Interview with Lara Tabet: Navigating Business and Marketing in Dubai
Celebrities & Influencers
July 26, 2024
Presentation:
Lara Tabet is a multifaceted professional with a rich background spanning television, hospitality, and business. Born on August 6, 1971, Lara's journey began in the UAE and took her across the globe, from Beirut to London to Kansas, before returning to Dubai. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Lara's diverse experiences have shaped her dynamic approach to business and marketing. She has successfully bridged traditional and contemporary worlds, bringing innovative brands to the vibrant Dubai market. As a media personality, entrepreneur, and mother, Lara continues to inspire with her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence.
Interview Questions:
1. Bringing Brands to Dubai:
- With your extensive experience in both the hospitality and media industries, what do you believe are the key factors that contribute to successfully introducing and establishing new brands in the competitive Dubai market?
Dubai is a highly interesting market for new brands if they chose to launch here because the market is very large and extremely dynamic with consumers that are highly discerning and very well informed of all the latest global trends.
In this market there is no restriction or barrier to stop any new brand from entering from anywhere in the world. However, any brand that wishes to succeed in this market in the long-term has to understand the consumer very well because just as they were willing to try you out, they were just as easily move to try out another new brand if their needs or desires are not fully met.
2. Marketing Strategies:
- Can you share some interesting examples of marketing strategies or campaigns that have been particularly successful in engaging Dubai's diverse consumer base?
Dubai consumers do like to be engaged, they love promotions. They absolutely go for special deals or special offers. Be it a simple scratch card or a buy a few and get one free promotion or win a free holiday promotion, raffle draw. Loyalty rewards or whatever.
So, when a brand offers something free or something of other value, the consumers here go crazy for it.
This is despite the fact that the consumers in this market have, a very high spending power and money is not the issue, but they just like to be enticed, to be encouraged or to be rewarded for their loyalty to remain a good customer. So from a marketing point of view, always try to make your customer here feel like they're getting some of extra value.
3. Business Expertise:
- How has your varied background in hospitality management, media, and family business management equipped you to navigate the challenges of promoting and managing brands in Dubai?
Whilst hospitality and media are different business sectors, the common thread between them is that in order to have longevity in this market, you need to be highly professional at what you do you and don't succeed here in the long run by being mediocre.
The customer here is highly discerning and the market is extremely competitive.
Another, learning I have gained from being involved in different sectors, is that quality always endures in the long run.
As I already stated, the customer is affluent, sophisticated and has lots of choice so wether you are in hospitality, media, marketing or any other sector my advise is to you is never ever sacrifice your quality for price.
4. Contributing to Brand Success:
- Considering your current role in managing the L’Entrecôte Café de Paris outlet in Abu Dhabi and your venture into the fragrance industry, how does your expertise and personal touch contribute to the success and growth the brand in the market?
As I am no longer involved with Entrecote Cafe de Paris, I would prefer to pass on this question.
However, I am definitely planning to launch my own fragrance skincare and make up line which I will tell you more about in the very near future. It is working progress and it is my plans in the pipeline.
We look forward to hearing Lara's insights and stories, shedding light on the intricacies of doing business in Dubai and the unique contributions she brings to the brands she represents.
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