Morning Drive

Epizode

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  Car Dealerships Are Changing. Can Tech Save Their Profits? 21.10.2026 19min

  Buying a car is no longer just about visiting a showroom. Digital platforms, rising customer expectations, and shrinking dealer margins are transforming the automotive retail industry. So, how can dealerships stay competitive and profitable in an increasingly digital world?Tim Smith, Chief Strategy Officer at Keyloop, joins us to discuss how technology is reshaping car buying and what the future holds for automotive retail.
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  UAE Property Reality Check: Hype vs True Value 20.10.2026 23min

  As the UAE property market smashes records, Tim Elliott sits down with Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon to separate off-plan hype from genuine demand. They discuss essential buyer strategies, regulatory escrow safeguards, growth corridors, and expert tips on managing portfolios to build generational wealth.
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  AI-Powered Cyberattacks: Is Your Business Ready for 2027? 20.10.2026 30min

  Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place every October, but as AI makes cyberattacks increasingly sophisticated, are businesses doing enough to protect themselves? The UAE has reported up to 200,000 daily breach attempts against its infrastructure. So, what should businesses be watching as 2026 draws to a close?Joining us is Divya Raj, Business Unit Head for Critical Infrastructure Security, OT and IoT, at ParamountAssure. 
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  Could Your Employees Be Leaking Your Business Secrets? 20.10.2026 23min

  Germany’s former intelligence chief, August Hanning, has been arrested over allegations involving classified documents and the misuse of sensitive information. The case highlights a major security concern: what happens when confidential information falls into the wrong hands, even without a computer being hacked?Today, we look at how businesses can protect their secrets from internal leaks and information that outsiders piece together from public sources. Joining us is Ayman Gomaa, a Telecommunications and cybersecurity expert and founder and CEO of Acacia Innovations Technology, to explain the risks and how companies can protect themselves.
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  Can Dubai’s Number Plate Market Become the Next Big Digital Investment? 20.10.2026 27min

  Dubai’s premium number plate market is going digital, with technology promising more transparent valuations, secure payments and verified ownership. But can a market traditionally driven by brokers and private deals become a trusted digital investment space? And what does this mean for buyers, sellers and the future of alternative assets in the UAE? Dr. Abdulla Ibrahim Al Meer, Founder and Chairman of Mazal, joins us to discuss the business opportunities, challenges and future of digital asset trading in Dubai.
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  Can Instagram Turn Dubai’s Hidden Shops Into Hits? 19.10.2026 27min

  Dubai is full of hidden retail gems, but how do shoppers discover them, and what happens when social media puts them on the map? Today, we explore how digital influence is changing the fortunes of local businesses with Emilie Hill, independent brand influencer and founder of Context Studio, who spotlights lesser-known retail destinations across Dubai.
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  Dubai Property: How to Spot a Winning Investment 19.10.2026 23min

  Dubai’s property market continues to attract investors, but how do you know if a property is really worth your money? From using market data to choosing the right investment and managing rental properties remotely, we explore how technology is changing the way people invest in real estate.Joining us is Aleh Baranouski, founder of Habi, a proptech platform helping investors identify opportunities and landlords manage their properties.
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  Stop Selling, Start Talking: Why Brands Are Losing Customers 16.10.2026 22min

  Why do some brands only show up when they want you to buy something? In a world of constant marketing and endless notifications, customers want more than sales pitches. Lucy Bradley, Founder of Plug, joins us to discuss why businesses need to build real relationships with their audiences, not just sell to them.
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  Dubai’s Free-Sharing Economy: Why Buy When You Can Reuse? 16.10.2026 20min

  What if the things you no longer need could help someone else, instead of ending up as waste? A UAE-born startup is using technology to make that happen, connecting people who want to give away unwanted items with those who can put them to good use, all for free. It's a new approach to sustainability, community sharing and responsible consumption.We're joined by Jérôme Viricel, Co-founder of Hiiba, who brings more than 25 years of international experience in entrepreneurship and sustainability, including leading the digital recycling platform RECAPP by Veolia Middle East.
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  ChatGPT in the Will: AI Guidance and Financial Planning for Parents 16.10.2026 23min

  Join presenter Tim Elliott and independent financial consultant James Thomas on Mira Business FM as they unpack the viral Abu Dhabi draft will proposing AI consultation for child guardianship. They discuss vital insights on structuring wills, protecting liquidity, and securing life insurance to safeguard your family's financial future.
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  Why Good People Stay in Bad Jobs (And How to Fix It) 15.10.2026 50min

  Tim Elliott sits down with David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East. The discussion explores why professionals shouldn't ignore recruiters, the hidden reality of unpaid recruitment work, and the "fear paradox" driving job hugging across the UAE.
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  Abu Dhabi’s New Islands: Where Should Property Buyers Invest? 15.10.2026 20min

  Abu Dhabi’s next property hotspots are taking shape, but which islands are worth watching, and where should buyers put their money?Hudayriyat has already recorded billions of dirhams in property sales, while Ramhan, Fahid, Lulu and Al Mihsinah offer very different opportunities.Ben Crompton, Managing Partner of Crompton Partners, joins us to break down the developments, the risks and what buyers should look out for as the capital’s waterfront communities take shape.
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  Is AI About to Change How We Work? 14.10.2026 25min

  As Abu Dhabi prepares to launch HR Tech Abu Dhabi 2027, presenter Tim Elliott speaks with Debbie French, International Portfolio Director at ARC Network. They analyse how artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment, enhancing workplace productivity, and fostering digital growth while championing human-centric adoption.
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  Dubai Property Record Sales, Softening Rents, and New Horizons in Tashkent 14.10.2026 52min

  Tim Elliott and EVA Real Estate Senior Manager Mario Volpi unpack Dubai's property market in Q3 2026. They discuss why soaring infrastructure investments and a staggering 574 billion dirhams in transactions signal market rebalancing, while shifting rental trends create fresh opportunities for tenants and buyers alike.
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  UAE Jobs: Is It Getting Harder to Get Hired? 13.10.2026 18min

  Months after geopolitical tensions began affecting the region, how has the UAE job market changed? Hiring trends vary across sectors, with some businesses continuing to recruit while others reassess their workforce needs amid ongoing regional uncertainty. So, is it getting harder to land a job, what is happening to salaries, and how are employers approaching recruitment? We discuss the changing employment landscape with Nathan Kearney, Managing Director of Executive Search.
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  Real Estate CEO Explains Buyer's Remorse 13.10.2026 22min

  Did you buy Dubai property at the market peak? Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon joins presenter Tim Elliott to dissect buyer's remorse, shifting property cycles, and strategic adaptation. They discuss why current market stabilization offers a fresh, resilient playbook for savvy investors navigating tomorrow's real estate landscape.
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  UAE Rent Goes Monthly 13.10.2026 33min

  The UAE rental market is embracing digital payments, giving tenants more flexibility and landlords greater control over their properties. Keyper recently raised $11 million in Series A funding and surpassed AED 100 million in active annual rents paid monthly. We speak to Walid Shihabi, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Keyper, about the future of rent payments and the UAE property market.
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  Choose E-Invoicing Provider By October 12.10.2026 34min

  What do businesses need to prepare, and could their existing accounting systems be ready? We discuss the new requirements and compliance steps with Sameer Ansari, Senior Client Accountant at Sovereign PPG.Choose E-Invoicing Provider By October
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  Should You Reveal Your Current Pay in Job Interviews? 09.10.2026 41min

  Tim Elliott sits down with Mackenzie Jones Middle East Managing Director David Mackenzie to unpack the delicate art of salary negotiations. They explore whether job candidates in the UAE should disclose current compensation packages or push back against employers.
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  UAE Restaurants Are Fighting for Attention. Who Gets Seen? 09.10.2026 29min

  The UAE’s F&B scene is entering another busy period. Global Food Week has just wrapped in Abu Dhabi, and the MICHELIN Guide has just unveiled its latest Dubai selection, with 122 restaurants now featured. We’re looking at what’s happening beyond the awards and big openings, from someone who sees restaurants and food businesses on the ground. Ahmad Ali is the founder of Emirati Food Geeks, a platform helping restaurants get discovered and build visibility.