27 June 2007
User generated newspapers
We'll be cooking our own food in restaurants next! Or making our beds in hotels!
Essentially a free newspaper is going to pay bloggers and then use some of the content in their newspaper. Fabulously simple remodeling of the whole process.
See this well written article http://www.springwise.com/media_publishing/free_daily_pays_bloggers/
My recommendation to people is, "Maintain your own web presence. Keep control of your own Internet identity."
Providing your content to other sites like MySpace, Facebook etc is all well and good but where will they end up? None of us knows. Use these sites and share your ideas and opinions but keep hold of your own web presence as well.
It is also worth remembering that the majority of the world's population don't use social/business network sites or use RSS feed readers. I know, unbelievable isn't it?
See this well written article http://www.springwise.com/media_publishing/free_daily_pays_bloggers/
My recommendation to people is, "Maintain your own web presence. Keep control of your own Internet identity."
Providing your content to other sites like MySpace, Facebook etc is all well and good but where will they end up? None of us knows. Use these sites and share your ideas and opinions but keep hold of your own web presence as well.
It is also worth remembering that the majority of the world's population don't use social/business network sites or use RSS feed readers. I know, unbelievable isn't it?
Labels: content, Facebook, internet, MySpace, social networks, user generated, web
25 June 2007
I hate graffiti
I hate graffiti. Really, I do. I think it makes buildings and streets look cheap and uncared for.Personally I am very pleased that Reading Borough Council are doing something positive about it.
The thing I find odd is that the vans used for the removal of graffiti have an almost graffiti style wording on the side. This cannot be the right approach surely?
Reading's Evening Post report the matter on their website GetReading.
Labels: Evening Post, graffiti, Reading Borough Council
BBC Children In Need - brand misuse
It takes long enough for a charity to develop a trusted brand name. Protecting it can be even harder.This BBC Children In Need collection box, seen in a fish and chip shop in Reading is labelled 2006 (last year) and uses the BBC Children In Need logo.
On closer inspection it appears that the funds are being collected for some local toddler group. There is a label on the top that has been added.
Misrepresentation or what?
Labels: BBC, branding, Children In Need, impressions, logos
Mergers that add value
This article talks about the merger of the AA and Saga: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6236862.stmIt is interesting to note that 2 + 2 = 5. The appropriate mergers of businesses can increase value.
I think the best merger at the moment would be BT and Royal Mail. A bit of déjà vu perhaps, but what a great solution neutral business this could be.
BTW: being a bit of sceptic I don't think there are ever 'mergers'. I believe the end result is always a takeover.
I think the best merger at the moment would be BT and Royal Mail. A bit of déjà vu perhaps, but what a great solution neutral business this could be.
BTW: being a bit of sceptic I don't think there are ever 'mergers'. I believe the end result is always a takeover.
Labels: AA, BT, merger, Royal Mail, Saga, takeover
22 June 2007
Pricing survey nonsense
I was waiting in a line to pay for some petrol at my local BP garage. The delay was caused by the usual number of people buying sausage rolls, milk, cat food and occasionally petrol.The phone rang and a member of the staff answered the phone. The caller, presumably a competitor or their agent, asked the price of unleaded petrol and diesel per litre.
The BP cashier looked out of the window at the gantry sign with the price indicators and answered the caller by adding 1p per litre to the price.
Does this go on all the time? Is this kind of lying ethical? Whose interests are served by these tactics? Should a retailer allow themselves to be observed employing these tactics?
I personally feel that it is bad for the retailers brand image and it is unethical. It also serves to hold prices higher. This is unless everyone knows the tactics and it is all a daft game.
And what if the caller were a consumer or a price comparison website? This would then result in less business for the retailer that makes their prices appear higher than they actually are.
All very odd. Any thoughts on this?
Labels: BP, branding, customers, impressions, price, retailer, shopping
14 June 2007
Will taking your brand green boost sales?
A lot of companies thought that being environmentally friendly would be an issue forced on them from Brussels. Well, I'm sure it will be for the laggards.But now there is evidence that the green credentials of a company has a measurable impact on opinion and sales.
See http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/item/56676 for the article.
Labels: customers, marketing week, sustainability
13 June 2007
Let's do it without Google
So many businesses have become Google dependent. And we all know that monopolies are rarely good for business.So how's this for an experiment: Grow a new online business while excluding it from Google and other major search engines.
See this article Hide and Speak: Google, We Don't Need No Stinkin' Google! for the details of the experiment that Jennifer Laycock is conducting with the business Bento Yum. It will be interesting to follow the progress.
Labels: Bento Yum, Google, monopoly, search engine
The Role of a Retailer
In a scene on Open All Hours Arkwright (Ronnie Barker) says to Granville (David Jason), “They decide what they come in here for and we decide what they walk out with.”It may be a sitcom, but this is a good summary of what differentiates a progressive retailer from one that is going nowhere. Of course retailers still need to setting about satisfying needs and wants but great retail excites us to purchase things that weren’t on our shopping lists.
Labels: differentiation, needs, Open All Hours, retail, retailer, shopping
Are the insurance adverts misleading?
I recently changed cars. More accurately: last month I changed car for the fourth time in 2 years. Each time this necessitated the usual faff of sorting the insurance.I tried the online comparison sites, you know confused.com and the like. What a load of hassle. The best price was finally achieved by talking to a human being at A-Plan Insurance.
After this experience I also discovered that some major insurers don't have their product listed on these price comparison sites. So are their adverts misleading?
Marketing Week have just published a fine article on this subject as well. See http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/item/56628
Labels: A-Plan, advertising, car insurance, confused.com, marketing week, price
12 June 2007
Creating Customer Evangelists
The excellent book Naked Conversations quotes the book Creating Customer Evangelists and states that if you want your customers to be evangelists for your business you must:- Continuously gather customer feedback.
- Make it a point to share knowledge freely.
- Expertly build word of mouth networks.
- Encourage communities of customers to meet and share.
- Devise smaller offerings to get customers to bite.
- Focus on making the world, or your industry, a better place.
Labels: customers, evangelists, knowledge sharing, naked conversations, word of mouth
11 June 2007
Brands in the Balance
I was at Reading Prison last Friday. It was a photocall for Jail Guitar Doors and one of Reading's two Members of Parliament, Martin Salter (pictured holding a Heritage H-575 guitar), was helping the cause.When Martin Salter introduced himself to one of the inmates he said, "Martin Salter, as in the scales." He was referring to Salter scales. But as he was talking to a young offender I'm not sure that this reference would have helped. For all I know Chris, the young offender, was trying to recollect where he may have seen Martin's scales.
I know Salter is still a trading brand but it is one of the companies that used to have a huge advantage when their products were used in many shops to weigh produce and groceries.NCR (National Cash Registers) would be another brand that used to enjoy this free point of sale advantage.
Today's equivalents are things like Streamline, Visa etc I guess.
Labels: branding, Heritage guitar, history, Martin Salter, MP, NCR, Salter, Streamline, Visa
Longbridge merger that put it on the road to ruin
In the last century some of the UK's best brands have been motor cars and motor manufacturers. The history and demise of one of the best (and worst) players is dealt with very well in this feature: Longbridge merger that put it on the road to ruin-Business-Columnists-TimesOnlineToday the UK's biggest strength is in the information and service sectors. Will we go the same way with these valuable businesses as we did with the motor industry?
Labels: branding, history, information, motor manufacturers, service, UK
Addicted to work
"In America self-help groups have sprung up to deal with workaholism, but people are too busy to attend".See Addicted to work-Business-TimesOnline ... this article is an interesting/worrying read.
I was chatting with some people at the weekend about the concept of measuring people's output not input. This makes huge sense and is a sound theory. But get people to adopt it? Really hard work.
Labels: theory, working practices
06 June 2007
Cash Belongs in the Bank, Not in the Warehouse
In these heady days of YouTube, MySpace, Google, eBay et al, it can be easy to forget that some people still run businesses that sell physical things.This blog gives a very practical view on stock and cash. There is a good comment on there as well. See Positive Churn: Cash Belongs in the Bank, Not in the Warehouse
A full warehouse with excessive stock versus sales rates makes businesses chase the wrong type of business. You end up paying to have the stock in the warehouse or reducing margins to move it.
Labels: cash, margins, price, stock
Beanz Meanz...well it used to be Heinz
Yes, Heinz Baked Beanz are full of fibre and contain essential minerals and vitamins. The trouble is they’ve also reduced the salt content by 30 per cent and also (I believe) reduced the sugar content. The end result is a rather bland taste that I can do without.Euch, not for me thank you.
After a long overseas trip, especially Japan, my favourite meal on getting home was the original Heinz Baked Beanz and a mug of Nescafé.
Labels: Heinz Baked Beanz
38% of “major UK companies” don’t bother to respond to emails
New Media Age, 31 May 2007, tells us that, "British companies are losing money because they ignore emails from their customers. Egain’s State of Customer Service study found that 38% of 'major UK companies' don’t bother to respond to emails despite the fact that their numbers are increasing."
Retailers had the best track record, responding to 70% of emails, but telecoms had the worst – 58% of emails were simply ignored.
Well, no suprises there then!
Retailers had the best track record, responding to 70% of emails, but telecoms had the worst – 58% of emails were simply ignored.
Well, no suprises there then!
Labels: communication, email
Webby awards
What a marvellous idea: winners speeches limited to five words. This is the rule at the Webby Awards. Read about it here: BBC NEWS Technology BBC celebrates three Webby awardsBBC and BBC News were picking up awards as you would expect. One of the BBC five word speeches, referring to the plight of kidnapped BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston was, "Alan, we're thinking of you."
The Webbys honour the best websites of the year in more than 100 categories. The winners were chosen from nearly 8,000 entries from 60 different countries.
From the winners my favourite was David Bowie for his ground breaking use of the net with his fans.
Labels: Awards, BBC, Bowie, Webby
Contract Publishing - a relaxed world?
"I'll send him a message and hopefully he will get back to you." That was the response from the girl that answered the phone to my new business enquiry this morning. Fantastic! In fairness I'm sure he will.The point is I'm trying to spend money here: a 40,000 production run of a 40pp quarterly glossy magazine through a contract publisher - give me some confidence!
"Hopefully" I'll find someone that wants the business. I'm going to make this one a bit of sport. I'm going to phone two more contract publishers and see what happens.
UPDATE:
It appears endemic - a rather "oh, hello, we'll see" type of response. But I'm pleased to say I seem to have managed to engage with a contract publisher of note. We'll see!
Labels: contract publishing, impressions, publishing
05 June 2007
Is That Your Hand in My Pocket?
What a great book title for a volume about negotiating.It immediately makes it stand out from the rest.
This book, like most, is on Amazon.
Labels: branding
The 2012 Olympics Logo
The 2012 Olympics logo - I'm not sure I've got the energy for this debate!What do I think of it? Well, at the risk of being controversial, I think it has a fair bit going for it. Who else is using that colour? Who else has used those shapes? What other logo has been recently launched and become so well recognised so quickly.
Some very well scripted vitriol to the contrary is available at Guardian Unlimited: Arts blog - art: How Lisa Simpson got ahead at the Olympics
I am always mindful that a good slagging off from The Guardian doesn't mean it is a commercial failure.
04 June 2007
Why “Differentiate” is a Dirty Word | Small Business Marketing & Branding
This is a well written piece: Why “Differentiate” is a Dirty Word Small Business Marketing & Branding
Isn’t the point that companies need to root out valuable points of difference for their products or services or brands?
If they don’t, what is the focus for advertising and communications? The only tool could end up being price and we all know the dangers of discounting.
My comments on it are:Quote: In the business world “differentiation” is divine. The word is used in a highly positive context. “Unique” is in. Meanwhile, back in society, when someone is referred to as “different”, it has a negative connotation. As much as we hate to admit it, “Conformity” is in.
Isn’t the point that companies need to root out valuable points of difference for their products or services or brands?
If they don’t, what is the focus for advertising and communications? The only tool could end up being price and we all know the dangers of discounting.
Lecturing about brands
I just got an email from The Chartered Institute of Marketing about an event titled "Brand Creative". It made me think I must get back into doing more of these types of events: they appear to be lucrative and it helps keep you on your toes.
People often think me a little bonkers the way I stick my hand up for public speaking and seminars but I do enjoy it and you can get to meet some interesting people.
People often think me a little bonkers the way I stick my hand up for public speaking and seminars but I do enjoy it and you can get to meet some interesting people.
Labels: Chartered Institute of Marketing
03 June 2007
Think positive and become lucky
“Act as if you are lucky and you probably will be. Act as if you are unlucky and you almost certainly will be.” See Think positive and become lucky-Business-Enterprise-TimesOnline
BT to spark landline price war
I watch BT's consumer business with great interest. This Sunday Times article, BT to spark landline price war-Business-Industry Sectors-Telecoms-TimesOnline, is a good read.
Reducing prices to stem losses on the landline business seems to be part of the thrust.
As a BT customer I feel that simplifying the offer might be a good start. Someone acting for BT cold called me two weeks ago and managed to completely confuse me. BT offers and pricing online, in print and on the phone needs tidying up.
Reducing prices to stem losses on the landline business seems to be part of the thrust.
As a BT customer I feel that simplifying the offer might be a good start. Someone acting for BT cold called me two weeks ago and managed to completely confuse me. BT offers and pricing online, in print and on the phone needs tidying up.
You find it you can buy it! English wine
I was off to a BBQ at the home of a French man yesterday. I thought I'd take a couple of bottles of English wine.
So off I trotted to Marks & Spencers at The Meadows near Camberley. Not a bottle of English wine in site.
Then I wnt to the Tesco megastore next door. Hundreds of wines from all over the world: but just one English wine on sale.
English wine manufacturing may have made great strides in recent years but, from my experience, the distribution is lagging behind!
The English Wine website:
Key facts about English wine
1. There are around 400 English vineyards
2. 'Quality wines' are subject to rigorous controls
3. Where's the biggest English vineyard? Only 20 miles from London (Denbies, Dorking - 250 acres))
4. Whites - wide variety, but traditional English whites have very floral bouquet & high acidity - very refreshing!
5. Reds - Once thought impossible - but it is and they vary from light, thru mellow and even full-bodied
6. Sparkling - The great success story - similar soils to champagne and edgier climate mean truly great English sparkling wines - as evidenced in international competitions"
So off I trotted to Marks & Spencers at The Meadows near Camberley. Not a bottle of English wine in site.
Then I wnt to the Tesco megastore next door. Hundreds of wines from all over the world: but just one English wine on sale.
English wine manufacturing may have made great strides in recent years but, from my experience, the distribution is lagging behind!
The English Wine website:
Key facts about English wine
1. There are around 400 English vineyards
2. 'Quality wines' are subject to rigorous controls
3. Where's the biggest English vineyard? Only 20 miles from London (Denbies, Dorking - 250 acres))
4. Whites - wide variety, but traditional English whites have very floral bouquet & high acidity - very refreshing!
5. Reds - Once thought impossible - but it is and they vary from light, thru mellow and even full-bodied
6. Sparkling - The great success story - similar soils to champagne and edgier climate mean truly great English sparkling wines - as evidenced in international competitions"
02 June 2007
7 Compelling Reasons Not To Discount
It's rather nice to get feedback that my web content has proved useful. This article, 7 Compelling Reasons Not To Discount, has been on my main site for a while and I was told the other day that it helped win a debate within a company.
It is often too easy to reduce price but very difficult to increase prices.
Reassuringly expensive - perhaps that should be an objective. :-)
It is often too easy to reduce price but very difficult to increase prices.
Reassuringly expensive - perhaps that should be an objective. :-)
Labels: price
01 June 2007
News: Eco efforts going to waste
Building on a post I made yesterday, I was pleased to see this article as it shows my ex-employer Sony rated tops on 'brands most respecting the environment'. See http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/item/56488/259/263/0?eid=e04&ln=greenweek03
When I was with Sony (1985 - 1996) we were already developing packaging and recycling initiatives to address the environmental issues facing the business.
When I was with Sony (1985 - 1996) we were already developing packaging and recycling initiatives to address the environmental issues facing the business.
Labels: marketing week, Sony, sustainability
Mobile phones are the new garden fence, the new village green
This is a very interesting report http://www.yougov.com/archives/pdf/CPW060101004_1.pdf
Titled "The Mobile Life Report 2006 - How mobile phones change the way we live" this document is packed with quantative and qualitative data about mobile phones.
Think I'm a 'smart connected'. What are you?
Titled "The Mobile Life Report 2006 - How mobile phones change the way we live" this document is packed with quantative and qualitative data about mobile phones.
Think I'm a 'smart connected'. What are you?
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