Running your business during Ramadan: what you need to know in 2022
When you are running a business outside your home country, cultural awareness is highly recommended especially when it comes to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This is an important month in the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims would fast during the day and attend extra prayers in the evening.
When running a business in this holy month, as a business owner you need to consider the below-given tips:
1. Arrange meetings before mid-afternoon
It is not advisable to arrange the meetings or presentations at the end of the day with the people who are fasting. As the fasting starts with morning prayer and lasts till evening prayer, it becomes more challenging to keep operating on 100%. Therefore try to get the meetings done before mid-afternoon so you can get the best focus and attention.
2. Set a clear timeline
You might be thinking that working fewer hours would create chaos in the project timeline and deadlines. But in reality, fewer working hours will trigger the employees to set their properties upon a specific timeline and which then allows them to use the available working time in a more productive way to meet the deadlines on time.
3. Be more accommodating
Due to the changes in nutritional habits and energy expenditure during fasting, employers are advised to plan ahead by arranging adequate organisation within the team. Some people may find it difficult to deal with the changes in lifestyle in the first few days so prepare your schedule to go sideways once in a while.
Most of the companies are accommodating employees by allowing work from home and flexible working hours, continuing the trend started during the Covid-19 pandemic.
4. Social gatherings
The month of unity and togetherness is more challenging than ever this year. As per the Covid-19 rules in 2021, families must refrain from visiting one another during Ramadan and avoid distributing and exchanging meals. Prayers will be held according to Covid-19 precautionary measures. When you are planning to conduct an iftar party make sure to follow the guidelines issued by the government authorities.
5. Giving back
The core value of Islam is helping others in need. Giving back lies at the heart of the holy month and it goes beyond Zakat al-Fitr, a charity program for the poor before ending the fasting. Many of the companies are doing their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities during Ramadan. This year is more important to facilitate giving remotely in a more meaningful way.
Ramadan time will not be as usual for businesses. It will bring more opportunity to build a good connection with the consumers than high sales volume as the holy month typically presents.
Do you have any questions about opening a company in Dubai? Experts at Decisive Zone can answer them.
