< PreviousCOVER STORY | OWEIS ZAHRAN 40 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 WITH THE OPENING OF THE BEAR GRYLLS EXPLORER CAMP IN RAS AL KHAIMAH, BUSINESSES HAVE A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE TEAM BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONGST THEIR PERSONNEL. WITH ‘ZOOM FATIGUE’ AND HAPPINESS AT WORK A GROWING CONCERN, THERE COULD BE NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO HEAD – LITERALLY – FOR THE HILLS. ALLISON GRINNELL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RAK HOSPITALITY HOLDING, INTRODUCES THE EXCITING NEW ADVENTURE VENTURE. BY JOLA CHUDY LEADERSHIP | LESSONS FROM THE WILD LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE WILDNOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 41 NOWN FOR HIS EXTREME outdoor adventure television series, Bear Grylls is the ex- SAS serviceman, survival instructor and writer who has authored books on human endurance feats. In his latest venture, he opens a survival academy nestled in the rocky mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, where weekend survivalists can learn first-hand what it takes to make it in the wildnerness. CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding, Allison Grinnell, oversees the project in the UAE and tells CEO why it’s the perfect adventure option for cor- porates, and why there’s no better time than now to harness the power of being out in nature to alleviate the effects of a long lockdown and a WFH environment that has seen many teams connect only through Zoom or sporadic days in the office. Why should corporate groups attend the Bear Grylls Camp? Outdoor and nature-based group activi- ties are an important part of building communication capabilities, team co-operation and trust, allowing people within a corporate structure to face fresh challenges and grow their transferable skills. The various courses at the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp allow guests to ap- ply their existing knowledge and develop new skills when adapting to new situ- ations. Many of the simulated survival situations at the Camp require collective problem solving and delegation capabili- ties, in addition to trust and self-reliance which are beneficial for overall group development. Why was Ras Al Khaimah chosen for this venture? We decided to launch the world’s first Bear Grylls Explorer Camp in Ras Al Khaimah owing to the Emirate’s identity as a fast-emerging adventure hub in the Middle East. With its diverse landscape and majestic mountains, Ras Al Khaimah offers a thrilling blend of adrenaline- packed activities. The Bear Grylls Explorer Camp’s unique placement on Jebel Jais – the UAE’s highest peak– has proven to be an ideal location in which to challenge adventurers with its stunning mountainous terrain. In addition to this, the nature of the courses varies greatly from the camp’s UK counterparts which operate in wet, cold conditions, whereas the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp set within the Wadi, K offers an arid environment coupled with a dramatic wilderness setting, offering limited wild food options. The challenges faced also differ, with dehydration and heat stroke forming the main focus in this region. These differences set aside the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp from UK based entities, creating a com- pletely unique experience to be enjoyed. The courses offered at the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp are also complimentary to its UK counterparts offering varies climatic challenges to guests who have explored the UK-based camp. What are the benefits of taking part in the camp for corpo- rates? The Bear Grylls Explorer Camp offers a corporate getaway un- like any other, as it is removed from usual city activity. Through the various courses at the Camp, corporate employees can foster strong team spirit. The Camp also demands a certain level of discipline from its participants “THE BEAR GRYLLS EXPLORER CAMP OFFERS AN ARID ENVIRONMENT COUPLED WITH A DRAMATIC WILDERNESS SETTING.” Survive and thrive. You made it through 2020, but can you make it through a night in the wilderness?42 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 as they are taught how to survive in the wild, which ultimately develops a sense of co-operation within team members. Its activities are also beneficial in growing the communication skills of the team members. A trip to the camp offers a new setting which is sure to invigorate guests, following the past year of restricted movement, which when combined with survival challenges and tough situations offers the perfect opportunity to let loose and learn about our natural surround- ings, amidst open channels of communi- cation between corporate employees. What lessons can be learned from survival activities that can be applied to working better together? The activities at the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp challenge teams in different ways than in the office fostering team collabo- ration and group support and reliance. They also improve problem solving skills by introducing participants into new perceptions of teamwork, calling for a dif- ferent mindset - driving motivation and team resilience. Throughout the camp’s activities, participants must rely on each other for support, using lateral thinking that will ultimately promote a more cohe- sive working experience in the office. What do participants learn about themselves? Individually, the Camp’s activities will increase participants’ resourcefulness and their drive to learn and embrace new challenges and environments. In addi- tion to this, the courses also boost per- sonal character development, allowing participants to develop problem solving skills while trying to test their limits in certain survival simulations.The courses place participants out of their normal environments requiring them to think on their feet and act with agility which will ultimately improve their response under pressure. All these skills will automati- cally reflect positively on the business and their individually work styles. What timeframe is needed and what can participants expect? The Bear Grylls Explorer Camp offers a variety of survival courses developed by Bear Grylls himself which offer insight into his dynamic and hands on tech- niques. These include half day (three to four hours), eight and 24-hour courses that will teach practical life-saving skills and attitudes such as resourceful- ness and how to be calm under pres- sure. At the Camp, participants can expect to meet with highly qualified instructors with years of experience in the outdoor industry. In addition to be intensively, professionally trained at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy in the UK, the instructors also hold a variety LEADERSHIP | LESSONS FROM THE WILDNOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 43 of outdoor qualifications including Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, Bush Craft Instructor etc. All instructors also possess up to date wilderness first aid certification, safeguarding qualifications and are certified fire marshals. In addition, the staff also have IRATA rope technician and rope rescue training. Employers are highly aware of the neg- ative effects of remote working when it comes to team building and connec- tion to fellow employees; do you think ‘zoom fatigue’ can be countered by more team activities? Yes, absolutely. Since video chats or conference calls have become part of our new normal, it is to everyone’s ben- efit to ensure that employees engage in more team-focused outdoor activities where possible. Of course, it goes without saying that it is necessary to ensure that the preventative measures pertaining to pandemic are all in place as in the case of the Bear Grylls Survival Camp, to safeguard teams. Engaging in more team-focused activities, in less crowded areas such as the Jebel Jais mountain range with its abundant spaces would be beneficial to building in-person connections, in the face of new working norms where teams engage over the usual video conference calls. What COVID-19 measures are in place for group activities? The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is our top priority. Our preventative measures across the Camp are based on the recommendations of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and comply with all the local government regula- tions to combat the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. Along with being a Bureau Veritas-certified attraction, the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp is also adhering to the most stringent cleaning stand- ards and operational protocols. In line with social distancing advi- sories, from the World Health Organi- zation (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the UAE federal authorities, the academy has put in place necessary measures such as use of masks and gloves while a complete and thorough sanitization of equipment is completed after each use and maintained for the facilities at the end of each day. Contributing to the national effort to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the camp currently limits its daily visitor intake, further supported by its sprawl- ing outdoor nature. What leadership characteristics can be drawn out through a survival pro- gramme, and what qualities amongst individuals? Corporate outdoor activities can be used as means for management to gauge potentials leaders. Under the camp’s tough courses, employees will be faced with challenges designed with time- constraints leading to learning and decision making under pressure. In such instances, participants will unknowingly reveal their discover their latent leader- ship abilities through aiding their teams, managing of resources and ensuring the wellbeing of all participants. ‘WFH’ to ‘OOO’. Groups will experience a series of outdoor challenges that will engage them in collaborative teamwork. “IT IS TO EVERYONE’S BENEFIT TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES ENGAGE IN MORE TEAM-FOCUSED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WHERE POSSIBLE. ”44 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 WO-WEIGHT UFC WORLD champion and global icon, Conor McGregor has insisted staying focused through adversity is key to success as he trains his business brain in order to become as big a star outside the octagon as he was inside. There may yet be some twists and turns in the career of the enigmatic Irish fighter, despite announcing his retirement earlier in the summer, but not even his most ardent of opponents over the years can deny the work rate and level of dedication that saw him rise to the very top in the sport. In an exclusive interview, he insists that level of dedication is essential to succeed in all walks of life. The 32-year-old says: “The mental side of this game is more powerful than the physical and it will test us all. Fight IQ - the ability to understand the situ- ation you are in, remain resilient and adapt the strategy is what winners do. Use this IQ to understand how to remain agile and able to adapt to the obstacles you face. And then work. Do the reps, then again and again. Success never T LEADERSHIP | CONOR MCGREGOR GLOBAL ICON AND UFC WORLD CHAMPION CONOR MCGREGOR REVEALS HOW HE IS TRAINING HIS BUSINESS BRAIN TO SUCCEED OUTSIDE THE OCTAGON By GAVIN GIBBON BOXING CLEVERNOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 45 business world, with endorsement deals signed with Beats by Dre, Monster En- ergy, Reebok and Bud Light. According to Forbes, McGregor’s net worth stood at $99 million ahead of his fight with Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 Success secrets The world champion boxer is adamant that the only secret to success is putting in more time and effort than your competition. earlier this year. He is also involved in a fashion partnership with tailoring brand David August called August McGregor, aimed at providing modern men’s suits to millennials; and in September 2018, he launched Proper No Twelve Irish Whisky. He said: “It’s im- portant to be focused, and to use your plat- form to give back and help others. It’s on us, with the resources that we have and the voice that we have as lead- ers, to affect positive change in our com- munities - especially in times of crisis like these.” comes without heavy investment, that’s what I’ve learned and benefitted from.” Certainly nobody could accuse fans’ favourite McGregor of not being agile. He achieved the fastest knockout in UFC title fight history with a 13-second stoppage against Jose Aldo to win the UFC Featherweight Championship in 2015. And when he defeated Eddie Alva- rez for the UFC Lightweight Champion- ship at UFC 205, he became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. However, despite this success, he literally turned his hands to boxing and took on arguably one of the greatest fighters in the world in Floyd Mayweath- er, only narrowly losing out to a technical knockout in the tenth round. He said: “Remembering where I came from and trusting my family, friends and those close to me has helped keep me grounded through the ups and downs. Thankfully, trusting myself and this process has got me to this point in my athletic and business careers.” McGregor, who is represented by Paradigm Sports Management, is the biggest pay-per-view (PPV) draw in MMA history, having headlined five out of the six highest-selling UFC pay-per- view events. His headline bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 drew 2.4 million PPV buys, the most ever for an MMA event. While his boxing match with Mayweather drew 4.3 million PPV buys in North America, the second most in history. And he is proving just as successful in the “FIGHT IQ, THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION YOU ARE IN, REMAIN RESILIENT AND ADAPT THE STRATEGY IS WHAT WINNERS DO. USE THIS TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO REMAIN AGILE.”46 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 PLEASURE ESCAPE YOUR HOME OFFICE AND CHANGE YOUR FOUR WALLS FOR POOL VIEWS STYLE WATCHES TRAVEL ACCESSORIES NY RESORT HOTEL THAT THINKS one step ahead and designates one pool for families and one for adults only knows a thing or two about pleasing every member of the family; something that is especially appreciated when for many of us, the realisation that we did not have a ‘big’ holiday this year means that thought- ful touchpoints and guest experiences of our weekends away are to be savoured all the more fully. From the moment CEO stepped into the light-filled room and eyed the large terrace with its magnificent views, the mood was set firmly to ‘delighted’ and it just got better from there. The staff make a point of making your stay feel person- alised, and as we mentally switched off from our inbox and drank in the beautiful lobby with its water feature covered in rose petals, it seemed that all these elements were conspiring to create the happiness- SWAP THE FOUR WALLS CURRENTLY DEFINING YOUR WORK-LIFE EXISTENCE AND REGAIN THAT SENSE OF ‘BALANCE’… FOR A WEEKEND OR SO AT LEAST. NESTLED WITHIN ITS OWN LANDSCAPED GARDENS, THE RITZ-CARLTON, DUBAI IN JBR OFFERS PEACEFUL, POOLSIDE LIVING AND THE CHANCE TO SWITCH GEARS FROM WFH TO R&R A WEEKEND ESCAPES NOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 47 “HAPPINESS IS THE SUM OF SMALL MOMENTS OF APPRECIATION, AND DURING THESE PARTICULAR TIMES, IT’S GOOD TO HAVE A RESERVE OF SUCH MOMENTS.” inducing vibe of being on holiday… and yet we were right here in our home city. While 2020 may not go down in his- tory as a vintage one by any stretch, the fact that we’ve all been forced to look more closely at the things around us is not to be dismissed. And the opportunity to experience a heightened appreciation for slowing down and savouring the moment is in abundance at this property, with its peaceful landscaped gardens overlook- ing the sea, Ritz Kids Club, tennis courts, restaurants and bars. Its poolside vibe is absolutely on point; with the food served up worthy of gracing any white linen-clad table at an upscale restaurant. With a destination spa tucked away on its grounds, there is the opportunity to submit your limbs to the attentions of skilful massage therapists for an indulgent treatment, perhaps while strategically de- positing your offspring at the nearby Kids Club for a couple of hours. As the sun sets, the soporific charms of the property’s beachside restaurant, Palm Grill, beckon. With its tables set right out on the sand, it invites the kind of barefoot luxury vibe that is often sought-after but rarely found, and with cold drink in hand and uninterrupted views over the ocean, it really doesn’t get better than this. It is said that happiness is the sum of small moments of apprecia- tion, and during these particular times, it’s good to have a reserve of such mo- ments. At the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, they are there in abundance. T. +971 4 318 6520, ritzcarlton.com/dubai Award-winning restaurants include London Social, a lively and upmarket spot in which to grab a bite with your loved ones.48 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 WITH COOLER CLIMATES FINALLY HERE IN THE UAE, IT’S TIME TO EMBRACE THE BEST OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO SO THAN WITH TIMEPIECES DESIGNED TO GO WITH YOU FROM HIGH ALTITUDE TO BENEATH THE OCEAN WAVES WATCHES FOR EVERY ENVIRONMENT LAND Chopard Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition Since becoming the 1000 Miglia’s principal partner and offi cial timekeeper in 1988, Chopard has produced a new Mille Miglia timepiece every year. Over the decades, these have come to be sought-after collectors’ items, as much for their rarity – all are made in strictly limited numbers – as for the way they express the inextricable link between the worlds of classic cars and mechanical sports watches. A chronograph is an essential piece of operational equipment for any serious rally contestant, and every team taking part in the 1000 Miglia is presented with the latest WATER Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Paying tribute to the maison’s heritage in diving watches, two new Polaris Mariner timepieces – Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox and Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date – beckon for those who embrace the life aquatic. A standout reference in diving watches, the Memovex watches of the 1950s accompanied divers on what was then a high-risk and challenging military activity; in 1959 Jaeger-LeCoultre created a watch that played a sound when it was time to resurface; in 1968 it added a watch with a triple-layer caseback for better sound transmission, as well as an internal rotating bezel. In 2020, the 42mm update, presented in 2 versions, features a sporty aesthetic coupled with high-end fi nishing. A screwed-down crown features an orange warning band to show when it’s not fully screwed down, with a rich blue dial further enhancing the appearance of this singular timepiece. The hands, indexes and numerals are fi lled with SuperLumiNova® to ensure excellent legibility in low light, as required of all diving watches. However, Jaeger-LeCoultre has gone a step further, maximising divers’ safety by using different colours to distinguish the hour and minute hands. jaeger-lecoultre.com WATCHES NOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 49 WATCHES LAND Bell & Ross BR05 Chronograph With its integrated steel bracelet and striking graphic dial design, this highly contemporary timepiece riffs on Bell & Ross’s connection to aviation and fl ight instruments, but with a twist – the watch is created in homage to style-minded, time-conscious urban explorers. Featuring a chronograph movement within a 42mm case that combines a round and square shape, its satin-polished elegance “harks back to a category of watches which appeared in the 1970s, and when infused with the Bell and Ross signature identity, is both striking and modern,” says Bruno Belamich, the brand’s creative director. The angle of the attachment to the bracelet is so designed that it follows the contours of the wrist to fi t comfortably all day, with no matter where your urban adventure may take you; versions in black or blue dial also feature an edition with a rubber strap instead of the steel. bellross.com AIR Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy In 1970, OMEGA received the coveted “Silver Snoopy Award” from the astronauts at NASA, recognising the brand’s unique contributions to space exploration, as well as the Speedmaster’s vital support during the rescue of Apollo 13. Exactly 50 years later, a special timepiece has been created in the occasion’s honour. Combining animation with watchmaking art, this incredible Snoopy tribute has taken the OMEGA Speedmaster to new realms of design. The world’s favourite beagle plays a prominent role within the timepiece, fi rst appearing as an embossed silver medallion on the blue subdial at 9 o’clock. Here, he is shown wearing his famous spacesuit, in the exact style of the silver pin that NASA astronauts give to award recipients. The dial itself is also silver and laser-engraved with Ag925. It includes two more blue subdials, as well as blue PVD angle-shaped hour markers and hands. In a superb display of watchmaking skill, the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. This ground-breaking movement has taken the legendary Moonwatch calibre to new standards of excellence, with anti- magnetic innovation, as well as Master Chronometer certifi cation from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). omega.com Mille Miglia Race Edition chronograph before they arrive at the start line. The 2020 edition is issued in two versions powered by a chronometer- certifi ed movement: 1,000 in beadblasted DLC-treated stainless steel and 250 in two-tone beadblasted DLC-treated stainless steel and ethical 18-carat rose gold. chopard.comNext >