Guest articles

How long have you been in Dubai?

I met a girl in a bar (don’t many good stories start that way?) who was cabin crew with Etihad when I was out from the UK on holiday in 2007. One thing led to another, and I moved here in September 2008. Twelve quick years later and we’re still married, have 2 kids, 2 cars and a house. It wouldn’t all fit in the suitcase I arrived with now.

I was lucky to find a job with Biz Group, where I ended up running the team building arm of the company. I became captivated by seeing the change we could make in the room with the teams we were working with and pursued the opportunity to develop myself as a teamwork specialist. Initially this was running team building activities but I have developed into an author, speaker, trainer and qualified team coach.

When did you start your own business?

I decided earlier this year I wanted to set up my own business. The attraction of being master of my own destiny was powerful, as was the opportunity to do the work with teams that serves my deeply held purpose to make the world a better place. My timing was not great – the pandemic quickly put an end to the green shoots I had growing with potential clients as businesses put the shutters down. But we are moving on and I am up and running, and I think what I do is needed now more than ever.

What was your reasons for starting your own business?

When I had the idea to set up my own business, I had just become a parent. I experienced the deep, protective instinct all new parents do, and I came to the powerful realization that I wanted to do my bit to make the world a better place for my children. How could I do that? By using all of my skills and experience to help teams and the people in them basically have a better life. When I wrote my book, ‘Getting Teamwork Right’ which I published in July, I wrote the subtitle ‘the key to happy, successful and resilient teams’. I decided if I can help teams become happier and more positive, then they can be more successful, and in turn that will make the world a better place.

How are teams in your experience handling the COVID-19 pandemic?

I feel that now, as we enter the next phase of living with coronavirus and beyond, teams need help more than ever before. They have gone through huge change and in many cases have been badly damaged by the COVID-19 experience. Many teams are struggling to cope with the ongoing threat the pandemic represents to businesses. Symptoms include communication difficulties, silo working, conflict, division, low morale and engagement, anxiety, fear and indecision. Often, they can’t see a way out because they are so deeply involved in it that their issues becomes overwhelming. This is where I can help.

What is it that you do?

I guide work teams by using my Triple A coaching model that creates practical behavioural change, so that they can become a more cohesive and happier team, which allows them to attain the business success that they crave. Having this external help to recalibrate and work out how to take positive steps forward can be transformational for teams and put them back on the right track.

Why did you join the British Business Group?

I am keen to work with teams that my purpose and work resonates with and that need help. I work with teams of all shapes and sizes, seniority, sector and discipline. I know from my own research that two thirds of teams when asked report that they are not highly functional which in turn means they desire and need change, which is where I can help them.

I joined the British Business Group to have the opportunity to try to reach as many teams as I can to let them know what I do. I have heard great things from friend who are members about the supportive nature of the network and I am keen to tap into this and talk to any team leaders who identify that they want to improve and deal with their team’s issues.