2011 started with a brand-new experience for TechWise – the first year of supporting Customers in the UAE. This opportunity created much need for change at TechWise as we encountered the challenges of operating overseas for the first time. We became more familiar with so many of the business-related details that we take for granted in the United States. Overcoming the differences in host-country laws and the particulars of Employment Visas have been challenges with a sometime steep learning curve for our business support processes. The good news are that we were able to continue our focus on providing high quality support to our Customers and the differences between doing business in the UAE and in CONUS did not interfere with our approach, quality, or delivery. We figured it out and our horizons were expanded!
It is a privilege to work in the UAE. The Emirates possess state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, a vibrant economy, visionary leadership, and numerous top tier businesses and consultants; and we are honored to be working among them. Working with the Emiratis is a most enjoyable and rewarding experience. They are gracious, willing to teach and learn, and eager to share their experiences in shaping our ideas to be adapted correctly to the unique conditions and culture that exist within the UAE. It was an absolutely fascinating first year, and we are working hard to make the second just as rewarding to our Customers and Employees.
Services that we provided to the UAE include a Training Needs Analysis for a newly formed Military Unit where we provided advisory and assistance support in validating the Organization’s Roles and Responsibilities, Capabilities, Mission Set, and Training Approach. Our approach to the Training Needs Analysis required that we examine training in great detail and also assess the Unit’s uniquely aligned Military School System. Subsequently, we gathered a Team of Subject Matter Experts and, in conjunction with our UAE-based partner Knowledge Point Educational Consultants (KP), applied a Capabilities-Based Assessment to a second large Military Organization. Our approach in both instances placed training requirements in a broader context and resulted in recommendations that were comprehensive and targeted to move the Organizations forward along a measured and synchronized Campaign Plan. These efforts covered most of the year and resulted in follow-on implementation advisory and assistance work.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Free Zone, Dubai
While these initial efforts proceed, we have set up Gulf Region Headquarters in Dubai and are undertaking additional efforts in the UAE and GCC Region. These efforts include supporting a world/future-class Academy that assesses and integrates education and common training across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s Safety, Security, Defense, Emergency Preparedness, and Crisis Planning Agencies. The key to this effort is to establish a means for Military and Government Personnel to have the Education and Training received during their Service years consolidated, recognized as prior learning, and applied towards a degree that helps them advance their education level as they integrate and find their way into the civilian workforce.
TechWise is growing its UAE-based staff to support these and future efforts, and provide a hub of quality consultants, proven processes, and management and leadership to support a wide variety of training programs. Our relationship with our trusted partner, KP, continues to grow and we consider them highly among our preferred partners.
We recently completed the build-out of our beautiful new Dubai office. Like Abu Dhabi, Dubai is a truly spectacular and modern city with some of the most interesting architecture in the world. Our office building is newly built and situated among hundreds of other brand new and amazing office complexes. We are in the process of decorating these offices and getting them ready for visitors. Our office is located in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) Free Zone in Dubai. JLT is the fastest growing mixed-use Free Zone in Dubai with over 3,600 licensed member companies from around the world. Dubai’s strong trading heritage, its well-established port and logistical infrastructure, its perfect geographical location, and being a significant gateway to many of the surrounding regions, makes it the ideal location for a huge variety of business. TechWise Global JLT is now one of them.
If all goes our way, we hope to add a second office in Abu Dhabi in the future. Please stop by and see us if you visit the UAE, you won’t be disappointed with the trip.
