Risk Management Show Ex-CIA Agent Reveals: Middle East Risk Assessment Secrets
Jan 10, 2025
Michele Rigby Assad, a former CIA operative turned corporate advisor, sheds light on her unique experiences in Middle Eastern risk assessment. She discusses the challenges multinational corporations face in conflict zones and the critical need for cultural understanding. Michele introduces her 'Get Off the X' mindset, which emphasizes strategic disengagement from harmful situations. Additionally, she reflects on intelligence failures and advocates for grassroots insights in decision-making. Her insights are a treasure trove for anyone navigating geopolitical risks.
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Challenges in Middle East Business
- Foreign businesses face opaque systems and cultural complexities in the Middle East, making operations hard to design.
- Trust issues arise due to middlemen fabricating access and success in business, increasing operational risk.
Risk Assessments for New Saudi Arabia
- For the America's Cup event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, risk assessments required up-to-date ground intel due to recent security threats.
- Saudi Arabia's rapid transformation demands fresh understanding beyond historical knowledge for effective risk management.
Balancing Profitability and Security
- Plan for potential problems in advance to balance security with profitability in conflict-prone regions.
- Factor in cultural business practices like delayed payments to better manage contract profitability.
