When you hear MENA expert networks, chances are you picture a one-on-one phone call. And while those direct chats are still a go-to, especially for fast insights on the Middle East and Africa (MEA) or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), today’s expert networks have a lot more to offer in terms of service offerings.
More recently, MENA expert networks have branched out, offering all sorts of ways to get specialized Middle East information. This piece dives into the different services offered by MENA expert networks beyond the usual calls, showing how your business can tap into them for richer, custom-fit insights into the MENA and GCC geographies.
1 to 1 calls from MENA Expert Networks
Whether it’s phone or video, talking straight to a carefully vetted expert is still the bread and butter of MENA expert networks. Got a burning question about the Middle East, for example, trying to get your head around a new cryptocurrency policy in a GCC country or figuring out the competition in the grocery discount market in a MENA market?
These calls give you instant access and a real back-and-forth. MENA expert networks can often get you on the line fast with someone who’s got genuine, firsthand GCC experience, perfect for quickly testing out your ideas or getting a timely clarification.
Surveys from MENA Expert Networks
If you need more than a single viewpoint and to get a wider understanding of what’s happening across the GCC or to put some numbers to trends, many MENA expert networks now offer custom survey services.
This is where they poll dozens of regional professionals, or for example, app users through their network, about things like how quickly tech is being adopted in GCC smart cities, or what the specific needs are when online shopping.
This gives you solid quantitative data from a whole panel of either experts or simply users from MENA expert networks, adding a valuable layer of broader market sentiment to what you learn from regular expert network one-on-one calls.
Workshops from MENA Expert Networks
For the really big, complex stuff, like mapping out your entry into the Middle Eastern market or figuring out how to handle a major new regulation in the GCC, some MENA expert networks can set up workshops, either in person or online, with a whole team of experts.
MENA expert networks could bring together experts in local logistics, finance, and law, all in one room (or virtual room) for a deep dive or workshop. These sessions, all organized by the network, let you get multiple brains working together to work through tough problems.
Custom Reports
Sometimes you need more than just conversation; you need something you can hold onto and share. That’s where written reports come in. MENA Expert networks can get experts to put together custom reports specifically on their niche MEA or GCC topics.
Think a clear, concise rundown of the e-commerce scene in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, or a detailed look at the O&G infrastructure field in Qatar, all written by an expert with deep, on-the-ground regional knowledge. This gives you a solid document packed with key Middle Eastern insights you can refer back to.
Long-term Support
MENA Expert networks are getting even more creative in how they connect you with experts. Some can now link you with experts for longer-term advisory support.
For example, MENA expert networks could find you a freelance consultant who knows the GCC inside out and has a track record of consulting leading businesses in the region to support you for 6 months in launching a new service offering.
Conclusion
Today’s MENA expert networks are much more than just 1 to 1 call services; they’re versatile partners for anyone needing to understand tricky regions in the MEA and GCC.
From quick chats about niche subjects to in-depth surveys and workshops, they’ve got a whole toolkit. Once you understand the full range of what MENA expert networks can do, you can pick the perfect way to get the GCC or MEA insights you need, fitting your timeline and how deep you want to go.
To further understand these services or to start benefiting from them, reach out to us here or send over a message to info@iqnetwork.co.