an interdisciplinary design force making effective visual communication solutions available to start ups and small businesses without screwing up their cash flow

read more about us

C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N

C-O-M-M-U-N-C-A-T-I-O-N
The 40 second round at networking events what do you say. One thing I often say is, ‘We connect businesses with their target audience through communication.’ So what exactly is communication? I thought about some tips I could share to help you think about different aspect of successful communication. Here we go!
C is for clarity: Go for transparency in your message. Simple and precise will go further than over complex.
O is for open: Don’t try and be what you are not. If you have a good product / service then there is an audience out there for you. You’ve just got to attract their attention in an effective way.
M is for magic: Think about how you can enchant your target audience with some magic.
M is for mystery: A little bit of ambiguity that makes people look twice is good. However, don’t go too far so your message becomes too unclear.
U is for unique: A distinctive approach is essential. Be different.
N is for navigation: Help your audience navigate their way through your message with a clear hierarchy of information.
I for inspire: Motivate and enthuse people and they are more likely to act on your message.
C is for conversation: Get people talking about your message.
A is for attention: Grab it. As much of it as you can.
T is for truth: There is nothing more provoking than an authentic message.
I is for inviting: Appeal. Allure. Engage. Be magnetic.
O is for obscure: Do the opposite. Obscurity creates doubt. Avoid it.
N is for no noise: Stick to one main message and don’t try and say everything at once.
And one more thing. Give yourself an A if you end every piece of information with a call to ACTION! Ask your audience to do something. Be clear about what to do next. They want you to think for them.
The 40-60 second round at networking events – what do you say? One thing I often say is, ‘We connect businesses with their target audience through engaging communication…’ So what exactly is communication? Here are some tips to help you think about different aspects of successful communication. Here we go!

C is for clarity: Go for transparency in your message. Simple and precise will go further than over complex.
O is for open: Don’t try and be what you are not. If you have a good product or service then there is an audience out there for you. You’ve just got to attract their attention.
M is for magic: Think about how you can enchant your target audience. Magic is exciting.
M is for mystery: An element of ambiguity that makes people look twice is good. But remember not to go too far so your message becomes unclear.
U is for unique: A distinctive approach is essential. Be different.
N is for navigation: Help your audience navigate their way through your message with a clear hierarchy of information.
I for inspire: Motivate and enthuse people and they are more likely to act on your message.
C is for conversation: Get people talking about your message and your brand.
A is for attention: Grab it. As much of it as you can.
T is for truth: There is nothing more provoking than an authentic message.
I is for inviting: Appeal. Allure. Engage. Be magnetic.
O is for obscure: Do the opposite. Obscurity creates doubt. Avoid it.
N is for no noise: Stick to one main message and don’t try and say everything at once.

And one more thing. Give yourself an A if you end every piece of information with a call to ACTION! Ask your audience to do something. Be clear about what you want them to do next. So to follow my own advice (!) please comment and let us know your thoughts. And if you are struggling to engage your audience with your communications then get in touch!

How to lose a customer in 30 steps!

A recent experience at a certain well known food/department store got me thinking about customer experiences. Is every tiny little aspect of customer experience important? I believe the answer is yes when my less than £20 pound shop could actually equate to £62,400. All I and Mr D wanted was a fan and large bowl of fresh salad from the salad bar…

1. Arrive just after 9pm.
2. We eventually find fans after a five minute search in roughly the right area.
3. There is one fan left in a rather abused looking box.
4. We opt to lug it around as it is the last fan – well Mr D lugs it around.
5. Arrive at salad counter.
6. No large salad bowls – in fact there are only small salad bowls.
7. No staff on the entire delicatessen isle.
8. Mr D leaves me waiting (battered fan box at feet) while he attempts to find invisible staff.
9. Mr D tracks down 2 staff members who are chatting amongst themselves.
10. Mr D asks for help and explains what he needs.
11. One staff member just says, “Sorry can’t help you.”
12. Surprised and a little taken aback Mr D looks at other staff member.
13. Second more helpful staff member musters a weak, “I’ll try.”
14. More helpful staff member walks very slowly towards salad counter.
15. More helpful staff member shuffles around behind salad counter for about three minutes… Continue reading

Honest, crazy truth!

OK, is any business out there truthful enough to admit that it’s crazy busy and not necessarily for the right reasons? I am probably too honest for my own good (then again, I wonder if there is such a thing as being too honest) so I’m just saying it how it is. Is time management a myth or is it possible? What is time management exactly? What should small business owners do about time management?

I haven’t blogged for ages. Yet I have a website with the blog as the front page. That is appalling, embarrassing and I know it does not give off the right signals. I have been less consistent on Twitter. I know I should do X, Y and Z but I’m just not getting round to it. Continue reading

FSB Member Business Link preferred supplier