Dubai: It was back to work for all the staff at City 7 yesterday, but under the calm exterior was mindful planning and preparing for the expected.
The staff said that the televised interview by their owner Mohidin Bin Hendi the night before had put things into perspective for them.
In his interview, Bin Hendi was candid in his answers and said that in this financial climate one has to be proactive, calculative and "cut fat".
He said: "When we decided to look at all the companies that are not making money for us we were evaluating those businesses."
Bin Hendi did not rule out downsizing and said: "It means people who are extra in the company have to be evaluated. The whole operation has to be evaluated and we have to take measures that the company works with very lean and mean staffing."
In the interview he revealed he would not hesitate to sell the station, but only if the right and interesting offer comes his way.
"It depends on the offers and it also depends on who the offer is coming from.
"I am not going to sell my television station to anybody.
"I have a responsibility towards my country and towards the media and I think it should fall into safe hands, people who are capable, people who love this country and take this station ahead," Bin Hindi declared.
Reacting to what their owner had to say, the City 7 staff seemed less nervous.
They said that they were glad that they had money in their pockets and will be able to clear whatever bills they have accumulated.
"None of us knew what our owner was to going to say on air. I watched it and felt quite relived since he answered some of our questions.
"Most importantly he was open about the staff streamlining and his interest in selling the company if a good offer came his way, but until then we will work," said a staff.
A number of staff said that they have already started making enquiries on job vacancies.
