SME Success Series

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have it tough, balancing between limited resources and making investments to grow their business. Add to that the recent economic crisis, which certainly didn't help!

In some ways the negative sentiment does nothing to help business recover. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy, based on fear and doubt. Which is why we decided to launch a series of road shows and intimate events over the coming year that will focus on what CAN be done, and the best way forward.

These road shows and networking events will be held across the emirates over the coming year. Not only will the events be educational and informative, but will also provide platforms to voice concern, make new contacts through networking and share experiences and advice.

Who will be there?
These focused events will be attended by a select audience of business owners and senior executives, by invitation only. Our aim is to keep the interaction intimate enough to provide real value and forge long-term business associates amongst audience members. At the end of the day, we want everyone to know everyone, and to collectively walk away with inspiration, solutions and new connections.

Speakers and mentors will include prominent regional representatives from the business community and government, as well as successful SMEs.

Sponsors

Presented by
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)

ADCB was formed in 1985 and as at 30 September 2011 employed over 3,800 people from 48 nationalities, serving over 480,000 retail customers and approximately 34,000 Corporate and SME  clients in 47 branches, 4 pay offices and 1 kiosk in the UAE and two branches in India. It is the third largest bank in the UAE and second largest in Abu Dhabi by assets, at AED 183 bn as at 30 September 2011. 

ADCB is a full-service commercial bank which offers a wide range of products and services such as retail banking, wealth management, private banking, corporate banking, commercial banking, cash management, investment banking, corporate finance, foreign exchange, interest rate and currency derivatives, Islamic banking, project finance and property management services. 

ADCB is owned 58.08% by the Abu Dhabi Government through the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. Its shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market. As at 30 September 2011, ADCB's market capitalisation was AED 16bn. 

The SME Banking division offers a wide-array of financial products under the brand of "BusinessEdge". The products cover the entire spectrum of solutions across transaction accounts, trade finance and financing products. It also offers a range of lending products. All the SME products are also available under ADCB Islamic Banking - a Shari'ah compliant banking solution. 

ADCB recently won the "Best SME Account" award by Banker Middle East Product Awards 2011 for its BusinessEdge suite of products.

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Exclusive Telecom Partner
du

du offer fixed and mobile telephone, broadband connectivity and IPTV services to individuals, homes and businesses, and carrier services for businesses. As a rapidly-growing enterprise, they have close to 2,000 staff, hailing from over 60 countries, working to enhance and expand their bouquet of service offerings, while being able to serve their customers in a variety of languages. Over 50% of their senior management team and customer-facing staff are also UAE nationals.

du contribute to the transformation of the UAE by providing customers with choice and making a difference in quality, innovation, and pricing. The 2.9 million people who signed up as active users of their services by mid 2009 prove that they have established themselves as one of the main operators of choice for the new subscribers in the UAE market.

More information can be found at www.du.ae

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Technology Partner
SAS

SAS has been providing business analytics software and services since 1976. At present they have more than 11,000 SAS employees in more than 50 countries and 400 SAS offices provide local, hands-on support for customers undergoing global software implementations and seeking educational resources, reference information and consultation. SAS US was named Number 1 on the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 2010 and 2011. SAS Belgium, SAS Norway and SAS Sweden were all named Number 1 in their countries on the Best Place to Work For list by the Great Place to Work Institute. SAS offices in nine other countries have also been recognized for their workplace cultures.

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Strategic Partner
Dubai Internet City (DIC)

Dubai Internet City (DIC), is a member of TECOM Investments is the Middle East and North Africa's largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) cluster.

As a knowledge-oriented business model, DIC was the pioneer behind the creation of the cluster concept in the region.The ICT cluster hosts a dynamic international community of IT companies as a number of growing enterprises, entrepreneurships and ventures: Microsoft, Dell, Intel, IBM, Canon, General Electric and Cisco just to name a few.

Built inside a free trade zone, DIC is a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in the neighboring regions. DIC's market extends from the Middle East to the Indian Subcontinent and from Africa to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), covering nearly three billion people with a GDP of over US$10 trillion.

The ICT cluster in DIC is comprised of companies from the following sectors: software, Internet & multimedia, telecommunication & networks and IT services.

DIC offers companies 100% tax-free ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, no currency restrictions, easy registration and licensing, and solid intellectual property protection.

DIC also provides an environment that attracts all elements of the value chain. DIC's rich networking opportunities and core location allows companies to tap into resources, partnerships and ideas; a business environment that helps ICT businesses develop, innovate and grow.

For read more about Dubai Internet City please visit www.dubaiinternetcity.com

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Strategic Partner
Dubai Media City

Since its official opening in January 2001, Dubai Media City has grown to become a thriving business community hosting both global and regional media companies. The business park offers an environment that allows companies and individuals to operate with collective synergy and freedom whilst enjoying free zone benefits which include 100% business ownership and exemption from taxes as well as value added services such as networking opportunities, venue management services, industry building programmes and government services.

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Strategic Partner
Virtuzone

Established in 2009, Virtuzone is the very latest UAE free zone, with one key benefit – you don't have to rent an office or desk to get the trade license.

They are tailor made for entrepreneurs and start-ups. So if you need a legal UAE company structure to legitimise your business, but don't need a full time office, then Virtuzone is perfect for you.

Starting from 17,500 AED Virtuzone will provide a UAE company license. This company will be entitled to have up to five UAE employment/residence visas and have the use of Virtuzone's business centre facilities in Dubai and Fujairah, UAE.

The Virtuzone Company Package allows you to start up your own business easily and cost-effectively.
The package includes:

• A company license as an FZ LLC company
• Registered in a company name of your choosing
• A bank account in that company name
• Facility to have multiple shareholders
• Up to five residency visas
• Free- in house PRO (public relations officer) facilities

What you don't have to pay for or worry about:

• No office rental or fit out
• No security deposit
• No business plan
• No paid up capital

For more information visit www.vz.ae 

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Knowledge Partner
Dubai Knowledge Village

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) is the world's only Free Zone area dedicated to Human Resource Management and learning excellence. Established in 2003 as part of TECOM Investments, DKV aims to develop the region's talent pool and establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy.

DKV is a unique hub that offers the best selection of human resource management, consultancy, training and personal development programmes on a picturesque 1km long campus in the heart of Dubai, and has over 450 business partners. It offers a state-of-the-art campus with fully-equipped conference halls and meeting rooms. A variety of facilities including a food court, coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets and other retail services are also available on site.  

DKV is host to a variety of business partners covering many specialised business segments including:

• Human Resource Development
• Executive Search
• Linguistics
• Assessment & Testing
• Research & Development
• Human Resource Consultancy
• Content Development
• Academic Service Providers
• Freelancers
• Non-Profit Organisations
• Retailers

DKV business partners enjoy special privileges such as 100% foreign ownership, 100% tax-free operations, 100% repatriation of profits and effortless visa and licensing issuance procedures. DKV partners also benefit from partnerships with Government and regulatory authorities.

For more information visit www.kv.ae

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Knowledge Partner
Dubai Exports

Formerly known as the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC), Dubai Exports has been established to provide exporters with the services required to enter or expand foreign markets including trade information, branding advice, financial, legal and foreign trade representation and access to potential buyers. The EDC also undertakes an advocacy role for exporters in their relations with government and other relevant agencies through the formation of long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships. 

As an autonomous organisation funded by the Government of Dubai, the EDC was established through Law No.10/2006, dated May 1st, 2006. The EDC's services include: 

• Research data including information about existing markets and new market opportunities. 
• Advice on how to export including an export pathway for those exporting for the first time. 
• Advocating on behalf of exporters in their relations with government and other relevant agencies. 
• Market development opportunities for non-traditional exports. 
• Development of a database outlining business capabilities for business matching purposes. 
• Market Assistance Programs. 
• Access to export credit and insurance. 
• Access to local and international exhibitions and trade fairs. 
• Latest export related information through the provision of seminars, conference, workshops and newsletters. 
• Proactively assisting to identify new export opportunities including matching buyers with exporters. 
• Recognition of excellence through administration of the Export Awards program. 
• Facilitation of the provision of legal and regulatory advice to assist exporters. 
• Facilitation of advice regarding export planning including budgets, marketing strategies and brand development. 
• Customer research to identify needs and wants. 

For more information visit www.dedc.gov.ae

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Knowledge Partner
Potential

Potential has helped to pioneer the innovative Next Generation Performance framework for developing stars, whether individual entrepreneurs, large organisations or employees within SMEs.

Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Dubai and team locations across the Middle East region, Potential is supporting individuals and companies to kick-start their businesses, improve their performance, boost sales, improve customer service performance, innovate, expand and develop their next generation leaders.

The company's portfolio consists of consulting, coaching and training capabilities, deployed across products, such as the flagship Potential Entrepreneur programme for Entrepreneurs starting up their business, the SME Evolution Program for small and medium businesses as well as bespoke development programmes for large organisations.

Moreover, Potential has provided tailored performance improving programmes to over 50 leading corporations including Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Doha Bank, Dell, Du, Belkin, HP, and Saudi Telecom.

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Business Group Partner
British Business Group (BBG)

The British Business Group (BBG) Dubai and Northern Emirates currently have a membership of over 700 individual companies with a common interest of promoting trade between the UK and the UAE, most specifically Dubai & the Northern Emirates.

Developing British business takes many forms, from communicating with decision makers to sharing best business practice and networking amongst members. Here's a brief guide to some of the Group's activities:

The BBG 's principal activity is to encourage the development of business with Dubai and the Northern Emirates. It is recognised by the authorities of the UAE as the representative body of British companies and individuals operating in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. One of the Group's prime objectives is communication:

• with the key players - businessmen and women in the UAE and UK;
• with policy-makers and decision-makers in the UK, both in government and business;
• with the national leaders of the UAE;
• with other British business groups in the Gulf region.

The BBG was founded in 1987 and we operate under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The BBG is led by a committee of annually elected members and the professionally staffed office supports the Committee and manages the Group's administration.

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Business Group Partner
Heels and Deals

Heels & Deals is the ultimate network for female entrepreneurs. The group is for women who own their own business, are self-employed, or are dreaming of starting up.

The group was founded by two Dubai based entrepreneurs, Claire Fenner and Georgie Hearson, who share a passion for helping other women business owners. After Claire and Georgie set up their own businesses in March 2008, they started being approached by other women asking all manner of question relating to setting-up in Dubai. It soon became clear that there was not an organisation catering to these women so they discussed setting up a support group. In April 2009 Heels & Deals was launched and was attended by 185 women entrepreneurs.

The vision behind heals and deals is to create a global network of female entrepreneurs all connected to each other. The idea is to provide like-minded successfully driven women easy access to each other's skills, talents, knowledge and resources. In this way it is a took to aid women business owners to succeed in their professional and personal objectives through connecting, supporting, learning, inspiring, sharing with each other and to ultimately do deals with and through each other.

The philosophy behind Heels and Deals is that of a giving mentality. The founders of this innovative network passionately believe that by helping others, good things will go back to all involved.

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Business Community Partner
Zawya

Zawya is an online business intelligence provider focusing on the Middle East & North Africa, enabling nearly one million professionals worldwide to find and connect to the right business and investment opportunities in the region. With content and tools including detailed company profiles, timely aggregated news though Zawya-Dow Jones, industry and asset class research, an online network, and direct access to a team of 40+ experts covering most sectors, Zawya provides its users with the intelligence they need to conduct business in MENA. Headquartered in the UAE, Zawya has physical presence in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the USA. For more information, please visit www.zawya.com

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Publisher
CPI

CPI is a partner for the region with IDG, the world's largest ICT publishing house. As part of a family of more than 300 magazines globally, CPI is uniquely positioned to take local news to the world stage and bring world news and comment to the local market.

No other publishing house in the region has this capability, nor publishes a range of IT titles which belong to globally recognised magazine product families. With local editions of world class and industry leading titles like Computerworld (as Computer News Middle East, Network World and CSO (as Security Advisor Middle East) CPI has an enviable reputation for quality with one of the industry's leading players.

IDG informs more people about technology than any other media company. In fact, more than 100 million people in 85 countries read IDG's publications. Providing locally produced content to technology decision-makers worldwide, IDG is uniquely able to inform and educate local audiences about the impact of technology in their particular markets. With the unparalleled depth, quality and reach of its publications, IDG has built the largest and most respected portfolio of technology publications in the world. The number of prestigious editorial and design awards that its publications win annually upholds IDG's global leadership in technology publishing.

And, as part of this relationship, CPI staffers upload local stories to a global news service, ensuring the widest possible distribution of regional success stories.

CPI journalists have the edge over others, sometimes well in advance, with embargoed news from Silicon Valley or the Pacific Rim that will impact the local markets.

Our news reporting is unique - a finger on the global pulse and a commitment to the local market.

Venue

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