David Haddad is well-dressed.
In dark blue jeans, a light blue shirt and a dark blazer, the 28-year-old Lebanese Canadian looks professional as well as casual at an after-work social occasion.
Owner of the innovative public relations enterprise PubliSeek, Mr Haddad thinks it is all part of business.
"People are dressing in different ways," Mr Haddad says. "It's partly a personal thing and partly based on what your business goals are."
While there are no figures to convey the impact of fashion on the profits of small businesses, some small to medium business (SME) owners swear by a fashionable dress sense and take it as seriously as proper accounting. It is crucial to look presentable and connect with people, some of them say.
A sense of fashion "is important for all businesses, but especially important for small businesses in which the 4 Ps of marketing - product, place, price and promotion - have a fifth P - people," says Stephanie Ost, owner of modelling agency and image consultancy SO Famous in Dubai.
"First impressions make a big difference and many people will subconsciously make judgments on a business's professionalism and ability based on this first encounter," the 27-year-old former model from Germany says.
Different cultures and businesses have different attitudes to fashion and looks. In California, Mr Haddad says, he once came across a technology entrepreneur who was meeting a potential investor for half a million dollars in flip-flops. "But looks are a significant factor here," he says of Dubai.
As an SME owner Mr Haddad socialises with potential clients and employers at art gallery openings and similar events at least once a week.
"If you are not dressed right, how will people decide who to speak with?" he asks. "You need that extra edge to stand out in the crowd."
That said looks also need to be combined with skills, knowledge and professionalism, he says.
Because "people are brands in themselves", Mr Haddad says, it is important to be well-groomed along with having a firm handshake.
While the "proper" fashion and dress sense is subjective, there are some red lines that SME owners should not cross, he says.
"For example, you do not wear a mini skirt to a black-tie event or a formal meeting and, equally, you do not wear evening make-up to a business lunch," Ms Ost says. "In business situations, it is important to look smart in well-fitting attire that flatters the body; make-up should be natural looking and behaviour should be professional and genuine."
Mr Haddad would dress casually for a day at the desk, but if he is meeting someone where first impression counts, he prefers wearing a jacket, not necessarily a tie, paired with dark leather shoes with jeans or chinos. He does not believe in investing in luxury items, but says he would typically spend US$100 (Dh367) for a shirt and up to $500 for a jacket.
There is a subtle difference between fashion and style, and professionals such as Ms Ost and Mr Haddad place more emphasis on the individual sense of style to leave a mark. While fashion is seasonal and fleeting, style is more indelible.
"SME owners should develop and recognise their own personal style, a style that they are comfortable with, which enhances their natural beauty and personality," Ms Ost says.
Among the tips for SME owners who want to improve their image is studying successful businesspeople and taking note of how they dress, speak and conduct themselves, she says.
"A well-groomed SME [owner] gives the impression of success and professionalism, both of which are vital in today's competitive business world", says Ms Ost, who indulges once in a while in the latest accessories and clothes.
Both business owners agree it is a good idea to invest in a dress or a suit, though not necessarily expensive ones.
"If you meet people, it has a positive return on investment," Mr Haddad says.
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
