Kuwaitis allocate India demands Controversial 10% of budget justice as ‘spy’ sheikh romps to for electronics9 dies11 in Pakistan AFC46 presidency Max 33º Min 22º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 15797- Friday, May 3, 2013 New virus kills 5 Saudis See Page 12 Local FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 Conspiracy Local Spotlight Theories ANNAR: Experience the experienced Lipstick-free of age. He loves Iranian food, which usually has meat, chicken, rice By Muna Al-Fuzai and the delicious Iranian sweets. I assumed it would be as good as many other well known Iranian dishes, so I ordered some of these dishes. When I received the menu by email for me to choose from, I loved the idea. I spoke with my friend’s wife, Ms. Farida Bakhtir, and By Badrya Darwish decried to give this project a chance. [email protected] At first glance, I thought it was quick, easy and professional. A good start, I assumed. I went through the menu which was well crafted and seemed attractive. I made my choice of the dishes that hen an old friend of mine told me about his wife’s long my son loves. I replied back and noted down all the items that I had [email protected] time dream to set up her own project, which I later found chosen and the details thereof. I also received a confirmation email Wwas to set up a restaurant, I thought it would turn out to be and when the big day showed up, I ate like I had never eaten before. another typical Kuwaiti project in which women open an outlet sell- On that day, I was amazed to explore the wide array of amazing t was surprising for me that the Turkish Airlines has ing cupcakes or pizzas. I was not really interested because opening a Iranian food and unlike many restaurants which care less about banned their hostesses from wearing bright-colored lip- new restaurant is something we hear about every day in Kuwait. In quality and presentation, this ANNAR thing had it all. Quality and stick. To me, thanks to the flood of serials we have been quantity, both. Believe me that this is a very rare thing to achieve in I fact, most people who live in Kuwait complain of obesity because watching on our channels over the past decade, I was rich food is part of a life style and gorging on it almost a hobby. So Kuwait. This two-in-one formula is hard to find. But I felt that this under the impression that the Turks are very liberal. gaining weight is easy and losing it is hard. lady has worked so hard not only to realize her dream as a chef in a Actually, their serials had immensely influenced society Three months later, I was invited to an event which this wonder best fashionable and possible way but also the food arrived on my woman and her husband had organized but unfortunately, I could table piping hot. everywhere in the Middle East. not make it as I felt sick on that particular day. I knew it was prefect Annar means a magic touch of Persian cuisine, I say this without In Jordan, taxi drivers are narrating or waiting for this or because all my colleagues who went to that event were talking any fear of exaggeration. Everyone enjoyed the lunch. Faridah made that Turkish serial to start. The same is the case with Kuwait, about the fantastic food which they had tasted and which left them me so proud even though I had to pay her. I was not sad for the Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon too. Everyone is affected amazed. I did not think too much about it all, and thought of it as money I paid, since it was worth every dinar. I believe this lady is and becomes a fan of the Turkish soap operas. I am sure all just another restaurant, I said to myself. entitled to say, “Yes, I realized my life’s dream by bringing happiness of you have heard of Noor and Mohannad. How famous did Recently, it was my son’s birthday. He was about to hit 25 years to others.” Mohannad become in the Arab World? He has become a star. Girls put his pictures everywhere - in their rooms, cars or on the walls of their cabinets. He is their dream man. Kuwait’s my business The same applies to Noor and other serials from Turkey. I cannot recall their names because I myself am not a soap opera fan, but sometimes it is forced on me. Once I was in a taxi in Amman riding with my sister. The driver was in a Kuwait entrepreneurs give up rush and was speeding. He said he was late to take his mother to watch her favorite soap opera. My editor heard me and said that the same happens in Bulgaria. She said, control for opportunity “When the Turkish soap opera starts, the country almost comes to a standstill, waiting for its favorite characters.” People in the office also exchange the latest news from for entrepreneurs. Flamboyant Italian designer, Roberto Cavalli, has the episodes as if they are discussing their own families’ By John P Hayes enjoyed years of success dressing some of the world’s most famous troubles. These soap operas reflect the real life of a country personalities, but, like any smart entrepreneur, he realized the and the people’s habits, clothes and all. It gave the impres- importance of extending his brand into new categories. So far, he’s sion that Turkish people live in a very liberal atmosphere. It lending his name to lifestyle and food ventures. Perhaps you’ve vis- was surprising to find out that Turkish Airlines can ban its [email protected] ited the Cavalli Club Dubai? Or a Cavalli Caffe in Delhi or Beirut? hostesses from using sexy lipstick colors. If it were to hap- Now you can enjoy Cavalli Caffe at Grand Avenues, and if plans come together as expected, you’ll also find Cavalli Caffe in Saudi pen in case of a Saudi Airline, I would have understood the Arabia and Bahrain - all thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of change. f you invest several million dollars to open an upscale, fine dining REMAS. What’s it with the lipstick? Does it freak out the passen- restaurant, would you expect to select the cutlery yourself, or Lest you get the idea that Dr. Sulaiman and his partners merely gers or the children? Why the ban? Is it considered indecent Iprefer that someone else do it for you? Your answer will reveal a surrendered their control (and their money) to Cavalli, here’s some- make-up? Are they afraid of an assault from passengers great deal about your personality, as well as your strengths and thing else of interest. “When things are not under your control,” who could possibly be mesmerized by the hostesses’ lip weaknesses as an entrepreneur. explained Dr. Sulaiman, “you still have opinions and convictions color? Or are they trying to avoid clashes on the plane as “I’m not a big fan of giving up control, so I’m not a big fan of about what is right, especially when cultural differences exist. This is franchises,” said Dr. Sulaiman T. Al-Abduljader, chairman of the passengers squabble over airhostesses, and want to play it frustrating (to the entrepreneur) because you have to convince the safe and ensure a smooth flight? This news reminded me of Kuwait investment firm, REMAS, which recently acquired rights to franchisor why something needs to be changed or added. But some Cavalli Caffe and opened it at Grand Avenues. “However,” continued things will not work in Kuwait and so it’s important that the fran- a theatre play called: “No Sex Please, We’re British.” Now, I Dr. Sulaiman, who is also head of Finance and Economics at GUST, chisor have an open mind.” say: “No lipstick please, we’re Turkish!” Whatever you “for such a major investment we are not risking anything. All the Why a soft opening? decide, Turkish Airlines, I wish you good luck! details for the restaurant are furnished for us by the franchisor,” and Cavalli, for example, didn’t understand why their Kuwait fran- that includes the branded cutlery. chisee insisted on a “soft opening.” The franchisor preferred a grand Calculated risk takers opening where the customers pay for their food. Most franchisors Even though Dr. Sulaiman and his partners are capable of select- are likely to think that a “soft opening,” where diners eat free, is a ing cutlery, and even though he prefers independent ownership waste of money, not to mention a loss of the royalties the franchisor over buying a franchise, he realized something far more important. would collect. After all, the franchisor has spent years perfecting its “We are not experts in fine dining restaurants,” he explained, “so for system, including its menu, so the restaurant doesn’t need a try out. this type of investment we required a brand name. If it’s a worth- “They wanted us to go for perfection and just open our doors for while brand then it will add value and quality to our relationship, business,” continued Dr. Sulaiman, “but we insisted on a soft open- and in that case we are willing to let the franchisor dictate to us.” In ing because we knew it would be appreciated in Kuwait.” It would entrepreneur-speak, that’s called calculated risk taking, and it’s a also be worth the expense to get critical feedback.