.
Our CEO Danish was asked to present a keynote on how ROI is measured for social media. He jumped at the opportunity because he believes asking to measure ‘ROI for social media’ is a bit like being asked to explain what the ‘ROI for a receptionist at an office is.’ It’s an absurd question. In his entertaining talk, Danish talked about why it’s the wrong question to ask, explains why brands are obsessed with nothing besides ‘number of fans’ and 6 key things to do in order to start measuring things that actually matter.

As digital partners of Al Futtaim Group’s marketing agency GMASCO, we service Lexus UAE on most things digital since earlier this year. One of the ideas to help fuel fan growth and engagement on Lexus’ Facebook page, we proposed an app that hooked right into a user’s timeline and then produced a custom video feature to showcase each individual’s personal Facebook journey. The video breezes through an abstract world used across the new launch campaign of the 2013 Lexus GS lineup — except that the user’s photographs, status updates and like counts are baked right into the video journey.

Experience the entire Facebook app here: BeMoved.ae

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.

Meet Nehal Ahmed.

What’s your fav food? What music do you listen to, Books you read?
Oriental food anytime.
Current favourite: ‘Everything in its right place’ mix by Pretty Lights. I easily fall in love with electronic like Røyksopp.
I love to read literary fiction and fantasy (not necessarily vampires). I cannot live without at least one Computer Arts Projects journal in my bag at all time.

What did you do before joining xische (Professional background)?
Professionally, I’ve always been doing things even while studying. As a teenager I had a small handmade greeting cards business. At the same time I also worked for an event organizer amassing an unusual amount of experience in event management. While studying design at university I was a freelance designer. After graduating I joined a publishing company. And just before joining Xische I was freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator. I think that sums it up.

What is your current role at Xische?
Designer – I work on many different projects that have web as well as print requirements.

What is your passion/dream (in life)
To write and illustrate a book before I’m 25. I turn 25 in October. Besides that I am passionate about acquiring and sharing knowledge and that explains why I talk so much.

What was your first impression of Xische
I can never forget how warm it felt to be welcomed in with smiling faces. And I had only walked in without an appointment to show my portfolio to someone! In another place they would try to get rid of me somehow.
As an art/design student you get to meet very exciting people doing the same thing at university. They like to learn more, experiment and never be stagnant. At Xische I found the same people when I first walked in, that is the reason why I wanted to work here.

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.”

Hurdles Ahead

One challenge left unresolved by the discussion was consumer confidence in buying online. Customers in the Middle East are wary of online credit card transactions. The technology has not reached the level of ease and security as in Western markets and instances of fraud are not uncommon.

Further complicating the online purchasing process is the decidedly unclear postal system in the region. Lacking standardized street addresses, customers are asked to give their location using physical landmarks and neighborhood or building names.

Mr. Kassim shared a story of one customer who listed his location as simply “Al Barsha.” (Al Barsha is a sprawling neighborhood, encompassing apartment towers, villas, schools and the Mall of the Emirates).

To read the full report, including an overview of online business trends in the region, click here: The Case for Digital Start-Ups.

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

Most Improved Website – Government, Healthcare & Education
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Best Specialized E-commerce Website
Abaya Couture

Best New Website – Government
DIFC Authority

Best Digital Creative Campaign
Jotun Paints – Jotashield.com

We weren’t alone. It was pleasantly surprising to see one of our clients nominated for social media that Xische consults and helps manage.

Best Social Media Campaign – Financial Services
RAKBANK

We’ll be sure to keep this space updated should we win at The Internet Awards, taking place at the Aloft Hotel, Abu Dhabi on September 27, 2011. More about the awards here on the organizer’s website. Wish us luck!

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.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

You will need to have an active social profile on Facebook and Twitter, understand social networks, wikis, blogs, etc. You will need to demonstrate experience sourcing and managing content development and publishing online within a marketing/advertising/PR/social agency. Good verbal and written communication skills are mandatory, with the ability to work individually on a project or in a team environment. Proficiency with Apple iWork Suite is key for presentations. Your role will require jumping from the creative side of marketing to the analytical side and reporting. Anything less than outstanding organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines will not work. Communication internally in reporting results to management in a fast paced environment is key.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

You will be required to help with interacting with clients and helping shape the social strategy for the brands we work with. Our clients engage us to become the eyes and ears of the brands as if our own reputation depended on it. You will need to work with your colleagues to make sure conversations are led, problems are solved and campaign messaging is broadcast across different mediums. You will have to coordinate content approval processes and act as a site administrator for one or more client communities.

We say this often and will repeat it again: 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, apply at facebook.com/xische right this minute!

Important note: You will need to become a barista as you join us.

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.