More stories

  • in

    6 Things to Do RN to Set Your Business Up for Success in 2021

    If you ran a business in 2020, we want to start by giving you a massive shoutout. We don’t need to explain why last year was so challenging for business owners, and we think you’re amazing for getting through such a hard year. Whether you already started a business and made it through 2020 or you’re planning on starting one this year (go for it!), we want to help you take some actionable steps that will set your business up for success in 2021. We put together six things you can do right now to get off to a great start this year—from creating a marketing plan to giving your website a strategic spruce. Start checking things off quickly with our platform of choice, Squarespace, which offers user-friendly tools on everything from building websites to tracking analytics to sending emails, so you can get back to doing more of what you love. 

    1. Refresh your website
    The start of a new year is a great time to revisit your current website (or set one up if you don’t have one already). You want your site to engage your audience and help you pull in new customers, inquiries, or readers. Go through an audit of each page and really think about what the color choices, website copy, and overall layout is communicating. Is your site layout easy to navigate and understand? Is your site set up for mobile viewing?
    We love and recommend Squarespace because it makes it easy to ensure your site is beautiful and functional. Pick from tons of templated designs, customize in a few hours, and your site is ready to rock. You can also preview how the site will look on mobile devices, which is essential, as that is where most of your traffic could be coming from— especially if you’re marketing on social platforms like Instagram. 

    2. Make your customer’s lives easier
    While the customer may not always be right (don’t tell them we said that!) they do always deserve to have a good experience with your business. Make their life way easier by making your processes, business hours, and other key information clear and easy to find.
    Use your website and social platforms to show how to contact you, what your store hours are, what items you have available to purchase, and any other key info they need in order to either buy from you or book an appointment with you in the simplest way possible. Don’t be afraid to reiterate this info in multiple places—it might seem like overkill to you, but new customers will be thankful to easily find exactly what they’re looking for. And because so many people hate calling during business hours to make appointments, add convenient features to your website, like appointment scheduling, to create as seamless of an experience as possible. 

    3. Let’s get automated
    If you’re a business owner, you know your to-do list never truly ends. You wear many different hats during the course of your day, and that can get really overwhelming, really fast. So anything you can do to save a little time here and there can be a game-changer. Enter: automations. As a business owner, it’s hard to let go, but utilizing automations to do some of your more mundane—but necessary—business tasks is something that will save you time, stress, and headaches in the long run. 
    Let’s look at email marketing as an example of how automations can make your life so much easier. Every business needs email marketing as a tool in their arsenal (btw, these are some of our go-to email tips!), and luckily email is one of the easiest things to automate. You can create automations that welcome new subscribers, send them a coupon, or recommend products they may like after they make a purchase—further engaging your audience and keeping your biz top of mind. If you’re not sure where to start, Squarespace email campaigns offer pre-set automation triggers that help you craft your emails, along with plug-n-play templates that look great on desktop or mobile. Win, win. 

     
     
    4. Create a fresh marketing plan
    It’s time to take last year’s data and put it to work! Take an hour or two to sit down and look at what really worked for you last year marketing wise, and equally as important, what didn’t work for you. Then take what you’ve learned and create an achievable and actionable marketing plan for the new year. If possible, create social media posts, email newsletters, and digital ads in bulk. Then schedule them out a bit in advance. 
    The key with any good marketing plan is to use data to make informed decisions. While your gut can lead you in the right direction at times, it’s also extremely valuable to have analytical insight on your side. Utilize the free analytics provided by the platforms you share on, like Instagram, to gauge what is resonating with your audience. We also love Squarespace’s built-in analytics to help you understand how your audience is interacting with your website. What pages, content, or products are engaging viewers the most? Use these insights to help you make a plan for the future.  

    5. Consider a rebrand 
    It’s always a nice feeling to give your brand a little refresh, and you don’t have to go all out with a complete rebrand to breath some new life into your aesthetics. Sometimes, just switching up your color palette or adding a new font into the mix can change the feeling of your brand, while still keeping consistent with your look and style. 
    Try adding a few fresh colors to your Instagram feed or switching up your website color palette to start. Just play around and have fun with it—no pressure to be perfect. Our graphic designer here at TEG recommends starting out with a moodboard to narrow in on colors, styles, and type treatments that you’re drawn to. Start by creating a board on Pinterest with images that you think reflect your brand and that would resonate with your audience. Then go through and find the recurring styles—i.e., warm earth tones, touches of handwritten script, etc.—and pull those into your own brand imagery and designs. For more of her tips, read our guide to common branding mistakes and how to fix them. 
    A bonus: If you’re using Squarespace, it’s super easy to test out different colors within your site with their built-in design editor and pre-made palettes. 

    6. Build your digital network
    It seems safe to say that most of us won’t be networking in person anytime soon. Luckily, there’s really no need to. Connect with like-minded individuals in your industry over social media, ask people you’re interested in getting to know for phone or Zoom dates instead of coffee dates, and check in with existing connections via email whenever you come across an article they may like or hear about a recent work accomplishment of theirs. Want the networking to come to you? Don’t forget to add a contact form to your website!

    What are you doing to help set your business up for success this year?

    This post was sponsored by Squarespace, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

  • in

    The Dubai-based interior haven with one-of-a-kind antiques

    February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
    Founded by Saudi entrepreneur Arwa Hafiz and located in the heart of Dubai’s dynamic art quarter at Alserkal Avenue, The Odd Piece features a wide range of interior pieces from carefully curated mid-century modern furniture to one-of-a-kind antiques.
    How do your first 30 mins of the day set you up for success?
    To be honest, the number one thing that sets me up for success the minute I open my eyes, is a good night’s sleep. I need a solid eight hours and when I get them, I feel happy and energized, as I can really get things done. The first thing I do in the morning is work out as that also helps jump-start my day while making me feel good.
    What is at the heart of The Odd Piece’s DNA as a brand?

    We are a vintage and designer furniture gallery with carefully curated, one-of-a-kind statement pieces handpicked from around the world. We offer a refreshing change from mass-produced furniture and home accessories as we have unique pieces that can transform a room by adding that special personalised touch.
    How did your love for one-of-a-kind pieces and antiques develop into a business?
    When I was furnishing my first home in Dubai back in 2006, I couldn’t find pieces I liked beyond the basics. So, I started sourcing what I needed from abroad and realized, I truly enjoyed the process of searching for unusual, memorable, quality pieces, so I launched The Odd Piece in 2013.
    Do you find yourself more aligned with the creative or commercial side of the business and how do you balance the two?

    I am definitely more aligned with the creative side of my business, it was my inspiration for starting The Odd Piece in the first place. Learning the ropes of running the business side was initially challenging, but once I had the right team and support we worked to create systems to organise every part of the business, and now the whole operation runs smoothly.
    Do you have any mentors or guides and how does this help navigate the right path?
    I actually did not have any mentors, though I can imagine what an incredible help and support a good one can be, especially when starting a business for the first time.
    What is personally, your most treasured piece?
    My favourite items right now are the amazing Yoruba beaded chairs!

    How do you manage to maintain that balance between modern and vintage in your own interior?
    I honestly do not make a conscious decision to strike a balance; The Odd Piece is a curation of the pieces that catch my eye; ones that I believe will add character and beauty to a room, regardless of where they’re from or what era they belong to.
    What do I look for when hiring a team?
    I look for people who are committed, independent thinkers, willing to work hard and also learn new things. Even more importantly, they should be passionate about the business because you can’t force or fake interest. A sense of humour is also a great added bonus!

    How has social media help build the brand and do you connect directly with clients through this platform?
    At this point in time, no brand can afford to not invest in social media. Over the years, our Instagram account has steadily grown and has helped us garner a global audience. We have clients from around the world that come to Dubai and visit our gallery because they follow The Odd Piece on Instagram. What’s more, this past year of lockdowns and emergency measures due to the pandemic has made social media our lifeline until things start to get back to normal.
    This issue is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
    Quality time. I plan to staying home with my family and keeping myself and everyone around me safe; I honestly think that’s the most loving thing anyone can do at this point in time. 
    February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

  • in

    A mandatory hotel quarantine to be implemented in Kuwait for incoming passengers

    With a surge of COVID-19 cases in Kuwait, the government has announced that all travellers arriving in the country from February 21 onwards will need to quarantine in a hotel for the first seven days.
    The hotels will have designated floors or sections of the hotel for quarantining guests on arrival, with meals served in disposable containers to prevent any transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

    اللجنة العليا لاعادة تشغيل الرحلات التجارية تبحث آلية تطبيق قرارات مجلس الوزراء الأخيرة بشأن تطبيق الحجر المؤسسي على جميع الركاب القادمين لمطار الكويت الدولي . pic.twitter.com/VzMtcH80UQ
    — الطيران المدني (@Kuwait_DGCA) February 9, 2021

    Hotels as per The Kuwait Hotel Owners Association (KHOA) have also submitted their price list which includes the following as per the report stated.
    Three-star hotels inclusive of breakfast and airport transfer with fares per night:Standard single room: KD20(Dhs243) and double room: KD30(Dhs365)
    Four-star hotels inclusive of breakfast and airport transfer with fares per night:Standard single room: KD30(Dhs365) and double room: KD40(Dhs486)
    Five-star hotels inclusive of breakfast and airport transfer with fares per night:Standard Single room: KD45(Dhs547) and double room: KD55(Dhs668)
    However, lawmakers have called on the government to review the decisions as this will add a massive financial burden during the pandemic.
    In addition, there are a host of activities that have been suspended across the country, which include health clubs, salons, barbershops, celebration halls, tents gatherings, sports-related events and any celebrations for Kuwait National Day. However, delivery services are allowed to continue and commercial shops and restaurants, including malls, need to stay closed from 8pm to 5am.
    The total case count in the country has now reached 177,701.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image: Instagram @visit.kuwait More

  • in

    Kendall Jenner confirms romance with Jordyn Woods’ ex-boyfriend

    Kendall Jenner has confirmed her new relationship with NBA star Devin Booker.
    The pair have been caught on camera together a few times while out and about, but Jenner took the opportunity to officially go public with their romance on Valentine’s Day.

    However, it seems Jenner’s new boyfriend is the ex-boyfriend of Jordyn Woods, Kylie Jenner’s former best friend.
    The beauty mogul and Woods were attached at the hip until February 2019 when it was revealed that Woods had cheated with Khloe Kardashian’s boyfriend and the father of her child, Tristan Thompson.

    Woods previously lived with Kylie in her Hidden Hills mansion, but moved out shortly after the scandal and was also excommunicated by the Kardashian-Jenner family.
    Since then, Woods has been carving her own career in the public eye and in business. She’s kick-started her acting career, has collaborated with some global brands including BooHoo and more.
    Meanwhile, like Jenner, the 23-year-old is also dating an NBA star, Karl-Anthony Towns Jr, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    Two years after the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal, everyone is happy and has well and truly moved on.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram  More

  • in

    9 places in Dubai to treat yourself this Pancake Day

    As you get ready to get battered for Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 16, 2021?
    These delicious eateries are sure to let you have a flipping great start to the day.
    Clinton St. Baking Company

    With its new flagship location taking you to the streets of New York at City Walk, this beautiful café offers the fluffiest pancakes on February 16 as you relish the best combination of eggs, milk and sugar made to perfection with the little ones being offered a complimentary children’s pancake with every order of a main pancake along with the famous cherry cobbler pancakes.

    For more information visit clintonstreetbaking.ae
    Brunch & Cake

    This prime hotspot which has become everyone’s favourite café has launched a show-stopping brownie pancake which includes its homemade Nutella pancakes coated in chocolate sauce, chocolate chip cookies and a grilled banana at just Dhs63. Located at both The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah and Al Wasl, Brunch & Cake open from Sunday to Wednesday 8am to 10pm and Thursday to Friday 8am to 10:30pm.
    LDC Kitchen + Coffee

    The artisanal bakery offers the freshest ingredients creating dishes to perfection with a free stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a side of maple syrup with every F&B purchase made on February 16 from 7am to 12pm while being located at One JLT, Jumeirah Lake Towers.
    For more information visit londondairycafe.com
    Koko Bay

    This Bali-inspired beach waterfront restaurant is offering two special pancakes for a limited only for one week from Sunday, February 14 to Saturday, February 20 with lip-smacking Japanese pancake flavours including the tempting Koko Nut and Okonomiyaki flavoured pancake for those with a sweet tooth. Located on West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, it’s open from Saturday to Wednesday 12pm to 12am and Thursday and Friday 12pm to 1am.
    For more information visit kokobay.co
    Weslodge Saloon

    Known for its elevated innovative setting, you can devour a complimentary stack of Weslodge’s famous puffy, light stacked buttermilk pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and fresh caramelised fruits, when you book a table to dine in with family or friends. The offer is available on February 16, from 5:30pm to 12am at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai’s 68th floor.
    For more information visit weslodge.ae
    Marks & Spencer

    For those look for DIY options at home, the popular M&S café in Dubai Festival City Mall, has a range of high-quality pancake ingredients with gluten-free options for those who wish to indulge in a healthier manner, at 25 per cent off the brand’s offerings for February 16, 2021. Toppings such as dessert sauces Belgian chocolate, Sticky Toffee and Raspberry syrups for a decedent range.
    For more information marksandspencer.com
    The Dubliners

    This famous Irish Stalwart is sure to let you have a fabulous start to the day with the unmissable duo combo as you leave Pancake Day to the professionals. Located at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, the offer includes a pint & a pancake at Dhs49, all day on February 16.
    For more information visit thedubliners-dubai.com
    Bread Street Kitchen

    Known for its uniquely crafted British dishes under the head of Gordon Ramsay, guests are invited to enjoy three unique pancake offerings priced at Dhs50, including zesty lemon and sugar pancakes, red velvet pancakes with seasonal berries and triple chocolate pancakes with chocolate ice cream and chocolate brownies on February 16, from 6pm to 10pm.
    For more information visit atlantisthepalm.com
    Eggspectation

    Known for its culinary delights with a wide-ranging set of delectable options, this Canadian restaurant-café is offering a special breakfast mini platter on February 16, which is perfect for sharing with your loved ones on a grazing board of mini pancakes with multiple choices of sides and toppings from whipped cream, maple syrup, Nutella and fruits at Dhs49. Located at JBR, it’s open from 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 7am to 10pm on weekends and 7 days a week at City Walk from 7am to 8pm.
    For more information visit eggspectation.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image Supplied Koko Bay More

  • in

    Harry and Meghan to do their first sit-down interview since their engagement

    In 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down together to give their first interview together as an engaged couple.
    Now, three-and-a-half years later, a lot has changed for the couple including being married, having a child with another on the way and having stepped away from public royal life. Thus, the pair are set to give their first sit-down interview since their engagement.

    And, of course, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called in the big guns for this “wide-ranging” interview. The pair are set to sit down with CBS and Oprah Winfrey.
    The network revealed the couple will have an “intimate conversation” with the legendary talk show host, which will air as a 90-minute special on Sunday, March 7.

    A statement from @CBS reads: “Winfrey will speak with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview. . . Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the US and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family.”
    — Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 15, 2021

    “Winfrey will speak with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure,” the network said in a statement officially announcing the interview.
    “Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family.”
    This announcement comes one day after the couple announced the joyous news they are expecting their second child together.

    The news was announced via a spokesperson for the couple, alongside a sweet black and white photo of the pair sitting in the sun together whilst Meghan cradled her small bump.
    “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” the spokesperson for the Sussexes said. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image: BBC More

  • in

    Get your COVID-19 vaccine in 20 minutes at this Abu Dhabi drive-through centre

    As the UAE continues to pave the way globally in COVID-19 vaccinations, a drive-through centre has opened in Abu Dhabi where residents can receive their jabs within 20 minutes.
    Per WAM, the UAE’s state news agency, the drive-through centre is located in MBZ City at Burjeel Medical City.

    The process at the drive-through for those wishing to be vaccinated is not to exceed 20 minutes, which includes vital sign check-ups, completing the approval form and receiving the vaccine. Through this process, the centre aims to vaccinate around 700 people per day.
    The Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, visited the drive-through centre on Monday praised the efforts of Abu Dhabi and frontline workers for helping to spearhead the national vaccination programme.

    “The cooperation from different members of the community who chose to vaccinate to protect themselves and the community and contribute to putting an end to this pandemic has played a major role in safeguarding the health of our society,” he said. “The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has thrived in positioning itself on an advanced international level in the daily vaccination uptake.
    “This would have never been possible without the incredible team efforts of those working in the field, the massive spread of vaccination centres and the innovative ways of reaching out to the vast majority of the community.”
    Over the weekend, the UAE reached an incredible milestone in its vaccination process, having now administered over five million COVID-19 jabs nationwide.
    At present, there are four COVID-19 vaccinations being administered in the UAE.
    READ: The 4 COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available in the UAE
    The first vaccine to be approved in the UAE was the Sinophram vaccine, followed by the Pfizer vaccine being permitted in Dubai towards the end of last year.
    In January, Russia’s Sputnik V was approved for emergency use. And now, just recently, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved in Dubai.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: @nassertone Instagram More

  • in

    8 Virtual Interview Tips to Help You Land the Job, According to the Experts

    Job interviews have always been nerve-wracking, but virtual interviews feel like a different challenge altogether. You’re worried about technical glitches; it’s tougher to make small talk and develop good rapport; you struggle to pick up on nonverbal cues. It’s no wonder that a 2017 study found that eight in 10 job seekers said video interviews are just as stressful or even more stressful than in-person interviews.Virtual interviews certainly aren’t without their challenges and hiccups. Fortunately, we’re here to help. We connected with a few human resources professionals to get their best virtual interview tips that will help you ace that interview—and get one step closer to landing the job.

    1. Remember that all of the traditional interview advice still applies
    Virtual interviews are a different format, but the nuts and bolts are still largely the same. That’s why nearly all of the experts mentioned that all of the typical interview best practices should still be a high priority.
    From researching the company and thoroughly reading the job description to practicing your answers to common questions and sending a “thank you” note, remember to start with the basics.

    2. Read the instructions carefully
    It can feel like every single company uses something different for their virtual interviews. Some use Zoom. Others use Google Meet. You get the idea.
    That’s why Jade Hugh, Senior Talent Advisor at Bloom, recommended that you review the interview instructions carefully so you know exactly where you need to be, if there’s certain software you need to have installed, and if there’s a password or something else required.

    3. Check your technology
    Technology hurdles can sidetrack your interview (not to mention cause you a lot of added stress), so it’s wise to double-check all of your equipment before signing on for the interview.
    Is your camera working? What about your microphone? Can you access the interview platform? Is your Wi-Fi connection stable?
    “This gives you the chance to contact the interviewer early, just in case you notice an issue,” said Kimone Napier, HR Strategist.

    4. Find a quiet, distraction-free space
    Doing your interview from your kitchen table while your toddler tosses things out of your cupboards or your roommate makes an omelet isn’t ideal. Instead, find a quiet space where you can focus on the conversation.
    If there’s no such thing as a quiet spot in your home (hey, we get it), Napier said an application like Krisp can help you cancel out unwanted background noise.
    When it comes to distractions, environmental ones aren’t the only ones you need to be aware of. You should eliminate your self-imposed ones too. “Close your other windows and browsers,” said Agnes Tseng, People and Culture Advisor at Bloom. “We can tell when you’re getting distracted by something else.”
    Hunt echoes that sentiment and also warns interviewees to turn off their phones. That will avoid any pings or buzzes that rip your attention away from the conversation.

    “Close your other windows and browsers. We can tell when you’re getting distracted by something else.”

    5. Up your production value
    You’re not producing a feature film, but that doesn’t mean you want your visual aesthetic to be completely haphazard.
    For starters, be mindful of what your interviewer will see in your background (yep, it’s time to move those piles of laundry). Tempted to use one of those video features to blur your background? A smarter strategy is to use that space to your advantage.
    “A huge part of any interview is getting to know you in and outside of work, so give them a sneak peek into who you are,” said Suzi Archer, Head of People and Talent at MyCleverGroup. “This is a great opportunity to create talking points by having your favorite books on display, any certificates or achievements you’d like to highlight, your favorite music, or family photos.”
    Decent lighting is another important thing you need to consider. “Illuminate your face as much as you possibly can so that your interviewer is able to see your facial expressions,” said Tseng.

    6. Dress for success
    Even if you’re meeting virtually, dressing in a way that’s polished and professional can help you out. Yep, this applies to your bottom half too—commit to the full outfit, rather than a blazer on top and pajama pants on the bottom.
    Why? Not only does it send the message that you’re taking the interview seriously, but it can also impact your mood and even performance.
    Don’t believe us? One study gave intellectual tests to two groups: one wearing casual clothing and one wearing formal clothing. The formal group actually performed better on the tests and tasks. So, take the time to polish yourself up before that chat—it could make a surprisingly big difference in the quality of your interview.

    7. Remember eye contact
    The lack of nonverbal cues is one of the biggest hangups about virtual interviews, but the good news is that eye contact is something that you can replicate on video calls.
    “It can be quite distracting seeing yourself on screen, but do your best to make eye contact with the person asking the questions and mind your body language,” said Archer. One helpful tip is to put googly eyes right by your webcam. It might look a little silly, but it’ll give you something to focus on (other than your own reflection).

    “It can be quite distracting seeing yourself on screen, but do your best to make eye contact.”

    8. Be authentic
    Nerves run high in an interview, and it’s tempting to feel like you need to be flawless in order to land the job, but that’s not the case. You’re far better off being honest and authentic.
    Archer said that starts with setting expectations upfront. “It’s now expected that people working and interviewing from home will likely be balancing a variety of home distractions,” she explained, mentioning the now-viral BBC interview featuring a rogue toddler. “I have a 5-month-old baby and I’m often on the other side of the interview screen. I’ll always start by saying, ‘I’m not expecting any disruptions, but I do have a baby at home, so please bear with me if she causes any interruptions.’”
    If something does happen during your interview? Instead of letting panic wash over you, just be honest about what’s happening. “Have a new puppy? Did the doorbell ring? Be open and have a good laugh about it. At the end of the day, we are all human and understand the nuances of working from home,” said Hugh.

    Not being able to do an interview in-person comes with some challenges, but it’s not all bad news. “Virtual interviews do have their benefits,” said Archer. “You’re on your turf, you don’t have to worry about how much travel time you need to allow, where to park, and how to navigate the office once you arrive.”
    “In my opinion, the pros of virtual interviews outweigh the cons,” added Napier, noting that other benefits include saving time and reducing bias.
    So, rather than wishing your interview were being handled differently, focus on making the most of the opportunity in front of you. If nothing else, it’s a chance to prove that you’re an adaptable candidate who can excel regardless of what the world throws your way. More