Business gifts that will have your clients eating out of their hands!

Fancy doing something different for your clients? then why not use the wonderful Havemycakeandeatit - www.havemycake.co.uk and get some bespoke cakes made in your work colours or logo. The wonderful Louise Sinclair who runs the business is open , friendly and will get them delivered to your business of choice! It doesn't need to be just business either, birthdays, events and special occasions can be given that extra special feel with havemycake ! so check out the website and get in touch !

Meningitis

In early February one of my good pals Andy Niblett lost his little boy Jacob, here in heart felt terms Andy puts his and Jane's story on the http://www.meningitis.org/book-of-experience - please read as the experiences and symptoms hopefully will be something that you never need to know about.

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Our amazing, and beautiful little boy died just 8 days ago from pneumococcal meningitis (6th Feb 2010).

The sheer rapidity of the turn of events has left us shell-shocked and feeling as if we are having an 'out of body' experience. I simply feel compelled to write as the stories I have read on this site (especially that of the Mittleman's) have given me comfort that others have asked the same questions of themselves as my wife and I have, and that it is possible for life to go on and get easier over time - we so desperately need to believe this right now.

Jacob was the kind of child who made being first-time parents easy. Constantly smiling, always happy, and with a beautiful disposition. He had been completely selfless over the last 6 weeks as his Mum & I have been managing our new arrival, his little sister Isobel.

On Tue 2nd Feb I had a call from his nursery saying he had a slight temperature so Jane picked him up. He perked up back at home and slept well so I went away on Wednesday morning with work as planned for a couple of days. I still have the text from Jane saying he was full of life and she was exhausted. He tired that afternoon after playing with his friends but again slept well. We kept him off nursery again Thursday as a precaution but again he had a lively day with his Mum & Isobel. On Friday morning I stayed home with him to give Jane a break and although not right he was no worse than we had seen him before with viruses. We decided that if he didn't perk up as he had the last 3 days we would call NHS 24 that evening. He slept a lot that afternoon and when I came back from work about 7pm Jane immediately remarked that he had got worse in the last 20 minutes.

His eyes were now half open and he was struggling to respond. NHS 24 got us to sit him up and walk a couple of paces. It was at this point he was sick. We were given an appointment at the local out of hours surgery. No ambulance as he was just about conscious. We were there by 8 and we have subsequently found out that the doctor there sensed problems as she could not find a vein. Jane also felt him starting to stiffen and slump back in her arms. By 8:30 we were at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh by ambulance and there were people everywhere.

We were told they suspected a serious bacterial infection and were going to do a CT scan. I don't know why but I blurted out meningitis and was told that it was a possibility. The good news was that we had caught things early. By 11pm Jacob was in intensive care with tubes and wires everywhere. He had been completely sedated when he arrived and I remember trying to reassure him that all would be well as they were doing this - the last time we saw him conscious.

Jane & I were up with him all night and I recall having a conversation with the senior consultant around 2 am by his bedside. Meningitis was suspected, the stiffness and slight swelling around the brain that the CT scan had indicated were the concerns. The fact that all organs were functioning and he had not fitted or seized was positive, and they reiterated, that we had acted quickly. They were treating for everything and Jacob was critical but stable.

By 10am there had been no developments - a positive. I asked the senior nurse directly what his chances were. She said it was unlikely he would die but after effects were impossible to tell. Things went very wrong shortly after.

The nurse was checking his pupils around 1030 and his right eye was bigger, the left bigger still. I said immediately that that couldn't be good. The consultant then informed us that another CT scan was required and they were preparing theatre for an emergency operation. The next 45 minutes feel surreal. Jane & I have spoken since and though you are supposed to be positive we both feel we knew that we were about to lose our little boy.

Around midday we were told that his brain stem was infected and that there was no response from his brain. They needed to check again once his medication had worn off but they were certain he was lost. Jane & I knew we had to let him go. I can barely recall the next 5 hours but by Saturday teatime we were told that tests still revealed no activity post the medication. It had all happened so fast that they still weren't certain of the type of meningitis. We sanctioned a lumbar puncture so we could get results in a couple of hours meaning there would be no requirements for a post-mortem.

The next few hours were magical. Both Jane & I curled up with him on the bed and fell asleep with him. Incredible that we could in the circumstances but the peace that he was radiating relaxed two exhausted parents. The doctors woke me up at around 8pm and told us that it was pneumococcal meningitis and they could now free him from the wires and tubes and let him pass away. He died in mine & Jane's arms around 8:30pm while I hummed the Night Garden to him. It was time to go.

Despite the incredible efforts of the staff at Sick Kids in Edinburgh he went from being a 'bit under the weather' to having left us in just 24 hours. They were adamant that we could have done nothing more. As parents though that is never enough, so that and also wanting to know more about pneumococcal meningitis drew me to this site. Others stories have helped me and telling mine over the last hour or so even more still.

We have Jacob's funeral in two days and it will get worse before it gets better. The only thing I'm certain of is that by sharing my experience with others who have been through similar will definitely help me personally try and live with this.

Please think of donating here at http://www.meningitis.org/helping-us/ways-to-give/donate-online

Chisholm is launched !

Jim Chisholm is returning to operating his own global consulting service to the news media industry; something that he began sixteen years ago. This follows the merger between WAN and IFRA and iMedia’s subsequent withdrawal from its joint venture with IFRA.

The new company, operating under the name “CHISHOLM”, will offer a full range of strategic and functional consulting services and will continue to field a faculty of world class advisers, functional specialists and analysts.

Specific programmes will include:

§ Accelerating revenue recovery ahead of the economic cycle
§ Optimising digital pricing and revenues
§ Business development and diversification strategies
§ Functional development in terms of effectiveness and efficiency
§ Industry strategies working with trade organisations and suppliers
§ Business modelling
§ Research to identify market or business opportunities
§ Acquisitions – strategy and due diligence
§ Forecasting the newspaper industry’s future, for which Jim is widely regarded

Jim Chisholm says: “Our goal with this business is to offer publishers experience-driven, analytical services that reflect 16 years of consulting and research experience in a global arena. As well as bringing knowledge and insight, this offers efficiencies through experience that mean better value to our clients, in terms of ROI, and saves the client time that has to be devoted to a project. Unlike many consulting firms, we don’t have to learn the business to explain it back to you. We understand publishing globally and functionally.

“We guarantee we will work only on projects in which we can offer world class advice, and where we can’t we will send you to a partner who we believe is better.” This is a promise that few other consulting firms make.

The company will continue to periodically produce special reports on key issues facing the industry. Recent examples are a report on the future of the UK regional press, in response to an UK Government enquiry into the future of regional media, and a number of papers on potential newspaper content pricing models . Jim continues to write his monthly column, which is syndicated to trade media around the world.

He has received a lot of press coverage recently on his positive views about the future of the newspaper industry in Europe and the USA, and is currently up-dating his study for the NAA on the future of the US newspaper industry.

Manchester Airport Social media giants !

Twitter tastic !

Now in its second year the FAWA (for the sake of brevity) looks to dole out some kudos to "established industry leaders and striving newcomers, to celebrate and acknowledge the best and brightest aviation websites and online activities the Internet has to offer."

With an international shortlist compiled by members of the aviation fraternity, Manchester Airport managed to receive nominations in two categories - namely that of 'best airport' and 'best use of social media'.

Unfortunately the ultimate prizes in both proved elusive, with a third place in the airport stakes (behind Amsterdam Schiphol and DFW International) and a, none too shabby, runners up spot in the social media standings.

The Facebook page for US 'global security company' Northrop Grumman Corporation took first spot... and we're not going to argue with them.

Manchester Airport's Twitter feed, as established by KMP, no doubt proved instrumental in gaining it recognition.

www.manchesterairport.co.uk

reflex blue launch lent challange !

Gillian the lent master say's "Following on from the great success of last year’s Lent challenge we decided to repeat the new annual tradition this year.
Last year there were several discrepancies within reflexblue as some may remember, both Brians gave up biscuits however were caught in a supposed private meeting, munching oatcakes ( we believe 3 packets each) in the boardroom after hours – Not acceptable hence the punishment of office dishwashing for the following 4 days – was supposed to be 4 weeks!. This years the rules are stricter anyone considering delving into a grey area must put it to the group before it is consumed – failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification from the competition."

So Who’s Giving up what??

This year the participants and items of choice are

Colin, Brian N & Brian W – All giving up ‘nicies’ this includes, Biscuits – plain and Chocolate, chocolate bars, cakes and other sweet delights

Allie – Tea & coffee – Walk in the Park for our newly engaged Mrs Docherty to be with a wedding in the future who has time for kettle boiling!

Gillian – Giving up bread (quite possibly the toughest in my opinion) inclusive of pitta, bagels, muffins wraps and according to the unanimous vote and much to my dismay pizza! – Since when has pizza been bread? Do you put pizza in the toaster or spread with jam?? I don’t think so but hey I’m not going to be this year’s loser for a slice of pizza!

Craig & Scott – Crisps and Chocolate – Having not had any already this year Craig is favourite to win behind Gill however Scott may struggle without his daily walkers fix not to mention Walkers profit margins!

Ricki Neill – Coffee & Fizzy juice – Will be tough to avoid the orange fizz for Ricki

This challenge requires honesty of all participants, if you frequent with any of the team members over the Lent period and see that they have cheated in any way at all please be quick to inform gilliang@reflexblue.co.uk who will deal with them accordingly– If you have picture evidence this will of course increase our case in getting the cheater out the competition

And anyone that cheats??? Well they will of course have the marigolds on before they can say ‘ I wish I hadn’t……’

Good luck to everyone at reflexblue - I will of course take part when I am in !

reflexblue win two awards

reflexBlue have won two awards for design projects they have produced in association with Langside College in this year’s marketing awards.

In a great night for the College and reflexblue, the Part-time Prospectus won Gold and the Main Prospectus won Bronze.
Colin Docherty , MD said "Langside College are a great client to work with and we are delighted to keep up our winning ways once again in a very challenging and competitive market we look forward to more of the same in the future."

Scottish Enterprise launch Interactive Scotland

Scottish Enterprise has launched a new service which aims to stimulate growth and innovation in Scotland’s digital media sector.

Interactive Scotland will be given access to a support network which will help it develop new business models and innovative content, applications, products and services.

The services will also aim to develop skills within the industry and keep companies informed of new opportunities on new technology platforms.

Terry Hurley, director of Digital Markets and Enabling Technologies at Scottish Enterprise, commented: “I’d encourage companies to make contact with Interactive Scotland if they have an ambition to grow their business. Technology is radically changing the market for digital media content in an unprecedented manner, with Scotland well placed to exploit these opportunities. The proliferation of new technology devices has created exciting opportunities for new content and software services that can be accessed through new delivery channels.

“Smaller businesses are often at the forefront in developing innovative content, but don’t necessarily have relationships with the larger companies and consumers hungry for this new content. We want to ensure that our companies are able to exploit these opportunities and maintain Scotland’s reputation for rapid, commercially successful innovation in global digital media markets.”

The launch of Interactive Scotland follows the Scottish Digital Media Industry Advisory Group's proposals being made to the Scottish Government in December with the aim of growing Scotland's digital sector.

Mastermind Answers

Despite a promising start, Thuraaisingham only answered four questions correctly on his specialist subject, and later won just one point in the general knowledge round.


1. Which insects got their name from the ancient superstition that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Ants
(Correct answer: Earwig)

2. One of the taglines of which 2001 blockbuster film was "December 7th 1941, it was a Sunday morning"?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Pearl Harbor)

3. In Greek mythology what did Prometheus steal from the gods? He was punished for this by being chained to a rock where an eagle ate his constantly replenished liver.
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: A spark of fire)

4. Pierre is the capital of which American state?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Vermont
(Correct answer: South Dakota)

5. What do people suffering from trichotillomania have a compulsion to do?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Pull out their hair)

6. The American ambassador's London residence Winfield House was sold to the United States for $1 by which chain store heiress?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Hilton
(Correct answer: Barbara Hutton)

7. The "Heroic" in a Flat Major Opus 53 is one of 16 of Chopin's works in the form of which dance?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Polonaise)

8. In women's gymnastics, the uneven bars on which swinging routines are performed are also known by what name?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Trapeze
(Correct answer: Asymmetric bars)

9. Whose 1770 poem The Deserted Village describes the appalling effects of the enclosure acts on the rural poor?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Oliver Goldsmith)

10. Ursus Maritimus is the scientific name for which bear?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: The polar bear (Correct)

11. Le Maillon Faible is the French television version of which British quiz show?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Mastermind
(Correct answer: The Weakest Link)

12. The Halle Orchestra is based in which venue in Manchester?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Salford
(Correct answer: Bridgewater Hall)

13. A device capable of storing electricity consisting of conducting plates separated by a layer of insulating material is given what name?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Battery
(Correct answer: Capacitor)

14. Which Warwickshire town granted its royal prefix by Queen Victoria in 1838 claims to be the home of England's first lawn tennis club?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Leamington Spa)

15. What word can mean a joint of pork, to pawn, or a German white wine?
KAJEN THURAAISINGHAM: Pass
(Correct answer: Hock)

Trinity buys MEN Media but leaves Channel M on shelf

This is a huge story for the North West - will be interesting to see what happens with the buying points.

_______________________________

Trinity Mirror Plc today said it was buying GMG Regional Media from Guardian Media Group Plc for nearly £45m.

It said the acquisition, which includes MEN Media Ltd, publisher of the Manchester Evening News "reinforces Trinity Mirror's commitment to regional media and complements the group's existing portfolio and marketplaces".

Trinity owns the Liverpool Echo and Daily Mirror and is expected to make efficiency savings from combining the Manchester and Liverpool businesses.

MEN Media publishes 22 titles and GMG regionals also owns S&B Media which publishes the Surrey Advertiser and Reading Post. T

rinity Mirror will not be acquiring Channel M, the TV station for Greater Manchester and the two local newspapers in Woking.

GMG made an operating profit of nil in the 12 months to December 2009 and has gross assets of £8.7m. The total consideration is £44.8m is made up of £7.4m cash and £37.4m from the release of a long term printing contract.

The deal is expected to complete on 28 March 2010.

Sly Bailey, Chief Executive, commented: "GMG Regional Media is a perfect strategic fit for our Group. This acquisition, which includes the Manchester Evening News with its proud and rich journalistic heritage, together with the weekly titles and associated websites extends our reach across print and online and is a further step towards our strategic goal of creating a multi-media business of real scale."

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, Guardian Media Group, commented: "GMG is mandated to secure the future of the Guardian in perpetuity, and we have a strong portfolio which has to be in the right shape to achieve that goal. The Group board and the Scott Trust have made the decision to sell in light of these strategic objectives. GMG Regional Media is a good business and a publisher of important newspapers. However, we believe Trinity Mirror, as the UK's biggest regional publisher, is best placed to develop this business. This is an agreement that delivers real value for both parties."

How many would you score on Mastermind?

A Mastermind contestant has set a record low score after getting only five points in last Friday's show – the worst result in the 37-year run of the BBC Two quiz show.

Kajen Thuraaisingham failed to impress when answering questions on his specialist subject - the life of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

The 28-year-old software analyst from London said in a statement through the BBC after the show: "I tried my best but it wasn't my night."

Despite a promising start, Thuraaisingham only answered four questions correctly on his specialist subject, and later won just one point in the general knowledge round.

Mastermind host John Humphrys expressed his commiserations to the unlucky contender. He added: "It's the black chair syndrome. No matter how hard you prepare for a show, the mind can just go blank when you're in that chair and the lights are on you."

Kajen Thuraaisingham broke a record previously held by contestant Michael Burton, who scored only seven points just two months ago.

Could you have done any better? Here's the list of questions he had to answer for the general knowledge round:

1. Which insects got their name from the ancient superstition that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people?


2. One of the taglines of which 2001 blockbuster film was "December 7th 1941, it was a Sunday morning"?


3. In Greek mythology what did Prometheus steal from the gods? He was punished for this by being chained to a rock where an eagle ate his constantly replenished liver.

4. Pierre is the capital of which American state?


5. What do people suffering from trichotillomania have a compulsion to do?


6. The American ambassador's London residence Winfield House was sold to the United States for $1 by which chain store heiress?


7. The "Heroic" in a Flat Major Opus 53 is one of 16 of Chopin's works in the form of which dance?

8. In women's gymnastics, the uneven bars on which swinging routines are performed are also known by what name?

9. Whose 1770 poem The Deserted Village describes the appalling effects of the enclosure acts on the rural poor?

10. Ursus Maritimus is the scientific name for which bear?


11. Le Maillon Faible is the French television version of which British quiz show?


12. The Halle Orchestra is based in which venue in Manchester?


13. A device capable of storing electricity consisting of conducting plates separated by a layer of insulating material is given what name?


14. Which Warwickshire town granted its royal prefix by Queen Victoria in 1838 claims to be the home of England's first lawn tennis club?

15. What word can mean a joint of pork, to pawn, or a German white wine?


Answers later in the week - I score 5 by the way!!!

Leveraging Google

I found a good article on http://seowizardry.ca/ - worth a read

I have long been promoting a holistic approach to online marketing. I of course have met resistance from various individuals who have shown a difference of opinion.

I know of one "Social Media Guru" who has personally admonished me for my interest in Search Engines and their importance to the online visibility and overall performance of a company’s web site. From my "Social Media Guru’s" perspective, Search Engines were a thing of the past, the only thing which had any relevance to businesses online, was the power of recommendations through Social Networks.

At this point I must state I did not disagree with the importance of Social Recommendation, I considered Social Recommendation as necessary part of an overall holistic approach to improving Internet business performance. It appears that my views on this topic have been somewhat vindicated with the introduction of both Real Time and Social Search, both which integrate a business’s Social Networking relationships and activities into the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

Real Time Search
Real Time Search’s objective is to provide search results to a particular search query which are as up to date as possible. These results include the latest Blog Posts, Tweets and News items among various other Social Networking communications which the Search Engines consider relevant to the Searcher’s query. However, in the case of Facebook updates, these are likely to be extremely limited in the near future due to Facebook’s privacy settings, although Google has established the beginning of an agreement with Facebook so this issue is moving forward.

Social Search
Although Google’s Social Search is still carrying the Beta tag, insinuating it is still in the testing stages the service is now available to the public. Social Search requires a Google account and setting up a Google profile. Once you have completed your profile and provided links to your public profiles on various Social Networking web sites, Google crawls your Social contacts. Once this task is completed and your Social Network is determined by Google you will see results from your Social Contacts if they have published content of topical relevance to your Search query.

Leveraging Real Time and Social Search for business
The Search Environment has changed significantly in the recent past, although the principles of Relevancy and Domain authority are still a significant factor, the new additions to the Search Algorithms offer additional opportunity to perform well in Search, if consideration is given to how this can be leveraged.

Leveraging Real Time SearchPublishing content on a regular basis is fundamental to leveraging Real Time Search to improve the Search Results visibility for your web site. This content can take any form from a Blog Post or Tweet, even a PDF file will show in the Search results for topical relevance for a variety of keywords. It must be remembered that these results are likely to be strictly time limited due to time being a critical factor of this aspect of the Search Algorithm.

Of course time is not the only factor, relevancy of the content to a searcher’s query plays a significant part and should a highly popular keyword be targeted other factors such as Domain authority will impact the search results. However, this being said the time factor is the predominant factor so with some careful planning and keyword research it is possible to develop content which does not target highly popular keywords in favor of less popular long tail keyword phrases to provide your published content visibility in the SERPs for an extended period of time.

Leveraging Social Search Developing an extensive Social Network now has the potential to increase your company’s visibility in the Search Results. Just as you can see your social connections’ published content, they of course can see yours. In most business cases, many of these Social Contacts will be business related and therefore, when contacts within your Social Environment begin to search for business related topics your published content will be available to them. This of course only works for those of your contact who opt in and develop a Google profile, therefore, it pays to encourage your contacts to register their Google profiles.

The Last Word
The search environment continues to evolve, the worst thing any business could do is to depend on previous successes in the Search Results. Real Time Search and Social Search are just two of the many changes within Search which impact "established" search results. The introduction of Caffeine by Google also includes variances to the Search Results which have tremendous potential to alter the results which have been dominant in the past.

To keep current web site performance, and improve as we move forward into the future will require an attitude which is open to change and new ideas. However, we must not lose sight of the primary aspects of the Search Algorithms which are Relevancy and Authority as these still have a significant impact on not only Organic results, but are also taken into consideration within the new additions to the Search Algorithms.

Those talented creatives at Wash have managed to shrink my business card at last !

They have done a full Charlie and the Chocolate factory and shrunk my 96 sheet into a more manageable size - what do you think?