The Blog from Xische & Co.

Meet Alan Jambaro.

Fav food? Music you listen to? Books you read?
I love Asian cuisine particularly Thai and Chinese.
I love happy, feel good music when im at work. It helps me to be motivated and always on the move. When im at home, I usually listen to house and club music. Often times the ones by David Guetta and Tiesto. Depending on the mood, I sometimes listen to religious songs.
I love to read management books and Journals.

What did you do before joining Xische (Professional background)?
I worked as a Business Analyst. Gathering and modelling software requirements, define requirements specifications and software roadmap was my specialty. I also help in building project plans, making sure that all activities are realistic and manageable. Having able to define requirements, I also lead software testing and at the same time help in providing technical support to our clients.

What is your current role at Xische?
Im a Project Manager. I evaluate and scope a project with the help of the team, plan the implementation, communicate with team members, and manage the risks. Talking to clients and giving them updates with regards to the project’s progress is also part of my role.
Since im managing several projects at the same time, more coordination and tracking are needed to ensure that project deliverables are met. These are tasks which i find very challenging. But by the end of the day it is very satisfying knowing that our team is always there to support one another in order for a successful project delivery.

What is your passion/dream (in life)?
Although a long shot, I dream of owning/running my own company someday. Build a Xische like culture wherein people dont treat each other as co-workers but as family.

What was your first impression of Xische
Two Words. SUPER COOL! Here’s why..
1. Dungeon like office
2. Legendary Coffee
3. Relax working environment
4. Awesome People
5. Excellent Taste in Music
6. Cool Library

If you’re reading this, you probably know what we’re talking about. Personal stylists give fashion advice to ensure that clients will be able to showcase their desired fashion image. As a potential candidate, you need to provide insights on how wardrobes should be worn, what accessories will complement a particular outfit, what outfit colors and shapes will suit your client. You must be able to combine the latest fashion trends with the client’s personal taste and buy the items for the client.

A revolutionary new venture in Dubai from the Xische Holdings family aims to make stylists more accessible to the typical mall-hopper. Your eduction is less important than your personal style and your natural ability to understand fashion. You ought to have spent at least one year working in a fashion-centric position. You will be expected to work full-time from our Dubai-based offices. UAE driving license and a sense of humor is a plus.

If this sounds like you, get in touch quick with your CV, Linkedin profile and Twitter handle at the Xische Jobs microsite.

This post was published on The Shelter’s blog and was authored by Mary Ames. Download the full report here.

In September, Shelter Dubai hosted a panel discussion with regional experts in online business in the Middle East. What follows is a report on the conversation that unfolded:

Why online? Why Now?

To kick off the panel discussion, event moderator Danish Farhan, CEO and founder of Xische, questioned the panelist about the current boom in online business in the Middle East.

Michael Mansour, Group Director of Development and Platform Technologies for Microsoft in the Middle East, attributed the rise in Internet use among UAE residents to “the increase availability of internet-enabled phones, giving large swaths of the population access to the Internet by default,” Mansour said.

Akram Assaf, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bayt.com, encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the groundwork that has already been laid by web pioneers. “The pipes have been built. Start thinking about what can be put through those pipes, and how it can be monetized.” Assaf said.

Hot Topic: Social Media

As the discussion turned to social media and marketing, the panelists began to reveal some of the challenges and opportunities presented by the breakthrough technology.

“In two years, our advertising budget changed from being 90% spent on print advertising to 90% spent on digital ads,” said Narain Jashanmal, CEO of Voila Dubai.

Omar Kassim, Founder of JadoPado was quick to point out that social media is a requisite, not an option. “Every business is online,” Kassim said, “because someone [online] is talking about you.” (more…)

Just because you are a group buying website does not necessarily mean you have to look ugly. Grosper.com is a group-buying website that doesn’t peddle spa vouchers, meal discounts or other little memorabilia. They’re about deals that actually matter, and by that we mean cars, real-estate and travel.

We’ve been working diligently to help reflect the massive evolution of the business since the idea was originally invented by the two founders (they’re twins too!).  Yesterday, we unveiled it’s newly re-imagined brand identity to reflect it re-imagine business vision. Yup, you can hold Xische responsible for it. To add to the stakes (and fun!) our parent company Xische Holdings has invested in the business together with the supercool founders of Grosper.com too.

Although the website is still under wraps the unveiling of the new identity got Facebook and Twitter buzzing. The ‘launching soon’ page got a facelift followed by an appreciative applaud (See Twitter conversations hashtagged #reGrosper and Facebook here)

We believe in brand impact via the little things that matter: colors, shapes, typefaces, language and personality. Stay tuned as we unveil what we hope will be the most well-designed, clean and innovative user-journey in an otherwise cluttered marketplace filled with deals.

(Update: We’re thrilled to have won 3 awards! Details indicated below and on the organizer’s website)

It’s always nice to see our clients shine in the glory of work we had a little something to do with. At this year’s inaugural The Internet Awards, we’re humbled to see a treasure chest of our work nominated across almost every category.

*Best Government Website
DefinitelyDubai.com (Part of Dubai Tourism) - Won by Xische
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

*Best Social Media Campaign – Consumer and Lifestyle
Burjuman – Safe & Sound - Won by Xische

*Best Arabic Website – Government & B2B
Dubai SME – Government of Dubai - Won by Xische

(more…)

Job Reference: XB110 / Location: Dubai / Experience: 2 years

Our social media squad (behind RAKBANK, City of Life & TEDxRamallah) is looking to add a motivated geek with a passion for blogging, tweeting, facebooking, content ideation and community building. A quirky sense of humor is a bonus. (more…)

Job Reference: XB109 / Location: Dubai / Experience: 2 years

We’re looking for a candidate with an OCD-type personality (read:obsessive-compulsive disorder) to fill the role of project coordinator. If you’re an ex-developer who understands the nitty-gritty of what goes on behind the scenes, then you have one up.

What do you have to be obsessive-compulsive about?
- manic list-making of project tasks — major and minor
- meticulously creating project schedules & following-up on milestones
- voraciously hounding colleagues for punctual deliveries
- routinely keeping clients in the loop, every step of the way

Its simple: You should be able to articulate clearly, show creativity, have loads of optimism, and be affable. If you’re not self-motivated and ambitious, then this is definitely not the place for you. Your formal education is a minor detail that can stay in the background; what is integral is attention to detail, and an eagerness to innovate internal systems for efficiency.

Our culture is the opposite of corporate. Ties are not allowed. We often work beyond the 9-5 PM barrier, but in a relaxed, playlist-shuffled atmosphere. Deadlines are non-negotiable. If you think this is a role for you, drop us a line at hello@xische.com with the job reference number right this minute.

Important note: we serve the best coffee in town, which you will be trained to make as part of the induction.

On Twitter 5th birthday, our chief Danish Farhan was invited to weigh in on Twitter and it’s growing relevance in business and politics. The segment also features one of Time’s 140 most influential Twitter users Sultan Al Qassemi, and Emirati commentator Mishaal Al Gergawi.

To get straight to the 5:00 minute mark to get to the Twitter segment with Sultan, Mishaal and Danish.