MEAMARKETS / JUNE 2017 25 A Woman at the Helm g and operation, work in harmony with four client servicing power houses and a talented tireless creative department. “We are happy that there is fierce competition in the space which we operate. It shows that we are onto something, keeping our eyes on the ball and making the journey fun and exciting.” Turning our thoughts to the industry more generally in the Middle East, Niousha enthusiastically imparts her expert insights on this. “The Middle East is a vast and diverse region. Most countries in the gulf region are developing at a dizzying speed and UAE is spearheading the regional developments in multiple fronts. We enjoy a very safe and business friendly environment, both of which offer massive growth potential. “Dubai alone is becoming the world destination for tourism and M.I.C.E. With 15 million visitors to the city in 2016, along with plans to double this number by 2021, Dubai is fast becoming the place to work and learn.” Working within the industry, Niousha reveals the techniques her firm employs to stay ahead of any emerging developments. “There is no cookie-cutter solution for all events. Each project has a unique set of requirements. We utilise our expertise and experience in various areas, consider latest trends and technologies and find applicable convergences between multiple disciplines such as art, technology and human psychology. Then we ideate, prototype, review, iterate and repeat until we get something unforgettable out. “The team is equipped with latest hardware and software, to create the great work they do effectively and efficiently. The creative team provides support to the sales team, in creating awesome pitches. Unit leads have the authority to allocate external resources, depending on the requirements of a project. This allows flexibility and guarantees that projects are delivered as promised. “An internal ideation panel comprised of department heads reviews, evaluates new projects and prepares recommendations for a successful pitch.” Niousha then moves our thoughts towards the firm’s internal culture, including how they can provide the best possible service to their clients. “At LINKVIVA, innovation is at the centre of all conversations. This is not just another buzzword to us. We incorporate new ways of thinking in all stages. We adhere to process every step of the way, but that does not limit our creativity, nor our innovation. We pride ourselves to be a learning organisation. The team regularly participates in seminars and educational programs all paid for by the company. Employees who come up with new ideas and utilise new learnings at work are consistently recognised. “Diversity is another big part of our culture. Our team comes from all corners of the world and some of our best team members are young bright women. We genuinely care for each other and support one another inclusively. “LINKVIVA is structured in a way that all work is objective-oriented, with clear KPI’s defined and success is measured to the dot. However, this doesn’t impact the fun environment, in which we spend most part of our day. Our Thursday breakfasts have become a ritual and we can’t wait to celebrate the monthly batch of birthday girls and boys at the office. These are the small things that constantly remind us we are a family and we all work together to have better lives for ourselves and our loved ones.” On the subject of the staff she leads, Niousha reveals her approach to hiring staff and attracting the very best talent in the industry to LINKVIVA. “We are always on the look out for brilliant minds. Our people are the best ambassadors of our brand. Our projects and client testimonials are a testament to the level at which LINKVIVA operates. Candidates and incoming employees feel the LINKVIVA love from the first interview. They are clearly communicated to expect a balanced mix of hard work, room for creativity and growth, and fun. “Compatibility with company culture is a key trait for anybody working at LINKVIVA on temporary or permanent basis. Our head of HR is a master life coach herself and utilises latest methodologies in human resources to ensure the right talent is attracted and retained. “Our people are our most valuable asset. LINKVIVA is a learning organisation and will continue becoming the one agency, in which young women and men gain invaluable experience and become the future industry leaders.” Niousha then reveals what the future holds for the firm in her own words. “We are moving more and more to the experiential events area. We are closely monitoring and evaluating how new technologies can create tangible value, ROI, and ROE for the clients. “Our recent expansion into a new office allows us to focus more on developing in-house innovative platforms that bring our ideas to life. We provisioned the equipment, in-house talent, and real estate to set up an innovation hub. Stay tuned for exciting work coming out of the hub! “LINKVIVA will continue its mission in becoming the leader in the events industry in the MENA region. We are expanding our area of service beyond MENA and eying Asia as the next destination for defining events.” Finally, Niousha offers her insights in potential future developments within the wider industry. “There is impressive development in the AR/VR space. In the last few years, these technologies have graduated from lab into people’s homes. There are still few rough edges and the experience is not yet quite seamless, but the next three to five years will bring about next- generation immersive experiences and events that may disrupt the industry for the better. “On the other hand, virtual internet-based events are becoming more common. With blazing fast internet connections, available in your pocket, it is easier than ever to organise or participate in a virtual event, live on the internet. Add to that the power of AR/VR and the immersive experience could be quite impactful. We expect virtual events becoming a norm in the coming years, where people can attend (and be fully immersed into) events, from the comfort of their homes or offices. “I would also like to add that the event industry is excitingly becoming fast-paced and fiercely competitive. In a mere decade, we grew from a desk in a business centre to a 45 people- strong team of champions. We have seen booms and busts and weathered the storm shoulder to shoulder with our crew. In this rewarding journey, we have not forgotten about the core of our company, its people and culture. We stay true to our values, cherish our people and let our expertise and integrity shine in the result we deliver to our delighted clients.” Name: Niousha Ehsan Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.linkviva.com Address: Unit C41, Dubai Production City, Dubai UAE, P.O. Box 502805 Telephone: +971 4 4420743