Motivate Books Announces New Edition of Bestselling Book 'Don't they Know It's Friday?' by Jeremy Williams OBE

Date Posted:Tue, 11th Mar 2025

Motivate Books Announces New Edition of Bestselling Book 'Don't they Know It's Friday?' by Jeremy Williams OBE

Motivate Books, part of Motivate Media Group - a Founding Sponsor of the BCCD for over 15 years - is delighted to announce the launch of the fully updated new edition of its bestselling book Don’t They Know it’s Friday? by Jeremy Williams OBE.

 

This book is the definitive guide to business culture and etiquette in the Gulf and the new edition offers an indispensable roadmap for navigating the intricate landscape of Gulf business culture and etiquette. Delving deeper into the nuances and intricacies of conducting business in this dynamic region, the new edition is rich with invaluable insights and practical advice tailored to meet the evolving demands of today.

This bestselling handbook, first published in 1998, is an essential guide for anyone wishing to do business with Arabs, whether as a resident expatriate or as a visitor.

It dispels many of the myths associated with the region and gives advice on etiquette. It not only focuses on Gulf business practices, culture and behaviour patterns, but prepares the reader for the many lifestyle changes they will experience and offers an introduction to business life in the Gulf. Don’t They Know It’s Friday? has also been published in Korean.

Key features:

• Dispels common misconceptions and myths about the region.

• Essential reading for anyone preparing to visit (or move) to the Gulf.

• Offers a simple yet comprehensive introduction to the way of life in the region.

• Provide the readers with the knowledge needed to adapt to the region.

Praise for the book:

“A fascinating read, even I learned something about our culture. Essential reading for the visitor to the region.’ - HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom

“This is a wonderful book… well written… it corrects some stereotypical images of the Gulf… a superb effort.” - Dr Obaid Ali Bin Butti, Juma Al-Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, Dubai

About the Author

With an army and diplomatic career of thirty-five years, Jeremy Williams OBE spent over twelve years in five Gulf locations: Sharjah, Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. He has gained invaluable knowledge of the way of life in the Gulf. His company Handshaikh Ltd conducts seminars, briefing programmes and negotiation training for organisations with Gulf business connections.

Motivate Media Group

Established in 1979, Motivate Media Group operates in partnership between Ian Fairservice and H.E. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Former Minister of State for Financial Affairs, UAE. With a staff of over 200 experienced professionals based out of the Dubai headquarters, and the Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and London offices, Motivate’s wider publishing expertise includes award-winning print and digital titles such as What’s On, Emirates Woman and Gulf Business.

As well as books and magazines, Motivate also produces content across other platforms including video, digital media, cinema and events.

For further information or to order, please contact:

Javed Akrami, Books Coordinator – Books and Magazines

Media One Tower, Dubai Media City

PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE

Tel: +971 4 427 3592

Fax: +971 4 428 2268

Email: [email protected]