Franchise Marketing – Why Invest in Local Marketing?

It’s a question that was posed to me the other day whilst I was speaking to a franchisor about my company’s new Franchise Marketing System (you can read all about how it helps you support your franchise network in effective local marketing). They spend a fortune on marketing, he argued, so why would they spend [...]

Can Aspirational Be The New Exit?

Like everyone else, I woke up this morning to the news that Steve Jobs has died. I’m not overly sentimental. I won’t be attending any iPhone vigils. I won’t shed any tears. I didn’t know the man, and I have no personal feelings about his death. But early this morning, as I checked my Twitter [...]

Paying attention to customer service starts with paying attention…

OK. I admit I’m not a food critic. I’m not a chef and I’m not in any way qualified to write restaurant reviews. I’ll put my hand up right away and admit all of that. Setting those facts aside, this may be a slightly odd post – half restaurant review, half customer service advice. You [...]

Sometimes it’s my job to tell you that you look fat in that dress.

I was sitting down for coffee with a fellow marketing man the other day. To be fair, I try not to do that too often, but every once in a while it’s ok, right? Anyway, there was a bit of a sales pitch on his side of the table, but he was a nice guy [...]

Investment needs talent. Talent deserves investment.

I was at a good meeting this morning. There were three of us sitting around the table in a hotel bar (this isn’t the start of a really bad joke) having a good discussion about the mixture of talent and investment needed for a lot of the companies we regularly see. I think that’s an [...]

Five Years Still Standing

So today’s the day. It’s December 8th 2010. It’s crept up on me in many ways, but somehow it was five years ago today that I officially registered Design-Ate (UK) Ltd at Companies House and started out on the single bumpiest ride I have ever been on. In a lot of ways, these last couple [...]

A lovely bike around Scotland….

Another classic from the Danny man….this one is particularly nice. A scottish treat: Lovely -j

I’ve been busy, so enjoy some Dr.Who inspired ‘Will it Blend?’

It’s been a long couple of weeks and I’ve had a lot on, so I haven’t had much time to sit down and continue my thoughts. That isn’t changing this week either. But life goes on, and the chaps at ‘Will it Blend’ have served up a British-inspired, Dr Who loving, treat for us. Enjoy: [...]

Investment – will it take you where you want to go?

I’ll put it bluntly. Over the past three months I have met with over twenty companies that are currently looking for investment. Only two or three have really thought it through. That does not make me happy. I’ve said it before, but my company does a lot of work with high-growth companies. These projects range [...]

Great moments in Advertising – Irn Bru Snowman

I love this advert. I really do. It still makes me smile and still makes me laugh. Well done Leith :-) – j