The initial idea for Smile was to promote Local companies to local people. We chose 12 of the largest companies in hampshire and asked them to provide goodies for our bags… They all said ” we love the idea, but we’re not going to be first”
We decided to go back to the drawing board, we’re now looking for buisness owners to request a bag, idea being, if we can show demand, we’ll get the big boys interested.
We’ll keep you posted.
Press releases for Oi smile went out today to loads of media companies. We’ve had interest from the Southern Daily Echo and several other local papers. We’re hoping that someone will see the nice side of the Oi Smile campaign and choose to write a story. Can you help spread our story? We’re looking forward to a nice bit of publicity in the run up to Christmas.
Work starts today on www.thisisdbo.com, the online canvas for young, up and coming graphic artist DBO. DBO’s work already includes commissions for the likes of Oakley and SpinDeck and with the launch of his virtual home in a few weeks, were sure that the commissions will come flooding in.
Today we had a special visit from Matt Callaghan and we have to say, it was our best meeting in months! The economic development team support small and medium sized businesses that operate in Hampshire. We think that a meeting with them is an absolute must for any small company starting out. Matt gave us some great practical advice on places we could go for information, for grants and support for our business. Thanks Matt.
I’ve spoken to loads of clients throughout my career and one point seems to come up far too often.
I wish I’d,… I should have,… looking back……
I was speaking to a really nice lady called Jane at the Urban Paint Festival in Bristol on Sunday. She loved urban art and had been following the scene for several years. After a few minutes of chat I asked whether she buys any. She smiled at me and said, I wish I did. I was at Banksys first exhibition, where prints were going for £60. Ouch, now they go for £3600 or more….
I’ve got a similar story with Gold, just ask my Dad.
If you see something you like, and can afford it, and it looks like it could go up in value. BUY it.
Our long awaited meeting with Angela Beeston from business Link happened today. What a lady, she’s a dynamo of Ideas and we had a great time generating ways of increasing our awareness amongst our audience. Angela gave us some great advice on networking events, ways of presenting our information and what we should do over the next few months in terms of getting ready to make money.
She also helped us set goals and encouraged us to sign up to supplier matching, a free service from business link which puts you in touch with the suppliers of services you need. We found Angela to be a brilliant business link adviser, she had some great banter and some even greater advice. Outside ideas look forward to a long lasting relationship with Business link and especially with Angela.
We highly recomend a meeting with Business Link for every small business.
Outside ideas visited Bristol today to support young up and coming artist DBO in his work. DBO was amongst 40 of the UK’s top British Urban painters on show at this fantastic event. DBO was thrilled to be included on at the event and sees his inclusion as a step closer to his dream. DBO recently sold 2 of his pieces at an auction along side the likes of Banksy and Inky. Whilst his pieces didn’t quite make millions this time they still managed a very respectable £450 each. His work is only going to get more valuable folks, get it while its hot.
Make you’re mark is a fantastic organisation that encorages British youth to get involved in enteprise. We’ll be responsible for raising the profile of entrepreneurship within Hampshire and to encourage more young people into a life with them as the boss. WHAT A BRILLIANT ORGANISATION. We’ll be involved with enterprise week coming up on the 18th November so give us a shout if you need some help with your event.
Check them out at www.makeyourmark.org.uk
Outside ideas are thrilled to have been accepted today as ambassadors for Hampshire. We join an established list of over 900 ambassadors from Hampshire who’s role it is to increase the awareness of Hampshire as a place to do business and the organisations within Hampshire. We think we’re getting off to a brilliant start with the Oi smile campaign where we’ll promote Hampshire businesses amongst 1001 business owners.
I was recently at a local bar where (until recently) we’d been spending quite a lot of money. We went there for a meal at least two times a month and usually took friends.
On this particular occasion I’d ordered a coke at the bar along with the round. At first sip, I knew that the syrup needed changing, and told the bartender. She then informed the manager who proceeded to pour a coke into a glass, taste it in front of me and then say, ‘nah, there’s nothing wrong with that…..’
From that moment I knew all i needed to know about their service standards, I didn’t take the coke, ordered water and have never been back since.
In a time where we have more choice than ever about how and where we spend our money, tell the customer he’s wrong and he probably won’t be back.
Blog tip two: The customer is always right.
