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Evening Standard
12-05-2025
- Business
- Evening Standard
How to Build the Mindset of Success: A masterclass with leadership expert Jo Owen
Jo Owen is an award-winning author, leadership expert and social entrepreneur. He co-founded Teach First, the UK's largest graduate recruiter, and has launched multiple NGOs focused on education and reoffending. He's the only person to have won the Chartered Management Institute Gold Award four times, and his books – including How to Lead, Tribal Business School and Global Teams – have been published in over 100 editions worldwide. The third edition of his bestselling Mindset of Success is out this June.
The National
12-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Professionals in UAE rethink sabbaticals, from mini-MBAs to year-long career breaks
Companies and professionals in the UAE are taking a new look at sabbaticals, with some opting for structured mini-MBAs and skill-building programmes, while others are committing to longer career breaks of up to a year for travel, family time or personal growth. A sabbatical - a period of usually between four to six months away from work when a person is still technically employed and may be paid - seems impractical in the UAE, where the job market is fast-paced and industries evolve rapidly. But as conversations around work-life balance shift, some more progressive firms are discovering ways to offer extended time off to their employees. Dubai-based specialist PR and communications agency TishTash recently introduced such a policy, allowing full-time staff who have been with the company for three years or more to take a mini sabbatical of up to three months off. 'Allowing staff the time to do this will only benefit TishTash in the long term, as staff come back with a renewed energy and often bring something new to the table,' managing director Polly Williams told The National. 'It also strengthens employee loyalty and boosts team morale.' Sabbaticals have been on the rise at companies worldwide, particularly as people head back to offices post-pandemic. According to data from the UK's Chartered Management Institute last year, more manager-level professionals than ever are choosing employers that offer sabbaticals, with 53 per cent saying their organisations provide some form of sabbatical leave. The research showed employees under 55 are especially likely to value this option, with 80 per cent saying it is important, citing reasons such as improved mental health, fostering a flexible work culture and increasing talent retention rates, particularly at a time when burnout is at its highest globally. Harvard Business Review also conducted in-depth research into the trend last year by interviewing 50 professionals from various sectors, concluding every participant in the sample experienced significant, positive changes in their personal lives after taking a sabbatical. As per the UAE's labour law, sabbaticals have to be extended only to Emirati employees who work for the federal government and wish to start a business, a policy introduced in 2022. Employees can take one year off to start the business without losing their job and will be entitled to 50 per cent of their salary during the leave period. In the private sector, HR consultant Sarah Brooks believes long breaks are still a tough sell. It is uncommon to find companies willing to accept long leave, whether paid or unpaid, she told The National: 'There's an added issue with the associated costs and complications around residency visas for employees.' Anastasiya Golovatenko, business consultant and director at Dubai's Sherpa Communications, said rather than taking extended time off, many professionals in the UAE are taking leave for short-term educational programmes to learn new skills, without leaving their jobs. 'We notice a growing preference for mini-MBAs and short-term courses,' she said. 'These programmes enable professionals to focus on areas of interest without major career disruptions, ensuring they remain competitive.' According to the Pearson Skills Outlook, tech and business-related fields – such as software, e-commerce and financial services – are among the most sought-after for professionals looking to future-proof their careers. Ms Golovatenko said employees are also preparing for a more tech-driven world by honing essential human skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership. For some employees, a short course is not enough. Maxime Coche, a senior project director working in the UAE's engineering industry, took a full year off, despite his company approving only a six-month sabbatical. When he was not granted the time he wanted, he resigned. In 2012, before having children, Mr Coche and his wife took their first sabbatical while working in their home country of France. The experience left a lasting impression and they knew they wanted to do it again. In 2023, he took his second career break. The couple, now parents to three children, waited until their youngest was old enough to remember the journey and their eldest was still young enough to want to travel with them. 'For us, with the kids, to spend some nice time together and only together, this was one of the triggers," he said. Another major factor was perspective. After the disruption of the pandemic, he said he realised work would always be there, but opportunities for extended time off with his family would not. This time, over the course of 12 months, he and his family travelled extensively, visiting countries across Africa, Asia and Oceania. Their trip was not only about sightseeing but also about experiencing life outside the corporate routine. They also homeschooled their children throughout the journey. Once it was over, Mr Coche said he felt refreshed and rejuvenated, with more motivation to work, and was able to rejoin his former employer. He is already planning his next sabbatical. 'Each time we've done this, we [came back to] a better job and better conditions … it's just about taking the decision and going for it. Only good things came out of it for us," he said. Several employees at TishTash have already taken short sabbaticals and the new policy has positively affected the company's profitability and workplace morale, according to Ms Williams. 'Renewed creativity, increased performance and just a happier team are some of the benefits we are seeing," she told The National. "Offering sabbaticals is similar to our other flexible working policies, and although there do need to be clear expectations and guidelines in place, flexibility in different forms has only proven to increase our profitability over the last few years.' The company offers the sabbaticals on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a mix of partial and unpaid, with other benefits continuing throughout the period. A freelancer usually covers the roles of the absent team member while they are away. Ms Williams said the benefit of being a small or independent business is that you can create policies that work for you and your team. 'There are several different models you can look at with a focus in different areas such as eligibility, compensation, and duration," she said. "There is no one-size-fits-all, but offering this type of flexibility really can increase your company's productivity and make for a very happy workforce." Unless your company actively adopts this approach, Ms Golovatenko said employees must carefully weigh the pros and cons before approaching their employer about taking a sabbatical. "Industries evolve rapidly and stepping away for an extended period can make it difficult to regain footing, as roles may have significantly advanced during their absence," she said. 'In competitive job markets such as Dubai or the UK, taking a sabbatical can create opportunities for others to fill the gap.'
The National
11-03-2025
- Business
- The National
How UAE professionals are rethinking sabbaticals, from mini-MBAs to year-long career breaks
Companies and professionals in the UAE are taking a new look at sabbaticals, with some opting for structured mini-MBAs and skill-building programmes, while others are committing to longer career breaks of up to a year for travel, family time or personal growth. A sabbatical - a period of usually between four to six months away from work when a person is still technically employed and may be paid - seems impractical in the UAE, where the job market is fast-paced and industries evolve rapidly. But as conversations around work-life balance shift, some more progressive firms are discovering ways to offer extended time off to their employees. Dubai-based specialist PR and communications agency TishTash recently introduced such a policy, allowing full-time staff who have been with the company for three years or more to take a mini sabbatical of up to three months off. 'Allowing staff the time to do this will only benefit TishTash in the long term, as staff come back with a renewed energy and often bring something new to the table,' managing director Polly Williams told The National. 'It also strengthens employee loyalty and boosts team morale.' Sabbaticals have been on the rise at companies worldwide, particularly as people head back to offices post-pandemic. According to data from the UK's Chartered Management Institute last year, more manager-level professionals than ever are choosing employers that offer sabbaticals, with 53 per cent saying their organisations provide some form of sabbatical leave. The research showed employees under 55 are especially likely to value this option, with 80 per cent saying it is important, citing reasons such as improved mental health, fostering a flexible work culture and increasing talent retention rates, particularly at a time when burnout is at its highest globally. Harvard Business Review also conducted in-depth research into the trend last year by interviewing 50 professionals from various sectors, concluding every participant in the sample experienced significant, positive changes in their personal lives after taking a sabbatical. As per the UAE's labour law, sabbaticals have to be extended only to Emirati employees who work for the federal government and wish to start a business, a policy introduced in 2022. Employees can take one year off to start the business without losing their job and will be entitled to 50 per cent of their salary during the leave period. In the private sector, HR consultant Sarah Brooks believes long breaks are still a tough sell. It is uncommon to find companies willing to accept long leave, whether paid or unpaid, she told The National: 'There's an added issue with the associated costs and complications around residency visas for employees.' Anastasiya Golovatenko, business consultant and director at Dubai's Sherpa Communications, said rather than taking extended time off, many professionals in the UAE are taking leave for short-term educational programmes to learn new skills, without leaving their jobs. 'We notice a growing preference for mini-MBAs and short-term courses,' she said. 'These programmes enable professionals to focus on areas of interest without major career disruptions, ensuring they remain competitive.' According to the Pearson Skills Outlook, tech and business-related fields – such as software, e-commerce and financial services – are among the most sought-after for professionals looking to future-proof their careers. Ms Golovatenko said employees are also preparing for a more tech-driven world by honing essential human skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership. For some employees, a short course is not enough. Maxime Coche, a senior project director working in the UAE's engineering industry, took a full year off, despite his company approving only a six-month sabbatical. When he was not granted the time he wanted, he resigned. In 2012, before having children, Mr Coche and his wife took their first sabbatical while working in their home country of France. The experience left a lasting impression and they knew they wanted to do it again. In 2023, he took his second career break. The couple, now parents to three children, waited until their youngest was old enough to remember the journey and their eldest was still young enough to want to travel with them. 'For us, with the kids, to spend some nice time together and only together, this was one of the triggers," he said. Another major factor was perspective. After the disruption of the pandemic, he said he realised work would always be there, but opportunities for extended time off with his family would not. This time, over the course of 12 months, he and his family travelled extensively, visiting countries across Africa, Asia and Oceania. Their trip was not only about sightseeing but also about experiencing life outside the corporate routine. They also homeschooled their children throughout the journey. Once it was over, Mr Coche said he felt refreshed and rejuvenated, with more motivation to work, and was able to rejoin his former employer. He is already planning his next sabbatical. 'Each time we've done this, we [came back to] a better job and better conditions … it's just about taking the decision and going for it. Only good things came out of it for us," he said. Several employees at TishTash have already taken short sabbaticals and the new policy has positively affected the company's profitability and workplace morale, according to Ms Williams. 'Renewed creativity, increased performance and just a happier team are some of the benefits we are seeing," she told The National. "Offering sabbaticals is similar to our other flexible working policies, and although there do need to be clear expectations and guidelines in place, flexibility in different forms has only proven to increase our profitability over the last few years.' The company offers the sabbaticals on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a mix of partial and unpaid, with other benefits continuing throughout the period. A freelancer usually covers the roles of the absent team member while they are away. Ms Williams said the benefit of being a small or independent business is that you can create policies that work for you and your team. 'There are several different models you can look at with a focus in different areas such as eligibility, compensation, and duration," she said. "There is no one-size-fits-all, but offering this type of flexibility really can increase your company's productivity and make for a very happy workforce." Unless your company actively adopts this approach, Ms Golovatenko said employees must carefully weigh the pros and cons before approaching their employer about taking a sabbatical. "Industries evolve rapidly and stepping away for an extended period can make it difficult to regain footing, as roles may have significantly advanced during their absence," she said. 'In competitive job markets such as Dubai or the UK, taking a sabbatical can create opportunities for others to fill the gap.'
Bloomberg
17-02-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
One in Five UK Bosses to Cut Parental Leave After Labour's Tax Hikes
More than one in five British managers expect to scale back parental leave perks to cope with rising employment costs, a survey has found, further evidence of how workers are bearing the costs of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' tax hikes on companies. Around 22% of managers offering 'enhanced' parental benefits said it's likely that they'll be made less generous, while a tenth are actively reviewing or planning reviews of their policies to help manage costs, according to the Chartered Management Institute poll of 1,200 managers conducted between Jan. 22 and Feb. 3.
Associated Press
27-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Digital Marketing and SEO Specialists, Woya Digital, Celebrate Sustained Growth in Demand Alongside Ongoing Expansion
01/27/2025, Chichester West Sussex // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Woya Digital, an expert team of digital marketers and SEO consultants with a Chichester, West Sussex HQ, is marking the next steps in its growth trajectory. This follows increasing demand from clients looking for customised marketing support with solutions for market share acquisition to reputation management and improved online visibility. In 2024, the company added multiple new clients to its portfolio, expanded its team of executives to include Google Ads specialists, and onboarded new managers focused on digital PR and social media, bringing the internal team to 15. Upticks in Demand for Tailored Digital Marketing Assistance Woya Digital Managing Partner, Natalie Karr, notes that an element of the company's success is due to its focus on high-growth markets and introducing specific aspects of digital marketing before they become pivotal to ambitious and quickly expanding companies. Natalie says, ' The need for expert professional services, from website builds to SEO, localised digital marketing, and outreach marketing efforts aren't necessarily new. However, we've seen that as consumer reliance on tech and platforms becomes more relevant to everyday purchasing decisions, new technologies like AI and automation introduce new functionalities, and as digital economies continue to grow, a larger proportion of commercial and charitable enterprises than ever rely on digital marketing expertise to succeed.' Recent research data supports these findings, showing that the digital marketing market is expected to hit an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%–15% within the next four years, with further growth of 18.5% by 2032. Reports have valued the global digital marketing analytics market—as a subsegment of digital marketing—at $6.8 billion, forecast to reach $31.3 billion within eight years. The Background and Specialisms of Woya Digital Founded by Managing Partners Natalie Karr, Chartered Marketer, and Steve O'Brien, Chartered Manager, Member of the Chartered Management Institute, the company has consistently concentrated on a powerful blend of business focus, digital content, outreach and SEO marketing. It has built an impressive client portfolio that today includes startups, family-owned firms, and household name brands in the UK alongside an increasingly international client base. Woya's teams also specialise in comprehensive SEO, PPC and digital marketing services for a select number of niche markets, sectors and industries, including: Healthcare, including residential care and at-home professional care. Finance, ranging from accountancy services to private wealth management. Sports organisations and initiatives, including motorsports and rugby. Clients consult with the Woya team to address defined aims and ambitions, such as expanding credibility and reputation in a specified field, while others benefit from the company's services provided as a white-label SEO approach through partner organisations. The business has recently used its knowledge and professional expertise in sports and charitable marketing to become the official marketing partner to The Atlas Foundation, the international children's charity that supports some of the world's most disadvantaged children. Woya's Focus on Fast-Growth and High-Competition Business Sectors Woya Digital Managing Partner Steve O'Brien says, ' We're beyond delighted to continue celebrating new growth and success milestones. Extending our team and drilling down into sector specialities has enabled us to refine and sharpen our focus and the added-value services we deliver. While so many of our amazing clients have been with us from day one, we are continually welcoming new businesses and brands. We believe that the unique combination of high accuracy, detailed reporting, creative excellence, and experienced consultancy advice has helped us stand apart. Our diverse and multi-talented teams each add their own skill, talent and expertise to the Woya experience, from our enthusiastic digital PR and social media managers to our talented web designers, graphics experts, content creators and SEO team. We've seen businesses struggling with online visibility hit page one in remarkably short time, revolutionise their online communications, achieve outstanding gains in market share and revenues, and get to grips with the best ways to make technical, creative, and advanced SEO, digital strategy, and marketing work for their firms.' Woya offers prospective clients the opportunity to request a proposal through a convenient online contact form. Alternatively, businesses are welcome to select a convenient day and time from the firm's online consultation calendar to schedule a callback to discuss their digital marketing requirements. About Woya Digital: Founded in 2017, Woya Digital is a UK SEO and digital PR agency that offers a range of digital marketing services to clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare and sports. The agency is known for its client-focused approach and commitment to delivering outstanding online results. Media Contact: Natalie Karr Woya Digital 02038 353637
