Middle East

Rachel Blackburn delivered a talk on Developing Your Influencing Skills in Dubai on Wednesday 25 November on behalf of the British Business Group.

Capturing the attention of an audience of around 30 business people at the Capital Club in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Rachel discussed the challenge of influencing others, covering concepts such as influencing styles and the Organisational Development Process.

The talk was well received, with one business account even live-tweeting coverage! @SMARTERtcm commented:

"How to deal with and influence 'challenging' or 'difficult' people. Great checklist from US2U Consulting to build relationships"

"Adopt a 'Zero Tolerance' to moaning in your organisation. Love this! #influencingpeople"

"4 Steps to Assertiveness from US2U Consulting. Simple as that!"

"The old adage "don't bring problems, bring solutions" is still a good way forward!"

Developing the Middle East Learning and Development theme, Rachel Blackburn delivered a Personal Development Planning and Leadership Coaching Project for a client in Media City, Dubai.

"It was great to share some of our expertise with our international clients and working on the 37th floor is in complete contrast to working in rural Norfolk in the UK!" said Rachel.

Rachel Blackburn attended the G8 UK 2013 The Deauville Partnership Conference at Lancaster House in London.

This was part of US2U Consulting's latest expansion into the Middle East and the theme was the role of women in relation to Arab countries in transition.

"It is recognised that the region is looking to benefit from advice, training and career development solutions; however it was emphasised that we have to understand their needs and history in order to be successful." said Rachel.

Pictured is: (left to right)

Quentin Primo III - CEO, Capri Capital

The Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan

The Rt Hon Alistair Burt - UK Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa

Supported by the UK Department of International Trade, we are pleased to announce that US2U Consulting is exploring opportunities to deliver Executive Coaching services in Saudi Arabia to support their Vision 2030.

"Saudi Arabia has ambitious change plans and US2U Consulting's services appear well-placed to support these changes" said Rachel Blackburn, who joins the Saudi British Joint Business Council for their Biannual Meeting in Jeddah on 28 November 2017.

Full details of the Executive Coaching Services can be found below:

US2U Consulting - Executive Coaching for Saudi Arabia

Rachel and Kerwin Blackburn of US2U Consulting visited the University of Oxford on Saturday 20 May to attend the Oxford-GCC Business Conference 2017, which covered a range of topics concerning the development of the Gulf region. The conference was held at St. Anthony's College and was hosted by OxGAPS, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and Said Business School.

Welcoming delegates from across the world, the conference focused on three key areas of the Gulf economy; the private sector, the creative economy and the evolving role of women in the region.

The conference also featured an exclusive list of interesting keynote speakers from prominent public and private sector organisations both in the UK and the Gulf, with an objective of the conference to promote and foster a greater UK-Gulf trading relationship.

Among the speakers on the subject of the arts and the creative economy in the Gulf was Princess Alia Al-Senussi, Chair of Tate Young Patrons and a descendant of Libyan royalty, pictured with Rachel Blackburn.

There was also an unique presentation on the specific characteristics and challenges of growing family-oriented businesses; a topic that is particularly prominent in Saudi Arabia - 75% of businesses have a family dynamic - and of course relevant to US2U Consulting too!

US2U Consulting's Rachel Blackburn went on a recent UK Trade and Investment Trade Mission, focussing on education and learning, to Qatar, Oman and Abu Dhabi. The aim of the trip was to develop the US2U Consulting business across the Middle East, with a view to taking its core competencies and assisting business across the region. The delegation comprised staff from universities as well as privately owned learning and development companies.

"We met many interesting people who appeared enthusiastic to develop business and partnerships during 2014", said Rachel Blackburn.