Event Brings Together over 150 Leading Industry Experts and Business Owners

Dubai-UAE: 18 February, 2012 - Today's highly competitive business landscape is characterized by a large number of players trying to chase the same market with very little differentiation, either from a product positioning or from a human capital standpoint. Established management theory states that businesses, whether large or small, need to have clear strategies and employ the right people to flawlessly execute these strategies, according to Shridhar Sampath, Founder of Motivaluate Consulting and Training.

Sampath's comments came during his presentation titled 'How to Achieve Profitable Growth while your Competition Groans' at the 16th edition of the TECOM SME Builder organized by Dubai Knowledge Village, the region's premier destination for human resource management and a member of TECOM Investments' Education Cluster.

Held on 16 February at the Dubai Knowledge Village Conference Centre, the event was open to the public and essentially aimed to provide cutting-edge solutions to crucial issues faced by small and medium business owners with a view to improving long-term profitability. The event gathered over 150 participants including prospective business owners who stood to gain considerable expertise through interaction with peers from various industry sectors.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, said: "The SME sector in the region makes up for over 90 per cent of the existing private sector enterprises, highlighting the increasing need for these businesses to have a competitive edge in order to distinguish themselves. TECOM SME Builder provides the ideal platform for business owners from diverse sectors to come together to discuss issues and challenges, share best practices and exchange knowledge and experiences. This, in turn, will contribute towards equipping them with the skills with which to succeed in today's modern and dynamic business environment."

The all-day workshop featured key highlights including a presentation titled 'The Business Sale: Creating Long-term Profitable Business with your Clients' led by Shadi Banna, Managing Partner, Potential.com. Further, experts from established companies provided valuable insights on various subjects including body language, innovation, human resources, social media, digital marketing and communications, sales and finance.

Supported by partners including Bayt.com and SME Advisor Middle East, TECOM SME Builder was sponsored by Flagship Consultancy.

TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, regularly hosts events that support and encourage the growth of businesses in the region. TECOM Business Parks (Dubai Internet City, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Village, DuBiotech, Dubai Industrial City and ENPARK) offer a favourable ecosystem for SMEs through shaping and enabling a business environment that guarantees the sector's long term growth.

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About TECOM Investments
TECOM Investments, based in Dubai, is a member of Dubai Holding, a global company dedicated to knowledge and life-improving industries.

Home to over 4,500 companies, including major multinationals and many of the Fortune 500 companies, TECOM Investments interests also include exclusive investments in high-growth sectors.

One of TECOM Investments' largest portfolio companies is TECOM Business Parks. It comprises 10 business parks under five industry clusters across the information and communication technology (ICT), media, education, sciences, as well as manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone form the ICT Cluster, while Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and the International Media Production Zone make up the Media Cluster.

Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City are part of the Education Cluster. Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park and Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) compose the Science Cluster.

Dubai Industrial City comes under the Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster of TECOM Business Parks.

Building on its domestic success and vision for global expansion, TECOM Investments has conceptualised SmartCity, a venture that aims to develop knowledge industry townships worldwide. The foundation has already been laid with the development of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi.

Apart from spurring cluster development by creating purpose-built facilities and working with the Dubai and Federal Governments to develop business-friendly policies and industry regulations, TECOM Investments also focuses on 'pure play' businesses.

eHosting DataFort is a managed IT and advisory services provider.  Arab Media Group (AMG) is a leading media and entertainment organization in the UAE, with subsidiaries covering radio broadcasting, event management and outdoor advertising.

TECOM Investments also owns share capital in Empower, a district cooling service provider; Nexgen Advisory Group, a MENA-based specialized advisory and consulting services organisation; and Energy Management Services (EMS), a leading energy savings company in the Middle East.

About 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.

With over 450 business partners, including Gallup, Towers Watson, Hays, Hewitt and Innovative HR Solutions, DKV aims to establish itself as both a trusted business partner and a centre of excellence for professional development.   

For further information please contact:
Zeba Ahmad
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel: +9714 361 3590 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
E-mail:   zahmad@apcoworldwide.com

Tara Basrur
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel: +9714 361 3596 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
E-mail:tbasrur@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2012