So what is an ‘Angel?’

Business angels tend to be wealthy individuals who have already been successful in business. Some are entrepreneurs who have sold their
businesses, while the remainder are often former senior executives of major organisations, or business professionals such as accountants, lawyers, or management consultants.
Business angels invest with the primary motive of making a financial return, but non-financial motives also play an important part. Research
suggests, for example, that business angels often enjoy being involved in growing a business and may also harbour altruistic motives, such as wishing to help budding entrepreneurs or wanting to make a contribution to the local economy. (Macht S, The Post-Investment Period of Business Angels: Impact and Involvement, pp 14-15 – www.eban.org – July 2007

Can this model work in this region?

Within the GCC region there is the practice of local sponsorship of Nationals to business owners, enabling businesses of different sizes from outside of the home country to do business.  The partnership is based on the 51:49 % ownership principle, but separate contracts exist to cover profit share.  As the basic premise of the ‘Angel Investor’ model is that the Angel takes a percentage of the equity of the business, the business owner may feel reluctant to dilute their 49%.  However, many of these companies are underfunded and therefore not resulting in much of a profit share for either party.  Some flexibility and creativity in drawing up acceptable contracts with all parties is possible and worth pursuing.  When individuals agree on the bigger purpose they all have in common, then agreement is easier.

Grow local talent

The biggest opportunities exist in the encouragement and development of locally grown business ideas from all nationalities. Rather than import an existing franchise or brand, there is plenty of talent around us in Qatar and increasingly more organisations available to support this talent.

Why be an ‘Angel’?

Qatar has an ambitious vision and even in the past 12 months, the excitement and possibilities for new businesses have accelerated. Many individuals want to be part of the process of building a sustainable economy which is no longer dependent on the hydrocarbon sector but develop new sectors in ICT, the Arts, Health and Education – all extremely exciting and rapidly changing sectors.

The benefits cited by both men and women angels include the desire:

• for an above average rate of return on investment
• to engage in the high-passion, high-energy world of entrepreneurship
• to not only invest in but mentor emerging companies
•  to seek a “second career” that is challenging, but allows them to participate in other interests

There are opportunities in the region for both business owners and ‘Angels’ -for further information on the subject, check out www.angelsden.com

After the summer holidays I always feel ready to make a new start in September.  I find an ‘Academic Year Diary’ the most useful spanning through to the promise of next Summer and bridging those months from December to January.   Electronic diaries just don’t give the same satisfaction as having a new, clean, blank diary,  bursting with the promise of all those appointments and meetings.

Living here in Qatar there is a particular sense of excitement around for this final quarter of 2011.  There has been much talk since last December when Qatar won the 2022 World Cup Bid of the major infrastructure projects which will be the result.

Not just the stadiums, but the roads, railways, metros, hotels and accommodation which will need constructing.  Then there is the massive increase in personnel who are needed to build, run and manage these initiatives, all to be balanced with the support and development of the local community.  Quite a challenge!  So after a few months of letting the reality of winning the bid set in, Ramadan and Eid, there is a sense that this final quarter of 2011 (or this first semester of the New Year) will be busier than ever.

So after Eid, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

I was in the UK up until a few days ago.  Over the last 3 years I probably visit at least once a year.  Before I left the UK I lived in middle class house in a middle class county town, yet in the year before leaving I had to call the police a couple of times to complain about drunkenness, excessive noise and disturbance – was I getting ‘middle aged’ or was there a problem with deteriorating behaviour?  Walking into the local shopping area I frequently had to steer past pools of vomit from the excesses of the night before, and when driving home through the town late at night at the weekend, we had to be careful to avoid the staggering drunken youths crossing the streets.  Each year when I return I see further evidence of respect for others and basic good manners being diminished.

Now switch to Qatar – no riots here, even in the heat of the Arab Spring, all has remained calm – ok, things are not perfect and some people are treated worse than others, but my observations on the culture here might be indicators on what’s wrong with the UK.

In Qatar there is:

• very strong family relationships – families eat together, meet together, have fun together
• controlled drinking laws
• strong religious faith
• high employment
• strong economy

Ok, the UK may not want to ‘import’ a wholesale change of culture, but there are elements from which the UK can learn – for me the priority would be parenting.  Strengthen the role of the family and give teachers and police back the authority to discipline bad behaviour.

So, personally rant over – the good news to come out of this is the strengthening of community spirit in those areas who got together to clean up their streets.  Hopefully this unity and communication will continue – if 2012 Olympics are to be a success, the UK will need to encourage these initiatives!

riots in London

Just a few weeks ago Qatar held the second “Qatar International Business Women’s Forum” organised by The Qatar Business Womens Forum, the two day conference drew over 600 women from across the globe. The conference was opened by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Emiri Diwan Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah opened the Second Qatar International Business Women Forum. HE Al Attiyah expressed his confidence that Arab women, having contributed towards the economic progress of Arab economy, would have a greater role to play in the coming stage since they have the capabilities to lead institutions, corporations, take strategic decisions, ensure its implementation and achieve their goals.

This message was continued by Dr Ibrahim of the General Secretariat for Development Planning, where he outlined that in the Qatar National Development Strategy there will be specific goals to advance women. Qatar women can look forward to initiatives aimed at providing them with high quality training, and the removal of constraints inhibiting their contribution in decision making and in the workforce.

Having worked for more family friendly working practices in the UK, I am personally encouraged to hear that Qatar is looking at the issues of:
- long hours
- work placed nurseries
- gender sensitised legislation
- the promotion of women in business
In 2009 only 3% of women are in leadership roles but the target is to have increased this figure to 30% by 2016.

Qatar is changing in many ways, and as an ex-pat I feel we have an obligation to respect the desire for change, but also the desire to retain a highly respected and valued culture. On this site there are many posts mentioning the various women’s network and training events which seek to support the empowerment of women in a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.

As Qatar moves towards the realisation of it’s 2030 Vision, there is no doubt that the role of women will be critical to its success.

For further information on Qatar’s National Development Strategy you can access the website here.

1 – Know Yourself

It’s impossible to lead others if you have no understanding of your own preferences and capabilities. There are many tools, questionnaires and diagnostics which can give you a very accurate picture of you, your personality and your leadership preferences – let me know if you want to try any of these out.

2 – Build Confidence in Others

Help others to feel that you believe in yourself and that you believe in them. Give words of encouragement to team members and continual reinforcement of your belief that you and they can succeed

3 – Network

There is whole edition of a future newsletter that can be devoted to networking! Networking is key, and you need to think about networking internally in your organisation as well as externally. Don’t be pushy, just be yourself and allow people to know, like and trust you – you will then be surprised who can come to aid when you have a problem that can benefit from another perspective.

4 – Be Proactive

It’s a tired expression, but nevertheless a true one: “If it’s to be, it’s down to me”. Take initiative, and also find ways to break down barriers for other people to exercise their initiative

5 – Review – In Order To Improve

The only way we can learn is to stop and review. If the same things keep happening over and over again, if people say ‘he has hasn’t had 10 years experience, he’s had 1 year’s experience 10 times!” then it’s clear that you are not stopping to review what has worked and what hasn’t. Create a daily habit of reflecting on the day and asking yourself ‘what’s gone well? What difficulties occurred? How can things be improved?”

6 – Develop Others
Build your team – even if it just you and one other person. Hold regular 1:1s to discuss how things have gone (as in review above) and practice coaching others. ‘In the moment coaching’, is all about picking up on something as it happens, giving success feedback or pointing out that something needs improving, and helping that person to develop further. Think ahead, build your successors.

You need to start by asking yourself some basic questions. For example:

• What are your values?
• What do you love?
• What do you hate?
• What are you great at doing?
• What are you most proud of?
• What do you want to be?
• What is important and valuable to you?
• What do you want to be known for?

Basic, fundamental questions, yes, and yet, sometimes these are the most difficult to answer.  But they must be answered and must be true.

To help in this process you might want to sit down with some close friends and ask them how they see you.

The three pillars of a good brand are authenticity, consistency, and clarity.  Use these three pillars as your guide when evaluating who you are and how you communicate that message . By delving deep into yourself during this process and working hard to define who you are and what you stand for, your brand message will become clear.  It will be clear to others precisely because it is clear to you.  When it’s clear to you,  and you ensure that everything you say, do or present reflects this, then you will attract new business and build a reputation based on your own voice, not someone else’s.

I love Christmas!  There is no denying. I love the excitement. I love the bustle in the shops, the carols, the lights, the decorations and the cold.  So spending Christmas in a hot, non-Christian country does take some adjustment.

This is our 3^rd Christmas in Qatar.  Year one we had some friends and family over, last year I went back to the UK, this year it’s just Dave and myself, so I set about the ‘Christmas Project’ early.

December 1^st – Advent Calendars – this year I have really loved the Jacqiue Lawson Advent Calendar, the Christmas e-cards are always good, but each morning opening up my Village and finding it come to life has been a wonderful way to participate in a traditional village Christmas.  It brings back memories of the small towns I lived in, Dickens nights, the town lights and Christmas tree, the local church.

I insisted on shipping over the tree I had had for many years, it still bears up very well and every decoration has a memory.  Christmas memories are mostly of when my children were small, the tree light up and the open fire alight.

We have no fireplace here, but with the tree up and curtains pulled, I can imagine its cold outside.

To add to the atmosphere, I have created my own Christmas playlist on Spotify – well I know it’s only for UK/Europe but most ex-pats know the value of a VPN!  This also gives me access to sites such as SeeSaw, which means in the lead up to Christmas I can watch old Christmas specials.

Then there is my library of old Christmas films and not forgetting the radio.  This year I am most grateful to Mr Jobs and Apple for the iPad.  One of my favourite apps is the Tunein Radio app, hundreds of stations are available.  I have rejected ‘Christmas FM’ from Northern Ireland, but was delighted to find Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion there as a weekly show.  Garrison can make me both laugh and cry with the stories of Lake Wobegon and Christmas is the best time for both.

So, as it’s now Christmas Eve, and I will listening to the traditional nine lessons and carols from Kings on my iPad, whilst making the mince pies – I can look back and say that I am very grateful for the technology which has enabled me to remember the excitement and wonder of Christmas.

I wish you all the best for the Season and a Happy 2011!

As Qatar gets back to work today after a weekend of jubilant celebration, the talk everywhere is of how this will impact the country.  The pride and excitement is tangible.  With a population made up in the majority of ex-pats, there is still great pride in our adopted country.  The slogan says it all ‘Expect Amazing!’  Qatar has amazing vision, amazing talent and amazing determination to succeed.

There is no doubt in my mind that these games will be well organised and staggering in terms of technology and architectural design.  There is a lot to manage over the next 12 years, not just the buildings and infrastructure, but also how to sensitively manage the cultural impact of opening the country up to receive many more foreign workers and an army of football fans in 2022.

I am confident that Qatar will manage this well.

I have attached here a link to some wonderful photos from Al Jazeera of the past 2 days:

The day was part of a “Mindfulness’ Course, which I have been attending run by Tina Mogensen here  in Doha.  The course runs for 8 weeks, one night per week and then has the ‘day of silence’ at the over half way stage.  The programme is based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. is internationally known for his work as a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher engaged in bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society. He is Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he was founding executive director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, and founder (in 1979) and former director of its world-renowned Stress Reduction Clinic.

The benefits of the daily practice of Mindfulness are now well documented with measurable results in stress reduction.  For me, my main objective in starting the programme was to find a framework which would help me rediscover the discipline of a daily practice of meditation.

For many years I have struggled with prayer and meditation, not just the struggle with the ‘monkey mind’ which leaps about takes thoughts off on meandering journeys, but also I’ve struggled with sticking to a daily routine.  So in signing up to a 8 week course with other people attending, I hoped I would be more focused and motivated to do the homework!

I have to report it has been working really well.  Most days I manage a 30 – 40 min meditation and have also found my way back to an earlier practice I adopted 15 years ago with Jack Black’s Mindstore System.  Coincidentally, yesterday Mindstore launched its new online website and I am sure I will post more about this as the site develops.

Back to yesterday.  As well as the meditations we had been introduced to over the past weeks, we were introduced to a meditation which was new to me (but is a core Buddhist Metta Meditation).  This is known as ‘Loving Kindness’ Meditation.

The practice proceeds in a very structured and specific way.  After directing ‘loving kindness’ to yourself and close loved ones, you move to a ‘neutral’ person.  Someone you neither like nor dislike.  Then you move to someone with whom you have had difficulty or conflict.  To send loving kindness to difficult or threatening people is not to forget your own needs.  It doesn’t require denial of your own pain, anger, or fear.  Nor does doing this practice mean you’re excusing malicious or cruel behaviour.  Rather you are engaging in a process of discovering and cultivating your inherent capacity for unconditional love.

Over the years there have been people and situations which have demanded my forgiveness.  Sometimes all I have been able to do is say the words and hope that in the end I will come to believe them.  But this practice was much more powerful for me.  It is also a challenge!  However, over the next days and weeks and hopefully months and years, I will incorporating the practice of sending loving kindness to people who have caused me pain in the past.  I am hoping this will be a transformative experience for all involved.