In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm joined by Middle East strategist Corina Goetz to explore the opportunities for consultants and businesses looking to work in the Gulf region, and what's changed since Corina last joined me on the podcast two years ago.
We talk about what's really happening on the ground in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar versus what makes the headlines, from the sectors continuing to grow and the rapid development of AI and technology to how the region is evolving amid a changing global landscape.
Corina also shares how clients in the Gulf have become more sophisticated, why the approach that works with a client in New York won't necessarily land in Dubai or Riyadh, and the role of relationships, LinkedIn and digital visibility in building trust with potential clients in the Gulf.
If part of scaling your consulting business means widening where your high-value clients come from, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the opportunities in the region and what you need to understand before you start opening those doors.
In This Episode:
[02:00] What the opportunities in the Gulf look like today and why the picture differs across sectors
[03:00] How the Gulf is advancing AI and technology and why Western businesses need to raise their game
[06:00] How different media narratives can shape our understanding of what's happening in the Gulf
[08:00] The working weeks, calendars and cultural expectations businesses need to understand across Gulf countries
[14:00] What's really happening in Dubai and how business on the ground can differ from Western news coverage
[18:00] Whether the Gulf is still a viable market for B2B consultants and why your approach needs to be tailored
[20:00] The importance of relationships, in-person connection and LinkedIn when building trust in the Gulf
[24:00] Corina's advice for consultants who want to begin exploring global opportunities
Key Takeaways:
- Don't make business decisions based on the headlines: The picture presented from outside a market isn't always the same as what's happening on the ground. If you're exploring opportunities internationally, getting closer to the market and understanding the wider context can give you a very different picture.
- Cultural understanding is part of doing good business: Working globally means understanding what's happening on the ground and being ready to adapt. Corina's example of a national mourning period across several Gulf states shows how quickly circumstances can change, and why taking the time to understand your clients matters.
- Your LinkedIn lurkers could be future clients: Decision-makers in the Gulf may be paying close attention to your content without ever liking or commenting. Your digital presence is already building trust and telling potential clients who you are before you ever enter the room.
- There are opportunities you don't know exist yet: Some of the most valuable B2B opportunities sit inside niches you'd never see from the outside. Staying curious about new markets can open doors you didn't even know were there.
Quotes:
"The companies that can adapt will go a lot further, because the clients from out there will feel understood, and they will feel, 'somebody's actually taken the time to look into us and, and see what matters to us.'" — Corina Goetz
"As entrepreneurs, we often have that hunger, don't we? For like, ooh, what's the opportunity there? What's the possibility? We just need to let ourselves get excited about where these doors can open in places that you might not have known exist." — Jessica Fearnley
"All the tools that we have now, especially as founders and entrepreneurs, this is so much easier than it used to be even five years ago. You can do so many things if you just think a little bit outside the box, invest a little bit in your own education, and, my God, surround yourself with the right kind of people." — Corina Goetz
Useful Links
Corina:
Follow Corina on LinkedIn
Corina's Website: star-cat.co.uk
Corina's Newsletter: The Gulf Desk
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
