Isn’t it incredible that in this day and age of multimedia & constant electronic connectivity, we seem to have lost sight of the huge, and fundamental need to consistently work on the basic and still yet most important component in any of this – ourselves!

The advances in technology have radicalised the way that we communicate, when we do it and to a large extent, the consequences.

Don’t get me wrong, I am (to what is now a measured extent) a subscriber.  I should be, my career for the last 10 years has revolved around it!  But one thing I have observed over the last couple of years is this ‘dependence’ on technology, and this addiction to constant connectivity.  Heaven forbid, we don’t gravitate to check our mobile phone every couple of minutes, and imagine the disaster in store should we not instantly reply to an email, or update our current status!

In sincerity, I appreciate that there are huge benefits to communication technology, I am not contradicting myself, but I am certain that it comes at a price, which could be detrimental to our other health, social and wellbeing skills.  There is a serious danger that generations to come will not poses basic human interaction skills, the ability to exist without dependence on devices.

Now, I am not saying for one minute that we should implement some ‘technology abstinence’, but I am just wondering what life would be like if we spent ‘that time’ engaged in physical, social interaction, physical activity or other forms of independent  personal  development.

As much as the time saving virtues of technology are known to us all, consider on a daily basis how much time is actually spent on daily inertia? It is calculated that of an average employee’s 8 hour day, only 3 hours of this time is ‘productive/qualitative’ work!  Of the remaining 5 hours, in many cases, a considerable chunk of which is dissipated.

Rather than the daily compulsion to be ‘available’, to everybody, all of the time, why not choose to communicate on terms that suit you!  Of course, this is not always possible, but small, incremental changes could have a significant bearing. Just like the telephone: it is not there for someone else’s convenience, it is there for yours.  You can apply that same principal to all other forms of technology.  Most people aren’t aware of the fact that they are ‘addicted’ to communication technology, and that their dependency is simply empowering others more often than not.

Imagine if you were to spend all of that time on more efficient and effective activities.  Your family, your friends and your health will all be appreciative if you re-prioritise.  Equally, really take note of the actual ‘work’ that you achieve on a daily basis, and perhaps this will generate some re-structuring.

There is a phrase that applies to many things and it is certainly appropriate in this case: “The things that you own, end up owning you”.

Photographer: Francesco Marino

Often asked to expand on exactly what Symbol Media is/does, this post will hopefully provide you with a more specific overview of what the business is/does, and more importantly, what it can do to enhance, improve, or simply support your current level of business activity.

• Symbol Media is a collective of ‘creative’ individuals that are handpicked, and assembled on a project by project basis.

• With 10 years industry experience, Colin Bell as the MD of the business, has been fortunate during his time in the industry, and has worked with a vast network of individual’s, SME’s and Blue Chip Creative Agencies, during which time he has taken all the best elements of process, production and creative talent, and is now able to create and work with the most suitable team for any given job.

• Day-to-day, Colin works as an independent consultant, working directly with clients, and with/and on behalf of larger Agencies.

• Having had numerous job titles, and worn many hats, the simple premise of what Colin now does is easy: facilitation!

• This can encompass anything from managing client accounts, ensuring the most effective use of resource, time management and efficiency throughout project life cycles, client relationship management & project coordination.

• To make it even simpler, it’s a case of ‘joining the dots’.

As no two projects are alike, every individual one will be discussed by all parties from the outset, and where applicable, Colin and/or his team will liaise with all relevant parties with the one overriding goal: maximum efficiency and client satisfaction.

Symbol Media may be required on elements or entire projects, either contributing on an ongoing basis, or simply providing one core service.

Either way, if you/your business is looking at things from a slightly different perspective, and feel that there may be some benefit to a forward thinking, strategic alliance, or simply still not sure, please get in contact.

Perhaps the following testimonial will clarify things:

“We have worked with Colin and his team for almost a year. In this time we have worked on a diverse range of projects – from the small scale (such as ad hoc web banners) to the large (complete websites, including CMS and ecommerce functionality). Colin and his team have provided us with the right level of support and guided us through the minefield that is “digital” to enable us to provide the right solutions in a timely and effective manner.

In addition we have been able to use Colin and his team in client facing situations as and when appropriate to enable us to provide additional support to our clients.”

Joe Bowler – Director – Refinery Digital

Photographer: Danilo Rizzuti

As a roundup of ‘articles and site’s to be seen’, here are seven that are well worth a look:

• The Current State of Web Design: Trends 2010
• Real-time user studies and analytics tools for your website
• Excellent Examples of Using Photos in Web Design
• 50 Helpful Typography Tools and Resources
• 30 Minimal Logo Designs that Say More with Less
• Is Your Artwork Ready for Print?
• Current Logo Trends 2010
• Twitter Facts And Figures

Photographer: Salvatore Vuono

Despite the continuing turbulent financial times across the globe, online advertising continues to grow with consumers and businesses alike, showing confidence in online advertising.

The confidence is supported by the findings that the public are expected to increase online spending during the next 6 months, which will demonstrate a year-on-year increase.

With more and more business’s implementing smarter, and more efficient integrated digital communication, methods of, and results from such campaigns are clearly impacting on the way that both business and consumer search for, and acquire products and services.

Mobile media, and resurgence in Bluetooth advertising are presenting business’s with more channels to connect with their customers, allied to the existing traditional and social media advertising channels.

Photographer: Francesco Marino

Seek out an effective business balance. Francesco Marino

There is an ever increasing desire for business’s to work smart, be resourceful, and go ‘green’.

This has never been more applicable, and thanks to the continual advances in technology, never more possible than in the current day and age.  Nowadays people do not need to adopt the business model of ‘industrial society’ that for so long was the only method of business: we now, and I imagine will continue to be driven by the digital industry, offering us so much more choice, convenience and flexibility.

Gone are the days of the conventional 9.00am – 5.00pm: people now have more choice in how and where to do business.  Of course, this is not to say that the disappearance of factories, retail outlets etc is imminent, however, there may come a time when the only people required ‘on-site’ are the solitary night watchmen and his dog, guarding products and hardware.

The terms ‘working smart’ and ‘work-life-balance’ are common place in the modern day lexicon, and a key contributor to this is technology, and it’s empowerment of the workforce.  This mindset and desire to be more efficient is nothing new. You can apply two of the oldest, and yet, still most affective business concepts from Pareto and Parkinson to implement a better practice.

In short, just be aware that there is often more than one way to do any one thing, and often the case is that there may be a more efficient, cost/time effective, and ‘kind on the environment’ solution, If you want to get better answer’s to the ‘how’ , ‘where’ and ‘why’: ask better questions!

The following article provides an excellent example of industry and technology working in sync with the overall aim of ‘maximum efficiency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8608417.stm

Salvatore Vuono

Sundown, Friday, March 19 to Sundown, Saturday, March 20

Having come across this, I wonder how many of my industry colleagues will be able to sacrifice their digital connection!?

Without it, people are lost; they feel exposed, vulnerable and unable to get through the day.

I think this is a brilliant social experiment, and as a sign of times to come, people must learn to detach themselves from their unhealthy reliance on technology.  In so many cases, it is for the convenience of someone else, rather than you.

Go on, try it: http://www.sabbathmanifesto.org/unplug

Francesco Marino

Symbol Media is looking for a commission based (trial period) business development consultant to develop new opportunities within the digital production and online sector.

The individual must have digital media/media buying experience, be commercially minded, and able to fully commit to the project.

Although commission based only, it will be considerable commission remuneration, leading to an excellent full-time salary based package.

We’re not going to write the cliché job description, and use nebulous recruitment speak to define the role, as having worked within the digital media industry, you will know what is involved.

We are looking for a talented individual who is able to sell, project/account manage, and develop long-term client relationships.

The right person for the role will be self-motivated, ambitious, honest and loyal, with a view to developing a diverse portfolio of digital solutions and services.

This is an embryonic role, and will provide the successful applicant(s) with an opportunity to contribute towards a developing business, working with exceptional creative talent, and clients with similar business ethics and values.

In the first instance, please email CV’s to enquiries@symbolmedia.co.uk, and we will reply to all applicants

Francesco Marino

Symbol Media has just been commissioned to Project Manage and implement a new e-commerce platform for a leading nationwide retailer.

The project aim is to engage and provide both existing, and new clients with the opportunity to enhance their own service offering, in conjunction with the retailer’s existing service proposition.

Providing this as a ‘white label’ solution, it is not possible to expand upon the specific details of the project.

In brief, the campaign will see Symbol Media and its client working in conjunction with the retailer to implement a fully bespoke solution comprising of the following disciplines:

• A feature to allow customers to design, build and publish a CMS micro site.
• Development of a bespoke WYSIWYG editor, allowing customers of all levels of ‘web design’, to confidently manage their own profile, whilst still conforming to the style and format of the retailer’s brand.
• Fully managed secure hosting integration and support.
• Retained support for the project, allowing for minor additions, further development, and management of ongoing promotions.

The overriding aim of the project is to encourage and promote loyalty amongst the existing, and new online customer base.

The initial phase of the project is scheduled for completion in eight weeks, with a further four weeks of beta, and live testing.

Symbol Media has reached the significant business milestone of ‘3 years & trading’! (Albeit the official registration, vat registration etc (the boring part) was done some months prior to the first day of full-time business, which makes Symbol almost three and a half).

It is an incredible journey deciding to start your own business/work for yourself, but to all those that have done it, they will know exactly what I mean when I talk about the overwhelming compulsion to do it, regardless of any doubts or voices in your head, & in spite of the ‘naysayers’, it is to some degree, destiny.

There is nothing easy about growing and managing your own business, and in comparison to working for someone else, there are considerable benefits.  Having said that, there are no fewer challenges, simply different ones.

Symbol Media has been fortunate enough over the last three years to have worked with numerous clients and creative’s, and a constant desire for improvement in our product and procedures is now stronger than ever!

The future for Symbol Media will see the business diversifying in to new and dynamic sectors, working with several new partners, providing new services and solutions,  while all the time defining a streamlined, efficient business model.

If asked to summarise only one key thing that we have learned on this journey so far, it would be this:

“Good customer service is not about catering to a client’s whim and want, good customer service is providing an excellent product, at an acceptable price, and solving legitimate problems in the most effective & efficient manner possible”

It is essential that companies and individuals maintain the constant drive toward improvement and growth, and that January simply provides a ‘convenient’ starting point on the ‘conventional’ yearly calendar.

The key things that caught our interest this month:

• http://www.internetretailing.net/2010/01/calculate-how-much-slow-page-load-times-actually-cost-you/
• http://www.internetretailing.net/2010/01/international-survey-finds-consumers-want-to-interact-with-retailers-across-multiple-channels/
• Microsoft IT & UK small businesses study: 10% have no server, 35% no CRM, 50% no web conferencing facilities
• Adidas do it again! http://tinyurl.com/yeqtls7
• Tesco launch iphone app making it easy to shop for wine.
• Jordan Belfort was in Manchester.