Category: The Blog

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The Blog

5 Things to Do in Dubai This Summer

It’s starting to heat up in Dubai and we’re so excited for summer. Looking for some new experiences to try? As always, we’ve got you covered with what’s hot near you. So whether you want to soak up the sun or avoid the heat, here’s what you can get up to in Dubai this summer.

Chillout Ice Lounge

Leave the 40°C outside and cool things down with a trip to the Chillout Ice Lounge. As the first ice lounge in the Middle East, take a look at amazing sculptures, unique ice seating and beautiful lighting. You could even ask your fellow ASKWHO foodies to come along because this ice lounge is the first of its kind to serve hot food and beverages. Buy your tickets now.

Scuba Diving 

Whether you’re eager to learn or already have some experience, SeaBreacher has amazing scuba activities for you. From night dives to fun dives, this is a great way to cool down in the Dubai heat. Looking for someone to go diving with? Reach out to the ASKWHO outdoors group to find people who would love to explore the amazing Arabian Sea with you. Learn more. 

Alserkal Avenue

With new and exciting exhibitions, Alserkal Avenue is one of the regions leading platforms for contemporary art. This summer, make sure to check out The Swimming Pool Exhibition to see a range of amazing art from artists around the world. The exhibition focuses on the dialogue between the different practices and materials used by each artist. The works are linked by the common theme of “the pool” as we see how this influences the pieces. Find a fellow art lover to experience this amazing gallery with on the ASKWHO art group. Explore more.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Ready to explore a fascinating aquatic world? Say hello to sharks, otters and even crocs at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Make sure to share what you get up to with ASKWHO… top tip; the Aquarium Tunnel definitely needs to be checked out. Plan your trip.

Sunrise SUP Yoga 

Experience the beautiful sunrise in a unique setting and get your body moving with SUP yoga. Calm your mind and strengthen your body before the heat hits with this amazing yoga practice. Connect with fellow yogis on the ASKWHO wellness group and find a yoga buddy to share this experience with. Check it out.

Meet up with ASKWHO

Still looking for more things you can get up to this summer? Make sure to join the ASKWHO meet up group to find like-minded people in Dubai. With regular events and activities with the ASKWHO community, get ready for your social calendar to get a lot more busy.

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The Blog The Business Blog

Sourcing your Team; 6 Hiring Tips for New Businesses

At ASKWHO we’re lucky to have the most amazing team. However, it’s not always smooth sailing and you learn a lot of things along the way. So we’d love to share with you some of our tips for when you’re sourcing the team for your new business.

1 Don’t hire yourself

It may seem simple but it’s very easy to hire what you know. Make sure that the people you hire are different from you, with unique skillsets. You need to find people that will bring something different to your business and help it thrive. When beginning to source your team, individual differences are your strength.

2 Hire people you get on with

It’s so important for you and your colleagues to enjoy work. That’s why it’s important to hire people that have a complementary personality within a team. Organisational culture depends on attracting, onboarding and retaining quality staff that support and work well with each other. Once this is achieved there is a cohesion that boosts productivity.

3 Passion passion passion

I’ll say it again… passion. Recruit people who are fundamentally driven by your mission – it should fulfil their purpose or underlying values. In return, you will get a happier more productive workforce with determination to succeed. This offers a motivation that you cannot find in someone who is just there to “do the job” and pay the bills. Remember when you love something, it won’t feel like work.

4 Hire people that ask questions

If at the end of an interview the participant has no questions to ask – chances are they are not that interested in the role. A good candidate should be inquisitive in what the role entails. The interview process is a two-way street – both employer and candidate should be assessing the opportunity to collaborate so questions from the interviewee are essential.

5 Hire people better than you

You need to be constantly on the lookout for talent within your industry. If you leave an interview in awe of a candidate don’t let them go. This new talent is the key to growing your business.

6 Take care of the employees that take care of you

One of the most important things that you will ever do is reward your employees; especially those who stand out from the crowd. Rewarding and recognizing your team has been proven to improve organisational values, enhance team efforts and increase customer satisfaction.


Sourcing the right team is the first step to growing a thriving business. Take the time at the interview stage to ensure this candidate is the right fit for the role and your company. Once hired, take care of them. When you have a team built on these 6 areas, you will reach new heights together, and along the way – have a laugh too.

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The Blog

How Your Community Can Lift Your Mood

Every day, try to take even a moment to prioritize your own mental health by finding ways to lift your spirits and create a healthier mindset.

Community, Relationships, and Mental Health

Relationships are what’s important in life. People who are more socially active and take part in their community tend to be physically and mentally healthier, and live longer lives. 

Here’s how your community shapes your mental wellbeing:

  1. Community Support 

There’s nothing like feeling supported by other people and knowing you have people to rely on. It changes how you feel about yourself. It makes you believe in yourself. That self-belief is vital for good mental wellbeing. It’s more than just having people be there for you – being there for others and supporting them feels great too. 

  1. Communal Connections

“Community” goes beyond just close relationships. It’s your connection to everything around you. Where you live, where you work, where you learn – all of these are connected. They all play a part in making people feel included and valued. Studies show a sense of belonging is one of the strongest indicators for mental wellbeing. An ASKWHO community is a place where you belong. 

  1. Acting on Feelings of Inclusion 

Working together with others in the community and doing collective activities improves your sense of shared identity. It also helps you stay calm during difficult times. It’s easier to get through a tough situation when you feel welcome and accepted. 

Get Involved With Your Community

Socialising and being part of a community is all about spending time with people and doing things you care about. So how do you socialise more and be a bigger part of your community…

  1. Spark a Conversation 

Do you say you never have the time to see friends and family? Make time. Call people and talk to them or do something together. Hit the gym together, have a party, enjoy some good food at a new restaurant or familiar favourite. Just spend time together. 

  1. Introduce Yourself to New People 

The easiest way to meet new people is to dive right in. Introduce yourself to your neighbours or people you come into contact with. Say “hi” to that person at the gym or your regular coffee spot. There’s plenty of social interaction if you know where to look – and you can look anywhere. 

  1. Join Groups 

There are so many groups looking for someone just like you. Take an interesting class and talk to the people there. Join social media groups built around your interests. 

Don’t forget that Facebook isn’t the be all and end all of social media. ASKWHO has organized, tailored groups to create more engaging conversations and deeper friendships. It’s time to get involved and boost your mood by making true friendships with ASKWHO.

Are You Ready to Make New Friends? See What ASKWHO Has to Offer

Making new friends and talking to current ones is great for your mental health. There’s no better way to relax and unwind than spending time with the people you know and love. If you’re looking to make new friends, you should check out ASKWHO. 

ASKWHO has the best group features to help turn online friends into real ones. 

Find people who share your interests and create lasting friendships. See what ASKWHO has to offer and enjoy all the benefits to your wellbeing that comes with being part of an active and friendly community. 

Download ASKWHO now

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The belong Guide; What’s Happening in May in Dubai

After spending Eid Al-Fitr with friends and family in April, May can seem pretty quiet. If you want to get out and about then ASKWHO has got you covered. Let’s take a look at what’s on… 

Light up the sky

Firework displays are a great way to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and Dubai has some of the best displays in the world. 

One of our favourite displays is at the Global Village where they have firework shows every Friday and Saturday night. During Eid Al-Fitr you will be able to see the incredible show every night until May the 7th. If you’re looking to enjoy the fireworks with a friend head to the ASKWHO groups plus the fireworks start at 9 pm so you have time to explore the village beforehand. 

Fancy a laugh?

If you’re up for some entertainment then Dubai Comedy Show is the place to be. This 11-day long festival promises top-quality comedy and some variety shows all over Dubai. Plus The Comedy Factory will be hosting comedians such as ​​Aurie Styla, Ger Saunton and Ali Sultan. You can check out the lineup and buy tickets here. 

The festivals for foodies

Get ready to taste some of the most amazing food Dubai has to offer. Fine dining experiences, gourmet meals and watching world-class chefs are only some of the things you can get up to during the Dubai Food Festival. On until the 15th of May get your tickets here. If you do go make sure to head to the ASKWHO foodie group and leave your recommendations for fellow food lovers.   

Fun for the whole gang

Group activities are a great way to meet new people, here are some activities that we recommend… 

Ekart Zabeel is an open-air kart track located on top of the Dubai Mall Zabeel. Find your need for speed in the high-end electric karts and enjoy the views of the Dubai skyline. 

The Dubai Aquarium This underwater zoo holds 100s of species, you can find yourself cage-snorkelling, hanging out with otters or even swimming with sharks. 

The Brass Monkey on Blue Waters Island is a great place to challenge your friends to a round of air hockey or Pac man. 2 storeys of entertainment from a bowling alley to arcade games.  

Find your group
There’s plenty to do over this month, all you need now is people to enjoy these amazing events with. Why not head to ASKWHO where there’s a group of like-minded individuals just waiting to meet you?

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Art and food lovers meet up – belong just got better!

For ASKWHO members we are offering you and a friend the opportunity to attend a FREE exclusive gallery event hosted by amazing artists, in the heart of Dubai near the Burj Al Arab on the 11th of May. 

Food and refreshments will be provided FREE of cost. We only have limited space for 150 people – Please fill out the below form with your details and submit it. This is first come first serve, so make sure you fill out your form as soon as possible. 

– Date: 11th of May

– Dress code: Smart / Casual

– Time: 6pm – 9pm

– Location: click here!

– Parking is limited so getting to the venue by taxi is better.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people and get to know others like you!

There will be amazing artists who will discuss the designs and visions for their unique pieces of art, in a state of the art brand new facility.

Don’t miss out on this! 35% of the spots are already taken. 

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How to Make New Friends as an Adult

friends

The struggle to make new friends as an adult is real. Without school, university or clubs and with many people busy with work and family commitments, meeting new people can be tricky. But the benefits of making new friends at any age cannot be overlooked. Maybe you’re looking for a positive addition to your life, some new company or putting yourself back out there. The problem is that making friends as an adult is a lot more difficult than when you were younger. 

The Difficulties of Making New Friends

When we’re younger we make friends really quickly. You spend all your time at school and afterwards together. As an adult, it’s hard to make new friends that you don’t have that shared history with. The strong foundation to build a friendship on is not there. 

It’s also tough making new friends because of all your responsibilities. How are you supposed to make friends when you’re busy with work, with your partner or have family commitments? Where are you going to find the time? 

Making friends should be easy, but now it’s become a challenge and you don’t know why or what you can do about it. 

Tips on How Make Friends as an Adult

  1. Get Involved

It sounds obvious, but the only way you’ll make new friends is to dive right in. Put yourself in the mindset of wanting to talk to people. It might take a little mental preparation, but you’ll get there. Need a helping hand? Go to an event that you’re interested in and you’ll have a shared interest with the people there. This makes starting a conversation much easier! Make sure to find out what’s going on near you on ASKWHO.

  1. Find New Groups 

One way to make new friends is to find new groups. Facebook Groups is an option but it’s messy, confusing and you’re unlikely to make a true friendship. Social media is a great place to start, but you need something better than Facebook. ASKWHO groups are brilliant for meeting local people who share your interests and starting friendships. 

There are plenty of offline groups to join too. Why not volunteer or a sports team? Join an adult education class and make new friends while learning new skills. Take part in something new and see what you learn – and who you meet. ASKWHO is the place where you can take online friendships into reality. Head on over and get some inspiration.

  1. Set Reasonable Expectations 

You’re probably not going to make friends with everyone you meet. You’re also not going to be best friends with someone after one conversation. It actually takes an average of 90 hours to make a real friend – double that for a best friend. Take your time. Have fun. Enjoy the journey. 

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Take the Initiative 

It might be on you to start the interaction and that’s okay. Some people may not have the confidence to begin a conversation so they’ll be grateful that you did. You may even be both thinking the same thing, hoping the other person will speak first. So just dive right in. Break the ice by asking their thoughts and opinions or asking some basic questions to get to know them. 

Still nervous? Head on over to ASKWHO and meet people who are already into the same things as you. We take the awkwardness out of first conversations.

Meet People on ASKWHO

ASKWHO is the hot new social network for people in Dubai looking to connect. Take your online friendships offline and create lasting memories with lifetime friends. Download ASKWHO, join a group, and meet your people.

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The Blog The Business Blog

Pivoting Into Success; Top 8 Tips to Starting An App-Based Business

There’s no doubt about it, starting a business will be one of the most difficult challenges that you will ever undertake. The investment emotionally, financially and the amount of time it requires means that creating an app is out of the question for most people. If you are in a position where your idea is becoming a reality, we have put together some thoughts from the ASKWHO journey that may help you and your project. 

Friends and family lie

We love our family and friends, and they love us too, that’s why you should never use them as a sounding board to validate your idea. They tell you what you want to hear and that your idea is revolutionary, this information despite its good intentions sends you down the wrong path and you will burn through valuable resources.

Build It And They’ll Come
You don’t need to write a single line of code to develop screens for an app idea and discuss your product and its prospects (with people you don’t know). Who cares if it’s non-functional, you are validating your idea and the solution.

Sure, until your solution is in the hands of customers, you’ll never truly know how they will interact with your product. But if your idea isn’t a problem worth solving prototyping is cheap, fast and will help you through the process of envisaging your solution. You can find thousands of designers on Fiverr.com or if you know someone to help you out even better.  

Make sure you validate the whole business, including how you will make money. I recommend checking out “the lean canvas” to help you with your checklist of what you need to validate but here are some headlines: –

·       What is the problem?

·       Who has this problem?

·       Is the problem worth solving?   

·       How will you make money?

Choosing the right developers

We didn’t, and learnt the hard way, again burning through savings with a development team that wasn’t capable. The world is a big place full of great development teams that work remotely. Do your due diligence and select wisely – Clutch.com is a great place for reviews.

Keep It Lean
Don’t sweat the small stuff, until you have a problem worth solving and the shape of a product customers will use, the finer details don’t matter. If it solves a problem people will accept bugs and a lack of nice features. There is no point in polishing something that no one wants to use. Find something that people like then start refining it.

Get specific

Write detailed and very boring specifications of every possible action and reaction for each feature. Couple this with wireframes and fully-fledged designs. This will ensure your expectations are fully aligned with your development team, and that nothing is missed.

80/20

Now you’ve written your specifications, cut the development time by half, you will have way too many features for your first release. This will force you to focus on the features that are critical (must have) from those nice to have features. What are the big features that will drive the most value and bring your product to life? This will save time and money, you need to learn fast, and you can always add them later if/when your product has traction.

Downloads are easy

Data doesn’t lie and measuring success is a key part of learning whether your product is well received. You need to gain insight into how people are using your product. Do they come back a day, week, or month from now? If they do, well done! Using analytics is fundamental to understanding user behaviour. You should integrate the basics ready for your launch. We love Mixpanel here at ASKWHO. Vanity metrics like downloads are useless, it’s the actions users are taking (or not taking) that are the difference between success and failure.

Crash course 

The books below are worth their weight in gold and will save you time and resources.

  1. The Four Step to the Epiphany 
  2. Crossing the Chasm
  3. The Art of War
  4. The Art of the Pitch
  5. The Lean Start up
  6. How to Build a Billion-Dollar App
  7. Getting Things Done
  8. The 5am Club
  9. Start with Why
  10. Venture Deals 
  11. Startup CEO

You can thank me later!

ASKWHO today

With 46% MoM Growth and 40% of that being organic, our retention rates and key metrics are on par with some of the largest social apps in the world. 

We are so grateful to provide a supportive, inclusive platform to an amazing community, classed by many as a “home from home” and “Dubai’s social hub”. 

The highs and lows of this journey have been well worth it. But there’s much more to be done, therefore we remain focused and motivated.

Nothing good comes out of comfort zones. Getting out in the world and understanding your strengths/weaknesses and addressing them, with the will to say “It can and will be done” is key to your development both in business and life in general.

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The best way to meet online friends in real life.

ASKWHO is a great place to meet like-minded people and begin friendships. We’re not like other social media platforms, we want you to be social. Find friends – not followers! Meeting in real life takes your connections and new relationships to the next level. Luckily, in Dubai, there are plenty of cool cafes and restaurants to meet your new friends. Here are some meet-up tips…

  1. Shared Interests

You and your online friend find that you have hobbies and activities in common. ASKWHO makes finding like-minded people easy. You’re both fitness-fanatics? Maybe plan a gym session. Or your booth foodies, why not check out the new brunch place? Find your people. Make it your place. 

  1. Meet in a group 

Whether you’re unsure or shy, meeting in a group can help ease your nerves. It also adds that extra dynamic in case you don’t initially click “in person”. With ASKWHO, create groups for all your interests in one place. Once you’ve found like-minded people organise a group activity. This can happen organically if one of your hobbies requires several people. 

  1. The initial meeting

For an initial meeting, it’s always smart to stay safe. A public setting provides that. Whether a cafe, gym or public park it not only creates a better atmosphere, it surrounds you with numerous talking points. There’s lots of diverting and exciting places to meet in Dubai, and you can find inspiration on ASKWHO.

  1. Take it slow

Planning a long, fun-filled day with a new person can be overwhelming. If you don’t get the same vibe as them when you first meet, (it happens) you have the pressure of spending the following five hours with them. Short and sweet for the initial meet-up is best. Ask them questions, find out their beliefs, background and career. Take it slow. Casual meet-ups can build into meaningful friendships. Take your time. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

ASKWHO makes meeting like-minded people easy!

At ASKWHO we’re making social media social. Once the connection is there, the next step is meeting in real life. Focus on your common interests, decide on whether you want to meet in a group or want a one-to-one. All that’s left is to find a place to meet – let’s go. 

Our aim is for safe, fun, and meaningful friendships. Do more together, join people who love the same thing as you, and meet like-minded people and make real connections.

Meet new people today

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The Blog The Business Blog

The Most Popular Groups On belong

No matter what your hobbies or interests are, we have the group for you. If you’re in Dubai and you’re ready to make friends and learn more about this amazing city, you need to be on ASKWHO. Chat, recommend, and meet up with people who love the same things you do. 

With our amazing, active community, you can talk about your interests, inspirations, recommend the next best restaurant, and get involved with the conversation. We have groups for lifestyle, travel, pre-loved, technology – and that’s just the beginning. 

We want to make social media social again. Are you with us?

Here are some of our most popular groups and recent highlights from the people who love them…

Outdoors

Find secret spots and meet up with like-minded people for a walk. A member recently climbed the Wadi Ghalilah, a popular rock climbing spot, posting a picture to show off his view. Maria wanted to know where the best access to the desert was, and a hiker also raved about the 1484 Puro restaurant, the highest restaurant in the UAE with stunning views and great food. 

Wellness

Whether you’re a nama-stay in class or a yoga on the go, we have lots of members in this group offering advice and inspirational quotes. 

One member let the group know she was at the Emirates golf club lounge plunge pool to recover from a boozy brunch whilst another member recommended some stretching and aero-stretching classes at the Dubai Marina.

Lots of people loved this motivating quote that was posted to the group: ”Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must but take a step.”

Fitness 

In the UAE there are 800 fitness clubs – that’s plenty of opportunities to work out. The latest figures show around 523,000 people are gym members, making up 6% of the population. 

That means lots of gyms and classes to get involved with, but why not head to the ASKWHO Fitness group and see which ones people are recommending? You could find a gym buddy or a fitness friend to keep you motivated and accountable. 

We had one member wanting to find an early morning running partner. Could that be you? Someone was also recommending a local weight lifting class. There’s plenty of fitness motivation to be found here.

Meet Up

Looking for something new to do? A recent but popular addition, our Meet Up group is the place to post about events or things you fancy doing with others. So if you’re ready to meet new people near you, this group makes it easier than ever. It’s time to get involved with the conversation. 

Ready to Get Started? 

If you’re in Dubai and you want to find like-minded people to chat or hang out with, you need to be on ASKWHO. We have many more groups on offer, such as… 

  • Arts
  • Fitness
  • Knowledge
  • Life
  • Outdoors
  • Pre Loved
  • Property 
  • Sport
  • Technology 
  • Travel 
  • Wellness
  • Women Only 

There really is a group for everyone. 

If you’re in the hiking group why not organise a group outing? Or you’re a part of the Wellness chat why not head to a guided meditation together? Get those gains together in the fitness group. 

Use these ASKWHO groups to organise outings and turn your online friends into real ones. Are you ready for your social life to get a lot busier?

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Why Groups are the New Social Media Norm

Social media. Love it or hate it you can’t deny that it has changed the world. A huge part of social media is online groups. These virtual hangouts allow people with similar interests to share their thoughts, opinions and meet new people.

So while we may not love all parts of social media, groups definitely have the potential for a positive impact. With new and existing platforms alike being built around groups, their use for good is being recognised. Social media groups are becoming the new norm and here’s why….

1. The Community 

Everyone wants to be part of a community. It’s an instinctual social need. We need to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Joining a social media group is a great way to be part of a community. You’ll find it easier to talk to people who share your interests anywhere in the world. ASKWHO made it even easier to find people in Dubai that share your interests – a community where you feel like you belong.

2. Shared Interests 

How do you spend your time? Whether you live in the gym, are a bit of a foodie, or enjoy exploring and experiencing new things, the best recommendations always come from like-minded people. A group is the best way to explore and learn more about a shared interest. ASKWHO has organized groups specific to your interests so you can discover what you love like never before.

3. Make Genuine Connections 

Groups let you make genuine connections. Think about it. How many of those followers that “like” your posts are real people, never mind real friends? Only a small portion. Joining a group filters this out. You’ll make genuine friends and not have to worry about fake followers.

4. Get Your Questions Answered 

Some things are easier to ask than others. A group can be a safe space to get your questions answered. That’s why ASKWHO has women-only groups so you can ask questions without fear or judgement. Of course, you may have a question on the lighter side. Perhaps you want to know about the best dining spots in Dubai for vegetarians. Why not ask them in a group dedicated to it and spark a real conversation? Ask questions and get answers from real people, not Google.

5. Create Lasting Friendships

Shared interest and living in the same place? That’s a great way to start a friendship. Who said that an online group has to stay online? Bring the digital world to reality by making friends and meeting in real life. Join ASKWHO and find people in Dubai and find gym buddy, a fellow foodie, a gaming mate and more…

Ready to Make Friends, Not Followers? 

With all that to gain, it’s no surprise that social media groups are becoming the new social norm. That’s what ASKWHO is all about. Share your interests, join a community, and get support from friends when you need it. 

You need a platform that makes it easy to join and use groups. Facebook Groups are one of the earlier examples of social media groups, but they’re also one of the worst. They are unorganized and unregulated and just not fun to be in.

What you need is an organized, respectful platform for groups where you can meet people online and offline. You need a platform like ASKWHO. Download ASKWHO and discover the benefits of social media groups for yourself.

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