Creative Business Advice

social enterprise and PR

2009-03-24T22:56:00.003Z

I went to a great seminar today about marketing social enterprise ( see http://www.sel.org.uk/ ) was really moved by ethical PR agency Blue Rocket who told the story of how they promoted one of their clients.

They made the service of audio commentary for blind football fans come alive to me .....one of the most important things YOU can do for your brand or business.

What brings your world alive for your customers ?

see their web site and pick up a great guide they are producing!
http://www.bluerocketgroup.com/documents/The_Ethical_Business_Guide.pdf

A new era

2009-01-29T17:33:00.002Z

This months newsletter caused a stir, so here is the full article from trendwatching.com
GENERATION G | "Captures the growing importance of 'generosity' as a leading societal and business mindset. As consumers are disgusted with greed and its current dire consequences for the economy—and while that same upheaval has them longing more than ever for institutions that care—the need for more generosity beautifully coincides with the ongoing (and pre-recession) emergence of an online-fueled culture of individuals who share, give, engage, create and collaborate in large numbers.

In fact, for many, sharing a passion and receiving recognition have replaced 'taking' as the new status symbol. Businesses should follow this societal/behavioral shift, however much it may oppose their decades-old devotion to me, myself and I.”

Three trend-drivers for GENERATION G:

1. Recession and consumer disgust
Jump

Photo courtesy of vxla

The current financial meltdown has led consumers to be more disgusted than ever (if that’s even possible) with greedy corporate execs who just don’t care. Many in the corporate world are so far removed from what is now an immensely better informed, more opinionated consumer arena, that their (non-)communications, their (inter-)actions, their entire behavior is deeply out of tune with what consumers want and expect in the years to come.

This didn’t happen overnight of course. The financial crisis was just the straw that broke the camel's back: consumers’ negative and raw emotions stem from too many brands who decided to stop caring a long time ago. In most cases, this starts at the top, with share-price-obsessed execs not generous to (or caring for) their employees, who in turn stop giving a damn about actual customers*.

Some fun (US) stats from Reputation Garage:

* As few as 13% of all Americans place their trust in big business (and it's not much higher for other mature consumer societies!).
* Only 39% of employees in a Watson Wyatt survey said they trusted senior leadership.
* Some three-quarters of US consumers feel that companies don’t tell the truth in advertising.
* Three-quarters of employees in big companies observed violations of the law or company standards in a 12-month period.

* Now, there are of course brands and executives who do get it, and those tend to be the ones that pop up as leading examples in our trend briefings ;-)
2. Longing for institutions that care
obama

And yet...the need for the opposite of greed (that would be generosity!) is never greater than in challenging times. Challenging times see people craving care, empathy, sympathy and generosity. Now, with a full-blown recession having set in, expect to hear even more about caring, as that’s what consumers and citizens will demand from governments and organizations: someone to take care of their jobs, their savings, their fellow citizens. This need becomes extra poignant in societies where individualism is the new religion, and thus every person, young and old, rich and poor, has been told by society that he or she matters as an individual.
3. For individuals, giving is already the new taking, and sharing is the new giving
warrenflickr

However, in essence, GENERATION G isn't about anger and recessions: the larger and more lasting trend is passionate, empowered individuals (if not entire generations) being more willing and able to give, to share, to collaborate; to be more ‘generous’ in many ways. Which in turn has made generosity one of a new set of status symbols.
Rich individuals

For a long time, in the world of the super-wealthy, not engaging in a little philanthropy has meant a serious loss in status. Over the past few years, billionaires logoaround the world have been upping the ante for other financially independent individuals by giving away really big chunks if not all of their fortunes. In fact, it's impossible these days to be very rich and not to donate uber-generously to charity: the benefit to one's social capital completely trumps the monetary gains from keeping one's financial capital sitting in an account. Being generous is seen as a class act, while greed is, well, out.
Now, will the rich donate less to charities in difficult times? Of course. But while economic prosperity dictates the size of gifts and donations, generous behavior has already become the long-term norm.
Any individuals

But. The most important driver behind GENERATION G is a wide variety of consumers and citizens being more generous. We're talking the collaborative / free / creation / crowdsourced / gift / sharing movement* that—especially online—has unlocked in entirely new ways the perennial need of individuals to be appreciated, to be loved, to feel part of the greater good, to contribute, to help... To basically find status and gratification in something other than consuming the most or the best.

Don't think this a passing phenomenon: younger generations practically live online, while over the last dozen or so years, virtually every prediction of how the web would infiltrate the 'offline' world has proven too conservative. As our favorite online guru, Kevin Kelly, rightly stated a few years ago: ‘online culture is the culture’.

So... Everything seems to have aligned to make generosity (“liberality in giving or willingness to give”) a leading theme in the business arena this year. As always, companies can learn from consumers, though it's not a 'want' but a 'need': companies need to mirror this societal shift if they want to regain their relevancy. We’re talking truly becoming a caring brand—one that is generous to customers, generous to employees, generous to the environment, generous to social causes, and so on. We know you know this: GENERATION G is more about context and timing than out-of-the-blue insights.

Baroque in Brighton

2008-09-23T08:53:00.003Z

Baroque in Brighton stock many of my clients work, as well as their own exquisite range of pieces. Great to see such a good showing of the U.K,s bright young jewelry designers!

check out their site www.baroquejewellery.com or better still visit them in Union Street , hidden in the Lanes in Brighton.

Top Drawer hits

2008-09-17T17:18:00.008Z

Three of my enterprising clients showed great new products at top drawer this season.

Paul Cocksedge liscenced his down-lighters to Aimbry with the name snood!

Caroynk launched her new fabric ranges of make up bags, and is planning a new leather collection soon.

Name clothing showed their funky childrens wear, with smart graphics, and clever in-store merchandising.

Green-works wins the Queens Award

2008-09-17T17:18:00.004Z

I worked with Green-works , a terrific social enterprise, on their branding and stratey 8 years ago. They take unwanted furniture, and either, resell, re make or recycle it,using exoffenders and unemplyed people, and training them to a high standard. If you are a school , voluntry organisation, or a small business you can have access to excellent office furniture.

They are now also sending containers to africa too.

check out their site on www.green-works.co.uk

Can't Believe it's fashion week again!

2008-09-15T16:57:00.005Z

Things have been so busy at creative business advice , that I havn't had time to put up a blog for ages ! BUT just come back from London fashion week where we had a great showing from our clients..take a look! The esthetica part of the show is dedicated to sustainable fashion. is where I found Maria with her canary yellow bag !...did you know you can have your handbag customized with their enormous range of leathers ..check out www.ignesbags.com

In the main hall was Emma of Emma Champman jewels...who will also be showing at premier classe in Paris!

Check out her web site www.emmachapmanjewels.com

Ecce - Developing economic clusters of cultural enterprises

2008-06-15T21:59:00.001Z

If you are in a creative business, this is a great idea, place your details in the first instance up on this web-site.

There's lots of resources available from the ECCE, so it's worth finding out about.

Sue

London fashion Week

2008-02-17T19:11:00.006Z

A number of my clients were featured in the press during London Fashion Week !

On Fisher Garcia Herald Tribune Feb 14th said "Elena Garcia wanted to make the most glamorous of garments to show that sustainable clothing can have couture quality. Chosen by Estethica as one of the promising new contributors in the field, Garcia and her partner take the view that people will be prepared to pay a high price not because something is organic nor because it helps women who might otherwise struggle to find work - but because it is beautiful." for more see http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/14/style/rgreen.php

On tuesday 5th BBC news wrote "The studio where Nin Castle and Phoebe Emerson run their fashion firm is very small, but the change they are aiming for is big - and they are doing it in technicolour." for more info please go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6248796.stm

Back Again in Blighty

2008-02-10T11:28:00.000Z

I'm back from a great trip to Switzerland, to find my clients raring to go with London Fashion

Week .

Goodone are showing at Margin, in the Traid Fair section .....a great off centre extravaganza of alternative fashion. This show is also sponsored by another old client Firefly drinks !Enjoy !

See for yourself !

http://www.margin.tv/

Great success for one of my lighting clients

2008-01-25T16:46:00.000Z

rising star of lighting design reveals latest commission on Euston Road .....
14 January 2008
One of the UK's most prolific designers, Paul Cocksedge, has been commissioned by the Wellcome Trust to produce a major display illuminating Euston Road in central London.
A short stroll from the recently launched St Pancras International station sits an impressive nine-storey glass building, which houses the UK's largest charity, the Wellcome Trust. The front windows of the building are seen by over 1.8 million passers by each year, providing the perfect opportunity to engage the public with the work of this medical charity.
With this in mind, Paul Cocksedge has created a dramatic window display of arms stretching across the full length of the building. Using a unique electronic material that allows light to pass through it, but with a flick of a switch can stop the light, the magic skin covering the arms disappears to reveal veins and arteries inside the arms, which have been translated into glass neon tubes.
One of the hands is intentionally pointing to the building next door, drawing attention to the recently launched Wellcome Collection, a public venue that explores the relationship between medicine, life, art and history. James Peto, Senior Curator at Wellcome Collection, commented: "The challenge was to create a window design that in the simplest of terms gets across a message about the Wellcome Trust."

to see the image , go to http://www.paulcocksedge.co.uk/index2.html

Paul Cocksedge explains: "I am keen to engage with those passers-by who are not familiar with the work of the Trust, and also to show the relationship between two buildings that are architecturally distinct from one another. The reference to the human body is a symbol of medical research, all be it an obvious one. I am keen to show how making the skin become invisible reveals the workings of the arms, similar to an X-ray. The intention is that people walking along busy Euston Road will, for a moment in time, consider their own bodies and walk away with a clear association between imagery and the Wellcome Trust."
Paul Cocksedge (29) was born in London and studied industrial design at Sheffield Hallam University before attending the Royal College of Art in London. He has exhibited his work at the Design Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. He was nominated for the Design Museum's Designer of the Year Prize in 2004.

Still sexy at 50 +

2008-01-13T16:48:00.001Z

I saw this image on one of my favorite fashion blogs the sartorialist. This woman in Paris , has such effortless style !

The roots of style

2007-12-15T05:39:00.001Z

For those of you who love textiles and style , don't miss the age of couture show at the V&A finishing in early Jan .

The sartorialist

2007-12-15T05:35:00.000Z

This new blog is the talk of fashion circles......view at www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

help for manufacturers

2007-09-26T20:42:00.000Z

Designers and manufacturers have a friend in the MAS in London. I have just completed a programme of help to Forma Leather, to help them create more business through targeted marketing. See

http://www.formaleather.co.uk/ for their new web site and services.

They make wonderful garments like this one seen this week at London Fashion week.

If I can be of help to you in this way please get in touch , so that I can evaluate your needs.

amazing exhibition

2007-08-11T20:11:00.001Z

saw this show today... blind light , a fascinating retrospective of Anthony Gormley ...see it before it closes on the 19th ...at the hayward

Eco Design Network

2007-06-08T08:08:00.001Z

I attended an interesting workshop and exhibition yesterday run by the ecodesign network . They have a wealth of info , and opportunities for those wishing to develop their business in this way .

http://www.ecodesignnetwork.co.uk

As a business advisor I may be able to help you on some of these issues.

Cockpit open

2007-06-03T20:05:00.000Z

this weekend , was the cockpit open studios. It was so great to see so many of my artist / designer makers displaying their work to such a high standard . This peice is by Teri Howes. Well done all . Hope the sales went well too . To see more visit

www.cockpitarts.com

new workshop

2007-05-18T08:40:00.001Z

thought you might be interested in this work that I'm doing

.The Art of Knowing Yourself

Do you want to be able to achieve your dreams, feel more at ease with yourself, and in turn feel happier ?
As you learn how to use your inherent creativity as a means of self exploration, you connect to a place of truly knowing your inner self.
If you do please come to an introductory workshop I'm doing at the mind body spirit festival London 23rd May please see link below.

http://www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk/presenter.asp?pid=111

www.theartofknowingyourself.com

yvonne@theartofknowingyourself.com

07782 210304

Afternoon tea Paris style

2007-04-13T08:31:00.000Z

I have just returned from a glorious week end in the Paris spring. One of the highlights was taking afternoon tea in the Laduree tea rooms .

Laduree are famous for their delicate tasting macaroons, in colours to match this seasons pastel trends !

Do look at their wonderful site for all kinds of rococo inspiration.

www.laduree.fr

Zandra on Radio

2007-04-10T09:39:00.000Z

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/listen/
here is a great interveiw with one of my brilliant clients......friday 6th april older entrepreneurs!

Great Opportunities

2007-03-29T20:34:00.000Z

I spent a great evening tonight talking about branding and business strategy to a crowd of 40 businesses at KIS training !

All businesses need to develop strong roots , so training is essential ! to find out more look at their website www.kistraining.co.uk

Some of their help is for only north London, but others , like their programme for women , in non traditional work areas are pan London ,much is free or a an affordable cost !..check it out people!

TV on the internet

2007-03-23T17:05:00.000Z

I am always amazed who turns up to my workshops on branding !

This week I ran a course for businesses in the media, and met Ajay Rai. he is a TV producer working on Internet broadcasts. He runs a very special site, to bring spirituality and understanding to world issues. check it out ! www.definingmoment.eu

A new business launch

2007-03-19T19:30:00.000Z

Here is another very interesting site from a prospective client of mine! Check it out on
http://www.foundinteriors.com

Move it !, dance london

2007-03-16T08:34:00.000Z

Today I am at the Move it , dance show case giving a branding workshop to the VIP exhibitors.

This is also a fantastic experience for all you dance fans, from Bollywood to Ballroom and very thing in between. There are loads of exhibitors there to ,one of them being a long standing client of mine Antonio Pacelli, who are the brand leader in Irish Dance shoes and accessories.

So if you fancy going log onto www.dance-london.co.uk

Network Miracles

2007-03-15T18:07:00.000Z

Today was another great session , working with women going into business on the forward at 50 programme.

As we discussed all their ideas , we were amazed to find out how many links we already had , and everyone began sharing information , and help .

I had goose bumps on my arms !! It was so exciting to be in the flow !...so go for it girls ....you know how to do it now .

Branding that really doesn't make sense!

2007-03-15T15:15:00.000Z

Here is a company specialising in creating 'musical brands' for their clients, and they have some great clients, but they don't practice what they preach themselves, there is not a single musical note on their own web-site!
To take a look, but certainly not listen visit....

http://www.sixiemeson.com/en/index.php

My clients at Country Living Show Business Design Centre London14-18 March

2007-03-15T08:21:00.000Z

For original jewellery see Hayley Stanton , or visit her web site www.hayelystanton.co.uk

If a fab hat is what you need go and see Bridget Bailey or see her wonderful creations at www.Baileytomlin.com

Creativity sources

2007-03-14T15:15:00.000Z

I thought I would share with you a great blog I just came across with lots of creative inspiration.
Mind mapping, brainstorming, visual exercises, creative exercises, things to get our right brains working
overtime.

Its at http://visualcongruence.blogspot.com/

Have a creative day!
Swan

Gisella: Live At ADORNMENT

2007-03-13T22:17:00.000Z

My lovely clients are set to show some great gowns at the Adornment show ....you know what to do !
ADORNMENT: Evolution 2007
Sunday 8th-Monday 9th April
Easter Bank Holiday Weekend
@ Battersea Evolution

Info: http://www.adornment.org.uk

Goldsmiths Award for Stacey

2007-03-13T17:59:00.000Z

Well done Stacey for winning this fantastic award!

Larger than Life - 18ct white gold, 0.47 certified white diamond, sapphire.This ring won the Technological Innovation Award, the two commended awards and helped to also win Stacey the scholarship. A great achievement!
We met through the workshops I run at cockpit arts ..she has great talent , and a steely determination to succeed........So if any of you want to own one of these fantastic pieces contact staceywhalejewellery@yahoo.co.uk

Atelier CREDO 2006

2007-03-09T22:54:00.001Z

Hi Yvonne, I thought I would share with the readers of your blog, an International Credo workshop our Design School held at Fontevraud Abbey in Saumur last Summer on the subject of Croire 'to believe and belief'. Olivier Pigasse, who introduces himself at the beginning is the designer I work with on projects at the school.

We are working with the cultural centre within the Abbey over the next 3 years on their Credo cultural project. The next series of seminars will be in April.

The abbey is so beautiful, we spent the day there as a part of our school hosting the International Design conference, Intelligence Design. If you are ever near Saumur, it is well worth a visit.
Best wishes to you Yvonne
Sue Alouche

F50 forward at 50

2007-03-08T18:57:00.000Z

Today is world women's day , and I spent it in excellent company !I was giving 2 seminars to women over 50 who are thinking of setting up in business. This fantastic programme is run by London Metropolitan University, here's what they say about it !

F50 - Forward at Fifty
A course for women over 50 is being offered by London Metropolitan University.
People are staying younger for longer and not everyone wants to retire. Plus there is a pensions crisis for women. Population forecasts show that the over 50s are likely to make up a growing proportion of business start-ups. Evidence suggests that the trend for more people over 50 to start a business will continue to grow.
The Forward at 50 short course is a unique opportunity for women 50+ who want to become self-employed, or who have recently started a small business, and would like to participate in a business support learning group. The course is part-funded by the European Social Fund and is open to women 50+ in the Greater London area.

If you are interested in finding out more please contact Hilary Farnworth or Jo Sealy: Tel: 020 7320 1573 Email: hilary.farnworth@londonmet.ac.uk Email: jo.Sealy@londonmet.ac.uk

Go for it girls !!!!

Asian Dreams

2007-03-06T18:14:00.000Z

Last week I had the pleasure to visit the Asian Dreams Fashion show, showing off the immense`talent of British Asian Designers. This programme has been running out of Newham College for a number of years and I regularly teach Branding on the supporting programme. So well done to all the staff , supporters and sponsors for a FAB event ...to find out more about what goes on at Newham , or to receive their newsletter ,pleasecontact Bobbi Bobbi.Spall@newham.ac.uk

Great News

2007-03-01T10:20:00.000Z

I open my email this morning to great news of my clients.

One has won 4 awards for her jewellery !! and another has launched some great new products.

All will be revealed when I get their permission to show you the images!

Well done gang !

Hello and Welcome

2007-02-28T17:14:00.000Z

Hello to my new readers , and welcome to those of you who work with me, in the creative world.

I am always being asked how I got into this work, and to tell all ! so hopefully , we will have fun , exploring the world of my FAB clients , and their exciting businesses, and learn a few things on the way !