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Wednesday, 12th August 2009
Nkuku Journal
I’m an avid note scribbler and often find myself with full notepads and at a loss for something to write on. Just as I ran out of writing material last week the online lifestyle shop Lily & Lime proffered a competition to win a swanky new Nkuku eco friendly, fair trade journal - I couldn’t resist entering!
As luck would have it I won and the journal is now in my hands! To appreciate the care and attention that Lily & Lime gave to my order see the video and photos below… the dark chocolate squares were particularly well received!
I have been invited to be part of the steering group for Nottingham based digital media event Media Camp. The following is a description from the wiki:
Media Camp Nottingham is a free one day event for digital media professionals wanting to share and expand their knowledge, and businesses or social enterprises who are curious about the digital phenomenon wanting to learn more.
This event is to share, explore, challenge and build understanding in digital media. Veterans and new comers alike can learn about audio and video podcasting, blogging, web marketing, graphics, email campaigns, Second Life, Twitter and other social media tools.
Although it has an air of the geek about it, I think it will be hugely useful to businesses wanting to increase their online exposure but are unsure of how social media networking operates. The event spans Saturday 9th May (9am to 5pm sessions with a live performance at 5.30pm and social time from 8pm onwards) and Sunday 10th May (11am to 2pm for coffee and review) and is held at Lace Market House.
I’m off to a meeting to finalise details later today; if you come to the event please say hello :)
A friend of mine recently asked me what the point of Twitter really is and I think the following two Tweets from Duke Twitterton himself (Mr Stephen Fry) epitomises the system perfectly.
“Russian mustard. Delcious. Mustard from Russia. Russian mustard. Who knew?”
Followed swiftly by;
“Madness. Just read label. ‘Kamis Russian Mustard. Rosyjska: Product of Poland.’ Colour me confused, perplexed and discombobulated.”
Recently I went to the newly opened LCB Depot in Leicester for an informal networking event called ‘To Be Creative Social’ and found it really quite enjoyable. TBC Social is a networking event for creative businesses with speakers offering advice on the latest business support schemes from organisations such as Business Link.
There’s nibbles and a complementary drink on entry (the event is free to attend) and the networking setup is very relaxed. If you are interested in creative businesses in the Leicester area I would recommend attending a future TBC Social - send an email to Kate Cowan for further information and to book a place. The LCB Depot website is also available but I think it may have accessibility issues…
As a young entrepreneur with a new business, I thought I’d best do what other small business owning entrepreneurial types do - Network. For those unfamiliar with networking, it is an opportunity to meet up with likeminded individuals who run successful businesses and swap business cards. Success can be gauged by the quantity and more importantly, the quality of referrals gleaned from attendees. Or so I was led to believe…
You see, my first experience of networking was with a group called The Profit Club which fell perfectly into the generic description given above… many people wore suits (with the omission of a tie indicating that the wearer was in ‘smart-casual’ mode), the speaker used powerpoint animations to their full potential and phrases such as ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ and ‘Crystal Clear Clarity’ were put to regular use. If I heard the name ‘Colin Client’ less than twenty times, i’ll be a monkey’s cousin. I turned up a tad late so missed the food (which I am told is fabulous) and although I met some very nice people I will not be attending again - it’s just way too marketing focused for me; everyone seemed to be in marketing, even the guy who made signs for a living!
So… from that you may think I have given up on networking? Not true! Karen Oehme put me in touch with an independant networking group called Synergy. They meet every Friday at the Riverside Farm pub in Nottingham at 7am and have a full English breakfast and a cup of tea before any banter begins. I felt at home immediately; no marketing jargon, no sales reps, nice sausages. I hope I will be able to frequent the Synergy meeting for some time to come and the people there will become less ‘an opportunity for referral’ and more ‘friends and colleagues’.
My point here is that networking is a good thing but try a few different groups before you join and you may find long term work relationships that flourish.
