Did your last performance review cycle actually retain your top performers—or quietly push them out? As we enter January to March , organizations across the UAE and GCC  are in a critical window. Performance reviews are being finalized. Promotions are being signed off. Audit season is underway. And leadership is asking one pressing question: Are our performance review decisions strengthening the business—or creating new risks? For many organizations, the performance review  h

As the final quarter unfolds, professionals across the UAE and GCC  are preparing not just for project deadlines—but also for their end-of-year performance reviews . For many, this is one of the most defining moments of the year—a chance to showcase achievements, align with line managers, and influence future growth. Yet, too often, employees walk into their performance review  unprepared, assuming that their results will speak for themselves. The reality? Preparation determi

Let’s be honest—top performers aren’t just leaving for titles anymore. They’re leaving because their pay no longer matches their value . Across the GCC, HR leaders and managing directors are confronting the same hard truth: Even with solid retention programs, salary misalignment remains the biggest driver of attrition. The Black Pearl Salary Intelligence (BPSI)  database, built on validated compensation data from 2024–2025 across the UAE and GCC , offers a reality check—and a

Is Your Team Building Actually Building Anything? Let’s be honest — team building isn’t just about having fun or getting your team out of the office. It’s not another dinner, bowling night, or beach outing. Those activities are great for a quick morale boost — but they rarely change anything. If you’ve ever wondered why your team feels disconnected just weeks after your last event, you’re not alone.