Guess what? It would seem that companies are starting to consider once again the idea that people like having a positive value experience when they go shopping – especially having the ability to ask questions of a member of staff when they’re shopping. In the vanguard of this value experience ‘revolution’ we find the corporate [...]

April 25, 2012 by Helen Blake

Now we all know rationally that nothing in life is easy and that a bit of blood, sweat and tears usually pays off with a good result. But as humans, secretly and emotionally we hope for (and are always on the look out for) the quick answer and the short-cut solution – the infamous ‘silver [...]

October 19, 2011 by Helen Blake

“Weak people in business are a waste of space.” “I’m cold, hard and unstoppable.” When I saw the latest trailers on the BBC for The Apprentice, with these macho, posturing quotes, I found my skin growing clammy. I know it’s popular and makes good television, with its sharp-dressed contestants and all their dramas and rivalry, [...]

May 6, 2011 by Helen Blake

If you enter the arena of social media, you can’t help but embody your brand. In fact, you become your brand. Having said that, there are three things you need continually to do well to play in the social media space, and they are: •    Building an audience •    Developing a community •    Managing your [...]

April 9, 2011 by Helen Blake

You have a brand already, created out of the experience your clients have of you, but entering new international export markets will require a review against a number of additional considerations.  The key to brand success in other markets is research – doing your homework.  Be honest, keep an open mind and make sure you [...]

February 8, 2011 by Helen Blake

Consider your last rail journey.  Where did actual journey time fall in your list of priorities? (Unless, of course, the train was badly delayed or cancelled.)  Would the saving of 20 minutes to the journey time have come above getting a seat? Or a clean environment?  If you are anything like me I suspect not. [...]

November 25, 2010 by Helen Blake

Sometimes the ethical and organic movement takes itself too seriously and has difficulty connecting with the silent majority.  Yeo Valley is the UK’s number one organic brand and is aiming to explain the heritage and provenance behind its brand, as well as making organic dairy more accessible. What Yeo Valley has done is to make [...]

November 17, 2010 by Helen Blake

As the line between social and business networking becomes increasingly blurred, companies would be wise to spell out clearly to employees what constitutes good behaviour.  This is a critical part of creating their employee value proposition. As businesses seek to utilise new opportunities thrown up by social media, e-commerce and social commerce, the line between [...]

November 17, 2010 by Helen Blake

Surprise, surprise! Customers are human beings with distinct personalities, needs and wants. Yet for largely commercial and expediency reasons most companies send exactly the same piece of communication to every customer. Some undertake a degree of customer segmentation which may result in a different offer or subtly changed wording in the communication. It may even [...]

November 16, 2010 by Helen Blake