ: In general I don’t admire dead people. I am sure every great dead person has already got the admiration he/ she deserved. So let’s talk about living people. I can only think of the following people right now (but the list is endless): Dimitris Diamantidis, Lionel Messi, Josef Koudelka, Michael Jordan, my grandfather Donatos

DPN: What kinds of things bring you the most pleasure?

DZ: Things that have to do with seeing, smelling, touching, listening, tasting. And of course things that challenge me to think.

DPN: If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why?

DZ: I would like to back to the moment when great minds of each time gave birth to historic ideas. I would like to go back to the moment the Greeks funded democracy, to the moment the Greeks discovered math and science (Evripidis, Archimedes) and to the age when the Arabs began writing poetry. If I had to choose only one of the above then it would have to be the age when Archimedes lived.

DPN: Describe a person or situation from your life that had a profound effect on the way you look at life.

DZ: A friend of mine whom I met when I was in my first year of studies in Patras. He made me change the way I look at life, to think of it in a shorter time basis and to cherish the present without worrying that much about the future. He also taught me how to bring some chaos in my life and stop living such an organized life. I believe that meeting him was one of the turning points in my life so far.

DPN: Describe us the place that inspired you most to write a story about it.

DZ: I believe it is the neighborhood I grew up and I described earlier. It is the inspiration and the basis for a lot of places I write about. The stories are not only about the place and the way it looks, but also about the people that lived in my neighborhood and the way they all lived and live together until now.

DPN: Living in difficult ages globally, do you believe that intellectual people may play a leading role nowadays?

DZ: Intellectual people can play a leading role in societies where thinking and questioning are highly thought of and encouraged. Unfortunately, politics, money and religion have managed to suppress any thought of free thinking in the modern western type societies. Therefore I believe that it is more difficult nowadays for intellectual people to influence the societies they live in. People see them more as entertainers or weirdoes than as enlightened personalities. In any case, intellectual people have the duty to keep trying until someone will eventually hear them. And when this happens then I believe that they can make the difference. After all, there a lot of times in history when intellectual people gave solutions to problems of the society.

DPN: Do you really consider the “writing” as a strong weapon?

DZ: A weapon is something you use either to attack or to counterattack. Writing isn’t meant to do harm. I would say that writing is more like a tool which can help one person (the writer) to stir the emotions of another. It depends clearly on the reader whether those emotions are good (sympathy, love) or bad (anger, hatred). In any case, writing is only meant to trigger something that is already there. When writing becomes a weapon then it is either journalism or propaganda which in my opinion is more or less the same.

DPN: Apart from writing you are also occupy some of your time in photography, photos which you promote through your own blog which is the: http://thirdeyeofthesoul.blogspot.com. Do you consider a photo like a thousand words?

DZ: First of all, I would like to make something clear. Even though I love photography, I don’t see it as a kind of art. Art exists only in the artist’s mind and the artist chooses to express in the form that he desires to give it. Art is creation. Taking a photograph of something that you haven’t made can’t be art. I would say that a photograph is just a moment of life, a fragment of time, printed on paper or in some MBs of hard disk space. It can wake up emotions, it can make you cry, it can make you admire the world you live in, it can show you things you have never imagined that exist, it can do lots of thing but it can’t substitute the power and the beauty of the language. The role of a photograph is different from the role of a word so I think it would be fairer to consider them unique and make them work together. Why substitute one with another?

Interview 10: Fanis Spanos-An Active Member

2011-07-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Fanis Spanos (FS) a young active member of his community is this week interview of Dubai Profile New (DPN) Blog. Combining business and politics is something not easy and through this week we will explore how this is achievable. Let’s check out how!

DPN: Fanis, you are at the moment a young politician as you were elected in the 4^th place as municipal counselor of the 100,000 people Municipality of Khalkis in Greece. Do you see your future into politics?

FS: My experience in real politics is quite fresh and thus it is rather early to have a clear view on how I feel about politics and on how politics feel about me. I highly enjoy the ability and duty to do things and make decisions that influence the good of so many people. This is an indication about the former, whereas my election was a first sign about the latter. To conclude, allow me to delete the pronoun and rephrase: I see future in politics.

DPN: Tell us some things about the Municipality of Khalkis?

FS: The Municipality of Khalkis originated from the pooling of the city of Khalkis with four peripheral former suburban municipalities. It is about sixty kilometres to the North of Athens. To avoid numbers and statistics, I only tell you that it is a beautiful place either to live or simply to come for vacation. Totally surrounded by sea, yet continental; very gifted from nature but in need of further care from all of us. The rest you are invited see in vivo!

DPN: Henry Kissinger the famous American diplomat said that “ninety percent of the politicians give the other then percent a bad reputation”. Comment us please that.

FS: Politicians give politics a bad reputation, I would outbid. Especially in our times there is no respect to the whole system. Reasons that led to depreciation can be found in both the public and the politicians, so there is not a single person or group to blame. Certain people elect certain politicians, so, to my opinion the most proper way to enjoy better politicians is to become more conscious ourselves. I agree to what communists used to say, “You can fight the system only from inside”. And in fact, this is one of the reasons that made me deal with politics.

DPN: Who do you believe is the politician who inspires you most from the world history?

FS: Referring to inspiring politicians, Pericles is the first that comes to mind. In modern times, Winston Churchill was great and the same I believe about Nelson Mandela. Domestically, Konstantinos Karamanlis, and to provoke you a little, Margaret Thatcher. To answer strictly to your question, I am most inspired by Charles de Gaul. The general whose vision, his will and his ability to apply it, changed the destiny of his beloved country.

DPN: Why many times politicians say lies?

FS: Biggest lies are said before the elections, during war and after fishing. It is easy to become politically attractive by promising and saying to people, what they expect from you to say. Obviously, it is highly unethical and one has no excuse to do it, but you cannot find many examples of people that were mature enough to elect a person that said annoying truths, rather than empty promises. In a recent example, the current Greek Prime Minister assured the Greek people that “there is enough money”, got voted by the great majority of people and only six months later his government introduced in Greece the International Monetary Fund. Finally, to suggest a contradictory parameter, the political environment is active and changing any moment. Thus, it is much wiser to adapt to the circumstances, rather than commit to an initial schedule that should not be applied. Unfortunately though, this important issue is fine print for many of the people and an easy excuse for many of the politicians.

DPN: Apart from being a politician you are a young businessman who runs the company SPANOS ARISTON that deals with concrete production, mining and construction. Tell us some things about it.

FS: Actually, I am mainly in business and secondarily in politics. Spanos Ariston is a family enterprise, which at the moment I am proud to run. Concrete industry is highly correlated to construction, which is in deep sh… oops, in recession in Greece. Our short term target is to cut costs, ensure liquidity and maintain the intangible capital of a strong local brand name. Also we target to increase market share, although this does not imply higher turnovers by default. In order to achieve these, we focus on attracting new business and retail customers and on reducing inelastic expenses. Yet at any cost we wish to keep quality of the delivered product and service in the highest possible level. In such conditions it can be very disappointing to operate, but also very challenging. After all, it is an opportunity to challenge a company’s efficiency, utilize its strengths and allow oneself a leading position for better times in the future.

DPN: How easy is for a young businessman to stand among competition when other companies are being run from older more experienced professionals?

FS: All managers have strengths and weaknesses. The older ones are generally more experienced and become more easily accepted from the business external and internal environment. The latter was probably my biggest challenge. One the other hand we - the younger – are by average better educated and perceived as more conscious and moral professionals than the older ones. Hard work, low profile and passionate commission to the goals make the people I work with follow my choices and share my vision. And this is what makes me feel trusted by the customers and respected by the competition.

DPN: Who was the biggest influence in your life?

FS: In general I avoid creating models. I believe that every person has their own character and potentials. Nevertheless, I observe tactics, attitudes and behaviors and often try to utilize the experience, improve the practice and offer it to my potential observers. Members of my family and some teachers and friends have influenced me over time. I believe I have adopted the way my mother treats people and have been strongly influenced by my fathers’ detached wisdom. My grandfathers’ cold scientific blood and my uncles’ passion for development are also attributes that can be found in my personality. I believe though, that every single person we meet and consort with, leave their good or bad traces on us.

DPN: Living and doing business in Greece, being an active member of the country society, a country which is into deep recession, do you see any exit strategy of it from the current situation.

FS: Without getting deep into macroeconomics and finance I would say that the main problem today is lack of will. Individuals, investors and companies are reluctant to invest and consume, thus leading the economy to recession and lack of cash. In the same time, markets consciously overestimate the hazard of default and reflect this to the terms and interests they request in order to lend us money. Another chronic problem is bureaucracy and inefficiency in the public sector. This sums up both to reluctance of investments and to the terms of external financing. In order to exit the swamp government should focus on the real market. Capital markets are useful, but a healthy nation should be mainly base on real economy. This could be achieved by enabling flexible processes, by keeping a steady and fair tax system (high or low taxes is not that important as long as money returns to the tax payers through efficient public services and works) and by introducing healthier labour and insurance laws. In a shorter view government should focus on structuring a solid and respected profile. This would reduce fear and enable domestic investments and fair external financing. Obviously, most of the aforementioned thoughts are not innovative wisdom. Unfortunately though, common sense does not always seem that common...

DPN: In your opinion if a young person asked your opinion in which country to look for his future what would you recommend?

FS: In our traditional society there is high resistance to moving to a neighbouring city for work, fortiori to another country. Today, this is luxury that we cannot afford. Once we used to admire the so called “citizens of the world”. I believe that our generation should be ready to compose the “professionals of the world”. Regarding specific choices, this depends on the industry. For instance one could become an excellent professional farmer in Australia, a specialized shipbuilder in Japan, or a constructor in the Middle East. Furthermore, big opportunities arise in the so called Third World, in Africa, Afghanistan etc. This can be achieved either through companies or as entrepreneurship. Professional tourism shall be profit for the individuals as well as for the nation. Greece will be highly benefitted by attracting mental and material wealth created abroad by its own people.

DPN: What’s the most important lesson you have learnt in life?

FS: I feel it is early for me to answer such a question. Every single day offers me a smaller or bigger lesson. University offers lots of useful technical knowledge, but life lessons are usually more important. The most important thing life has taught me is the importance of people around you in everything you do. No matter how talented or passionate you are in something, you are not likely to achieve anything great if you are not surrounded by the right people. People are the most important capital. Friends, colleagues, partners, even competitors and enemies are the main factors that can help you create any kind of value. Only careful selection and thoughtful treatment of people around make you bigger and stronger. So to make a long story short... It’s all about people... And for me this is my main approach of things in any new attempt.

DPN: How would you describe Fanis with one phrase?

FS: Just a person who is dedicated to make his self and his environment little better than it is...

DPN: Business or politics is the next day for you?

FS: I make my living through my job and do not see politics as a profession. On the other hand, in order to deal with politics in a higher level than my current, one has to be highly dedicated to it. Up to now, I have been handling it without problems. In a future dilemma, I shall compare the potentials, take into account the conditions and the momentum and make decisions. So please, do not bring it down yet!

DPN: If you had the ability to turn the time back, tell us one thing that you would change in your life.

FS: If you asked me this question thirty years later, I would definitely have a list of things to answer. Today, what I would mainly change is that I would have been stricter with myself in younger ages, regarding personal and academic education. Probably I would have been more careful with people and conditions which I used to approach in a very unsuspicious attitude. Yet, in general terms I admit being satisfied with all that life has offered me up to now.

Interview 9: Danielle Berggren-A “Fire storm” around the World

2011-07-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Danielle Berggren (DB) our weekly interview in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS (DPN) blog plays with the fire and states that is never easy at all. From Dubai, to Iraq and Afghanistan, these days in USA, a global citizen is sharing with us some interesting and exciting life time experiences. A person who manages to combine the events industry and the risk management along with the scuba diving has loads to share with. Enjoy this unique interview.

DPN: Danielle you are a co-founder of “Fire Storm” www.wearefirestorm.com, a group of LED Light and Fire dancers specializing in performances throughout Middle East. Tell us few words about your project.

DB: In 2008, a group of five of us started meeting regularly to practice spinning poi and generally having a laugh. After taking on a few private events and a reoccurring weekend event at Chi@Lodge, we realized that there was a huge market for fire performances and decided to start our own fire troupe. From there, we started experimenting with LED lights, fire jump ropes, costumes and stilts. It was a bumpy road starting off since we had to pull together quotations for agents, make sure we had the appropriate fuels on-hand, and guarantee payment, but we had loads of fun and I have a lot of great memories. Recently, one of my fellow co-founders and performer began working with Infusion Entertainment, who now manages all FireStorm bookings.

DPN: How dangerous is sometimes to “play with the fire”?

DB: It’s VERY dangerous! Early on in our performances, we began providing a fire safety for each event. The fire safety was responsible for helping to set up and take down of equipment and was always on-hand during the actual performance with a wet towel, fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. We believed that this was the most important part of a performance, particularly because of the fast pace of events and the risks to fire dancing or fire breathing.

DPN: Up to now you have performed in major events worldwide, describe us the most impressive one, which first comes in your mind.

DB: The best event that I performed at was a private event that took place in the Maldives. Our agent had requested four fire performers for two 15-minute sets of performance at the One&Only. In addition to the payment costs, we were flown out two days earlier and provided accommodation in water villas at a nearby location. So, three days in the Maldives, water villas, meals provided, and only 30 minutes of performance… probably the best “working” holiday that I’ve had! I also really enjoyed the Nasimi events with Infusion – the events were always packed and had different themes which made the performances a lot of fun.

DPN: As you have participated in various events in Dubai, do you find this city to be the hot spot of the Middle East?

DB: Absolutely. The events in Dubai are always unique and typically amazing!

DPN: Apart from playing with a fire you are at the same time an open water scuba instructor. What role “water” plays in your life?

DB: Whilst I enjoyed the fire performances, they tended to be intense, fast-paced and exhausting. With scuba diving and swimming, I was able to relax and focus only on my breathing, marine life, and students (if I was teaching). It was a completely different experience that perfectly complemented the fire dancing.

DPN: Will you share with us any unique “underwater” experience?

DB: I actually met my fiancé on a dive trip. We were paired up as dive buddies on a trip with the Pavilion Dive Center to Sipidan, Malaysia. Both of us decided to ditch our cameras and instead we created funny hand signs or motions for different types of fish and marine life. On another dive, we took down an umbrella and a rugby ball for some fun pictures. We became great friends, started dating and have a wedding planned for this October. Since we’re both dive instructors, diving has been a huge part of our lives and our relationship. We’re actually planning to start our wedding week with the infamous shark dive at Stuart’s Cove in the Bahamas.

DPN: If a young person asks you why to begin scuba diving, what would you advice?

DB: Scuba diving is a hobby that you can do anywhere in the world. There are many fabulous places to dive that it can be incorporated into almost any holiday. Also, there are so many types of diving (cave diving, shark diving, commercial/technical diving, freshwater diving, wreck diving) that every diver can find something that interests them.

DPN: You were born in Korea, grew up in the U.S.A and spend some years of your life in Dubai, before returning back in the U.S.A. What lessons did each of these places teach you?

DB: After living in Dubai (and now moving back to the US), I’ve realized how many lessons I’ve taken with me that pertain to my professional career as well as my financial outlook on spending vs. saving. I also learned a lot about different cultures and religions through some amazing friends and feel as though this has provided me with a better understanding and view on events that take place worldwide. But, living in Dubai has also made me realize how many wonderful opportunities that living in the US provides, especially when it comes to buying a house (with a huge garden and trees!), raising children, and taking holidays to the beach, mountains and cities (Los Angeles/Miami vs. Denver vs. New York City – all in one country!).

DPN: It’s been said that after they pass away, the most important people in our lives “live within us.” Is there anyone from your past that lives within you?

DB: My mother died unexpectedly when I was six years old and though very upsetting, it’s taught me to live life now, not tomorrow or next month, and always make sure that your loved ones know how much they mean to you.

DPN: Danielle, in your life you have worked in the industry of “Risk Management and Security” and as a result you had a number of trips in Iraq and in Afghanistan. May you share with us your experiences there?

DB: For my role, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, there is only so much a person can understand by watching or reading the news or reviewing intelligence updates. I was able to visit Iraq once in 2006 and Afghanistan once per year that I was working in Dubai (five trips total). Although I didn’t inform my parents of my business travel until I was safely back home (they asked me not to so they wouldn’t worry), I was never apprehensive or nervous. Working for a risk management and security company, I had full confidence in the personnel we have in-country to take care of me! Each trip was eye-opening and brought new experiences… but I was always glad to board the plane back to Dubai.

DPN: You seem a person who loves living with the risk. Pierre Corneille, a famous French tragedian said that “to win without risk is to triumph without glory”. Do you agree with that and why?

DB: Yes, I’d definitely agree with that quotation. Recently, I was on a trek in Nepal through the Annapurna range. It was extremely hot during the day and as we progressed, it became very cold at night. The first couple of 8-hour days that we had climbing up (equivalent to climbing to the top of the Burj Khalifa 3.5 times) were difficult as it was my first real trek. During the climb, I injured my knee and ended up using my poles more as crutches. But after we finished the trek a few days later, I felt empowered by having completed it, despite an injury. I’m hoping to get back to Nepal and do some longer treks!

DPN: Is Risk Management an industry with a future and why?

DB: I wouldn’t say that risk management is the future – I’d say it is the present. There are so many companies and non-profits expanding their business models to challenging and high risk locations that it’s necessary to prepare for and manage business in accordance with the environment in that country. This could mean a completely different set of policies and procedures, additional insurance requirements, training on cultural sensitivity, etc. and many companies require this assistance to operate effectively.

DPN: May you let us know how come did you choose the jobs you had up to now?

DB: I completely stumbled into the job and company that I’m currently working for by accident. When I was at university in 2003, I had participated in a 10-day trip to Kuwait with a Washington D.C. area non-profit organization. On that trip, I met the faculty adviser who later contacted me in 2006 to see if I was interested in moving to Dubai and working with the company on a short or long-term basis. Since I had just been accepted for a Masters Degree program in the US, I agreed to move to Dubai for 6 months, at which point, I’d return to the States. I ended up staying in Dubai for 4.5 years.

DPN: How has your life been different that what you had imagined?

DB: Well, I never thought that I’d live in Dubai for almost 5 years, become a dive instructor and fire performer, travel to Afghanistan/Iraq, meet so many fabulous friends from around the world, or find my fiancé on a dive trip! So, I’d say it’s exceptionally different and much better than I’d imagined.

DPN: Asia, Middle East, Europe or the U.S is the place to be?

DB: I think it really depends on what you want out of life and where you’re at in life. Living in Dubai for almost 5 years was fantastic. But, my fiancé and I are also pleased with our recent move back to the US and the opportunities that we have in this area. On the other hand, we haven’t completely written off the idea of some day living overseas again...

DPN: Define us happiness.

DB: Happiness is no regrets and a realization of all the good things you have in life – not a focus on all of the things that you do not have.

DPN: At the end share with all of us a word of wisdom that your life taught you.

DB: Live life to its fullest. Have no regrets. Be able to forgive. Be happy with what you have!

Interview 8: Constantine Chryssanthopoulos-Lifestyle during recession

2011-07-03T04:05:00.000-07:00

Constantine Chryssanthopoulos (CC) this time is the weekly interview of the Dubai Profile News Blog (DPN). The owner of WASP (www.wasp.gr), one of the most promising clothes brand in Greece believes that style makes the man, even if the man is naked. Enjoy an interesting interview with another young entrepreneur who has loads to share with.

DPN: Constantine, you run a successful firm in the clothing industry in Greece, WASP (www.wasp.gr). Will you tell us few things about your project?

CC: WASP started a few years ago with the concept of a men’s boutique that offers exclusive high quality clothes and accessories along with top service. WASP is influenced by the lifestyle and fashion of the 50’s and 60’s and reflects a positive look on life. It is located on a very prestigious street in Athens known for its high-end boutiques. Our clients are sophisticated, happy, stylish and “difficult” people that enjoy the fabrics of our clothes and see beyond the actual process of shopping. We try to create an interactive experience for our clients because only then we can better understand them and offer more efficient service.

DPN: What the name of your company means?

CC: The name of the company means White Anglo Saxon Protestant, which is an informal term originated in the 1950s for high status Americans with British decent with financial and social power. For us, being a WASP has nothing to do with money or religion. It is about lifestyle and images mostly. Polo shirts, colorful pants, tailored jackets, tennis, Gin & tonics, family and sailing are few of the images that come to my mind when I hear this word. The lifestyle of a WASP is a combination of work, sports and a general well being. That’s why we sell clothes for different occasions and moments in life.

DPN: Who is the most interesting celebrity you ever dressed in WASP?

CC: We have dressed many well known people from different backgrounds. I can’t pick someone as most interesting because that will be unfair for the rest! Celebrity customers usually look for something different that will make them “stand out of the crowd”. They prefer the more eccentric garments of a collection and usually wear them at special occasions and events. We don’t measure success in terms of “celebrity” customers but it is always a plus when someone famous chooses your brand over others. Daniel Cremieux which is the main brand that we sell, is the official tailor of the French Football team and Nicolas Sarkozy and has dressed many French and American celebrities.

DPN: Mark Twain the famous American author said that “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in the society”. Do you agree with that?

CC: Clothes don’t make the man. It is style that makes the man. It is the way you dress and the way you choose your combinations. Clothes are just a means to take style from theory to practice. I have met many people with great wardrobes but lack the ability to make correct clothing combinations. The importance of style lies in the ability to see the big picture.

DPN: What “lifestyle” means for you?

CC: “Lifestyle” is the simple things we enjoy in life. For me it is: Food, drinks, music, clothes, sports and friends. Not necessarily in that order. We, Greeks have made some significant steps in order to improve our level of living and have incorporated many different aspects of different cultures in our lives. For instance, lately there have been organized teams of people that go cycling around Athens and try to promote a healthy living attitude towards life. Greece, like the Middle-East offers a great variety of food and I often find the opportunity to try out new restaurants and new flavours. In order to stay in shape I do some home workouts a few times per week and eat small and frequent portions of food. I do enjoy working but I put limits in my work life because I want to be healthier and stress free. Good company, friends and drinks are at the heart of the Greek culture that everybody follows and enjoys at all times.

DPN: Who is the most talented fashion designer in your opinion?

CC: The most talented fashion designer in my opinion is Daniel Cremieux. He took the classic college, preppy look and incorporated it into fashion. Ralph Lauren was the first to do something similar but he did it the American way. Cremieux added to that way, attention to detail and French taste. He was also one of the first designers that included the today’s very commercial polo rugby shirt in his collections. One of the reasons I admire him is that he took the classic American college preppy look and he extended it and he later “invaded” the US with great success. Cremieux is a modern classicist that enjoys playing with colour and styles but maintains the chic French style of the 60’s. Lately there have been many new designers with great creations that received good comments but they are usually found in the hardcore fashion industry and not the commercial.

DPN: You operate in Greece, where the economy nowadays is in a really bad situation. How a young entrepreneur may develop among a difficult business environment like that?

CC: Greece is indeed in a bad situation which will probably get even worse. There are two pros when entering a market such as Greece’s: Less competition and lower costs. Then the next step is to choose the right product but even more important nowadays is to find the right target market for your product. It is more crucial than ever to focus on specific niches, especially when selling high end products in countries with economic problems. A great number of shops and businesses have closed down leading to less competition and greater control over customers and brands but on the downside, once thriving shopping areas are being torn apart especially with the presence of shopping malls and outlet stores which are situated close to the center of Athens. The government doesn’t take actions to protect small businesses and retail shops and due to daily strikes and temporary shutting down of central high traffic streets, people are discouraged to go shopping.

DPN: Many people say that politicians led Greece to such a difficult financial position. Whom politician from Greece you do believe is the worst dressed one and why?

CC: As a rule, politicians in Greece are badly dressed. They wear the classic 3 button suit 1 size larger than their normal size without making any alterations. Their ties are even worse than their suits because there is a huge variety to choose from and unfortunately there is no tie dictatorship. Also, most of their clothes lose fit as they keep the shape of their well fed bodies. Of course there are always exceptions but there are few and not worth mentioning. On the other hand, in countries where fashion has thrived over the years we can see better dressed politicians. Maybe this happens because it is part of their lifestyle or they actually care about their appearance.

DPN: In a young age you lost your father, how did this influenced you in your next steps?

CC: Well losing my father obviously was a difficult chapter in my life but on the other hand helped me become more mature in some aspects of my life. His death re-arranged the hierarchy in my family and we all had new roles and more responsibilities. When you are 20 years and you lose one f your parents, you have to adapt quickly to your new life. You face new challenges that you are not prepared for and then is the time when you have to be stronger than ever and prove yourself that you can succeed under pressure. My father was a successful executive in the wine industry and a tennis champion. He was very likable and a very compassionate and strong person. He would never give up and was always calm when making important business and life decisions. He is my personal hero and I feel proud when friends say that I remind them of him.

DPN: What’s the most important lesson you learnt in your life up to now?

CC: I don’t think I have learnt specifically something big and important because life at least for me teaches small things regularly. I do like the idea of treating everyday as a new one because you never know what might happen. Many friends have passed away and this always makes you reflect on your own life. What would I change? Am I really happy? I wonder sometimes. In the business world I have learnt not to trust people that easily and be tougher and stricter. We live in a dirty world where a large portion of people are only interested in money and personal success and will use unnecessary and unethical means of getting their goals accomplished even if that means your personal harm. When money is involved you have to be extra careful and have clear terms with your partners and suppliers.

DPN: You studied in England, in the Reading University. How was your lifetime there?

CC: Studying in England was the most interesting and fun period of my life so far. For me, the university life was mostly about socializing, making new friends and being open to new cultures. The academic life was also very important and helped me with many aspects of running my own business. As a young student in a foreign country the most important lesson I learnt was to stand on my own feet because I had to do everything on my own, from travelling to new places to managing my pocket money etc. It is always a shock when you first arrive in a foreign country and you have to deal with many different aspects that since then were taken care of from your parents. But on the other hand you are free to make your own rules and live your life your own way with no supervision. University life gives you a taste of your future life with all the dangers and opportunities that you might meet.

DPN: After going back in Greece you worked in other companies before you established your own. Will you describe us your career up to now?

CC: My first contact with the business world was when I started working part time during summers at various advertising companies such as JNL. That part of my life was more of a scan of what I would like to do when I would finish my studies in England. When I finished my army duties I started working at a clothing importer called Franman International in sales as well as running the back office. Working at a successful import company such as Franman helped me improve my communication skills and gave me a better understanding of the Greek market and made me see gaps in the economy. I also learnt many “street truths” from my business relationship with shop owners that I was collaborating with as their supplier which helped me a lot when I started running WASP.

DPN: Who is your best friend?

CC: My best friend is George, I have known him for 25 years and we still laugh together like when we were 3 years old. He has always been there for me and he is the person I will call if I have problems because he knows how to help me and cheer me up. We have completely different characters and that’s why he still puts up with my nonsense. This is the reason why he is my best friend.

DPN: What’s the next day for WASP?

CC: The next day for WASP is a strong online presence and more WASPs run by sophisticated fun loving entrepreneurs. WASP is more of a lifestyle than a single shop. It reflects our inner thoughts, wishes, secrets and dreams and makes us feel strong and confident about ourselves. When the economy stands again on its feet WASP will hopefully have presence in more countries and will become your personal stylist and friend.

DPN: What will you wear in the most important day of your life?

CC: The most important day of my life was the day of my birth and I was naked. Take that Mark Twain!

Interview 7: Vassilis Mentzelopoulos-God is a DJ

2011-06-21T00:20:00.000-07:00

Vassilis Mentzelopoulos (VM) is the next interview of the DUBAI PROFILE NEWS Blog. After passing from different industries such as Radio Producer, Civil Engineer and Event Organizer, both in Greece and United Arab Emirates he has settled down AMUSE EVENTS (www.amuse.gr) in Athens, Greece. A trip from Athens, to Abu Dhabi-Dubai and back in Athens. Sparkling events is his life. Let’s share some of his light!

DPN: Vassilis, you started your career as a civil engineer, you moved into radio production and you ended up in the events industry. Which of all the above marked your life?

VM: I believe that entering the magic world of media through the radio production really marked my life and showed me the path that I would want to follow for the rest of my business life.

DPN: A life trip from Athens to Abu Dhabi and from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and back in Athens. Describe us what role each city played for you in your life.

VM: Athens is the city I was born at and the place of my friends and family. Abu Dhabi was my first working abroad experience and it happened to me when I was already 42 years old. It was a period that I wanted to explore new people and working environments and I believe that the capital of UAE was very welcoming and friendly. Moving to Dubai proved to be not so successful as I thought it would, mainly due to the world crisis and also due to some false choices in business associates. However it proved to be a school of how to establish your own company in a foreign country and also how not to be fooled by those who claim to be your friends or your business allies but act totally opposite than that. Finally returning back home, getting married and running along with my wife our own event management company seems to be the wisest decision ever.

DPN: Is United Arab Emirates the sparkling star of the Middle East?

VM: U.A.E. is a unique place that makes the newcomer to feel dazed by its wealth and achievements. It is surely the sparkling star of the Middle East but one needs to be extremely cautious because not everything that sparkles over there is gold.

DPN: During your career as a radio producer you cooperated with big names from the global showbiz industry. Who was the most interesting one?

VM: Actually as a promoter of concerts I had the opportunity to cooperate with huge names of pop and rock music such as: Shirley Bassey, Dionne Warwick, Dianna Ross, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barry White, Tina Turner, Carlos Santana, Debbie Harry, Mick Fleetwood e.t.c. Most of them were unique personalities and very interesting characters. The one who I admire most and felt very lucky to be with for three days was Frank Sinatra who we invited for a concert in Athens Olympic Stadium back in May 1992, 19 years ago.

DPN: A number of events worldwide are consisting your portfolio up to now. Which one was the most successful one?

VM: I believe that two were the most successful events I was lucky to be the producer. The first one was the 2004 Athens New Years Eve show in Syntagma square with a live audience of 50,000 which we broadcasted to more than 70 countries. The second one was the inauguration event of the Alexandrian Library in Egypt in 2002 with more than 50 Kings and Presidents of the world and a live broadcasting to more than a 100 countries.

DPN: Currently you are managing AMUSE EVENTS (www.amuse.gr), an event company in Athens. Tell us some things about your company.

VM: Amuse Concept Events was established by my wife Elli in October 2001. Since 2009 we are running the company together joining our forces and expertise in the magical world of P.R. and Events. Our major clients are Philip Morris, The Greek Lottery Organization, Eurobank and Cosmote.

DPN: Who was your hero when you were a child?

VM: I don’t think that I had one hero but I do remember that all my heroes were good and noble who sacrificed themselves to serve humanity.

DPN: What do you think are your three best qualities? Your three worst?

VM: That’s a difficult one. Let’s start with the worst first: Bad tempered, Arrogant sometimes, can’t lose my excess weight. Regarding the best now: Hard worker, persistent, honest and just.

DPN: What have been the three biggest news events during your lifetime and why?

VM: Succeeding in the entering exams for the Greek Polytechnic School and getting my degree from it cause it was something that made my parents proud of me and made me feel like a member of a secret elite called engineers. Playing for the first time in a night club as a professional DJ and doing my first radio show cause I managed to turn my hobby into a profession.

DPN: What’s the highest honor or award you’ve ever received?

VM: The highest award was the European best event award for the Athens 2004 New Years Eve Show.

DPN: What things frighten you?

VM: To end up in jail or a mental institution, losing my family, losing my faith in me

DPN: What do you think has stayed the same about you throughout life? What do you think has changed?

VM: I believe that I have remained almost the same throughout all those years refusing to really grow up and follow the necessary rules and probably this is the reason why I am into the Events business after all. What seems to have changed unfortunately is my de facto faith and trust in people

DPN: If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why?

VM: It would be the age right after the end of my studies where your journey begins free of learning and studying responsibilities when you actually believe that the whole world is yours to chose from what you really want to do with your life.

DPN: What do you feel have been the important successes in your life?

VM: It was my decision to get married to a woman that I both love and respect. I see things in a totally different way and this has made me more persistent and successful than I have ever been before.

DPN: If a young person came to you asking what’s the most important thing for living a good life, what would you say?

VM: I would say that it would be to live your life feeling free, doing exactly what your heart advises you and your only rule should be never to hurt anyone else when doing so.

DPN: Do you think a person needs to first overcome serious setbacks or challenges to be truly successful?

VM: I believe that setbacks and challenges never stop to show up whether you are successful or not. You just have to keep on trying to solve all problems ahead no matter what.

DPN: In what way is it important to know your limitations in your life or career?

VM: I don’t think that there should be any limitation in our life or career except of course of the moral ones and the ones that keep us within the law. We should think out of the box and act as if there are no barriers in our minds or free will. That’s the only way to achieve our goals and to make a difference out of our life.

DPN: Organizing events means loads of stress as you need to deal with a number of different people. How do you deal with that?

VM: I yell and shout a lot to my crew always being one step ahead checking everyone’s responsibilities and tasks to make sure that there are no left outs. This is the only way to control my stress, since I know that there is no reason for me to be stressful.

DPN: Take us through an interesting project you have worked on recently.

VM: We have been assigned by the Corporate Responsibility Department of the Greek Lottery Company to organise several entertainment events in several Greek cities for the orphan children of those cities. For that purpose we have organised a full day of activities and entertainment for the different age groups of the children starting with infants and ending with teenagers. We have concluded the two first events in Athens and Thessaloniki and I am very happy with the content that we have proposed and produced and of course with the happy moments that we managed to offer to those kids. The event included puppets and marionettes, several interactive activities such as cooking, painting, gift making, dancing lessons, make up, hair styling and nails for the girls. A karaoke contest named OPAP spring idol with many participants hosted by a TV celebrity and me and the whole event ends with a concert of a famous Greek pop group while all children get a giveaway bag with presents upon their departure. Kids menu lunch boxes are given during lunch and of course a team of 35 animators create a festive environment throughout the whole day. Our next stops will be Creta, Patras, Ioannina and Athens once again.

DPN: Describe a situation in your life where everything went totally wrong.

VM: That leads me back to Dubai and my decision to establish an Event Management company over there. The first attempt was with a Greek production company which wanted to expand to the middle East so we started up together CMX events which lasted roughly for six months since The Greek production company decided to back off afraid of the global crisis that had just occurred at that time. The second was with a local who was a member of Dubai government and wanted his son to partner an event management company so we started up Amuse UAE which again was a total disaster due to the fact that the local guys (father and son) expected me not only to run the company and come up with all the ideas needed for our presentations but also find the clients for the company since they didn’t want to ask for any favors from their friends the other members of Dubai government. (Of course this detail was not made clear to me from the beginning of our collaboration but only when they decided that they didn’t want to pay any more expenses of the company eight months after we started). It took me more than it should but I finally understood that I should either change profession or country and I decided to change the second one and return home

Interview 6: Rami Mustafa-Middle East is rocking hard

2011-06-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

Rami Mustafa (RM) a talented young musician is our weekly interview for this time. Representing his Band, NERVECELL is taking us into hard rock situations and shows us how you may combine an MBA study along with a crazy fan that is swallowing bulbs during the concert that you may perform in your International Tour. A really promising talent in the global music industry is sharing with us his life time story.

DPN: Rami, you play guitar in “NERVECELL” (www.nervecell.net) band, the first metal band in Middle East to sign major labels up to now. Tell us some things about your Band.

RM: “Nervecell” is a death/thrash metal band formed in Dubai in the year 2000. We started performing at local shows in universities and colleges and broke into the international metal scene in 2004-2005 with the success of our first EP “Human Chaos” in 2004 which quickly gained international appeal and also lead us to perform at the Middle East’s biggest rock/metal festival Dubai Desert Rock Festival in 2005 (Dubai) – which is first of its kind in the region bringing international rock and metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Machine Head, Sepultura and many more. From that time and till this day we performed locally and internationally in over 30 cities across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia and North Africa. We are currently signed with Lifeforce Records (Europe) and Spellbind Records (Middle East) and we are managed by Center Stage Management – who is also the main organizer of Dubai Desert Rock Festival. We have 1 demo entitled “Vastlands Of Abomination”, 1 EP entitled “Human Chaos” and 2 full length albums – entitled “Preaching Venom” and “Psychogenocide”. The 2011 album “Psychogenocide” is our latest effort.

DPN: What music means for you?

RM: Music is my passion and lifestyle. I grew up in a musical family including my father, uncles and cousins. My father studied music and he’s a professional pianist, keyboardist, accordion and kanun player. Being inspired by him at an early stage to play music, at the age of 5 I started experimenting with musical instruments – playing my dad’s keyboards, my uncle’s drum kit and then I grabbed my first guitar which I learnt all by myself fully by the age of 7. At the age of 11 or 12 I discovered rock and metal music.

DPN: Who was the musician that inspired you mostly while you were a child?

RM: I grew up listening to lots of bands and musicians, so I don’t really have one favorite musician, but to name a few bands and guitar players that really influenced me and inspired me; Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Deicide, Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and many more.

DPN: hat was the most memorable concert you have attended as a visitor?

RM: Honestly most festivals I’ve been to be ones that Nervecell performed at! One of the most memorable concerts as a visitor and performer was With Full Force Festival 2009 in Germany. I’ve watched many great bands such as Sepultura, Down, Motorhead, Hatebreed, Vader etc. all in one place. There were more than 40,000 fans.

DPN: Do you believe that hard rock music has space to grow in Middle East?

RM: Definitely. As long as there are good bands and musicians there will always be growth. In the past years I’ve seen bands that are great and have lots potential from all over the Middle East. Of course different countries have different music scenes and the music scene does reflect on the exposure of the bands and musicians. Dubai has one of the strongest rock/metal scenes in the region and I believe that bands should keep performing live to develop their fanbase and of course promote themselves with recordings, merchandising and other marketing techniques that will help them build a fanbase. Local media including press, magazines, radio, music labels etc. leads more exposure. So far with the success of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival in the past years definitely helped the scene grow drastically and even pushing the whole Middle East rock and metal scene.

DPN: At this moment where are the next planned tours of “NERVECELL”?

RM: We have recently released our new album “Psychogenocide” which is available in stores all across the Middle East and Europe and also on the Nervecell Online Store (http://store.nervecell.net), so we are supporting the album with upcoming shows and tours including a festival run in Europe this August to perform at 3 major festivals at Summer Breeze (Germany), Rock im Betonwerk (Germany) and Brutal Assault (Czech Republic). After these festivals we are planning to continue touring all across Europe. We already performed 2 album release shows in Dubai last March did an Asian tour in April/May in support of “Psychogenocide” and we’re planning for more tours which we will confirm in the upcoming weeks.

DPN: In your opinion which was the best performance that “NERVECELL” ever did and why?

RM: We had many great performances especially at festivals including Dubai Desert Rock Festival 2008 and 2009, Rock im Ring/Rock im Park 2009 (Germany), shows in Europe, India, Bahrain and more. But I’d say Wacken Open Air Festival 2009 in Germany was my personal favorite. Not only we had a huge crowd response, but playing one of the biggest and most respected metal festivals in the world made it even more special!

DPN: Your band has loads of fans in Middle East and not only. What is the craziest thing that a fan ever did?

RM: Wow! There are lots of crazy stories to tell. A recent one was at our last Asia Tour (April/May 2011) during our second Philippines show in the city of Cebu, a guy comes on stage while we were performing, bites a neon bulb right next to me and swallows it…he literally eats the glass bulb! That was pretty insane!

DPN: When you are on the stage what your feeling is?

RM: Put it this way, writing a song in a room, putting the song together with the band and then going on stage in front of fans to perform it live making them all hear the song is just phenomenal! It doesn’t matter if it’s for hundreds or thousands of people, this feeling is always the same. Nervecell’s music is really energetic and usually drives the crowd into crazy moshpits and seeing the crowd interact back to our music with such energy brings a tremendous amount of happiness to my heart! It’s just a great head rush that no words can really explain it until you go on stage and experience it yourself!

DPN: Do you have any nickname? If yes, from where did is come from?

RM: Honestly I don’t have a “fixed” nickname but many do call me Ram and Romeo, mostly the ladies like to do that. It really came from my real name Rami, but I don’t mind being called with my real name anyways.

DPN: You are originally from Jordan but spend most of your life in Qatar. What Qatar means for you?

RM: I came to Qatar when I was 1 month young. Lived in Qatar till the age of 18 and I really feel it’s my home you know. It’s a very humble and peaceful country. I moved to the UAE when I graduated from high school to study at university in Dubai and lived there for almost 10 years and of course I also had lots of great times in Dubai too which I feel is my second home!

DPN: What was your favorite place to hang around while you were a teenager in Doha, Qatar?

RM: Hanging out in the desert where it is most peaceful and quite, that’s pretty much outside the city, but within Doha city hanging out at the beach was another favorite place for sure.

DPN: You have the look of the hard guy who enjoys only playing hard music. Apart from that you have completed great studies including Bachelor in Information Technology and also an MBA. How come this consistence from your side to build up a strong educational background?

RM: I’m a full time musician and my background in music comes from a very specific style, I wanted to peruse my education no matter what. I’ve always believed that education and knowledge is an essential part for any human’s success in life along with life itself being the real practical experience that we all learn from. Balancing out my musical endeavors and studying at the same time was a very challenging task especially when I needed to go the extra mile to tour and make sure I submit my projects on time and pass my exams. Luckily enough, I managed to do both music and education and I’m very proud and fortunate of being able to handle both.

DPN: Apart from the Band you have also established your own business in Qatar, “SHREDDERS PLANET” (www.shreddersplanet.com). Will you describe us your business?

RM: Shredder’s Planet is a musical instruments store that I and my partner and good friend Ramy Aziziah established a couple of years ago. I wanted to do a side business along with my musical activities. My background and experience dealing with musical instruments (especially guitars and its components/accessories) together with what I learnt during my studies definitely helped me to establish my own business. We are the official dealer and distributor of major brands such as B.C. Rich Guitars, Randall Amplifiers, Cordoba Guitars, GHS Strings and currently expanding. We also have an online store, which is the first of its kind in Qatar where we sell directly to to customers in Qatar and all over the world.

DPN: You spent period of your life also in Dubai, is this city the “superstar” of the Middle East?

RM: I moved to Dubai in the year 2001 to study in the University. I did a bachelor’s degree at the American University in Dubai and I graduated in 2005. I persuaded my graduate studies in a Belgian University (Dubai branch) called EHSAL European University College Brussels studying International Master of Business Administration and graduated in 2009. After that I moved back in Qatar. I would agree with the term “superstar” of the Middle East, for Dubai, as this city does help bring out individuals who are passionate and hardworking in what they do best. During my study period, most of my time was dedicated for the band and till this day I travel back and forth to Dubai whenever we have tours, recordings or any other activities to do with the band. Dubai definitely opened up lots of opportunities!

DPN: If your life was a song what the refrain of it would be?

RM: The instrumental song “Ratios” from our album “Preaching Venom”

Interview 5-Elias Nikolakopoulos, the Greek spirit in Oman

2011-06-07T02:42:00.000-07:00

Elias Nikolakopoulos (EN), an experienced veterinary doctor working for HM Sultan Qaboos Royal Court of the Sultanate of Oman is our today interview in DUBAI PROFILE NEWS Blog (DPN). He spent his life between Greece, Bulgaria, Tanzania, U.K and Oman and he is now here with us ready to share all these experiences. This is a unique interview which all of you for sure will enjoy it.

DPN: Elias, for the past 6 years you have been working in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, as a veterinary doctor for HM Sultan Qaboos Royal Court. How is your life there?

EN: For people who are not aware of the differences between Middle East Arab countries they make the mistake of thinking that Oman, if they know where it is, is a strict, conservative country and they could not be further than the truth. Jokingly, expats in Oman, we call it a “paradise bubble”. This place is definitely out of a fairy tale. Omani people are extremely friendly, hospitable, and humble as well as naturally polite. From my first day here I have felt welcomed and never have I felt as a foreigner. Working almost exclusively with Omanis in the Royal Court and socializing with Omanis outside work, I have only good things to say. Oman is a naturally beautiful country with endless beaches, desert, mountains, tons of outdoor activities and an idyllic tourist destination, very safe and exotic. I strongly recommend it for whoever wants to “taste” proper Arabic hospitality. Work wise I enjoy my work that is 70% equine and 30% everything else (wild animals, productive and small animals). The veterinary setup is ideal with state of the art equipment, friendly colleagues and supporting staff. Everyday holds something new and it keeps life interesting and fun. Our department, as well as the country itself, slowly yet constantly strives to improve. Oman is continuously being modernized by huge infrastructure and hospitality projects but in a very different way than all its neighbours. Progress is made in order to fit its people, rather to follow any external competitive edge. Oman is lucky to be governed by a prolific leader who took the country at a very low level, in 1970, the year of my birth, and has carried it through to its current state, a modern, civil society, constantly growing and progressing. It is very impressive to see how the country is heavily investing in its youth, by providing education at a local and international level, placing the Omanis into jobs and creating a strong working culture. And that is only one out of a list of initiatives and policies that are happening here for the Omani people. I have to admit that sometimes feel a bit jealous that such steps were not correctly undertaken in my own country and I feel privileged to live here.

DPN: What do animals mean for you?

EN: Animals are great teachers. They teach you respect calmness and communication. If you do not “grow” these elements in your approach towards them then it becomes very difficult to work with them. And if you are lucky, maybe some of these elements can stay with you for the rest of your life.

DPN: As far as I know, you speak some Arabic. How easy was for you to learn it, and apart from that, what does the Arabic culture mean for you?

EN: Knowing Arabic is a very relative term. The language is so rich that no matter how much you know, you simply know too little. It is very difficult for a foreigner to learn proper Arabic but it is well worth the effort, especially if you live, socialize and work with Arab speakers. I can only say that I am in the process of learning. And this is a very long process that takes dedication, time and effort.

Language is a very good introduction to culture, traditions and the hearts of people. I strongly believe that anyone making the effort to learn it, especially if they live in an Arab country, will be rewarded on many levels, seen and unseen.

DPN: It’s been said that after they pass away, the most important people in our lives, “live within us”. Is there anyone from your past that lives within you?

EN: A very well known Greek author, Nikos Kazantzakis, in one of his books called “Ascetics” has a chapter called “The race” and he describes best how our ancestors live in and through us. Do not make a mistake, when you smile, your great ancestors smile through you, what you taste, they taste! We are a time continuous of all the souls behind us and we are the beginning of all the souls ahead of us.

DPN: What influence did your family have in your life?

EN: I have been very lucky to have grown up in a very loving and caring environment, surrounded by good, moral and giving people. My parents have always supported me in my decisions, they still do and this has created a sense of security and calmness in me. At the end of the day, we are our family and our family is us.

DPN: One country that you lived in your life is Bulgaria. Do you recollect any special experience?

EN: I was lucky to live in beautiful Bulgaria through difficult times from 1987 to 1994, i.e. during the communistic regime, its fall and the transitional period. As I had to learn the Bulgarian language, I integrated very well with the Bulgarian people and that gave me the chance to explore their culture, traditions and have a wonderful time. If I can extract one experience out of a huge bouquet, it would be my neighbours’ grandmother coming to me, during a very tough exam period of 14hrs study per day, and offering me a plate of soup in order to make me feel stronger for my studies, since my family was not around to support me. I can never forget this gesture for some reason!

DPN: Being a global citizen, you also have spent a few months of your life in Africa. Where did you live there and how does Africa look in your eyes?

EN: I was in Africa for a few months in 1994 and stayed in Dar Es Salaam (The House of Peace), the capital of Tanzania. I travelled extensively through the country and the experience was simply unforgettable, both on a professional level, due to all the trips in their big parks with all the wild animals, as well as personally, as I saw a different way of perceiving life from what I knew till then.

“Mama Africa” I believe is the source of life, people are happier and simpler than in Europe. What is also true is what they call TIA (This Is Africa), regarding the way things are done there. Expect the unexpected, enjoy the moment and run when you have to. In my short stay in Tanzania, I picked up some Swahili, which funnily enough, turned out to be useful in Oman, where part of the population are speaking also Swahili.

DPN: During the 2004 Athens Olympic Games you were a member of the Olympic Veterinary Team. Tell us about that experience.

EN: Being a part of the Olympic Games, be that as an organizer, volunteer or from any other position is an amazing experience, especially if you do that, in and for, your own country. Besides the number of interesting people you get to meet from different countries and backgrounds, you get to be a part of a huge team effort. This by itself creates a unique feeling that stays with you for the rest of your life. I was lucky to be a part of the 2004 Olympic Veterinary team and that gave me lots of insights, experience and even more good memories.

DPN: Elias, what is the last book you read?

EN: I am currently reading (for the n th time) “A course in miracles” and “Nonviolence in theory and practice” by Barry Gan and Robert Holmes. Both are highly recommended books.

DPN: If someone wrote your biography, what do you think the title should be?

EN: I think that if someone had time to write a book, it should be on a topic that is beneficial to a lot of people and not dedicated to me!

DPN: If you were an animal which one would you be and why?

EN: I think that, the dog, my Chinese horoscope, would be a very suitable candidate as I have all the qualities and traits, both good and bad.

DPN: Mark Twain, a famous American author, stated that “of all the animal, man is the only that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it”, comment that for us.

EN: The human being is a very complex being that is capable, as Mark Twain said, for the worst, however it is capable for the best too. It is up to every individual to choose which way they are willing to go. And as I said before, animals are very good teachers that can show the better way.

DPN: What the future holds for Dr. Elias Nikolakopoulos?

EN: The future is unpredictable, but for the time being, and given the current crisis situation around the world, Oman seems to be a very good choice.

DPN: If a young person will ask you if it would be business in the Middle East what would you advise?

EN: The Middle East is a fast growing region full of opportunities for skilled people that are willing to work, persist and create. It is of great importance, in order to succeed in this part of the world, to be honest, transparent and trustworthy. I would strongly recommend it to enthusiastic young people.

DPN: After living up to now in so many places around the world, where is your home?

EN: One is created by the elements of their native land. Being Greek, I have a certain education, cultural background and character that is my inheritance and I carry it proudly. However, living in many different cultures, countries and traditions one can only benefit by enriching their understanding of the “different”, learning to accept others beliefs and opinions and educate themselves in life by growing beyond their original culture. There is a very nice aya in the Quaran that says: “God made us different so we can get to know each other”. I find that this has a deep meaning which, once you accept, any place will feel comfortable and like home. Part of my heart always beats in Greece and hurts for my country, and the other part beats for Oman and the world!

Interview 4: Haysam Eid, the Lebanese approach in hair style

2011-05-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Haysam Eid (HE) is proceeding with this week interview of the DUBAI PROFILE NEWS Blog (DPN). Born and raised in Lebanon is has established his beauty business EIDEAL (www.eidealonline.com) in Dubai. Treating every person as a VIP he is the Middle East approach in hair style. A young ambitious person who is looking for his luck in the fabulous city of Dubai, after living in Beirut and London.

DPN: Haysam you are a young and ambitious person doing business in the beauty industry. How come you chose this sector?

HE: I was raised in a family where Art and Beauty are major. Mr. Younes Eid, my father, is one of the most famous hairdressers worldwide and the owner of Salon YOUNES EID the 3^rd Best Salon in the World as ranked by ESTETICA Design in 2005. In fact, he is not only a hair stylist, but also a painter. My talents, ability and proficiency flourished owing to his constant support and back up. He granted me his good taste and savoir-faire in the world of beauty, and he still inspires me in each and every step toward success and special achievements. Personally I also won at the past the first award of “Fabriano painting competition” while I was still in school, when my artistic tendency was discovered.

DPN: As far as we know you started your career after graduating from the worlds’ greatest hairstylist academy in London. Share with us your experience there.

HE: After finishing school, it was the time to take a major decision in my life: shall I join the University as most of the people do or to choose the path that I am already into. At that time, everything was just a simple idea I had to share at some point with my family before taking the final decision. I always wanted to do something different; I don’t necessarily mean by different something that no one ever did, yet different is to have a unique twist. I thought I would do it the other way around; I would learn hairdressing while I was young and then join the university. On the on hand, my father disagreed since he never expected nor wanted me to become a hairdresser; on the other, my mother heavily supported me and advised me to follow my instinct. Therefore, after convincing my father, I decided to join the world’s greatest hairstyling academy in London, where I completed my cutting and styling studies and accomplished TONI&GUY Cut & Colour NVQ course in 2004. I went to London while I was a child, and this city played a major role in my life. I realized how many different cultures existed there and at the same time I learnt how to live independent. When I first joined the Academy, it was something different for the rest of the students as the majority were English. I had to work hard and to prove myself. At the end I did it. I still remember the graduation day when I did a photo shooting for the models; I made every possible effort and I used all my skills to succeed with. My goal that day was to surprise my father who couldn’t attend the graduation. I also owe my mother this success for being present besides me on my graduation day and for doing the makeup for the models; it is noteworthy that makeup was her passion and so art runs in the family. After that, I went back in Lebanon with a strong portfolio, from which many pictures are picked up for the salon ads.

DPN: Up to now you are the only hair stylist in the Middle East region that you successfully completed the prestigious L’Oreal Professional Specialist Degree. What does this means for you?

HE: Being the only hair stylist in the Middle East that successfully completed the prestigious L’Oreal Professional Colour Specialist Degree means a lot to me, especially because it was not easy to get there. I first had to pass an entrance examination to ensure that I enjoy the right level. First time I got rejected but not because I failed in the examination, but because this course was designated only for the hairdressers in England, as I was informed later on. At this stage, I got really upset, because despite the fact that I passed the examination and achieved great results, they didn’t offer me the opportunity to proceed with. Thus, I sent an email to the competent party insisting that it was unfair to take such a decision and objecting to the fact that they made me to take the test even they knew that I would be rejected. I do believe that the fact that I am a stubborn person got me there, as at the end they accepted me. I even graduated with 94%. The last day, the director came to me saying, “Did you notice that you were the 11^th student on the course this year?” I said, “so what?” He answered, “We usually take 10 people only since it’s an intensive course and you were an exception, very well done, I am proud of you!” I will never forget those words. I will never forget the tough moments when I saw some people leaving the course crying, while I had the chance to continue till the end. I am definitely proud of such an achievement.

DPN: Your father Younes Eid runs a really well known Salon in Beirut in Lebanon. You mentioned that he is your idol, the person who inspired you most. Tell us some things about him and what lessons did he teach you?

HE: Yes, my father was always my idol. At the very beginning; he taught me the modesty, an essential component for success, in addition to the hard work to achieve the goals. He used to tell me “no one is better than you Haysam, if something is doable, then you can do it!” I believe in these words and that’s how I have made it here so far.

DPN: Who is the most famous person that you ever took care in the Salon there?

HE: In my opinion, each client is a famous one; the reason she comes in the Salon is to feel like that. She comes to me to take good care of her beauty and to give her all the needed professional attention and advice. This is hairdressing. For me, the hairdresser is a physician. A client wouldn’t go to the hairdresser if she hasn’t a problem with her hair, and by fixing this problem, you should make her happy, satisfied and self confident, because she “wears” her hair every day. If she doesn’t like it, she can’t take it off! I believe I got the trust of all my clientele, and I have taken care not only many people well known in the art field, but also of famous men and women in the high class society, but I prefer not to mention their names as respect for their privacy.

DPN: You grew up in Lebanon. May you describe us the neighborhood where you spend your childhood?

HE: I was born and I grew up in Sidon (Saida in Arabic), the capital of the South part of Lebanon. I lived in that city until I changed school and moved in Beirut. Saida is a small city, where people know each other. It is surrounded by beautiful orchards of oranges, lemon and various trees. My childhood was a really good one having among me family and school friends.

DPN: What your country, Lebanon, means for you?

HE: Lebanon is my home; it’s where I belong, where I was raised and where my best memories are. It’s where I got my education and culture.

DPN: At this moment you have created your own brand, EIDEAL (www.eidealonline.com) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tell us some things about your company.

HE: EIDEAL™ is a leading appliance and hair accessories brand known in the MENA region, setting new standards for professional hair care in the beauty industry. EIDEAL is growing at against-the-odds pace since it reflects our own story, heritage and search for excellence and idealism as well as the professionals’ needs for a better quality tools for their salons. With a wide range of styling tools, EIDEAL offers its customers everything they need, to innovate hairstyles easily and quickly in the comfort of their own home. The brand became a sensation in the market; Professional hairdressers are more and more interested in buying it for salon use and for retail purposes. The current items include a vast selection of Hair Dryers, Straightening Irons, Curling Irons, Hair Brushes, Hair Clippers, Hair Scissors and other various hair related accessories. EIDEAL R&D team is working day and night to design new exciting and creative tools to improve the performance of hair professionals and satisfy the needs of all women striving for beauty.

EIDEAL™ - Excellently IDEAL!

DPN: How the idea of your company came in your mind?

HE: I joined university to major in Business Management and I learned to combine the artistic and creative sense with my entrepreneurial and managerial capacities. My vision was to create a brand for my own salon use, as to complete the march of my father, the designer and creator of a small range of personal use brushes, and to take it to a higher and more developed level. Thus, it is only through holding to this vision, that my work and accomplishment were brought into manifestation. However, my ambitions were limitless and my dreams were ever growing. Charged with enthusiasm and backed up by persistence, I decided to establish EIDEAL™; a brand combining my name with idealism and specialized in hair appliances, accessories, brushes and scissors for professional hair salons. In fact, the idea of EIDEAL™ came to my mind in 2008, started with one product and didn’t take long to expand and cover a wide range of products.

DPN: What kind of difficulties you faced in your early beginning? May you share us some experiences from that time?

HE: Difficulties are always there at the beginning, especially when you start something from scratch, I built the brand from zero, coming up with the name, concept, products, designs, technology and all the rest. I set up the whole team and distribution channel, trying to convince people about the brand, product and quality. But we finally got to the point where people loved the brand and trusted it.

DPN: What is your vision for EIDEAL?

HE: Currently, EIDEAL™, the pioneer hair appliances and accessories brand in the region of Middle East is growing at a very fast pace, thanks to the creative designs and first-class techniques used to provide the customers with great products and unsurpassed services. This is just the beginning of a long promising future in the beauty field; I will always dedicate my creativity and technical hair skills, sense of innovation and the world’s most refined techniques to develop my brand to be Excellent and IDEAL.

DPN: Dubai is a place where a lot of global celebrities are choosing either to live or to visit. Do you believe that this city may play a major role in the future of the beauty industry?

HE: Absolutely with all what we’ve seen so far in Dubai, I believe everything is doable. In fact, it is a favorable place for the businesses prosperity. Dubai is a very modern and flourishing city and I am sure that it will play a major role in the future of the beauty industry as in other fields because it is becoming the hub of development in the region.

DPN: Do you have any expression that represents the way you live?

HE: “I can make it”

DPN: Has your life been different than you have imagined?

HE: I don’t think my life has been so different than I have always imagined. But definitely it was affected in a way or another by different factors. I am definitely still heading to my main goal and objective set from the very beginning. However, I had to change some tactics to get there, and hopefully I will make it!

DPN: If you could have the chance to do the hair stylist of a celebrity, who this one would be and why?

HE: I would like to do the hair of Penelope Cruz. I personally love simplicity and I find her simple yet so attractive, charming and elegant.

DPN: In order to close this interview, will you tell us how you define beauty?

HE: Numerous are the magazines featuring the most beautiful people in the world, and they are all trying to answer this question "What is beauty?" In fact it’s very simple; beauty is the combination of qualities pleasing the aesthetic senses and especially the sight.

Interview 3: Christina Plakopita-bringing Fashion in our lives

2011-05-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Christina Plakopita (CP) is giving us this time the weekly interview in the DUBAI PROFILE NEWS Blog (DPN). She lived in Athens, London, Paris, New York and currently she established her own online business called NETROBE.COM. As a young entrepreneur is offering her online wardrobe tool to help us manage and style our clothes. Fashion is a must. Let’s meet Christina.

DPN: Christina, describe us what fashion means for you?

CP: To me, fashion means personality. The way you chose to express yourself and live your life. It is the perfect way to show how you feel, what you’re striving for, what you’re all about… without having to say anything at all.

DPN: You are the founder of NETROBE.COM, an online wardrobe that helps you manage and style your clothes. Tell us some things about your Project.

CP: Netrobe wants to help people utilize their closets to the maximum and reply to the “I have nothing to wear” moment that all women go through. Make them remember what they own and be creative with their clothes, so that they dress better and faster. By creating an online database for your clothes, you will be able to sort what you want to wear, by color, season, brand or style, get suggestions from your friends or us and at the same time shop according to your style – all this from the comfort of your bed. It’s like Cher’s digital closet in Clueless – but the 2.0 version.

DPN: You chose internet as your vehicle to do business. Someone said that “internet is important but print media will never die, as you will never be able to kill a fly with your laptop”. Do you agree with that?

CP: Personally, I chose the internet to create this idea of mine, since women were running out of Polaroids. Just kidding… You are mentioning the eternal debate here, print vs. digital. My thought is that print will never die and digital will only get stronger… just because they are not comparable. They are different channels of communication that serve different needs, just like TV didn’t kill the film industry. People still have a need to go to the movies, even if there’s something to see on TV at night or they can rent a DVD. The important thing, I would say, for a business is to decide what their product is and what value proposition they offer to their customers.

DPN: Does a well-dressed person have an easier access to success?

CP: Definitely. I’m a strong believer of the saying “Dress for the job you want” and I even believe people should dress for the life they want. Being well-dressed shows manners, confidence and determination.

DPN: Who is the worst dressed celebrity?

CP: Unfortunately, I have to say Britney. I love her to death… I wish she could let me style her… for free or just let Nicole Chavez do it for her!

DPN: You lived in Athens, London, Paris and New York, 4 cities totally fashion oriented. Which one is the most sparkling one?

CP: For me, these cities are like people. They have their own personalities. Athens is where it all begun. She is a mother, who taught me the essence of style and the importance of a timeless classic wardrobe. London is the most groomed and handsome gentleman I have ever met and you can find him online now at MrPorter.com. Paris the most stylish woman, I know, in the world. She’s effortless, elegant, important and ahead of the game… and New York is everything combined. It expresses me the most, at the moment.

DPN: Is fashion a female privilege?

CP: Absolutely not. I think it’s lucky for women that fashion has been identified as a female prerogative… but it’s necessary and indulging for both, men and women. A well-dressed man sometimes can stand out more than a woman will.

DPN: Which do you think you have the most of: talent, intelligence, education, or persistence? How has it helped you in your life?

CP: Even though I couldn’t use the first two to characterize myself, as I believe they’re attributes that should be given to you, I would go with persistence anyway. I’ve always had a big drive to achieve something in every stage of my life that would make me proud and feel happy. Persistence is the active side of drive. It has helped me best by not compromising to less satisfying and fulfilling options.

DPN: What’s the best compliment you ever received?

CP: That I’m kind. It’s nice to know that people still acknowledge kindness and I would like to see more people being like that.

DPN: What kinds of things bring you the most pleasure?

CP: Family time, my friends, summers in Greece, traveling, creativity, architecture, design, photography, blogs… and fashion. Good, old and new glamorous fashion!

DPN: Which things frighten you?

CP: World uncertainty and corruption

DPN: What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted but still don’t have?

CP: To be able to speak every language in the world. That, and an English bulldog.

DPN: What do you do for fun?

CP: Dance a lot…

DPN: Is there a person in your life you trust and depend on?

CP: Thankfully many. My parents and my brother are my life advisors and rocks… and my friends, whom we’ve grown together, made mistakes together and laughed, a hell of a lot, together.

DPN: What have you liked best about your life so far? What’s your happiest or proudest moment?

CP: That it feels like a well-written book so far. Every major phase in my life felt like a chapter, complete… that when it ends, a new one follows. I like consistency, but I’m also very open to change. So now, I’m at the chapter of making it on my own. Happiest and proudest would be making it in New York! Songs… never lie! The city definitely builds character and makes you stronger.

DPN: Tell us what’s the most difficult thing that ever happened to you? How did you deal with it?

CP: Realizing that you should never take things for granted. When graduating from high-school you are taught that if you get a good degree at a good university, you are guaranteed with success. The only thing you need to do is decide what you want to do in your life. That for starters is tough, unless you were born with a dream of a specific profession. But even if you are lucky enough to figure it out, the circumstances may change so drastically that you have to find ways to adapt and move forward. Coming out from grad school in 2008 with an MSc in Real Estate Development gave me the first taste of what new reality means. In the peak of the crisis in New York and the rest of the world following suit, I had to redefine my goals in life and adapt in what the new career scenarios would be. I got into commercial real estate consulting. Two years later, ready to invest in my own idea by creating a business with a technology being built in Greece, I am in the core of my country’s biggest financial meltdown. Once again, uncertainty and new reality are in the front seat. In both cases, I didn’t think twice to switch gears and redraft my initial life goals. I don’t believe that we are destined to do only one thing in life and since it is a short ride, we have to be multi-taskers. So, I think being flexible and creative is the best way to deal with things.

DPN: Do you have a philosophy of life?

CP: Aim high and aim with meaning… Life should have a purpose that would affect people in a good way, not just yourself. We’re in this together… anyway! Looking at my country’s situation, I get saddened by the fact that everyone blaims the government for our current state. Everyone has contributed to this result and everyone should try hard to help get us out of it.

DPN: Define us the “success”?

CP: When you look back and you think you did good… in anything you were striving to do.

DPN: Share with us an important thing you learned from your work experience.

CP: The ability to sell is the most important thing I have learnt so far. Selling something that you believe in will keep you motivated, make you resourceful and ultimately successful in reaching your goal. It’s essential for any type of business you are in and whether you work on your own or for others. In every business, people are selling a product, an idea, a story. You have to be able to sell yourself well to excel… to convince your boss that you are doing well, to bring in more clients, to find new investments or to sell your merchandise. My experiences in advertising, private equity, grad school, real estate and corporate America had one thing in common… selling. I learnt that if you can master the art of selling, then you can do anything.

DPN: What’s your vision for NETROBE.COM

CP: To have the same subscribers as the number of people who watched the royal wedding! No really, my vision is to make shopping more relevant for people and less ephemeral than at the moment. If I have the opportunity I would like to make it a business of giving, the way Blake Mycoskie preaches of how a business can be successful.

Interview 2: Jean Renaud Durbin - “French success” made in Dubai

2011-05-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Jean Renaud Durbin (JR) continues the series of interviews in the DUBAI PROFILE NEWS Blog (DPN) that every week is hosting a new one. Paris was the city were Jean spend his first years of his life and Dubai the place which offer him the success. He is a great example of how you may manage with hard work to climb on the top. Managing a leading marketing company, located in Dubai, “THE CONTENT FACTORY” (http://www.tcf-me.com/) present us the balance between answering your last e-mail late night in your office with combining it along with a good night kiss from your daughter. French elegance experiencing the Dubai Dream. Let’s meet him better!

DPN: Jean, you are a French man, living the last 13 years in United Arab Emirates and you are married 6 years with a Filipina lady. Where is your real home?

JR: I proud myself of being an international person in a global world. My home is anywhere with my wife and daughter. It’s been Dubai for a while, we like it here; it is a great place to be business wise and quality of life wise. Can we call Dubai home all our life? I don’t think so, the pressure of the city and the weather get’s heavier as you grow older. So in a decade or so we will talk about “retiring home” we will then look into “neutral” territories which isn’t France or Philippines.

DPN: From 2004 you are running together with your business partner a really successful marketing agency in Dubai, “The Content Factory” (www.tcf-me.com). Tell us some things about your business.

JR: It’s a challenging business to be into, especially in Dubai and the Middle East at large. With so many “good looking agencies” around it is hard to compete as a boutique agency like us. During the golden age of Dubai many agencies just popped up, had big plans, big ideas, big account won, and when the trouble started, they just disappeared. We steered through all this by being true to ourselves, being brutally honest with what can and can’t be done; we were talking about ROI back in 2004 when the acronyms hadn’t even reached Dubai yet. We are working with clients literally as an extension of their team.

DPN: You started your career as a waiter and you ended up being a really successful Marketer with a great Portfolio of projects. Is the key to success the hard work or the good luck?

JR: Lot’s of hard work yes, but no luck, taking a chance is a better word. Sometimes you got to take a leap of faith and just do it. If you do it right, it will pay off. I took a chance in coming to Dubai as a waiter to start with. I didn’t even know where Dubai was in 1998. I didn’t even speak English at all at that time. I received a call on May 1^st 1998, flew in Dubai on May 14^th, leaving everything behind in Paris.

DPN: You live and work in Dubai a number of years. What does this city means for you?

JR: Dubai is very special to me. It is the land of opportunities. It is a global platform like nowhere else around the world. A village on the world scale where we can really mix along well. It is neither a perfect city nor society, but it offers a lot that people too often take for granted.

DPN: Eiffel Tower in Paris or Burj Khalifa in Dubai?

JR: Eiffel Tower! No hesitation at all!

DPN: Living in a global financial recession, doing business in Europe or Asia is the smart move for a person who wants to establish a new project?

JR: I think Europe is totally over rated for entrepreneurs. I see too many hurdles to do business, capital needed is huge, then the system kicks in etc...Many times it’s a nightmare. Asia is better in terms of opportunities, provided you have the right partners, and the right understanding of the culture. If you do not adapt then for sure you will fail. The Middle East, to me, remains the biggest opportunity of all in our lifetime.

DPN: What are the most important lessons you have learned in life?

JR: Plan a little, live in the present and cherish your past.

DPN: Who is the most important person in your life?

JR: My daughter has taken over my life completely!

DPN: Even being a person who lives among events and PR describe me when in life you felt most alone?

JR: I never really felt alone in my life. All the time I have been surrounded by good people. And there is a reason for that. I only see the good in people. I do not care for people that have twisted mind or malicious agendas.

DPN: Promoting a product is like planning the future of it. What does future hold for Jean Renaud Durbin?

JR: The future is to continue grow The Content Factory, move even more into digital solutions so in the long run my partner and I, will be both able to retire.

DPN: Let us know, which is the last movie you went to see?

JR: “Rango”, a couple of weeks ago

DPN: Through your work life you met a lot of interesting people from Nobel Prize winners to Prime Ministers and football celebrities. Whom out of them is the most outstanding personality and why?

JR: Meeting Desmond Tutu, the Nobel peace prize 1984 for his fight against apartheid, was an amazing experience. He was really down to earth, very humble and said something that really strike me and that stuck in my head from that day. He said: “I was saying the same things over and over before I got the Nobel Prize and no-one listened, once I got it, the world was all-ear”. In that sentence, to me he basically summed up the inherent flaws of our society. On the other hand, meeting the great football star Zinedine Zidane was pretty cool too!

DPN: Take us through one of your latest big projects.

JR: The latest big completed project I can mention at the moment was a complete Dubai Shopping Festival promotion on behalf of SanDisk Middle East. We planned the whole thing alongside the client for over 2 months, it included public relation elements, social media inclusions, database work, activation in all major electronic stores in the UAE, loads of designs and printing involved and then a raffle to win a big prize. It was a Great success.

DPN: Jean you are a married person with a young daughter. How does work life balance with personal life?

JR: Well, let me put it this way, I can’t go to bed without my daughter goodnight kiss, nor I can go to bed with an unread mail in my mailbox! I do work all the time, but I have the ability to switch off my brain when required and focus on being a father and husband.

DPN: An old actor said at the past that many men can make a fortune but very few can build a family. Do you agree?

JR: I totally agree. In the end, family comes first, you got to keep balanced. Fortune is accessory to better living.

DPN: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, which actor would you like to see play the lead role as you?

JR: Russell Crowe

DPN: Describe us yourself in 3 words.

JR: Passionate, hyperactive, caring