Fibonacci Rules

Have you ever heard of Fibonacci's "Golden Section"?

Chances are, you probably haven't..but you come into contact with it every single day and in virtually everything you do!

Fibonacci was the first mathematician to recognise a particular sequence of numbers, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers. Fibonacci began the sequence not with 0, 1, 1, 2, as modern mathematicians do but with 1,1, 2, etc. He carried the calculation up to the thirteenth place (fourteenth in modern counting).

These numbers also give us a 'golden section ratio'. This is a set of geometric patterns that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Fibonacci's sequence can be seen in nature, in the way seeds form, in the way trees grow and in the way nautilus shells are developed...

Fibonacci was the inspiration that gave us Nautilus Communication's branding ID and new website. The brainchild of Nilufer Van Steeg, Nautilus offers a Europe wide marketing and communication service. Nil has extensive experience in brand building as well as customer service.

We have known Nil for around 12 years now and it has been fantastic working with her on this exciting new venture - we wish her all the best.

The new website aims to underpin this experience and help Nil to promote her extensive services. If its right by nature then it must be right!

To view the actual website click here

If your business could do with a creative angle call us now on 01332 291141

Evolution - RSM the brand moves on

Talk about rapid change!

We all know the IT sector moves fast - but even we were amazed at how fast RSM can make decisions and implement actions.

In early December, we had a meeting with RSM to discuss the possibility of merging four websites (two of which we had only recently completed and two additional service levels). We would have to create a realistic proposition for the group, new branding, new iconology and a new website. Oh and by the way, this all had to be ready by January 20th...!

Now that is what I call a brief. The good news is that we delivered all the finished design work, coding, copy writing, printed cards and the finished website on time and on budget.

To see the new site click here or if you would like to see how we can help you to make a change for the better, give us a call on 01332 291141 and we can discuss your plans...

Anti Social Media

You know that feeling, you have lots of things to tell clients and prospects but no time with which to broadcast your message...!

Well, that is exactly how it has been for the last two months here. We have been busy with a number of projects which have successfully come to fruition over the last week or so.

So if you have missed our regular posts, hopefully this month we will get back into the swing of blog writing. On the subject of social media (SM), here is thought to consider:

When LinkedIn first started it was somewhat exclusive - in fact you had to be invited to join and it was really difficult to connect to someone unknown. This gave it some gravitas and genuine exclusivity. But today it is easy to 'connect' to people and even easier to message out to people. But I believe this can be misleading.

There are some people out there with genuine connections to over 500 people - these are generally socially savvy users who were early adopters of SM. They are usually senior people who have 'been around'. They know their industries and they are respected.

However, there is a new breed of LinkedIn user. Lets call them the 'Connections Collectors" (CCs) The CCs are usually new to LinkedIn and it is their sole purpose to have as many connections as is humanly possible. You the type, they send you an invite to connect even though they have never even met you, let alone done any business with you.

I think this is quite scary...how can anyone possibly 'know' 2000 people?

So, how has this  happened? - well its simple really, the original Facebook generation have migrated into the workplace. These Facebookers will have based their popularity on how many FB friends they have. Seriously, I know a girl who has 3400 Facebook friends...in other words, no friends at all!

This obsession with collecting contacts has edged its way into the workplace and FB has been replaced by LinkedIn. 

But so what and who cares?

Well, to some people the number of connections a person has can seem impressive. Especially to the uninitiated or inexperienced SM user. This can create a house of cards if one is using it as a basis for skill/knowledge/ability or heaven forbid, employment!

So how can you tell if a connection is genuine?

There is a very simple test: I can pick up my phone and call every single one of my current 453 LinkedIn connections - invariably they will answer directly as I am calling their personal cell phones. This, dear reader is the acid test. A connection is only a real connection if you can actually speak to the person involved.

Easy!

If you want to hear more brutal opinionated views please feel free to call us on 01332 292241

Jelly Bean Halloween!

I thought I'd share with you all a recent fancy dress outfit that aptly showcases my design skills..

Although this was for a Halloween party at university, I decided to opt for something slightly more original than the standard witch or cat costume.

It's safe to say I was the only person dressed as a bag of Jelly Beans.
 
It's amazing what a bin liner and balloons can do!

and then there was RSM Software...

Keyring Torches

RSM Software is a provider of mainframe software solutions aimed at helping IT managers to gain critical information about their mainframe status.

RSM Software engaged Parkhouse Evans Ltd and CPB Creative to help them to develop a brand new identity for their software offering.

There are three products which allow mainframe managers to gain realtime data about their system, whilst at the same time be able to use a GUI format to be able to manage the mainframe software (ZEN) historically this has been done via traditional 'green screen' interfaces. RSM Software have developed an easy to use graphic user interface which makes this process much easier.

Our remit was to develop a new branding, plus a new website and a range of promotional and exhibition graphics. The entire project was implemented over a three month period and the finished collateral was delivered on budget and on time.

 To see the RSM Software website please click here, or if you have a project you need help with, please call us on 01332 29114 or email us here.

Mainframes - why do we need them...?

RSM are world leaders in mainframe technology. The mainframe computer provides the backbone for virtually all mission critical systems. Typically banking, government, MOD etc. The mainframe is perhaps the least talked about, yet is the most significant technology which powers nearly everything.

You use a credit card - mainframe powers the transaction
You buy off Amazon - mainframe powers that.
You get a tax return - oops -  mainframe again.
You search for a person - mainframe.

Quite simply, the world would fall apart without this technology.

So when we were approached by RSM to help them to develop their new brand and website we were excited by the prospect of helping a specialist company. The work comprised a range of items including new ID, stationery, cards, sales literature, and of course a new website.

We also developed a range of exhibition graphics and some animations too.

To visit the new RSM Partner website please click here or if you prefer to talk about your own project, please give us a call on 01332 291141 and we will be happy to help.

The omnipresence of marketing..

Burning the midnight oil..

Two weeks into my final year at university and the pressure is already on to hunt down a graduate job.

This week saw a marquee arrive on campus filled with potential employers and a buzz soon went around that some were even 'hiring on the spot'. Aside from feeling a sense of panic, this all got me thinking about the job application process and how it relates to marketing.

I realised that a lot of the marketing work I do during university tends to be 'self-marketing' such as creating and updating CVs or regularly tweaking my LinkedIn profile.

In many respects applying for a job can be like a project for a client; the objective is to engage and interest an audience, in this case an employer. By tailoring the copy and design (like you would do on a client's product) a CV can appeal directly to the company, or audience, being targeted.

When producing e-shots and leaflets the ability to stand out is crucial given the influx of marketing materials circulated at any given time. The same concept can be applied to a CV given the number of applications being made.

My point is, marketing is used in everyday life in extremely subtle ways. It is not just the process of applying for a job that is an example of everyday marketing of some kind.

How often have you been to Starbucks to have your name comically spelt on the cup, only to tell people about the experience or share it online? Have you ever recommended a television series to a friend or raved about how good it was until they watched it? We are all mediums of marketing in some way and better at it than we think!