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DU AND MICROSOFT PARTNER TO OFFER OFFICE 365 TO SMB SEGMENT

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Updated : November 26, 2014 03:35  pm,
By Editor

The telecom service provider will offer Office 365 cloud-based productivity applications and services directly to its small and medium business (SMB) customers in the UAE

du and Microsoft have announced a new partnership, under which du will become the first telecom service provider in the UAE to offer Office 365 cloud-based productivity applications and services directly to its small and medium business (SMB) customers in the country.
This announcement leads to the availability of the modern office on the cloud to be provided by a telecom service provider for the first time in the UAE by further expanding the various channels available to SMBs to obtain Office 365, and provides additional value-added services that complement the offering. In-line with both companies’ commitment to providing businesses with technology that empowers them to be more productive in a mobile-first, cloud-first environment, the offering provides SMBs with increased accessibility to cloud-based productivity tools starting from just 20 AED/month.
The Office 365-enabled packages introduced support the services offered by du for SMBs, allowing them to now be able to purchase all the services they require from one supplier, through one support center, and in one consolidated monthly bill. Microsoft Office 365 packages are offered by du across all their mobile, device and broadband portfolio from as low as 20 AED/month, added to the customer’s du monthly bill. The offering also provides a simple and easy on-boarding for customers to start using the Office 365, as well as providing a choice of support packages giving the customer complete peace of mind while he focuses on running his core business. More information can be found on  www.du.ae/office365.
The Office 365 business plan packages to be provided by du offer a variety of services, including business-class email, shared calendars, instant messaging, conferencing, and access to 1TB of storage in the cloud, which is due to become unlimited over the course of 2015. This is all in addition to the Microsoft Office suite. SMBs can benefit from Office 365-hosted solutions with no infrastructure setup or costs on up to 15 devices per user with any operating system, and remain productive on the go without having to pay any IT infrastructure costs.
Speaking at the press conference, Hany Fahmy Aly, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Business, du, said: “SMBs represent the fastest growing segment for us, and we believe that this segment has huge potential for growth. We completely understand the needs and challenges of SMBs, and from our experience we have seen that they are early technology adopters, if products are packaged right. By offering the Office 365 suite of packages across all our core mobile and broadband services through our new collaboration with Microsoft, our SMB customers will benefit from yet another incredible effort to bring value-packed, enterprise-grade solutions to this market. We are excited to launch the UAE’s first modern office in the cloud.”
Commenting on the news, Ihsan Anabtawi, Regional Director Microsoft Office Division at Microsoft Gulf said: “Nearly three years ago, we made Office 365 available in the UAE. Today we are continuing our efforts by providing an offering with du that is designed to meet the needs of SMBs, with a focus on those with up to 100 employees, providing easy, low-cost access to cloud-based technology with no infrastructure costs. Office 365 is transformational for businesses of all sizes, but levels the playing field for SMBs in particular because it makes enterprise-grade tools affordable and easy to set up and manage. We are pleased to work with du to provide the UAE’s SMBs with communication and collaboration tools which have been designed to enhance productivity, promote collaboration and reduce operational costs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank du for their partnership and commitment as we work together to provide the UAE’s SMBs with access to the latest cloud collaboration and productivity solutions.”
Office 365 is one of the fastest growing businesses in Microsoft history. Microsoft recently increased the amount of cloud storage that it provides to Office 365 accounts to 1 terabyte across the service, bringing more capacity to anyone who pays for Office.
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WHY PERSONALISATION IS THE NEW CURRENCY IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT

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By Kalpesh Khakhria, Group Chairman at Klay Group

Everyone in the wealth management industry claims to offer “personalisation.” Yet, for most traditional institutions, it remains a hollow buzzword, a superficial exercise of sorting investors into predefined “conservative” or “aggressive” risk boxes. This transaction-led and product-pushing model is fundamentally broken for today’s ultra-high-net-worth families, whose lives, businesses, and assets span multiple global jurisdictions. Real personalisation is a structural necessity that requires a radical overhaul of how advice is delivered.

We are operating in an era where wealthy families are building complex, cross-border portfolios. A business might be headquartered in the GCC, hold properties in Europe, and have beneficiaries residing across continents. The most critical point is “What does this capital need to achieve across generations?” Traditional banking silos, driven by high client-to-advisor ratios and transactional commissions, simply lack the agility and independence to answer this effectively.

While personalisation is a growing trend across the broader service industry, in wealth management, it has become the new currency. It is the primary driver of growth and retention, shifting the industry standard from generic products to trust-based, tailored advice. The future of wealth management will be exclusively influenced by trust and deep customisation. True personalisation relies on two specific, uncompromising differentiators: structural independence and relationship-plus-data intelligence.

First, it is impossible to fully understand a family’s cross-border tax realities, liquidity needs, or succession plans if an advisor manages multiple different accounts. Personalisation requires time and undivided attention. That is why boutique advisory models that deliberately cap an advisor’s roster, such as limiting it to just 20 families, are so critical. By removing the pressure of aggressive sales targets and replacing transaction-led commissions with a transparent advisory fee structure, advisors gain the freedom to ask the “why” behind a client’s wealth. This structural independence aligns the advisor’s interests directly with the client’s long-term outcomes, enabling the advisor to act as a true partner.

Second, modern personalisation demands the seamless integration of advanced financial technology. We have entered the era of “Wealth 3.0,” where artificial intelligence and data analytics are fundamentally changing how the industry forecasts risk and segments clients. AI must be utilised to codify a family’s complex constraints, such as multi-currency exposures, jurisdictional rules, and legacy holdings, into actionable, real-time portfolio adjustments and proactive stress testing.

However, the industry must draw an uncompromising line between automation and autonomy. While AI powerfully accelerates scenario analysis, it cannot replace the human connection. The nuanced human judgment, discretion, and contextual understanding required to navigate complex, multi-generational wealth remains absolutely irreplaceable. Technology provides the speed and the insight, but seasoned human strategists must retain ultimate autonomy to ensure that personalisation scales without compromising suitability or compliance.

Wealth management today must transcend simple market timing. It is about actively building multi-generational partnerships. The families that succeed over time are those who partner with independent advisors who are unconditionally in their corner. By combining bespoke human expertise with cutting-edge data intelligence, true personalisation transforms wealth from a static collection of assets into a powerful, coherent legacy that thrives across generations.

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ZAHRA’S KITCHEN SHARES ITS GUIDE TO EASIER SUMMER EATING IN THE UAE

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As summer routines shift across the UAE, Zahra’s Kitchen, the UAE homegrown premium food brand, is encouraging consumers to rethink convenience food with simple, flexible meal ideas designed to make everyday eating easier, more flavourful and less time consuming. The seasonal guide comes as the brand expands its ready meal range with three new additions and prepares to launch a limited edition single-portion collection exclusively on Noon Minutes this summer.

Created for busy everyday routines, Zahra’s Kitchen offers handcrafted ready meals, snacks and nibbles inspired by comforting recipes and familiar flavours. Made using responsibly sourced ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives, products are frozen at peak freshness to help preserve flavour, texture and nutritional value, while offering greater ease, flexibility and variety throughout the week.

This summer, the brand is spotlighting one of the simplest ways to approach mealtimes at home. One ready meal does not need to mean one meal. Instead, Zahra’s Kitchen is sharing how its dishes can become the starting point for multiple meal ideas, helping consumers create more variety with less effort.

Simple ways to rethink summer meals include:

  • Beef Bolognese: Serve with pasta for an easy dinner, or turn it into lasagne, pasta bakes, stuffed vegetables or eggplant fattah.
  • Chilli Con Carne: Use as a base for tacos, enchiladas, nachos, rice bowls or loaded baked potatoes.
  • Butter Chicken: Pair with rice and naan, or fold into wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches and pizzas for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
  • Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry: Enjoy on its own, or serve alongside grilled fish, chicken or vegetables for an easy summer meal.

The expanded ready meal range now includes Lentil Soup, Chicken Freekah and Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry, joining customer favourites including Beef Bolognese, Butter Chicken, Beef Meatballs, Chilli Con Carne and Basmati Rice.

Currently available in two-serving portions, the ready meal range has been designed to offer flexibility, value and multiple meal occasions. The upcoming limited edition single-portion range, launching exclusively on Noon Minutes this summer, has been developed for consumers looking for greater flexibility during busier days.

Alongside its ready meal collection, Zahra’s Kitchen also offers a range of snacks and nibbles rooted in Middle Eastern flavours and entertaining traditions, including Musakhan Rolls, Beef Kibbeh, Falafel and Spinach Puff Bites. Ideal for sharing platters, lunchboxes, family gatherings, casual hosting or everyday snacking, the range reflects the same commitment to quality ingredients and ease.

Zahra’s Kitchen is available through Talabat Mart, Noon Minutes, Kibsons and selected retail partners across the UAE.

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MOONWALK INTO JUNE

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Lucky Voice Goes Full Michael Jackson This Summer

Lucky Voice, the iconic karaoke and entertainment venue at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai, is dedicating the first half of June to the one and only King of Pop. Kicking off with a midweek open mic night on the 10th, building through a glittering Friday night party on the 12th, and closing out with a legendary themed brunch on the 13th, three days of non-stop Michael Jackson magic await.

Whether you’re stepping into the spotlight at the mic or raising a glass over a three-hour brunch, Lucky Voice has crafted three distinct experiences that celebrate the greatest entertainer of all time.

The Experiences

Open Mic: MJ Week — Wednesday, 10th June

The MJ takeover begins on Wednesday evening with Lucky Voice’s Open Mic night, reimagined in full King of Pop fashion. This is your chance to take the stage, choose your favourite Michael Jackson track, and own it. With an electric crowd and a venue dressed for the occasion, even the shyest singer will find their inner MJ. As part of the celebration, guests can compete for the title of best Michael Jackson impersonator or performer, with the winner receiving a brunch for two voucher.

Details at a glance: Date: Wednesday, 10th June,  8 PM – 1 AM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai

Summer Bash Party — Michael Jackson Edition, Friday 12th June

Two days later, Lucky Voice turns up the energy for its Summer Bash Party, Michael Jackson Edition. From 8 PM onwards, the venue transforms into a full-on MJ celebration, with a DJ spinning all of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits and keeping the dance floor alive all night. 

With ladies’ packages starting at AED 99 and gentlemen’s at AED 250, this is one of the most accessible nights out on the Dubai social calendar and easily one of the most unforgettable.

Details at a glance: Date: Friday, 12th June | Timings: Starting from 8 PM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai | Price: AED 99 per lady  |  AED 250 per gentleman | Includes: 3 hours unlimited food & drinks, Live DJ

Retro Rewind: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Brunch Enough — Saturday 13th June

The weekend closes with a brunch that dares you to sit still. Retro Rewind: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Brunch Enough is a Michael Jackson-themed afternoon experience running from 1 PM to 4 PM, where unlimited food and drinks are paired with open mic karaoke, a live MC, and a DJ spinning nothing but classic MJ hits. It’s equal parts feast and performance, and entirely impossible to leave without singing at least one song.

Guests can choose from three beverage packages: starting at AED 195 for unlimited soft drinks, AED 275 for unlimited house beverages, or AED 350 for unlimited sparkling,  making it easy to tailor the experience to the occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a girls’ day, or simply a Saturday well spent.

Details at a glance: Date: Saturday, 13th June | Timings: 1 PM – 4 PM | Venue: Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai | Packages: AED 195 (soft) | AED 275 (house) | AED 350 (sparkling) — all inclusive of unlimited food | Highlights: Michael Jackson theme, open mic karaoke, Live MC & DJ

Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai Hosts Michael Jackson Tribute. Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai presents Lucky Voice Michael Jackson nights, brunch, karaoke, and summer entertainment.

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