"I don't like nice people, I used to like nice people until I realised everytime I entertain 'nice' people I end up being ripped-off. I think I am clinically allergic to the arabic word 'habibi' 'my love' - Owning and operating a business in the Middle East - when I first started out I thought what a friendly bunch of people " Habibi , you are like a sister to us " - literal English translation "Run for the hills, you're about to be robbed". It may have taken the loss of a couple of million dirhams for me to determine this life lesson; however as I remind myself (frequently) it's part of life's great tapestry, (as-is black label whisky!)  Who would have thought a 25% shareholder in your company was flying in from his home country (Lebanon) every Friday with an empty suitcase and removing the takings from the safe? I thought he was arriving with a suitcase full of his best designer-togs because he was proud of our epic events and revenue. Well, to be fair I was partly right he was definately in awe of our revenue! You may also imagine that it would be impossible to get away with such theft but no, when you have 'paid-off' members of staff it turns out it can be incredibly easy!

Whilst I was preoccupied, engrossed, entirely consumed with my front of house, my brand, pr, my image, my events, entertainment and service all of my hard work was disappearing out of the backdoor. I'd taken my eye off the ball and it was a costly and traumatic mistake that I will never repeat.  Continue. >>