Summary

Handshaikh is a British training company that has operated for 30 years globally to provide customised business seminars, briefings and induction training for (mainly) Western organisations wishing to improve cross-cultural communication with their Arab colleagues, clients and counterparts. We can advise on the Arab world generally but more specifically on the Gulf countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Events can be delivered face-to-face at your choice of venue, or virtually. The typical programme here will be adapted to suit your requirements. For public events please see below.

Our programmes are aimed at both newcomers and those more familiar with the Arab world and provide the perfect opportunity to find answers to all those questions you might have not known whom to ask.

The acclaimed book ‘Don’t They Know It’s Friday?’ by Jeremy Williams OBE, MD of Handshaikh, now in its 3rd edition, is regarded by many as the definitive guide to business culture and etiquette in the Gulf. A copy of the book is offered as part of our package for training events.

Virtual training

The virtual classroom offers a live video feed for a fully interactive class hosted by one of our presenters. The virtual classroom combines the functionality of interactive whiteboards, breakout areas for individual and group activities with live chat so that you get the most from your training. Details

Handshaikh’s virtual training sessions are structured around a formal presentation. A typical public programme is here. This can be adapted to suit your requirements for a private session, to be attended only by those you select. All sessions last about two hours with plenty of time for anecdotes, and questions and answers along the way via live chat or interactive discussion.

Online for companies and individuals

Virtual training offers a cost-effective, flexible training solution allowing participants throughout your organisation to attend a live class without incurring travel, time and accommodation costs. Handshaikh’s sessions can be scheduled to suit the availability of your global team or delivered one-to-one to senior members of staff via our virtual classroom. Each session is tailored to your specific requirements to ensure that your staff and executives get the most from their training. If more in-depth training on a specific topic is required we can add further sessions, again tailoring content to your organisational requirements. Please contact Handshaikh to discuss costs, your training needs and scheduling requirements. The typical programme here will be adapted to suit you. To find out when the next online public class for individuals is scheduled contact Handshaikh and follow the steps given to register. We prefer small groups so spaces are limited to allow plenty of time for interactive question and answers from all participants. The self-paced online programme is here (pdf); access the programme is here.

How do I join a virtual training class?

Contact Handshaikh. The email in reply will give you details of how payment is covered, and to give you your personal log in details and password. You join your scheduled class by clicking on the link in the email on the day of your session. We recommend that you connect a little earlier than the scheduled start time to ensure your computer sound and mics are running correctly.

Need more information?

For organisations wishing to incorporate any of these training solutions as part of their own onboarding package (see below) or if you simply want to know more about our programmes, please contact Handshaikh for further information.

Training needs analysis

The first step in planning any live event – whether face-to-face or virtual – is to decide what the audience needs and to agree the date/s and timings. To discuss a possible event for your organisation please contact Handshaikh.

Handout

The cost of the event includes a free copy per delegate of the acclaimed book on Gulf cross-cultural matters “Don’t They Know It’s Friday?”(Edition 3.)

Costs

Costs for face-to-face seminars or briefings are agreed once the requirement is decided. For those attending face-to-face seminars a paper-back version of the book “Don’t They Know It’s Friday?” is provided as part of the package, signed by the author if requested.

Frequently asked questions

Please scroll down a little.

HANDSHAIKH BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Onboarding

Handshaikh also offers tailor-made onboarding support.

Our self-paced training programme can be embedded into your existing recruitment process to provide a comprehensive onboarding package. Alternatively, we can design a tailored online product to suit your organisational requirements.

The progress of participants can be monitored to ensure all elements of the course have been successfully completed before deployment to the country in question.

We can also offer virtual or face-to-face training for your senior staff to answer their questions and smooth the process of transition to a new working environment. For further advice and information, please make contact.

Rehearsal of presentations etc. to be made to Arab clients

Handshaikh can comment on and assist in the preparation of presentations and other material (such as proposals) to be submitted to Arab clients. Early consultation with Handshaikh can save you time and frustration by helping you to structure content appropriately so that you achieve the right outcomes for your business.

Promotional / Competitive events

Handshaikh can deliver a short presentation as part of your overall sales and marketing pitch to potential Gulf clients thereby helping to demonstrate your organisation’s cross-cultural awareness and competence in handling Gulf clients and contacts.

Participation in your continuing professional development events

Handshaikh can provide a brief, e.g. 30-minute, contribution to your in-house training seminars or other events, example titles being: ‘A look at cross cultural matters in the Gulf’ or ‘How business is done in the Gulf’.

Families

Although Handshaikh is primarily concerned with assisting Westerners who have business interests in the Gulf, many clients ask for advice on life and circumstances relevant to spouses and children who will accompany or join the ‘bread winner’ in the Gulf from time to time. This advice is normally provided in two parts: (1) the unchanging or background circumstances of the country / location followed by (2) an up-to-date brief on schooling, job opportunities, shopping, air travel and medical facilities etc. appropriate to the family concerned. Handshaikh has useful contacts with Gulf-based companies who provide a ‘reception’ service for new expatriates.

Documents and Translation

Handshaikh can advise on the most suitable layout and style of documentation intended for Gulf Arab readership and – as a preliminary to translation – Handshaikh can proof-read or help you to structure your existing English language documents to suit a Gulf Arab audience ensuring that you achieve the best outcomes for your business. For example, a proposal that emphasises opportunities for Joint Ventures and the employment of local Arabs will be well received. Handshaikh can make recommendations to assist your selection of competent, confidential translators. Good translation takes time so allow for this in your planning process.

Sponsor / Agency selection

The contractual relationship between a Western company and its Gulf national or company is not easily severed regardless of the performance of either side. There are scores of unhappy (and happy) Gulf business relationships. The selection of any sponsor/agency relationship should be decided only after the greatest possible care has been taken in the selection process. Handshaikh can advise on potential pitfalls.

Contributions to Magazines, Training videos, TV and Audio programmes

Handshaikh has provided articles on cross-cultural and other contributions for a number of broadcasters – see Media. These have included the BBC World (Arabic, Persian and English) Services; Sky News; NBC’s ‘Street Wise’; British Business Group Dubai’s ‘BBG Calling’ and ‘Britain In Business’; Financial Times’ Business ‘Resident Abroad’; ‘The Treasurer’ magazine; Qatar British Business ‘Forum’; Kogan Page’s ‘Doing Business in the UAE’ and ‘Doing Business in Bahrain’; Dubai TV’s 24 hour Business Channel; Dubai TV; Dubai FM; Emirates airline in-flight audio programme; UN’s Climate Change Conference in Doha. Handshaikh is ready to provide Gulf cross-cultural input to all media.

Jobs in the Gulf

Although not a job agency or career counselling organisation, Handshaikh may be able to advise on the best routes for seeking employment in the Gulf.

Visits to your factory etc. by Gulf Arabs

Many Gulf Arabs visit business premises and factories in the West and elsewhere. Typically, these visitors form all or part of a Technical Committee tasked with evaluating your bid to an Arab tender. Handshaikh can advise on guidelines and procedures to follow which will ensure that their visit to you is a success.