Tag: collaboration

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Media… Social Media!

Another blog post about Social Media, Bal? – I’m using the tools, I post… I share… and I wait for likes.

Whilst that is great – you should be doing more on Social Media. Just having the tool is one thing – using it effectively is another.

Yes – I know, there’s a lot of tools out there. I know that it can be time consuming and that there’s so much information being generated and shared – however, you have to a) keep consistent and b) have a goal!

There’ll be a reason for you to use social media – to make some noise and let people know about who you are and what you do. You’re probably trying to sell something – and Instagram being soooooooo huge, is the perfect platform for you.

What tools you use – is up to you. Facebook is the biggest in the world. Followed by some of the other popular one such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc…

Just posting an update or sharing an image isn’t enough these days. Because everyone is doing that.

It comes down to collaboration.

How many posts and photo’s do you comment – engage – build a conversation on? How many times have you shared some of your knowledge on someone else’s media platform?

It works both ways. The more you actively share and collaborate – the more others will with you! And that’s where the value is.

Your reach will increase – and you’ll gather more followers and customers.

The other point was having a goal. What do you want your audience to know or do? When they land on your page – is it clear what you are about and what the ask is. Is there an ask?!

Having these clear simple steps will take your social media game up a notch and for you to really leverage the power of social media and build on what you’ve started….

Side note – apologies for the lateness of my podcast! – All will be explained when Kat and I get a chance to record the next one… which I’m hoping won’t be too long.

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Clearing those emails…

Well, first and foremost – I hope you all had a great Easter break.

Now, I appreciate, I have many readers from around the World, and not everyone celebrates Easter – but I’m living in England and we do.

Whilst on the whole, it was thoroughly enjoyable with the hot weather… there was one small problem I found… .that I’d have a million emails when I log back in when I’m back at work.

Now… being honest, we’re never away from work – are we? – we’re always connected. Mobile phone in hand… we will receive notifications of when we get an email (Yes – I do turn my notifications off whilst I’m on ‘holiday’)


However – you do see the number next to the icon (if you’re on iOS) just increasing all the time.

But can we move away from Email… the answer is Yes!

How’s that Bal?

Well… some people are saying, that email is dead. Technically, and if you ask me – it’s not dead… but is dying.

Because we have so many other ways to communicate.

WhatsApp for example.

It’s quicker. It’s easier. You can have groups. You can send attachments….

There’s so much going for WhatsApp – that it makes a variable alternative.

But there’s not only WhatsApp – there’s other tools as well…. for example Slack.

I do like Slack. You can create channels – have people invited to collaborate on certain topics… share files (attachments), and do so much more.

Then there’s other tools based around projects, based around events, etc…

So that’s why, I think email is dying…. we haven’t got the attention span – well, I say we, it’s these young folk! – Millenials have an attention span of 12 seconds!

It’s even disappointing with the Gen Z…. 8 seconds.

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Fax me the details

Now, many folk reading this blog post may not remember the old trusted Fax Machine.

Basically, you’d write something on a bit of paper. Feed it through the machine, dial a number and hey presto – the message would be printed onto paper on the other side.

It’s got a brilliant history…

Now – I was very very young when the fax machines were around – and being honest, never really got to use them. Therefore the process I mentioned above is what I think would’ve happened – any older or experienced folk – feel free to correct me.

The great thing is – technology has helped us to transmit messages so much more quickly, easily and being able to save a few trees!

That’s right – the trusted email was introduced to the masses – computers were more available and the fax machine was no longer.

Or was it….

Well, the Health Secretary in the UK has told the NHS – that they have to stop buying fax machines by March 31st 2020.

The Royal College of Surgeons estimated there’s about 8,000 fax machines being used in the NHS! 

I just can’t believe we’re using them! – let alone saying we’ve got to stop buying them!!

In this digital era we live in… there’s so many options… firstly, the trusted email…

There are so many ways to communicate… digitally! 

Yes, there’s Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, so many more… In fact, many are moving away from email and using collaboration tools such as Slack. 

In a way… I’m glad they’ve finally decided to stop buying them. Any guesses on how long before they’re using an online collboration tool? 

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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. 

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One does enjoy a ‘Proper Whiskey’…

We’ve seen Celebs collaborate and introduce new products to the market place.

We had Dr Dre… with the Beats Headphones. Which were a phenomenal success.

Now you have Mr Conor McGregor… introducing you to some ‘Proper Whiskey’.

My nephew text me and told me about it! – He said ‘Check this out… you going to try some?’

You know you have to, right? – similar to the Beats… if Dre… a master of his art, knows a thing or two about sound… must have done a good job on the headphones…. McGregor must have teamed up with some of the best in the world… and I’m sure Conor likes a drink or two… must have have produced a half decent Whiskey!

It’s not always about endorsements. I feel, you got to go one step ahead.

Collaborate with experts and bring out a new product, for the World to enjoy.

Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine – came together to produce and introduced the world to Beats Headphones.

And you can’t argue how successful they have been. Good or not… that’s a personal opinion… but they sure have made a buck or two for the founders.

So Connor… has done the same.

Along with Bushmill’s former distillery manager, David Elder… they have produced the Proper No. 12 Whiskey.

And straight away… you know it’s going to be big! You know it’s going to be popular… and it’ll sell lots. If you like blended whiskey or not… you’ll be intrigued.

And the marketing has started…. and what timing. You may (or may not know) Mr McGregor has a big fight coming up soon also…. so timing is perfect.

Not only that… his social media following is huge. And what a better way to promote your product..

So there you go…. the future isn’t about Endorsements.

It’s about Collaboration.

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Video

Stop, Collaborate &….

I’ve shared in many keynote talks I’ve done previously, the importance of ‘Collaborating & listening’.

I also did some filming once, for an internal Innovation-related topic, where I spoke about it again. And the team filming, who are good friends of mine, decided to edit part of it, and send it back to me.

Had it for a while, and thought i’d share it with you all.

Hope you enjoy it 🙂