Hot And Bothered

Well, certainly hot - but there again, Dubai in mid-May usually is. But more of that later.

May promised to be a busy month and it didn't disappoint. On top of all the incredible work I'm privileged to be involved in at The Industrious there were podcasts to record, book signings to, er, sign, and of course, as we know very well by now, it's conference season.

On the subject of book signing, sales are going well, buoyed by carrying around 100 copies with me in the back of the car - well you just never know, got to be prepared. Maybe a pop-up on East Grinstead high street?

And whilst on the subject, a special shout out to the wonderful people who have left reviews, especially fellow writers Glynn Davis and Howard Saunders - both capable of wielding a pen with far more precision than I ever could, I thank you both for your kind words.

The month began with my first workation (OK if phygital is allowed I'm having workation) at the apartment in Mallorca. Well, it made a good excuse to go there and work on 'things'. As I've said before, it's amazing what a change of scenery can do for one's creative juices (and a glass or two of sangria). Actually, like paella, I never touch the stuff. Never quite got the point of either if I'm honest.

But I digress. Back from sunny Mallorca where it was pleasantly warm and sunny, two nights in the UK where it was predictably cold and dull, and then off to Dubai where it was unseasonably dry and hot.

This was my first time at Seamless Middle East and it coincided with my first time speaking there. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, I had booked into the Ibis. Now before you go thinking that times have got tough, there was method in my madness.

This wasn't my first time in Dubai but my first at this time of year - and on setting foot outside the hotel for the first time, all of sudden, Dubai shopping malls made perfect sense. Because when the mercury is nudging north of 100 degrees, outdoors is not somewhere you want to be. Which is why I had checked into the Ibis, with its covered (and air-conditioned) adjacency to the World Trade Centre. After all, who wants to be greeted by a sweaty mess on stage?

And whilst on the topic, it was really rather pleasant; rooms, public areas, restaurant. So, when I'm back in Dubai in a couple of weeks time, I'll be staying at the Conrad over the road - because it's cheaper than the Ibis!

Dubai proved to be a great trip, not merely for Seamless but the visits to the malls for vital research, some amazing meetings and also, courtesy of British Airways, an additional opportunity to visit a different mall was afforded.

Now they say that when faced with adversity, one needs to make the most of it and such was the case when their recalcitrant Boeing, on which we were due to return on the Friday, steadfastly refused to budge from its parking spot.

It had clearly decided that another night in Dubai was warranted, and that is exactly what happened. And here's a sentence I thought I'd never write: full marks to British Airways for the way they handled the delay. On news of the cancellation, we were whisked back through immigration and advised that reservations at the Intercontinental had been made.

Which just happens to be not only a very splendid hotel, but adjoins the Festival City shopping mall. Which is where I spent much of that evening.

On return to the UK it was straight into final prep for chairing the Future of Commerce theatre at the Internet Retailing Show, better known as IRX. Louise Smith and the team at Clarion Events always manage to put on a great show and this was no exception. Personal highlight for me was interviewing Niall Horgan , CEO & co-founder at Gym+Coffee - a great Irish brand, who by the way don't sell gym gear or coffee. Go to https://uk.gympluscoffee.com/ to check out what they do sell - it's really rather good.

As I write, it's Bank Holiday Monday, which means it's raining and colder than of late. It also marks the beginning of a rare week at home, which is a blessing as it's allowing me to prepare for June, which promises to be even busier with some amazing travels to Barcelona, Singapore and Dubai in prospect. I can't wait.

But that's another story which you can read all about next time, I promise it won't be dull!