George Berbari is the chief executive for DC Pro Engineering, a pioneering powerhouse in the global district cooling sector, which he set up in 2006. Mr Berbari is from Lebanon and has worked in the energy industry for almost three decades. The Dubai resident is married and has one daughter, who is 13.
What are your favourite things to do over the weekend?
With my working week usually very hectic and involving a lot of travel, the weekends are my opportunity to unwind, relax and re-energise. It may seem like a contradiction, but I find that spending time with my daughter and playing sports – both of which actually sap a lot of physical energy – replenishes me mentally. I also like to spend quality time with my wife. For us, finding the right balance between being at home and getting out and about is a constant challenge. Now my daughter is a teenager and wants to spend more time with her friends, that balance is getting easier to manage.
What do you consider to be your favourite hobby?
Swimming – it always has been. I try to squeeze in some lengths after work and I always try to get to the pool on the weekends. The great thing about swimming is that it is great cardio and also works a tremendous array of muscles. I find swimming to be similar to long-distance running – once you get into a rhythm, you can keep going forever. The pool is also a great place to think. I find that once I am into my routine my thoughts will skip between work, family, current affairs, what’s on at the cinema – it’s a great activity to spend time with oneself, lost in one’s own thoughts.
What can’t you live without?
Continuous development. Two of my most favourite quotes are: “Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world” by the Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall and – although it’s probably more of a saying – “The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.” For me, truer words have never been spoken.
What do you consider the secret to your success?
Passion and dedication. These two attributes are the foundations of the ethos at DC Pro Engineering. Ever since I formed the company in 2006, I have continuously sought passion in my employees – those who remain with us and those who have moved on. You do not become a global leader – in any field – without passion. For me, dedication is the vessel by which passion becomes action.
What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?
Always plan ahead and always be financially prudent – especially with your income prior to starting a new business. Strategic planning and sound investment methods can only increase a start-up company’s chances of success. When the passion has been harnessed and the company is up and running, dedication has to kick in. Sacrifices will be needed – make them with a clear head and stay true to your convictions. The dedication will manifest in hard and (hopefully) intelligent choices, but only experience can teach you smart management of human and capital resources. It is important to learn from mistakes, which are the backbone of experience. Finally, always prioritise customer satisfaction – if your guests are happy, they’ll keep coming back and they’ll serve as your best ambassadors.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
The eternal question. This must be one of the most challenging areas faced by most professionals and especially entrepreneurs – many of whom have to be so selfish while building the foundations of their businesses. People who achieve a happy work-life balance are in the minority, especially during start-up years. Recently, I was watching a video of Michael Evans, the president of Alibaba, and he was asked what he would do different if he could start again. The one thing that really popped out was spending more time with his family. When your job provides the food for your family, it is often easy to forget that an equal – arguably more important – contribution is being there to share in the eating.
How do you relax after a working day?
I love our family dinners – they are an important time to speak and love as a family. We also watch TV as a family. I love reading a good book – who doesn’t?
If you weren’t chief executive of this company what else would you be doing?
In my dreams, I would be a chef of my own restaurant. I imagine passion and dedication are key components to being a successful chef. I love the idea of being responsible for the entire process – from conceptualising the dish and sourcing the products, to leading the team in the kitchen and making people happy and content with the food.
mkassem@thenational.ae
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
The%20specs
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How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish