GOVERNMENT OF DUBAI SUPPORTS E-WORLD ‘SUMMIT’ SYMPOSIUM THAT PROMISES TO BE AN EVENT WITH A DIFFERENCE

Solutions for e-world organisational effectiveness tabled at Dubai’s first business symposium – October 22-23 2000

In the wake of the e-jungle syndrome currently sweeping the region, a Dubai-based business consultancy that is fast-earning a track-record for the hosting of top-level seminars has jumped on the merry-go-round trumpeting firm promises of ‘an e-business event with a difference’.

Global Management Consultants, the people behind the Stephen Covey forum in 1998 and the ‘be there or be square’, Michael Porter gathering last year, has launched Summit Dubai.

Dubbed the region’s first-ever business symposium, Summit Dubai has already attracted the support of Dubai’s government and a fistful of leading companies, including Microsoft as key sponsor, worthy signs that the organisers are en-route to deliver what they promise.

Saira Azhar, chief executive officer of Global and Summit Dubai confirmed that Summit Dubai has secured the patronage of Dubai Internet City (DIC) and the support of the Department of Economic Development (DED). While, leading IT company, Microsoft is on-board as the sole sponsor of the symposium.

She stressed that the symposium is not ‘another IT event’ emphasising the focus of Summit Dubai as ‘organisational effectiveness in the e-age’: "The core objective of the meet is to focus the actual impact of e-business on the day-to-day operations of companies of all sizes.

"It is not about hardware and systems but about how businesses can embrace e-business at the ground-level."

As a further sign of its attempt to be different, the two-day symposium takes a three-prong attack at the six essential areas of organisational effectiveness – each placed in the e-environment - by running speaker seminars, product showcases and product presentations in tandem.

Considering the participation of nine leading-edge international blue chips, comprising American Express, Andersen Consulting, Arthur Andersen, Bywater, Cisco Systems, Fusion Consulting, Hay Group, Motorola and Oracle, it seems that the ‘seminar-showcase-presentation’ structure has the potential of delivering what could well be innovative ‘hear, see’ touch’ messages and specific solutions.

Turning back to the symposium focus, the topics under the spotlight are e-business strategy, e-leadership, e-HR, e-information technology, e-finance and administration and e-marketing.

Azhar said : "We are going to look deep into the impact of e-business on the day-to-day operations of firms of all sizes. The forum will suggest strategies and offer methods for their effective implementation.

"Specifically, the role of the consultant will come under scrutiny. We will debate just how companies can use third-party expertise. The overriding aim here will be to ‘throw out’ the seemingly negative stigma attached to consultants in general."

On e-jargon and definition, Azhar said that it is still commonplace for e-commerce and e-business to be confused : "E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods, whereas e-business is about the way in which we conduct traditional business activities in the web-driven environment.

"This brings us into a ‘new age’ of business implementation and attitude – this is what Summit Dubai will bring to the fore."

According to Azhar more 200 members representing the core of the region’s corporate world are set to attend Summit Dubai which will be held at Emirates Towers.