Muhami Matters
Muhami Matters is the podcast where credibility meets clarity across law, business and professional services.Hosted by Chris Adams, founder of CJA Consulting and Muhami, the show delivers practical insight for professionals and business leaders who are navigating growth, visibility and trust in today’s noisy marketplace.Every episode is designed to empower, inform, and connect you with trusted legal advisors, respected industry experts and influential thought leaders - providing insights, strategic perspectives and practical advice.You’ll hear from legal experts, business leaders, marketers and coaches on the strategies that actually work.Muhami Matters explores how professionals and businesses can...
From Hope to Strategy - Making Marketing Work for Professional Services
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams speaks with Cat Woolrich, Founder of Nine Yard Marketing, about why “hope” is not a marketing strategy and how professional services firms can move from wishful thinking to measurable, strategic marketing that drives results.
They explore:
✅ Why many professionals still rely on “hope” in their marketing
✅ How to align marketing with business goals
✅ The importance of clear messaging and knowing your audience
✅ How to measure success and know when to pivot
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal kno...
From Hope to Strategy: Making Marketing Work for Professional Services (Trailer)
In this Muhami Matters trailer, Chris Adams is joined by Cat Woolrich, Founder of Nine Yard Marketing, to explore why “hope” is not a marketing strategy and how professional services firms can move from wishful thinking to measurable, results-driven marketing.
🎧 Full episode launches Monday, 3 November 2025.
🌐 Learn more: https://muhami.ae/muhami-matters/
👤 Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cat-woolrich-96603327/
🏢 Nine Yard Marketing: https://www.nineyardmarketing.co.uk/
🎙️ Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisadamsdxb/
🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://shows.acast.com/muhami-matters
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal...
The Fractional Advantage: Smart Growth for Serious Firms
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams is joined by Sharon Means, Founder of Sharon Means Business, to discuss the growing trend of fractional leadership and its value for professional firms.
Sharon explains how firms can achieve smarter growth by engaging experienced leaders on a fractional basis, gaining strategic insight without the full-time overhead.
The conversation explores practical ways that fractional executives support business transformation, strengthen leadership teams, and help organisations stay agile in competitive markets.
🎧 Tune in now to discover how thinking fractional could be the key to sustainable suc...
The Fractional Advantage – Smart Growth for Serious Firms (Trailer)
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams sits down with Sharon Means, Founder of Sharon Means Business, to explore how fractional leadership can help professional firms grow smarter, not just bigger.
Discover how embracing a fractional approach to management and strategy can unlock agility, efficiency, and profitability in your firm.
🎧 Tune in on Monday, 27 October 2025 for the full conversation.
Follow Sharon on LinkedIn
Learn more at www.sharon-means-business.com
🎙️ Hosted by Chris Adams
Produced by CJA Consulting
Visit www.muhami.ae for lega...
How to Wreck Your Business After 20 Years of Success
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Stuart Mason, author of How to Wreck Your Business and creator of the Inverted Growth Model. Stuart built a multi-million-pound printing company, only to see it collapse on its 20th anniversary. He now helps business owners avoid the same mistakes.
They discuss:
<...
How To Wreck Your Business (Trailer)
In this upcoming episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Stuart Mason, author and business mentor behind How to Wreck Your Business. Stuart shares the hard lessons from years of experience, helping leaders understand what not to do when running a company.
🎧 The full episode will be released on Monday 20 October.
Follow Muhami Matters to stay updated.
🔗 Guest: Stuart Mason on LinkedIn
🌐 howtowreckyourbusiness.co.uk
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #محامي #CJAConsulting #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Startups #BusinessMistakes
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge and to connect with lawyers w...
The Leadership Ripple: Building Better Managers
Chris Adams talks with leadership expert Briony Platt, founder of Lean Into Learning, about the ripple effect of developing mid-level managers. Briony shares practical insights into why training leaders at this level has the biggest impact on employee engagement, retention, and performance.
They explore DISC profiling, leadership coaching, and the real-world lessons Briony learned when she first moved from recruitment into management.
🎧 Listen now to discover:
How investing in managers transforms cultureWhat effective leadership development really looks likeHow self-awareness and communication drive better teamsConnect with Briony Platt → https://www.leani...
The Leadership Ripple: Building Better Managers
How do you build better managers, and why does it matter so much?
In this trailer, Chris Adams speaks with Briony Platt, founder of Lean Into Learning, about the power of developing mid-level leaders and how that creates a ripple effect across entire organisations.
From her own experience as a high performer turned leadership trainer, Briony shares insights that will resonate with every business leader.
🗓️ Full episode out Monday, 13 October 2025
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #محامي #CJAConsulting #Leadership #LearningAndDevelopment #HumanResources #Management #ProfessionalGrowth #LeanIntoLearning
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge...
Why ESG Matters NOW in the Middle East
In this Muhami Matters episode, Chris Adams is joined by Adam Hoult, Co-Founder of Neutral Carbon Zone, to discuss the rapid rise of ESG across the Middle East.
They unpack how environmental, social and governance factors are shaping supply chains, regulation, and client expectations - and how even small firms can act now to stay ahead.
Highlights:
Making carbon reporting accessible for SMEsWhy ESG is now vital for credibility and growthThe business case for sustainability in professional services🔗 Neutral Carbon Zone: https://www.neutralcarbonzone.com/
🔗 Adam Hoult on Lin...
Trailer: Why ESG Matters NOW in the Middle East
ESG is not just a global trend. It is a regional priority.
In this Muhami Matters trailer, Chris Adams is joined by Adam Hoult from Neutral Carbon Zone to discuss why ESG is taking centre stage in the Middle East.
Tune in for the full episode launching Monday, 6 October.
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #محامي #CJAConsulting #ESG #Sustainability #ClimateAction #NeutralCarbonZone
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge and to connect with lawyers who can solve your legal issues.
Visit www.cjaconsult.com for marketing & business development services catering to professionals
Liar Liar Terms On Fire: The “Yes” that costs you Billions
What if the simple word “yes” could cost your organisation billions?
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams sits down with Gianni Dell’Aiuto (Studio Legale Dell’Aiuto) to uncover the hidden risks in data, contracts, and digital identity.
🔍 Key insights include:
Why “yes” in contracts can become a billion-dollar mistakeThe dangers of digital identity theft and “digital twins”“Digital dementia” and the unintended effects of technologyWhy GDPR applies worldwide, not just in EuropePractical steps companies can take to protect data and build trust👤 Guest: Gianni Dell’Aiuto
🔗 LinkedIn...
Trailer – Liar Liar Terms On Fire: The "Yes" that costs Billions
Your digital twin - the online version of you - has no rights
In this trailer for the upcoming Muhami Matters episode, Chris Adams speaks with Gianni Dell’Aiuto (Studio Legale Dell’Aiuto) about:
💡 The full episode releases on Monday, 29 September 2025.
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge and to connect with lawyers who can solve your legal issues.
Visit www.cjaconsult.com for marketing & business de...
M&A in the UAE: The Secret to Success
What makes or breaks a merger or acquisition in the UAE? According to Sameer Khan, Managing Partner at SK Legal, it is not the money, it is the law.
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams uncovers the hidden legal traps that buyers and sellers face when closing deals in the UAE. Sameer draws on more than 14 years of M&A and advisory experience to explain:
Trailer: M&A in the UAE: The Secret to Success
The biggest risk in buying a UAE business is not the money, it is the law.
🎙️ Muhami Matters host Chris Adams speaks with Sameer Khan, Managing Partner at SK Legal, about the legal traps buyers must avoid.
👉 Full episode out Monday.
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #محامي #CJAConsulting #MergersAndAcquisitions #DueDiligence #UAEBusiness
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge and to connect with lawyers who can solve your legal issues.
Visit www.cjaconsult.com for marketing & business development services catering to professionals
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat
Avoiding Cultural Missteps in the Middle East
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams is joined by Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, to explore the intersection of law, culture, and business in the Middle East.
Taqua shares why cultural intelligence is financial armour, how silent mistakes can cost firms credibility and millions, and why reputation remains the true business currency in the GCC.
📌 Key takeaways:
Cultural nuances are often governed by law but not clearly definedSilent mistakes can destroy professional relationshipsRelationships and reputation come before transactionsPractical steps to avoid costly cultural missteps👤 Connect with our gu...
Avoiding Cultural Missteps in the Middle East | Trailer
How do cultural nuances shape law and business success in the Middle East?
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, about how global firms can avoid costly mistakes and build trust across the GCC.
📌 Full episode releases Monday, 15 September.
👤 Connect with our guest:
Connect with the host:
Chris Adams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisadamsdxb/CJA Consulting: https...How Employee Advocacy Wins on LinkedIn: Your People are Your Brand
In this episode, Chris Adams speaks with Shayan Khan, Founder of Octotech, about how employees can become authentic brand ambassadors for their organisations on LinkedIn.
Shayan shares:
✅ Why your people are your brand
✅ How to align personal and company values online
✅ Tactics for growing visibility and engagement
✅ What works — and what doesn’t — in personal branding
👤 Guest: Shayan Khan – Founder, Octotech
🎙️ Host: Chris Adams – Founder, Muhami...
Trailer: How Employee Advocacy Wins on LinkedIn
🎥 Trailer | Muhami Matters – Episode 19
This week, Chris Adams speaks with Shayan Khan, Founder of Octotech, about the power of employee advocacy and how professionals can become brand ambassadors for their organisations.
🔑 Key insight from Shayan: “When someone visits your profile, they need to know what you stand for. Your profile needs to be a landing page.”
📅 Full episode drops Monday!
👤 Guest: Shayan Khan – Founder, Octotech
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #CJAConsulting
#EmployeeAdvocacy #LinkedInMarketing #PersonalBranding #EmployerBranding #Octotech
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge...
The Human Lie Detector – How to Read People & Make Smarter Business Decisions
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams speaks with Joseph McGuire, founder of Clearsight Communications and author of FaceFacts. Known as “The Human Lie Detector”, Joseph shares practical ways leaders can decode body language, facial expressions and subtle nonverbal cues to make smarter decisions in negotiation, hiring and cross-cultural leadership.
What we cover
Why silence is a powerful tool in interviews and negotiations — and how to use it without aggression.The overlooked cost of poor executive hiring and the signals interviewers miss.Intentional listening vs “active listening”: noticing tone, rhythm, and what’s not said.Red-fla...The Human Lie Detector – Trailer
👀 Can you really tell when someone is lying?
This week on Muhami Matters, we meet Joseph McGuire, founder of Clearsight Communications and author of FaceFacts. Known as “The Human Lie Detector”, Joseph shares how to read faces, decode body language, and make smarter decisions in business and beyond.
🎙️ Full episode out Monday 1 September.
Guest: Joseph McGuire
🔗 LinkedIn | Website
Host: Chris Adams
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #CJAConsulting #BodyLanguage #FaceReading #ExecutiveInterviews #NegotiationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #HumanBehaviour #BusinessDecisions
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge an...
The Lawyer Who Writes: How Legal Copy Converts Clients
Why does so much legal content fail to connect with clients?
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Lori Karpman, a lawyer turned copywriter who’s on a mission to help legal professionals tell better stories and grow their firms through persuasive content.
Lori shares:
🎙 Trailer — The Lawyer Who Writes: How Legal Copy Converts Clients
In this episode teaser, Chris Adams is joined by lawyer-turned-copywriter Lori Karpman of The Copy Lab, who reveals why lawyers writing for other lawyers is a missed opportunity, and how storytelling, not legalese, wins clients.
Hear a glimpse of:
What “pain and solution” copywriting really meansWhy legal professionals should consider ghostwritersHow Lori uses story branding to turn complex legal ideas into client-friendly copy🎧 Full episode launches Monday, 25 August.
#MuhamiMatters #Muhami #CJAConsulting #LegalMarketing #Copywriting #StoryBrand #Ghostwriting #LawFirmMarketing #ProfessionalServices
Visit www.muhami.ae for legal knowledge and to connect...
IT Strategy for Founder-Led Firms
Founder-led law firms often make the same costly mistake: buying technology they don’t need, or failing to make the most of the tech they have.
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams speaks with Alex Hutchinson, a fractional CTO and legal tech consultant, about how to cut through the vendor noise, avoid wasted spend, and align IT strategy with real business needs.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:
Resilience, Rewired
From the fast pace of NYC’s photojournalism scene to surviving a traumatic brain injury that changed everything, Bjorn Callius’s story is one of radical transformation.
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams speaks with Bjorn about:
🧠 “Structure is a love letter to chaos.”
This is a powerful conversation about business, boundaries, and building fr...
Selling When No One’s Clapping
What does it take to keep selling when the silence is deafening? In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams sits down with Janine Lingenfelder, founder of Jelani Sales and the SNAP method, to talk about resilience, rejection, and building confidence in the quiet.
Janine shares real-world stories and strategies for:
If you’ve ever felt like you’re selling into a void — this one’s...
Marketing Without the Nonsense
In this energising and straight-talking episode of Muhami Matters, Lucy Bradley, The Brand Commander, joins Chris Adams to challenge the marketing industry’s addiction to fluff, vague strategy, and buzzwords. Lucy brings her signature “no BS” energy to discuss how Tactical Marketing, marketing that’s purposeful, direct and measurable, is the future for brands who want to grow with integrity.
From her years of experience helping businesses cut through the noise, Lucy shares real-life case studies, exposes common branding traps, and outlines how even the smallest businesses can take control of their messaging and stand out with cla...
AI for Service Businesses – Where to Start
Where does a service-based business even begin with AI? In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams discusses with Youssef Tawfik — a software engineer turned automation strategist — about the practical starting points for integrating artificial intelligence.
From outdated spreadsheets to scattered tech stacks, Youssef shares real-world examples and actionable advice on how SMEs can get their operations in order and begin applying tools like ChatGPT to drive client experience and business growth.
Whether you're overwhelmed by AI tools or unsure how to get started, this episode breaks it down into clear, manageable steps.
Brilliant Lawyers, Struggling Leaders – Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Alec Pearson from The Law Coach Collective, we go deeper into the challenges law firm leaders face — and what to do about them.
💼 Topics Covered:
– Strategic misalignment among law firm partners
– Why coaching still carries stigma in legal practice
– How AI is transforming legal workflows - and the risks!
– What younger lawyers want from firm leadership
– The four core leadership traits that matter most today
This episode is for anyone in legal services seeking clarity, accountability and a smarter path fo...
Brilliant Lawyers, Struggling Leaders
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams sits down with Alec Pearson to explore the evolving landscape of law firm leadership.
Alec, an executive coach and a founding member of The Law Coach Collective, offers a candid look into why technical brilliance alone no longer defines legal success.
Together, they discuss:
Going Headless
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams dives headfirst into headless website architecture with Robbie Mould, founder of Mativus and a specialist in secure, scalable web solutions for regulated industries.
They explore:
If you're a law firm, consultancy, or professional services leader won...
Burnout in Professionals
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Stef Hinds, a former military officer turned executive coach, about burnout, identity loss and the hidden stressors professionals face at the top. Stef shares his personal transformation from a decorated military leader to someone rebuilding life after a breakdown and how that experience now helps him guide lawyers, executives and founders through similar journeys.
Together, Chris and Stef explore:
Smart Money. Smart Structures.
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams is joined by Nick Davies, Managing Partner of SBL International, for a masterclass on navigating fund structures, legal jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks in the UAE.
Nick brings a unique perspective from his years in Magic Circle and offshore firms, sharing practical guidance on how to set up and scale fund platforms in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and beyond. They discuss the pros and cons of each free zone, common misconceptions about structuring in the region and why legal advisors should be...
Use Your Voice: Presence, Power and Persuasion
Your voice is your power - are you using it well?
In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams speaks with Ewa Ledeboer, a public speaking and voice coach who helps professionals across the legal and corporate world speak with clarity, credibility and confidence.
Whether you’re in the courtroom, the boardroom or pitching across a Zoom screen - how you sound matters as much as what you say.
You’ll learn:
Why your voice shapes how people perceive your confidence and competenceThe most common speaking mistakes lawyers and prof...The Power of Networking
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams is joined by Jamie Stewart, founder of Circle Networks, to explore how authentic networking can transform business growth.
Jamie shares the story behind launching Circle Networks during the COVID-19 lockdown, after becoming disillusioned with the traditional format of large, impersonal online networking events. Instead of pitches and muted screens, Circle focuses on small breakout groups and real conversations, designed to build genuine relationships and meaningful business connections.
Together, Chris and Jamie discuss practical strategies for building trust, making useful introductions, and growing your network...
The Fundamentals of Content That Connects
What makes marketing content truly effective, especially in trust-based, professional industries? In this episode of Muhami Matters, Chris Adams is joined by Gareth Williams, founder of The Createologists, to explore the 5 fundamentals of content that connects: shareable, consistent, discoverable, targeted, and authentic.
They also unpack the power of storytelling, why real engagement matters more than impressions, and the often-overlooked importance of making content about “you” - the audience!
This conversation blends creative insight with practical strategies, making it essential listening for lawyers, consultants, and business leaders looking to stand out with purpose.
<...
The Art of Mediation
In this episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams speaks with Mohamed Darwish, experienced legal consultant and founder of Darwish Legal Consultants, to explore the growing relevance of mediation in resolving commercial disputes - particularly in the hospitality and real estate sectors.
With nearly two decades of experience across the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UK, Mohamed shares compelling insights into how mediation offers not just a legal solution, but a strategic tool for preserving long-term relationships in business. From the cultural roots of mediation in the Middle East to its structured adoption in the UK...
The Laws of Divorce in the UAE
In this powerful and practical episode of Muhami Matters, we explore one of the most sensitive yet vital legal issues facing individuals in the UAE – divorce.
Although host Chris Adams introduces the episode, the core conversation is led by Sam Minhas of She Knows Best, who interviews legal advisor Zarqa Altaf from Yungo Law. Together, they answer real questions from women navigating the divorce process, breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice.
This is essential listening for anyone seeking clarity, reassurance, or guidance around separation, custody, financial support, or domestic abuse pr...
Welcome to Muhami Matters
In this inaugural episode of Muhami Matters, host Chris Adams introduces the podcast's mission to provide strategic insights for professionals in business, law and consulting. He discusses the importance of credibility, effective communication and understanding the modern client's expectations. The episode outlines the significance of marketing and business development strategies tailored to ideal client profiles and concludes with a reminder that credibility must be consistently built and communicated.
Takeaways
