Opportunities for small businesses – It was apparent a few years ago when ‘social media’ began to excite the entrepreneur community and small business owners. Immediately, the potential for taking the prime promotional mechanism of the start-up and small business world – ‘word-of mouth’ – and amplifying its reach was recognised. The opportunity lay in … Continue reading
Are we at a similar stage to 1780? – Have we just completed a cycle of 230 years? Back in the late 1700’s the shoots of the Industrial Revolution began to appear. Factories started to emerge and dot the landscape, and the whole fabric of society started to change significantly in a way that shaped our … Continue reading
3. Reputation – the ‘jury is still out’ on the extent social media plays in managing reputation. Depending on the type of business, or sector a business operates in the uptake of social media varies considerably, although stepping into 2012 financial year, many organisations have begun to investigate what social media can contribute given the … Continue reading
“Now then, men’s fashion is a growing industry with menswear sales growing globally by 9% over the past year. Now not a lot of people know that!” as a Michael Caine impressionist might say. So does this ‘blow the doors off?’ And does it mean men around the world are becoming more stylish, are embracing distinctive designs, … Continue reading
WHERE WE’RE AT IN 2012. Social media gives everyone a voice … but so what? The driving ethos of social media is ‘every individual has a voice, and can share it with the world’– in effect it’s taking the ‘one-to-one’ relationship up a notch to a ‘one-to-one-to-many’ dynamic where an individual has ‘networked personal contact’, and … Continue reading
5. Market maturity, marketing gets sophisticated and personal – Market saturation with excess product available required manufacturers to refine manufacturing output to meet specific needs of their markets, and maintain profitability through aiming precisely priced propositions at key customer groups while leveraging additional income streams through low cost, complementary services with a perceived high value. … Continue reading
Many people I meet feel we’re at a significant juncture. Economic fragility in the developed world, the astonishing growth of the emerging economies in Asia and South America, and the redefining of roles different industries perform in shaping our economies and livelihoods, all represent an underlying seismic shift. But where is this shift taking us? … Continue reading
I find that pigeonholing within the business world is very often an essential part of a deeper need to define, qualify, and assess risk. The instant categorizing of a person fits very conveniently into the ‘split-second thinking’ prevalent in the workplace where time is limited and there’s a constant quest for efficiency. This invariably means an individual … Continue reading
I couldn’t possibly capture the variety of talks and subjects covered within Social Media Week, however, I can confirm that in London there was a fabulous response and show of interest in the 180 events that took place over the week. The events I attended drew people in their hundreds and were full to capacity. Many … Continue reading
This week is Social Media Week, an initiative being celebrated worldwide with a whole host of events happening from San Francisco to Hong Kong. This occurs twice a year, and in February London participates, hosting up to nearly 150 events organised by marketing agencies, social media specialists, event companies, and interested parties. Increasingly sponsored by … Continue reading
Mark Batchelor 