This week we’re charging our batteries on a family break in Dubai. Dubai needs no introduction, in fact it’s famous for SCALE; the once upon a time deserted place is now a prime hub in the world’s economy. It has:

• The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, with 164 floors
• The world’s largest shopping centre with over 1,200 stores
• A golf course that requires 4,000,000 gallons of water a day

How did this happen?

Well, due to the touristic approach of many Dubaites in the entrepreneurial sector, and the high standard of living, Dubai’s culture has gradually evolved towards one of luxury, opulence and lavishness with a high regard for leisure-related extravagance. Their mission is to be a pioneering and record-breaking blue-print for the rest of the world to follow.

Over the years they have created systems and processes to ensure they remain cutting edge; the above ground metro station which opened in 2009, consisted of 42 stations, and was built in just 18 months. Yes, they built an entire system is less than two years!

And their aggressive growth plans remain ambitious: Dubailand will be twice the size of Florida’s Disneyworld and is expected to be the world’s largest tourist destination by 2020.

Like it, or loathe it, you cannot knock their appetite for scale, and their attention to luxury and innovation (although it’s a little depressing when you’re at a cash point that dispenses gold bars, and the local police drive past in a Lamborghini!).

Well, we’re off to Happy Hour! Have a great week, and the next time you hear yourself giving another excuse about missing another deadline, think about this City of SCALE.