ILHAM'S INSPIRATION

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Three Useful Tips When Leading A Small Business

There is no manual out there for how to be a leader. It's not like you can sit down one day, read a 30 page book, and go to work the next day as a natural born leader. The thing is, though, as cheesy as it may sound, the ability to lead is in all of us. Sure, we all may not have the same types of leadership skills, but we have some leadership skills woven into our DNA. Maybe you are better at being the kind of leader that uses positive reinforcement to get the job done. Maybe you are the kind of leader that is stern yet fair, which gains their respect. Or maybe you like to combine different methods in order to get the job done. Whatever the way you do it, you can take the reign and lead your staff even if you open up your own small business.

So what is the best way to show leadership when you are in charge of a small business? The key is to just be yourself. The worst thing you can do when it comes to your employees is to try and be someone that you are not. Trust this, they will see through your facade quite quickly. Not only does doing that mean that people won't trust you, it also means that they won't follow anything that you say. Leadership, ultimately, comes from trust and respect. If you are one of those people who love to rule with an iron fist, be sure that you are at least honest with it at all times.

When you are running a small business, one of the most important things you can do is to show leadership by example. If your employees see you working hard they will follow your example. If the employees see that cost reduction is not a word in your dictionary then get ready for a high cost billings. If you are investing in a new division/business that gives you zero income at the end of the year yet you are bearing the cost then you’re not a wise but an emotional leader. With that said, you need to treat them well. Your employees are there to help your business, treat them professionally at all times and don't be afraid to reward them when they do something right and show the yellow card when not.

So there you go: be yourself, be professional, and, no matter how you do it, be realistic. When you run a small business you need to make sure that your leadership skills help the business, not hurt it.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Piece of Advice by Sheikha Jassim

Many heard couple of days ago about Sheikha Jassim Al Suwaidi the 1st Emirati Lady Photographer, exhibiting her work at DIFC where she displayed pictures dating back from the 40s and 50s in Dubai.

But not many knew that I grew up in a family who’s into arts and had Khalo Sheikha; (that’s how I Call her) as a very close family friend.

So I surprised Khalo Sheikha (Khalo means Aunty in Arabic/local dialect) with a visit and she was so excited to see us! well, I will leave you with this beautiful picture taken at her daughters home in Dubai.

Before leaving she gave me a piece of advice; “instead of throwing away cartons and boxes think again! You want to see what a cardboard can transforms into?” I leave you with following pictures:

Images are not to be downloaded, reproduced, or used/modified in any way without the express written consent of Ilham Abbas / Ilhaam Group. Articles, text, or design of this web site is not to be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of Ilham Abbas / Ilhaam Group.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Photoshoot of the upcoming Marie Claire Interview

Done with my Interview and the photoshoot! Love the outcome :)

A big Thank you to Marie Claire, styling, & photography team for doing such an incredible job!

Ilham Abbas Presenting El Ilhaam.com

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Cost of Protections in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry continues to explode on a global basis. With markets opening up in every corner, those who design and produce the fashions that mark the very trends of history, are facing serious concern regarding theft of these designs. When designers were constricted to producing fashions in a single country, it was easy to abide by and enforce Intellectual property trademark fashion laws. Now that the world has opened its arms to international trade the idea of infringement has become a much more serious discussion, one that has moved to the forefront of industry professionals minds.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are most affected by the discussion because the protection of intellectual property trademark fashion can become a very costly side of the business. Having to weigh the cost versus risk of having ones ideas and designs stolen and mass produced becomes a very easy decision once it happens. The first time a design is stolen and mass produced on the cheap, anyone would be on board with the idea of tougher and easier to implement protections regardless of the costs. While costs may be high, the protections are extremely important for the industry to survive.

Intellectual property trademark fashion protections come in the form of copyright, trademark, and trade secret patents and filings. The costs are, at times, considered prohibitive and may be designed for the larger industry players, thus making it more difficult for the smaller and medium sized textile and clothing enterprises to compete. Margins may have to be higher simply because volume just isn't there to cover the expense. Unfortunately, this may price out the smaller houses from competition in certain markets. Trends to move manufacturing overseas (regardless of the country of origin) is often a result of such cost structures.

When it comes down to it, intellectual property trademark fashion protections are absolutely needed regardless of the cost. Preventing theft in the fashion world will allow the creative process to flow unimpeded. It is important, though, to remember that the high costs of filing for these protections can be prohibitive. For the small and medium industry players, these costs can stifle creativity as much as theft.

Pop Art of 50s & 60s Come alive with Massimo Trulli's creations

I’m so glad and happy to welcome a new member to El Ilhaam Family, please join me to welcome Massimo Trulli, a true visionary, artist, & designer of the brand MASSIMO TRULLI.

MASSIMO TRULLI consistently created in thirty-years the most creative handmade artistic bags and leather goods under the brand name.

The philosophy of the brand is based on marriage between art and fashion, exclusivity, quality, originality and beauty of his creations, thus offering its customers something unique and irresistible.

What we are introducing this season is “The Bag Art”, made by hand from the works of art (style POP ART) inspired by the mythical years' 50 and'60 and its division and the characters, enhancing the image (often in a comic) of fashion, advertising, cinema and lifestyle of that era.

Bag Lady Limited Edition to 999 pieces worldwide.

The Collection offers exclusive research, strictly "Made in Italy" highly distinctive and original limited edition to 999 pieces worldwide.

Each piece is Certificate, numbered and signed by the artist in a way as to prevent reproduction.

For more details of each product you can find it on http://www.elilhaam.com/