Saudi Arabia – Why Western Consultants Fail
STEVE ROYSTON: If they are to be lasting, appropriate and sustainable, the solutions themselves must come from within, not from the West.
Arabic: Why it’s Failing, What Can be Done
STEVE ROYSTON: What troubles Arab intellectuals is that the use of the Arabic language is declining. There’s an Arabic interface for Facebook, yet 75% of Arab users prefer the English.
419 Manipulation: Detecting the Agenda
STEVE ROYSTON: The aspect I latched on to was cybercrime, on the 419 scam. The talk was delivered by a former member of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service.
Islamaphobia and the Clash of Civilizations
STEVE ROYSTON: If I was advising the UK on a strategy to contain Islamophobia, it would be to communicate the distinction between faith and behaviour.
After Tunisia: Choosing the Society We Want
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s about building societies in which people are not afraid to think for themselves, and are free to express themselves without fear of censorship or persecution…
A New Saudi Arabia: Thoughts For a Better Future
STEVE ROYSTON: King Abdullah, upon his return to Saudi Arabia after successful surgery in the United States, broadcasts to the nation. This is what he could say…
Building Entrepreneurship in the Middle East
STEVE ROYSTON: Creating an entrepreneurial culture in a country, as Professor Daniel Isenberg pointed out, requires determination, and a lot of money
Could the Middle East Revitalise the Fading Charm of British Airways?
STEVE ROYSTON: At what stage does the market value of British Airways become so depressed that it becomes an attractive takeover target for the likes of Qatar, Emirates or Etihad?
Democracy Performance Review : Could do Better
STEVE ROYSTON: The concept of government for the people and by the people – is as far from a reality at the end of 2010 as it ever was.
Is it Time to give Saudi Arabian Youth its Voice?
STEVE ROYSTON: Respect for the elderly is deeply ingrained in Arab society. Saudi Arabia, however, faces a major demographic challenge – a hugely youthful population.
An Encounter with the True Meaning of Ashura
STEVE ROYSTON – In the two hours I listened, I couldn’t begin to understand the intricacies. But I was struck by the gentle emotion, and parallels to Easter.
Is Saudi Encouraging its own Brain Drain?
STEVE ROYSTON: Could it be that the next wave of migration will come from the very class of people that Saudi Arabia sees as its future?
Women in Saudi: The Employment Dilemma
STEVE ROYSTON: Difficulties facing women who wish to enter the workforce are only part of what the Saudi leadership recognizes is a slow burn of discontent.
GCC Youth and the False Goal of ‘Being Management’
STEVE ROYSTON: The parents of many in the GCC instill in their sons and daughters (particularly sons) the idea that the only respectable career is management.
World Cup Wailing: Thoughts on the World Cup decision
STEVE ROYSTON: However FIFA arrived at its decisions, if the motive is to put the tournament where there’s real passion for football, then both Russia and Qatar are good choices.
This is Cricket, There will be No Other…
STEVE ROYSTON: As a child, I used to stay up late to listen to the Ashes on the radio. Today, a little closer to Australia and half a century on, I’m still listening.
Relationships and the Reality of Social Networks
STEVE ROYSTON: In the real world, we have lots of alternative words to describe different levels of relationship – family, colleague, acquaintance to name but a few. On Facebook, everyone is a friend.
The Power, and the History, of the Thaler
STEVE ROYSTON: Thaler Tales was published in 2006, so this is not exactly a hot-off-the-press post. But hey, the thaler’s been around for 250 years, so no matter.
Are they Messengers or Missionaries?
STEVE ROYSTON: Successful companies tend not to fire their communications people. That’s not to say that politics, ambition and personal fiefdoms won’t get in the way
