Simon Wright

✨ New Chapter Ahead! ✨ "Master your circumstances rather than be ruled by them." The last few months have been challenging, yet an incredibly insightful journey. Searching for the right fit—a company with the right mission, values, and people—wasn’t easy. I wasn't initially looking at SaaS, but sometimes the most unexpected opportunities turn out to be the best. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve officially joined BambooHR as an events leader helping build the employee experience! 🎉 BambooHR is a company that truly embodies its values—putting people first and empowering individuals through actions, not just words. After attending their phenomenally well-organized 2-day onboarding experience, I was amazed at how authentically each individual lives and breathes these values. I’m looking forward to designing meaningful, engaging events that reflect BambooHR’s mission and values and contribute to an even stronger, more connected community. 🚀 Internal events are a powerful tool for driving employee engagement, fostering collaboration, and aligning everyone with the company’s vision. By creating spaces for innovation, teamwork, and shared experiences, we help ensure that every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute to BambooHR’s strategic goals. These events play a vital role in building a thriving culture that directly impacts our success. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey—you know who you are—and here’s to exciting times ahead! ☝ Let’s keep the conversation going ☝ —always eager to exchange ideas on designing exceptional experiences that foster connection and community. 🌟 #ExperienceDesign #CommunityBuilding #FromGoodtoGreat

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5 Trends shaping the Dubai hospitality industry in 2025. In a recent piece for The Zenith Magazine, I was asked about the key trends I believe will shape the Dubai Hospitality Industry over the next 12 months. Whilst we all like to remain aware of hospitality trends ⁃ Informally through networks ⁃ Formally through the use of insight data I’ve never been a fan of chasing fads. The 'next big thing' today will very quickly fade into insignificance. However, there are some emerging shifts that promise to shape the industry in meaningful ways, enhancing the guest experience and aligning with the unique cultural and environmental ethos of Dubai. 1.) Sustainability Already a driver for our guests, we’re excited to meet an increased demand for locally sourced ingredients and ethical, eco-friendly practices. 2.) Visual Innovation As rooftop dining continues to grow in popularity, I believe new and exciting brands will take advantage of the 360-degree views of Dubai’s incredible skyline. 3.) Brand Collaboration Cross-brand collaborations are also becoming a popular strategy among restaurants in the region, with huge names in global fashion teaming up with venues to offer immersive experiences. 4.) Embracing the Seasons Embracing the seasons goes beyond the menu and into the ingredients, it’s about allowing guests to fully immerse in the essence of each season. 5.) Adventure & Heritage While our diners crave adventurous, innovative cuisine, we’re noticing a pattern of appreciation for the timeless appeal of established brands with global prestige. What trends do you predict will emerge in 2025?

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I've been in this industry for years, but Dubai never fails to surprise me. Just heard about a London firm expanding into their market. It's got me thinking. On one hand, it's a nod to what they've built over for years. Dubai's not just a player anymore; they're a destination. I'm curious to see how they'll adapt to that unique landscape. Will this company bring some fresh ideas? Probably. But Dubai's got its own magic. It's not just about luxury; it's about understanding the pulse of that city. This move might just push all of us to innovate, and think bigger. Maybe it's time to revisit some of those ambitious international projects we've had on the backend. One thing's for sure - the competition is changing. But change breeds opportunity. I'm excited to see where this takes our real estate industry. Dubai's always been about the future, and looks like the future's knocking on our door again, even here in London. #InternationalMarket #Dubai #RealEstate #Opportunity #UK

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At Commercial Acceleration Ltd, we have a unique perspective that allows us to drive success across two thriving yet distinct industries - hospitality and later living. While different on the surface, both sectors are anchored in providing exceptional experiences and customer-centric services. Our cross-industry expertise enables us to tap into key insights and best practices that move your businesses forward. What sets us apart is our hands-on experience. We've walked in your shoes, so we understand the challenges you face from the ground up. This insider knowledge, combined with our passion for hospitality, allows us to deliver transformational results. Over the years, we've built an impressive track record across a variety of hospitality and living asset classes - hotels, apart-hotels, retirement living, care homes, serviced apartments and resorts included. We've fine-tuned the key drivers that accelerate occupancy rates and fuel business growth. We're here to share our industry know-how and partner with you for long-term success. 😀 #HospitalityIndustry #LaterLiving #Hotels #Profit #salesandmarketing

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Good morning TLC colleagues. Are you or do you know investors. TLC harmony phase 2 launch 🚀 coming. Www.tlcharmony.com Nickipage9 linked in Leo and I, Alex, Jo, JP in advance of our TLC Harmony phase 2 launch (July 2024 preview) through an FSA regulated platform in Dubai wanted to update. I believe you could help us accelerate our technology based business, focused on sustainable development and operation of hospitality and tourism assets. TLC was accepted after a rigorous process to vet our professional expertise: Our companies traction to date, as we looked to support Government destination development evidenced through their Vision 2030 and operating hotel, tourism assets to RESET Sustainably. We are now calling out to investors large and small to join us: To you to think who also in your network could be supportive. Interested in this opportunity. The financials are ready and will be shared to those expressing interest to be part of this investment opportunity which shows extremely positive returns. Do let me know your thoughts and feedback as we get ready for takeoff. We’d like to thank Dr Taleb Rifai UNWTO former Secretary General for being with us as our Non Executive Chairman over the last years and our advisors, as we evolved our position. Kindest Nicki. Leo. ----------------------------------------------- Awarded keys 🔑 to the cities in Central America for TLCs sustainability destination development strategies good for local people. Bio diversity protection. Business prosperity.

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The investment space in hospitality brands and technology is really hotting up again! 🔥 Across our partnership we are currently working on a number of engagements at Think Hospitality Consulting with investors helping to source and analyse prospective investments in both hospitality businesses and restaurant technologies in Europe, Middle East and North America. While we are supporting PE funds on the technology side, on the brand side we are seeing far more interest from places you might not expect it. Directly from private offices of UHNW’s; hotel companies looking at acquiring multi-concept restaurant portfolios to drive more value for asset owners; suppliers looking for new routes to market; retailers looking to diversify and add more reasons to visit to their bricks and mortar stores and trade buyers looking to move multi brand. It’s shaping up to be an interesting year, that’s for sure! Michael Ingemann Heleri Rande Laura Vana Erin Robb Jennifer Pettinger-Haines

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Rebecomms' client, Cavendish Maxwell, has published a new report highlighting the need for a global revamp of hotel rating systems. With current rating systems at risk of becoming outdated and no longer fit for purpose, there's a need for hospitality industry stakeholders to come together to explore a new approach to rating methodology - and deliver a clear, trusted system to enable travellers to make more informed decisions when booking accommodation. A 5-star hotel in the UAE is not equivalent to a 5-star hotel in other parts of the world, and many of the new hotels being delivered in KSA will be a generation above traditional 5-star establishments. Hotels in the Middle East would certainly benefit from a 6- and 7-star system. Read on for more, with insight from Gergely Bálint I MRICS, here in Arabian Business.

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Keeping Control of Wage Percentages and Profit Margins: The New Reality for Hospitality I know, we’ve probably all heard enough about the budget by now. But it’s taken me a little time to reflect—between Halloween, half term, and my daughter’s ninth birthday. Now that it’s all settled, I can’t help but feel for the many small businesses, especially in hospitality, who will find these new announcements tough going. From my own experience—whether managing my own business, employing staff, or overseeing payroll and rotas for others—I know how challenging it is to balance wage costs with all the other expenses that add up: NI, pension contributions, accrued holiday pay, and so on. With reports predicting a potential rise of £2,500 per employee by next April, now is really the time to get to grips with wage percentages and understand the true costs beyond the wage itself. And as the minimum wage increases, we all know it doesn’t stop there. It creates a ripple effect, with other team members rightly expecting adjustments. To stay resilient, it’s essential to check in on wage percentages for our style of business, profit margins, scrutinise costs, and make sure everything is in place to maximise profitability. Yes, these figures can seem daunting, but now isn’t the time to bury our heads in the sand. Instead, let’s use this as an opportunity to understand and act on these numbers to protect our businesses and ensure we can keep doing what we do best. Putting a plan into action sooner rather than later can make all the difference. If you’re facing these challenges and would like to talk through the numbers or explore strategies, I’d love to chat. Helping clients tackle these exact issues is what I do daily, and I’ve had the privilege of guiding businesses that are still thriving today. Let’s find a way forward that respects both your ambitions and your balance sheet. Please message on here or at [email protected] You can read more here https://lnkd.in/e4-Daa5x

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Eating healthy is far from convenient, but being sick is even less so. In fact, I would say our number 1 priority each day should be to optimise our health. Even in Dubai or London, the 2 cities where I spend the most time, it’s challenging to find truly health-promoting food. - Buying organic is more expensive. - Growing your own food is more time consuming. - Soaking & sprouting is more effort. - Cleaning with baking soda or ACV is an added step. - Making sauces from scratch adds time. You get the picture. When you understand that the paradox is the time you gain back will be spent in a worse state of health, these conveniences actually start to become compromises. So, how to make health-promoting food more convenient? - Start planning meals in advance (leave quinoa to soak in the morning before work) - Batch prep seeds, legumes, smoothies, sauces etc. - Make use of the freezer! - Clean all of your veggies at once. - Take advantage of a weekly veg box. - Make it fun! Making almond milk, sprouting seeds, etc. Having this chia pudding ready for me in the fridge post run was super satisfying! I soaked the chia seeds overnight, added the blackberries I’d already washed & frozen, added the nuts I’d already soaked & topped with some almond butter. We replace the need for processed foods when we reprioritise health over convenience.

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Whenever explaining what makes a great food hall, I start with their evolution from food markets.... People are united in the draw of being close to fresh food and watching it transform into something delicious - Borough Market is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in London. Great food halls bring fresh food, cooking theatre and exciting brands together. It’s fascinating to see how they have evolved over time, bringing together tradition and innovation and offering rewarding social and culinary experiences. As food continues to be a major driver in travel and tourism, I love how food halls have evolved into cultural hubs where people can explore diverse cuisines in a single space. #restaurantdesign #hospitalitydesign #projectmanagement #interiordesign #efficiency #customerexperience

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Starbucks…. A brand I have a lot of time and affection for, not least having worked alongside them. A few points to set a scene ✅ Laxamn Narasimhan has a very difficult job leading a business and iconic brand with a powerhouse founder still voicing a view ✅ Alshaya run better stores, whatever metric you use, than Starbucks do themselves ✅ The ‘aspirational’ brand position we see in many markets outside the US isn’t representative of their position in their home market. Think more going toe to toe with Dunkin The economic challenges the brand face are real, the political boycott noise is less relevant to the P&L as the impacted markets are under franchise arrangements. If you really distill the challenges the brand have in core equity markets, not least the US it comes down to people and experience. The founding mission for the business doesn’t mention coffee it talks about nurturing the human spirit. The CEO has made some strange decisions around structure, particularly in relation to brand and marketing management. But beyond that, the service culture, the servant leadership style, the last 10 yards being in the hands of the barista - it is all losing it’s shine. The outcome… declining brand perception and declining revenue and profit The recent earnings call gave a chance for Mr Narasimhan. A chance to respond and give confidence to investors that a) he understood he’s got a culture and people challenge to address b) set out a plan to address those challenges However, instead he made another big mistake and talked about product. Starbucks is not a product company, it’s an experience company. The great products come through from a team focused on consumer’s experience - usual category management methods aren’t 100% applicable. Boba Milk Tea Olive Oil range extensions Improved Food (again) These might be decent soundbites for analysts but they’re almost pointless activities in the fight for the brands culture and values Until the people in green (and sometimes black) aprons are once again leading the business and taking care of the brand’ consumer perception then nothing will positively change. I’ll be amazed if the CEO remains in charge beyond Q12025 unless he grasps this fundamental point. Article link in comments

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The team at Seamless Middle East & Saudi Arabia reached out to learn a little bit more about what's the marketing strategy for Rove Hotels and what are some of the top learnings I've had while working in #hospitality. If interested, you can read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/4ayOvqt Thanks Seamless Xtra for the feature!

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Gallup's latest State of the Global Workplace Report has just unveiled some critical insights into the world of work, particularly focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region: 🔸 Highest stress levels: Employees in this region report the highest levels of daily stress compared to other regions globally. 🔸 Job market perceptions: The region has the lowest percentage of employees who believe it is a good time to find a job where they live. 🔸 Employee engagement: It ranks second lowest in terms of employee engagement. These findings highlight significant challenges in the workplace environment and job market perceptions in the Middle East and North Africa. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and leaders aiming to improve workplace conditions and employee well-being in the region. For a deeper dive into these insights and more, download the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dWCeURqD #workplaceinsights #employeeengagement #stressatwork #gallupreport #mena #jobmarket #employeewellbeing

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From health and safety checks to allergen management, venues are under more pressure than ever to meet rising standards. And for good reason Stricter regulations are being introduced to protect guests and staff. Increased transparency means venues need to prove they’re following best practices. Guest expectations are higher, with customers prioritising safety and trust. The rise of compliance has reshaped how venues operate, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Digital tools are making it easier to manage compliance by → Centralising tasks and documentation → Providing real-time updates and reminders → Reducing human error with automated systems As the industry evolves, staying ahead of compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building trust and delivering better experiences.

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Why I love Dubai? Business and hotels are always the headliner and the innovative mindset runs through the blood lines. I will never forget what it has meant for the life it has created for me and now what it is creating for the global community. With more than 151,000 hotel rooms, Dubai has more keys than Las Vegas. But growth has slowed. Investment management company Colliers told Skift that over the next three to five years, growth is projected to be 2% to 5%, as opposed to 7.7% between 2016 and 2022. According to industry tracking firm STR, Dubai will open 18 hotels and 6,000 hotel rooms this year, just over a 2% increase in supply. Next year will see another 17 hotels and 4,000 rooms on top of that. #hospitality #Dubai https://lnkd.in/ee7-C2Xp

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Integrating Dojo Pocket with Tevalis mPOS application TevX is essential for hospitality operators because it provides a streamlined and efficient way to manage sales transactions and business operations. Here's why it's a must have. 1. **Enhanced Mobility**: Dojo Pocket, a compact and portable payment device, allows you to accept payments anywhere within your establishment. This mobility is crucial in hospitality settings like restaurants, bars, or hotels, where staff often need to move around to serve customers. 2. **Seamless Integration**: By pairing with TevX mPOS, Dojo Pocket can seamlessly integrate with our Epos system. This integration ensures that payment processing is directly linked with order management, reducing errors and speeding up service. 3. **Improved Customer Experience**: Fast and reliable payment processing ensures a smooth customer experience. Customers appreciate quick, hassle-free transactions, which are facilitated by the robust integration of Dojo Pocket and TevX mPOS. 4. **Real-time Data Access**: With this integration, you can access real-time data on sales and payments. This is invaluable for making informed business decisions and can help in managing your inventory, staffing, and marketing efforts more effectively. 5. **Security and Compliance**: Security is paramount in payment processing. Dojo Pocket and TevX mPOS comply with the latest security standards, ensuring that customer payment information is encrypted and protected. 6. **Cost Efficiency**: Streamlining your payment systems through integration can lead to reduced costs by minimising hardware needs and simplifying training requirements for staff. For hospitality operators, having a reliable, integrated payment system like Dojo Pocket with TevX mPOS not only enhances operational efficiency but also elevates the customer experience, making it a strategic investment in the success of your business. Since launch a few months ago Tevalis have rapidly deployed almost 100 devices to our clients. The demand for mPOS and payment is huge! If your interested to learn more please reach out to ours teams to discover these key benefits for yourself. #mPOS #Epos #Payment #Partnership #Hospitality

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