Hannah Wilde Article Contributions-GPS Edition 4

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In your opinion, how easy is it for a company to establish themselves in
the United Arab Emirates?
This a difficult question, as there are many nuances and potential pitfalls
to consider. There are lots of different options and ways of going about
establishing a business in the UAE. If you want to operate on-shore, you
need to have a local partner in your business. However, there are free
zones in the UAE where this rule does not apply, but the downside to this
is that you cannot conduct business within Dubai from a free zone. I would
advise any UK company to speak to a lawyer early on in order to establish
the specifications and exact requirements of your business.
So is it pivotal to do a lot of preparation and research before you set
up in the UAE?
Yes, certainly. The UAE has a good market, but it is extremely competitive.
British companies setting up in the UAE can be naïve when establishing
themselves here, particularly after the boom years, but as long as the
correct research has been undertaken first, then it can be extremely
rewarding.
Are there different rules and regulations for setting up a business
across the different states in the United Arab Emirates?
Each Emirate within the UAE is its own jurisdiction; for example, a trade
license for Dubai may not be applicable for trading in Abu Dhabi, so it is
simply a matter of gaining an understanding of this from the outset and
seeing which intra-emirate regulations you will need to adhere to or apply
for.
So in terms of legal implications, it’s all about your own due diligence
first and foremost?
Yes, I would say that is certainly the case.
In terms of international investment from the UK, is this generally
regarded as a positive thing?
The sentiment in the UAE is very much pro-international investment; in fact
the Government actively supports international investment as a source
of income for the country as an essential element to allow the expansion
and diversification of the economy, as well as a source of private sector
employment for Emirati nationals.
Before the economic crash, you could say that a rising tide lifted all the
boats, but now in this new post-crash economy, it would be easy to fall
into the trap of trying to compete on price, as the largesse of previous
years quickly evaporated. However, we would advise UK firms to focus
HOW TO
SETUP BUSINESS
IN THE UAE
Words : Hannah Wilde | View : Standa
Joe is the founder and first CEO of the British Centres for Business (BCB), joining the
initiative in December 2013. He is responsible for developing & delivering the
project in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, working in collaboration and the British Business
Groups (BBGs) UKTI and local governments in both cities.

44 | www.globalpropertyscene.com
on providing a high-quality product or service that will not run the risk of
damaging their brand, and at the same time will allow them to compete
on their strengths. Britain in particular is still viewed as having extremely
high standards, and companies are welcome here if those standards are
adhered to.
In the current economic climate, are there certain industries in the
UAE that are thriving?
There are certainly specific sectors that are drawing business. Trade and
tourism now make up 8.5% of Dubai’s economy in 2014, according to the
World Travel and Tourism Council, but there are numerous industries
grouped under this umbrella. For example, tourists help the retail
economy and the hotel industry; even taxi drivers benefit from the trade
generated by an influx of tourists, and the aviation industry is an obvious
cog too. In fact, the aviation sector accounts for a staggering 20—25% of
Dubai’s GDP.
How big is the expatriate business market?
We know that there are a lot of UK companies, start-ups, and successful
British entrepreneurs in the UAE market, but it is hard to quantify, as there
are no concrete figures. However, those UK businesses that are currently
trading in the UAE are very active and, through the well-established British
Business Groups in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are seen as
representatives of the UK private sector and a key part of the positive
bi-lateral relationships between the UK and the UAE.
How different is the business culture in the United Arab Emirates
when compared to the UK business culture?
There are certain local cultures that should be acknowledged, like
dressing appropriately and respecting Islamic customs. Generally though,
the business culture is not drastically different, as you are still dealing with
people from all over the world. Although in the UAE specifically, there is
a business cycle in terms of decision-making, which is driven by both the
climate and the Islamic calendar, featuring religious events like Ramadan.
Is there a hierarchical system in the world of Emirati business?
Well I wouldn’t compare it to somewhere like, say Asia, with a rigid
business structure. In the UAE, you tend to deal with more expatriates

but, as previously mentioned, you do need to acknowledge local cultural
nuances in order to do business with local Emiratis.
What about the economy in the UAE?
Abu Dhabi relies heavily on energy, whereas in Dubai, only 5—10% of its
GDP comes from hydrocarbons, so Dubai has had to create a more
diversified and sustainable economy. If you set up a business in Dubai,
your customers will generally be from the private sector, whereas in Abu
Dhabi the market is dominated by the government and
government-related entities.
As previously mentioned, Dubai welcomes expats into the country, but
are there caps in place to limit the number of international businesses
operating in the UAE?
No, this is not the case; Expatriates can only buy properties in certain
areas within the United Arab Emirates, but apart from that there are
absolutely no restrictions in place to slow down the country’s inward
investment. From a trading perspective, local Emiratis will always have
priority in terms of business, but that being said there is still a huge market
for expatriates in all Emirates of the UAE.
So once a business is established, what is the policy for setting up the
staffing; are there any specific regulations in place?
In some sectors, when a foreign firm gets to a certain size, there is an
obligation to engage with locals and employ Emiratis to enhance their
business. Any company operating in the UAE should consider working
with local nationals to familiarise themselves with local markets, which will
help with the company’s localisation, which in time will become a positive
part of the business’s commercial offer.
RGB
British Centre for Business
The BCB is a new business-to-business
professional services company established
with the mandate to provide operational
support and market entry services in Dubai
and Abu Dhabi to British companies. As part
of the joint UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)/
British Chambers of Commerce Overseas
British Network Initiative, it is responsible for
the delivery of the scheme in the UAE.

THE
ABU DHABI
GRAND PRIX
Words : Hannah Wilde | View : ZRyzner
The Grand Prix is by far the biggest event in the Formula 1 calendar: Over
the span of 9 months, from March to November, 22 drivers compete in 60
high-speed races across 20 different locations worldwide. The 2015 Grand
Prix is a thrilling mix of old and new, from old classic circuits like
Belgium’s famous Spa-Francorchamps, to the debut of the new Russian
circuit Sochi International, and many more besides.
Taking place over five different continents, the Grand Prix has always been
a diverse cultural experience, from the varying track styles to the
incredible locations. Adding to the excitement of the biggest motor racing
event in the world, no two Formula 1 tracks are the same, making the
Grand Prix a thrilling and unmissable global event each and every year.
This world-famous competition has seen some incredible changes in
recent years: as well as featuring the established and well-known circuits
like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, the 2015 Grand Prix has led to
the inclusion of some fairly new additions to the race line-up. These new
tracks are shaking up the preconceived notions of Formula 1, each proving
more daring and innovative than the last, further cementing the Grand
Prix’s status as one of the most diverse, and exciting, sporting events in
the world.
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(27—29 November 2015)
One such new and innovative circuit is Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, a
track that made history on its 2009 debut as the most expensive Grand
Prix circuit in history, as well as the home of the first ever Formula 1
day-night race, starting at twilight and finishing at night. Allowing a race to
play out during the transition between day and night was a revolutionary
development for Formula 1, and one of the many things that make the Yas
Marina circuit so unique. The track has already proved popular among
Formula 1 drivers and its 50,000-strong audience as during the race, the
whole circuit becomes illuminated by 24 x 40-metre tall outfield floodlights
which serve to enhance the already charged atmosphere around the
course.
Established just five years ago, Yas Marina is one of the newer tracks in the
Grand Prix lineup, and has certainly made its name as a driver
favourite. German driver Nico Rosberg was quoted in the press
praising the track’s unique corners, whilst two-time Spanish world
champion Fernando Alonso concurred, paying homage to Yas Marina’s
diverse and exciting track. The circuit certainly is diverse: at 3.451 miles
This world-famous competition has seen some incredible
changes in recent years: Question is what to expect from the
coming season?

long, Yas Marina is the fourth-longest circuit in the 2015 Grand Prix (behind
Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Russia’s brand-new Sochi circuit),
contains 21 exhilarating turns, and at the height of the race demands a
maximum speed of 192.6 miles per hour. During its Grand Prix fixtures,
drivers circuit the course 55 times, totalling an overall distance of an
impressive 189.739 miles.
Yas Marina was created by well-known F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke
and is one of the few racetracks that run in an anti-clockwise direction, yet
another revolutionary feature. It was the Yas Marina circuit that truly and
resolutely put the United Arab Emirates on the Formula 1 map,
encouraging the growth of sporting culture in the area and allowing Abu
Dhabi to take supreme pride in being one of the few bespoke centres
for motorsports excellence in the Middle East. The only other notable
Middle-Eastern circuit on the Grand Prix calendar is Bahrain, a circuit also
featured in the upcoming Grand Prix, but Yas Marina is noticeably more
spectator-friendly and generally more aesthetically impressive than its
pre-established
counterpart.
As well as a firm driver favourite, Yas Marina is also much-loved by Formula
1 fans because of its renowned hospitality. As the only Grand Prix circuit
to completely cover each of its five grandstands from the harsh desert
sun, the circuit’s number-one priority is the comfort and enjoyment of its
spectators. Furthermore, Yas Marina is also home to the luxurious 5-star
Yas Viceroy, making it the only hotel in the world be built over a Formula
1 circuit, as the 12-storey hotel forms a bridge over the 18th and 19th turn.
Further enhancing its status as one of the most luxurious tracks in the
Grand Prix calendar, Yas Marina offers premium access to the Sun Tower,
its exclusive VIP tower located right on the start/finish line, 60 metres high
and offering a luxurious panoramic view of this remarkable, beautiful and
record-breaking circuit. The unquestionable luxury of Yas Marina came at
a considerable price however, as speculation is rife that construction costs
were in excess of USD$1 billion, making Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit by
far the most expensive Formula 1 track in the world.
Sochi Autodrom, Russia
(9—11 October 2015)
Making only its second grand prix apperance is the new Sochi Autodrom.
The inclusion of this unique circuit is a momentous step for Formula 1, as
this will mark Russia’s second Grand Prix in 100 years, with the country’s

debut in the 2014 season greeted by critical acclaim. Designed around the
infrastructure built especially for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi
Autodrom is dynamic and exciting, featuring 19 corners, track width
varying from 13 to 15 metres, and even a section making use of 1.7km of
public roads. Sochi is expected to become an instant hit with Formula 1
fans and drivers alike, since the track’s mix of straights and fast corners, as
well as some parts of the course demanding a top speed of 198 miles per
hour, will make Sochi the one of the fastest Formula 1 circuits in the world.
In addition, the fourth corner of this track, a long sweeping circular corner,
is a notable inclusion in the design of this circuit, as it will see cars enter at
80 miles an hour and exit at 190 miles an hour. Many believe this particular
corner will make Sochi notorious as the home of one of the hardest turns
in Formula 1, which will no doubt gain admiration and trepidation in equal
measure from fans and drivers alike. Yet the process of creating such an
incredible circuit proved no easy feat for Formula 1’s resident architect
Hermann Tilke, who sought to make the track cut through the middle of
the Winter Olympic Park and intricately weave in between the stadiums
and arenas to utilise all available space in and around the Park.
Although significantly cheaper than its Abu Dhabi counterpart, the price of
building the Sochi Autodrom was in excess of $330 million as of
February 2014, even before its completion. However, the growing cost
of the brand-new circuit was no cause for concern, since the aim was to
create a first-class Formula 1 facility to house the Grand Prix for at least the
next 7 years, until 2021, as per the agreement between Russian president
Vladimir Putin and Formula 1’s CEO Bernie Ecclestone in 2010. It is thought
that Sochi will increase tourism in the area, as well as encouraging
domestic fans to show their support by paying the high ticket prices to
attend the event. Sochi Autodrom is an exciting new addition to the Grand
Prix line-up, in the wake of the circuit’s successful debut in October this
year.
Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
(18—20 September 2015)
Like Yas Marina, Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit perfectly utilises
night conditions, making it Formula 1’s first and only completely night-time
racetrack. Making its Grand Prix debut in 2008, this circuit is arguably one
of the most exciting, offering drivers a tough circuit through the
picturesque streets of Singapore lit only by artificial lights, whilst
simultaneously offering a fantastic atmosphere for all of its 110,000
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi

Ukraine, Europe
spectators. During the race, in an attempt to enhance the gorgeous
Singaporean skyline that surrounds the circuit, floodlights are used
around the whole track to emulate daytime conditions, which requires
an incredible 3,180,000 watts of electricity, making Marina Bay four
times brighter than any football stadium in existence.
Despite only hosting seven competitive races to date, Marina Bay has
been praised by drivers, who have complemented its difficulty level
and the excitement of driving at night that only Singapore offers. Fans
are equally fond of this unique circuit because, despite it being one of
the slowest of the Formula 1 season, Marina Bay adopts an unforgiving
stop-start nature, which always makes for a dynamic and unpredictable
race from start to finish. Bernie Eccleston, Formula 1’s CEO, is
particularly enamoured with Marina Bay, so much so that he hailed the
circuit “the jewel in F1’s crown which keeps getting polished”.
However, even in the face of exciting new innovations and unique
track additions that have dominated Formula 1 of late, fans still reserve
a certain level of reverence and affection for the older circuits on the
Grand Prix calendar. Arguably the most famous are the pre-established
tracks, some of which are distinguished not just in Formula 1 circles, but
worldwide, as a tourist attraction in their own right.
Silverstone, UK
(3—5 July 2015)
Dubbed the home of British Motor Sport and easily one of Formula 1’s
most recognisable circuits, Silverstone has put the UK on the Formula
1 map. No Grand Prix is complete without a trip to Northamptonshire,
Silverstone’s home since 1947 on the site of an old RAF airfield.
Although this course remained largely unchanged for nigh on 35 years,
a feat almost unheard of in the constantly-changing Formula 1 world,
the Silverstone circuit finally underwent a major redesign after the 1990
Grand Prix, the results of which proved popular with both fans and
drivers alike because, despite its complete aesthetic overhaul, it was
unanimous that the circuit still managed to retain its ‘oldschool’ feel.
Silverstone is renowned for many things, notably its impressive circuit,
its unparalleled atmosphere, and its notoriously bad weather. The
circuit is also steeped in history, as the host of the first ever Formula 1
race in 1950, an event attended by King George, who still to date
remains the only British monarch to ever attend a Grand Prix. Even
now, Silverstone is still immensely popular because of its tantalising
mix of high-speed flowing sections and complex corners, heightened
only by its incomparable spectator atmosphere.
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
(21—23 August 2015)
Another course often frequenting the top-spot on the list of popular
Grand Prix circuits is Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps, arguably the best,
and oldest, circuit in the Formula 1 repertoire. Boasting a lap length of
4.352 miles, by far the longest of any other circuit featured in the 2015
Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps is a crowd favourite, situated along the
picturesque Ardennes Mountains.
Having hosted its first race in 1922, making it more than 80 years old,
one of the many reasons that the circuit remains popular to this day is
due to its exciting assortment of high-speed rises and falls, juxtaposed
with tight and sudden deceleration zones. The inclusion of Eau Rouge,
one of the most exhilarating and notoriously difficult corners on any
Grand Prix course, as well as mix of long straights and fast corners,
make Spa-Francorchamps just as exciting for its 90,000 spectators as
it is for its 22 drivers.
Spa-Francorchamps is renowned by Grand Prix aficionados as one of
the most challenging in the world, proven by the fact that only six
drivers have ever managed to win the Belgian Grand Prix more than
twice. Unsurprisingly, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher is the only
driver to have won this notorious circuit an incredible six times, earning
him the unofficial title of the ‘Master of Spa-Francorchamps’. It is
unsurprising that the most famous driver in Formula 1 history has a
remarkable fondness for arguably the sport’s most famous circuit,
as it was here that Schumacher started his illustrious career: his first
Grand Prix, and later his first competitive win, both happened here at
Spa-Francorchamps, a popular circuit bathed in history and notoriety.

Red Bull F1 Team

Circuit de Monte Carlo, Monaco
(21—24 May 2014)
Another crowd favourite is Monaco’s Circuit de Monte Carlo, which
boasts 78 high-impact laps, the most out of any 2014 Grand Prix circuits,
but ironically is the shortest race in terms of distance, at only 161.880
miles. Famous among Formula 1 fans for its slow, tight corners through
the gorgeous streets of Monaco, Monte Carlo demands precision and
control from all its drivers, leaving no room for error. Former triple world
champion Nelson Piquet even likened the circuit to “trying to cycle
round your living room” in an attempt to describe Monte Carlo’s narrow,
and some would say treacherous, streets. This race is without doubt
one of the most dangerous of all the circuits in the motorsport calendar,
with numerous serious accidents to date, which adds to the tension from
fans who dutifully watch as drivers try to navigate this notoriously difficult
circuit.
Due to its legendary status in the Formula 1 world, Monte Carlo is known
to give all 120,000 spectators an incredible show of skill and speed, the
perfect mix of exhilaration and danger. It is for this reason that Monte
Carlo still remains a firm favourite in the Formula 1 line-up despite being
85 years old, and remains largely unchanged to this day. Interestingly,
this circuit is the only one featured in the Grand Prix not to have an
iconic winner’s podium, instead favouring setting up the winners’
celebration on the steps of the royal box.
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
(4—6 September 2014)
Another highly popular circuit is the Italian Autodromo Nazionale Monza,
constructed by architect Alfredo Rosselli in 1922. Despite not being the
oldest of the Grand Prix tracks, Monza has hosted 63 Formula 1 races
to date, the most out of any other Grand Prix circuit in the year’s line-up.
This circuit is bathed in history as the first purpose-built venue to stage a
Grand Prix, as well as the first to charge its 115,000 spectators for entry.
Adding to Monza’s incredible record-breaking history, the circuit’s 2003
Grand Prix went down in history as the fastest Formula 1 race ever
recorded, with winner Michael Schumacher’s speed retaining an
average of 153.84 miles per hour. Its status as one of Formula 1’s fastest
circuits has particularly pleased the Tifosi, the collective for die-hard
Italian Ferrari fans, who for this reason have dubbed their home circuit as
‘The Temple of Speed’.
Although Monza has enjoyed a long and illustrious 92-year history, this
hasn’t been without its share of tragedy. After a string of high-profile
fatalities, numerous safety precautions have been implemented around
the Monza circuit over the years, which have by no means diminished its
status as one of the top circuits in Formula 1. Even now, fans can always
expect a tense, high-speed, high-octane race at the Autodromo di
Monza, a circuit that its passionate Italian home-crowd affectionately
calls ‘La Pista Magica’, meaning ‘The Magic Track’.
Whilst there are 13 other Grand Prix tracks featured in this year’s Grand
Prix from all over the globe, bringing the total to 20, the difference
between the old circuits and the new are vast, yet both seem to gain
equal respect in the world of Formula 1. With each circuit completely
unique, it is hard to ascertain which one would triumph—the new circuits
like Sochi and Marina Bay boast the glitz and the glamour of modern-day
life, rich, ostentatious and highly specialised, whereas old circuits like
Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps boast years of experience and
notoriety, an electric atmosphere, and a history that no amount of money
can buy.
Formula 1 has always been a perfect juxtaposition of old and new,
offering its 530 million+ fans all the traditions of the past, with all the
excitement of the future, and its most famous race is no exception. The
Grand Prix is, and will always be, a varied mix of cultures, exotic locales
and incredible landscapes, an event synonymous with billions of dollars,
fast cars and a variety of exhilarating and utterly unique circuits, each
more different than the last.

Ferrari F1 Team

SHOPPING
FOR
CHRISTMAS
Words : Hannah Wilde | View : Sergey Nivens
It is widely acknowledged that Christmas shopping is all part of
the excitement of Christmas, a time of preparation, anticipation,
and generosity
Christmas. A time of festive cheer, elaborately decorated Christmas
trees and of course, Christmas shopping. December is the time for the
giving and receiving of gifts in celebration of the birth of Jesus, which
accounts for the fact that in the UK alone, total spending in December
was £31 billion, of which £14 billion was spent in the two weeks leading
up to Christmas. On average around the festive period, Britons will spend
approximately £660 on gifts, £160 on food, plus an additional £100 on
Christmas cards and decorations for the home, meaning that shopping is
at fever pitch during this time of year, with Christmas preparations costing
each household in excess of £920 every year.
It is widely acknowledged that Christmas shopping is all part of the
excitement of Christmas, a time of preparation, anticipation, and
generosity. Christmas shopping is a ritual annually undertaken by
consumers in almost every single country in the world, to similar ends: the
hectic Christmas rush, elaborately decorated shop fronts, the beautiful
Christmas lights, and the purchase of an abundance of cards, wrapping
paper and food to complete the festive celebrations. When shoppers have
exhausted all the ornately decorated shops on the high-street, most cities
play host to one of Christmas’s oldest traditions, the famous Christmas
Market. Small ephemeral villages, consisting of hundreds of beautiful
wooden chalets, are established in busy central locations in the run-up
to Christmas, each housing local wares like unique handmade crafts or
a selection of regional and European delicacies. Traditionally, Christmas
markets around the world pay homage to Germany, the country in which
this tradition was founded, aptly named Christkindlmarkts. These markets
offer the best of German festivities, including favourites like glühwein, a
traditional hot spiced wine, and lebkuchen, famous Bavarian gingerbread.
However, each Christmas market is as unique as the country in which it
resides, which makes for an exciting and unique addition to any
shopping experience the world over.
Whilst Christmas is fundamentally the same celebration all over the world,
each country chooses to celebrate this global event in its own way.
Christmas, especially in the UK, is a hugely lavish commercial affair, with
each major UK city choosing to herald in the Christmas period in a
different way. Of course, London leads the way in the country’s
celebrations, with Oxford Street, one of the world’s most famous shopping
streets, illuminated with lights and ornate shop-fronts. Some of London’s
most famous stores are completely transformed at Christmas-time, basking

in the beauty and traditions of such a festive and frivolous time of year.
Knightsbridge’s Harrods, one of the most famous department stores in the
world, was the first to develop their own ‘Christmas World’, a 2000-square
foot section of the store completely dedicated to the Christmas season.
Almost all other retailers have also followed suit, with the iconic Fortnum
& Mason food store filled with opulent decorations and a whole range of
gorgeous culinary treats, from festive Christmas hampers to beautiful
designer Christmas crackers, and Selfridges’ flagship store also offers a
huge selection of luxurious festive goods.
In addition to the high-street wares on offer, London is also home to
one of the biggest and most impressive Christmas markets in the world,
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, complete with an ice rink, a display of
ice sculptures, and even a circus. This market is a highly modern take on
the old-fashioned notion of Christkindlmarkts, as Winter Wonderland is a
tantalising mix of old and new. As expected from a European market, it still
contains the traditional wooden cabins carrying an array of homemade
gifts, but also offers incredible eating facilities, including a replica of a
Bavarian village, an outdoor fire pit, and even an après bar modelled on an
alpine ski lodge.
Just north of the capital, the UK’s unofficial ‘second city’ of Manchester is
also home to some incredible Christmas shopping opportunities. In the
centre of this diverse city is Manchester’s retail hub, an alluring mix of
boutique and designer stores, all adorned with decorations and festive
Christmas trees. Just five miles west of the city centre sits the Trafford
Centre, a hugely lavish shopping centre nicknamed by its developer ‘The
People’s Palace’, an attraction in itself that draws 35 million visits annually.
At Christmas time however, the Trafford Centre’s incredible baroque
architecture is enhanced by an abundance of beautiful decorations,
including a huge Christmas tree that creates a gorgeous centrepiece in
the heart of this shopping mecca. If you’re looking for both high-street and
designer shopping, the Trafford Centre is the perfect place to complete
your Christmas shopping in style.
However, the true highlight of Manchester’s festive calendar is its
Christmas markets, situated in the heart of the city and adorned with a
selection of German, European and regional goods, offering everything
from Hungarian goulash and Spanish Paella, to French-style hot chocolate
and the traditional German glühwein. More than 9 million guests visited
the markets in 2013, helping to boost the local economy by more than £90
million throughout the festive season. A celebration of diversity and
internationality, Manchester’s Christmas markets are now approaching their
16th consecutive year, and in 2013 were named ‘the best Christmas market
in Europe’. Manchester, the home of incredible Christmas shopping
opportunities and an equally incredible Christmas market, is one of the
most interesting and culturally diverse places to visit during the festive
season.
In addition, mainland Europe has a lot to offer visitors seeking extensive
opportunities for festive shopping, starting with Germany, the birthplace
of the iconic Christkindlmarkt. The country’s capital, Berlin, is home to a
fabulous shopping metropolis, with its mix of brand and vintage stores, as
well as the famous KaDeWe department store, the largest in Europe and
dubbed ‘the Harrods of Berlin’. A little over 270 miles away is the German
city of Nuremberg, home to arguably the oldest and most popular
Christkindlmarkt in existence, dating back to the mid-16th century. More
than 180 stalls transform the city’s main market square into a festive
metropolis, with each festively decorated hut selling everything from
handcrafted Christmas ornaments, mulled wine and gingerbread, to the
famous Nuremberg Plum People, prunes delicately modelled into handheld
figurines. This old and richly traditional Christmas market, nicknamed ‘Little
Town from Wood and Cloth’, attracts more than two million visitors every
year.
Germany’s neighbouring country of France is also one of Europe’s best
shopping destinations, especially at Christmastime. With Paris widely
considered one of the world’s fashion capitals, it is no surprise that
France’s capital is a serious European contender for some of the best
Christmas shopping in the world. Avenue Montaigne is home to the most
luxurious Parisian boutiques, housed within beautifully-architected
buildings, perfect for those seeking expensive luxury designer goods.
However, the streets of Paris are also lined with trendy boutiques, luxury
bespoke fragrance shops, tantalising chocolatiers, and gorgeously
traditional bookshops, with each storefront lit up and beautifully decorated
during the Christmas period and filled with gifts to suit every taste and
budget. Paris, too, is home to a unique transient Christmas market,

Christmas Market, Berlin

created as an amalgamation of German and French cultures, containing all
the traditions of a German Christkindlmarkt complete with wooden chalets,
but also including a regional twist, by offering delicacies such as pain
d’épices (spiced bread) and other such French foodstuffs.
Further along the French border is Italy, another incredible destination for
Christmas shopping. Milan’s Via Montenapoleone is one of the most
exclusive addresses in the world, an avenue lined with top designer
boutiques, perfect for those shoppers seeking luxury designer labels.
Each storefront is a true testament to the beauty of an Italian Christmas,
with lights, trees and decorations ornamenting each store, enhancing its
beauty and enticing its customers. However, for those seeking a more
traditional Christmas shopping destination, a little over 5 hours away,
Italy’s capital city of Rome plays host to the one of the biggest and best
Christmas markets in the country. In true festive spirit, the city square of
Piazza Navona is utterly transformed with stalls gleaming with twinkling
lights and selling all kinds of festive wares, including handcrafted gifts and
sweet treats. Rome’s Christmas market hosts nativity scenes to ensure that
the true meaning of Christmas is recognised, as well as hosting a range of
festive family fun such as carnival rides and fortune tellers. No matter what
your budget or preference, there is always something for everyone to
enjoy in one of Europe’s many beautiful Christmas destinations.
Across the Atlantic, some 4,000 miles away from the delights that
Christmas in Europe has to offer, is New York, one of the world’s best-
known shopping destinations. Ever since 1933, the Christmas season in
this incredible city begins in early December with a traditional ceremony:
the lighting of the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree. In true American
style, the Rockefeller Christmas tree is the biggest in the world,
illuminated by over 30,000 LED lights, and perfectly situated in the middle
of the world’s most famous seasonal ice rink. Boasting what is arguably the
most iconic street in the world, Fifth Avenue, New York City is synonymous
the world over for its incredible shopping potential, never more so than at
Christmastime. Fifth Avenue is a mix of the old and new, with classic and
iconic stores like Tiffany and Co. rubbing shoulders with a huge
state-of-the-art 24-hour Apple Store.
A short way down the block will lead you to the famous toy store FAO
Schwartz, home of the iconic floor piano as immortalized in the 1988 Tom
Hanks film Big, a popular destination for children and adults alike at
Christmastime. New York’s Fifth Avenue is certainly impressive at the best
of times, but at the height of the Christmas period it is almost otherworldly
in its beauty and festive cheer. High-street stores like H&M and
Abercrombie & Fitch rub shoulders with designer giants like Louis Vuitton,
Prada, Gucci and Cartier, and with each store decorated more lavishly than
the last, even window-shopping is an adventure on Fifth Avenue.
In addition to the festivities found in the main shopping areas of the city,
New York also has its share of Christmas markets, each embracing the
glamorous Manhattan lifestyle. One such market is the indoor Holiday Fair
which takes place in the city’s iconic Grand Central Station, selling an array
of handmade Christmas trinkets. For a more traditional outdoor market,
New York has its fair share, from innovative and unique glass huts selling
food, drink and gifts as found in Bryant Park, to Columbus Circle’s Holiday
Market, which sells sundries like handmade wooden puzzles, artisan
chocolates and truffles, home accessories from local makers, and
jewellery from up-and-coming designers. New York City truly is a shopping
haven, not more so than at Christmastime, meaning that there is
something for everyone in this incredible shopping capital.
If however, you are seeking all the traditions of Christmas but in a more
unconventional setting, the majestic country of the United Arab Emirates is
an incredible shopping destination in its own right. Although fundamentally
a Muslim country, the UAE observes all the overtly Western traditions
associated with Christmas wholeheartedly, a notion that epitomises the
inclusivity of the festive season. Shopping is always an incredible
experience in the United Arab Emirates, but at Christmastime, the
country’s capital of Abu Dhabi leads the way in its festive celebrations.
For the past 10 years, Abu Dhabi has been home to The Swiss Christmas
Market, one of the most unique markets in the world, set in the courtyard
of the beautiful Abu Dhabi Beach Rotana Hotel. Despite December
temperatures often in excess of 25 degrees Celsius, this proves no
hindrance to the locals who wish to experience all the traditions and
excitement of a European Christmas.

Ice Rink, Rockefeller Centre, New York

With the help of the Swiss Embassy, the Swiss Christmas market is
strenuous in its attempt to replicate an authentic, open-air Swiss alpine
village, seeking to present its visitors with all the joy and spirit that
Christmas in Europe has to offer. Despite the heat, chalets in the hotel
courtyard are lavishly decorated, showcasing a number of trinkets and
gifts. School choirs are on hand to provide a repertoire of traditional
Christmas carols, which are the perfect soundtrack to the festive season.
Furthermore, an abundance of appetizing Swiss food is available, from the
lusciously rich Swiss chocolate, to Raclette, a Swiss delicacy of potato and
cheese. Despite the fact that Christmas Day is a normal working day in the
Muslim country, Abu Dhabi is still rigorous in its observation and
appreciation of the worldwide tradition of Christmas. This market is a true
testament to both the Swiss culture and the universal Christmas
celebrations, proving the city’s almost endless tolerance to other religions
and cultures.
Just 88 miles away from the capital is Dubai, the home of the United Arab
Emirates’ largest outdoor Christmas festival. This celebration sees all the
traditions of Christmas mixed with a regional twist, and is more suited
to those seeking designer discounts than locally hand-crafted goods.
Although relatively new to the Christmas scene, celebrating only its third
year in operation, in excess of 30,000 visitors are expected to flock to
the unique three-day event this year. Not to be outdone by the incredible
spectacle in Abu Dhabi, Dubai has pulled out all the stops for this winter
extravaganza, with features including a music stage featuring carol singing
and live bands, Santa’s Grotto, a fairground, ice-rink, a Snow Fight Zone,
and even a Christmas Pantomime. Whilst traditional festivities like
Gingerbread house-making workshops are still acknowledged, Dubai’s
Christmas celebrations are far removed from the traditions of the famous
Christkindlmarkts that populate Europe.
Instead of quaint wooden huts selling local fares and glasses of hot
German wine, Dubai’s Christmas Festival offers heavily discounted
designer products, with a selection of famous chefs from some of Dubai’s
hottest restaurants providing delicious local food. Although high-street
shopping is more the focus of this incredibly modern and one-of-a-kind
festival, Christmas is still the recurrent theme, with festive traditions like
the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony are still enjoyed by all, allowing the

Christmas spirit to truly thrive. The incredible dedication of the United Arab
Emirates to embrace foreign traditions truly goes to show the true spirit of
Christmas, and that the traditions of the festive season extends to every
country in the world, regardless of race or religion.
Whilst there are many more incredible Christmas destinations all around
the world, it is truly refreshing to see each country celebrating the festive
season in its own unique way, mixing all the traditions of the past with
all the promise of the future. Christmas shopping, whilst fundamentally a
commercial venture, seeks to prove what the true meaning of Christmas
is all about—kindness, generosity, and basking in the joy of the Christmas
season. The inclusion of Christkindlmarkts in major cities allow people to
come together, as towns, cities and countries join in celebration, as well
as allowing local merchants and craftsmen to share in the prosperity that
Christmas brings. These markets have been a part of Christmas traditions
since the 16th century, and will undoubtedly continue to be a part of our
future for many years to come.
Dubai Mall, Dubai

IS THE TRADITIONAL
OFFICE BECOMING
REDUNDANT?
Words : Patrick Kinsella & Hannah Wilde | View : Sergey Nivens
Technology makes ‘working on the move’ a real
possibility
Just a few short years ago, clients and associates at opposite ends of the
world could only be reached at the latter end of a long day, after a short
residency in an airport lounge and an exhaustingly long flight on-board a
stuffy, confined plane. While those far corners of the world could once only
be reached after one such journey, innovative technological advances
of recent years has meant that this has become a thing of the past—peo-
ple in far remote countries can now be reached within the time it takes
to press a button on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Technology has
changed everything about our daily lives, from the way we organise our
day, to how we manage our contacts and social events, and everything
else in between. These changes have truly revolutionised the way (and
ease) in which we communicate, which inevitably has drastically changed
the business world beyond recognition.
2014 is unquestionably the age of technology. We now live in the era of
high-tech gadgets, with a dizzying array of smartphones, tablets, iPods,
laptops, Kindles and Macbooks on offer, each fulfilling an equally dizzying
array of functions to enhance our daily lives. A mobile phone, at one time
used only for sending and receiving text messages and phone calls, is
now all things to all users: a phone, a portable Internet device, an MP3
player, a games console, and a remote email server all in one. Everyone
in the developed world seems to own a smartphone, so much so that
reports indicate there are 1.5 billion in the world, which equates to one
smartphone for every 5 people in the world. During the digital migration of
recent years, other gadgets are also featuring more and more prominently
in everyday life, with market research firm Strategy Analytics reporting that
1 in 10 people will own a tablet computer by 2016.
And what is the one common denominator between all these gadgets?
Internet access. Most of these modern devices rely on Internet usage, so
it is unsurprising that in this time of increased connectivity, public Wi-Fi
connections have quickly become commonplace. This is particularly true
in some of the world’s most prosperous cities, with the likes of New York,
Beijing and London all spearheading city-wide schemes to ensure that the
Internet can be connected to from any given point within the city borders.
The ease in which one can access the Internet is profound all over the
world, with Britain prolific in the accessibility of public Wi-Fi, pledging to
ensure that 95% of the country’s population will have access to superfast
fibre-optic broadband by 2017.

The changing business landscape
Therefore, it is unsurprising that this culture of near-constant connectivity
has given rise to the era of ‘remote working’—that is, working away from
the office—which has surged in popularity over recent years. This could
be due in large part to the increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots all over the
world, as well as an influx of new gadgets and apps perfectly suited to fulfil
the needs of the modern-day working life. Gone are the days of
handwritten reports and daily face-to-face meetings—the Internet has well
and truly revolutionised the business landscape. In the place of
handwritten reports are spreadsheets and digital documents that allow
users to easily read, amend and share with others, while physical business
meetings are often eclipsed in favour of the easy and cost-effective
alternatives of video conferences and phone calls. This ability to utilise
technology to work almost anywhere has led to what Merlyn A. Griffiths
and Mary C. Gilly of the Universities of North Carolina and California
respectively have called ‘a new class of teleworkers for whom the office
is wherever they can access a wireless signal’. Therefore, this poses the
question: with the influx of modern mobile technologies on offer, is there
still a need for the traditional office space?
In this day and age, technology can bridge the gap between any location
in the world, meaning that anyone with access to either a computer or a
mobile phone is, in essence, available at the touch of a button. As
previously mentioned, the rising popularity and increasing functionality of
a vast array of gadgets to which we now have access means that we are
all in a prime position to have access to everything at our fingertips. Emails
can be accessed on a smartphone; video conferencing can be achieved
through the Skype app on a tablet computer; advancements in data stor-
age mean that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can allow users to access
networks remotely via a laptop or desktop computer. Therefore, the rise in
flexible remote working has increased in direct correlation to the increase
in technological advances of the past decade, simply because massive
obstacles have been overcome to ensure that a user can always stay
connected. In this landscape, there are two options when considering the
potential of working away from the office: either working from home, or
working on the go.
Working from Home
Despite all the potential distractions that could come from the merging
of the workplace with the home environment, technological innovations
mean that it is feasible for the same level of work be completed at home
that can be achieved in an office environment. Emails are accessible on
almost every internet-enabled device; documents can be written,
re-written and edited an infinite number of times on a laptop or desktop
computer; phone calls and conference calls can be made on one’s
smartphone; and video conferencing can be easily achievable via the
FaceTime or Skype application featured in a new-generation iPad or tablet.
All these mobile technologies allow their user to complete work remotely
and without restriction, meaning that any amount of working capabilities
can be just as easily accessed from home as from the office. However, it
has to be said that working away from the workplace is restrictive, only
applicable to certain business and administrative sectors, but for those

who fit this criteria, home-working can be rewarding, self-motivating and
an exercise in self-sufficiency.
Working ‘on the go’
Since the majority of these new technologies are small enough to
encourage user mobility, there are no restrictions on when or where you
use your devices. You don’t even need to be at home to be connected
to your work. Nowadays, smartphones are pocket-sized, and laptop and
tablet computers can easily fit inside a bespoke laptop bag or handbag,
meaning that it has never been easier to take advantage of the ‘on the
go’ working environment that has swept the working world. As long as
there is sufficient Internet connection, all manner of work can theoretically
be undertaken in the most unconventional of places—on trains, in cafés,
and even on aeroplanes. The latter location has seen an incredible rise in
remote working in recent years, with over 40 airlines, including American
Airlines, Etihad Airways and British Airways, offering Wi-Fi services on
selected international flights. For many, there is no better time to work
remotely than on a plane, as one finds themselves with an abundance of
free time through the duration of the flight, which has proved to be an
opportune time for logging on to do some remote working from the
relative comfort of your aeroplane seat.
However, 30,000ft up in the air is not the only place that has seen a surge
in remote workers using their location as their base in recent months.
Cafés and trains are two such places that have a growing capacity for
remote workers, since both often offer both Wi-Fi and power sources for
when their much-used mobile devices require a much-needed recharge.
The provision of both Wi-Fi and plug sockets in most places mean that
there is an almost limitless capacity to do work anytime and anywhere,
making the transition to join the thousands of people who are part of the
mobile working community almost effortless.
Technology
Both working from home and working on the go require similar tech-
nological specifications. However, all you really need is two pieces of
technology: a smartphone, best for calling and keeping up-to-date with
email updates, and a laptop, best for perusing the Internet and writing or
amending a spreadsheet or Word document. With just two gadgets, you
have everything you will possibly need to stay connected with colleagues
and clients, all accessible at the touch of a button. Furthermore, the beauty
of such widely accessible technologies such as mobile phones and laptops
in the developed world is that they are not mutually exclusive—not just the
elite can afford the technology that businesspeople use. Technology of
this calibre is so widely acquiesced in this day and age that everyone from
teenagers to the older generation, affectionately named ‘Silver Surfers’,
have access to the latest ‘it’ technology. The Western world’s almost avid
need to buy into the latest technology is so widespread that Cisco, the
world’s largest maker of network equipment, has predicted that in by 2017,
there will be 2.5 Internet-enabled devices for every single person on earth,
which equates to 5 devices for every Internet user in the world.
To enhance the usability of these new gadgets, new technologies have

been developed to operate within these devices: namely, the rise in apps,
an acronym of the word ‘applications’. The two biggest makers of
smartphones in the world, Apple and Samsung, both have an extensive
collection of apps that can be used for a whole number of functions. Have
you ever heard the popular saying: “There’s an app for that”? This has
never been more true than right now, with applications made for almost
anything, like apps to improve fitness, countless apps that allow users
to play games, and even apps to help you procrastinate, such as iNap@
Work. However, the majority of apps are useful and productive, with a
growing number of apps purposefully designed to assist even the savviest
businessperson. Here is a list of five apps that are used to enhance your
working life:
1. Skype—A remote businessperson’s best friend, Skype is an all-encom-
passing app that allows users to video or voice call contacts, message
them in real-time, and share a whole host of files remotely. Skype is so
commonplace in the business world that it has been turned into an
adjective: ‘Skyping’ refers to the act of setting up a video call between
yourself and a recipient, perhaps to an international business client or
even a colleague based in the office. The beauty of Skype is that it can
be accessed from almost any Internet-enabled device, so you can be
connected on your laptop, tablet and phone at the same time.
2. Dropbox—This innovative app allows users to drop files into a remote
folder that can be accessed by multiple recipients. Anything that is added
to Dropbox will automatically show up on all your devices, and even on the
Dropbox website, so you can access your files anywhere, anytime.
3. GlobalMeet—Whilst lesser known than the previously mentioned apps,
GlobalMeet is an incredibly innovative way of changing the way web
conferencing is conducted. This app allows for an easier and better way
to share presentations online and collaborate with large groups of invited
participants, meaning that meetings have never been easier, even when
you’re away from the office. Like its counterparts, GlobalMeet is another
app that has gone mobile: it is easily downloadable via laptop, tablet, or
smartphone.
4. CupCloud— Cupcloud is a free cloud application that allows you to save,
open, and share multiple documents and web pages quickly and easily.
It has never been easier to pick up where you left off, as the software is
designed to help you continue workflow, stay organized, and collaborate
with others as easily as if you were in the office.
5. Worksnug—Perfect for those remote workers always on the move, as
this app for your smartphone shows available working places nearby, as
well as rating them on Wi-Fi quality, socket availability and noise level, so
you can pre-plan the best places to work without the hassle of trying to
find a suitable workspace.
Pros and Cons of Remote Working
Now that it has been established that most people have access to the
technology needed to work successfully out of the office, one wonders
at which point the office starts becoming redundant. With technology
as abundantly available as it is in 2014, it has been established that any
amount of work can be done remotely. But do the obvious positives of
remote working outweigh the few small but pivotal negative aspects?
The positives of home-working are undoubtable. In this day and age, with
the help of smartphones and a whole array of gadgets, it has never been
easier to stay connected. We are perfectly placed to email and text
colleagues, to video conference clients, and to phone managing
directors wherever we are in the world, so by this token it no longer
matters whether we are communicating from the office or from a train, a
café, or even from the comfort of your living room. Technology means that
we are always in constant communication. Furthermore, file sharing has
also revolutionised the ease in which remote working has made its way
into the mainstream. The likes of email attachments, social media’s
downloading and ‘private message’ functions, remote file sharing
programmes like Dropbox and Apple’s iCloud, and even external devices
like hard-drives and USB memory sticks have all aided the transition to
home-working, as any file from any system in the world can be shared and
transferred to another computer in the shortest time possible. Thanks to
a whole host of incredible technologies that have made their way into the
modern digital landscape, transferring, sharing and editing files remotely
has never been easier, perfect for those remote workers who can now
easily have access to any file they need at the click of a mouse.
However, while remote working seems to be almost infallible, there are

office space is indeed redundant. It is clear that communication has never
been easier, and files, folders and documents can be easily accessed from
one computer to another, meaning that work can always be retrieved from
anywhere in the world. However, the question is not can the work be done
from out of the office, but rather should it? Interestingly, a report published
by the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum suggests that, rather
than being detrimental for businesses, employees working outside of the
conventional office environment is beneficial for the UK economy, allowing
employers across the country to save a collective £7billion from property
costs alone. Furthermore, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)’s report has
showed that a staggering 86% of Brits do not want to work in a traditional
office in the future. Therefore, it is clear to see that the business climate is
changing in the burgeoning era of technology, so much so that it seems
that there is no real need for an office environment anymore.
However, that said, an office space is entirely dependent upon the nature
of work undertaken by your company, and the kind of working
environment you want to promote. Although technology has made remote
working a real possibility, and in doing so dramatically changing the way
we work, it is yet to bring around the absolute death of the traditional
office—the office will be intrinsically linked with the business world for as
long as we actively keep the notion alive. Sure, we may not necessarily
need an office space in this day and age, but whether we want one is a
different question altogether.
two distinct limitations with this flexible employment strategy. The first, and
most important, factor to be considered is the ever-present threat of losing
connectivity. How many times have you heard the words ‘lost connection’,
‘slow Internet’, or the terrifying admittance that your ‘computer has a virus’?
In an office environment, these glitches and a whole array of others can be
fixed by a quick visit to the IT department, made up of a group of specialist
technological experts who are perfectly placed to fix any computer-re-
lated conundrum you could possibly face. However, when you work
remotely, you are both literally and figuratively on your own, meaning that
troubleshooting can only be done either manually or through a laborious
step-by-step phone tutorial from the self-confessed geniuses at Apple, or
some other technical virtuoso. This long and often sluggish process means
that work cannot be done until the problem is fixed, meaning that that the
connectivity which is so vital to the lifeblood of the remote worker is
severed, however temporarily. This also overlaps the other issue faced
by the remote worker—solitude. Working alone day after day means that
there is a physical distance between themselves and their co-workers,
meaning that should a problem arise or even when looking for likeminded
peers to talk to, there is an insurmountable distance to be overcome first.
Conclusion—Is the traditional office space an outdated, or important,
business convention?
In conclusion, it is hard to tackle the question of whether the traditional

Hannah Wilde Article Contributions-GPS Edition 4

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