Category: Uncategorized

I am fascinated by stories and by storytelling and I seek them out wherever I go.

When I meet new people I ask lots of questions … about who they are, where they are from, about their family and where they grew up. And the more questions I ask the more intrigued I become. But this is not true of all people … some of us are shy, or reserved, or just not comfortable in telling our stories.

And when you meet someone with a blog, whether online or off, one of the first things you do is take a look around. As with most things, first impressions count … what do they say, where do they hang out (who is on their blogroll), what are their interests, pet peeves or passions? In many ways you are walking around their neighbourhoods.

When I first met Paul I was impressed with his writing and his frankness. I was amazed at how he would seem to carelessly throw his words around only to find them hanging suspiciously with great ideas. And I loved his sequencing … like a storyboard — with pictures, art and ideas meshing to multiply meaning.

There are many aspects of Paul’s storytelling style that mark him out from the rest of us amateurs. He disarms his readers quickly, with sincerity and simplicity, he invites us into his story and flatters us with words and battered eyelids. And he slaps us, wakes us and cajoles us … and if that doesn’t work … shames us, into listening, swallowing and acting upon the ideas he gives away for free.

He has many great examples of this over at his blog … but if you haven’t seen it yet, Paul has an article over at BMA. He may not always be walking up Madison Avenue, but a tour of Paul Street is one you will come back to again and again. Congrats Smartypants!

S.

Marcus is maintaining the rage over the closure of his old college. There is much to be said for colleges like this … in fact, for those of us who were lucky enough to go to university/college and enjoy it, tend to have a soft spot for the campuses of our youth. And while I don’t have a connection to this college, the plight of Dartington is being replicated around the world … and coming soon to a college near you.

There are some great stories now appearing on the “official” Save Dartington College site. The students past and present speak of drive, growth and curiosity — qualities that are frighteningly absent in many of the graduates that I meet in interviews these days.

There is more at stake than short term costs … or medium term investment. These institutions become part of the fabric of our lives … they teach us to engage with the world of ideas. And we will be the poorer for their demise.

S.

Following on from the 5 things meme, the super-clever Mack Collier has come up with an alternative … the idea is to identify FIVE blogs that you think are NOT getting the link love that they deserve — and then send a little their way. Best of all … you start with Mack’s original five.

The Z-list, by the way, is no reference to any ranking mechanism — in fact the plan is to try and befuddle Technorati at least a little. OK … so here are Mack’s + mine:

Shotgun Marketing Blog
BrandSizzle
bizsolutionsplus
Customers Rock!
Being Peter Kim

eSoup — Sharon serves up lots of tasty marketing tips.

Serial Thoughts — Diana has a new job and her blog is rocking along! Some great energy and planning insight from Romania!

Mindblob — OK … I am sure Luc gets more traffic than many of us, but there is a reason. Not only is he clever, he is also rakishly handsome!

BizandBuzz — Not only does Gianandrea share some great ideas and contribute to the global conversation, he also does it in English. Puts us all to shame, really.

DatingPro — Julia is prolific — not only does she bring some amazing thinking into the Dating Website space, she also pops up all over the blogosphere.

Enjoy!

S.

Seems that Typepad doesn’t like me.

Over the last few days I have wanted to comment on a number of my favourite blogs, but have been unable to. At first there were a couple of strange commenting errors, but then they became worse. Everytime it seemed that I was coming up against a greater level of spam filtering.

I wanted to nominate this post by Paul Coleman as November’s post of the month and to add a witty comment to David Armano’s post on Microsoft Design. I also had some suggestions for KG’s reading list, random thoughts on conferences for CK and a little excitement for Jackie and Ben’s new book. There was, of course, plenty of nerdy Second Life action that needed some input — And what is WORSE … there are many other things that I have forgotten, now.

I whinged and complained to Typepad. I sent desperate emails to some of the authors of these blogs asking to be let back in. And then I even found blogs that DID NOT ACCEPT COMMENTS (one for YOU Angryman) — who else but Seth does that?

It made me realise how important it feels to be PART of the blogosphere conversation. Even when I visit A-list sites (rarely) — noticing how FEW comments they attract — I often drop a line or two of comment. And when I find a new site that appeals to me, I will also seek to engage with the author or the other contributors.

It is funny, because there are many posts about STARTING to comment on sites and the pressure that you feel in the lead up. But after a while, blog commenting becomes as natural as an offline conversation … so to find yourself silenced can cause COMMENT ANGST.

Has anyone else been black balled? Or is it just me?

At least I can still rant here … until Typepad lock me out of that too!

Thanks to DA for the idea for this post 😉

S.

You know that your industry is maturing when IBM decides to take an interest in what you are doing. Sure the worldwide games industry has greater revenues than Hollywood, but there is still plenty of growth to come.

This presentation on the IBM website looks at the history of video gaming, the technologies behind the latest advances and how the idea of gaming is revolutionising the way that we work, play and learn.

They even have a Game Tomorrow Blog … in case you want to “join the conversation”. Looks like there is a smattering of content, and they are looking for more contributors. Check it out.

S.

Captain CK has launched a new book club over at MarketingProfs and it sounds great. Over 500 club members regularly discussing books … potentially MUCH more.

It is global meaning that anyone can join up … and there is STILL time.

The first cab off the rank is Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba’s new book Citizen Marketers. There are already some good reviews by Mack Collier and Guy Kawasaki … but it will be fascinating to see how the discussion unfolds in the book club.

If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time!

S.

I love my blog roll. It reminds me each day about who to read — about who is important to me in my little world. It helps to provide some brain-activating energy in the morning when I am feeling foggy.

And the blogs that I love most are those who I can read over coffee … or lunch if I have a busy start. This is partly why I think that coffee mornings for blogs are such a great idea … for me they are a perfect fit — just face to face.

Often I will grab a coffee and then sit down at the computer and randomly choose a blog from the list. One click and I am away into a new conversation … listening to the cadence of the writing, reading between the lines, making connections and building up a mental head of steam.

But like many, I have been remiss in updating my blogroll. So today I have updated it with a few new sites:
The Jason Recliner — Run by Vando (a regular at our coffee mornings), the name comes from a brand of reclining armchair popularised in the 70s. My Nan had a series of them.
You Pissed Me Off You Bastard — The Angryman has a clear view and a sturdy aim. My current favourite is No 27.
Craphammer — Sean is a Texan vegan, hippie with a penchant for wookie names.

Hey, and if you want to read a GREAT story about this roller coaster, check it out at Flickr.

Some years ago American Express had a highly successful strap line — "don’t leave home without it". I can still remember the guy from "Streets of San Francisco" saying these words.

It is interesting now, however, how that this call to action has now become intimately associated with mobile phones. We REALLY don’t leave home without them. I don’t know about you, but I feel slightly naked without mine (no matter how much I profess to loathe it). And while I am not one to go home to retrieve a forgotten phone — there are many others who DO.

Of course, the consumer reliance and ACCEPTANCE of this reliance has resulted in a massive boom for companies such as Nokia. This has flow-on effects for telcos all around the world … with a corresponding increase in the demand for connectivity and fat bandwidth.

With such a positive focus on the mobile device as the "third screen", is there any doubt that conferences such as MPlanet 2006 attracts a great line up of speakers and fantastic online coverage. All of these sites provide excellent analysis and perspective on the conference, especially the amazing Josh Hallett. Don’t think mobile without reading!

S.

I don’t know if it is just me, but I don’t seem to be able to ping Technorati at the moment.

So if you found this site via Technorati and thought I had not updated the site in the last 20 days or so … SURPRISE!

I love theory and ideas … but even more than that, I love it when theory and ideas are put into practice. It is that whole "strategy is execution" thing that Russell Davies talks about … and it is the modus operandi of David Armano.

A couple of days ago, DA asked for comments on the year that has been 2006. He then pulled that together and has placed it into a presentation. It is a great way to see how many of us interpreted this year — on personal and business fronts — and it is a great example of co-creation.

For me, it was the way that technology came back to us all. Russell has a great quote by Brian Eno that says "Technology is the name that we give to stuff that doesn’t work yet" … and it sums up where 2006 has been heading. With systems like Typepad and WordPress, we are all able to write and publish online … even the word BLOG has a distinctly luddite feel. And while there is a long way to go … the WAY that these technologies allow for interaction and community is closer to a HUMAN rather than cyborg-style form. Perhaps the machines wont win afterall.

S.