The evolution of loyalty cards goes something like this: get a card with your first, second or third purchase at a specific café or store. Retrieve a stamp or two. Tuck it into your wallet in anticipation for the day you collect enough stamps to land you a free cookie or coffee. You eventually forget about the card, or end up losing it, till you have to get another one.
The loyalty card concept was a vicious cycle, until Muneer Hanbali, CEO of SnappCard Kuwait took matters into his own hands to revolutionize the way that we use them. The American University of Sharjah graduate fancies himself an entrepreneur, a “hype guy”, and is one of the most personable tech consultants you’ll ever meet.
Current partner and founder of SnappCard, Alborz Toofani agreed wholeheartedly when the two met in 2015, and clicked right away. “He approached me because of the sneakers I was wearing,” he laughs “limited edition Air Max 1 Florals! We’re both sneakerheads.” But besides Muneer’s great taste in footwear, Alborz saw something in the savvy young entrepreneur and kept insisting that he should jump on board with the Dubai based SnappCard. “He kept asking me when I was going to leave what I was doing and join him in Dubai, but I like doing my own thing and being my own boss – so, I was appointed CEO of Kuwait and Bahrain.”
SnappCard is the GCC’s answer to a stress-free loyalty program that makes consumers feel valued with the businesses they frequent. What’s great about it, besides all the free goodies that come along with point collection, is that it’s environmentally friendly, being paperless and plastic-free, and easy to use as it runs at your fingertips on your device. Since Muneer joined operations, SnappCard has expanded to over 150 stores, and has advanced in features as well as user traffic. “I’m extremely proud of what I’ve brought to the table thus far and I owe it all to those that shared the passion for the product.”
Besides growth in numbers, Muneer used his longstanding consulting expertise to introduce unbeatable new features to further advance the product. This includes a smart system for businesses to understand their consumer’s preferences via buyer activity, in order to offer beneficial freebies according to their taste – meaning, the term loyalty can be taken to a whole new level between vendor and customer.
Which brings us to the next great contribution Muneer has made: for the first time in Kuwait, “delivery points” are now a thing! This means that every time you order on SnappCard, you collect points and end up with a free item on your second or third order, delivered to your doorstep. “The economy isn’t great right now, and people want more value for their buck. We’re a priveleged society, with super high expectations. So what SnappCard does is it validates who gets that extra piece of pie.”
SnappCard might just be the greatest invention to hit Kuwait since sliced bread – although not too many people know about it yet. “I’d say at this point, 90% of Kuwait is unaware of the app, but what’s important to me is quality, not quantity. As long as it’s seamless, works well, and keeps consumers happy, we know we’re doing our job. I have no doubt that these great attributes will spread the word and we’ll have more users than before.”
The great mind behind the evolution of this amazing app is a great inspiration to get our minds ticking, and accepting the secrets of the tech-world when it comes to collecting relevant data. “Many of us become wary about sharing information with apps, but if I’m getting a complimentary service or item from my favorite places, all the time, why not? We’re the only app that gives back to consumers for the countless times they’ve visited the store without recognition. The sky is the limit when it comes to rewarding our loyal users.” And with SnappCard, there are definitely a few loyal friendships we’d like to form. We see you, Amami!
Up close and personal questionnaire
What do you most value in your friends?
Their sense of humor.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Traveling – whenever, wherever and however I want.
What is your greatest fear?
Not being able to deliver. I’ve always been a man of my word and make it my top priority to keep my promises sometimes a bit too much that it becomes the expectation.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My curiosity. I want to know everything about everything and I’m persistent to get there. My friends laugh at it but I really do know too much for my own good.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Courtesy compliments, or compliments that are necessarily untrue or “مجاملة”. We do too much of it in our culture and society. It gives the wrong impression and usually ends up in major disappointment.
Which living person do you most admire?
Manoj Bhargava, the founder and CEO of 5-hour energy drink. His goal is to change the world and he’s actually doing it.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My time.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“No worries.”
What is it that you most dislike?
Social Media. It is by FAR the most anti social invention in history. The perfect example of the direction we’re heading towards is an episode from Black Mirror called “Nose Dive” – watch it this weekend.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To play the Oud [Lute]. Something about the sounds of oud calm me down and make me zone out.
If you could have any job, what would it be?
A SME Advisor, laying the framework and strategy for existing and future entrepreneurs.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
My network. 80% of the people I know I’ve learnt great lessons from and thankfully was able to offer the same in return. Nothing brings me more gratification than that random “Thank You” call.
What is your most treasured possession?
My cat, King Julian, he’s the bomb, surprisingly super loyal and not dismissive like other cats.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My confidence.
Where would you most like to live?
Santa Monica, California.
What are your favorite words to live by?
Strategy is as good as the action that follows it – vision without action is hallucination.
SnappCard is available for download on Android and IOS on Google Play Store and the App Store. Follow them on Instagram @snappcardkwt.
