This is an interview that Time magazine conducted with famed writer and novelist Tom Wolfe. The original chronicler of the ‘New Journalism,’ pioneered by Truman Capote (In Cold Blood) and others.
Tom Wolfe doesn’t use a computer. He writes by hand.
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In just 60 seconds
6 Jan
According to an article published in the second half of 2013, this is what happens on the ‘net’ every 60 seconds.
To quote the article in the UK Daily Mail, published July 30:
‘In just a single minute on the web 216,000 photos are shared on Instagram, a total of £54,000 ($83,000) sales take place on Amazon, there are 1.8 million likes on Facebook and three days worth of video is uploaded to YouTube.
Cashback site Qmee has created an infographic that shows this information as well as how many tweets are sent, photos are viewed, Skype calls are made, domains are registered and more in 60 seconds.
The graphic pulls information and figures from PC Mag, Business Insider and other sites to create a the snapshot.’
So what does this say to businesses who are trying to market themselves in 2014?
You better get some fresh content.
Google loves new and updated content.
Content that is relevant to your market.
PLAN DO ACT CHECK
Masters of strategy Part 1
4 Jan
Happy 2014 … a year of strategic thinking?
I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with a master of creative strategy, David Barnes who’s background in advertising is the stuff of legends.
David can draw and design and write and produce and … well you get my drift.
But via his business, Currency Ideas, he’s a thinker first and foremost.
His brand process takes clients on a journey of self discovery, because often we really don’t think about who we are and what we do best and better than anyone else.
Which is the whole point of living (and working) I guess.
To do things well.
David looks for reasons before developing logos/identities/websites/ads …
Reasons being objectives
A brand is a valuable asset after all.
being creative is strategic.
Image
Merry Christmas 2013
24 Dec
Merry Christmas 2013 to all my clients, contacts, friends and family.
And not necessarily in that order.
Have a happy and safe Christmas.
Simon Rodie
Video
The treasurer’s report
20 Dec
Robert Benchley was a famous columnist (along with pal Dorothy Parker) and a member of the Algonquin Set.
After World War I, Vanity Fair writers and Algonquin regulars Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, and Robert E. Sherwood began lunching at The Algonquin.
In 1919, they gathered in the Rose Room with some literary friends to welcome back acerbic critic Alexander Woollcott from his service as a war correspondent. It proved so enjoyable that someone suggested it become a daily event. This led to a daily exchange of ideas, opinions, and often-savage wit that has enriched the world’s literary life. George S. Kaufman, Heywood Broun, and Edna Ferber were also in this August assembly, which strongly influenced writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Perhaps their greatest contribution was the founding of The New Yorker magazine.
The Treasurer’s Report (1928) is a comedy sketch, made into a short film, written and performed by Robert Benchley.
Or, how not to make a presentation!
Tech heads and other odd fish
13 Dec
I’m the King of Content.
Well I self styled that one, but after working on advertising campaigns (above and below the line,) blogs, websites (static and interactive,) brochures, newsletters, flyers, trade stands and collateral, email marketing, social networking, training programs and lots in between … I think I am the King!
But I’m not a coder … yikes!
I’m a content planner and builder, creative director and project manager.
I’m also a talent scout.
I source artists & illustrators, graphics people, TV/Radio producers …
I also source web people. The people that code. They know HTML and CSS deeply, whereas I just know about it.
I need these people. And I need to get the work done.
Sometimes, but not always, these web people can be difficult. Why? could be a generational thing. Could be a time management thing. Could be a simple communications thing. Could be all of the above.
Here’s a scenario:
The project is lagging and lacking. The vision has not come together. I can’t get the person on the phone. I can’t get them via sms. I wonder should I go out on my balcony and call their name like Steve Martin did in The Lonely Guy.
Yes … they don’t always follow my timetable.
But when you get a good one it’s amazing.
Manage these people with tenderness and care.
Coach and mentor them.
Be understanding, bit not too understanding if you get my drift.
Got kids? You’ll know what I mean
Meet Dr NO
12 Dec
When my son was a toddler my dear mother in law happened to mention that it was sad that little kids heard the word NO a lot of the time.
NO you can’t do that.
NO don’t be naughty.
NO. NO. NO.
Workplaces can be like that too.
Have you worked with a Dr NO? I know I have.
NO, too different.
NO, you can’t do that.
NO, NO, NO.
What makes a Dr NO?
Fear of change
Insecurity
Resentment
Risk aversion
All of the above. The only problem is that the world is changing. Industries are disappearing. Just this week our iconic car, the Holden, announced they were ceasing manufacturing here. Horror. All those people losing their jobs.
What will they do?
They’ll do something else.
Creativity is the enemy of Dr NO
Change is like Ju Jitsu … when you are attacked you step aside and push your attacker past. Going with the flow.
Scary but ultimately satisfying.
Hello SILO … you’d better be flexible!
3 Dec
I work on many projects with many different organisations. Corporations, authorities, not for profits and small to medium businesses and I often find that I’m cast adrift between mountains of giant silos.
Silos form when the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.
I’m not casting aspersions (or aspidistras) at all the hard working people I interact with. I’m just making an observation. Silos form when people are rushing to meet change.
Change happens rapidly these days. Policies change, then procedures or ways of doing things. Regulations and laws change when governments change or government policy changes. Change happens when businesses are growing exponentially and new people are brought on board.
Silos also form when there’s a lack of communication across organisations, strategic business units (SBU’s) and teams.
Silos can also form when people don’t share.
Silos affect content developers too. We can be working away using some accepted template, or creating content in a suggested way and then … it’s not quite right.
Can this be a problem? Yes and no.
Clever consultants can pick a silo a milo off (sorry, it rhymed.)
Clever consultants communicate widely.
Clever consultants are flexible and don’t go into spasms of disappointment and take things personally regarding their work.
My mum told me that a truly sane person has an ingrained ability to change their minds!
I tell my kid all the time, life is full of paradoxes … be flexible and open minded.
And smile a lot : )
I just want to be a useful little engine
22 Nov
I do love being a dad. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had. I especially used to love watching the kids shows with my son when he was a bit younger. He’s on his way to becoming a teenager so we’ll see … but he’s still my boy.
We used to watch a lot of shows together like Fireman Sam, Postman Pat and of course Thomas the Tank Engine. What I really enjoyed was the cosy atmosphere of the small villages where these shows are set. Some are in Wales and feature the beautiful lilting Welsh accent (it’s not a burr is it?) Tight knit communities where everyone seemed to be looking after each other. The characters are warm and friendly and … sweet.
Which brings me to Thomas and his oft heard catch cry “I just want to be a useful little engine!” Sometimes the Fat Controller gave Thomas a real job to do and off he’d go with his smile beaming.
There are lots of people in businesses and organisations everywhere that just want the same thing. They do their job and put something extra in and sometimes, even often, they are overlooked. Why? Because some other engines aren’t so humble. They roar around and make sure they’re seen.
I work with a Thomas. It’s a she actually. She’s a front line customer service/technical support for a medical business and she does a great job. You only have to hear her on the phone to notice the goodwill she spreads. Nothing is a problem and she not only sells, but advises and counsels. It’s all part of the job for this lady.
She’s a useful little engine!
Where would we be without them?
Take time to notice all the useful little engines at your workplace. Get them to train up or mentor other little engines. make it best practice and … reward them!
Love makes the business world go round.