Nov 17, 2014
Nov 4, 2014
10 Marketing Predictions for 2015
Wheelhouse Advisors, a marketing specialist has recently gathered market and customer data to produce 10 marketing predictions for next year.
Organizations are actively looking for feasible ways to evolve themselves. Are you getting yourself equipped to engage your customers and increase leads conversions? Click here to view full infographic.
Oct 27, 2014
8 Facts About E-Mail Marketing
Wondering how to convince your team that e-mail marketing is still effective? These findings may be useful for you!
Oct 13, 2014
Company Retreat 2014
Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. - Helen Keller
It was the time of the year where we head out for a quick local retreat to review our performance and setting exciting goals for year 2015.On top of that, we had a wonderful time taking part in challenging activities such as Leap of Faith, Jungle Trekking and Flying Fox. Enough said, let the snapshots below do the rest of the talking.
Post by XiMnet Malaysia.
Sep 23, 2014
How To Write Better E-mails
There were estimated 3.9 billion e-mail accounts worldwide in 2013. The majority of daily emails come from business correspondence.
As a predominant form of communication in the business world, it is important to know how to use e-mail effectively. Thanks to Design Taxi for featuring this useful infographic.
Aug 27, 2014
How To Create A Good Landing Page
People make snap judgements. It takes only 1/10th of a second to form a first impression about a person, and websites are no different. Studies found that the simpler the design, the better.
The human brain chooses to think about things that are easy to digest and understand. That is why you prefer visiting sites where you instinctively know where everything is and you know what actions you’re supposed to take.So, how can we achieve that?
Build Strong Visual Hierarchy. Always rank elements on your website based on your business objective. Set specific goals to help you prioritize what is important. Here is how it can be done:
Keep it clear.
In order to ensure your objective is achieved, these are the design elements you typically want to have on your landing page:
- 1 benefit-oriented headline
- Sub-headline or intro paragraph that lays out the specifics of the offer
- 1-2 paragraphs of body copy
- Bullet list with 3 items
- 1 large image or video
- 1 email capture form with a single call to action button
Do not add copy and/or images unless it communicates something your visitor actually cares about.
Always keep mobile devices in mind.
Tablets and smartphones are taking on a large share of web traffic, and it just keeps growing. Make sure your design is mobile responsive.
Aug 19, 2014
How to Design A Harley-Davidson Bike
A rough guide for aspiring motorcycle-designers
Ok, not really. The challenge is actually to design a commuting experience for motorcyclists in sudden rain.
For inspiration, first do the below:
1. Stuff your face with kuih-muih (thanks boss!)
2. Drink 7 cups of coffee / milo
3. Play futsal and take photos to post on social media later.
The chart below for guidance:
Step 1: Empathise — Getting out and talking to customers directly
Then, step out into the streets! Interview anyone you can get hold of, including car mechanics (no success), money changers (success!!), etc. Remember to pepper your interview with a few personal questions in order for them not to find out about your real objective. Just go with the flow, watch out for snatch thieves, etc.
Then, step out into the streets! Interview anyone you can get hold of, including car mechanics (no success), money changers (success!!), etc. Remember to pepper your interview with a few personal questions in order for them not to find out about your real objective. Just go with the flow, watch out for snatch thieves, etc.
Step 2: Define — Defining a problem statement based on empathy work
Ok, now that you have sweated enough for the week, it’s time to get back into an air-conditioned environment. Now, discuss in a team (remember to assemble a team beforehand) about the results of your interview.
Ok, now that you have sweated enough for the week, it’s time to get back into an air-conditioned environment. Now, discuss in a team (remember to assemble a team beforehand) about the results of your interview.
Step 3: Ideate a.k.a. Brainstorming
Refrain from judging your teammate’s silly ideas.
Refrain from judging your teammate’s silly ideas.
These might help:
A. Iteration (Keep improving a prototype)
B. Inferring (Putting our personal assumption into a neutral scenario)
A. Iteration (Keep improving a prototype)
B. Inferring (Putting our personal assumption into a neutral scenario)
Here we are, hard at work:
Step 4: Prototype a.k.a The really fun part / waking up from lunch coma
Ok, now is the time to test your design. Will your proposed waterproof spray work in real life? Is it marketable? How do you show your design’s benefits using only wigs, plastic bottles and polystyrene?
Ok, now is the time to test your design. Will your proposed waterproof spray work in real life? Is it marketable? How do you show your design’s benefits using only wigs, plastic bottles and polystyrene?
(We don’t know either, but the other team did a pretty good job.)
Not bad, Team 2, not bad. *Korean death stare.
Step 5: Test – Getting out and testing the prototypes with users
Our proposed design, The Ultimate Scarf™, did not break even after testing with the focus groups since the seat was a metal chair. (Obviously not the most hardworking team lol).
Our proposed design, The Ultimate Scarf™, did not break even after testing with the focus groups since the seat was a metal chair. (Obviously not the most hardworking team lol).
Feedback for Prototype 1 (a rainbow slinky around the neck):
1. EHH what is this?! Trying to kill me ah??
2. Is this going to smear my makeup (I know. HAHHHAHA. Just trying to save lives here.)
3. The screen (a plastic wrap) is too close to my face. I can’t see the GPS (some marker drawing on the plastic).
1. EHH what is this?! Trying to kill me ah??
2. Is this going to smear my makeup (I know. HAHHHAHA. Just trying to save lives here.)
3. The screen (a plastic wrap) is too close to my face. I can’t see the GPS (some marker drawing on the plastic).
Take note of all the feedback, good and bad, and work on the improvements. Good design does not happen in one day, except in workshops.
Our end product sample (photo shown for sample only):
Now, ending this post with a quote and since we all love Steve…
Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
— Steve Jobs
Aug 18, 2014
Beat The Monday Blues: 15 Inspiring Design Quotes
We all need a bit of design inspiration from time to time. If you're stuck in a creative cul de sac, take a read through these inspiring design quotes. Real wisdom, from some of the worlds greatest designers. Enjoy, then go and create great work!
Inspired by GLOW, New Media.
Aug 12, 2014
Why You Should Use Video for e-Mail Marketing
Would you like to make your next e-newsletter more exciting for your readers? Feature videos in your next issue! Here's why:
Aug 7, 2014
Calling For: Front End Web Developers!
Basic Requirements:
- Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's Degree, Post Graduate Diploma, Professional Degree, Master's Degree, Computer Science/Information Technology,
- Engineering (Computer/Telecommunication), Science & Technology or equivalent.
- Well versed in HTML, CSS and JQuery.
- Fresh Graduates or Experienced Talent are welcomed.
Jun 26, 2014
5 Question Asked: Lead Programmer
How was the beginning of your career in XiMnet Malaysia?
Honestly, what I have learned back in my university was very different from what I doing now. But I took it as a great chance given to me to explore new possibilities, which I am totally enjoying now. My first task given by my CEO was to munch down a text book. I took up the challenge and excelled, bringing me to where I am now.
I enjoy new life experiences so I love travelling around the globe. It gives me the opportunity to try out new things, learn and feel life in a different way.
I am also into sports. I like to swim because the feeling of setting my mind free and relaxing my nerves in the water after a long day at work satisfies me a lot. Besides that, I play badminton as well. This is the first sport I took up from my dear family. If I can, I will keep doing this for the rest of my life.
Lastly, as a curious programmer, web-surfing is a good past-time to keep myself growing.
In the rapidly changing and evolving IT environment, I think the biggest challenge to me is to equip myself with the new skills & information, being at the top of the league.
Would it be funny to tell you I do not know my hero's name? In my mind, there is no doubt that the Internet has had a massive impact on our lives. In fact, I can’t imagine living without internet. Thus my heroes are the "Creators of the Internet"!
- Do or Do Not, There Is No Try.
- Listen To Your Curiosity
- Knowledge Comes with Great Experience
Jun 25, 2014
Meet Passionate People: The Alphabet Press
If you have not heard about them, you better be now. The Alphabet Press is a printmaking workspace dedicated to letterpress, design and curation. We are proud to say that we may be the only contemporary letterpress printmaker in Malaysia.
We were very fortunate to be accommodated with a 2-hour sharing session with The Strategist, Cliff, and The Printmaker, Zeejay, learning what letterpress is all about.
What makes these passionate people go all in to bring letterpress into Malaysia?
"We tried to look for letterpress printers for our collateral but found none in the country. With much courage and affection to make this service available for all, we began our journey to make this dream come true."
"It was not easy," Cliff said, when asked how they manage to get three Heidelberg Press. No one is producing these machine anymore so to source for spare parts was part of the big challenge.
A lot of details and attention are given to each print out because the entire process is manual and carefully planned to ensure each piece of printing is perfectly done and we cannot agree more when Zeejay explained to us the steps involved to operate the press.
We believe the founders have gone a long way to be where they are now, and a lot more longer still. Nonetheless, the outcome of letterpress printing is unbeatable and truly unique. Keep up the good work and we wish The Alphabet Press make an impact in the local print industry.
Visit their Website (http://the-alphabet-press.myshopify.com/) or Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TheAlphabetPress
Jun 20, 2014
Building a Better Team in XiMnet
To move ourselves forward and achieve great success, the secret ingredient is to groom a great team.
A great team moves mountains as one. While it is not easy to keep every team member engaged, here are the things we do in order to knit ourselves closer to each other and aim for great results for our clients!
Shake Things Up
Nobody likes routine so we take the effort to shake things up every now and then. Like how you ask? Cooking Contest! Not good enough? What about Gratitude Day, #LoveAtWork, Tuesday Sharings and Music Nights? All we wish say is that, it is not about who is the boss. It's about who has got the best ideas or initiatives in mind to share.
Out-of-The-Office Day
In fact, we do more than that. We hold sightseeing trips as well as weekly sports sessions away from the office. These sessions keep work exciting.
Celebrate Our Success All The Time
We acknowledge our team members’ dedication and commitment in delivering a great outcome to our clients. Therefore, one way to keep everyone encouraged and appreciated is to reward each and every one of them in all possible ways. It is not always expensive but in XiMnet, we value true support - as simple as a genuine thank you to one another.
Having said all that, a strong and effective team is not built overnight. We will continue to put in time and effort in building a positive culture and a loving environment for everyone to feel loved and rewarded at work.
Multi-Screen Making You Go Bonkers?
As the number of multi-device users is rapidly increasing, making sure your website is optimized for various screen sizes is very crucial. Here’s why:
- Users leave your website if they are not able to find information they need.
- Users who own smartphones have drastically increased over the past few years, enabling them to have immediate access to information online at all times.
- Businesses cannot afford to ignore the big pool of users who come from tablet and smartphones any longer with the mobile penetration as high as 94% globally.
Do not forget to use iPad Peek to ensure your website is looking good on the most acclaimed tablet on the market.
Next, Mobile Phone Emulator is one of the most popular mobile phone emulators. The reason we love this tool is that it includes a large number of mobile platforms, including Samsung, iPhone, BlackBerry etc. You've got most smartphones covered once you use this emulator.
Finally, Screenfly. This is a must-use emulation tool because of its wide range of platforms in the market.
Jun 16, 2014
Jun 14, 2014
The Culture of Saying #ThankYou
Everyone wish to be appreciated because it motivates us, both at work and in life.
In XiMnet, saying genuine "Thank You" is not uncommon among the team members. It's an incredibly powerful pair of words to keep us going despite the challenges we face. It builds stronger and meaningful relationships. In fact, saying thank you with a heart of gratitude can change lives.
And by saying thank you and meaning it, you could change a very bad day into a day of joy. Have you changed somebody's bad day into a better one?
