Wayne Turmel interviews Sarah Shaw, about what it’s like to manage in the “Oasis Economies” of the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates. Boom times make for interesting conversation. Plus we look at a Bedouin hero named Antarah who had it way rougher than you do…….

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Today we welcome a young woman who will help us understand the situation in the United Arab Emirates, as well as dispel some of my stupid assumptions about working and managing there. Sarah Shaw tells us about managing in the booming, constantly changing world of the “Oasis Economies”.

Show Notes

0:00 Welcome to the show. Today we’re continuing our periodic look at managing in different parts of the world- circumstances are different but middle management never changes… hasn’t throughout history, why should it start now. Today we’re looking at one of the most unique booming areas of all… the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates. We dedicate this show to Antarah the Black Knight. If you’ve ever had to do an impossible project to make your bones you can identify.

4:06 Our quote of the week is an Arabic proverb… it’s when you know what you know and don’t know, that’s when you’ll know… or something like that.

5:40 Welcome new friend Sarah Shaw. First we need to understand exactly what, where and how is the United Arab Emirates.

10:00 What are the challenges of creating a native business and management class in less than a generation and a half? The speed of change is part of it. Emirati culture is also an issue in blending Western companies and native Emirati workers. We spend some time dispelling some myths and learn a lot. Anybody want to pay me to go over and check it out for myself?

16:00 The cultural change is drastic. Sarah tells us her family history moving from a Bedouin, nomadic life to a more western one. There are a lot of misunderstandings between cultures, including an arab “expert” who told me something false. There IS an Arab word for customer… it’s Zabun. There, don’t you feel smarter now?

24:00 What’s the situation like there for ex-pats who suddenly find themselves there? Dubai is very much like Singapore in that it’s “Arabia for beginners”. I also apologize on behalf of American idiots everywhere….

28:00 We touch on the role of gender in the workplace… and the changes between the generations.

To Find Out More

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Department

The Dubai Tourism Department

Don’t forget to visit us at www.crankymiddlemanager.com or www.greatwebmeetings.com

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