The story of...

A little about me

•29 years old

•From Cardiff, Wales (sunny part of the UK)

•Worked in 3 High Street Banks in the UK over 6 year period (finance & insurance)

•Moved to UAE in March 2009 after being made redundant (recession)

• Enjoy all activities that require energy, thought and laughter

•29 years old

•From Cardiff, Wales (sunny part of the UK)

•Worked in 3 High Street Banks in the UK over 6 year period (finance & insurance)

•Moved to UAE in March 2009 after being made redundant (recession)

• Enjoy all activities that require energy, thought and laughter

Terrible at golf!

A little about me

So...

What’s the story... honestly?

March 2009

•Flew to Dubai after redundancy in UK.

• Want my own business & success story.

• Business: Find problem, create solution &

package.

• 12 months market research & studying.

• Finally found the market segment!!

Discovering the business

March 2010

• Had to sell car.

• Moved out of own apartment into shared.

• Redundancy money spent.

• 8 years savings spent.

Discovering myself

March 2010

• Had to sell car.

• Moved out of own apartment into shared.

• Redundancy money spent.

• 8 years savings spent.

• Wedding money spent!

Discovering myself

Easy option: Admit defeat &work in a real job?

The famous

Brick Wall

Time / Service: Why do things take so long?

Cost: The cost of setting up before you make a penny.

Marketing: Why, why , what, where, when & how?

People: When people say yes – what do they really mean?

You: The driving force & brain behind the operation.

What lessons did I learn?

Time / Service: why do things take so long to happen?

Time / Service: why do things take so long to happen?

•Part of a service / product chain.

• Favour more lucrative project.

• Change in rules / regulations / laws – daily!

• Overall less customer service focused.

Tip: If your product / service offering is reliant on YOU receiving something first – be sure to screen your suppliers thoroughly & test them on small projects!

YOUR REPUTATION IS AT STAKE!

Cost: Tax free doesn’t mean charge free

CostCost: Tax free doesn’t mean charge free

• No tax maybe – relatively high charges & fees.

• Screen price has additional extra’s.

• High operational costs: License, salaries,

insurance, return flights, car hire.

Tip: Focus on the money you DO have, not the money your due (owed) – one of the biggest mistakes we made!

Always keep a separate reserve or at least 6 months of ‘survival costs’ in your account.

Marketing: Who, why, what, where, when & how?

Marketing: Who, why, what, where, when & how?

• Who is your audience?

• What is your product?

• Why is it better? (USP’s, Value Ad)

• Where does your audience shop?

• When should you be marketing to get optimum

results?

• How should you be marketing?

•DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BEST FORM OF

MARKETING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY WILL WORK

IN THE UAE.

Tip: Use as much FREE ad space as possible:

Google – free credit on sign upDubizzle - free adverts onlinePR – free print editorials etcSpeaking Ops - networking

People: When people say yes, do they really mean yes?

• People are uncomfortable saying no!

• People often say what they think you want to hear.

• Established businesses reluctant to take a chance on you.

• Due to economy, many companies will agree to all sorts of

terms to win business & under delivering. Don’t be that

person & don’t fall victim either.

Tip: To safe guard yourself, either include time penalties into contracts or simply double the delivery time and plan towards that goal.

People: When people say yes, do they really mean yes?

YOU: The invincible Entrepreneur

Be nice, be genuine, be seen.

Communicate your message effectively.

Have 100% belief & passion for success or stop!

Ask for help! Although you want to do everything

yourself – you are not superman! Ask for help...

• Mentors

• Advisory Panel

• Strategic Partners

YOU: The invincible Entrepreneur

• 12+ months Research & development• 80+ interviews / market surveys• AED150,000+ own money• 10+ revisions to business offering• Intricate findings & solid business plan• UNWAVERING DETERMINATION

August 2010

•Comprehensive Market research & business

plan – investment in 72 hours & partner!

• Launched UAE-Compare.com website (MK1)

Careful planning, goal setting & dedication =

2011 (discovering business)

• Nominated for 2 awards.

• Made our 1st Dirham.

• Launched UAE-Compare.com website (MK2+3)

August 2010

•Comprehensive Market research & business

plan – investment in 72 hours & partner!

• Launched UAE-Compare.com website (MK1)

Careful planning, goal setting & dedication =

2012 – A great year for UAE-Compare.com

•Semi finalist on ‘Entrepreneur TV’ show.

• Won ‘SME Advisor’ award.

• Investors being paid back.

• Debt free & profitable.

•Business with sales ‘PULL’ not push.

• Team of expert mentors.

• Hired 1st member of staff (on the books).

• Rebranded & launched MK5 version of website.

• Quoted on over AED15m projects.

• SET A DATE! (7 weeks away)

2012 – A great year for UAE-Compare.com

•Semi finalist on ‘Entrepreneur TV’ show.

• Won ‘SME Advisor’ award.

• Investors being paid back.

• Debt free & profitable.

•Business with sales ‘PULL’ not push.

• Team of expert mentors.

• Hired 1st member of staff (on the books).

• Rebranded & launched MK5 version of website.

• Quoted on over AED15m projects.

So what does UAE-Compare.com look like now?

Let’s take a look…

david@uae-compare.com / +971 (0) 559819 600