Busy

I decided a while back that the best way for us at Urban Media to tackle the current market place was to attack. So I took on two new sales-oriented guys - and boy have we been busy as a result! 

Only problem right now is persuading clients to commit to a project. Too many still seem scared to spend on marketing, when all the research shows that those who do so in a downturn, are in the best place coming out. 

Helping friends through Facebook

I'm just getting into Facebook, and the interesting thing has been getting in touch with old friends from army days. The recession is taking hold around the place, and two of them had recently lost driving jobs. 

So I was delighted when I put them in touch with a driver training company who sponsor our truck racing team, and they have both been offered new jobs as a result. The power of networks - much stronger than hanging around at the Job Centre. 

Blogs and podcasts

Our regular training session on Thursday evening played to another full house, and Luke, Urban Media's SEO expert outlined what blogs and podcasts are, and how they can and should form part of any business's online marketing presence. 

The session prompted lots of questions from the audience at the end - it was great to see that they were really keen to know more about this developing area. 

We also had our video colleagues in, recording clips for us to upload to our own site - I posted some comments about the session on our team blog.

Want a ride in my truck?

The racing truck is coming along. We've just fitted a new dashboard for the upcoming season, with upgraded switches controlling important items such as brake bias and the brake water cooling system. Before the season starts, I've booked a turn up and ride session at Bruntingthorpe on April 7, and will be inviting customers along for a turn round the track. Interested? Get in touch. 

Blogging creates business links

My thanks to Chris Ball, the blogging student at the National Enterprise Academy whose efforts I mentioned previously. As a result of his critique of my presentation, we received a call from someone keen to find out more about us - they're coming along to our latest training session to see what Urban Media can offer them. 

Internet generation

I was asked to present to students the National Enterprise Academy, set up by the Peter Jones Foundation at Amersham and Wycombe college. I am really passionate about the academy, so it was great to be there. I started by asking how many of the budding entrepreneurs were using the internet in 1997, the year Urban Media launched - the only hands that rose were those of the lecturers!

Back then, blogging didn't exist, and it was cool to have an "under construction" sign on your webpage, in two colours and animated!! 

While the session wasn't specifically about the web, I was swamped with questions relating to the internet. It's clear the next generation see the web as their first place of opportunity, and it is entirely natural to them. They don't need educating about the "psychology of the user" - they were born that way. 

These guys are the cream of the crop in terms of young entrepreneurs. If they are thinking this way, how will the world of commerce look in 12 years from now? Just 12 years back, we had animated graphics and 14k modems, how will we use the web a decade from now? If we are to survive, we need to really get under the skin of this medium; in a few years, the serious players will be coming! As you would expect, Urban Media will be there to help them achieve their goals, but the challenge is definitely with each of us to consider how we could be more effective online.  

How did I do? Check out the comments from one of the academy students, on his blog

Bucking the trend

We've just taken on two new staff. The reason is, we decided last year that 2009 would be an opportunity for us. At Urban Media, we could already detect that internet marketing would be a positive area for business growth, while other more traditional promotional media would be under fire. 

The great thing is, they're good people who have previously worked for big companies, and it's only thanks to the credit crunch that they are available. There will be more good people made redundant over the coming months, and more of them will open their minds to the possibility of working for smaller companies, rather than hanging on for a job with another downsizing blue chip company. 

Not sure if the local media can handle this good news - we'll see. 

Makeover for my racing truck

My racing truck is in for a respray, and a revised silver blue colour scheme for the 2009 campaign. Having come second last season in Class B, we've set our sights on winning this year, so it'll need to look good for all those photos! 

Apart from the new colours, there are several other mods in the pipeline, before we head to Holland for testing on 14 and 15 March. 

I'll keep you posted on progress. 

Car crash news - via Facebook!

We've had snow, loads of it. And as I live on a very hilly street, I decided to leave the car at home and make my way to the office by other means.

Others were more cavalier, and because of the number of incidents in my road, the council closed it off during most of the day. But not before my car was one of those hit by a sliding motorist.

I was at work, oblivious to this until my 16 year old daughter, working from home and communicating with my colleagues via Facebook, updated them with the news "Dad's not going to be very happy when he gets home!"

Thank goodness I didn't try and drive down the hill out of Naphill - look what happened to these two poor devils!

Ready to race

I can hardly wait! March 29 will see me on the grid at Brands Hatch for a new season of truck racing. I was runner up last season in class B, in my Seddon Atkinson truck with its 14 litre diesel engine. So there's only one target this year - top of the podium! More details of the team and this season's races at the UKT racing website.

Sweating those websites

Our December training session looked at how to quantify your web marketing, from the viewpoint of what an inquiry is actually worth to your business; and how much you should allocate to online promotion and improving website ranking.

It's a fascinating field, and one that more companies are taking a much closer look at. With the credit crunch, it seems everybody is more focused on getting more out of their internet presence. It's not just retailers who need to ensure they engage online, we are seeing a move towards more and more online promotion.

Our February session on the 18th will be focusing on blogs and podcasts. If you would like to book in (it's free!) then go to the Urban Media website.

Dragons, awards – and a reflection on improving education

What a month December was. I am totally committed to helping today's kids have a better, more relevant education, and it was great to do something practical towards that, as well as be recognised for the efforts we have made so far.

First, it was off to Marlow to meet up with entrepreneur Peter Jones, and sit with him on a panel to review the candidates for his forthcoming academy. It promises to be a great opportunity for those who make it; and I hope it will create a new culture in education, providing young people with a feel for the options they have in the world of business.

Then I was off to London for a presentation, to receive a National Education Business Partnership Network Award; a bit of a mouthful, but recognising Urban Media's involvement in helping build the partnership in south Bucks. It was really thanks to the Education Business Partnership team at Bucks County Council that I received the award.

Our involvement with education has been great so far. Not least, because our support for the diploma has put Urban Media around the same table as well-known brands including JCB, Vodafone and John Lewis.