Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the GCC must update themselves with latest marketing techniques to survive in a changing digital marketplace, said the organisers of an upcoming marketing forum in Dubai.

Genius Marketing, an international forum, will take place on May 24 in the Dubai Knowledge Village auditorium.

Hany Mwafy, CEO, Mena region, London Business Forum, organisers of forum under the theme the 21st Century Tool Kit said local SMEs need to do more to win the battle against international competitors who are looking at the GCC as a  lucrative market to grow their business.

The forum, which is the debut event of London Business Forum Middle East, will discuss threats and opportunities faced by GCC businesses and the status of their marketing techniques vis-à-vis advanced global skills.

More than 100 industry experts, including chief executive officers, vice presidents, directors and marketing professionals will discuss these issues at this C-level forum to be run by Peter Fisk, the internationally renowned inspirational business author, consultant and entrepreneur.

“Internet has opened the doors wide to the global marketplace, regardless of its size. This means any market in the world can become a target of big companies, posing a serious threat to smaller businesses that lack new marketing techniques which are heavily digital driven,” Mwafy said.

“As more people and businesses become Internet dependant, the marketing landscape is expanding exponentially. In this respect, a forum addressed by such a renowned global personality as Peter Fisk is highly significant.”

Mwafy added: “We are happy to have Peter Fisk in this forum. He has been described by Business Strategy Review as one of the best new business thinkers today.”

Fisk, founder and CEO of the Genius Works, will introduce his bestselling ‘Creative Genius’ book at the forum.

His book ‘Marketing Genius’ has been translated into 30 languages, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service