< Previous20 Vol. 25/08, 16 – 31 July 2024 OCTOBER 2024 FILM Joker: Folie à Deux PODCAST The Investing for Beginners Podcast The Joker is back, but this time it’s a musical, with Lady Gaga stepping in as Harley Quinn. The chaos is bound to be legendary. Following the massive success of the fir st Joker film, Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Ar thur Fleck. Locked away in Arkham Asylum, Fleck falls in love with fellow inmate Harley Quinn. Together, they weave through a musical labyrinth of madness and violence, fuelling a movement that threatens to tear Gotham apart. Expect dark musical sequences, Phoenix’s haunting perfor mance, and Lady Gaga’s brilliant take on Harley Quinn. Tired of podcasts that make investing sound like quantum physics? This one keeps it simple, practical, and perfect for beginners. Andrew Sather and Dave Ahern take the fear out of investing. From understanding the basics of stocks and bonds to navigating the confusing jargon, they make sure you know exactly what’s going on. Whether you’re saving for retirement or just curious about the stock market, this podcast breaks it all down into bite-sized, actionable tips. The Investing for Beginners Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes air every Wednesday, with each running around 30 to 40 minutes Joker: Folie à Deux premieres in UAE cinemas on 3 October 2024 20 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 Potential, a new psychological series, and the ABE_2511_20-21_On our radar_13377461.indd 2029/09/2024 10:25arabianbusiness.com 21 Alfonso Cuarón and Cate Blanchett team up in what promises to be a tense, beautifully shot psychological thriller. This isn’t just a show, it’s an experience. Based on Renée Knight’s novel, Cate Blanchett plays a successful documen- tary filmmaker whose life spirals out of control when a mysterious novel reveals her long-hidden secrets. With an all-star cast including Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Lesley Manville, this series takes you into the dark corners of memory and regret. A must-watch for thriller fans who like their mysteries dense and layered. Disclaimer premieres on Apple TV+ from 11 October 2024, with new episodes dropping weekly This brilliant book will shatter your assumptions about what it takes to improve and succeed BOOKS Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant TV Disclaimer The latest entertainment adding culture and amusement to our lives Why we recommend it: This isn’t just another self-help book. It’s a scientifically backed guide on how you can defy limits, shatter expectations, and rise above what you thought was possible. Synopsis: We live in a world obsessed with “natural talent,” but Grant shows that it’s less about the gifts you’re born with and more about how well you learn, adapt, and build your character. Hidden Potential takes you on a journey, blending storytelling with groundbreaking research to show that anyone can improve and achieve extraordinary results. It’s the toolkit for unlocking your own success, whether you’re an athlete, a student, or climbing the corporate ladder. Price: From $25 at Kinokuniya UAE — Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Olympic gold medallist turned entrepreneur arabianbusiness.com21 Joker is back – this time, he’s brought a friend ABE_2511_20-21_On our radar_13377461.indd 2129/09/2024 10:2522 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 Partner Content Federico Pienovi on AI, market dominance, and why the Middle East is the next tech powerhouse Globant's global tech revolution how to become better at serving the American market from Latin America. Then I was asked to run Europe, and when you arrive there and see the ecosystem, and you really start talking to customers, you understand that the company you've built for the last 15 years doesn't really cover or match what this market needs. The same is very much applicable to the Middle East, Oceania, and Asia overall. It's about being in the local market, understanding their visions. Can you share a few challenges you faced while expanding Globant's presence in EMEA? Of course, there are several challenges, starting with cultural awareness. You are dealing with very different cultures when you're in the US, Europe, or the Middle East. The first thing is to be very humble and understand that people think differ- ently in different parts of the world. You need to figure out how you as a company, you as an executive, and your executive team can adapt to that. Also, when doing business, regulatory restrictions apply to most industries, from where data can be stored to financial regulations, healthcare regulations, and so on. A s the world becomes increas- ingly interconnected, one company is at the forefront of driving digital transfor- mation across continents. Enter Globant, a trailblazer in the tech landscape, and its CEO and Chief Business Officer for Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, Federico Pienovi. With over a decade of experience under his belt, Pienovi is no stranger to navigating the complexities of diverse markets and spearheading growth strategies that deliver impact. In an exclusive sit-down with Arabian Business, he pulls back the curtain on Globant's plans, the chal- lenges of global expansion, and the game-changing technologies reshaping industries today. From artificial intelligence to quan- tum computing, Pienovi gives us an insider’s perspective on how the future is being built, one innovation at a time. What inspired you to join Globant 14 years ago? About 14 years ago, I was quite young and working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a big American telecommunications company. Most of the companies in the market at that time were very Ameri- can-led. One day, a colleague of mine mentioned hearing about this new company founded right here in Argen- tina by four local entrepreneurs, who were supposedly doing things differ- ently. And so, my friend and I decided to apply, and we ended up having our interviews on the same day and were both hired immediately. How do you approach designing strategies for different regions like Asia, Middle East, and Oceania? Look, it's always a challenge. As I said, we're a Latin American company that was born with the idea of serving the US market. For 15 years, our strategy was ABE_2511_22-23_Globant_13404412.indd 2228/09/2024 18:41arabianbusiness.com 23 Partner Content What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in the global tech industry? There are a couple of things. First, you need to stay on your toes. Technol- ogy is changing rapidly every day, so you need to be somebody who is very curi- ous and always trying to learn. Also, be very adaptable. Over my career, I've moved places, pursuing where the opportunities are. Today, the global landscape is evolving rapidly, so being very adaptable in that regard is crucial. Something that has really helped me over my career is building strong networks. You need to take the time to spend not only behind a computer but going out, and building relationships. How has your role on Globant's global executive committee influenced your perspective on the company's future? Being in the global executive committee allows me to collaborate with all my part- ners around the world – the ones running the strategy for the US, Latin America, Europe, MENA, and APAC. I think that constant collaboration is crucial. Technology is pretty much a global phenomenon, but you need to tailor that to each specific market. And finally, one key element is that we don't just work with the talent in each region. We consider Globant's talent, whether they're based out of India, the US, Latin Amer- ica, or Europe, as a global talent pool. Is there anything else you would like to add? When you're running a tech company that promises to transform industries through AI, one key element is that you need to be transforming yourself as well. That's why Globant is creating this hugely ambitious plan globally to embed AI across everything we do – from recruit- ment and retention to software creation, experience design, and customer interac- tion. In addition, I've never seen a level of transformation like what the Middle East is going through right now. This is one of the areas that's super exciting for the future, and I think Globant can really bring a lot of value there. What was your most memorable experience as Managing Director for the East Coast in the US? To answer that, I probably have to go back to the core of the company itself. The first challenge was to tailor what we were doing globally for these cool, digitally native companies, to really assist the financial services sector. We were part of the first wave of convinc- ing banks that they needed to undergo a digital transformation. That was a huge challenge. What made Globant unique in the US market was our approach as an agile, entrepreneurial company with deep Latin American roots. We brought a fresh perspective, focusing on innovation, adaptability, and customer-centricity. By leveraging our global experience, we were able to introduce transformative solu- tions in a market that needed to embrace change quickly. That pioneering spirit is what set us apart in the industry. How do you see technology disrupting the way companies connect with consumers? I think if you look at technology advancements, we're in an era where things will move faster than in the 100 years before this. In many ways, AI is becoming a pivotal technology for every industry to rethink how they're doing business and how they're connecting with their consumers. And obviously, through different technologies, the speed and accessibility that companies are getting is really helping them connect faster and more directly with their customers. What emerging technologies are you most excited about right now? In the next couple of years, we're going to see quantum computing getting closer to the customer – today it's very, very far away. Also, everything that has to do with robotics, or what we like to call embedded AI, as well. It's about how robots are becoming much more intel- ligent, able to collaborate with each other to really create a much more intel- ligent ecosystem that is going to drive efficiencies massively. Could you elaborate on Globant's strategy for the financial services industry? It [financial services] is a sector that has been in constant digital transformation for the last, let's say, 15 years, with vary- ing levels of success. Today, there's an even heavier focus on what we call getting closer to the customer through designing digital products that really start crossing borders and becoming useful at different levels. We see competitors to banks now that are innovating, so we are trying to help clients understand how to create these products faster, how to think outside the box, and more. How do you balance organic growth with strategic acquisitions in your role? Traditionally, we as a company focus heavily on organic growth. It's very important, but it's a really good point that when arriving in a new region, sometimes organic growth can take years. One way to accelerate that is to bring in talent and companies already being successful in the local markets to be integrated into our overall offering. The reality is that we take a long time and do very careful analysis on which sort of companies we bring in, because it's not only about the talent they have, but also their culture, and how that culture can be integrated into our own. Federico Pienovi, CEO and Chief Business Officer for Asia, Middle East, and Oceania ABE_2511_22-23_Globant_13404412.indd 2328/09/2024 18:4124 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 Property Alex Zagrebelny’s Dubai debut with the Eywa project redefined sustainable luxury. In Latvia, though, he's already a legend, with 25 years of groundbreaking projects under his belt WORDS BY ANIL BHOYRUL 24 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 The secret is in the detail Alex Zagrebelny has taken Dubai by storm with his Eywa project in Business Bay. The unique development, with a passion for sustainable luxury, has made it the talk of the town. But while the founder and sole proprietor of R·Evolution Group may be the new kid on the block in the UAE, he is the driving force behind one of the world’s most innovative companies in the luxury real estate market. Ask anyone in Latvia’s capital what they know about Zagrebelny, and two things stand out: one, that everyone knows him, and two, his meticulous attention to detail on his projects. For over 25 years, Zagrebelny has been studying ancient sciences and philos- ophies, exploring their impact on individual well-being and development. Imple- menting this knowledge with the utmost sustainability and a responsible attitude towards the planet, he incorporates the latest advancements of modern civilisation into all his projects. Relocating to Dubai in 2020 with his wife, Kate, and two children, he considers his family his muses, inspiring him to create and develop new concepts and buildings. R·Evolution’s portfolio now boasts over 20 completed luxurious properties that have received prestigious local and international awards. His vision for Intellectual Real Estate Development encompasses biophilic design, neuro-architecture, decoding, storytelling, and scenography. Rooted in ancient knowledge of human nature and utilising the latest technologies and IT solutions, he develops residential, office, and hotel facilities that tell stories of great people, achievements, nature, cultural traditions, and history. Arabian Business was given access to several of the projects in Riga that have made R·Evolution one of Latvia’s most famous – and unique – developers. ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2428/09/2024 18:52arabianbusiness.com25 Property arabianbusiness.com25 HOFT has an internal area of 8,337 sq m with 42 luxury apartments. It has been brilliantly integrated into the Art Nouveau urban development, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the first realised concept in the city centre with a vertical forest of bonsai coniferous trees on the facade. R·Evolution transformed a historic eclectic building, designed in 1881, into an elite apartment property that combines two architectural systems – a five-storey renovated building, a historic monument, and a seven-storey modern courtyard building. Painstaking repair and restoration work was completed to restore the original appearance of the facades and interiors of the historic building, in such a way that modern paintings and details highlight the historical architecture and bring the spirit of modernity. HOFT The House Of The Flying Trees (2015-2020) ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2529/09/2024 09:4926 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 Property The quarter LEGEND, a new revolution- ary generation of super luxury real estate, is located in a unique position at the very heart of the “golden mile” in the renowned Scandinavian resort town of Jūrmala, Latvia. Nestled next to the dunes and only 100 metres from the sea, the development spans an area of over a hectare, offering 14,457 sq m of internal space. Within this grand estate, award-winning spaces have been created, including Villa Churchill, Villa Hepburn, and Villa Dietrich, which together contain 63 plush apartments. Additionally, the private villa, Villa Hemingway, stands as a refined retreat, and the 500 sq m Moon River SPA adds to the property’s luxurious offerings. LEGEND makes property owners’ lives refined and carefree, offering a wide range of premium-class services: An elegant beach and the most luxurious exit to the beach, the Spa complex with a pool, jacuzzis, saunas, treat- ment rooms, a gym, and a yoga room; two restaurants; a children’s playground; under- ground parking; exquisite modern architec- ture and vintage cars in front of the main entrance; magnificent interiors, impeccable quality of construction and decoration, natu- ral materials and green technologies, as well as VIP concierge service at the highest level. Villa Churchill, Villa Hepburn, Villa Diet- rich, and the private Villa Hemingway are tributes to the people to whom each is dedi- cated. These buildings are portraits of famous individuals, expressed through the language of architecture and design. First, the chosen person’s life, personal achievements, and the details and facts of their life and character are thoroughly studied. Then a personal author’s perception of the personality is added, and the result is transferred to the building’s exte- rior and interior through architecture and design. This is a manifesto that tells people and the surrounding space about great achievements, and what should not be lost for future generations. Residential Quarter Legend (2012-2015) ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2628/09/2024 18:52arabianbusiness.com 27 Property This two-tower residential complex is dedicated to German philosophers of the 18th century, Johann Gottfried Herder and Johann Georg Hamann, who lived and worked in the house located on this land plot in Riga. The silhouette of the buildings evokes associations with a stack of books as an imprint of great thinkers. The two buildings, 28 and 27 floors respectively, consist of 114 luxury apartments, with their ground floors 15 metres above the ground, allowing residents to enjoy nature and the oak alley, the Alley of Philos- ophers (inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List). Various sports facilities, grounds, and a chil- dren's playground, along with a library of 2,500 books in the hall with a 14-metre ceiling, were created so that modern “philosophers” could lead their lives fully and efficiently. Philosophers’ Residence is for people who seek security and tranquillity, preferring an active, sustainable lifestyle. Everything is created for resi- dents who follow their own path and philosophy of life, providing them with the tools to support a sustainable and healthy lifestyle close to nature in the middle of urban jungles. The main task for R·Evolution was to create an environment that supports residents on their selected path, helping them discover new opportunities, ideas, and goals, and reveal new directions in their lives. Tal Residence pays tribute to the Riga-born world chess champion, Mikhail Tal, and is one of the first examples of implementing DeCode principles, where people are decoded through the language of architecture and design. The facade of the building incorporates chess motifs: The geometry of bay windows personifies chess pieces of various heights, while the combi- nation of light and dark tinted glass represents Tal’s favourite chess combination of a white king, a white queen, and a black bishop to end the game. The monoliths of the columns on the first floor of the building, with their powerful and upward-look- ing ‘capitals’ that support the building, personify Tal’s triumphal gesture of raising his hands while holding the winner’s cup. The theme of chess is revealed in both the design and architecture; everything is subject to strict rules of geometry – homogeneous surfaces, an emphasis on lines and shapes, and a minimum of details – while each element has symbolic meaning and its own history. Tal Residence comprises 7,043 sq m of inner space with 36 luxury apartments and a modern Italian restaurant, Snatch. Philosophers’ Residence (2014-2019) Tal Residence (2012-2014) ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2728/09/2024 18:5228 Vol. 25/11, October 2024 Property The motto of Villa Milia is the connection of times and the continuity of generations. Eternity, time, and the value of each person’s life are at the heart of Villa Milia’s concept, embodying the philos- ophy of living “here and now.” The idea of the project is to preserve and pass on the memory of Latvia’s heyday and economic growth. Villa Milia is a modern interpretation of the famous Scandinavian Villa Benjamina and is dedicated to its owner, “the queen of the Latvian press” and the first Latvian busi- nesswoman, Emilia Benjamin. This elegant villa of 4,309 sq m of inner area with 15 elite apartments is a decoding of a house built in 1938 using the most cutting-edge technologies and materials of that period. For example, there was a 4x7m wall made of mono- lithic glass, dropping into the floor; the door handles were made at the Porsche factory from aluminium with plastic overlays (at the time, this material was more expensive than gold and was super fashionable). The building was consid- ered the most progressive in Scandina- via in terms of architecture, design, and technology. It is not only the historical building that is decoded, but also its owner. For instance, Benjamin loved Japanese culture and landscapes. The modern villa features a Tori gate and a semblance of a classical Japanese garden. All five elements of nature – water, fire, air, wood, and earth (fireplace and water- fall) – are positioned correctly from the perspective of ancient knowledge, to enhance the building’s energy for the benefit of its inhabitants. The architectural concept is a skilful and elegant fusion of refined Art Deco and the laconic functionalism popular in Jūrmala in the 1930s. The design incor- porates the latest technologies and only natural materials of the highest quality: Precious woods, marble finishes, and wrought-iron details on the facade. Villa Milia (2015-2019) ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2828/09/2024 18:52arabianbusiness.com 29 Property The Home, spanning 4,258 sq m and housing 21 luxury apartments ranging from 55 to 166 sq m, beautifully reflects three distinct periods of Jūrmala’s architectural evolution, all conveyed through a modern design. The four-storey building is divided into three interconnected parts. The first section is a large, four-storey glass veranda with a carved wooden frame, paying homage to pre-1900 architecture. The second section showcases a modern Art Deco style, featuring 700 sq m of mosaics, with a sun pattern scanned from an original 1925 building in Jūrmala, evoking the architectural trends of the 1925-1930 period. The third part embraces ultra-modern archi- tecture, with expansive seamless glazing that sepa- rates yet unites the first two sections, effectively blur- ring the boundary between the interior space and the surrounding pine forest. Each apartment has its own spacious balcony, terrace, or individual plot of land. The Home is equipped with two noiseless panoramic elevators, underground parking, a 24-hour security system, and a high-level 24/7 concierge service. The Home (2010-2012) ABE_2511_24-29_Lativa_13401882.indd 2928/09/2024 18:52Next >