What an insightful and inspirational session before the Build Dubai’s summer recess.

Tom Young, director at Spring Coaching,  explained how to take leaders beyond their comfort zone, preparing them for the future and VUCA! Coined in the early 2000’s, this military-derived acronym stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity – all much related to today’s business world.

Tom is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and has lived and worked in the UAE since 1995.  He established Spring Coaching in Dubai in 2008 as an executive, leadership and team coaching partnership.

As Tom explained: “Our purpose is to provoke and join conversations that move both individuals and organisations”. 

Tom’s key takeaways:

• Selectively forget the PAST
• Improve the PRESENT
• Create the FUTURE

Build Dubai member’s presentation: From Sweden to the Middle East

Pauline Madani, managing director of Nordic Homework, gave us an insight into the vast natural beauty of Sweden’s forests and countryside, and how her deep-rooted connection to this nature and beauty, has driven her passion to bring Khärs beautiful woodden flooring to the Middle East market.

Titled “What and Why We Do What We Do”, Pauline shared with us the core values of  Khärs, a brand which stands for quality, design, innovation, environment and sustainability. Pauline established Nordic Homeworx in Dubai in 2006, offering turnkey supply and installation services of Kährs wood flooring in the region.

“While trends come and go, quality and style are never out of fashion,” explained Pauline. “We have more than 3000 completed projects in the UAE & Middle East but we also take great pride in providing an extensive after-care program, covering full maintenance services.”

And to make it more authentic and definitely more delicious, Pauline looked amazing in her Swedish national dress and her home-made cinnamon buns were simply divine. The Swedish quiz was also fun and encouraged some good humored competition!