I'm officially off work now as I prepare for one of life's most stressful events, moving house. If only people had the ability to communicate better then I think the whole process would be far more workable. In my working capacity I would find it disgraceful if my clients or suppliers failed to communicate in the way that both solicitors and house builders have treated us over the last three months, but it's almost acceptable when purchasing a new property which is very disappointing.
Yesterday brought yet another train journey across the UK but this time travelling West to East to North Yorkshire County Council on the Transpennine Express. Express isn't quite the word, crawl is probably more apt, but this did give me time to digest the amazing scenary.
It's fascinating to work for both public and private sector clients as they operate poles apart. The retail sector with sales always in mind focusses on campaigns, consumers and cash. The public sector by comparison focusses on strategy, sustainability and systems. From the outside in the retail sector appears far more exciting but if you suffer the long haul with public sector then the results can be far more rewarding. Take for example the new Intranet we are developing for North Yorkshire County Council. Here we have the opportunity to create a primary communication channel that will re-engineer the way that more than 20,000 employees communicate with each other. Not only will this bring improved personal benefits to individuals but the combined efficiency gains will mean improved service levels from the council to it's residents. The only problem is that in retail, individuals can make decisions, in the public sector EVERYTHING is discussed and approved by committee in meetings that cannot be completed in less than 3 hours.
It was interesting yesterday when as we consumed our council buffet I explained my new blog that I was writing to understand social media. I recited my previous days log entry about the use of Facebook in Local Government. With eyes positively illuminated the team explained that they too considered this a major issue and didn't know how to deal with it. Perhaps it was me that was out of place at the SOCITM meeting and perhaps delegates took a lot more out of the Social Media plenary than I did.
I'd love to think that if I ever took a position in Local Government that I could drive significant change, but then I can't help thinking that after a period of time my enthusiasm would be quashed by the bureaucracy and systems.
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
Getting to grips with Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is like buzzword bingo. After hearing much about it I went to the Local Government SOCTIM conference in October and with interest attended a seminar on Web 2.0. 'Listen to the experts and further define your online strategy where you can embrace Web 2.0 and social media'. At this time the cry from our clients was intense to find successful case studies, so what perfect timing for an insight from the experts. The plenary started with a five minute presentation on what Web 2.0 meant and then predictably the floor was given to the delegates to share their experiences. Tumbleweed quickly led into a pointless discussion on the use of Facebook by employees within Local Government.
Now, after many meetings with retail, public and pharmaceutical sectors I still have yet to find one that has fully embraced the power of Web 2.0. It's easy to see the use of Web 2.0 when viewing social networking sites and on-line communities and there are endless examples, but it's much harder to find good commercial application, where revenue can be generated through sharing content and exchanging views. I am more confident that a successful application can be found when users can define customer centric experiences, prioritising the content they wish to view. We have taken the first steps when building the new Lookers website to some effect but I am hoping that the new site we are developing for Harper Collins will allow us to truly test the latest internet evolution.
A great example I have found as part of my research is the new Beta site for the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/home/beta The site that always seems to get it right has gone one better by allowing me to prioritise the content that most interests me. It's only a matter of time before more sites incorporate the functionality that Google have pioneered with iGoogle, I hope the digital part of our business can make our contribution in the grand scheme of things.
I really felt quite naive the other day when a radio presenter announced that the name Google actually came about from the term 'go ogle'. Not one to let it lie I have consulted Wikipedia to find out that the term actually came about from an incorrect spelling of 'googol' which refers to the number represented by a 1 followed by one-hundred zeros. I don't feel quite so bad now.
Aparently Web 3.0 is just about to arrive, so for those of you still figuring out Web 1.0 get a move on.
Now, after many meetings with retail, public and pharmaceutical sectors I still have yet to find one that has fully embraced the power of Web 2.0. It's easy to see the use of Web 2.0 when viewing social networking sites and on-line communities and there are endless examples, but it's much harder to find good commercial application, where revenue can be generated through sharing content and exchanging views. I am more confident that a successful application can be found when users can define customer centric experiences, prioritising the content they wish to view. We have taken the first steps when building the new Lookers website to some effect but I am hoping that the new site we are developing for Harper Collins will allow us to truly test the latest internet evolution.
A great example I have found as part of my research is the new Beta site for the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/home/beta The site that always seems to get it right has gone one better by allowing me to prioritise the content that most interests me. It's only a matter of time before more sites incorporate the functionality that Google have pioneered with iGoogle, I hope the digital part of our business can make our contribution in the grand scheme of things.
I really felt quite naive the other day when a radio presenter announced that the name Google actually came about from the term 'go ogle'. Not one to let it lie I have consulted Wikipedia to find out that the term actually came about from an incorrect spelling of 'googol' which refers to the number represented by a 1 followed by one-hundred zeros. I don't feel quite so bad now.
Aparently Web 3.0 is just about to arrive, so for those of you still figuring out Web 1.0 get a move on.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Moving People
I took another trip to London today on Virgins finest. It continues to amaze me the amount of people who are always moving. Someone told me on my last trip to Mumbai that on any given day more than four times the recognised population pass through the city. I'm sure London can't be too far away from this statistic. Without being deemed a crazyman I would have loved to approach people in my carriage to ask where they were going to gain a better insight. Although we all normally have a purpose to travel I can't help thinking there's some small part in our genetic make-up to explore, probably born out of out of our ancestral role of hunter gatherers. All I do know is that when the exploring or meetings in my case are done you can't beat that feeling when you pull out of Euston and head for home.
On my return journey I attempted to digest the final slice of Holy Cow but it proved to be a challenge. Firstly, the bottom half of my body slowly roasted for two hours as the cleverly positioned carriage radiators blasted continuous heat directly onto my left leg. Secondly, the ever present stench that eminates from the toilet made me feel nauseous as the train tilted from side to side to save precious minutes and thirdly, the stranger sat next to me was watching the BAFTA award winning The Last King of Scotland on her laptop. Whilst she enjoyed the film with audio through headphones I was enticed to watch the screen - in the same way you can't help reading the paper of the person stood next to you on the underground - only I was forced to lip read. The end result led to a complete mental scramble. My mind attempted to digest a real life insight into India interspersed with a coup in a small Scottish village. Next time I'll stick to doing the crossword.
As my quest for knowledge in the world of social media continues I am encouraged by the feedback I have received from the people whose judgment I trust. I feel the more I write my blog, the more I am defining a style that I am comfortable with and I am glad that my thoughts when shared are being met with humour and enthusiasm. I think for readers sake I am going to have to pursue further where birds do go to die. Now I've figured out how to exist in Technorati http://www.technorati.com/, I've added my blog link to my on-line sites and I'm going to add it to my email footer, watch out world here I come.
On the Photolink front we claimed another success yesterday to create a new site for Harper Collins. It's great to see a traditional international brand embracing the internet and expanding their services to meet the requirements of the 'net' generation.
Oh, no this means a four hour train journey to Scotland, where's my crossword.
On my return journey I attempted to digest the final slice of Holy Cow but it proved to be a challenge. Firstly, the bottom half of my body slowly roasted for two hours as the cleverly positioned carriage radiators blasted continuous heat directly onto my left leg. Secondly, the ever present stench that eminates from the toilet made me feel nauseous as the train tilted from side to side to save precious minutes and thirdly, the stranger sat next to me was watching the BAFTA award winning The Last King of Scotland on her laptop. Whilst she enjoyed the film with audio through headphones I was enticed to watch the screen - in the same way you can't help reading the paper of the person stood next to you on the underground - only I was forced to lip read. The end result led to a complete mental scramble. My mind attempted to digest a real life insight into India interspersed with a coup in a small Scottish village. Next time I'll stick to doing the crossword.
As my quest for knowledge in the world of social media continues I am encouraged by the feedback I have received from the people whose judgment I trust. I feel the more I write my blog, the more I am defining a style that I am comfortable with and I am glad that my thoughts when shared are being met with humour and enthusiasm. I think for readers sake I am going to have to pursue further where birds do go to die. Now I've figured out how to exist in Technorati http://www.technorati.com/, I've added my blog link to my on-line sites and I'm going to add it to my email footer, watch out world here I come.
On the Photolink front we claimed another success yesterday to create a new site for Harper Collins. It's great to see a traditional international brand embracing the internet and expanding their services to meet the requirements of the 'net' generation.
Oh, no this means a four hour train journey to Scotland, where's my crossword.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Quintessentially British
A guided tour of Photolink this week for new employees illustrated to me the growth we have been going through over the last 12 months. No fewer than ten or twelve strange faces wandered into our room like a flock of frightened sheep, guided by shepherd Alison, our head receptionist. I'm sure as I gave the five minute induction to the many different facets of our business, some of them wondered what the hell they had got into. How could a company that takes photographs, also do Design and PR and Events and New Media and have a studio in India? Then I told them that we have a license for the north of England for Quintessentially, the world's largest concierge and lifestyle business. At that point I'm sure they thought I was having a laugh and just wanted to go back to their new found team mates to seek the truth.
Quintessentially is probably the most parculiar of our services, but we believe the opportunity to network with some of the countries highest earners, combined with the fit of our Pr and Events team provides a quirky but exciting additional string to our bow. We've even gone one step further and partnered on the launch of a new model agency, Quintessentially Models. The official unveiling of the company is next week but feel free to have a look at the site we have just launched www.quintessentiallymodels.com Quintessentially models is the world's first ethical model agency due to its anti-size zero stance.
Our experience with Quintessentially has been invaluable to me this week as I have been preparing a strategy to work with one of the UK's leading Quintessentially British fashion brands. As we focus upon re-launching their global online proposition I have been researching social media (the reason I started this blog) and whether this method of communication is of any use to the rich and famous, who are particularly cash rich and time poor. I have managed to join a perceived high wealth network of www.asmallworld.net but my first opinions are maybe this is an environment for wannabes and not the real mccoy. For this particular project I need to find the social media playground of the 911 turbo crowd not the boxster boys. The hunt continues....
Quintessentially is probably the most parculiar of our services, but we believe the opportunity to network with some of the countries highest earners, combined with the fit of our Pr and Events team provides a quirky but exciting additional string to our bow. We've even gone one step further and partnered on the launch of a new model agency, Quintessentially Models. The official unveiling of the company is next week but feel free to have a look at the site we have just launched www.quintessentiallymodels.com Quintessentially models is the world's first ethical model agency due to its anti-size zero stance.
Our experience with Quintessentially has been invaluable to me this week as I have been preparing a strategy to work with one of the UK's leading Quintessentially British fashion brands. As we focus upon re-launching their global online proposition I have been researching social media (the reason I started this blog) and whether this method of communication is of any use to the rich and famous, who are particularly cash rich and time poor. I have managed to join a perceived high wealth network of www.asmallworld.net but my first opinions are maybe this is an environment for wannabes and not the real mccoy. For this particular project I need to find the social media playground of the 911 turbo crowd not the boxster boys. The hunt continues....
Friday, 15 February 2008
Be Mine
Love was definitely in the air yesterday, you could feel it in the meetings and see short messages of devotion on Facebook but it was best observed at 5.30 when a convoy of staff passed my desk ladened with flowers, chocolate and food that would provide the foundation to an evening of affection.
Valentines Day may have turned into another commercial moneyspinner in the retailers diary but at the heart of it, it's a good thing to share a bit of quality time with the ones we love. Long gone are the defining years at school where you would pray that the special internal Valentines postal system delivered at least one card to your desk and what a treat when an oversized S.W.A.L.K envelope would arrive from a mystery sender, containing not only a card but one of Swizzel Matlow's very own love hearts with the words to never be forgotten 'be mine'. Of course my desk was creaking under the volume of cards but I don't want to make you all feel bad.
Yesterday Photolink struck the headlines again with our new found friends at How Do. This time we took front page with the Hypercity Argos story http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/photolink-to-launch-india%92s-first-home-shopping-catalogue-for-argos-200802141907/ With Retail Week headlining today that John Lewis are also heading into India I am so glad that we have developed our own infrastructure out there to accomodate multi-channel retailing. It's only a matter of time before all leading European retailers are looking to exploit the Indian opportunity. We have made it our business to understand the Indian consumer and the marketplace so I think we have a lot to offer. Watch out John Lewis.
As a final thought for today I had two meetings yesterday with leading retailers, both of them hugely successful in their own right and both benefitting from an evolution to multi-channel retailing. What continues to amaze me though is the lack of brand consistency across channels. As retailers consolidate CRM platforms and technologies to know their customers, a silo production mentality continues to prevent many retailers from consistently communicating their brand proposition. With so much competition in the marketplace this has to be the key ingredient to build brand loyalty.
Valentines Day may have turned into another commercial moneyspinner in the retailers diary but at the heart of it, it's a good thing to share a bit of quality time with the ones we love. Long gone are the defining years at school where you would pray that the special internal Valentines postal system delivered at least one card to your desk and what a treat when an oversized S.W.A.L.K envelope would arrive from a mystery sender, containing not only a card but one of Swizzel Matlow's very own love hearts with the words to never be forgotten 'be mine'. Of course my desk was creaking under the volume of cards but I don't want to make you all feel bad.
Yesterday Photolink struck the headlines again with our new found friends at How Do. This time we took front page with the Hypercity Argos story http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/photolink-to-launch-india%92s-first-home-shopping-catalogue-for-argos-200802141907/ With Retail Week headlining today that John Lewis are also heading into India I am so glad that we have developed our own infrastructure out there to accomodate multi-channel retailing. It's only a matter of time before all leading European retailers are looking to exploit the Indian opportunity. We have made it our business to understand the Indian consumer and the marketplace so I think we have a lot to offer. Watch out John Lewis.
As a final thought for today I had two meetings yesterday with leading retailers, both of them hugely successful in their own right and both benefitting from an evolution to multi-channel retailing. What continues to amaze me though is the lack of brand consistency across channels. As retailers consolidate CRM platforms and technologies to know their customers, a silo production mentality continues to prevent many retailers from consistently communicating their brand proposition. With so much competition in the marketplace this has to be the key ingredient to build brand loyalty.
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
The Long Journey
My journey today began at sunrise with my travelling companion for this adventure being Fiona (Events Director at Photolink). Our destination on this beautiful morning was Saunderton, one of the many home counties town and villages that have been consumed by the London vortex of high wealth commuters. Our objective today was to take a brief for a new event for one of our pharmaceutical clients. Today is one of the rare occassions that I now drive longer distances to visit clients, I typically resort to one of 'dick pickles' pendolinos where I can plug in my laptop and enjoy two hours of quality working time.
In six hours travel time to and from the destination our conversation focussed mainly on business but occassionally wandered into our own social anecdotes and of course what's on the tele tonight. In the occassional moments of silence I absorbed the countryside that flashed by on either side of the M40 and couldn't help but remember one of the many wonders of the world that I have often pondered - where do birds go to die? Sadly, I have often contemplated this matter and even previously gone so far as to Google it to see what light the experts can shed on the subject. If I am to believe what they say then the hedgerows that I see as the seams of the countryside tapestry around me are simply bursting with animals that have drawn their final breath.
I think perhaps I should satisfy my curiousity to this wonder with the wisdom of my seven year old daughter, that perhaps all birds don't emigrate, there is in fact a final flight for all birds to a far away undiscovered island to rest in eternal peace.
With that strange but invaluable insight resolved I can happily report that we have our first positive press release for the new Lookers website launched yesterday. The press release has been included by How-Do, who provide the North West media agencies with all the latest industry news. I am really pleased that this information portal launched by Nick Jaspen has been such a success. My path crossed with Nick many years ago and I am really pleased that his persistence as an entrepreneur full of ideas is paying off. The story can be accessed by the following link http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/lookers-to-drive-more-sales-online-with-new-look-site-200802131905/
Finally, our February good fortune has continued with Photolink being awarded two new contracts yesterday. The first to create the new intranet for North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC)and the second to provide an on-line marketing strategy for a new nusery and childrens bedroom transactional website called Scribbletree (I love that name). We are particularly pleased to have been awarded the NYCC intranet as this follows our inclusion by SOCITM in their guide of Best Practise Intranets with the site we developed for Chorley Borough Council.
Long may this run of good fortune continue.
In six hours travel time to and from the destination our conversation focussed mainly on business but occassionally wandered into our own social anecdotes and of course what's on the tele tonight. In the occassional moments of silence I absorbed the countryside that flashed by on either side of the M40 and couldn't help but remember one of the many wonders of the world that I have often pondered - where do birds go to die? Sadly, I have often contemplated this matter and even previously gone so far as to Google it to see what light the experts can shed on the subject. If I am to believe what they say then the hedgerows that I see as the seams of the countryside tapestry around me are simply bursting with animals that have drawn their final breath.
I think perhaps I should satisfy my curiousity to this wonder with the wisdom of my seven year old daughter, that perhaps all birds don't emigrate, there is in fact a final flight for all birds to a far away undiscovered island to rest in eternal peace.
With that strange but invaluable insight resolved I can happily report that we have our first positive press release for the new Lookers website launched yesterday. The press release has been included by How-Do, who provide the North West media agencies with all the latest industry news. I am really pleased that this information portal launched by Nick Jaspen has been such a success. My path crossed with Nick many years ago and I am really pleased that his persistence as an entrepreneur full of ideas is paying off. The story can be accessed by the following link http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/lookers-to-drive-more-sales-online-with-new-look-site-200802131905/
Finally, our February good fortune has continued with Photolink being awarded two new contracts yesterday. The first to create the new intranet for North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC)and the second to provide an on-line marketing strategy for a new nusery and childrens bedroom transactional website called Scribbletree (I love that name). We are particularly pleased to have been awarded the NYCC intranet as this follows our inclusion by SOCITM in their guide of Best Practise Intranets with the site we developed for Chorley Borough Council.
Long may this run of good fortune continue.
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Today is a good day!
I seemed to have squeezed every drop of pleasure from the Manchester Derby this weekend. Lacking in faith I predicted a heavy defeat, but with my wallet swelling from the benefit of side bets, the satisfaction of text message victories with miserable United fans and statistics ringing in my head of the last double, I must believe that there is finally good news for long suffering City fans and a horizon of hope.
Today is also the day we have launched the new Lookers website (http://www.lookers.co.uk). After working with Lookers for 10 years, taking them from a basic information site to one of the top dealer sites in the UK I am particularly proud of the new site. With this new iteration of the site we have listened to consumers and focussed on customer experience. The new site reflects the increase in female shoppers and consumers desire to shop by manufacturer brand. We have also introduced new technologies to the site using AJAX to improve search functionality and XML to import and export the very latest vehicle information.
On the social media front I reached excitement overload to see my blog suddenly appear in blog search engines (for certain search terms) only to have my premature enthusiasm squashed as I vanished without trace this morning. As I'm starting to learn blogs are really about personal views and not commercial exploitation, but then where do people like me go when I want to find information that other industry experts have posted in blogs?
Yesterday we also launched our first business page for Photolink in Facebook. We hope by embracing each of these channels we can better understand social media. If you want to look it up search for 'creative marketing & communications' and you'll find the Photolink page there. I've also managed to now link up Facebook, Linkedin and this blog so I'm feeling rather proud of myself.
Today is also the day we have launched the new Lookers website (http://www.lookers.co.uk). After working with Lookers for 10 years, taking them from a basic information site to one of the top dealer sites in the UK I am particularly proud of the new site. With this new iteration of the site we have listened to consumers and focussed on customer experience. The new site reflects the increase in female shoppers and consumers desire to shop by manufacturer brand. We have also introduced new technologies to the site using AJAX to improve search functionality and XML to import and export the very latest vehicle information.
On the social media front I reached excitement overload to see my blog suddenly appear in blog search engines (for certain search terms) only to have my premature enthusiasm squashed as I vanished without trace this morning. As I'm starting to learn blogs are really about personal views and not commercial exploitation, but then where do people like me go when I want to find information that other industry experts have posted in blogs?
Yesterday we also launched our first business page for Photolink in Facebook. We hope by embracing each of these channels we can better understand social media. If you want to look it up search for 'creative marketing & communications' and you'll find the Photolink page there. I've also managed to now link up Facebook, Linkedin and this blog so I'm feeling rather proud of myself.
Monday, 11 February 2008
The Beginning
This is the first blog I have ever written. I'm doing this as research for Photolink Creative Group (http://www.photolink.co.uk) in Manchester where I am Commercial Director and have been for the last 5 years. With the continued evolution of the Internet Photolink recognise the importance of social media and this is my attempt to further understand it.
Last year Photolink also ventured into India for the first time (http://www.photolinkindia.com/) to launch a home shopping catalogue and website for Hypercity Argos (http://www.hypercityargos.com/). As I am learning, the Internet has been embraced by Indian communities to communicate with other rather than travelling. I can really understand this following my last few visits to Mumbai last week. It took me a good 3 hours to travel from the north to the south of the city by car. If you want a insight into India then read Holy Cow, it's a great book.
Over the next few months I aim to build dialogue with social networkers who live and breath social media and also try some of the many different sites and applications that are now available, with a view to linking all my personal contact points together on the Internet. I have set up my own Linkedin account www.linkedin.com/in/stuartowens and my own Facebook page, we are even trying to get Photolink listed on Wikipedia.
From a personal perspective I have already benefited from getting back in contact with some of my very best friends from my younger years. I think I would be a little hesitant to meet with some of them face to face now but it's great to chat online and to share pictures. It's funny how all the years in between seem to disappear.
My final thought for today is that I am trying my upmost to get back into reading. I've spent many years coming home from work, spending time with the family, eating, then watching tele and going to bed. I'm now making a conscious effort to read more. On recommendation I have just read the Kite Runner in three days. This is a captivating book that has motivated me to read more. So I'm on the look out for the next good book. I do play tennis a lot as well just in case you were thinking I'm a couch potato.
Last year Photolink also ventured into India for the first time (http://www.photolinkindia.com/) to launch a home shopping catalogue and website for Hypercity Argos (http://www.hypercityargos.com/). As I am learning, the Internet has been embraced by Indian communities to communicate with other rather than travelling. I can really understand this following my last few visits to Mumbai last week. It took me a good 3 hours to travel from the north to the south of the city by car. If you want a insight into India then read Holy Cow, it's a great book.
Over the next few months I aim to build dialogue with social networkers who live and breath social media and also try some of the many different sites and applications that are now available, with a view to linking all my personal contact points together on the Internet. I have set up my own Linkedin account www.linkedin.com/in/stuartowens and my own Facebook page, we are even trying to get Photolink listed on Wikipedia.
From a personal perspective I have already benefited from getting back in contact with some of my very best friends from my younger years. I think I would be a little hesitant to meet with some of them face to face now but it's great to chat online and to share pictures. It's funny how all the years in between seem to disappear.
My final thought for today is that I am trying my upmost to get back into reading. I've spent many years coming home from work, spending time with the family, eating, then watching tele and going to bed. I'm now making a conscious effort to read more. On recommendation I have just read the Kite Runner in three days. This is a captivating book that has motivated me to read more. So I'm on the look out for the next good book. I do play tennis a lot as well just in case you were thinking I'm a couch potato.
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