Issue 2 2009 > Destination Spotlight
Destination Spotlight
One-on-One with Neda Mirbashiri
From a Persian background, Neda was born and raised in the UK. Having recently moved from the UK to Dubai, to fulfill her new role as the Middle East Regional Account Manger for the Shell Account, Neda is settling in and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Neda's career in global mobility started in 2004 with a small Destination Service Provider (DSP) in London. She moved on to a relocation company in 2005 and took on the role of Account Manger and Team Leader overseeing various accounts and leading the mobility team. Some key features of this position included developing KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), adhering to SLAs (Service Level Agreements), strategic planning and maintaining strong client relationships.
Neda discusses the issues she has faced while adjusting to a new life in Dubai.
Neda Mirbashiri at Des Safari
What was it like finding a place to live? Do you rent an apartment?
Finding an apartment here in Dubai has been an experience that I won't forget. It seems anyone in Dubai can be an agent and they seem to tell you what you want to hear. Crown Dubai were fabulous though. They took me on a home search tour, helped me with contract negotiations and the setting up of my utilities.
There is no way I could have done it without the help of the guys in the office! I have found a cute little flat in a lovely area...and the best part is that it's within walking distance to the beach.
Did you find anything about your home to be very different from the UK?
Yes, definitely. It seems normal for apartment blocks out here to have resident facilities such a pool, gym and a 24-hour porter. These are all considered luxuries in the UK and it is very difficult to find an apartment block with these facilities. My apartment block has these and it really does make life so much easier…it's all about convenience out here in the UAE.
Did you obtain a driver's license? Was it a challenge?
At the moment I am driving on my UK licence. Once I have my residence approval I will swap this for a local licence. Public transport is no where near as developed as in Europe and therefore driving is a necessity here. Driving out here is very different from the UK. In London you have to be careful you do not hit another car, out here you have to be careful another car doesn't hit you!!!! I think that's what they call defensive driving!
Have you done any sightseeing? Weekend trips? How do you like the weather?
The weather is fabulous! I can not help but keep telling friends and family how warm it is out here, while, at the time of this writing, they were all telling me the UK was freezing. My feet have hardly touched the ground since I arrived so no weekend trips as of yet, although I have many planned. I am told camping in the desert is a must, and not like any other camping I may have encountered. It is therefore on the top of my "to do" list.
How do you stay in touch with family and friends at home?
Easily, they are always at the other end of the phone or internet so staying in touch is actually not a problem at all.
How do you spend your free time? Do you enjoy the restaurants in Dubai?
In the month that I have been here I am sure I have put on weight! All the food here is so "yummy" and there is so much to choose from. It is all very reasonably priced too. The choice of restaurants and cuisines is endless and I am loving trying different dishes.
How are you enjoying your new job?
My new job is great and a lot of it has to do with the fact that Crown as a company is very unique and flexible when it comes to dealing with people of different cultures. I am meeting new people everyday day, and I can see the warm Crown culture shine through each one of them. The team in Dubai have made me feel right at home and are always on hand to help if I need them. Thanks to them my transition has been very smooth and as a newcomer, they have made me feel very comfortable in an otherwise new place of work and a new culture.
Do you find the business culture to be different?
The business culture seems to be more relaxed across the board in the Middle East in comparison to Europe. I find that in the UK for example, people are direct and say what they mean, whereas here there seems to be an "urge to please" and therefore, they seem to tell people what they want to hear. I have also found that the Middle East is all about relationships and "who you know." It's a different way of working and I am slowly getting used to it.
Do you find that clients have different needs?
Yes, definitely. In the UK, global mobility is in a mature market, people know the industry, and appreciate the significance of it. Here, the global mobility industry is less developed and has a long way to go--for me that's the exciting part and the part I am really looking forward to.
What are your business goals?
My first and foremost goal is to increase the brand awareness for Crown in the region, as well as support my Crown colleagues in the dealings with the Middle East marketplace.