Entries from June 2008
One of the great features of working with Stef is the variety of the placement, and today was a perfect example of just how the Creative Sector work. We spend the afternoon at the Kitchen Garden Cafe (who make excellent BLT’s by the way) with Andrew Dubber, playing around with one of his ideas. Its a very simple one, but after a very productive afternoon, the idea was turned into reality. Its called I So Wish… and you can view the site here.
Andrew wanted to create somewhere on the web where anyone could simply visit a site and make a wish. No sign ups, no profiles, no mess, just the ability to make a very simple wish and leave it there for the rest of the World to see. Stef and I have been working on something similar with the “pledges” on Odadeo, and Stef used it as a great opportunity to ‘flex his rails’ (N.B – Rails is a piece of software used to code websites. Its apparently very easy and simple to use, but it still looks like foreign to me!). The results are fantastic, a very user friendly little site which fits the purpose perfectly, as seen below:
So take a look and make a wish. Its completely open, you can wish for whatever you want… so feel free to be creative. There are sure to be lots of developments on the site, and perhaps some of the wishes may even be granted…
Categories: Graduate Apprentice
Tagged: Andrew Dubber, I So Wish, Make a Wish, New Website, Odadeo, Rails, Stef, What Would You Wish For, Wish
Well its certainly been a busy few weeks on the new site! Stef has been away for a few days with other projects, so I have been working on getting lots of content on the site and making sure that our community of Dads are getting quick responses to any teething problems they come across! The great news is that there have not been that many, and most have been relatively simple fixes! Odadeo seems to be going really well, with Dads across the globe signed up (see the screenshot below).
So things are going really well with the site. The aim now is to generate some PR activity to spread the word of Odadeo and encourage more Dads to sign up. Next week we howe to allow current users to invite their friends, so we expect it to grow even further from there.
Odadeo now has its own blog, so you can also read about what we are up to here.
If you would like an invitation to Odadeo, please complete this form, and I will sort it out for you! Remember to tell me how you would like to be a better dad!
Categories: Graduate Apprentice
Tagged: Be A Better Dad, Dads, New Site, Odadeo, Sign Up, Stef, Stefan Lewandowski
I wanted to share an advert with you which I think is pretty cool… I’m not going to buy a car as a result of it, but it is a clever use of marketing. Its on a wall where pretty much every morning there is traffic, so if your in your car and thinking that it might need replacing, you see this advert. BMW Mini have made a big thing out of their car being fun, so I imagine that adverts like this are just an extension of that concept. Either way, it impressed me enough to take a photo and post about it, so at least its reached one person!
Categories: Lifestyle · Personal
Tagged: Advertising, Adverts, Birmingham UK, BMW Mini, Queensway, Wall
I always knew that my time as the Apprentice would come to an end, and that I would have to hand over the role to someone else. That time is not quite upon me as yet, but we have chosen the person who will be taking on the challenge of being Birmingham Future’s Graduate Apprentice.
Interviews were held on Friday 13th June, which could have been an omen, but I’m pleased to say that we had five fantastic candidates at the interview stage, a great representation of the Graduate talent that is currently available in the UK. I was invited to form part of the presentation panel, along with some fellow members of the GIE Committee, where we asked each candidate to present to us on a topic that they felt strongly about. Their range of topics chosen was varied and fantastic, and on more than one occasion the three of us on the panel allowed the presentations to slip slightly over the alloted three minutes so that we could hear more!
Following the presentation, we had a few questions just to get an idea of what drives each individual, and make our minds up as to how they would perform as the Apprentice 2008. After this, we sent the five prospective Apprentice’s into the lions den, or the employers as we like to call them. Here they were grilled in depth about their previous experience, their weaknesses and their ambitions… all those questions that someone fresh out of University hates!
But I am delighted to confirm that our chosen candidate impressed all on the day, and has since accepted the role for the coming year. I am sure that you are going to hear a lot more about Mayur as his time comes around, and I hope that together we drive the scheme forward, continuing to show young professionals that Birmingham is the place to be.
As an aside, it was a great learning experience to be part of my first interview panel, and I did learn a lot on the day about what it can be like. I am sure that at some point during my coming work career, I will again be interviewed, and perhaps interview others, so its great to start building these skills early. The Graduate Apprentice is all about building an impressive skill set to be able to succeed in any professional services role, and that is certainly what it has been to me. I look forward to handing the baton to Mayur, who I am sure is going to do a fantastic job.
Categories: Birmingham Future · Graduate Apprentice · Graduates Into Employment
Tagged: Birmingham Future, Birmingham UK, Graduate Apprentice, Interviews, Mayur
Anyone who has been keeping track of recent posts will have noticed suggestions of a ‘new project’ which Stef and I have been working on, all of which has been very hush hush… but now its time to talk about it!
The new site was launched on Fathers Day, Sunday 15th June, and in a nutshell, its a website which is aimed at helping dads answer one question… “how am I going to be a better dad?” The site has all sprung from the birth of Stef’s daughter, Imogen, around 18 months ago. Like all Web savvy expectant Dads, Stef trawled through countless websites looking for advice for expectant fathers, what to expect, what to do and how to ensure that Imogen got the best possible Dad. The truth is that while there is a huge amount of information out there, none of it is coordinated, and there is no where for Dad’s to get together and share their varying experiences… our aim is that Odadeo is this resource.
The last few weeks have been very hectic… I am about as technically minded as a walrus, so my job has been to test, test, test and test the site while Stef works on the behind the scenes development. We have bounced ideas off each other, and hopefully what we have come up with is a easy to use site where Dads can pledge to being a better father. So far, its going really well… after the ‘too early beta’ launch on Sunday we have got around 100 fully signed up Dads. Most are from the UK, but we have Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Russia represented which is fantastic considering we are still in such an early stage of development. There have been very few ‘teething’ problems to date, and most people seem to be using the site exactly as expected.
I am thrilled to be involved with this project… As the Apprentice I was sure I was going to have a year of learning, but as soon as Stef pitched this idea to me, I was really keen to help out. I’m not yet a father, I do have two imaginary daughters for the purposes of the site, but it has really struck me in recent weeks how Mum orientated most services on the web are. Ultimately, Dads are 50% of the process, and our research shows that many want much more of an active role in the upbringing of their children. Odadeo aims to bring them closer to their kids, and by linking their role to a pledge, hopefully benefit all parties involved. There are some great features on the site which enable this to happen, and plenty more on the way, but right now, we have a place where Dads can share experiences, can ask questions and can pledge… the Odadeo journey has begun.
If you would like an invite to be part of the site, just drop me a quick email jason(at)odadeo(dot)com with a brief reason as to why you want to be part of the development process, and I will sort you out with an Invite Code.
Categories: Graduate Apprentice
Tagged: Advice, Be A Better Dad, New Dad, Odadeo, Stef
I read a very interesting post from Nick Booth yesterday, who highlighted a report from the Charity Commission stating that they don’t believe that people can learn from the experience of blogging, so much in that it ‘offers them no educational value’. I am pretty new to the Blogosphere, but I have to completely disagree with that statement.
I am fortunate enough to be part of a generation which has seen huge advances in the development of social media. At secondary school through the late 90’s and early 21st century, I was able to use many forms of digital media to help me throughout my studies. Indeed, subjects such as Media Studies highlight the development of media as a tool, and how it can benefit many. I see blogging as a natural extension to the learning process.
It is for me, just like any other information source… you take a look at it, evaluate the information it provides you with, while seeking references and other opinions to either strengthen or weaken the arguments put forward, and then you decide how useful the source of information is to you. I would argue that you are ‘learning’ at all stages of this process. I aim to learn something new every day, and with the huge range of blogs on weird and wonderful topics out there, it is entirely possible to be able to do this. But more than this, the experience of actually blogging for myself has taught me new skills, which I have previously struggled to pick up.
A blog is a personal opinion… its an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on exactly how you are feeling, and in language that you feel comfortable with. It does not matter how many people read your blog, the fact is that you have the chance to ask yourself some questions about how you feel, and then to write that down and share with the world. This is the height of creative writing… much more creative than my English GCSE where the topic, length, style, word use etc etc were already chosen for me before I even sat the exam. What is best about blogging is that it wont be marked… so there is no pressure to conform. I believe that if schools encouraged kids to start up their own blogs, this would develop a lot more creative talent than there currently is.
There is an interesting argument to be had on how far your personal opinion should go, and an interesting article in the Birmingham Post just shows how many bloggers are unaware of their legal rights when posting information in a global arena. Ultimately, that is an argument for my legal partner to get her teeth into… as far as I am concerned you should be able to publicise your opinion, its up to others to decide whether that opinion is worth reading.
I have had the unique experience of three different jobs this year where I have learnt more than I could have ever imagined, but there are some industries who have completely failed to catch onto the creative development of learning. I do not know many accountants or tax advisors who blog, but perhaps more of them should? In a challenging market place, businesses are screaming out for more creative ways of reaching new consumers, perhaps blogging could be an answer?
In conclusion, I struggle to see how the experience of sharing your thoughts in a global environment can be anything but a learning experience. I have learnt more about my way of working, my thoughts on particular issues and my reaction to different circumstances simply by writing a blog post. Blogging encourages discussion, and from discussion comes learning. I just think that those with little knowledge of the topic fail to see how the experience of learning is changing… so perhaps they should start a blog themselves and see what they learn. If you have learnt something about me, then please leave a comment, it will help to prove that bloggers can learn!
Categories: Graduate Apprentice · Personal
Tagged: Birmingham Post, Birmingham UK, Blogging as Learning, Blogs, Charity Commission, Creative Writing, Learning, Nick Booth
I’m still pretty new on the social media scene, I’ve only been blogging for a little over two months, and before that, my only real exposure on the world wide web was Facebook. But now I’m on Twitter, Flickr, Linkdin and a number of other sites which are all aimed at creating an online picture of what I do. The discussion is however, just how far will this Digital Utopia go, and what challenges is it bringing to new business?
I’ve just come from the New Generation Arts Festival debate on this subject, where some industry experts were invited to share their thoughts on the ongoing development of the Internet, and its impact on their particular line of business. It was also the first debate which I have attended which had a live Blog stream behind the speakers, with online followers able to ask questions and respond to the live commentary… that itself is just a sign of how the digital revolution is affecting our business. I know in-fact that Stef was listening & watching from New York, something which five years ago no-one would have thought possible.
The main focus of the debate was about power, namely where power now lies in the media relationship. Is the power with the individual who is now able to create and upload their own content, promote everything from their own music to their political ideas, as well as being able to share news and stories from around the world that otherwise may not get coverage. Does this take the power away from the traditional forms of media, the newspapers and TV stations that have previously filtered content? The increased level of choice for the consumer of information means that with a simple search online, you can find information about anything you want. You can also get real life, up to the minute conversation on particular events, rather than waiting until it has been edited for TV or print. But does this increased choice actually mean more power for the individuals?
A very good point was made by the panel in that once you give someone too much choice, they actually become disinterested in all of the information available. Giving someone hundreds of sources of information makes it very difficult for an individual to quickly identify the information that they want, and that is relevant to them. Here in lies the source of power for the traditional types of media which we are use to. By using the trust of a brand, such as the Birmingham Post, who can bring together these new sources of information, filter them and allow easy access, the traditional forms of media can retain their power. So perhaps the Digital Revolution has redistributed the power, but to both parties. The challenge is for the new forms of media to embrace the new media out there, and to use the opportunity to expand into new markets.
The panel were made up of Rory Cellan-Jones, of the BBC, who acted as the debate chair, and raised some interesting questions about the development of online media. Chris Cooke talked about the development of the 1990 generation, those individuals who have been brought up on the Digital Revolution, and who are now the ones in the ideal position to shape it going forward. He was highly optimistic about this potential development, and had high hopes for the future of digital media. Joanna Geary of the Birmingham Post was a great advocate for how the traditional forms of media must embrace the change, using the trust in such brands to filter information through the new forms of information sourcing. She was fearful, but optimistic that her industry could and would adapt. Doug Williams, of BT, talked about how going forward service providers will offer the ability for individuals to be actively involved in the outcomes of new media, encouraging a much more ‘interactive’ user experience. Finally Anthony Rose informed us all how the BBC are being driven by new media, hitting home on the point that more information can lead to more misery, and its up to service providers, such as the BBC, to provide new ways of giving people what they want.
So where is the future? Digital Utopia, in my opinion, is not quite upon us. However, it can not be ignored that the current generation have a huge resource in terms of the internet, a resource which can be used for many purposes. There is clearly a role for both the individual and the big business in this new market place, and with more choice, it will be up to business to develop a trust with the consumer when filtering information, and for the indviduals to continue to provide fresh, factual and interesting content.
We live in interesting times, and while I was not quite a 90’s child, I’m certainly looking forward to the developments ahead! I’m the first Graduate Apprentice to blog my year, the first of many I hope.
Categories: Graduate Apprentice · Personal
Tagged: Anthony Rose, Big Digital Debate, Birmingham UK, Chris Cooke, Digital Utopia, Doug Williams, Graduate Apprentice, Joanna Geary, New Media, Rory Cellan-Jones, upyerbrum
Today was a good day, it was bright and sunny, I spent the morning clearing the paperwork and popping into town and then the afternoon was spent reading on the balcony. I don’t get as much time as I would like to read anymore, which is probably why it has taken me so long to finish my current read, but I am glad that I stuck with it to the end.
The book has been mentioned before, as its one which I have been dipping in and out of for a while. Its called ‘And Death Came Third‘ by Andy Lopata & Peter Roper. The title comes from a study which ranked death as the third biggest fear, behind speaking in public and walking into a room full of strangers. My mentor, Graham Nicoll, recommended this book to me at the beginning of our mentoring process, as one of my objectives for my year as the Apprentice was to develop my networking ability, and to understand more about the key role that relationships play in the business arena. Networking was completely new to me in this sense, my only interaction with others before had been on a social basis. However, it soon became clear after involvement with Birmingham Future, that networking plays a vital role in who you do business with, and therefore, I was sure that I needed to make myself the most effective networker I could.
Lopata & Roper’s book is an excellent starting point in this process, and through a range of tools, tips and techniques, it gives a fantastic overview of exactly how you can improve your ability to network. A lot of people view networking as simply selling, and sign up to every event going in order to pick up a pile of business cards to then email with the corporate pitch. However, I have never been comfortable with this tactic, perhaps because at heart I’m not really a sales person, but secondly because I don’t believe that I could sell to someone I knew nothing about, or sell a product which I was not completely comfortable with.
My year has actually worked very well in terms of networking, because while I attend a number of events, I actually have nothing to sell, so my only viewpoint is to talk about what I am doing during my year as the Graduate Apprentice, and to therefore effectively sell my role. Its has been about building relationships with a number of people within the city, from a variety of organisations and professions. It has given me a unique insight into these firms, and hopefully I have begun some relationships which will develop into business over the coming years.
A lot of the information in the book could be deemed as common sense, but then again, and a point well made by the book, how often is ‘common sense’ actually common knowledge. There are some fantastic tips for presenting yourself, ensuring that you manage the conversation effectively so that the person opposite you goes away remembering you. I still have a lot to learn, but I am hoping that the multitude of skills I have learnt this year will benefit me in future life. Either way, networking is a ‘people skill’ and ultimately wherever I end up, I will be working with people, so its a skill that I am sure to need.
So if your looking for a little advice on how to networking more effectively, whether its new to you or something you have done for years, I would highly recommend the book. Its well written, to the point and contains information that you can actually use in the day to day environment… it may also increase your sales!
Categories: Graduate Apprentice · Lifestyle · Personal
Tagged: Andy Lopata, Apprentice, Birmingham Future, Networking, Peter Roper, Soft Skills
This week should be a good one, and I am really looking forward to it. I will be starting stage two of my training for LEJOG, which basically means I will be running in the morning before heading to work… I just hope that the weather holds! Stef will be in New York on Webby related business until Thursday, and I am going to be spending the week testing the new site making sure we are ready for the up-comming launch! I’m also going to be taking some time to talk to our Alpha testers to see how things are going!
However, this week I will also be part of the interview panel for the 2008 Graduate Apprentice, or my replacement! Its come around so quickly I can hardly believe, but I have had a truly fantastic year, and I look forward to passing onto the challenge to the next candidate! The interviews take place on Friday, so good luck to all of those involved!
Laura also finishes her LPC exams on Wednesday, which will be brilliant and means we can both begin to enjoy the summer. I will be heading up to Durham on Saturday for Durham Regatta to take part in an alumni race and to catch up with some old friends! There is also the Big Digital Debate on Monday, and I will be meeting up with Giles at LMM to catch up… so in all, there is a lot going on this week, and a lot to look forward to!
Categories: Graduate Apprentice · LEJOG · Personal
Tagged: Big Digital Debate, Durham Regatta, Graduate Apprentice, Interviews, LEJOG, LMM, LPC
The third placement was billed as the one which would through up interesting working arrangements… for a start, I would be based with Stef in his apartment, with his 18 month old daughter and his partner Emily. The apartment is also a studio for baby shoots meaning that work has to fit around the multitude of other things happening. The first two placements were regular 9-5:30 roles, so its actually a breath of fresh air to have a irregular routine, it encourages a very productive way of working.
However, to keep things fresh, Stef and I have been doing a lot of Co-Working. This is basically a group of individuals who usually work alone coming together in a new place, sharing ideas over coffee, and generally ‘mixing things up a little’. Its a growing trend across Europe and the states, and of late, the production team for Stef’s new idea have been getting a lot of work done outside of the office.
There are obviously a few requirements for this to be effective… Free Wifi, a comfortable setting with ample supply of coffee and cakes, and somewhere where it it is quiet enough to take a phone call if needs be, or at least pop outside to be able to do so. I have found a few great places in Birmingham over the past few weeks, and as I’ve mentioned, breaking from routine has actually led to some very productive days.
The Central Library is quiet and you can pick up the McFreeWifi from downstairs if you sit on the right side of the first two floors (I used the iphone to search for the network before setting up). There is a great little place in Kings Heath, the Kitchen Garden Cafe, where you can also pick up some greenery to brighten your garden (or balcony in my case). We spent today working in the restaurant at Malmaison. This was a really nice space, but we only got 6 hours of internet access before the system kicked us out. I have also found that Cafe Bebo, at Paradise Forum. The also offer 15% student and OAP discount… Places like Starbucks and some of the bars in Brindleyplace also offer the hotspot facility, so these are other options.
I am sure that there are plenty of other places around the city, and with new free wifi being offered almost every day, I am sure that Co-Working will continue to be a popular way of breaking from the norm. I’ve found it great, it just breaks the day and even if you do work in a regular office, there is nothing better than a change of scenery when you need to focus. I know that the creative community of Birmingham are frequent Co-Workers, but perhaps it should be something that other sectors consider, it could provide positive benefits…
Categories: Graduate Apprentice · Lifestyle · Personal
Tagged: Birmingham UK, Cafe Bebo, Co-Working, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Malmaison, Office, upyerbrum, Working Outside
