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In January 2024, Ben Locke completed a 14-year stint at Tungsten Automation (formerly known as Kofax), a global provider of intelligent automation software headquartered in California. I realized that psych was the best way to apply my extensive skills and knowledge. The professional experience he has gained in his career so far. “His role as vice president at Kofax taught him a lot about business operations and the different business industries in the GCC and Africa,” Locke explains. “The company was basically a software vendor that worked in every industry and automate business processes as much as possible. This allowed us to see how different organizations in many industries worked and where they ran into problems. By doing so, we were able to gain invaluable insights and identify problems that are the best way to implement new methods and practices to improve those businesses. , coming up with solutions and seeing them implemented by clients was essentially a business lesson and example.
This experience laid the groundwork for a new chapter in his career trajectory, which includes the real estate specialist firm Rock Lifestyle Properties in Dubai and the soon-to-be-launched boutique creative agency Lemon by Rock. I decided to start a new business. Regarding the latter, Locke says: “With so many new companies entering the market, we help these new companies get off the ground with branding and advertising, and we work with existing companies to refresh/rebrand and maintain them. We wanted to bring together great people to help us do what we do best.”They live with an ever-evolving landscape. ”
At the same time, Mr. Locke is also an active investor in start-ups, one of his recent investments being the UK-based cyber security company CyberHive, where he also acts as an authorized distributor in the GCC region . “I’m going to bring them into this market,” he explains. “The company will soon launch operations in the United Arab Emirates, bringing new and innovative solutions to the cybersecurity space that can protect any device that connects to the internet. So, how do we unlock it? Do we really believe this company can make a difference? ”
As an investor, Locke says he focuses on technology companies that have not yet entered the GCC region or are very new. “I can add the most value to companies by leveraging my network to help them enter the market and overcome potential slowdowns,” he explains. “When deciding whether to invest, I ask about their general life experience and find out what they have been up to, what they have been through, and how they got to this moment. If that doesn’t happen, that can be a red flag because you don’t know if the person will be able to handle and overcome challenges and setbacks. ”
But if you are ambitious, Locke believes the UAE offers fertile ground for new business ideas and projects. “If you look at the announcement from the UAE Ministry of Economy at the beginning of the year, they set up a special body, the Intangibles Finance Board, which aims to provide financing to small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups by facilitating access. We have made sure that we will provide funding and support for growth, especially during the critical initial period,” he says. “Furthermore, under the National Plan for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, the UAE aims to create 10 unicorn startups by 2031 and secure a top three position in the Global Entrepreneurship Index. There is clearly a lot of support from the government, which naturally creates attractive companies’ platforms for startups. ”
Locke credits Dubai and the UAE, where he has been based for the past 14 years, as the cornerstone of his success, offering unparalleled career opportunities and helping him build a valuable professional network. . His ability to seamlessly adapt to life in the city as well as the wider MENA region, including a deep understanding of the culture and doing business in this part of the world, is now invaluable to the founders he supports. ing. “I learned to approach other cultures with the utmost respect and curiosity,” he says. “Don’t assume you know how things work or how things will unfold. Act like a sponge and absorb the nuances and complexities of each culture you encounter. Another important lesson is to never underestimate the power of personal connections in business.In this region, genuine connections with the people you work with are more than just a good thing. As successful individuals, our actions and attitudes speak volumes, and the impressions we leave can have a huge impact.
Lock believes there are only a handful of challenges for startups in the UAE. “I recommend raising awareness about additional start-up costs other than licensing and the time it takes to build or create something physical,” he says. “Obtaining building permits and approvals from various bodies, varying costs between free zones, and completing banking tasks can sometimes take longer than expected, which is when digital banking can be of great help. We also recommend contacting the appropriate public relations (PRO) company and requesting all rates and proposed schedules in advance.”
As for his businesses, namely Rock Lifestyle Properties and Lemon by Rock, the entrepreneur is focused on improving the quality of the services each offers by 2024 to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. The remaining amount will be spent. For Locke Lifestyle Properties, this means integrating advanced technology and improving service delivery protocols with the aim of retaining its current customer base and attracting new ones. At the same time, he will lead the Lemons by Rock team to support ethical and sustainable brands through creative excellence. “We deliver innovative branding and marketing campaigns that amplify the voices of companies dedicated to making a positive impact,” says Locke. “We strive to drive meaningful change through creativity and inspire love for our brands.”
In addition, Mr. Locke will ensure that both his businesses and CyberHive, which he serves as a distributor in the GCC region, maintain their competitiveness and innovation by focusing on talent development. I believe it can be done. “I drive innovation in our operations by introducing a culture of creativity and continuous improvement within the organization,” he says. “Everyone should feel like they are adding value and learning to themselves and the company. We are leading the way in the industry by adopting new technologies and methodologies to improve the client experience and streamline operations. Stay ahead of trends. Stay ahead of trends in your industry by encouraging experimentation and empowering your team to think outside the box.”So we can identify opportunities for innovation and make the right decisions. solutions can be implemented. ” Mr. Locke expects this approach to significantly increase revenue for all his businesses, but in the end he also emphasizes the importance of fostering long-term relationships to the success of any business. I am. “Strategic partnerships and alliances will always play a key role in achieving our goals,” he concludes.
Related: Charting a new path: Embracing the UAE’s entrepreneurial boom
