My business partner Nick also runs a super cool agency called Tweetie and the Brain. Five10 partner with them to provide Twitter Strategy and Management Services for businesses and individuals who see the benefit of Twitter but either cant get their heads around it or don't have the time to dedicate to it... so its his job to get to know the market and make the best use of Twitter for that person. 

Check out one of Nick's blogs here to learn more about Twitter and its very diverse uses http://london-twitter.posterous.com/ 

London is so far ahead of Dubai when it comes to twitter. I know there has been a lot of chatter over here and the radio stations use it a lot but serious businesses here just don't see the benefits yet... and I kind of agree for the time being. However for particular things and in particular markets over here I think it would be excellent. Art Dubai is one of those markets. I think with a diverse and cool following and appropriate use, Twitter could create a real stirr around some of the more 'underground' things that will take place around ArtDubai. Lets see if we can get something going before ArtDubai in March.
 
 

It's nearly finished - my online design bookshop!  I had the idea only a few weeks ago and now it's almost ready to go. Obviously the first design agency I ask to contribute has to be five10 - others will follow. Next is a shopping cart so I can sell the books too! progress!
Check it out at www.designbooksdubai.com

 
 

I had a meeting with Dominic at theTribe yesterday. Love their offices- have the feel of a gentleman's club about them. Am going to perhaps get them involved in my dubai bookclub idea (although they don't know it yet!) and will hope to work with them in the future.

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So in London, for the sake of a quick and easy business card to bring to Dubai for initial interviews I found Moo.com They offer an online service whereby you drag and drop elements into a template, press send and within 48 hours you cards arrive on your doormat in a very cute box and all for about £15... (I'm a sucker for branding and theirs is fab) so in Dubai where the business card is considered the 'Dubai handshake' I thought getting cards printed would be simple...

Anyway to cut a long story short Dubai may be behind with online services but on the person-to-person front they win over London and last week a guy actually came to my flat to show me paper, printing samples and discuss prices. I have cards to be made for myself and some for a client. Obviously I took ages to deliberate how to have mine and ended up being sold a UV spot etc etc... they wont be ready for another few days but my client's will be ready today- and the guy is coming round to drop them off. So I find out later how the printing quality compares and whether my money was well spent or whether I should have waited until I'm back in the UK and got them done then.

 
 
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I've found myself facebook stalking my friends and my old housemates have had a party... my house full of friends and I wasnt invited... life goes on in London. I finally buckled and opened the letter my brother and his Fiancee gave me before I left. They're both illustrators and do stuff for Five10 - super talented - got me thinking about the cupcake site, Kate's illustrations would be perfect!

 
 

I met with a guy today who has a web design company here in Dubai. He has a few impressive clients and is keen for me to work with him. I'll see how it goes. He has a brief for a cupcake website which I can help him design so am keen to get started. Will mean juggling five10 London stuff but is important to start making inroads into the Dubai Design scene.

 
 

Working from home in Dalston or in Dubai seems to be much the same when your clients are all online. The only difference being that they are 4 hours behind so by the time they get up I've already sorted out all of my admin and got work done. The only downside is that they then eat into my evenings but so far so good. I've got a lot of designing to do to get this website finished and onto tech. The sun is shining but haven't really had time to go out! much the same as London...apart from the rain and grey skies and cold.

 
 
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Met with Steph and Krista for tea in the cute teashop on Broadway market. We discussed five10 they're keen to come onboard - yipee!