Do We Still Need Excel Skills in the Age of AI?
AI can build spreadsheets faster, but can you trust the results? Sara Hassouneh explains why Excel skills still matter for UAE businesses.
-
-
Dubai launches “SME in a Box” to help entrepreneurs start and run businesses faster and at a lower cost
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism has launched “SME in a Box,” a unified platform designed to simplify and accelerate business setup and operations for entrepreneurs. The initiative integrates licensing, banking, payments, logistics, and telecom services into a single onboarding journey, reducing administrative friction, cutting costs, and saving founders up to 200 hours. With 18 private-sector partners and value-driven SME packages, the platform supports Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda by enabling faster, more efficient business creation and scaling.
-
Break-Even: The Most Ignored Roadmap to Business Profitability
Break-even is one of the most critical yet overlooked metrics in business strategy. This article explains how understanding break-even can determine whether a company survives or fails, especially for startups, SMEs, and MSMEs. It explores why many businesses collapse due to poor pricing, uncontrolled costs, and “growth at all costs” thinking. With practical examples and data-backed insights, the piece shows how break-even analysis supports smarter decisions in pricing, cost control, and scaling. It also highlights the importance of contribution margins, cash flow discipline, and scenario planning in building resilient, profitable businesses. Ultimately, break-even is not just an accounting concept but a strategic foundation for sustainable growth and long-term success.
-
Dubai South Launches DSBH: A Digital-First Freezone Platform for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development in the region, has unveiled the Dubai South Business Hub (DSBH), a cutting-edge digital-first freezone platform designed to streamline and accelerate business setup for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and global enterprises. This new initiative is set to redefine the way businesses are established and operated in the UAE. What is…
-
Smart Metrics = Stronger SME Performance
In the fast-paced world of MSMEs, financial visibility is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline. This article by Ratish Pandey highlights the critical financial metrics every entrepreneur must track to make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and drive sustainable growth. From cash flow and profitability to debt management and ROI, the right metrics can transform instinct-driven leadership into data-backed success.
-
Zayed Sustainability Prize Opens Global Call for Transformative Solutions
The Zayed Sustainability Prize has officially opened its call for submissions for 2026, offering a total prize pool of US $5.9 million. The Prize invites small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofits, and high schools to submit transformative solutions across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. This prestigious award celebrates innovative and impactful projects that contribute to sustainable development and improve communities worldwide.
-
How Innovation Drives Competitive Advantage for SMEs
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are outpaced by larger firms when it comes to resources, capital, and reach. This can be especially challenging in today’s rapidly changing business environment. These same constraints can often spur unique opportunities for creative solutions and strategic agility, acting as the bedrock for innovation.
-
Is effective expense management software critical to business success?
Controlling business expenses is one of the biggest headaches faced by CFO’s across different industries in the MENA region. Larger corporations usually have a basic expense management software but it is very reactive, and the controls and verifications happen only after an expense is made. This puts organizations at a risk of a drawn out…
