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Ella, Ella, eh… eh….eh…

A few years ago, I was on the phone to a friend, who is running a startup.

We were talking about various things, and he asked me how the weather is. I said, the weather looks ok – but I’m not sure because I haven’t been outside.

Then I suggested, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have an app that didn’t just tell you the weather but also suggested what to wear!

Anyhow… we didn’t do anything. Like most of the idea’s we discussed that day, we just parked it.

Fast forward a year or two later. And there I am, on the trusted laptop… and look what pops up!

That’s right- someone, somewhere (else in the world) had the same idea… but only went and developed it!

Brella – your personal weather app!

It not only tells you the weather – but tells you what to wear! One less thing I have to do!!

Yes Matt! – put your jeans and t-shirt on… the weather is good!!

Now for me – in London – it’d be, Bal… take an umbrella!

The point of this is, not app – though that it is a great idea, and I’m glad someone did develop it – but the whole point about, if you have an idea… DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Yes, I did use Caps Lock. Yes, I am shouting at you. Yes, I am making a point.

We all have ideas. But doing something about them – that’s what seperates the successful ones from the not so successful ones.

Now – whilst I’m a little upset I didn’t develop it… I’m ok with it.

Why Bal? – you could’ve made millions.

Not always about the money. But yes, I could’ve made a ‘few bob’, however, I’m already working on plenty of other ideas, have items in pilot stages and supporting other startups and companies.

Whilst having an idea – and working on it – stick to it. Don’t start a million and one things… and not finish anything off. Working on a handful – and finish them!

So, if you’d like to read more about the Brella app – have a read of this.. it’s by the developer. Great read… hope it inspires you….

https://medium.com/@mattbarker016/designing-brella-my-first-ios-app-852a53e04788

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Fold your phone away…

I used to have the Nokia mobile phones. Never ventured with other brands. But admittely I did like the Motorola Flip – a friend of mine used to have it, and I used to love, ‘flipping’ it close – when i’d finished a call.

What a classic. Available in different colours too….. 

How times have changes. Let’s be honest. It’s all got a bit boring…

Don’t get me wrong… I love my Apple iPhone. It’s lovely. But however, that novelty factor that we used to have of sliding, folding, etc… had all gone.

Sliding Bal? – you used to have a phone like that?

Yes – the banana phone, as it was known.

Anyway…. those times might be coming back… Samsung, leading the way.

They’ve designed and bought to life a foldable screen!

What Bal?! A screen that folds?!!!

Yes! Samsung have designed new screen materials, including a flexible OLED layer and backplane, that are then layered beneath an ultra thin polarizer, a new shock-absorbent film, and a more durable (and flexible) polymer cover window on top. And to hold everything together. Clever huh?

What does all this mean? – well…

It’s a phone that you can fold!! – How awesome is that?! I’d buy it just for the novelty factor.

Now… couple of things here, 1) Samsung are doing some great research and bringing to life some fantastic products… 2) We may get some exciting phones again… and 3) What does it mean for Apple?

Samsung haven’t revealed much else – in terms of pricing and availability.

What we do know it’ll be available somewhere in mid-2019. And it’ll be the most expensive phone available.

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Jackie, how do you like to shop?

Another week, and another High Street name closing stores. 

This week, we have New Look. In a radical revamp – upto 100 stores will close. 

Why? Like I’ve mentioned before…. our shopping habits are changing. There’s so many uncertainties. Brexit. Etc…. 

So what next, Bal?

Great question! – I see the whole High Street changing. There’ll be more closures and more well known names disappearing from the High Street. 

When it comes to clothes – we’ve traditionally gone out to shop. Because we need to touch, feel and try. 

Comparing clothing to electrical – online sales are not has great. But that’ll fast change. How?…. let’s just look to Amazon and what they’re doing.

Yep, they’re offering a ‘try before you buy’ service. 

Select a number of clothes…. sizes, colours, etc… have them sent to your home. Try them… see how they feel – like them? Keep them (and obviously pay) don’t like them? – return them free of charge. 

Simple? Off course! That’s what makes it so easy. 

Jackie, a mum of 3 boys – who’s always running around and very busy, doesn’t have time to go into shops, try various clothes…. instead, would rather be able to try the clothes on – when she wants and where she wants (on the basis she knows where the kids are – on which some occasions is a challenge on its own).

Amazon started selling clothes 10 years ago and is only recently pushing more into this space. Without doing much, they have a 4.6% market share. Just behind M&S online clothing. 

Next is in the lead, with 12.5% of market share. You also then have John Lewis, ASOS and eBay. 

So can Amazon gain more market share?

I think Yes. They’ve got the power and the ability to make it a success. We’re ordering more and more varieties from Amazon, from baked beans (yes, you can buy them) to garden furniture. Why not throw a cardigan in the basket as well.

Reminds me of the time I went to Tesco to buy some milk and bought a TV. I did that in a physical store about 6 years ago. Looks like now is the time I would buy some socks with my books from Amazon. 

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Hi Sir, sorry i’m late… Sir?…Sir?….

I went to Coventry University. It was a lovely place…. we had the Planet, Mr.G’s and several other night life amenities. Oh, the actual university was good also!

Times are changing. Where we had actual lectures and real lecturers and professors- that’ll soon change.

How Bal? – you’ll still need people to teach.

Indeed you will. However, do they need to be real?

Imperial College, London – are introducing ‘hologram’ lecturers.

That is correct. Lecturers teaching, whom aren’t really there!

Using the latest technology – they’ll be able to have them presented in such a way, that it looks like a real person.

Yes – you could use a webex/telepresence – but that’s just on a flat screen.

This way – it’s more interactive. It’s more real. It’s more engaging.

So the lecturer will be in New York – but teaching a class in London – with a high definition monitor in front of them so they can see the class and make eye to eye contact.

Holograms have been used before – for elections – remember when the French presidential candidate did it? – he appeared in several cities, at the same time, addressing thousands of people in the crowd… at the same time… in real time!

This new technology is slightly cheaper – easier to move around and can be set up easier than those used a few years ago.

Only a matter of time when… when we’ll see more and more holograms… than real people. Thinking about it, with some of the ‘real people’ I have to deal with recently… it might not be that bad of an idea!

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Apple’s New iPad Pro…

The gap between the iPad or any other tablet to be fair, and the computer are becoming more and more closer. What I mean by this is, that sales of computers (laptops) is heavily on the decrease and tablets sales are on the increase.

You can do very much all of the items you do on your computer, now easily – and with a lot more efficiency, on your tablet.

So Bal, do I need to buy a new iPad?

Well… depends on how long you’ve had your current one. I’ve had my iPad Pro – which I’m typing this blog from, for quite a while. Whilst it still does everything I like it to… I probably won’t be upgrading just yet. Tempted as I am though.

It comes packed with a number of features – which make it more in sync with the iPhone X and the new iPhones….

As expected – there’s a number of upgrades – including the camera, light sensors, etc…

Now – as you know, I won’t have time to review it for a few weeks – however, my friends over at the Verge have done this great 5 minute review, which shares everything you really need to know about the iPad Pro.

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Humans are best, at being human…

We talk a lot about robots. How they’re eventually going to take over… how they’re taking over some jobs now… how we need to work with robots…

Well… it’s true. Let’s be honest…. they’ve taken over the repetitive jobs, and soon they’ll be taking over your job.

Bal, do I need to find a new job? Should I be worried?

Yes and No.

Yes, find a new profession – look for a new skills, learn something different.

No, don’t be worried. Similar to previous times in history – Humans have been able to re-skill, look for new opportunities and adapt.

Bal, tell me the different times in history.

Okay… better explained with a picture…

As you can see – and I’ll go into detail in another blog post – but from every ‘Industry’ there’s been something new – and humans have been able to adapt.

Now whilst technology is key – and as you can see, Industry 4.0 – introduces ‘smart’ – smart factory, IoT, Big Data, etc… there will obviously be jobs that are no longer required to be done by humans.

So what do humans have, that’ll take a little more time for robots to master?

Emotions and Feelings.

That’s right – Humans are best, at being human.

We can react. We can cry. We can be emotional. We can sense….

You know all the emotions, right?… Well, in the 1970’s Paul Eckman described the six basic emotions.

  1. Happiness
  2. Sadness
  3. Digust
  4. Fear
  5. Surprise
  6. Anger

Now, since then – more have been added, like Contempt, Joy, etc…

Our ability to display these emotions is a phenomenal skill. Something, we humans, can do with ease.

So whilst technology is taking over… let’s not get too emotional about it.

Robots have a while before they can interpret feelings…. and display emotions. Because it’s not always black and white… 0 and 1.

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Debenhams – reporting biggest loss in its 200 year history!

Let’s not be surprised. I keep banging on about – how shopping habits are changing. How we, as individuals have more choice – more flexibility and more influences – that steer us to make certain choices.

So there shouldn’t be any surprise, when Debenhams will report an annual loss of almost £500m for the year to 1st September.

Along with the full year loss – there’ll be store closures – of around one third of it’s 165 stores, over the next five years.

There’ll also be job cuts. Yep – around 5,000 are to be affected with restructuring plans – over five years.

Shares have fallen by more than 80% over the last year.

Bal, that’s not good. Is it because we’re shopping on-line?

Partially, yes. Debenhams digital platforms are said to be trading strongly. So you have to ask the question – why isn’t there more investment in those platforms? – Why isn’t there more money in the ‘Bricks & Clicks’ model?

Bal, what’s the ‘Bricks and Clicks’ model?

It’s a model where you have a strong mix of actual stores – bricks… and a digital presence…clicks. Many stores are doing this very well. Take the retailer Next. They have a good ‘Bricks and Clicks’ model in place. In fact, they started off with the catalogue (back in the day!) – moved that quickly to an on-line platform, made ordering easier and fast forward to today… you can click and collect on the same day!

It just doesn’t seem that young people have the time, to spend in large retail stores… walking around, looking around… when it can be done quickly, easily and efficiently from home…. via the phone or tablet. However, there will be times, maybe around Christmas (seasonal) or Birthdays (occasions) when some ‘retail therapy’ of walking around a stores is needed.

It’s all about using your data. Understanding how your customers are buying. How their habits are changing. Making it easier for them. And then implementing….

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Anyone seen that DVD I want to watch?

“You know the one… the one I always watch at Christmas… Home Alone – that’s the one… Home Alone, such a festive film, love to put the DVD on, sit back and watch it.”

Whilst many folk reading this, will be able to relate to the answer above – times are changing.

Yesterday – I was on BBC Radio Nottingham. Sharing my thoughts on the announcement that John Lewis will stop selling DVD players.

That’s right – if you need one, I suggest you hurry up – make your way to the local electrical outlet and purchase one.

But why would you need one?

Remember the days of the VHS? – Yep, they soon disappeared when DVD’s came. Because DVD’s were able to offer better quality, slim design, didn’t have to worry about the ‘reel’ part of the mechanism, was easy to skip chapters, etc… just made life a lot easier.

Digital was here. Then we had (and have) Blu Ray. Even better quality.

But why are we still using them? With Netflix profits soaring – in 2017, they’d made an annual profit of $558.9m! – more and more people want to watch, what they want… when they want… and how they want!

Just look at Netflix’s revenue per quarter… since Q1 2011, (by the way, the unit is millions US Dollars on the left).

Crazy right?! – more and more people are streaming. Not just Netflix, but there’s also Amazon’s Prime that offers you an array of films, shows, etc.. to watch. You then have the trusted YouTube! – which we all know, has a phenomenal amount of content – not just cats jumping around.

Hence this is the reason why we’ve stopped buying DVD players – why have the physical disc in your hand – why not just press a few buttons on your remote control and watch what you want. Imagine the space you’ll save. Imagine the flexibility of watching it on your phone, your tablet….(as well as your TV).

What’s next? – I think there’ll be less films and more series – more box sets. Because our attention span is reducing – can we really sit there for a couple of hours watching a film…. or would we be rather engaged in a series of 1 hr episodes that continue to tell a story.

And do we need to go to the cinema? – John Lewis also reported, the most popular TV screen size that was sold was 55″, compared to a few years ago, when it was 40″.

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Avocados and Travelling…

The workforce is changing.

We have old people. We have young people. And just on that diversity – there’s a lot of different expectations.

I recently saw a tweet, which made me laugh – it summarised the Millennial expectations & how they think perfectly!

Point 3 for me was the best!

So, who are these ‘Millennials’, Bal?

Well… the best way to inform you – is by a picture.

A point to highlight here is – 75% of the workshop by 2030 will be Millennials.

But Bal… what makes them different from the previous Generation?

There’s a couple of key things…

1. Social Media & the Internet

This is a generation that’s grown up with the internet. Everything is… and should be available instantly…. be it retrieving information, or being able to share content.

2. Not just 9 til 5

Gen X has always been about, going into work… be there for 9. Work through the day, be it the office, factory or where ever they work. Finish at 5, come home… rest & then repeat. This doesn’t work for the Millennials. They want to be able to work when they want, where they want and how they want.

3. Sharing is Caring

The Millennials sure do like to share. More team orientated. More achievement orientated. More outcome focused. Not ones to keep information to themselves – but share that information and see what others can do to collaborate and make it something even better.

This is one of the reasons why we have seen so many startups. So many successful organisations appear and be so dominant. Because of new thinking – but also the new ways of working.

For existing corporations, companies and organisations – it’s important to adapt. Remember Darwin’s saying….. It’s not the strongest that survive, but those that are most adaptable to change.

So what do you do then? – simple… hire some millennials and learn from them… on what you can start to do – in adapting the organization/company for the future.

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Thanks for the Like and Share…

You may have noticed… I’ve been writing this blog for a while. In fact, it’s nearly a year and a half! Crazy… right?! 

Numbers (of visitors and readers) has gone up… and some months, it came down… especially over Christmas – maybe your pigs in blankets were more important…

Replies and comments were a many on some posts… nothing for several weeks.

But what I did notice… is who has supported me. 

That’s right. I’ve seen those who ‘like’ my posts. There’s those who share. There’s some who even retweet! 

And for that – I’d like to say a huge Thank You! – You’re awesome!

But all of this got me thinking… and I recently saw, a post about how friends and family should support each other. And I agree…

We see a lot from Celebs. Let’s be honest – a nice photo on Insta can get several thousands of likes… but do you like your friends post… someone who maybe starting a business or who may have an idea they want to pursue! 

A good friend…. who works for a rival drinks company to the one I work for, recently shared one of my blog posts on LinkedIn. He also tagged me in a post of his… and I commented and liked. 

Friends do that. 

Support each other. 

Not just friends. Family. Colleagues. Well-wishers. Anyone… can support those just starting off…. because remember…. 

With social media being so big… use the means you can. Help each other grow. Buy your friends products. 

If they’re no good – provide them feedback. Let them know your thoughts. So they can improve. If you think you could help them… help them! It could be design… it could be making… it could be marketing…. it could be logistics…. 

It’s all about support. And collaboration.Â