The Blog from Xische & Co.

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.

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.

Just in case you haven’t already heard, bloggers in Arabia unite today to show solidarity to a fellow blogger — Mark Makhoul — and his plight in an epic turn of events in response to a not-so-flattering review of his experience at Kuwait’s newly opened Benihana restaurants. The franchise holder of the restaurant posted a delusional response and promptly issued a lawsuit against Mark and deleted all comments shortly after coming under fire by bystanders. (more…)

On August 5, 2010 we announced our win of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid digital account. Two hours ago, we were gobsmacked to realise that our little bit had a role to play in a historic turn of events — Qatar was just announced the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.  Since its quiet inception, the bid website and social engagement had garnered well over over half a million supporters as of this morning. Unexpectedly, within the hour of the announcement, the website dramatically went down due to unsurmountable traffic.

While we are perhaps still reeling in from the decision of the FIFA Committee to bring one of the world’s most loved tournaments to the Middle East, we sit proud and humbled. To know that we played a role — even if with a pixel or two — in creating history, is an extraordinary sentiment. Go Qatar!

Two days from now, Facebook is speculated to release its new product – an Email service. A user-base of well over 500 million people is strong reason to believe that Facebook Mail will have a massive adoption rate unlike any other email service we have ever seen. (more…)

Update on November 3, 2010 – Danish speaking at the conference.

Our chief Danish Farhan will be speaking at The Luxury Forum in Dubai this afternoon. As a take-home kit, he wants to share a collection of recent social media surveys conducted by Spot On PR with the attendees of his talk. If you were there, or just want a copy anyway here is is: Download Research.

Other noted panelists at the event include Saygin Yalcin, the founder of luxury fashion club Sukar.com and founder of StylenDubai.com Dawser Al Hadidi.

Social Media World MENA brings together the region’s leading consumer brands, social networks, and their partners. As consumers open up to new channels, brands across the region are under pressure to develop a social strategy that works and delivers ROI.

Our CEO, Danish Farhan will be delivering a keynote address at the conference tomorrow, titled Of Banks and Movies: Social Media in the UAE. He’s let slip to us that the talk will feature two prominent social media stories that Xische has been a part of: RAKBANK and City of Life. If you’re around, make sure not to miss it!

Update: Some Twitter mentions from the conference (more…)