by Lexy MooreInspiring Young Minds.
A better learning environment – everything designed for buildings where lessons are taught or study is the main aim, should be educational or inspirational or both but never boring.
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by Lexy Moore
by Dave AtkinSeptember: “A Month of Design”
DESIGN should push boundaries that result in finished products people want to pick up. DESIGN should consider all aspects of what is being achieved now and be brave enough to turn the norm on its head to achieve something different!
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by Dave AtkinThe Cold Hard Truth – is it Time to Rebrand?
Transform your business prospects – or leave it alone.
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by Dave AtkinWhat Does a Board Game, a Bumble Bee & ‘A Knights Tale’ Have in Common?
it is possible to change our environment (and our success rate) by changing our actions or Transforming our businesses…
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by Lexy MooreTop Tips for Picking a Web Designer.
According to the ONS – November 2018 saw Online Sales in the UK reach a new record of 21.6% of all Retail Sales, but the figure that is most impressive is that 89% of customers start the purchasing process by online search.
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by Dave AtkinModern Myths and Ice cream.
If you put 21 people in a room, give them a list of Ice Creams and ask them to put them in order of preference Vanilla will always win – it’s the average, the norm, the least controversial or debatable.
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by Joss WilsonAppreciation, who needs it?
Ok, we’re creatives so it’s all about the work, the passion, oh! And the money – just because we’re artists doesn’t mean we can live on fresh air. So do we need to be appreciated by clients as well? Or is that asking too much?
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by Lexy MooreYou Can’t Be Everybody’s Cup of Tea.
Without being pedantic, about brand awareness and word of mouth – those conversations between non-customers and their friends who may become customers – if you aren’t pushing the right buttons with people who need what you do, you can bet your bottom quid your competitors will be.
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by Dave AtkinTry the Tuna Steak
What has that got to do with the price of design? Well – stay with me here – I’m taking the scenic route.
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by Dave AtkinBuy before you try?
One question was running through my mind as we were adding Testimonials to our re-invented website. How do you gauge quality before you buy?
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by Dave AtkinWho Shouts Loudest – Start up tips
| Who is this for? | Small Businesses / Start Ups |
| What is it About? | Start up Advice |
| Reading Time | Less than 200 words – 2 Minutes |
“The Wren, one of our smallest birds, has a pound for pound voice 10 times louder than a Cockerel.”Funny that isn’t it – have you ever seen a Wren?They weigh about 12 grams, are 12.7cm long and have a wing span of 16.5 cm – about 2/3rds the size of a Robin, or if you’re not into your birds – a wren could easily fit into the mug you have your morning cuppa in – and you wouldn’t notice it till it threw the teabag back at you.
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by Dave Atkin6 Marketing Tips to boost your business
| Who is this for? | Businesses new to all out marketing campaigns |
| What is it About? | Where to start with marketing |
| Reading Time | Less than 1000 words – 4 Minutes |
Anyone who has tried to drop a few pounds, eat healthier and get fitter, know the results are often not what was hoped for – but not for everyone. A lot depends on where you’re starting from.There’s a big difference between:A lifelong athlete suffering a minor injury, illness or boozy holiday getting back into training. And:Someone who has spent decades sitting still to socialise, work and travel – overcoming that sedentary lifestyle to reinvent themselves.It’s the same with marketing your business.
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by Dave AtkinCircles – How to develop ideas
| Who is this for? | The Growers, The Ambitious, The Brave |
| What is it About? | How to Develop Ideas |
| Reading Time | 5 Minutes |
How many ideas have you had that got no further?
How many ideas have been brought to you that you thought too risky, or expensive or ridiculous?
How many times has a really big bold idea been brought to you that you got really excited about only to allow yourself to be talked out of it?
When you bring an idea to the table you should be able to explain where you think it might benefit the business, but possibly not much more, the discussion that follows between you and your partners, co-directors or trusted employees could whirl out of control achieving nothing except the inevitable “but we have paying work to do…”
Explain, ask for initial thoughts (to drip into your circle) and then keep the Circle solid by getting a development plan…
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by Dave AtkinFind the Passion – go with that.
| Who is this for? | Searchers of Truth |
| What is it About? | Creating Tailored Communications |
| Reading Time | 3 Minutes |
Every now and then we all get the opportunity to refer someone to someone else.
Many in business have made a profession out of “networking” – to me, its just something you do – help people out, introduce one person you like to another person you like, as and when a need arises.
A couple of years ago I introduced two of our friends to each other, both nice guys, both running established SMEs, each of whom have passed me very useful information, insights and contacts over the years.
One of them – Steve Pearson, owner of Valve & Process Solutions, needed a Forklift Truck for the new warehouse facility in his rapidly growing company. The other, Shaun Hessey, MD of family firm Peterman Forklift Trucks, advised Steve, arranged the appropriate machine, and Steve’s team, who thought they might use the truck once or twice a month for the heavy lifting and moving, are now using it every day…
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by Dave AtkinIt’s Emotional
| Who is this for? | SMEs, Startups, Established Businesses |
| What is it About? | Finding the right business relationships |
| Reading Time | 3 Minutes |
Let’s say you are buying a car – you’ve had a lottery win and the World is yours – no more bus pass for you!!You get down to a choice between two – both of a similar size, same power unit, same top speed, same levels of comfort and same gadgetry. You have a choice of very similar colours for each – so why did you choose that one?Come to that, why did you choose the most expensive of the two?A couple of decades ago I was introduced to a Marketing Director; he was in the process of gathering three proposals for a re-branding and product catalogue.
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