#137: The Gulf region. Oil, AI and Giga-projects
If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast. Today, we delve into the Gulf countries. With the rapid growth in smartphone and internet penetration in Saudi Arabia, how can businesses leverage the digital landscape to enhance customer experience and market reach? Why is Dubai a hub for AI? How are Gulf businesses shifting supply chains towards emerging markets in Central Asia? And much more…We do this with 3 expert guests. Check further below for their detailed information.Join Leonardo on Patreon for:Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.With guests:With a globe-spanning career, Corina Goetz has embodied roles as diverse as Advisor, Educator, Confidente and Specialist in Middle Eastern culture. By creating Star-CaT, a Middle Eastern Advisory, Training, and Consulting firm, she has spent over 20 years forging trusted relationships with leaders from the Gulf, royal families, and business magnates. Her remarkable success includes escalating a company's regional client base from zero to a 6 million annual turnover. As a German national and non-Arabic speaker, she brings a unique perspective to the table, embodying the bridge between the West and the Middle East. Having navigated the complex cultural landscapes herself, she understands the subtleties of communication, attire, and social structures in the Gulf. Through Star-CaT, her mission is global – to educate, guide and assist companies in navigating the dynamic business environment of the Gulf with confidence and cultural intelligence which then leads to exeptionnel commercial success.Corina's expertise in Middle Eastern customs and business etiquette has made her an indispensable ally to a variety of clients, including prestigious names like Aka, Corinthia London, Sarova Group, Monteverdi Tuscany, King & Spalding, Dr. Rita Rakus, and Acorn Capital Advisors. She is committed to ensuring her clients not only meet but exceed the expectations of their Middle Eastern counterparts.Oksana Didyk is a strategic consultant and researcher specializing in the Gulf region’s energy, food and agriculture, culture, and logistics sectors. With 12 years of experience in business strategy, lean management, and market entry, she has advised governments, trade organizations, and multinational companies on navigating complex regional dynamics. Oksana is also completing her PhD in Political Studies, focusing on political branding and governance in the Middle East, giving her a deep analytical edge in understanding the region’s economic and geopolitical landscapes. Combining academic insight with hands-on expertise, she helps businesses not just enter the Gulf, but truly succeed in it.Giorgio Morocica is the Head of Business Development at Edugo.AI, a Gen AI-powered Learning Management System, acquired in 2023. Giorgio is also the founder and CEO of "The Founders Club" an international community with the mission to help founders and entrepreneurs create a scalable business EXIT successfully. Furthermore, he is an Angel Investor with currently 6 startups in his portfolio and a mentor for startup founders and entrepreneurs. He holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Università per Stranieri di Siena and a triple master's degree from ICN Business School, University of Bologna, and East China University of Science and Technology.If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra
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