“if you wish in this world to advance
And your merits you’re bound to enhance.
You must stir it and sump it,
And blow your trumpet,
Or trust me, you haven’t a chance.”
Gilbert & Sullivan.

I read this quote today that made me think… and although I have always found it crass to blow your own trumpet, why not get others to blow it for you! Now that is something I am more comfortable with.

I see the fine line between confidence and arrogance, between a show off and a reserved professional. I have always believed in the quiet soft approach to business. I have never sold, never gone for the deal… never pushed an opportunity. I guess that’s because I love doing what I do and measuring success for me is not just about pound notes. Is this the best way to build a business though? I was comfortable with sitting back and empowering the customer to buy.

Should we be more aggressive in a competitive market?

In the last 6 months I have recognised the power of others talking for you, on your behalf, a good testimonial positions the trumpet – great stuff. So I will stay who I am and surround myself with good people who are damn good trumpeters and prepare for advance…

bookmarks

Why hello again! It’s your friend and mine… me, with Blog 2.0 (Which requires either Windows XP Service Pack 6,091, or Mac OSX 10.5.6.9.4.5 (v2)).

Today I’m going to have a light float and a PoolBlog (©). I have my lilo ready and i hope yours is too! Hop in, the water’s good…

<SPLASH>
- Adobe… Photoshop Express. Good show, well done. But you remain unforgiven about the slice palette!
- Accuradio.com – ideal net radio for the summer – and various other moods and season(ing)s
</SPLASH>

Sorry i left my Slush Puppy on the side by the BBQ.

<SPLASH>
- Hmm. Apple, I love you as if you were a fruit that i had raised from a pip! But your super mouse! It has a ball. I thought Planet Earth agreed that balls in mice were cheese! Although i did find an extremely interesting “how to take apart to clean (whilst invalidating your warranty)” tutorial. So thanks for that.
- Ahem. Don’t like “social”? Don’t Facebook? There’s always Web 6.6.6(!) in the form of http://www.hatebook.org
</SPLASH>

I think next time maybe we can go on a HuntingBlog (©) – if you’re good.

Thanks for consuming, see you at the edge of the tree line next for Blog Combat!

J

Now, hand me the towel before anyone notices that my trunks have floated off!

bookmarks

We use this word at least a dozen times a day… Now with everything on Earth being referred to as a BRAND from David Beckham to Dove soap let me help you with the following exerts from the Oxford Dictionary.

The Oxford Dictionary (1980) contains the following definition:

Brand (noun): a trade mark, goods of a particular make: a mark of identification made with a hot iron, the iron used for this: a piece of burning or charred wood, (verb): to mark with a hot iron, or to label with a trade mark.

Similarly, The Pocket Oxford Dictionary of Current English (1934) says:

Brand. 1. n. Piece of burning or smouldering wood, torch, (literary); sword (poet.); iron stamp used
red-hot to leave an indelible mark, mark left by it, stigma, trade-mark, particular kind of goods (all of
the best bb.). 2. v.t. Stamp (mark, object, skin), with b., impress indelibly (is branded on my memory)

These two entries, show how, over 50 years, the primary use of the word “brand” now has a real commercial application. However, the definitions also underline a common origin. Almost irrespective of how the word is used today, it has always meant, in its passive form, the object by which an impression is formed, and in its active form the process of forming this impression.

That’s where we come in… we form impressions, from the psychology of colour, to the simplicity of form, each shape and mark leaves you with a gut feeling, let that be a positive one with action to change the behaviour.

bookmarks

Just substitute your brand:

1 Who is Keira Knightley?

2 Get me Keira Knightley!

3 Get me someone like Keira Knightley, but cheaper!

4 Get me a newer version of Keira Knightley!

5 Who is Keira Knightley?

The trick is working out where you are and how your message changes.

bookmarks

Have you become addicted to email, does it manage your time in the office?

Some organisations have banned email internally to encourage better communication between their people.

True, bad things can happen because of email, but good things also happen because of email, what’s in no doubt in the 21st century is that just about everything happens by email. But should it? There are still many instances when it’s better to telephone, fax, text or even meet!

It is doubtful that any email ever added to a relationship, but I bet it’s spoiled a few! Think before you click!

bookmarks

How many do you recognize? What do they stand for? Do you dream?

Big goals with decisive action can achieve great things… mine is to do meaningful work with at least 10 on this list.

See the top 100 here.

bookmarks

When it comes to looking after your customers it pays to keep things simple. Why not start with these four golden rules and apply them with a little lateral thinking throughout your business:

1. Turn up on time
2. Do what you say
3. Finish what you start
4. Say please & thank you…

Oh and don’t forget to put yourself in your customers’ shoes from time-to-time

bookmarks

When the economy’s on song people buy for fun! We love it, we deserve it, it’s great to get a bit of retail therapy!

But when the talk is of crunch and crisis, the voice in our head changes. We continue to buy but for different reasons; maybe to avoid problems or because we think that it’s a bargain and it’ll never be that cheap again. Alternatively we might still need a sense of reward but buy smaller.

Different motivations but maybe same purchase.

A “Costa” everyday on the way to work was the reward for a confident earner; the same cup of coffee becomes the small reward for someone struggling to make ends meet. It’s all in the story!

If you’re marketing you need to work out how to adapt that story; customers will then be happy to change the story they tell themselves.

All the elements in your product or service when marketed add up to a perception. If you change these elements the perception changes, the buyer’s emotions change and the story will change too.

bookmarks

Quite simply it’s focus, focus, focus. Try to catch 5 balls that are thrown at you and chances are you’ll drop them all. Imagine now being told that one ball is about to be thrown, with your name on it, targeted straight at you. Chances are you’ll catch it. Your communications are much the same, trying to squeeze all your benefits, features and values will only dilute your impact. Keep it clear and precise and you stand the best chance of being remembered – influencing your customers perception and ultimately their behavior.

bookmarks

I am sure most businesses face the challenge of how hard do I work & how long should I do this for? During the first 3 years or so I worked at an insane level, 14 hour days was normal and only stopped when I got ill (About every 3 months)! Sat and Sun were great days because I could catch up on work that I found hard with interruptions.

I have immense self belief and enjoy what I do that at times it’s hard to step away. I know that after 8 years things have become easier with the team taking pressure off and I have learned the power of delegation but I am sat here at my desk churning through paper work and briefs to make sure next week is effective.

Is it bad planning and time management? Will it always be like this because that’s who I am? Richard from RT Promotions is downstairs doing the same, working all hours.

I will finish this post with a ‘good job Karen understands’ line! My ever supportive girlfriend, I will be home soon!

bookmarks

Hi… Jamie here!

Today i was asked to blog. So here you are, me blogging! I’m not sure how these things works, i like to invent my own buzz words, so here we go.

Sit back, put your good slippers on, fetch your smoking jacket, warm the teapot, and mine’s an Earl Grey.

My Brain Purge (©) (I will obviously be copyrighting all of my esoteric buzz words)
<RANT>
- Adobe… where in the name of slicing hell, is the slice palette in CS3?
- Creative Review should be banned from students!
- Meetings to organise meetings are anti-productive
- Soul Glo is not for jerry curls
- There is still time for a good Olympic logo to be designed
- Mentioning no names (ahem Micr—ft), what in the name of population control are you trying to do with the Office 2007 html rendering engine?!?!
</RANT>

Ok, as I don’t want you all to have too much to think about from my first RT Media Brain Purge (©), and my cup is dry, I will be off.

Thanks for consuming, see you in the kitchen next to the kettle next time.

J

ps. my management thought – when you die, the plates in the kitchen will still be dirty

bookmarks

On Tuesday we changed our boardroom into a filming studio. It was great fun working on a training DVD for Sony. The script, graphics, filming, editing and production will be completed within 3 weeks from winning the work.

I am looking forward to editing together all the ‘BO***CKS’ fluff ups into one clip, which I hope to get the thumbs up from Amy to post on u-tube

Amy has worked with us on a few Sony projects including presenting at ISE www.iseurope.org She is an excellent presenter all ‘BO***CKS’ forgiven! check out her site here: www.amygarciaofficial.com

bookmarks

Having reached 20 years of marriage I certainly understand that Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, and in particular there’s something about being shut out that drives women crazy…Business/ client realtionships are like a marriage and clients are no different when they feel shut out. If you want your clients to communicate differently with you then you must become someone they want to communicate with, show them that you want to listen. Don’t interupt them with solutions, criticisms & opinions or too many questions just listen!

The way to fix any communication problem is to start with yourself; whether it’s a silent friend, a critical boss or a forgotten client – change what you do and they’ll change what they do – not easy sometimes but simple!

bookmarks

Yes it really is me in front of the camera. Don’t worry I wont give up my day job.

e-Den.2 – Heat 1. Filmed by isstv.tv

bookmarks

We saw the return of e-Den a dragon’s den style event where four world-class internet experts mentor four entrepreneurs on key web-business issues in front of an engaged and participating audience.

RT helped bring the biggest audience through an effective e-marketing campaign to the event. If you would like to find out more visit here: http://bowshot.org/eden08.aspx

I ran a break-out master class on online branding, the stuff I love doing. In fact if anyone wants to book on the next FREE 1/2 day workshop “Understanding Branding” at our Wimborne office in June then please email me: ross@rtmedia.com

bookmarks

New look for RT Brand Communications, www.rtmedia.com

bookmarks