Facebook obsession is ‘waste of firms’ time’
Wednesday 25th May 2011, 2:30PM BST.
BUSINESSES are wasting their time paying so much attention to social networking sites, according to business writer and broadcaster Guy Browning.
The managing director of Smokehouse, a company which helps organisations conceive innovative products, services, processes and new ways of communicating, was the guest speaker at this year’s Guernsey Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s spring ball.
Speaking ahead of his light-hearted business talk to more than 120 guests, Mr Browning criticised the current obsession with sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
In his old How To… column in The Guardian Mr Browning (pictured) once outlined his top 20 tips for how to survive business and office life. These included getting up to speed with jargon, being nice to PAs, treating appraisals as auditions for panto and dressing up, not down.
Five years on, he said, he would definitely add not getting obsessed with social networking sites as one of his top tips.
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To dis-regard the social internet today is like the fixed line telco’s who ignored the the existence of the mobile phone in the 80′s.
FACEBOOK AT A GLANCE
More than 500 million active users
50% of active users log on to Facebook in any given day
People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook
There are more than 250 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.
People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice as active on Facebook than non-mobile users.
But we never forget it’s all about connecting with your customers in the right channel, at the right time, with the right message..
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I have read this article in full and I have to say I am shocked this guy is still in business. After trying to find his website (which is totally user unfriendly) he states ‘we’re professionally open minded’ really??? After reading this, I beg to differ..!!!!
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Strange that the press would publish an article like this and open it up to comments. Comments ARE social media…
The reason advertising is in the newspaper is because people read the newspaper. The reason advertising is on Facebook is because people are on Facebook, and people are on Facebook a LOT more than they buy papers nowadays.
WAKE UP Guy Browning! As a journalist you, more than anyone, should realise that print is dying and social is growing at an alarming rate.
Totally agree with UiDIGITAL, you can’t ignore change and if you do, you will be left behind.
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In response to: “Facebook obsession is ‘waste of firms’ time” – http://bit.ly/m2d1Kl
The printing press, the telegraph, the telephone, the internet. Just a select few communications mediums that have changed the world; but at the time of their inception, provoked both scepticism and negativity on the part of some audiences.
Today we live in a global network society, our lives interconnected and immediate. The concepts of time, space and distance degraded by our ability to communicate in increasingly accessible and open ways.
The social, economic and political change social media has instigated, like the mediums before it, is impossible to ignore and ignorant and scathing comments like that of Mr Brownings are not uncommon. One’s lack of ability to challenge their own most treasured beliefs can often be prohibitive of personal progress; my fear is that ignorant comments such as that of Mr Browning’s will fuel scepticism and anxiety amongst audiences that are just getting to grips with a new way of communicating. I find it worrying that anyone in a position of influence could be so ill considered.
Let us for a second consider an interesting political case study; during the US presidential race of 2008, the Obama administration understood that there were core advantages in generating a dialogue within those spaces in which audiences spend the majority of their time in terms of media consumption. Put simply, rather than waiting for the audience to come to the campaign, the administration took the campaign to be audience. Businesses can learn something from this model, and should understand that their products and services should be as accessible to their audience as possible if they wish to prevail in tomorrow’s society, that will be born into a time where social media is as common place to them, as the mobile phone was to Mr Browning.
Let us not forget the fundamentals of “social media” and for a second shed off that title and concentrate on what it fundamentally enables society to do. In essence social media is purely a form of communications; and like all methods of communication it can be mis-used and mis-interpreted, while providing us with equal opportunity for social good and progress.
Herm Island has been a particularly good case study of social media usage locally. It demonstrates what a strategic and considered approach can enable.
“Newspaper advertising in the UK in order to attract news guests to the Island offers great coverage, but at a huge cost” explained Jonathan Watson, Herm’s Director of Hospitality. “Reaching a new audience and also reminding previous visitors to the Herm from the UK has, in the past posed significant difficulties given the overall budget that we are limited to. Social Media Marketing has offered us a solution to unlock the potential of utilising our brand advocates to reach these visitors, whilst interacting with them in a very positive way” explained Jonathan.
http://bit.ly/9KJKDy
If I could cite a shred of positivity in that of Mr Browning’s comments it would be that, perhaps unwillingly, he has highlighted one common faux pas in that of social media usage by businesses; the tendency to jump without looking.
Social media platforms should be thought of like tools, and like all tools they have different applications and are appropriate for different tasks. All social media strategies should take the form of a considered approach and undergo strategic planning. Perhaps it is the relative accessibility of social media platforms that contributes to the tendency for businesses to “jump straight in”; couple this with the fact that many of their market competitors and other local businesses are beginning to use social media, and you have a domino effect fuelled by and overwhelming anxiety of been left behind.
Mr Browning commented that:
“The other thing that fills me with confidence is the younger generation. They are so business literate and business aware”
I would like to support My Browning’s comments and note that I am a 24 year old Creative Director of a local communications agency, and like many young (and more senior) business people, find the ability to communicate (in any form that takes) essential to evolving business processes. In fact I would go as far as to say, without such an open and democratic business environment, enabled by new media communications, I and many other business people would have found it difficult to innovate and move forward.
I find it ironic that Mr Browning, “the managing director of Smokehouse, a company which helps organisations conceive innovative products, services, processes and new ways of communicating” would cite social media as a “waste of firms time”. And given his previous associations with the Guardian Newspaper could be so short cited. Meg Pickard, head of digital engagement at the Guardian notes that “Twitter was the Guardian’s first social media focus, and the paper now has 50 official accounts, with somewhere between 2.5 and 3 million followers in total. In addition, several hundred Guardian journalists have their own Twitter accounts.” http://bit.ly/eiWgAP
I would invite Mr Browning to comment and look forward to a healthy and informed debate.
Simon English
Creative Director
Crowd Media
For more of Mr Browns wisdom please see his other works:
Ringtones” How annoying is your partners ringtone?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/05/compatibility-test-ringtones-guy-browning
Chores: Who Does the most chores in your house?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/nov/28/compatibility-test-chores-guy-browning
Sex: Are you exploring the far frontiers of sexuality or just sleeping
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/12/compatibility-test-sex
Toothpaste: Do you squueze toothpaste from the top of the tube or the bottom
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/nov/07/compatibility-test-toothpaste-guy-browning
Mugs: What you drink your tea out of is highly revealing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/12/compatability-test-mugs
Please note that if you enjoyed Mr Browns articles you are able to “tweet”, “share” and “like” them on the guardian website.
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This was just an idea over a week ago and on day one there were over 30 nominations and 21,000 news fedd impressions.
We have now been asked if Guernsey can take part and the answer is YES to ALL the Channel Islands. Here is a link to the Facebook Page it’s called Jersey Social Media Awards for best use of Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn etc
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Jersey-Social-Media-Awards/122562994491362
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Crowd Media, I love this.. and I will be sharing your post on Twitter, FB and all the other media platforms I use. Well said, I really do hope Mr Browning has the b*lls to respond.. but then again, using a pigeon to post his response might take some time..!
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As a humble undergraduate of advertising and marketing, I am shocked that someone ‘in the know’ would disregard such a huge phenomenon and any opportunity for communication with the public. Print as a medium is far from dying – rather its usage is changing – but it is an undeniable fact that social networking sites open up cheap communication to a wide range of segments, and are particularly good at communicating to younger markets who may not read print media. They also offer a unique insight into the habits and activities of the public, providing valuable feedback and inspiration to the business.
Sure, businesses should not become ‘obsessed’ with social networking sites, but anyone claiming to be part of an ‘innovative’ process cannot possibly ignore such social changes in media and information searching. If they do, it will ultimately be to their detriment.
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I think poor old Mr Browning has failed at one of his first top 20 tips in how to survive business – ‘getting up to speed with jargon’!
He clearly has been left scratching his head at the wave of social media that has swept the world – doesn’t get it, doesn’t want to get it, so instead stands in front of a crowd of business savvy people and decries its application in the business environment.
He states ‘nobody important is on LinkedIn’ to a room full of listeners, of whom it is likely at least 50% are on LinkedIn!! A tad insulting. Who, in his eyes, is important? I’m on LinkedIn and I’m VERY important (well, my Mum thinks so anyway!)
Mr Browning, if you want some lessons on how to use Facebook or a long list of businesses who ARE benefiting from utilising this phenomenal medium – give us a call. The day after The Press published the article about you, they have published one about us for winning an award for using Social Media to promote business!
Ya boo sucks!
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Blinkin ‘eck Crowd Media.
Some very valid points, however…a lot of people (me included) have absolutely no interest in facepage or twatter.
I think Mr Brownings point is that companies shouldn’t concentrate too much on these mediums – very valid.
My suspicion, sir, is that you may have a vested interest in this type of social media?
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I have a feeling that he doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks, otherwise he would be into social media.
It works for us!
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Or maybe he just said it to stir things up, in which case, it’s a clever statement to make. However, if he truly believes what he’s said, I hope it’s because he has a customer base that completely disregards Twitter too….. if not, don’t see much hope for his business to grow!
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Crowd Media – Obama voted in because he used twitter? Really?! Sounds like you’re a youngster who hasn’t seen much in the way of trends. Things come, things go. Nothing to get angry about.
Digital social media is just a part of the internet. It is merely one way people communicate. If businesses do not use it, they will still succeed, just as companies do well without the need for TV advertising. From looking at your Facebook page, this seems to backup my previous sentence – only 87 “likes” on your page yet even with this tiny number you still seem to be in business.
Why on earth would Mr Brown reply to your rant? Turn off your computer & phone, calm down and read a newspaper; it’s not that serious (you can always write to the editor to make some social media style comments).
Jersey Social Media – come on, all those stats were only made up from people directly concerned, either in the business or clients (the only people who could possibly care enough about this passing trend). Seeing as you are including all the Channel Islands now, you’ll need a new name. The Ultimate Narcissism Awards perhaps?
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“6 Get up to speed with the jargon
What differentiates a business thought from a normal thought is that business thoughts have a “going forward” at the end of them going forward. It’s also vital that you know that for the envelope to be pushed out of the box and through the window of opportunity, customers should first become stakeholders and then delighted beyond their expectations. In order to do this, top executives will go forward the extra mile while wearing the shoes of the customer. And remember, the customer is king (unless she is a woman).”
As you can see, Browning is (for much of his writing and speaking life) a comedian. Most of his pieces are written with tongue firmly in cheek. This (argument in hand) I feel, is another example of his style of humour.
I find irony in the fact that arguments for the use of social media in business tend to use the very jargon that Browning speaks of above. A self fulfilling prophecy you might say.
Now, where did I leave my tea cup, I have a storm to put in it.
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There’s nothing like having something to hold in your hand
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Just noticed UiDigital’s comment. And I can’t remember Guernsey’s Great Telco Crash of the 1980s. Or any other come to that.
Perhaps to over-evangelise Facebook, Twitter etc, which increases their share price, is like market investors who ignored the over-hyped tech/internet bubble at the turn of the century?
I don’t define who I am by brands therefore I’d never entertain the idea of “liking” a brand. I use Facebook to connect with friends & family. Sure ads are served to me but they are even easier to ignore than TV advertising.
Get a balanced view
And you lot still seem to be in business with a mere 62 “likes” on your Facebook page. Weird that. By your reckoning you should have sunk without a trace by now.
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“FACEBOOK AT A GLANCE
More than 500 million active users”
So what’s your point?
……………..
RSPB AT A GLANCE
More members than the Tory and the Labour party combined.
Changed voting patterns in the UK? Nope
……………….
Smoke, mirrors and media study students.
………………..
Awards ceremony? Nominating yourself for an award and then telling everyone you have been nominated.
ha hah ahah ha hha hah ha hah ah
(pause for breath)
hahah ha hah hah ha hha hah hah ah hah ha
The FIFA Presidency is up for grabs, you will all fit right in.
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@JAY
You were being ironic weren’t you?
“It’s also vital that you know that for the envelope to be pushed out of the box and through the window of opportunity, customers should first become stakeholders and then delighted beyond their expectations. In order to do this, top executives will go forward the extra mile while wearing the shoes of the customer.”
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@ptsdam
It was a quotation taken from Guy Browning’s list on how to survive the office, which was referenced above. He was being ironic though, yes!
Gold star to you!
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Good to see a healthy debate and various view points on the table.
It is worth observing one small irony on the part of the sceptics:
The very bulletin board system in which you are constructing your arguments, is commonly understood and acknowledged as the predecessor to more advanced forms of networked communications and social media:The bulletin board system or message board.
It is also a common problem with debates facilitated by message boards; that some users take the opportunity to communicate via an alias, and make emotive comments they would not put their name to in a physical sense.
Stating your position and background could bring some context to your arguments and would make for a better debate which is why my affiliations are made clear.
Let us not forget the essence of what “social media” is…a form of communication. There is a tendency to react emotively to labels: “Facebook” “Twitter” for example. The environment that facilitates this debate differs little from these platforms. Labels matter little…the reality is society continues to communicate via networked communications that have innate influence and relationship to politics, economics and society (like many mediums that have come before it).
As far as the Obama example goes, i think ALL forms of communication are essential to the propagation of a message; the Obama administration was a land mark example of this and contributed to his success. However I did not state at any point that it was the sole catalyst to his success.
In the example of the Obama campaign race, it was clear to see that positive sentiment for Obama spread very quickly via social media. In a technical context, the convergence of differing digital media systems such as Facebook and Twitter created a scenario whereby information spread from one system to the next with fluidity. In a broader sense this example demonstrates the convergence of two core concepts, firstly that of content production; which has traditionally been the role of news media institutions, Reuters for example, in this case replaced by the voice of the people and user generated content. The second is that of content/message dissemination channels, traditionally organisations such as the BBC or ABC News, in this context replaced by social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. In the Obama campaign race example the creation of content, as well as its dissemination, occurred within the same “space” and in real-time.
A little more background that some may find interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html
@PaperBased thanks for your comments:
“Digital social media is just a part of the internet. It is merely one way people communicate. If businesses do not use it, they will still succeed, just as companies do well without the need for TV advertising.” – I agree, and my points made it quite clear that social media can be a part of a well considered business development strategy for some businesses. I would like to point out however, that citing my age to be an indication of my experience of trends, while valid, is not prohibitive in my ability to assess trend and learn from a history of media is a fairly well documented subject.
@PaperBased – “Things come, things go. Nothing to get angry about.” Again I totally agree and made this very clear in the opening statement of my previous argument. I am fascinated by evolving technologies/communications and welcome progress/change and the opportunity to consider it. I am assuming from your comments you have considerable experience of change/trends over time? Please share your observations with us.
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wow… Im taken quite aback at some of the comments here! I admit i haven’t read the whole article but I have interpreted the above quite differently.
I took interpreted the article as a positive… Some firms are obsessed with blocking employees from the site and perhaps, after consideration of Brownings recommendations, taking a relaxed approach to their employees internet use may be more sensible. Also just because a firm or individual is not “obsessed” with facebook, twitter etc it does not automatically equate to ignorance as some posters above seem to suggest.
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You only have to listen to Browning for a microsecond to realise he has a serious case of drowning man syndrome.
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“Facebook obsession is “waste of firms time”
Yep. Twitbook is a waste of anybody’s time IMHO.
Get a life, not a virtual one.
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This bloke is a luddite, while at the same time perspacious.
Facebook is like a pair of shoes. Everyone has a pair but how exactly do you make money out of them?
Without a shadow of doubt Facebook, or more likely its successor, will solve the problem of Worldwide usage and a huge profit.
At the moment Facebook is a shared email system for a PERSONAL experience. Facebook is definitely not a place to start a commercial enterprise without an existing, solid client base.
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luddite fraggle goon
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An interesting thread. On a newspaper website, with articles open for public comment. As my Creative Director (Simon English) says, ironically, THIS is social media. As is instant messaging, chat rooms, message boards, forums, dating sites, testimonial driven commerce (Amazon, TripAdvisor) and these have all been around for years now.
This is nothing new.
Some of the comments left here are just through lack of understanding of where we are as a society. We ARE becoming a networked society, we ARE changing the way we live and work and we ARE going to be doing far more of this in the very near future. We are talking about a cultural shift here, not an obsession. The “Facebook Obsession” that Browning cites is actually very true in some cases – but this debate has lost it’s way. Social Media, as a term/phrase/label is just misconstrued. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Digg….. just a tiny handful of online communities. There are literally hundreds of others out there and they continue to change, evolve and develop according to the demand of the user base. There are PLATFORMS. The reality is they just facilitate what we are doing here on this comment thread – having a dialogue.
No, you do not need a Facebook Page to survive today, nor a Twitter Account or a LinkedIn Profile; however, any business that chooses to ignore what technology offers its customers today does so at its peril. Word of Mouth marketing, or to put it simply, products and services recommended by your friends or family, are the holy grail of the future of business. Trust is the key word here, and social media facilitates these conversations and recommendations. You and I as consumers trust what our friends and family say about a business and it’s products and services, more than the brand itself does.
Change always makes people uncomfortable, but it is inevitable. Crowd Media do not, and never have, professed that social media is the only way to communicate successfully. What we have is an inherent understanding of the shift in technology, which has affected not only businesses, but governments, e-commerce, traditional news, politics, economics…..the world has changed, marketing needs to change, and for Browning to say business should ignore this is quite frankly, ridiculous.
To the few anonymous people that left comments aimed specifically at undermining Crowd Media. You are the most afraid of all. Get smart, and quick. I won’t even bother to address you personally as you haven’t been brave enough to post your real names. Snigger all you want; we have worked with global brands and some of the most respected names in the media industry through our social connections. We bring this knowledge back to the Guernsey marketplace and support many local initiatives. What are you doing to make your mark?
*pauses for breath*
I thought as much……
Jo Porritt
Founder
Crowd Media
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Dear Crowd Media
I’m in the publishing business and I admire your enthusiasm, but enthusiasm is not a business model.
You make some stunning claims, much of which I can see has been copied from ready available websites. The Obama reference being the most obvious one.
You say we have to effectively ‘get with the programme’ or ‘wake up and smell the coffee’. Well I did a bit of research on your claims, particularly the one about trust (your words not mine)
You’ve entered into an anonymous forum and claim to have worked for global brands. A quick search on Bing under Crowd Media Limited Guernsey shows that you have no website.?!?!??!?!?!
Nothing you claim is verifiable.
Ultra modern, get with the programme, we are all stupid Crowd Media doesn’t have a website? No Blog, a Facebook fan base of under 100 and Twitter followers of under 600.
What were you saying about trust again?
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Dear @ P Clersin
Nothing we say or have said are “stunning claims’ they are cited references from credible industry resources as they are central to the argument, as a debate.
Entered into an “anonymous forum”? I do believe we have not been anonymous by any way, shape or form; nor does the forum dictate that you have to be anonymous?
Regarding our own website. Our company has been in operation for 6 months and during that time we have put all of our own marketing last – just like many other businesses do – as our clients have come first! Are you a business owner yourself?
Everything “we claim to have said” on this forum is the absolute truth in respect of our operations. I guess when the new Crowd Media website is live you can make a more informed judgement about us. Until then, you will have to speak to our clients – they are testimony to everything we do. There is so much irony in what you are aiming at us.
Again, no need to make this personal. If you do not agree with our opinions, which we respect, please provide and evidence your own. I am not going to personally defend our credibility or our position within our industry, which believe me, is trusted and respected.
As for “Nothing you claim is verifiable” – hence our ability to construct credible arguments and a debate based on, in your own words, “readily available sources” What is a debate if it does not draw on ulterior sources?
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Crowd Media/ Jo Porritt/ Simon English , wow! What a load of waffle! I hope you didn’t have any of your multinational clients on the clock whilst you were ‘researching’ any of that………….
I’m pretty good with ‘copy and paste’ myself actually having invented the concept in the mid 70’s, unfortunately due to an oversight on my part in the early stages of the process which unfortunately was discovered at the Patent Records Office I remain unremunerated for my endeavours. The clerk was sweating heavily whilst having to repeatedly type in my very difficult to spell Guernsey address in quadruplet on the forms, I suggested that he just type it once then highlight the text and press ‘ctrl’ & ‘c’ but he informed me that as no-one had patented the ‘ctrl’ key yet he wasn’t allowed to use it. The ensuing misspelling of ‘Route des Coutanchez’ on two of the applications meant that the whole thing was thrown out. It was around this time that my life began to fall apart having invested heavily already in the copy and paste process.
Interestingly my friend’s daughter has a Facebook profile for her pet rabbit, it has 900 ‘friends,’ which frankly is a ridiculous amount for a non-sentient creature but ignore that for now and compare it with your own 88 online followers. Interestingly the only thing that I can draw from this (other than that people really like rabbits) is that Mr Snuggles the fluffy bunny has over 10 times the online influence that your company has! I’m thinking of contacting Iams and using his unique position in the fast moving and ever changing Guernsey digital, online, social media community to promote their pet food. It could be a good wheeze, if I take a percentage of the sales I might be able to regain some of the money I lost on my failed ‘ Backspace ‘ patent application in the 80’s. On the other hand they might call me a weird loser, again.
Wanting to find out what you company actually DOES I looked at your Facebook page. It suggests that I can read your manifesto for information, but when I click on the link I just get a holding website. No manifesto. At the same time I couldn’t help noticing that the code behind this page is pretty scrappy and also isn’t optimised for search engines. If you wish to engage me as a SEO consultant and actually appear on Google, Bing etc then feel free to get in touch once you have some original content and I’ll start work. Of course I’ll advise you not to promote it in the public domain until it’s fully functional and nice and shiny.
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Simon English – I’m really not that interested in the subject to argue over it. It matters nothing to me whether your industry flourishes or crashes. I do feel a bit embarrassed for you in that your boss felt the need to publically crash the thread, especially given the fact that you write so much better than she does. She should have more faith in you. If she waded in because of something I said, I apologise. You don’t need such mothering. Perhaps you could mention it to her if she *pauses for breath* again.
However her comments did make me smile, especially:
“To the few anonymous people that left comments aimed specifically at undermining Crowd Media. You are the most afraid of all. Get smart, and quick. I won’t even bother to address you personally as you haven’t been brave enough to post your real names.”
Well, (do I really need to explain this to social media professional?) this is an anonymous forum! I’m not trying to sell business services via spam messaging a forum with advertising dressed up as comments so I don’t need to make my identity known.
And no, Jo Porritt, I wasn’t specifically trying to undermine your company. I wasn’t even trying to defend the article, I was just throwing in some points to consider from a bystander’s point of view. If any of the other posters I mentioned feel I was trying to undermine them, I apologise to you too.
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There is another social media term which applies here…
TL:DR
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Crowd Media ?
Never heard of them … but I have now because of this blog
So I suppose it works after all
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*yawn*
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@ Jo Porrit
why has anything you have to say got any value?
Are you related to “Roffey Writes”? I don’t read anything from that author either…
Why jump in here and ruffle feathers if you are trying to build a business – oh sorry you have already done that and all of your clients are very satified with your business services, or so you say?
Should you not have been working at 9.21am?
Best regards
Ed ******(name edited by employer re personal comments)
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How to expose self promotion and porkie pies in less than 10 posts.
#crowdareowned
LMAO
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Well said Ray and a very valid point.
I have just decided to have a look at Google analytics for my website.
Under traffic sources it states which webpages were used to direct traffic to your site. in the past month 45% of people came entered my site through a link on Facebook so for anyone who claims to think that social media is a bad way to promote, just research the figures and you might be surprised.
I am not saying that my website is popular and I am aware that it isnt, but the figures speak for themselves and to back up somebodys point about logging onto facebook via mobile devices, 10% of visitors found my site via Facebook on a mobile device which together is a vast percentage of visitors courtesy of my facebook profile/page.
And best of all about advertising on Facebook, it doesn’t cost me a penny unless I decide to have a dedicated advert on the right hand side of the page. Word of mouth in my opinion is the best way to promote your business, if you do a good job, your client tells their friends and it goes from there.
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Good grief, Ms Porritt, calm down dear, it’s only a social networking site, not the holy grail.
This gentleman, who’s been in business since 1997, is entitled to his opinion and to express it, should he so wish, that’s freedom of speech for you….
the same freedom of speech that this forum has given you to blatently (subtly, I’m sure you think) advertise your company that was founded when-?- oh yes, last year – on this forum…..
now get back to work, you aren’t being paid to believe in the power of your dreams.
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No lies, no spamming, no self promotion.
Just 100% truth. A concept a lot of you find hard to believe.
And our opinion on the future of business comms/marketing.
Our perspective just happens to be about 3 years ahead of most of the users on this forum.
Our work speaks for itself; and so does our position within the media industry both here and in the UK and Europe. I could get a whole host of them to comment on this thread, but then we would be accused of further self-promotion.
I guess you will all just have to wait and see if we are really are who we say we are when our site goes live. Our ask our clients in the meantime…..
Great insight into the local market thinking though – thanks for all your interest in us ;)
We stand by our position, heads held high.
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Jojo I think you should employ Scott as your PR man, he has simply summed up his thoughts on how to usefully use a site like FB to the benefit of his business very succinctly and without shamelessly plugging his own site, company or agenda.
A wise women once said about sites like these:-
“Be humble….Learn when to talk and not to talk. Just because you CAN jump in and add your 5 cents worth, doesn’t mean you SHOULD!”
(their emphasis not mine)
Don’t loose your mojo over this Jojo, I think it’s great that you choose to enter and participate with your peers in this fast changing, exciting, dynamic and interactive online forum, encouraging further one to one communication with your marketplace and the benefits that role reversibility brings.
Just learn when to stop.
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My, my Jo Porritt
Three years ahead of everyone? What’s it like in that future world where everyone has ditched their websites in favour of a holding page? Where promoting your company through forum posts isn’t considered to be self promotion? Where “100% truth” has mutated to mean something completely different from its present day definition?
Is it a place where anyone with an internet connection is a social media superstar? Or has that become passé?
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‘No lies, no spamming, no self promotion…Just 100% truth….business comms/marketing’…
‘Our perspective just happens to be about 3 years ahead of most of the users on this forum….our work speaks for itself’……..
…apols for the delay in replying, dears, just back from hospital (yet again) having bust my gut laughing (yet again) having read Ms Porritt’s latest plug for her business – sorry, ‘comment’ – where she actually had the b*lls to use the phrase ’100% truth’ in the same breath as ‘business comms/marketing’ (does she breath? Don’t know how she finds time to do that, run her very new business and follow every comment on here successfully…amazing) then goes on to tell us all about how she’s not promoting her very special company (and why it’s so very special).
Of course, as a typical local market person (the sort with an established business or two and a few spare bob to spend on marketing) who’s evidentially eons behind you guys, I don’t understand all that smoke an mirrors hoy- poloy…
though I do understand spending your valuable time getting round to sorting out a proper website for a business you set up last year would possibly be more productive (and professional) than sifting through forums to plug your business on.
Must go, I’m off to town, me, and I haven’t polished up the cart or hitched the horse to it yet :)
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