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News, insight and tips from the social web.
The Hoop blog covers the evolving digital landscape, social media, mobile communications, content marketing and also includes 5 top finds and Fish on Friday. Feel free to make comments.
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Communication strategy »
Are you tired of being told by consultants what you 'could' do and wish someone would stick their neck out and say what you 'should' do?
Could, should, shouldn't, wouldn't
'Could do' is flimsy nonsense and closely associates with tactics. In our view strategy is about working out first what you shouldn't do, and then being brave about what you should.
Straight talking strategy
We are helping some of the UK's major businesses understand how to develop integrated communication strategies that harness widely available online tools such as social media, user experience, natural and PPC search and content marketing.
Businesses tell us they want
- a marriage of business and digital strategy
- meaningful advice
- creative problem solving
- first rate planning & project management
- measurable RoI
Simple is good
We ask a lot of questions but we like to keep it as simple as possible. What are you doing now that works and what doesn't? What needs to be done to put it right? How do we get there and what needs to happen? Who are we targeting and why do they care? What RoI do we need to achieve?
User centred thinking
We hammer home the importance of user centred thinking because it is users - customers, staff, people - who are in charge of your fate now. Should you be in any doubt just think about your own behaviour and that of those around you. People simply don't work, shop, find or share in the same way as they used to. Expectations are high and bad experiences are never forgotten.
New tools for new markets
The organisations we work with, and the ones that will survive this downturn, are already adapting to keep pace with their customers, staff and future talent.
How can we help?
We can help you understand this changing landscape and introduce practical, cost effective measures to bring your business up to speed. We won't shy away from giving it to you straight. Anyone can suggest what you could do, we'll tell you what you should.
What next?
Our top level service is UXB. It helps you understand your strategy from a user perspective and unleash new opportunities around customer needs. To talk through your issues and see how we can help with some UXB, call Sean O'Halloran on 020 7690 5431 for a confidential chat.
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The porous business »
Business used to be about command and control. Not any more. The businesses of tomorrow knows that a loosely coupled organisation that encourages open collaboration and networked intelligence is the business that creates real value.
Working with outsiders
In the old days even we tried to control too much - and I know we’re not alone in that. We were wary of outside help, used freelance staff sparingly and when we did, imposed our way on them. The internet has changed all that and we now actively seek out people that work with us from the place they choose.
Gaining from dispersed expertise
Our team has expanded to include specialist people in many locations. We’re tapping into their knowledge, commitment and willingness to collaborate around a shared vision. This way of working is not the tele-worker model predicted years ago where big business ‘allowed’ its staff to do the odd day from home. This is people based, granular knowledge working that will replace the current big business command and control structures. Put simply, this is the way to work for our times.
Giving clients better service
As client demand for additional integrated services increases, we are able to expand to meet their needs without the growing pains of the old order. Over 30% of the people we now rely on – people that are critical to delivering for our clients – work in a place that they choose. By encouraging a porous business based on open collaboration we give clients access to a broader pool of talent and expertise, allowing us to deliver a range and quality of service that is disproportionate to our size.
For more on the future of business and collaboration check out wikinomics by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams.
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