What would you do if you were suddenly put in charge of a company?
Not just any company but one with ambitious goals and a team waiting for your direction. Would you know where to begin? In reality, most of us would find ourselves thrust into a leadership role unprepared. Many of us would struggle to know what the company needs to thrive. And part of what we would learn is business management.
That’s what business management is all about: being the person who makes things happen. The one who sees the big picture and plans to attain the business’s aims. Whether you’re dreaming of launching a startup or simply getting promoted into leadership, business management skills are non negotiable. And in a fast growing economy with regular market disruptions, they’re in especially high demand. For example, in the UAE, economic diversification and innovation are at the forefront. Thus, skilled business managers are essential for driving success across various sectors.
So, what exactly is business management?
Business Management: What it Encompasses
Simply put, business management is the discipline of planning, organising, leading, and controlling a company’s resources to achieve goals. That includes managing people, processes, finances, and strategy. Perhaps it sounds straightforward. However, it is the beating heart of every business. Without it, even the most innovative idea or product can fail.
Business managers are responsible for developing growth strategies that align with company goals. Additionally, they must be exemplary and motivating team leaders. Day to day, they shoulder the burden of solving problems and making snap decisions. Additionally, business managers must ensure that operations are optimal; making clever and creative use of available resources. Business Management ensures sustainability and fosters growth.
In the UAE, there are many growing markets where business management skills can thrive. Industries like education, AI, sustainability, healthcare, real estate and finance continue to grow. This creates a demand for people with strong management skills, who can curate the rise of businesses in these industries.
Essential Skills & Traits
Now that we know what business management is. Next, let’s go through what characteristics and skills are necessary for the role. Successful business managers typically exhibit a few traits. One is excellent communication. Communication is key to business management because it helps leaders convey things clearly. Thus, employees understand their tasks, company goals, and their values. A strong communicator can inspire teams and articulate visions with clarity.
Secondly, a good capacity to think analytically and critically. This involves the ability to stay aware of the market and make informed decisions. Good business managers can also strategize to create effective plans to meet goals.
Third, business management forges leaders who are able to adapt. They can spot and adapt to the changing needs and demands of their market. Thus, they are equipped to navigate a business during turbulent times and organizational shifts.
Lastly, successful business managers are emotionally intelligent. Consequently, they can regulate their own emotions well. Further, they can even manage their team’s emotions during challenges. Overall, this helps them draw the best from their employees and foster a positive work environment.
Why Business Management Is a Great Career Choice for UAE Residents
As you may be aware, the UAE is a powerful import export and re-export hub. That means that the nation is home to numerous trading businesses. Additionally, it is now showing sharp improvement across various industries. Overall, we could say that business management professionals in the UAE have ample opportunities to find career success. Let’s look into why.
Non Oil Growth: Diversification
The UAE economy is diversifying- fast. Today’s UAE residents are witnessing one of the most ambitious economic transformations in the world. The country is actively reducing its reliance on oil.
According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, non oil sectors accounted for over 76% of the national GDP in 2024. This shift is unlocking major opportunities in growing industries such as:
Renewable Energy: With projects like the UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative, clean energy is booming. Additionally, the country’s National Energy Strategy 2050 also has an interesting goal. It aims to generate 50,000 new jobs by 2030.
Healthcare: Massive government investment has made the UAE a regional hub for medical tourism and private healthcare.
Tourism & Hospitality: From cultural attractions to record breaking visitor numbers, the sector is expanding fast. The nation plans to increase tourism’s GDP contributions to AED 450 billion by attracting 40 million hotel guests.
Technology & AI: UAE is investing heavily in new technology, with AI being on its radar. Events like Dubai AI Week 2025 and the UAE’s AI partnership with the US hint at exponential growth.
These ambitions have one thing in common. They all need qualified business managers to lead teams, scale operations, and drive growth. As the UAE continues to evolve into a global innovation hub, demand is rising for professionals who can bring both strategic thinking and local insight to the table.
Competitive Salaries
A recent article on Zawya highlighted that the UAE has the best pay ranges in the GCC. However, it doesn’t stop there. According to the article, the average monthly wage in the UAE is AED 13,400. This ranks it among the top 20 countries worldwide. UAE residents can attest to having an excellent quality of life in comparison to the cost.
Further, the PnW article we mentioned above also revealed a positive insight. The GCC region, including the UAE, is unlikely to face extremely high inflation for the foreseeable future. For business management professionals, things are looking good indeed.
Strategic Location & Opportunity
The UAE’s strategic location as a global business hub has attracted numerous MNCs. Typically, they establish their regional headquarters in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Overall, it has fostered a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, the country works hard to attract international business. We have already discussed how the nation has implemented initiatives to do so. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is evidence of that. The centre hosts over regional and international 400 wealth and asset management firms and major hedge funds. Thus, business managers are given ample opportunities to engage in international markets and innovative projects. And this is in Finance alone. Most business management professionals here are exposed to a diverse talent pool with international skills. That is because the has made itself the perfect entry point for MNCs to break into the Middle East.
Direct Impact & Influence
In recent years, the UAE has emerged as a financial and political powerhouse. It also has a reputation for being a frontrunner in tech and sustainability adoption. Thus, business management professionals in the UAE are at the centre of meaningful change across industries.
They are a part of change, be it in healthcare, education, logistics or F&B. Their decisions are impactful in creating safe and friendly workplaces too. They directly influence economic trends, and contribute to national development goals.
They also play a crucial role in shaping organisational culture. In a country as diverse as the UAE, business managers lead teams from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. They help create workplaces that are inclusive, motivated, and aligned with company goals.
Ultimately, business managers in the UAE are not just managing. They’re influencing the direction of businesses and contributing to globally recognized national growth. The career path offers both immediate responsibilities and long term impact.
Becoming a Business Manager
There’s no single path to becoming a business manager. However, qualifications matter in the UAE. Employers here value professionals with the academic credentials and strategic learnings to lead effectively in growing industries. While some may climb the ranks through experience, most professionals benefit from structured learning. Degrees like a BBA or MBA provide essential knowledge in leadership, operations, and decision-making. For those seeking flexibility, diplomas are a practical alternative. These shorter courses allow learners to build up qualifications at their own pace. At LUBM, we have partnered with two reputed UK diploma providers: OTHM and Qualifi. Through them, we offer a total of 18 courses from beginner to advanced levels.
Further, we understand that most professionals don’t have a lot of free time. Thus, our BA (Hons) and MBA specializations are flexible, and 100% online. Our UK accredited degrees are designed for busy professionals. Our 100% online courses are tailored to the region’s job market and can be completed at your own pace.
Additionally, we understand the value of networking. And so, we ensure that our learners network well. Apart from their diverse fellow students, they network with industry experts. How? We host numerous in person events across the GCC. Our alumni meets, seminars and workshops are curated to open doors to career advancements. Apart from learning a lot from industry leaders, attendees form strong connections with one another, typically. If you’re looking for an online MBA in the UAE to learn business management, explore our courses.