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What a rocketing start into March! – It’ll be good to reflect on these stories at the end of the year and think – wow… what a year!

And so it continues, a lot happening in the news, especially about the Royals and not the Royals (as they are now)… but for me, I’m going to focus on the Top 2 stories in my opinion that matter.

1. SpaceX Lands! – Now, if you’re not up to speed, Elon Mush (yes, the Tesla guy) is working on a number of other projects. One is SpaceX. This is where, him and his team are building rockets that can go into space (the Moon…Mars, etc..) and then come back and land safely! A bit like an aeroplane does – but Elon wants this same principle for Space Travel.

Now, as you can imagine, it’s not an easy task. To design, build and launch a rocket that can go into space… then come back and land safely! However, Serial Number 10 (SN10) touched down in Boca Chica, Texas – in contrast to its predecessors SN8 and SN9, which crashed into the ground. Unfortunately, it then blew up.

I know. Sad. However – the good thing is a) it landed!!! (unlike SN8 and SN9) and b) it’s progress!!! – Which means, SpaceX can learn, and go again and you know… it’s only a matter of time they get it right… (and we’ll be on the moon before you know it).

2. Amazon Fresh finally landed in the UK… in Ealing!

That’s right – Amazon now have a physical store in the UK!! And yes, people were queuing up to use it. You’re probably wondering how it works? – well… all you do is… walk up to the barrier, flash your phone so the store knows its you and you’re coming in… then you go in… get what you want, and then simply walk out and you get billed for what you took! – they know what you took because they have hundred’s of camera’s everywhere!!!

Now… Amazon say they don’t record any faces or personal info as such… (so no face recognition). They’ll track you and your phone as you walk around, tracking what you’re picking up and also what you’re putting down, so you get billed for the bits you walk out with.

Will this be the new norm?

Who knows… some folk like the interaction with shopkeepers etc… some just want to walk in, get what they want and walk out. Let’s be honest – we’re all busy these days.

So there you go… my top two from the week. Personally, I don’t think it’ll be long before we pop into an Amazon store, pick up a few last minute essentials before we go to the Moon for a short break.

Had a great conversation with a young person today… we spoke about Growth.

Is Spring finally here? Weather has been wonderful this weekend… and with more and more people being vaccinated, the warmer weather slowly arriving… are things looking up?

Here’s my top two stories from the week gone!

1. Fresh and hot of the press – There’ll be a £5bn fund to help the High Street recover form Covid. That’s right – £18,000 per firm, to help shops and pubs reopen. Whilst I think this is good for pubs… and the hospitality sector in general, I was hoping that most shops would have adapted for the ‘digital age’ – and have an online presence. With their ‘shops’, use them as ‘experience centres’, information and knowledge is power – use their High Street presence to educate. Let’s be honest, how many of us go to Curry’s, look around – then order online! I believe there is a space for both – the High Street and Internet Shopping.

2. If you’re on Twitter… I hope you’re following me (@balbansal) – but the story here is about paid content and becoming a ‘Super Follower’! We have various subscriptions, we pay for more things monthly than we ever have before. So why not pay on Twitter for exclusive content and information from particular folk we follow! There’s other platforms that do something similar (though the intentions were ‘decent’ the other platform has somewhat ventured into 18+ type of content). The method is similar. You get some ‘free’ stuff. But want more… subscribe/pay and you get exclusives.

So here’s a question – a) would you pay to have exclusive content from me? (I won’t be offended if you said no – would like to know why)… and b) If you are a small business, with a high street presence, think how you can increase the customer experience… don’t look for the sale (that’ll come)… look at the experience.

Earlier this week, a video was shared to me… and it’s my Friday Thought today.

The video had a guy who has inspired me. When I was about 13, I started going to the gym – mainly to get stronger due to some bullying issues as I was the only Sikh kid in the school…. and it was then, my friend gave me a book. It was about a young kid, who had moved from Austria… worked out like mad… had this vision… and became Mr Olympia, Mr Universe… not once, but several times! (I’ve still got that book!)

What got me in the book… and it’s in the video also… is how he didn’t give up. He didn’t listen to all the people that said, it can’t happen.

Below is the video…. Enjoy.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RH25VpiEFdc

You’ve probably heard me say before, Reuse, Reduce… and Recycle.

We need to look after Planet Earth. But I’ve been recently asked, Bal… with this ban on petrol and diesel cars…. what do I do with my classic? – I want to do my bit for the environment but love my classic car.

Don’t you worry Sir…. I have found a solution for you!

Zero Labs – have a solution where by, you keep the looks of your awesome classic car… but go electric!

Personally, I think this is a great idea! –

Now, you can keep your classic car… but be kinder to the planet.

Check their video out below….

When I was being taught/shown Lean… one of the most important items was to ask the question Why. And to delve into it, and get to the root cause.

Once you get to the root cause, you can then understand and start to fix the problem.

This also applies to why you need to do it. ‘Why’ is so powerful. Rather than the what. And people relate to the why…. It’s brilliantly explained by Simon Sinek below…

It’s crazy to see, and hear…. how many organisations have had to adopt a ‘digital mindset’ during the pandemic, because their previous/old business model wouldn’t be sustainable. They’ve had to increase their on-line presence, open an on-line store…. connect with customers, on-line.

Whilst this pressure, accelerated the transformation… it’s not the type of pressure many wanted. And everyone reacts differently to pressure. However… there’s some…. who have sparkled due to the pressure!

In my last blog post, I spoke about how Whatsapp for Business can help your business or organisation prosper in the digital world.

Many, after reading that, did ask… but what about emails, Bal? – Surely people want to check you out on the world wide web and email you.

Yes…. and no.

Yes, you need a digital presence. So if you can have a simple website – then yes – do it! In fact, it depends what your business is – your target audience, etc… but yes… build a simple website.

As for emails….

That’s right – they are pre-Corona! Yes you can use emails, but less and less people are using emails. It’s all about the Instant Messaging. The quicker you get a reply, the quicker you can make a decision and the quicker you can make that sale or engage with the customer.

I was on the O2 website the other day. Looking at some deals. And up pops a box… would I like to talk to someone… with an option for Whatsapp! – how cool is that!!

So… if you haven’t got a website – then yes, you should have one – and provide instructions with how to contact you immediately!

So, your website is your business shop (you could call it that). People come there for information, understand and maybe order something. In addition to the shop – what else do you have physically? – because we can turn that into Digital!

Now – your website should be the front door to your business shop. If they want to browse products – then in my opinion you have options here and the best way to showcase these would be via social media rather than on your website.

Instagram. Product Photos. We’ll talk more about social media in future posts but if you aren’t on Insta, you’re missing out big time…

So in summary…. it’s a big NO NO to emails. It’s a big YES YES to having a simple website, instant messaging and getting onto social media to showcase your products!

Now… I appreciate, many folk will be doing this – but you’d be surprised, how many are not. In future blogs, I’ll talk about digital signatures, online payments, and thinking of the digital capabilities that are available…. that can help you! (Yes… everything from AI to robotics).

One of the things I’m usually informed is, that my communication skills are good. My ability to communicate (at all levels) and more importantly, to break something complex down and simplify… is a good skill.

I usually see it as an opportunity to tell a story….