Suns of the Desert

Escape to warmer climes to touch base with the growing teams in the GCC - and a chance to check on further potential as well as local initiatives - on which point, landed at King Abulaziz and two separate immigration officials said "Welcome back". Wow. The ambition of Saudi 2030 and progress are clearly evident - truly impressive.

Two days in Jeddah, piloted by Mr Abdi, our regular guide, market researcher and allround great driver.

On the back of useful discussions in Dubai between Mr George and Mr Stuart on a way forward for set up in KSA. Customer visits, a tour of Al Mahjar and the Industrial Areas – and an evening walk around Balad – the old town – street food market, shops with clothes, spices, street football with noisy spectators – and old houses, ripe for renovation. Sharp contrast to the glitz and glamour on Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Street or the Mall of Arabia.

Then a hop over to Mumbai ; been to Delhi and Rajasthan before and intrigued to know what India’s second biggest city looks like; short answer : big and dirty. And they’ve just withdrawn the critical notes used in daily transactions – so huge queues at ATM’s and banks – but all convinced it’s the right decision. Enjoyed a walk back from the Gate of India and visit to Elephanta Island along Maidan Park, full of cricketers.

Next trip likely to Bangalore and Hyderabad – to see how the tech world works and how we might get some IT development support.

So off to Qatar – and slightly quicker through passports this time! Team gathering on Sunday morning with Mr George arriving – and business planning for next year – with torrential and sustained downpour outside – in city not geared up for surface water – floods everywhere. Great Comms meeting Monday afternoon – mix of where we’re going for 2017 and some reinforcing of rules – fill in all the boxes on the job sheets, guys, otherwise Mr Jerom has to waste time chasing you for the missing bits. Heard that before somewhere. Team Q has made a fab start this year – with all sorts of fans – from OEM’s to major hotels. And installs lined up for Malls through the start of the year – great stuff.

Back to Dubai, and interesting customer visits alongside business planning before the UK team arrives for the annual Rugby 7’s shindig (report by Alistair here). Great to have the two teams together: different worlds but the same values around looking after the customer. Local pre-Christmas dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Mall of the Emirates, private room at the bottom of the ski slope. Moved to hear both Mr Armin and Miss Norgie saying nice things on behalf of the team about the business and their support for what we stand for and where we aspire to be.

And so back to Blighty – and the worst passport arrangements of the whole trip – well done Heathrow – league-bottoming Doha, Jeddah and Mumbai for customer experience.