The Flipper Blog

Metro Bank - Failure or Potential Success

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Metro Bank is set to launch on to the High Street in Guildford soon.

With the new arrival of a new high street bank underway, it makes you wonder is this really the right time to do so. The high street is quickly becoming a deserted place, with the imminent departure of 66 HMV Stores across England and many other retailers facing uncertain future. With the ever increasing threat of online e-commerce we ask does this provide the right judgement for a chain to launch on the High Street?

Is customer service over competitive rates the right way to attack the Banking Crisis?

The high street bank which offers a range of savings and current account products believes that typical household names, such as Nationwide and Barclays, lacked that customer service factor. They felt that if they thrive on this aspect people will flock to their branches instead. Anthony Thomson, Metro's Bank CEO said 'We always said there was a real opportunity for a bank offering a real customer experience. People said it wasn't possible, that all customers cared about was rates, but we've been proved right.'

According to one source the recently opened store in Croydon opened 500 accounts on its first day. This successful launch marks a potentially big risk and threat to competitors but one which could have the potential revive the high street.

Metro Bank offers 7 day banking convenience with many branches open on a Sunday to cater for every need. Yet with advances in telecommunications and more and more people managing their money online, we have to consider whether we really need to visit the high street to manage our money. Furthermore customer service can be somewhat inconsistent from branch to branch, therefore it probably won't take too long before someone puts a spanner in the works and they become another casualty of the continuing failing high street.

It remains to be seen whether their rates will be competitive with other high street lenders and this will ultimately sway people to use the Bank.

John Lewis & Waitrose Warms our hearts again this Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:50:00 +0000

It appears that Christmas is in full swing with the Halloween outfits packed up its time to dust down the Christmas box of treats and decorations. No doubt you will have seen the constant stream of supermarkets and department stores gaining air time in their battle to get your money this Christmas.

One advert that in my mind marks the start of Christmas is the John Lewis advert. With strong stance on togetherness and unison John Lewis has many created living room memories and even propelled newly signed artists to the top of the chart list. Amazingly soundtracks recorded for John Lewis TV commercials have already sold more than 1 million units since 2009 .

This years advert showcases the need of togetherness showing the lengths and breadths that people will go to give gifts this Christmas. The soundtrack of the advert is sung by a relatively unsigned Gabrielle Alpin, to the lyrics of power of love, this is sure to kick start her music career.

Marketing Director of John Lewis Craig Inglis, said that whilst last years advert was an instant success this years advert still packs in that heart felt seasonal cheer 'We know that our customers put real effort into finding the perfect gift for their loved ones at Christmas. This year’s ad brings that to life, with a creative twist.'

art of the John Lewis Partnership group includes Waitrose and whilst the John Lewis advert is the creative one this year Waitrose's is more subdued. Brand Ambassadors Heston Blumenthail and Delia Smith present a heartwarming but budget conscious open film setting that focuses on donating to charity organisations this Christmas.

Whether or not both these adverts will ring the cash registers in the stores remains to be unknown just yet, but what is for sure is that they have certainly put their mark on Christmas this year.

Superstorm Sandy & The Presidential Election

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:17:00 +0000

Its election time in the United States and millions of voters are expected to cast their votes on who should be the next president, yet the effects of superstorm Sandy and the way the president has behaved in the after math of the event could have potential positive impacts in the running for his re-election.

On Monday 29th October a terrific and unprecedented superstorm hit the east coast of the United States. Still today many people are without electricity, many homes have simply vanished from existence, where once stood bustling communities now see burnt out wasteland. Whilst people see vast destruction of Atlantic City and New Jersey the worst affected areas, they are slowly beginning to pick up the pieces left by the storm and the re-build process is becoming a reality for many.

The swift pre-cautions taken including shutting and protecting the network of underground subway, tunnels and roads meant much of the devastation has been reduced. Moreover daily media updates from the affected counties have meant a swift and coordinated approach which have helped the relieve efforts by the American Red Cross and other partners.

Barack Obama's immediate concern was one of 'togetherness', in an early statement he mentioned that 'We pull together. We leave nobody behind. Whenever an American is in need, we stand together'. Standing by this statement re-certifies the fact that the people of America can re-build and put their lives back after this unprecedented disaster. The statement also adds further evidence that whilst the election is still on-going he is still concerned for the American people affected.

The presidents plaudits have not just come from his own people but from both sides of the fence with many democrats speaking out about his 'outstanding response', including Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, one of the worst hit areas of the storm. Christie, who recently slammed Obama in a major speech at Romney's nominating convention, said he spoke with the president three times on Monday, the day the storm hit, and thanked the president for promptly declaring the state a federal disaster area so it could get federal help without the "normal FEMA mumbo jumbo."

Obama's tenancy as president might soon run out of gas but his swift and dedicated commitment to bring peoples life's back together, could keep keep him in political power for a further four years. In comparison what Mitt Romney could have done in such instance would have been limited but his whereabouts and comments maybe reserved for another day when he may too be in the eye of the storm.

Whether Obama has won over his critics that say he hasn't done enough and should not be re-elected remains to be seen and in truth we won't find out until later next week. Obama's controlling and caring approach has certainly been noticed, but whether the American people believe in his political views is another. However what is for sure is that whilst the election is still on-going there remains a major re-building process for either candidate when they re-enter or enter office in January.

On The Rise: Rise To

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Budding recent graduates and undergraduates descend on London for launch of Rise To

Are you a budding entrepreneur or a recent undergraduate who strives to maybe one day own your own business? A new concept launched called Rise To will certainly enlighten you to the secrets and tricks of the trade of achieving your reality.

The event held at ETC Events, Dexter House, Royal Mint Court on 11th October was well attended by a number of partners, recent graduates and budding entrepreneurs. The series of workshops entitled Employ-ability, Speed Networking and Starting your Own Business, provided a format which was approachable to all and allowed individuals to learn, but also ask questions to existing businesses on how they can turn ideas into reality.

With the job market specifically tough for recent graduates. Employers are becoming more reluctant to invest in young talent due to experience. By creating links and routes to successful businesses such as Umi Marketing & Simply Business, Rise To aims to overcome these barriers by providing useful tips on getting that first step on the job ladder or first investment for new businesses.

If you are interested in becoming a partner of Rise To and believe you can add knowledge and experience then please do not hesitate to contact Rachel. Alternatively if you are looking to join the group and have budding ideas of your own but unsure of how to get them of the ground and would welcome some friendly advice and tips then please do not hesitate to contact Amina at Rise To.

Getting Back On The Job Ladder

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:47:00 +0000

After spending the last year working in Sales & Account Management in the FMCG sector I now find myself looking for a new opportunity.

I thought that after graduating from University and getting a job straight out of blocks it wouldn't be this difficult. Especially a job where I was given the opportunity to be trained up in various aspects of the industry and more over transferable skills in Negotiation and Presentation.

Well I couldn't have been more wrong! Since leaving my contract position I have found it incredibly difficult to get my foot back in the door. Admittedly I have been offered and taken a number of temporary opportunities, to keep income coming in, but they are only so good for the short term.

A search on my email inbox for the word 'applications' reveals a staggering 190 applications since July. Some have led to interviews, some second stage, some even third stage. Others have been a point blank refusal, with many more not even giving me a reply. So after so much time writing covering letters and emails its difficult to keep optimism and hope.

So where does this leave me know?

I am still actively looking, I am not one of these people that will do the job and go home at the end of the day, I have resilient character, I don't get intimidated by others and would like to think that I can bring bags of enthusiasm to the role I eventually end up doing.

The real disheartening thing though is that whilst I am technically 'unemployed' the government states that I didn't pay enough National Insurance last year and therefore not entitled to any 'job seekers allowance'. Now come on! Whilst I may have had a job for a year, I am pretty sure there are people out there who have never worked and I am certainly not one of those.

Nick Clegg & The Political Spoofs

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg spoke of his apology to students regarding the latest round of tuition fee increases. Whilst this was the main objective of his speech, no sooner had he ended on the word 'apology' the video was a viral sensation and is set to maybe even reach the UK Chart this weekend.

The broadcast intended for students, created by 'thepoke' website gives a great opportunity to see the light er side to Politics. However whilst the spoof has been watched by just shy of 400,000 YouTube viewers, Nick Clegg has given his full backing requesting that all of the single profits be given to the Christians Hospitality Charity in Sheffield, where he is a PM.

This is not the first time something like has happened. In the build up to Presidents Obama election in 2008 a video replicating a speech at a party broadcast was re-created by creative agency Dipdive and released on YouTube. It featured Will.i.am, John Legend and a wealth of other known celebrities supporting his campaign. The video entitled 'Yes We Can' has grossed more than 24million users since 2008 and has won a host of Webby and Emmy awards for both the creative directors at Dipdive but also Will.i.am himself.

So whether Nick Clegg is keen to re-gain credibility to students following this spoof remains to be seen, however the video will do the coalition government no wrong going forward.

If you have not seen both of these videos I have attached them to the bottom of this blog for your further amusement.

Making the Most of your LinkedIn Account

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Ever wondered who is looking at your LinkedIn profile. Having been an avid user for many years I now have found it increasingly useful to gain new connections and potential new opportunities simply by connecting with people who have viewed my profile recently.

You can view who has viewed your profile by going to 'who's viewed your profile' on the LinkedIn home screen. It will say something along the lines of '8 people have viewed your profile in the past 3 days'. Below that you will see how many times your profile has come up in searches.

These tools are all good measures of your investment you put into your profile. The likelihood of someone visiting your profile could be because they are looking for new opportunities themselves, have a point of contact or even some information they would like to share with you. This in turn allows your to modify your content and make it more applicable to the people you want to reach out to with in your particular industry.

Who's been looking - directors, to college friends, it always intriguing to find out who has been looking at your profile. Whilst it is great that people view your profile, you can never be sure why they did, therefore in some instances it may be appropriate to send them a Linkedin connection request.

The key to a LinkedIn connection message is to keep it short. Whilst it would be easy to stick with the default tag line "I'd like to add you to my professional network" This does not really answer the question, why should they connect with you. The key then is to make it precise but also keep it simple.

Maybe use something like this. It is straight forward and justifies the reason why other colleagues, or potential employers should connect with you. LinkedIn offers a premium version of 'profile stats', it allows you to build a complete picture of more recent viewers in your industry. Whilst this is a paid version I feel the 'free' tool is just as good. It depends on how deep your pockets are as the premium version is on monthly subscription basis.

Next time you are on LinkedIn have a look at this tool and use it to your full potential. It is a great way of connecting with different people in many different industries.

Britons told don't fly but support locals

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:16:00 +0000

Central Line Tube Trouble

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Severe delays just weeks before the opening ceremony of London 2012 hit London last week. A burst pipe causes havoc on the main line to the Olympic Park. Thousands of passengers face countless delays and disruptions to their journeys.

A second use for the tube network in the making?

Will England Win Euro 2012?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:06:00 +0000

If you asked 70 million people in the UK whether England will win Euro 2012 the answer would be probably be we have no chance. After all the odd's are not stacked in our favor particularly because we have in charge a new and relatively inexperienced manager in Roy Hodgson. The latest odd's previous to whether we win tomorrows opening group game with France are 14-1, only to be beaten by Russia, Italy, France, Germany, and the reigning champions Spain.

Roy Hodgson caliber as a England manager, is very much viewed as experimental, although he has many credentials within national management. However his recent club successes have been very few and far between including a brief and very unsuccessful stint at Liverpool.

Pass the Buck - New manager, new surroundings - England chances are slim

In previous competitions we have an enormous amount of pressure pilled on to us in the days of Sven Erikson and Fabio Cappello, but this year is unlike any other, we are going into the competition with relative little expectation that we will make it past the group stage.

Other teams have had very successful outcomes following little expectations going into such a major tournament. You only have to look at Greece's fortunes in Euro 2004 wen they lifted the trophy. Their success was compounded further by the fact that they had only qualified for two previous tournaments, Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup. Additionally to this when they won there first group game against the hosts Portugal, it was their first every victory. Likewise South Korea in the World Cup of 2002, getting through all the way to the semi finals only to be beaten by Germany 1-0.

So can England win this tournament, possibly going into the tournament with relative little expectation that fan's expect us to actually get through the group stages. Where do you think England will end up, top the group and win the tournament or go home with many fan's not thinking too much of the tournament.

Increasing Restaurant Visibility

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:40:00 +0000

I read an article recently that stated that 95% of independent restaurants don't have mobile sites a further 40% don't have online menu's. Thinking about this for a second, it is a startling statistic. We currently live in society of online shoppers, smartphone users, yet restaurant owners and publicans are not using the right mediums to appeal to the right audiences.

Is this because they don't know how to use this mechanic? Or is it because they don't have the necessarily time to facilitate the rewards it can bring. Someone would argue that this statistic could be false predicament, with many independents offering takeaway services, online presences may not be the right method whereas leaflet drops are key drivers in delivering their successes.

As a consumer and a regular visitor to independent restaurants it still amazes me that some restaurants still don't have a website to generate an online presence. What presence they do have on their websites is through review sites such as TripAdvisor and this certainly leaves them open from all angles to criticism regarding service and more importantly performance.

If the restaurant industry is continuing to suffer because of this new marketing theme, where does the future lie for these independents relying on new business for their success. With restaurant owners feeling the pinch already with rising supplier prices and budget increases with more and more independents closing doors on a daily basis the future looks bleak for restaurant owners.

Branch Out or Link (ed) In.

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

With recent statistics published earlier Linkedin has by far become one of the most recognized networking sites on a global scale. Whether you are looking to connect with recent or old colleagues, discuss new business or the latest trends within a industry LinkedIn has several uses for the savvy professional. The networking site boasts a lot more for bright individuals looking to get that first step on to the job ladder, and LinkedIn could be that perfect resource to do so..

It has enjoyed a relative easy ride in terms of its market place, up until now. BranchOut an application built within Facebook has amassed over 25 million users since it launch in 2010. The platform similar to LinkedIn, allows users to see which of their Facebook friends (or friends of friends work at specific companies). It builds your connections from your existing friends. The platform allows you to search and apply for roles within a multiple of industries. To date it has more than 3 million job listings. The platform is also a great opportunity for the younger generation to get their first steps on to the job ladder through advertised internships or part time work.

However as the platform is built within Facebook it does come with its own limitations. Largely and in my opinion people want to keep their social and work life separate. I tend to go on Facebook to see what my friends are up to or see latest pictures. On the other hand I use LinkedIn to discuss relevant business news, find new ideas and constantly look for new opportunities through new connections.

On the other hand, whilst many recruiters scroll and look on Facebook to find a true in-depth picture to what you say you really are, it creates opportunities for recruiters rather than individuals to migrate to Branch Out. Telling your friends that you applied for a particular job may not be the best thing, if you were looking to keep it a secret. However many people share their status updates through Twitter on LinkedIn, without realizing that they are even doing so which could lead them into trouble with their employers.

Branch Out will have to increase its pulling power for the savvy Linkedin user to migrate to its platform. At best I found the user interface a little clunky, this could be because the application is built on Facebook App's. It will be difficult to see how and where its user base will come from, if they can pull in a wealth of well known recruiters then people will be attracted to apply for jobs no one else may see. I still believe that people will want to keep their personal life private from their work life. Whilst this may take time, it will become increasingly easy for LinkedIn to poach ideas or even buy, due to the sheer size of their recent flotation.

You never know I could be wrong. So watch this space........

The Art of Selling

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Being in a sales role for a large nationwide wholesaler, I can think of a few things that allowed me to get this job, plenty of work experience, hard work and a never give up attitude. My degree however taught me very little about the world of Sales and the skills required to sell and negotiate with customers.

The number of subjects you can study at University is endless from golf studies to David Beckham studies, whether these subjects are entirely relevant to your career paths never seems to be an issue. Sales is something that is naturally occurring within our daily lives, but many of us don't know truly understand how to handle put this in to practice in the workplace.

Natural Selling: Sales is one where we are involved in everyday life, but many of us just don't realise it

With many businesses under extraordinary pressure to deliver results and increase margins, sales technique is something that should be preached within all organisations. New business and business development is a highly crucial element in this volatile climate. Having a highly trained sales force plays to many strengths and also an opportunity to increase professionalism.

Then there is the theory of sales, is it something that can be taught? Everyone has a different sales technique depending on the product and the market you are selling in. There may not be one clear defined rule when persuading someone to buy something off you. This could be one of the reasons for the lack of content related to the art of sales & negotiating within my degree course.

The sales field is becoming increasingly complex, the switch from a more hard selling approach to a process of building and maintaining business relationships has become a household name in many organisations. With this change within the business environment it is more evident that soon to be graduates need to be taught how to sell and work within a sales environment.

The question then, does the art of selling fit well within the classroom? It is believed by those in the industry that sales requires practice and real life experiences to be successful. The theory behind however it is some thing that can be taught through workshops and sales training, I believe that if these elements were included in the course content of a management degree they would complement many other modules such as entrepreneurship giving every graduate the foundations for their future career path.

The not so amazing deal that we think we are getting.

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:31:00 +0000

Imagine the situation, your looking for an easy lunch-time snack on the run and you have just popped into your local supermarket looking for something quick to eat. You fancy a meal deal, you pick up 'what you think' are the inclusive items in the deal, but when you get to the checkout you are sometimes stung over how much you are paying for your meal deal, as it was wrongly assigned on the shelf.

As we become more money rich and time poor ready to eat foods have become an increasing convenience in our household diet and we are prepared to pay through the nose because it is there, ready now.

The Not so Amazing Deal: Supermarkets tend to charge higher prices for multi-buy items when they would work out cheaper separately. Whose to Blame?

As well as being stung, in a recent report, the Office for Fair Trading suggests that 'misleading advertising of prices, however, may lead to consumers spending more than they need to... but buying a product which is not the best for them may add to wastage of time or suffering annoyance, disappointment or regret that you bought that item in the first place.

On the other-side of the coin should the consumer be to blame for the supermarkets poor marketing tactics, it is of my opinion that supermarkets often want us to be caught out, buying on deal, often become more expensive when you buy them together rather than separately but because we are too busy to work out the unit cost we fail to recognize this fact.

Moreover with supermarkets becoming more like department stores, there is an increasing amount of advertising developed to attract consumers to money saving offers, triggering messages such as Special Offer, Double Discount, Reduced Rate, often do more harm than good and we tend often to avoid them in the supermarket. As John Bridgeman, former head of the Office of Fair Trading says "We've got to do much better at giving people the information they need to buy carefully, properly and secure value."

So there it is, should we do more to know what we are paying for? Or should the supermarkets repeat quality audits on their labeling systems to make sure they are 100% up to date with the offer.

Are we really ready for the Olympics?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:32:00 +0000

2012 is officially here, with just over 6 months to go until the Olympics London is planning for one of its busiest years. The last time London hosted the Olympics was in 1948, where a total of 59 nations took part. The limelight will be on London from the 27th July 2012 - 12 August with the Paralympics to be held a month later in the Capital.

With the main stadium slowly close to completion Britain prepares itself for an influx of over 500,000 tourists in the space of two months. However the question that's on everyone's mind is - Is Britain actually ready to give the world the greatest Olympic experience ever?

Transport?

Remember when Heathrow Terminal 5 first opened? What a chaos, but imagine that on a much larger scale. 1/2 million items of luggage will make it an extremely demanding role for any baggage handler over the Olympic period. Yet alone getting that luggage to and from hotels & apartments at the Olympic park.

The tube network will be jam packed, the daily commute in and around London will be awash with thousands of extra passengers all frantically trying to get their destinations. It is estimated that an extra 2,000 services will be introduced when the games are on, with an additional 1,500 for the Paralympics . David Higgins, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said: “Our job during games time is to provide smooth, seamless journeys for spectators travelling to and from Olympic and Paralympic venues, whilst continuing to offer the service which keeps millions of people moving across Britain each day.”

The road network especially the main arteries to and from the Olympic are chaotic already on a daily basis. I for one know that a single accident on the M25 can cause widespread delays to thousands of commuters within a short space of time. How will authorities be able to manage these delays and more importantly keep traffic moving?

Security?

Terrorism will be at the forefront of security. The very next day after it was announced that London was to host the Olympic games 7/7 occurred. The threat for terrorism is still strong and we must be more vigilant than ever during the Olympics.

However an issue that surrounds the subject of security at the games is that our police force is more stretched than ever, budget cuts have forced many bobbies off the beat. Chief Constable, Peter Fahy states that (police) 'are working well beyond maintainable limits and they cannot sustain this pressure much longer.... the most difficult year in history for the police service'. With the Olympics posing yet more disorder and a potential risk to our national security, there are doubts in peoples minds as to whether we are ready for this and have the available resources to manage.

Ready for Lift Off: Britain prepares as the world expects.

Tickets or Lack of them?

Over 8.8 million tickets went on sale to the British public. In retrospect just under 10% of the entire population of the UK had an opportunity to get hold of tickets for this once in a lifetime event. The lucky dip draw for tickets caused widespread public anger even though it was deemed to be the most fairest way of distributing tickets...But that's a story for another day.

What is difficult to predict is how many of these tickets will be sold onto corporate organisations for sponsorship deals. There is also increased speculation that tickets could make there way on to the black market which will make it difficult to predict how many tickets will actually fall into real passionate Olympic fans; while the rest of us either watch the games or abandon them completely.

Hotel Infrastructure?

Hotel's are expected to reach maximum capacity during the games, many of which are charging exceptionally high prices for rooms. London already has some of the most expensive already hotel rooms Europe, sure they are lavish but will they provide the unique experience that tourists will be looking for? Even more so will hotels be able to manage demand from the vast number of tourists expected in the capital.

There is also the idea of home owners renting out rooms to visitors, Just like the Royal Wedding, thousands of us prepare to rent out our spare rooms for the two period.

Legacy for the Future?

Building a sustainable legacy was paramount in London getting the games. But with many doubts over what some of the infrastructure will be used for is of great concern to many. Some of the stadiums including the Basketball Arena are to be recycled or sold off. What people don't want to see though is the Olympic Park like many others before them, becoming a White Elephant.

Youth unemployment is at is highest level for years and the Olympics is the widely seen as the opportunity to give passionate, keen games makers and teenagers the stepping stones to get these skills and move further up in the career ladder. Whether or not the Olympics will be seen like this is a different matter and whether the right jobs will fall to the much needed will only become clearer closer to the time.

Additionally numerous studies and statistics have been bandished about how the green the games will be. But whether the numbers reflect this will only be apparent only when the games have finished.

National Mood?

With everything the games will only be the best if the nation embraces the festivities. This will ultimately boil down to the level of interaction with the games. If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to get tickets to the Olympics you will excited about the opportunity of witnessing what one would expect to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Yet, what about the people didn't get tickets or even tried and were unfairly ruled out? Then there will be relative negativity towards the games, expecting hundreds of thousands of tourists turn up in your backyard, will certainly clog up the roads and cause havoc on the tubes.

Whether you like it or not the Olympics are coming to London its part of living an Olympic country, whether we are ready or not.

What do you expect of the London Olympics?

Crisis Management: A Case of the Costa Concordia

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Just over 7 days the Carnival owned cruise ship the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Tuscany, Italy. Whilst rescue workers are working around the clock to find the missing the repercussions of the disaster begins as operators begin to piece together the frantic jigsaw of what actually went on. The disaster being billed as the biggest maritime disaster since the Titanic was carrying over 4,000 passengers on board many of them couples and families looking forward to their week long cruise experience. No one expected it to go so badly wrong.

Speculation is rife about what actually went on, with the captain the main subject of the investigation, being hang out to dry by the company and being placed under house arrest. The captain will have crucial evidence to what truly went on, but what about other individuals on board. How can a captain of this magnitude of ship be entirely to be blame for the disaster. Whilst the speculation has mainly focused on the captain it would be interesting to know what other senior officials were doing on board.

Speculation: As passengers begin to reflect on the disaster, investigators begin to piece together what actually went on.

Source: eandt.theiet.org

Several television clips of the disaster have showed videos filmed by cruise members on board, not only giving first true hand footage of what actually went on, but removes any hearsay so common in disasters of this magnitude. The footage also provides excellent evidence against crew members and the crisis management techniques deployed by Costa Cruises.

The ability to identify the truth in this type of disaster is crucial, with the truth often difficult to identify, newspapers and the media are commonly left to interpretation, creating more speculation and often misleading articles. This not only hampers investigation efforts but harms potential victims who may or may not have been found yet.

Finally the scale of Costa Cruises parent company, Carnival, owners of the likes of Cunard and P&O cruises, means that smaller errors of judgement are normally widened to the public eye and blown out of proportion in circumstances such as this. In hindsight however the pressure of working for such a high profile organisation comes with the job and there is little the captain could do to hide away from this fact.

The New Year Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0000

The period of Christmas has been and gone and the majority of us are ready to kick start that new years habit that we have been trying to do for years but for some reason we get to mid January and we can't help but open up a box of chocolates and you say to yourself I will only have one, just one, one turns to two, two turns to four and before you know it the whole box has gone and the kick start to the new year has suddenly gone all pear shaped.

We are so impressed with the marketing and the powerful message that Gym's encourage us to sign up. Common sayings amongst friends and relatives begin with 'I am going to get fit'. Type Fit into Google not only will you get some wonderful and weird sites, but hundreds of websites promoting that chic lifestyle. In truth when we suddenly think of getting fit, we think of diets, straining ourselves from common food stuffs, that we have had too much to graze on over the previous months. Whether we are out their to impress our latest crowd or to get to that dress size you have always wanted, diets have been around for a while.

Source: helpfulhealthtips.com
Diets doesn't have to mean celery sticks, and carrots.

The superstores are offering reduced prices on gym equipment we would never think of buying, but because its January, the idea of looking trim for the summer promotes in that urgency that I should do something about it. Whats more bookshops are full of text books written promoting the best way to loose weight but how do we know which one is really the right one, a recommendations, sometimes, maybe a coupon. In my honest opinion, we don't, we do it because the person who wrote it has the willpower to suck you into their world of thinking, 'Buy my book and get that body you have always wanted'. 'slim down for summer' 'the bikini body'. How does the writer know what you look like, ever more what you want, he doesn't he just wants you to get into his world of thinking. Whats more they are full priced before Christmas because know one will buy them and after Christmas you can get them for the same price as a loaf of bread, some sort of practical joke.

Gyms are at it to, promoting that chic lifestyle that you have always dreamed of having, just a few moments a way. You think to yourself this year I will join a gym? Before you know it you have stopped attending yoga classes because you had too much on at work you couldn't find the time to make it to them. Whats more your in one year contract that you can't get out of, but you never knew you were in it in the first place when you signed up because the salesman offered you a reduced booking fee and you forgot to read the small print.

In truth, everyone is different, everyone needs different foods to energize the body. If we all stuck to a less of more philosophy then we wouldn't be in this situation. Every beginning of the year we lead ourselves into this false imaginary world that this year will be the year that makes all the difference. Before you know it the summer has been and gone and winter is upon us again.

Why the Waitrose and Allied Boots agreement is the real deal!

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:32:00 +0000

You may have noticed in recent months, Allied Boots (Boots) stores comprising a Waitrose food outlet. The new strategy is aimed at attracting the ever increasing convenience customer on the high street. For years Waitrose has being playing catch up in an ever growing convenience market, with many similar competitors, Sainsburys Local and Tesco Express, adopting these distribution channels in the past. Yet the move to expand into this type of channel through an existing and highly recognized brand name on the high street is unique. Consequently the synergy will bring about positive benefits for both companies.

The footfall of Boots will increase, having the prestige image of Waitrose combined with the prestige image of Boots will no doubt offer continued benefits. Whilst continuing to use Boots brand name and footfall recognition for its cosmetics and health, it will encourage Waitrose to explore to a new type of outlet. According to Marketing Magazine, Waitrose has set an initial target of 300 boots stores to enter, based on feedback and customer perception this number is certainly set to increase.

Whilst Waitrose outlet stores won't be large in size, the stores will comprise essential products aimed at consumers picking up goods on the go. The recent expansion of their 'essential' range reinforces this strong marketing message, of convenience. Under the umbrella of the Boots advantage loyalty scheme, consumers can qualify for points on Waitrose products too. What is not certain is whether consumers will be allowed to redeem points on Waitrose products, but only time will tell and as of yet Waitrose does not offer a similar loyalty scheme employed by many of its larger competitors. The move will enhance Waitrose health and cosmetics section and offering a bigger variety of products. In remains to be seen whether Waitrose will follow similar patterns of larger stores such as Tesco or Sainsburys and have an in-store pharmacy in Waitrose larger store formats.

Finally Waitrose has stuck an exclusive deal with the high street retailer, according to Alan Treadgold, head of retail strategy at advertising agency Leo Burnett, 'The deal puts two middle-England brands together. There is a natural fit because of the confidence customers have in both'. Similarly the move reinforces that the British high street is still indeed British, with many national stores facing closure from foreign products, that are cheaper and more affordable the move should bring back confidence to the rest of the high street sector.

The phones of the future.... if only we could find the battery of the future

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:52:00 +0000

Relinquish if you will ten years previous. A time when all the talk was about the latest skin cover, the latest 2 mega pixel game, the first full colour screen. Battery life seemed to last a life time, although the scope of operations was limited we could still send messages, make calls, play games like Snake and Tetris. Fast forward a century and we are lucky if we get a day out of latest smartphone.

Smartphone usage has grown significantly in recent years, whether your a blackberry user or an Iphone or HTC user most of us has one or know of a friend who has. We have become a nation obsessed by App's so much so that this has become the biggest selling point of the smartphone, being able to download the latest version of Angry Birds, was not something you could have done ten years ago. Maps and navigation have made the idea of a one fit personal device put the Sat Nav to rest and document options such as writing emails and creating spreadsheets have made the laptop become almost obsolete.

Yet, whilst the providers are creating the products like there is no tomorrow and mobile phone providers forced to tighten their contracts due to the unforeseen nature of the product itself, limiting the scope of unlimited internet for example has left a huge burden upon operators shoulders such as O2 and Orange. Operators have realised that with the latest smart phones built for the future, they can entice you in with 24 months contract, out are the 12 month deals, with latest version of Android OS and Apple OS available and within easy reach, users can upgrade firmware to keep there phones modern, up to date and trendy with the latest crowd.

Batteries of yesterday are powering super-computers of today

We live in a technical revolution where everything is powered by our mobile phone; checking emails, checking the weather, checking the latest sports page, reading a book, playing angry birds, checking emails (Blackberry obsessed users take note) the list is endless, yet the batteries have failed to catchup to speeds with what we are doing. Displays have become more powerful, screens suck more juice from our battery (approx 80% of our battery usage comes from the display).

Whilst the technical revolution of the phone is great, it seems that most people are still frustrated that we can never be too far from a plug socket or a cigarette lighter. Mobile phone manufacturers need to realise that whilst the revolution is necessary, we also need to be able to do more things on the move, for this to happen we need the battery life's to increase.

PM tightens media correspondence

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:52:00 +0000

The case against the News of the World has uncovered numerous amounts of information, allegations about some of the most powerful people in world media today. It seems however that the PM has decided to tighten up controls of controversial uncovering of interviews with newspaper editors and newspaper journalists.

Instead of allowing MPs to hold meetings with any paper, they must now publish quarterly reports of who they have held meetings with and who was present. Whilst this may be clear on paper, it maybe difficult to control in practice. The media circus in the UK has become far reaching than ever before and in light with continued demand for on-demand information, it is making it even more difficult to protect information escaping. Furthermore whilst meetings are being recorded, emails are a crucial tool in the exchange of information and may slip through the net, maybe escaping a untrained eye which may lead to more information being released about the Royal Family or the UK Government.

The whole scandal against the News of the World and News International has opened a whole can of worms, restricting newspaper editors to scheduled interviews is only going to create mere I say it 'boring news' as everyone shares the same front story, no under cover journalist will be able to arrange secret interviews with celebrities and politicians alike, broadsheets may even become more transparent with each other. On the other hand it won't stop newspapers such as the Sun publishing rumours about what might happen in the weeks and days to come.

Boycott of the Brands: Should advertisers restrict who they associate their brands with?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:25:00 +0000

As news breaks of the uncovering of phone tapping of senior politicians and celebrities by journalists at News Corporation a subsidiary of News International and its newspaper brand News of World, advertisers are considering their positions with the brand itself and questioning should they be associated with such a reputable brand such as News of the World.

According to the Newspaper Marketing Agency, News of the World costs just £1 to buy and attracted a readership following of just over 7.4 million per year in 2009 with a typical readership age of 35 to 44.

Likewise its sponsorship deals not only benefit the paper to make it a commercial success but also help the advertiser reach that captive audience which would have made it difficult to aspire to alone. This is what is known as an ingredient product. Furthermore it could be highlighted that the advertising schemes run by many organisations complement the newspaper. For example on its advertising website it states that readers of the Sun and the News Of the World redeemed 2.75m in vouchers worth £5 each in Tesco & Morrison’s. This suggests that people buy this paper not just to read about the daily news but also for incentives that it offers inside. Removing crucial advertisers such as Boots, Specsavers and Reckitt Benckiser could halt these readership figures.

In similar circumstances the Tiger Woods affair in late 2009 prompted a similar response by advertisers to boycott sponsorship deals with the golfing professional including Gatorade and Accenture all pulling ties. However key deals still remained including Tigers long term sponsor Nike. It showed a strong deal of character by the sports brand and only time will tell whether or not similar events will unfold in the News of The World’s story.

The brands that still associate themselves after the story has unfolded will be the ones that show a great deal of character and loyalty. Whether the uncovering of crucial information was intentional or not it could jeopardise the future of not just the News of the Worlds’ reputation but its sister papers too including The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

Is it right that alcohol firms can sponsor sport?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Last month the FA announced it was ending its association with sponsor EON for the FA CUP and switching to Budweiser as the main sponsor of the competition. It may prove a very lucrative deal for the FA, but in hindsight is it the right sponsor for the English game?

There has been much criticism in recent years of some types of sports sponsorships in the media, notably of those involving alcohol and gambling brands. In the case of the first two, there exists strong opinion in some quarters that these brands should not sponsor sport because of exposure to children.

Unsurprisingly, gambling and alcohol brands have also come under the spotlight, with calls to prevent these from sponsoring sports properties, and a particular focus on restricting exposure to children through branding on replica shirts. Whilst this may be the case the competition is only sponsored by Budweiser not the teams, who have their own individual sponsors. Therefore Budweiser will have an indirect effect on football teams.

In the past many established sports brands many high profile sporting events including Benson & Hedges with Snooker and Formula 1. However due to licensing laws meant they had to drop association with the sport, similarly this was also the case with Embassy Cigarettes and their link with the Snooker.

Overall the truth lies in convincing the public that, when done properly, sponsorships involving these types of brands can provide a positive contribution to the sports in question, and do so in such a way as to not have a negative influence on fans or participants (children in particular). It is essential that people feel there is a good reason for these types of brands to be associated with a sport, rather than just putting a name on a popular property without a genuine synergy between the two. This has been the case in the past in the USA, where Budweiser has long been established for sponsoring NASCAR racing and Superbowl events.

Overall the implication of Budweiser sponsoring the FA Cup is two fold, many will see this announcement as a changing of the sails for the FA, with many high profile premiership football teams being bought out creating a globalisation village. Likewise the FA and Premier League Association is becoming more and more Americanised that we can no longer be sustained on home grown sponsors.

Why Blu-Ray hasn't taken off?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Four years ago we were talking about the digital revolution, the phenomenon that was Blu-Ray, which offered extra-ordinary capabilities above the standard DVD. In recent years Blu Ray devices have suffered and struggled to maintain a captive audience for many.

Standard DVD remains the most popular type of player used, at nearly 80% of respondents, seven times more than a dedicated Blu-Ray device in a study by Mintel. Mintel estimates that 627,000 Blu-Ray players were sold in 2009, up by 57% on the previous year. Despite unit sales being five times less than standard DVD players, the technology contributed over 22% of market value. This is partly due to the fact that although prices have come down in recent years, they are still more expensive than the average DVD player.

The major difference between Blu-Ray and an ordinary DVD is the HD content, being a high definition disc; the image transferred is much clearer and much more vivid compared to its equivalent DVD. Furthermore added bonus material already on existing DVD’s is upgraded on Blu-Ray with the opportunity to extend or change the ending of a particular film.

Furthermore although Blu-Ray DVD’s will only play blu ray DVD’s this rules out most peoples entire DVD collection making it difficult for people to switch easily, I could not see people re-buying their existing DVD collection just because of the added bonus features on the Blu Ray equivalent. Combined with the average price of a Blu-Ray player you can see why people prefer to purchase the ordinary DVD over the higher priced equivalent. Even more so when most people already own an ordinary DVD player and the old adage ‘if it is not broken why fix it’ rings in many people’s ears.

We should also be aware of the current economic forecast, rising inflation combined with low interest rates means pockets are being squeezed much harder meaning consumers are price conscious and will only pay for goods that are only essential. It could be classified that Blu-Ray devices offer superior added value, but whilst the DVD is still around there is only going to be one winner. In most cases wherever the DVD is around, Blu-Ray will continue to struggle.

It seems that Blu-Ray has been launched ahead of its time, although the recession could not have been predicted many people still own a DVD player and are reluctant to switch to a higher priced alternative. Consumers are slowly getting round to the concept of HD and in less than 3 years the digital switch will mean that consumers will continue to learn about the latest technology. Blu Ray technology could perhaps come true to most people’s homes in several more years’ time.

British Airways and Ryanair and use of public relations and crisis management in response to the ash cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:49:00 +0000

Voucher Syndrome: Are sales promotions the most appropriate way of combating a recession?

noreply@blogger.com (Alistair's Blog) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

With the recovery of the recession still continuing to affect the nation it seems that we are relying more and more on vouchers to reward ourselves. We have become so obsessed by vouchers that we now tend not to go out unless we have a coupon or voucher that gives a discount off our food bill.

Sites such as Groupon and Myvouchercodes have soared in recent years. A voucher is type of sales promotion tool used to encourage repeat business. Although coupons are a massive craze in the USA, in recent years the UK has become obsessed by the term..

Whilst vouchers come with their benefits, some voucher schemes are often restricted to certain times of the day or days of the week. Whilst this restricts the customer, for the restaurant it encourages business at times when they perhaps would not have been expecting it. A classic example of this would be the rise in pre-theatre dinners where consumers are enticed in for 2 courses for £9.99 before 6pm.

Managing director of Top Table reported in 2008 the number of eateries offering promotions and discounts through his website have risen by nearly 70% over the past 12 months to 1,127. Suggesting vouchers and coupons are of growing importance in the market and outlets are making greater use of the internet and email.

A company may use a voucher scheme to encourage customers to spend money in their restaurant or bar. Although some companies are afraid of using schemes because they feel that they devalue the brand. This has become apparent with places such as Pizza Express who regular use vouchers as an attractant to potential customers. In my opinion although this is a short term solution, other restaurants have achieved this by the use of vouchers over a short and limited amount of time. This has been highlighted in the case of Wagamama’s, a Japanese chain of restaurants, whilst still considered high priced food, they offer 2for1 meals at certain times of the year to encourage demand.

Are you a voucher addict, do you swear by vouchers and search before you go out for your next meal? Are you a small restaurant or pub looking to attract new business through a voucher scheme but afraid you don’t know how to, why not get in touch.