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SOAS Enterprise

The Gulf

Session 1: Understanding the Gulf (2 hours)
  • Origins of culture and society in the Gulf region
  • The fundamentals of Islam
  • Value systems and social relations in the Gulf
  • Important variations between different Gulf states
  • Shariah and implications for the business environment
Lunch with Middle Eastern buffet

 

Session 2: Doing Business in the Gulf (2 hours)
  • How to communicate effectively with Gulf counterparts
  • Etiquette in meetings
  • Negotiating with Arabs
  • The decision-making process
  • Attitudes to time-keeping
  • Appropriate salutations / Arab names
  • Possible causes of misunderstandings and how to avoid them
  • The importance of hierarchy
  • Attitudes to women and their place in society
  • Socialising and entertaining