03 Mar 2012

Etisalat Information Services has launched a series of workshops across the UAE designed to discuss topical issues of relevance to the UAE business community in the rapidly changing environment of communications and information.

The events took place in January in Dubai and in February Abu Dhabi for an audience consisting of executives from companies across a broad spectrum of the business sector.

The Dubai-based workshop addressed the subject of crisis communications. Mr. Chris Kinsville-Heyne, -currently the EU-sponsored strategic communications advisor to the interim Libyan Government -, highlighted the lessons that could be learned from the handling of communications in recent high-profile situations.

In a highly interactive session, participants were taught how companies can take steps to protect their reputations in the event of a crisis in an age of instant communication and citizen journalists able to transmit uncontrolled information within seconds of witnessing an incident.

During the Abu Dhabi workshop the main subject was the digital transformation of the market place and the business practices. Marketing and communications commentator Alexander McNabb addressed the subject of how UAE companies are reacting to the new age of digital technology and ways in which consumer behaviour is changing.

The workshops were organised by Express Print Publishers, the new publishers of Etisalat Yellow Pages, as part of a commitment towards reinforcing support for the business community and ensuring that Yellow Pages remains at the forefront of providing essential information.

Rashid Al Naqbi, General Manager of Etisalat Information Services said: “Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the Yellow Pages has been a fundamental platform for supporting the UAE’s business community, and we are confident it will continue to do so as it embraces the changes in new technologies that we are witnessing.”

“In line with these new technologies, we made business listings more convenient for UAE's iPhone users through an application which allows users in the UAE and abroad to quickly find the business that they require as well as call, email and browse company listings, from the palm of their hands. We are confident that Yellow Pages will remain the most extensive business directory in the UAE, through its multitude of platforms.” Mr. Al Naqbi concluded.

Express Print Publishers Managing Director, Abdul Qadir Mohamed, said: “We are currently involved in producing the 2012 Etisalat Yellow Pages Directories for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah & the Northern Emirates under our new contract with Etisalat. The Directories will be published online and available for smart phone users, including an app developed for the iOS –Apple- platform as well as the traditional print version, ensuring they are available for anyone who needs it.”

“The Yellow Pages directories have long been an essential part of the business environment and the new workshops show our commitment to supporting our customers with relevant information on current issues,” concluded Mr. Mohamed

Further workshops will be held throughout 2012 at various locations around the UAE.