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Finsta…

You know I’m a big fan of social media – you can catch me on Twitter (@balbansal)… and you can catch me on Instagram (@mrbalbansal).

Now… I’ll be honest, what you see is what you get on Instagram. That is my life – the food, the football.. the fun. However, it’s not like that for everyone. There’s many people out there that want one profile for Instagram – so the world can see, and then another which is more…. real life. Therefore, let me introduce you to, Finsta.

Bal, is this a new app?

Nope – it’s still Instagram. But let me explain it to you –

A finsta is a secondary, usually private, Instagram account where users are more lax in deciding what they post. It’s a private space that might be more personally authentic and is shared with close friends. This is a contrast to someone’s main account, which might have more heavily curated content.

Content is King. We know the content brings the likes, the users, the audience. And it’s that content then may help a business, an individual, an organization grow – and gain more followers.

But what we’re realising is – there’s many people who want to be connected to their close friends and family and just be honest…

So… by opening a second account – having it private, you can accept invites from those whom you’re close to.

For example…

Everyone wants to look good on Social Media. Everyone wants a good reputation and we know the advantages and gains you can have from large following on Instagram (and other social media platforms).

Not saying this is something you should be doing – but just be aware… and it’s one for educating people… everything you see on Instagram, isn’t always what it seems.

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Find your inner Pichai

When I was at Kodak, I remember my Sensei saying to me –

“Bal, you must first understand – then to be understood”.

Mark Chamberlain

Reflecting – absolutely true. How can you relay a message or work on something if you don’t fully get it. I’ve kept that close to my heart. Yes – the world is a fast moving place, but I always try to understand, break it down and then to share that in simple ways.

There’s so much I don’t know. But then on the other hand – there is so much I’m learning.

And recently – I read an article about the Google CEO Sundar Pichai, on how he was interviewed for a VP position in Google back in 2004.

Basically, Pichai said the interviewers asked him what he thought of Gmail. There was just one problem: Google had just announced the email service that very same day, on April 1st. “I thought it was an April Fool’s Day joke.”

He responded by saying he couldn’t answer the question because he hadn’t been able to use the product. “It was only in the fourth interview when someone asked, ‘Have you seen Gmail?’ I said no. So he actually showed it to me. And then the fifth interviewer asked, ‘What do you think of Gmail?’ And I was able to start answering it then,” 

So why am I sharing this – well… couple of reasons,

  1. If you don’t know – you don’t know. Be honest. Just tell people, if you don’t know something – you don’t know it. And why you don’t know it.
  2. Don’t make things up -don’t try to bullsh*t your way through. You’ll eventually get caught at some point.
  3. Show intellectual honesty – it’s not about scoring points. It’s about being honest. And showing that you’re open to learn and make decisions.
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178yrs… and that’s it!

You must have heard it in the news this morning – Thomas Cook has collapsed.

Mr Thomas Cook founded the business in Leicestershire in 1841 it was for more local excursions…. with this as the first poster for the first excursion!

It’s been a roller coaster of a ride for the company which had such humble beginnings.

I’m not going to take you through the history – but the biggest problem has been, the management not waking up and reacting too late to the Digital World.

As on expert on this morning’s radio put it…

It’s an Analogue Company competing in a Digital World.

Why is it so analogue? they’ve got a website haven’t they?

Firstly, they were late to the game. When they saw everyone else with websites and apps – they were late. Then on top, they were still (until recently!) relying on their shops.

They have 500+ shops around the country. Each one of those needs to pay rent. The problem was, the money they were generating was not enough to pay the rent. So the money was coming from elsewhere. Which means, they had a business model which was not working.

The worse thing is – the management a few years ago decided to expand their shop network… this was during a time, when more and more people were going on-line to book their holidays!

Then you have the low-cost airlines. They’ve come on board and offering package deals – which are very good. And the packages being offered… Thomas Cook was still offering the ‘Fly and Flop’, where you fly and then just sit/rest by a beach or resort. People’s habits have changed – people want to explore, walk around, do tours/visits, etc…

It’s sad to see that the company couldn’t embrace the Digital World. They should’ve expanded their online and digital presence.

With this in mind – I’m helping organisations to Get Digital! – To ensure they’re embracing the Digital World… and don’t end up like Thomas Cook! If you’d like more information – get in touch… you can email me, you can reply to this blog, you can find me on Twitter… there’s various ways you can get hold of me.

It’s a real shame… and a very sad story, to see this great company (which it once was)… start with such a great idea… for it to ignore the Digital World.

So, from the first poster… to the last hand out from Thomas Cook…

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and now for Google’s Event

That’s right – you just had the Apple Event, where they showed off a number of products, including their new iPhone 11… but also coming up..

October 15th see’s Google show a few new things Made by them.

Now, they’ve introduced a number of new products – mainly hardware – over the past few years which have done surprisingly well – such as the Pixel phone.

Now, they are going to announce the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and other devices, including a Pixelbook 2 and new Google Home speakers.

Now Google are really upping the stakes – they released a video showing gesture motion! That’s right – you can wave your hand in front of the screen to allow a reactive motion to take place.

I have this in my car – and in the next week or so, will take a video and show you how it works and why I love it…. and also at times, hate it!

For those who didn’t see the video by Google… here it is, Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/KnRbXWojW7c

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All about the Slofies

Do much last night? – No?… well… the first question would be, why didn’t you tune into the Apple event?! – I did tell you about it.

Okay, I get it… you’re busy, we’re busy… everyone is busy. And being honest, aren’t we busy on our devices – you know, the mobile phone, the tablet, computer, etc..

Anyhow – Apple released a few cool products. First up – the iPhone 11

That’s right – you get the 11, the 11 Pro and the 11 Pro MAX! – obviously, the first thing you’ll notice are the camera’s. That’s right – Apple have up’d their game on photography – and rightly so. The competitors have some brilliant cameras on the back of their phones.

Now – I could share a lengthy detailed blog post about the whole event, about the different phones, about the new products like the new watch, the new iPad and the new Operating system… but you know what – I’m also busy.

So – I’ll leave you with this video, a quick, short, snappy video which tells you everything you need to know. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA3MV2V–TU

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Sept 10th with Apple…

Excited much?

I’ve previously share what the new iPhone 11 will be like. But haven’t share a lot about iOS13 – the new operating system.

New information coming out is also suggesting, if you’ve got an iPhone 6 or older… you won’t be able to take advantage of the new operating system, therefore vulnerable to hackers.

So which phone will run the new iOS?

  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE
  • iPod touch (7th generation)

If you’ve not registered for the event – you can do so. If you want a reminder, (like me) find Apple on twitter, like their recent post and they’ll send you a reminder on the day! Customer engagement done properly!!

I won’t share much more now… but will let you know about the event after the 10th… so stay tuned!!

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Bal’s Friday Thought…

Don’t worry…. I know it’s hard sometimes – I’ve been running around these past few days but you know what…

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Good news for Travellers…

As you know, I travel a fair amount. To be honest, I’ve cut down a lot in recent years – especially since the time in Atlanta when the border security chap recognised me!

Yep – above photo of the time when I was travelling back from Toronto. But an all familiar site – you check in your luggage – then head over to security.

Where – you take all bits of metal from your body, take everything out your pockets – oh, and don’t forget those liquids and laptops!

What a pain, Bal!? – This has been going on for a while.

It sure has. Limits on liquids have been in place since November 2006 – there was a complete ban on liquids for a while before that date.

But Technology to the rescue!

That’s right – It’s been announced that all major UK airports must introduce 3D baggage screening equipment before the end of 2022.

And these new 3D Scanners mean you can leave your liquids and other certain items in your bags and just let it go through the scanner.

They’ve got them in Paris – and it was brilliant. I was first surprised, when the lady said, no – keep your liquids in there.

Queue time – virtually non existence!

Threw the bags in – walked through – no beeps and happy days.

So the plan is to have these introduced at all airports in the UK. I’m sure there’s many more airports across the World that’ll be implementing these. Not just to make people go quicker – but these scanners can zoom in, 3D rotate particular items of interest and pick up on suspicious items. Much more sophisticated then our current scanners.

So – depending on which airport you fly from next summer… you could be leaving your liquids in, and getting through security slightly quicker!

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Bal’s Friday Thought…

So, last year whilst on holiday, I read a brilliant book which I still rave about today. This summer holidays, I started but not finished my book… (will review it with you soon!)

But going back to last years book… I found this, and it’s so so true!!!

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BMW i4 EV

That’s right! – There’s another new electric vehicle on it’s way… fully electric…. fully affordable… and will rival the new Tesla Model 3.

Bal, why you so excited by this?

Because… this is the future! We’re in an era of hybrids. I have a hybrid. Hybrid sales are on the increase. And there’s more and more folk moving to electric/PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles).

But… what we’re seeing here is the move to fully electric!

The i4 is claimed to have a range of over 373 miles, a 0-62mph time of 4.0sec and a top speed of more than 124mph. 

Now for me, that’s not bad! Not bad at all.

Various spy shots of the vehicle have been taken whilst BMW have been out testing it in various weather conditions.

But the whole point of this is – that car manufacturers see the trend. They understand the trend and are working to provide what customers want.

We’re still a little way away from the self-driving cars – though they are coming! – but we’re definitely moving to fully electric vehicles.

And premium brands, such as BMW, Mercedes, etc… are working aggressively to bring some of their most sold models, in an electric form to the market.

Will we see more and more electric vehicles?

YES! – we definitely will. As the battery range becomes better, more local garages are able to service them and more charging points are available… then yes.

I was in Lands End the other day… and even they had electric charging points in their car park!

We’re are now fully entering the i range… started with i3 and i8… we’ll have the i4…. i everything. And other manufacturers will do the same.