AW Rostamani Group wins Gold in three categories at 10th Gulf Customer Experience Awards™
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Wamda
16-06-2025
- Wamda
Why startups can't afford to ignore customer experience
In a recent conversation with a founder, he shrugged when asked about their customer experience strategy and told me, "We'll focus on that once we scale." Needless to say, it was not what I wanted to hear. Waiting to invest in customer experience (CX) is not a strategy; it's a liability. Customer expectations are no longer shaped solely by your direct competitors. They are shaped by the best experience with any brand. Whether it was the ease of ordering from Amazon, the curated magic of Netflix recommendations, or the personalised touch of a luxury retail advisor, that's the standard your startup is being measured against. In the Middle East, where consumer sophistication is high and tech adoption even higher, expectations are rising fast. A startup in Riyadh or Abu Dhabi isn't just competing with other local players. It's competing with global giants who invest heavily in designing and delivering seamless experiences. That might sound daunting. I would argue that it is a fantastic opportunity: startups that understand this early can turn CX into a superpower. The myth of "CX later" One of the most damaging myths in the startup world is the idea that the customer experience is something you optimise after you grow — that you get product-market fit, pour fuel on the fire, and then circle back to clean up the CX. In reality, the customer experience is the foundation for organic growth, loyalty, and brand differentiation, especially when marketing budgets are tight and every user counts. If you wait "later," you may never get there at all. Take Ounass as an example. From day one, Ounass has made customer experience a central part of its value proposition. Their platform combines curated fashion with an elegant user interface, quick same-day delivery in key cities, and attentive customer service that feels personal despite its scale. They've integrated thoughtful touches, from luxury packaging to seamless returns, that merge the convenience we are used to when dealing with e-commerce giants like Amazon or Noon with luxury products and premium packaging. These CX investments built early trust and loyalty. Customer experience is a growth engine The reality is that frictionless customer experiences drive the kind of growth that marketing budgets alone can't deliver. When someone has a wonderful experience, they don't just stay; they tell others. That's what happened with Airbnb in its early days. The founders famously visited hosts in New York, helped them stage better photos, and refined the listings themselves. These hands-on CX investments improved the experience and This resulted in increased bookings and positive word of mouth. Or take Glossier, the beauty startup turned global brand. They started by listening. Founder Emily Weiss built a community through her blog, Into the Gloss, and then created products based on what her readers said they wanted. Customers felt heard. That emotional connection translated into loyalty; a sizeable percentage of their sales came from organic referrals. These aren't unicorn exceptions. Of course, you still need a fantastic product or service, but CX is what amplifies it. When done right, it becomes one of the most powerful and scalable growth engines for startups. Common pitfalls So where do startups typically stumble? First, they create fragmented journeys. Maybe the website looks excellent, but the delivery experience is clunky. Maybe onboarding is smooth, but follow-up support is non-existent. Customers experience your brand as a whole, not in parts. Every friction point counts. Second, they ignore post-purchase moments. Many startups focus heavily on acquisition but forget the retention phase. A lacklustre unboxing, a confusing return process, or silence after a sale can kill momentum. Delight doesn't end with the transaction. It begins there. Third, they lack feedback loops. Startups move fast. But speed without feedback is risky. If you don't regularly listen to customers through CX surveys, reviews, or social media scans, you're operating blindly. The companies that win are those that remain obsessed with listening, learning, and adapting. Startups have the advantage Startups are designed for this kind of agility. You don't need massive teams or legacy systems to be great at CX. What you need is a mindset, a culture that embeds CX into your DNA from the start. A culture that sees customer feedback as a learning tool, not a threat. A culture that sees CX as everyone's job: from product to marketing to operations. I work with some of the world's leading luxury brands, helping them deliver elevated, consistent experiences. Often, the biggest challenge is shifting obsolete mindsets or changing legacy behaviours. Startups don't have that baggage. Startups have the ability to initiate new initiatives and even question established practices. Startups are inherently closer to their customers. You can read every support ticket, call clients directly, track where users drop off, and comb through online reviews. You can identify weak spots, roll out improvements, and measure results all in a matter of days. Sound familiar? That's the startup mindset. And that kind of responsiveness and agility is precisely what larger firms envy and struggle to replicate. An outstanding local example is Cafu, the UAE's on-demand fuel delivery startup. While fuel isn't typically considered an emotional product, Cafu turned it into a convenience-driven service that customers genuinely rave about. Early user feedback pointed to frustrations with long wait times and uncertainty about driver arrival. Cafu responded by investing in real-time tracking and proactive notifications, features designed to build trust and reduce friction. These were not merely technological advancements; they were a response to the feedback provided by customers. As a result, Cafu built a loyal customer base in a category few thought could inspire brand advocacy. However, it's important to acknowledge that although technology, particularly AI, can enhance and customise customer experiences, it's not a panacea. In fact, we're starting to see companies walk back overly automated approaches that have lost the human connection. Klarna, the Swedish fintech company, recently made headlines for rehiring humans after realising that replacing customer support teams entirely with AI-powered chatbots created more frustration than efficiency. Companies, especially startups in the AI era, should not forget the human touch. People remember how you made them feel, not how fast your chatbot responded. What you can do today If you're a founder, here's my challenge to you: audit your experience today from the customer's perspective. What does it feel like to discover your brand? To make a purchase? To ask for help? Is it easy to return an item? Are those moments easy, human, and emotionally engaging? Pick one friction point and address it. Set up a feedback loop. Surprise one customer with an act of delight. You don't need fancy tools — start by picking up the phone or sending a personal note to a handful of clients. Ask them what delighted them and what didn't. Experience serves as the basis upon which you construct all other aspects.
Al Bawaba
07-05-2025
- Al Bawaba
LG to showcase ultragear gaming monitors and immersive experiences at dubai esports festival 2025
LG Electronics (LG), in partnership with Oasis Trading, is upping its game by participating in the Dubai Esports Festival (DEF) 2025, taking place from May 8-11 at Dubai World Trade Centre. At GameExpo, part of DEF and open to the public from May 9-11, LG will be showcasing its UltraGear line of high-performance gaming monitors, offering visitors to its immersive experiential booth, boasting cutting-edge display technology. Those with tickets to one hottest show in town will have the opportunity to test out the monitors firsthand, playing the latest games and experiencing the gaming credentials LG's UltraGear – designed to deliver unparalleled performance, speed, and visual quality, providing gamers with a competitive edge – is known for. "We are thrilled to be part of the Dubai Esports Festival 2025 and introduce our UltraGear gaming monitors to the region's vibrant gaming community," said Lee Seung Jun Head Of IT Sales, "Our monitors are engineered to provide the ultimate gaming experience, and we are confident that attendees will be impressed by their performance and features. We are especially excited to bring the new 45' UltraGear™ OLED, as well as the 31.5' 4K UHD IPS Smart Monitor, to the Middle East for the first time, showcasing our commitment to innovation and delivering top-tier gaming and productivity solutions." Among the many LG screens on show between the family zone and the LG booth, an undoubted highlight will be the 45' UltraGear™ OLED 5K2K WUHD, a new product introduction set to revolutionize the gaming experience with its advanced features and stunning visuals, and available in the market starting next month. The OLED gaming monitor is a game-changer for competitive gamers, with a 45-inch curved OLED monitor boasting up to a blazing-fast 330Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (GtG) response time, delivering incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay. Its world-first 5K2K (5120 x 2160) resolution gaming monitor and 125 PPI sharp test clarity with reduced color fringe provide immersive, fast, and smooth visuals. Another regional first comes by way of the 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS Smart Monitor Swing with touchscreen and rolling stand, designed to enhance productivity and workflows for professionals and creative users. This monitor boasts a wide color gamut (DCI-P3 95%) for accurate color reproduction, HDR support for vibrant visuals. The ergonomic stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustment for comfortable viewing, while features like Picture-by-Picture (PBP) and Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enhance multitasking capabilities, ideal for professionals seeking a high-performance display with versatile connectivity and ergonomic comfort. The Dubai Esports Festival, powered by Dubai Economy and Tourism, brings together esports enthusiasts, industry leaders, and gaming communities to celebrate the world of competitive gaming. Event Details: Event: Dubai Esports Festival (DEF) 2025Dates: May 8-11, 2025 (Open to the public from May 9-11) Location: Dubai World Trade Centre (GameExpo: Zabeel Hall 3)
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Jordan Times
CFI Financial Group Extends Record Growth Streak with $1.279 Trillion Trading Volume in Q1 2025
CFI Financial Group, a leading global online trading provider, is proud to announce the continuation of its exceptional momentum into 2025, posting a landmark first quarter fueled by innovation, client trust, and strategic expansion. Building on the breakthroughs of 2024, the Group has further solidified its leadership position, setting a new standard in global online trading. Q1 2025: A new benchmark in trading performance In Q1 2025, CFI Financial Group achieved an all-time high with a trading volume of $1.279 trillion, representing a 13.5% increase from Q4 2024 and a staggering 129% surge compared to Q1 2024. This continued growth reaffirms the company's robust infrastructure, client-first philosophy, and commitment to empowering traders and investors worldwide. Client growth remained a core highlight of the quarter: ● Funded accounts grew by 5.5% compared to Q4 2024 and by an impressive 75% compared to Q1 2024, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. ● Active accounts rose by 7.4% compared to Q4 2024 and achieved a 92% year-over-year increase compared to Q1 2024, driven by enhanced acquisition efforts and personalized retention strategies. ● Funding transactions saw exceptional momentum, increasing by 54% from Q4 and a remarkable 148% from Q1 2024, demonstrating growing confidence and engagement. Strategic market growth & leadership CFI Financial Group's focus on expansion, innovation, and service excellence translated into tangible milestones in Q1: ● Official opening of CFI Azerbaijan: Marking a major milestone in CFI's regional expansion strategy, bringing world-class trading services to a dynamic new market. ● Launch of CFI Prime: A new division designed to cater to institutional and professional traders, offering specialized services and cutting-edge technology. ● Award recognitions: CFI Financial Group was honored with two prestigious titles at the iFX Expo, 'Best CFD Broker MEA' and 'Best Mobile Trading App MEA', as well as the Best MENA Region Broker' by ADVFN International Financial Awards, reaffirming its leadership in bothtechnological innovation and service excellence. High-impact strategic partnerships Q1 2025 also marked a series of high-impact partnerships that elevated brand visibility and community engagement: ● Ya Hala Festival: As a strategic partner of Kuwait's premier shopping event, CFI Financial Group showcased its regional leadership and support for local initiatives. ● Saadiyat Nights: through a partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, supporting the UAE's premier entertainment festival featuring global stars like Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Omar Khairat, and more. ● Kayan Wellness Festival: Supporting wellness and innovation, CFI Financial Group expanded its presence in the lifestyle and well-being space in Abu Dhabi. ● Official partner of the Kuwait Basketball Association: Strengthening its presence in the sports sector and deepening community engagement in Kuwait and in the Gulf region. Looking forward Reflecting on Q1's achievements, Hisham Mansour, co-founder and managing director of CFI Financial Group, stated: 'Q1 2025 sets the tone for a landmark year ahead for CFI. Surpassing new records once again is a testament to the passion of our global teams and the trust of our growing client base. As we continue to build on this momentum, our focus remains clear: pushing the boundaries of innovation, expanding our global presence, and empowering traders and investors with world-class experiences.' As CFI Financial Group continues its journey through 2025, we are scaling innovation, setting new standards for client experience, and forging impactful partnerships, redefining what excellence means in the world of online trading. About CFI: CFI Financial Group, established in 1998, is MENA's leading online trading broker with over 25 years of experience. Operating from key locations like London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cape Town, Baku, Beirut, Amman, and Cairo, CFI provides seamless access to both global and local markets. Offering diverse trading options across equities, currencies, commodities, and more, CFI delivers superior conditions, including zero-pip spreads, no commission fees, and ultra-fast execution. The company offers intuitive and advanced solutions for traders of all experience levels. CFI fosters financial literacy through multilingual educational content and inspires excellence through partnerships with global icons like AC Milan, FIBA WASL, and MI Cape Town cricket team, as well as the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. With Seven-Time Formula One™ World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton as Global Brand Ambassador, CFI reflects a shared commitment to innovation and success while supporting cultural and community initiatives worldwide. For more information: Media Inquiries: Cecilia Natalia Hage, Global PR & Communications Manager, [email protected] Page 2
