Interview with Kathy William Chiang: Things You Should Know and Do With Your Data

Kathy William Chiang VP, Business Insights, at Wunderman Data Management, is a co-author of the new book, Monetizing Your Data: A Guide to Turning Data into Profit-Driving Strategies and Solutions [Wiley]. With the explosion of information available from emails, online searches, text messages, blog posts, and postings on Facebook and YouTube, Chiang has seen a shift in how data is being used across all business sectors and have unique insight and knowledge into the analytics that business leaders should be using to increase their profit.

Read on for what Kathy has to say.

Faten Abdallah (FA): Why is it important for companies to collect data?
Kathy William Chiang (KWC): Data captures the life flow of the business. It is a record of each and every activity that the business conducts. Since practically every key system that a company uses is now computerized, such as CRM, Point of Sale, Production Management, Billing and so on, a digital record of every important activity the company undertakes is available to be collected, stored and studied.

Through collecting and analyzing their data, companies have a window into the health of their business. This is analogous to going to your doctor to have medical tests performed. You may be feeling just fine but when data on vital stats is collected, potential underlying issues are revealed that if addressed early can be prevented from impacting your health.

If companies don’t collect, monitor, and analyze their data, they will end up making decisions based on feelings or prior experience which may not be representative of the market forces they currently face. Without a good understanding of the trends and patterns of their business, managers can find themselves reacting to the noise of the day. Today’s sales are down, yesterday’s were up. How do you know which is more representative of the trend?

FA: What kind of data should companies collect?
KWC: The short answer is all the data they can at the most detail level possible.

This is because you cannot predict what business challenge you will face this week, next month, or next year. Is it a demand issue? Then comparing seasonal patterns of sales by product type is important. Is it a supply issue? Then looking at production output, completed orders, backlog will be key. Is it a product quality issues, then looking at customer complaints to the service center or online comments are critical. When an issue arises, if you don’t have historical context to examine, you will be flying blind when deciding how to react.

Additionally, you want to keep the data as granular as possible, that is data at the level of individual transactions. Summarizing and averaging data causes valuable information to be lost. If one particular plant or supplier is the source of a production issue, this information can be lost if production data from all sources are summed up to save space or reduce the quantity of records.

The dramatic reduction in data storage costs, the increased power of computer technology and the proliferation of cloud based systems are making storing and accessing core business data a financially feasible proposition for companies large and small. These new technologies are leveling the playing field with respect to business analytics for small and medium companies. Competing on Data is no longer just an option for large enterprises.


FA: Often times, it is common to find data stored with no action.  What should companies do with collected data?
KWC: Having just said you should keep any and all of your data, the flip side is that you should not simply start funneling all that data to your managers. Being overwhelmed by a flood of data, reports and analytics is a common problem today.

Once companies have made the effort to collect a treasure trove of data, the temptation is to try to use it in daily business but oftentimes astrategy to use it to drive actions and decisions is lacking.
A common mistake companies make is to think they can hire data scientists to mine their data for ‘nuggets’ that will then give them insights on how to improve the business. But as the old adage goes, if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. Managers need to spend time thinking through the actions they need to take and architecting the decision process to make those actions productive and meaningful.

Data is the ‘hard’ quantitative side of the business, but the ‘soft’ qualitative side is equally vital to making smart decisions. Being aware of and actively managing biases and points of view that managers bring to the table when facing a business issue, helps companies to make more objective and thoughtful decisions. Furthermore, historical data of the business can reveal insights about the future only to a point, probability and uncertainty also need to be considered when developing strategies and plans.

FA: What are some tools useful for collecting and implementing data driven information?
KWC: Tools needed to collect, store and analyze data are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to use. A good database to store and structure your data is a must. Add to that a good data visualization tool and you have everything you need to get started. All of these assets are available as on-premise or cloud-based services eliminating the need for large up-front investments.

In business, there is a common expression. If you don’t eat your lunch, someone else will. Competing on data is now a core business process. If you don’t start learning how to deepen your understanding of your customers, their needs and wants, then someone else will come along and serve them better.

Bringing data into your business management and decision processes is a journey. No one starts the process with a perfect understanding about how to go about it and everyone is learning more each day. The important point is to get started.

We talk about the ideas presented here in much more detail in our book, Monetizing Your Data: A Guide to Turning Data into Profit-Driving Strategies and Solutions, available on Amazon.com. You can also go to our website: monetizingyourdata.com for more information and tools to help you start your journey.

Interview with Holly Brown: 11 reasons why you may need a social media break

Holly Brown

Does the thought of taking social media break spark anxiety, or a sense of relief?

Many of us feel inundated by the politics in our feed, or maybe by the images of other people’s seemingly perfect lives.  How do you know when you need to take a break? And what should the boundaries be when you return?

According to marriage and family therapist Holly Brown, you know you need a break if you:

1. quickly feel demoralized and hopeless every time you log in.
2. slowly feel demoralized and hopeless every time you log in. (Sometimes a viewing session has an insidious effect that lasts long after you’ve turned away.)
3. are losing large amounts of time and neglecting tasks that you value more. This is a sign that you’re losing track of your priorities and perspective.
4. wind up feeling bad about yourself, and inadequate compared to others.
5. feel more judgmental of yourself and others. Unfettered mean thoughts can easily go unchecked when you’re on social media.
6. are writing nasty things to other people, joining in the dog pile in ways that are unkind and unproductive. Brown is also a psychological suspense novelist whose recent release THIS IS NOT OVER dives deep into how social media and internet culture exacerbates the projections, jealousies, and misperceptions between her two protagonists.
7. you are jumping on social media more than once an hour, or just have it on all day long.
8. if the thought of NOT being on social media sites for a day fills you with anxiety and fear.
9. you’re craving pings all the time, constantly overstimulated or in need of stimulation.
10. you’re not connecting with people in person.
11. you go to check one thing and the suddenly, it’s an hour later. But the time spent wasn’t really happy or fulfilling; it was just time. And it led you to crave more input, like you’re always seeking another hit.

http://amzn.to/2wxY33p

Holly Brown, MFT lives with her husband and daughter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she’s a practicing marriage and family therapist, and a psychological suspense novelist whose recent release is THIS IS NOT OVER. Her blog, “Bonding Time”, is featured on Psychcentral.com, a mental health website with 1.5 million visitors per month. For more, visit hollybrownmft.com and hollybrownbooks.com.

I had the honor of interviewing Holly.  Enjoy!

 Faten Abdallah (FA): Define Social Media.  How did it shape our world today?

 Holly Brown (HB): Social media is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn...and even when you don't have your own account, the impact is unavoidable. That's because people are witnessing each others' lives (or at least, the curated version of them) and that then shapes the way those people's perspectives. Also, the empathy-numbing and meanness that can pervade social media can extend beyond as well. If we don't adequately consider others' feelings online, we're less likely to continue them in person.

FA: What are some pros and cons of Social Media?

HB: A pro is that people have a forum to efficiently connect with one another. We can share good news and commiserate over bad. We can keep in touch in a time-effective way. We can send each other love, affirmations, and support, and see the latest pictures of our friends and our friends' children across the country. And at its best, it's a place to commune over similarities and explore differences in order to broaden our frames of reference.

At its worst, it's where people are intolerant of differences, and where it can be too easy to dehumanize others since we don't have to see their faces. We can then relate to them accordingly--as if they don't deserve basic human decency and respect. Then there's the way it can effect self-esteem. We may compare ourselves unfavorably to others, or can find ourselves seeking instant gratification and validation rather than gaining those things through our own esteemable acts, and through deeper connections with those who are, ostensibly, closest to us. That means that instead of being with the ones we love, we're paying them half-attention as we check the web. Being mindful and present is what strengthens relationships, and social media can be a distraction from that.

FA: How do you know if you are getting burnout from using Social Media?

HB: You're not having any fun on social media but you just can't stop checking in. You've developed a bad case of FOMO. You might be comparing your life to what you're viewing of other people's lives, and you're losing the awareness that what you're seeing is just what they want you to see.  Perhaps you're more involved in your online life than your real one, deciding what to do or not do based on how it would appear to others. You're losing touch with your lived experience because it's all about how you appear, as contrasted with how you feel. You might not even really know how you feel anymore, as distinct from what you're uploading.

You're also burning out if you're frequently seeking jolts of self-esteem from social media--for example, needing to be "liked" often in order to feel okay. If your moods are highly dependent on social media, both positive and negative, you're entering a danger zone.

FA: Is it good or necessary to take a break from Social Media?  Explain.

HB: It's not necessary if social media is an enhancing adjunct to your life, and you're able to keep it in its proper place. If it's bleeding into everything else, then a break would be good. And if you're got the signs of burnout I referenced above, then it might be necessary.

FA: What kind of help is available for people who can't stop taking a break from Social Media?

HB: If you can't stop taking a break, then that might mean you want your break to be permanent. And that's okay. I know people who are content in their lives without participating actively in social media.

Now if you need a break but can't enforce it, it's possible you need an accountability partner. This can be your romantic partner or a friend, just someone who's doing it along with you. This works well for other motivational activities, like working out where people are much better at showing up at the gym if they know a friend is waiting for them there.

And if you're not able to get off social media, it might indicate another issue. Maybe you're having trouble engaging deeply in your life and you could use a mindfulness practice. Or perhaps you're combing social media as a way to avoid whatever problem feels too big to tackle. In that case, some therapy could be helpful.

 Readers might want to note that 

• my  blog on PsychCentral is : https://blogs.psychcentral.com/bonding-time/
• I have a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Alameda: http://hollybrownmft.com/
• I have an author website (http://hollybrownbooks.com ) and a Facebook author page (https://www.facebook.com/hollybrownauthor ).

Interview with Sam Sisakhti on Believe in Yourself Charity

Sam Sisakhti is the founder and CEO of UsTrendy. He was named Boston Magazine's Most Promising Innovator, Mass High Tech's Next Generation of Entrepreneur, and Internet Retailer's Top 10 Most Effective Social Media Marketers. UsTrendy is ranked as a top 500 online retailer in the second edition of the Internet Retailer Top 500 along with one of the 5 fastest growing e-tailers. UsTrendy serves as an online fashion marketplace to over 20,000 sellers from 100 countries. Sam was the 2017 Retail TouchPoints Retail Innovator of Year Award Winner. Sam was also listed on the Power 30 under 30 list which is comprised of the 30 most influential people in sports, media, or business.

Sam Sisakhti is Mass Challenge Judge and recently founded a charity called Believe in Yourself (www.believeinyourself.org) which provides underprivileged girls with clothing for school dances and promotes positive body image through a mentoring program.

Sam has been featured in in the Boston Globe, Inc. Magazine, CBS morning News, ABC Channel 5, US News, Boston Herald, Women's Wear Daily, Forbes, Vogue UK, NY Metro, NPR, FOX News, PBS News Hour, CNN.

I had the privilege of interviewing Sam.


Faten Abdallah (FA): Why did you enter the world of fashion?
Sam Sisakhti (SS): I had a 9 to 5 job which I hated. After four days, I quit the job and went to Vegas where I met my friend who was a fashion designer. I started helping him with his business, and then I thought that I should start a business in which I enable fashion designers to sell their clothing through me. www.UsTrendy.com was launched in 2008 and its a global marketplace where fashion designers sell their clothing.

FA: What did you learn about yourself as an entrepreneur in the fashion
world?
SS: I learned that market is always right. A Lot of times we have merchandisers try to decide what the next trend is but consistently we notice that end of day the people always have the loudest voice.

FA; How can girls improve their confidence despite media and societal
expectations?
SS: Your confidence must come from within. You can not look at outside factors either positive or negative for self validation.


FA: Tell us about Believe in Yourself and its mission.
SS: While running UsTrendy, I observed things which led me to launch Believe in Yourself.  We have had customers post photos of themselves on social media as part of the UsTrendy interaction with our customers. I noticed cyber bullying going on and also body shaming in the comments sections. I found this to be really distasteful and concerning. This was one of the motivations for me to start Believe in Yourself.

At the same time,  I realized the enormous social pressure that many young girls feel to try to be hip and socially cool by wearing clothing that’s seen as stylish. Many girls are unable to afford these fashions and can often feel ashamed and isolated socially. This inspired me to launch Believe in Yourself.

The mission is to promote a positive body image and healthy self esteem among young women at an early age. We want to empower these young girls to feel good about themselves and to take on active social roles within their school communities.

The Believe in Yourself Project goes into community centers, after-school programs, and low-income housing centers to provide designer dresses for underprivileged girls to wear at upcoming school dances. At the same time, we are empowering girls by promoting positive body image through mentoring and speakers.

This Fall, we will roll out our national mentoring programs which will be a weekly mentorship meetings in various cities across country along with online seminars available to all girls through out the country. The mentorship programs and online seminars will be interactive and open table discussions where influential women will mentor and have discussions with the girls about positive body image and anti-cyber bullying.

Visit www.believeinyourself.org for more information.  

Interview with Lynn Colwell in embracing different art mediums

Lynn Colwell considers herself a Jill of all artistic trades, meaning, she's tried them all.   Right now she's enamored of watercolor collage, mixed media and photography.   The results of her enthusiastic embrace of these mediums is shared here.

Faten Abdallah(FA): What does art mean to you?

Lynn Colwell (LC): Art is one of those words that cannot be encapsulated in a simple definition. In my view, art can be anything and everything. For instance, just this morning, a friend sent a picture of a blade of grass under an electron microscope. If that incredible picture isn’t art, I don’t know

 what is. Whether human made or taken from nature, the unifying element (again, for me personally) is that art helps me experience something, feel…something. Whether art is “great” or “mediocre,” I cannot judge. Whether I understand it is less important than that I react to it in some way, that it makes me think or change.  When I go out for a walk, I appreciate grass. But I don’t think about it as art. Yet, when I see a photograph of emerald grass spread like a carpet before the setting sun, or six blades of grass in black and white arranged just so, I do see art.

If I were classically trained, or had attended art school I’m sure I would have a much more sophisticated answer, but there you have it!

FA: What inspired you to be an artist?

LC: I’ve always been an artist although I never called myself one until recently. The reason is that I was one of those kids who was told in school, “You don’t have artistic talent. Choose something else to focus on.” Unfortunately, I believed that teacher and art for me, in the meaning of learning to draw or paint was squelched. But I’ve always been creative and tried many different artistic adventures from sewing to jewelry to scrapbooking and batik. But it wasn’t until a year and a half ago when I signed up for a one-year series of classes called, Lifebook, that I found that I can draw and paint and I feel now able to call myself an artist.

 

FA: What kinds of work have you done?  What was your most favorite? Why?

LC: My favorite is always what I’m doing this moment. While some people might consider me a dilettante (If you are like me and have scrolled through several dozen careers and hobbies, check out the book, Renaissance Soul, and you’ll discover you are normal), and I admit I have a short attention span and have absolutely no desire to be the best at anything (that may be un-American), I love the new and live in the moment. What I did in the past matters not a whit to me. Neither does what I may achieve in the future. What matters is this moment because it’s all I have.

Right now I’m immersed in learning and experimenting painting faces, especially women. I’m excited to wake up each day and jump into a new piece. I rarely know when I begin, where I will end up. Being process oriented, I drift to another sphere when I am working. No music, no other noise, just me and the paper and about a million dollar’s worth of supplies. (I’m exaggerating but not by much.) I was a writer for many years, so combining writing with art is something I’m very much enjoying right now. Sometimes I write the quotes myself and other times, I take others’ words. But in either case, I tend toward the uplifting because that is what keeps me going.

 

FA: What do you want the world to see when viewing your art?

LC: Such a deep question! Each piece I paint is unique. As I said, I don’t usually plan them in advance, so I am never certain how they will turn out. When a piece really connects with people for any reason, it’s thrilling for me, even though I don’t set out to make that happen. Honestly, I do art for the sake of doing it, because it excites me and the process is so darn much fun. Because I rarely have a goal in mind when I start out, I can never fail. If I’m not particularly pleased with a piece or if it doesn’t “go” on my Facebook page, I abandon it and hope that someone will find it for whom it will have meaning.

FA: You paint individuals and then encourage the buyer to donate to a humanitarian cause.  Why?

LC: I greet each day with gratitude and joy. I have been given so much in my life, I want to find as many ways as possible to give back. But I’m no Mother Teresa. I have always tried to find ways to combine my strengths and talents with the urge to give. About half way through last year’s painting classes, I realized I was building up a horde of paintings. Most people in the classes put everything into book at the end of the year. But I don’t need more stuff, even things I’ve made. I want to give, not keep. I started thinking about how I could continue to paint and stop feeling guilty for accumulating all the work. I knew I didn’t want to get into selling it. Way too much work and for what? I’m incredibly fortunate that I don’t need the money right now. It took me about a half hour to come up with the idea to give everything away through my Facebook page in exchange for a donation to a non-profit. This has turned out to be the perfect solution: I get to make as much art as I want; buyers get a piece they want; and non-profits get donations. I pay the costs of envelopes and mailing. I do have an online “shop,” but only because people say they want prints of my work. I add very little to the cost of printing because as I said, I don’t want the hassle of a business. One of the best things about my doing this is that several other artists have followed my lead and are giving away their work in the same way. Love that!

FA: What are some of the organizations people have donated to?

 

LC: In terms of this project, it is the buyers who donate. Some of the non-profits are: various hospices, organization that places service dogs for veterans, AIDS organizations, programs for the homeless, conservation and sustainability organizations, health organizations like cancer prevention, food banks, schools, organizations that help women, educational orgs, and organizations that help refugees.

FA: Is there a specific cause you would like our readers to be aware of?

LC: Right now, the two where I’m focusing my giving are the International Rescue Committee which does incredible work (including resettlement in the U.S.) with refugees around the world. Secondly, Give Directly, which transfers cash to households in developing countries via mobile phone-linked payment services. It targets extremely low-income households and has proven to be a lifesaving mechanism where there is no middle man/woman between those in need and the giver. The person in need gets to decide the best use of the money. It’s a simple, and in my opinion, brilliant concept and it works.

 I’d like to encourage anyone reading this who might like to participate in my venture, to “friend” me on Facebook so you will have the opportunity to join the fun. And if you’re an artist, maybe you’ll try my routine. That would be terrific!

Interview with the Home Economist Brett Graff

Brett Graff – a former US government economist and nationally syndicated news columnist – is a family finance expert who helps families maximize their money and their lives.  

Her newspaper pieces – called THE HOME ECONOMIST – run first in  The Miami Herald  and then in over 400 media outlets across the country including the  Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The State, The News & Observer, Lexington Herald Leader  and more.  

Brett’s book, NOT BUYING IT: STOP OVERSPENDING AND START RAISING HAPPIER, HEALTHIER MORE SUCCESSFUL KIDS is an iBook Pick-of-the-Week and has been featured in USA Today, Yahoo! News,  The Miami Herald , The Financial Post, Toronto Star, Mind Body Green.com and more. Brett’s appeared on affiliates of every major television network – including ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX – to discuss overspending, how to avoid it, and why our very own brains can trick us into buying ourselves to debt. 

Brett also contributes to magazines and has been published and interviewed by publications including Glamour, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Parents and also to websites such as The Mother List and Forbes.com.  

As a speaker, Brett has been invited to address employees, clients and parents at organizations including American Express, The Boston Public Library, JP Morgan, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Books & Books at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, Capitol Hill Day School and many more.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Brett.

Faten Abdallah (FA): How can spouses agree when it comes to finances?  

Brett Graff (BG): Spouses can agree on finances?? Kidding. They can. But those harmonies tend to go unnoticed – even when involving large sums of money – while even the smallest disagreements become sore, inflamed, and painful. First, ask your partner why, exactly, a particular money move is important. You may learn that he envisions a new 500-foot television screen as a backdrop to replicate the family movie nights from his own childhood or that she wants the exotic vacation plans because international travel is the only time everyone puts down their cell phones. If instead you can’t agree on the value of certain – but smaller - personal purchases  (I learned in my own marriage that not everyone sees the value in designer jeans) then use a joint account for expenses such as the mortgage, car, kids and groceries. And open separate accounts -- funded with equal amounts each month — that can support your addiction to designer jeans, technology or ski equipment.

FA: What are some of the biggest money wasters with families?

BG: I can’t say your diamond-covered, hand-blown crystal-shaped farm animal collection is a waste of money (maybe it makes you happier than sending your kids to college.) But know anytime we make a purchase because we’re afraid that not buying it will set our kids back, or because we’re feeling competitive (think: lessons, sneakers, sports equipment, you name it) there’s a big chance we’re wasting our money. Nothing guarantees a kid’s success. Go ahead, ask any private school how it guarantees its students get into Ivy League colleges or stay off drugs. No. You could be spending five figures for results opposite of what you hoped. Spend money only on things you can afford, you want and you will be happy to have owned or experienced — regardless of the future outcome.  

FA: How can one save money without feeling overwhelmed?

BG Switch your focus from the sacrifice to the gains. Meaning you’ll push out of your mind that Instagram post with your shiny manicure and play the movie of your retirement home on the lake. Think of how great you’ll feel sending your kids to the schools of their choice or moving in to the new home you are itching to buy.

FA: What motivated you to become the Home Economist?

BG:  I was working at a news station when we realized the reports coming from economists didn’t match the experiences of people at home. I began reporting to fill the gap, proving how economic forces affect real people and the psychology behind many of our decisions to spend, save or conduct ourselves at work. We’re not as in control as you might think.

FA: What should families do with the extra money they have in savings? 

BG: We’re all supposed to have one year of expenses covered, in case of an emergency. We all need disability insurance. (Did you know the typical 35-year-old woman, weighing 125 pounds and working in an office has a 25 percent chance of becoming disabled?) A Last Will In Testament is critical, as is the naming of guardians and trustees for our kids. And we will need money for retirement and for our kids’ college savings accounts – loans are nice but heavy debt can delay them. So pick one of those and if all the boxes are checked, you should put extra money towards your greatest passion.   

FA: When is it ok to spend on entertainment?

BG:  Only when you want to invest in your family’s bonding and happiness. Research shows that experiences — such as entertainment — make us happier than retail goods. Experiences are fun when they happen, but the human mind has a way of over time making these experiences even better. Our brains cleanse them – forgetting about the hassles and remembering only the highlights, which get emphasized over and over. If you’re going to spend money, this is the area that gets the most psychological bang for your buck.

 My book is amazing! You should buy it right now! Don’t believe me, of course, take it from Emmy-Award Winning sports reporter Andrea Brody, who says I combine “the humor of a stand-up comic with the experience of a highly-respected business reporter.” And let’s totally connect on social media because in addition to posting photos of my kids and my lunches, I’ll tell you when everyday products become dangerous – did you know CarMax was selling us recalled cars and which brands sour cream & onion potato chips were recalled for salmonella? And also some fascinating statistics, such as how many people were murdered at work last year and the difference in pay between men and women truck drivers. @brettgraff (twitter) @brett_graff (Instagram)www.facebook.com/thehomeeconomist

Female Entrepreneur on Achieving Success in Dubai/Middle East

Preeya Malik is an entrepreneur, U.S. licensed attorney, immigration rights advocate and Co-Founder of investment immigration firm STEP America. At STEP America, she helped expand the firm’s reach to Dubai, Qatar, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Singapore, as well as securing the building and development of several Hilton and Marriott Hotel properties across the U.S., a number of private charter schools, and cutting-edge government infrastructure and technology projects. As a businesswoman who built a successful company from the ground up, Preeya is also an expert on  navigating the entrepreneurial landscape in the UAE and the Middle East.

I had the privilege of interviewing Preeya.

Faten Abdallah (FA): How'd you get to Dubai?  What makes Dubai a unique place?

Preeya Malik (PM): When I was thinking about starting my own investment immigration firm, I wanted to enter a market that was new and untouched. Dubai seemed like the perfect place with its close proximity to the rest of the emerging markets, and the fact that people have been saving a tax free income here which would make it all the more possible for them to invest in an investment immigration program, like the EB-5 Program. Finally, Dubai is only a stepping stone for most people. Residents cannot gain a passport even if they live here for a number of years, and eventually have to move on. All of this combined made Dubai the perfect place to start up Step America!

Dubai is unique in its mix of west and east. I think that is why you find so many people here from all over the world. You get the best of the western world: restaurants, entertainment, infrastructure and technology combined with the more traditional and conservative elements of the eastern world by virtue of this being the Middle East. It makes it a special place to live in and work, not to mention a unique learning experience.

FA: What is the status of female entrepreneurs in Dubai?

PM: Female entrepreneurs in Dubai can be found everywhere and are increasingly accepted. It is an absolute misconception that women cannot work equally, own businesses in the Middle East and be successful in the same right. Many of my friends here in Dubai are female entrepreneurs in a variety of fields including: technology, philanthropy, retail, design, and business services. 

You will also find more and more mentors and female-centric groups for women in business as time goes on. I think Dubai has opened its arms to female entrepreneurs, which I think is perfect, because I believe the more exposure a community has to women in positions of power the more accepted and “normal” the concept will become and is becoming. 

FA: How can women take advantage when doing a startup?

PM: When launching a startup, women can take advantage of the sheer concept of equality. It is true that being a woman opens doors. There is so much support given to female entrepreneurs, whether we are talking about support groups, mentorship on work/life balance, special private or public sector programs which provide funding for startups or training for women in business. For example, the Dubai Women’s Business Council has programs which train women in business through the MENA region and provide funding for notable female lead startups. For these reasons, women in business are being bolstered into a position of equality with male entrepreneurs, if not being given more opportunity than their male counterparts. It is unfair to say there is any lack of opportunity for women in the MENA region when it comes to starting up a business, and therefore there is a lot to take advantage of. 

FA: What have you learned about yourself living and working in Dubai?

PM: I’ve learned that I’m a risk taker, but for good reason. The most important lessons I have taken away from living and working in Dubai is that you really can do anything with a vision and success is a direct result of the work you are willing to put into that vision. When I first moved to Dubai, it was experimental for me. I had never lived this far from home, or in a country where the culture was so different from what I was used to. I was testing the market, but was unsure as to whether an investment immigration business would be accepted, let alone succeed. The thought crossed my mind on several occasions that there must be a reason why no one else was doing this in the Middle East and we were one of the first companies to be marketing the EB-5 program.

Putting all of those doubts aside was the best thing I could do. The success we have had here, I truly believe, we could not have had anywhere else in this specific industry. It also taught me to believe in my vision, believe in what I know to be true, and work toward that (despite any external negativity) and I absolutely will reach my goals. 

FA: Compare and contrast the business world of Dubai with the US.

PM: The business culture in Dubai is largely different from that of the U.S. I am speaking from experience as I had also been a partner in my own law firm in the U.S. prior to coming to Dubai. In the Middle East, business is based on two things: (1) reputation and (2) relationships. The best business efforts in the UAE are made when networking and building relationships, because if you can even get one credible or reputable individual to vouch for you or your company, it can take you a long way within the community. 

Consumers in the Middle East exhibit a crowd mentality. For them, speaking to previous clients or hearing good things about your company from another person in the community (even if t’s someone not personally known to them) means a lot and the best marketing here is word of mouth. That is why building a good reputation and strong relationships matter in the business world in the MENA region.

I think in the U.S., although networks and reputation matter to a certain extent, it is less so. You can still build a good foundation for your business based on finances, spending on marketing, and just having a good product. Individuals make their decisions more based on personal research and not on a community movement. This makes information, advertising, and getting the word about your company out to the community as a whole rather than individuals networks, key.

FA: Tips for women in starting businesses in Dubai.

PM: Come prepared. This means mentally and financially. Starting a business in Dubai is expensive from licensing to living to marketing. Therefore, it is important to have enough money tucked away to give yourself a strong start and to get everything organized in a timely manner. The laws here are important and proper licensing for your business is even more important. 

Don’t back down when faced with adversity. At the end of the day, we are in the Middle East. Just like anywhere in the world, you will find people who are not necessarily keen on working with a woman or taking the advice of a woman. Especially in sectors like finance and legal. This simply comes from one’s own mindset and the belief system. It is important not to take it personally and to continue moving forward. A few people refusing to work with you because of your gender, has no bearing on your capabilities and there are plenty of people who will appreciate your skills set whether you are a woman or not.

Take Advantage of PR. Since Dubai is still a growing market, concepts like women in business are also still gaining traction. Because of this, many people will be willing to give you great PR and to tell your story or the story of your start up. 

Network and Join Groups. There are so many groups in Dubai which have the focus of supporting female entrepreneurs and women in business. Join these groups and network. In Dubai, it is important to build relationships in getting the name and purpose of your company out in the community, and groups like these are a great way to do so. 

Visit www.stepamerica.com

Finding Your Ruby Slippers--Tips for Overcoming Personal Obstacles in 2017

Not everyone has the time or money to regularly visit a therapist, but veteran psychotherapist Lisa Ferentz provides the key strategies that can be implemented on a person’s own terms to reach their goals in the New Year and beyond. 
 
Through her work, Ferentz empowers those struggling with personal and professional obstacles with the strategies they need to grow and thrive, and provides compassion and guidance for using the tools already at your disposal to overcome the issues, struggles and symptoms she’s been addressing in traditional therapy throughout her career.

Here's what you should know about Lisa.  She is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over 30 years. She is the founder of The Ferentz Institute and author of the upcoming book, Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch. An internationally known speaker, clinician and consultant, Ferentz participates in documentaries, webinars and podcasts related to trauma, self-care and wellbeing. She is also the author of Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician’s Guide and Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing.

I had the honor interviewing Lisa.

Faten Abdallah (FA): Every New Year's, people make resolutions. Is it a good idea?

Lisa Ferentz (LF): The problem with making New Year’s resolutions is that by the end of January, nearly 90% of us lose our enthusiasm, determination, and focus.  As a result, vows quickly fall by the way side- again!  This repetitive cycle of declaring goals and then failing to achieve them can negatively affect self-worth, confidence, and competence.  Although it’s beneficial to take the time to clarify and express values and priorities in the New Year, given the incredibly low success rate for achieving those resolutions the real focus should be on understanding why resolutions don't ever seem to stick. Rather than focusing on making-and then breaking- resolutions, a better idea is to focus on why and how you are making them in the first place!

Consider the following question: Are you resolving to make that important change for you or for someone else in your life? If it’s to please or accommodate someone else, know that your resolution will be hard to sustain. In order to achieve true change you must have genuine, personal “buy in.” It’s great to be sensitive to other people’s needs, but unless you can identify how you’ll personally benefit and grow from those changes you’ll quickly lose your motivation.  And making changes for someone else can breed resentment. That becomes unfair to the other person as well as to you.  You also need to be clear about how realizing your goals will impact your life. Can you tangibly describe the benefits and the rewards?  Will they outweigh whatever you will potentially lose when you modify, give up, or change the “unwanted” behavior?  Achieving your resolution must conjure meaningful and motivating emotions. Otherwise the changes probably won’t last.

FA: How can people plan for goals? How many goals should they plan?

LF: Once you’ve decided to focus on goals that really meet your needs and desires, it helps to focus on the how of resolutions.  When setting new goals for yourself, think “small and doable” rather than big.  The more you make a goal tangible, specific, and manageable the greater the likelihood that you’ll reach it.  Vague goals such as “I’m going to lose weight” are impossible to measure because they aren't specific enough.  And that makes them easier to let go of.  Start with “baby step” goals such as “I am going to cut back on one snack a day,” or “I’m going to replace eight ounces of soda with eight ounces of water each day.” If you take enough baby steps the cumulative effect is a lot of forward movement, and each smaller success sets you up to achieve the next goal.

FA: What are some of the obstacles that make it difficult for people to follow through with their resolutions and goals?

LF: It’s definitely worth taking the time to look back on your history of resolution making.  In all likelihood, if you’re like most people, you’ve been making the same resolutions for years!  It helps to understand the roadblocks, triggers, or vulnerabilities that compromised your goals.  Often the biggest obstacles is believing success only counts if you achieve the goal without help. This usually means your not allowing yourself to get enough support from safe and trustworthy people in your life.  The main question to ask yourself is, “Are you letting others know about your good intentions and enlisting their guidance and encouragement throughout the process?”

When you go it alone, it’s much harder to resist temptation and it’s easier to give up. Be accountable to someone: not so you’ll feel guilty if you slip up, but rather so you can celebrate each little success with someone else as you move ahead. Brainstorm with others about how they can help you stay on track.  Have personal “cheerleaders” send you encouraging text messages, e-mails, and voicemails. If you know you’ll be in a situation that’s tempting or will potentially compromise your goals, ask friends to provide extra support so you stay strong. Or enlist their help in avoiding a situation that threatens your ability to realize your goals.

Remember that if something isn't working don't do it more and harder-do it differently.  If you’ve been unsuccessfully making the same resolution for years, think about how you can approach the goal differently this year.  Maybe you’ll realize this time around you’ll need to strengthen your network of support, make the goal smaller, or decide you need a different goal- one that accommodates your needs and best interests-not someone else’s.

FA: You wrote a book, please tell us about it.

LF: “Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch” is a book that helps to empower you to connect with and act from your own inner wisdom. I was inspired by Dorothy’s journey in “The Wizard of Oz.” She spends much of the movie trying to reach the wizard, believing he alone holds the key to helping her get back home. In fact, all of the characters accompanying her to the Emerald City believe the wizard has the answers to what they’re missing.  Of course by the end of the movie they all come to realize that he’s just a powerless man hiding behind a curtain. Everything they need to feel “whole” has always lived within them. Dorothy’s been wearing the ruby slippers all along! Through simple ideas to expand your thinking, gentle words of encouragement, and lots of journaling prompts, the book invites you to take your own personal journey.  It helps you let go of thoughts and behaviors that have kept you stuck and held you back, while opening you up to beliefs and behaviors that increase self-compassion, self-care, personal and professional growth. It's not about reinventing yourself. It’s about re-claiming yourself!

Having worked with thousands of people in my psychotherapy practice for over 33 years, I can tell you with great confidence that it's never too late to grow or to realize the goals that truly matter to you.  I’ve watched countless people let go of negative and debilitating thoughts and behaviors, experience sustained inner peace, learn to dream big dreams and heal old wounds. And even sustain their New Year’s resolutions! When you tap into your own creativity, resiliency, and inner wisdom, it's amazing what you can achieve! There’s nothing more exciting than realizing that you’ve been wearing the ruby slippers all along!

Connect with Lisa Ferentz on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, at www.lisaferentz.com, and through her column for Psychology Today.