Cards or eCards?

January is a busy month for me.  The decorations stay up for my birthday, and Christmas merges into New Year’s Eve which merges into celebrations for another of my own years passing.  Its only this week I got round to sorting through our 2011 Christmas cards.

I love writing Christmas cards.  They are my annual opportunity to remind people I do think of them, however tardy I’ve been showing it in the previous 12 months.  I enjoy getting my list out and reminiscing about each person / family, and the time we have spent together.  With sherry in one hand and pen in the other, I’ll choose a card for each and write something.  My other half does the envelopes and also signs them; it’s a festive tradition we love sharing.

Its almost more fun than receiving them, but only almost.  The multi-coloured, all-shapes-and-sizes envelopes dropping on the mat really boost the comfort and joy of the season, reminding us we are in others thoughts too.

eCards, on the other hand, inspire a visceral reaction when received a friend or relative, and not a good one!  Carrying my [email] address but not name, they are the equivalent of the birthday card from the bank.   When used tactically within a robust marketing strategy, eCards have their place.  But as a personal greeting – bah humbug!  It turns them to arbitrary, mass-mailer gimmicks, with no contribution to cheering the home or heart.  And as for being environmentally friendly, I challenge readers to find a Christmas card that isn’t from sustainable forests / recycled stock.  These pretty missives can also be recycled inoffensively, rather than the “Forward Here” of eCards.

And what of giving?  eCards seem to benefit no-one, unless perhaps the sender whose thoughts were on other things.  I was amazed at the range of organisations that benefited from 2011’s cards – check these out:

Macmillan

Fareshare

Shelter

Focus Ireland

Oxfam

Alzheimer’s Society

Consortium for Street Children

R.A.B.I

RSPCA

APFS

St Ann’s Hospice

Arthritis Research UK

UK Disaster Relief

Scope

British Heart Foundation

The Wildlife Trusts

Diabetes UK

Terrence Higgins Trust

Breast Cancer Care

the eve appeal

Action Breast Cancer

Irish Cancer Society

Save the Children

Barnardo’s

Irish Heart Foundation

Comic Relief

The British Red Cross

Cancer Research UK

Mind

Woodland Trust

Each one I received and opened brought me closer to the sender and made me think of wider things too, bringing me closer to everyone.

What Christmas habit / tradition do you enjoy?  And which would you rather avoid...?

Let’s Live Forever

Earlier this year, on MeetUp.com, I discovered “Skeptics in the Pub” (not my spelling) and have since attended a couple of the events.  Informal and informative, they are even better than Radio 4.

Last night’s was “Defeating Aging and Other Dramatic Goals”, the speaker was Dr. Aubrey de Grey, of the SENS Foundation.  Although I was not familiar with Dr de Grey, how could I resist?

First, Aubrey drew attention to how we currently perceive and treat aging.  Considered inevitable, we treat symptoms, not causes (isn’t that always the way?). 

He then presented a metaphor to introduce his own thoughts.  A Land Rover performs fully for 50 years because it was built to do so.  A VW Beetle, not built to do so, can perform equally well for 50 years - through maintenance.

He explained that we are not yet equal to maintaining our build; the human metabolism.  Science is nowhere near unravelling our mysteries; the audience chuckled their agreement.  Aubrey and the SENS Foundation therefore adopt a different approach; rejuvenation.

Aubrey asserts that we are within striking distance of being able to maintain our full health through maintenance, in the form of rejuvenation not prevention.  He described a cycle of continuous improvement and scientific development that will enable humans to reverse damage (pathology) that occurs over time.  In effect, turning back our clocks.  Organs that fail would be replaced, cells that die will be removed, new cells will flourish.  We would all enjoy peak adult health for far longer.  Science would continue to anticipate challenges, and we would continue to be maintained. Indefinitely.

In spite of the provocative name of the presentation, and slogan on his sweatshirt (Conquer Aging), Aubrey did point out that this longevity was a side effect of successfully treating disease.

Aubrey’s ideas did not seem particularly radical to me.  I have recently heard radio programmes on which scientists say 130 is already a feasible age for many of us. 

I was surprised at Aubrey’s expectation that society was not comfortable or supportive of the prospect of continuous good health; “Don’t you believe society is already aiming for this?  My grandmother’s confusion was considered a natural part of old age and a precursor of death, whereas I will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and benefit from treatment.”  He agreed with this, adding that the treatments were not, however, rejuvenation; rather that they endeavour to maintain health rather than turn back the clock to better, younger health.

Aubrey did describe barriers he had overcome; he had come up against the establishment before achieving professional respect and credibility.  Isn’t that always the way?

I’m sold, and think Dr. Aubrey de Grey should have at the same profile as Dr Brian Cox, also that I will be buying Ending Aging and that biomedicine will probably do more for us humans than physics will in the short, medium and long term.

How much could you learn and do if your life was prolonged?

What Price a Poppy?

Each year, we join together to commemorate war dead and remember those killed by conflict.  Here in the UK, this national community event is driven by The British Legion and its Poppy Appeal.

The marketer in me stands awestruck at the success of this 90-year old social marketing campaign.  It doesn’t simply raise money for UK servicemen, women and their families, it makes us all stop and think – together – every single year.

What else does that?

Like all the best social marketing campaigns, it started with an ethical idea and wish to improve the lives of others.  The founder, Major George Howson MC, sought to provide meaningful work to those disabled during the First World War.  As I’m sure you’ve gathered, he was not a marketer.

We all recognise what’s right when we see it, and social marketing campaigns are those that illuminate it for us (ah hem, 5 a Day anyone?) in a clear, connected, direct way.  The poppy is extraordinary, started for the First World war and now invoking thoughts of combatants and civilians, killed by war, the world over.

The 21^st century poppy is a clear symbol that connects us back to the killing fields of  Flanders.  Through it, we continue to be connected to those who die by war and directly to those who survive it and make our poppies.

In those quiet moments, we think of those who died prematurely in horrifying circumstances, and are united in our humility and humanity.

If you do not succumb to this marketing campaign, shame on you.

Do you agree each poppy is priceless?

Season of Mad Weather and Fruitful Fruitiness!

Fruitful trees, if not wintry weather, have made a fitting backdrop to this month’s achievements.

A meeting with Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) organisers bubbled with ideas and ambitions, and a close symmetry with Forward Ladies emerged.  My aspirations for our services here in Manchester include a book / literary group, and engaging with the MLF moves things along nicely.  I’m enjoying many of this year’s MLF events and by next year will, I hope, have co-events in place.

The first training course offered in partnership with So…Business Solutions was a success at the beginning of the month.  On “Presenting You and Your Business”, the half day masterclass drew out objectives and messaging from all the delegates, including me.  The trainer was engaging and approachable, with considerable business experience from which to draw.  Typically for a Forward Ladies event, we were open and supportive of one another, providing productive feedback.  We all left with improved company presentations and numerous tools and techniques.  The next one, on social networking, can be booked here.

Would you like to reach 13,000 Forward Ladies?  If so, get in touch for a chat.

Since the spring, I have been working with commercial supporter of The Daisy Network, Nurture Replenish, on a press roundtable.  The Daisy Network is taking part to raise awareness of premature menopause, also known as premature ovarian failure.  With our full support, Sweet PR has done a great job of attracting a range of journalists to the event and we are optimistic that it will achieve online and offline coverage.

The one hiccup in the last few weeks has been missing Mobile Monday.  With an ill pet I’m afraid getting to the vet took precedent, but he’s all better now so looking forward to the next one.

Seeking ideas on subjects, I’ve suggested a debate on handset design.  Since the introduction of the iPhone this seems to have homogenized into rectangular screens, sized for men’s inside pockets.  Product design is a creative strength of ours here in  the UK: what are your thoughts on the shape and size of the device that’s always at our sides?

Thanks for reading and feel free to Comment :)

Summer Blooming

The shambolic weather this summer had little impact on my efforts, which proved lively enough.

Before heading off for a week in July, I hosted the first Champagne Masterclass for Forward Ladies here in Manchester.  Champagne bar Epernay hosted and the event sold out.  Members travelled from all over for that one, easily done with Deansgate train station so close.

Also launched Forward Ladies Business Breakfasts here in Manchester.  People have many demands on their time and, with the growth of Forward Ladies in the region, it was time to diversify the timing of our events.  Partnering with Second Floor Restaurant in Harvey Nicholls, Greater Manchester Business Week featured the event for us, helping spread the word, and that sold out too.  It had a great reception, demonstrating that morning gatherings fit well with the needs of women in business.  I'm now seeking a venue for our next one.

It was great to be a delegate at a couple of events too.  The amazing Ling Valentine at Saffery Champness Directors' Briefings gets top prize for content and delivery, who needs a hurricane to deliver fresh air???

Mobile Mondays arrived here in Manchester, courtesy of Nokia.  The first was a panel format with Mobile Website vs Apps on the agenda -a fantastic debate, the seco9nd featured Near Field Comminications (NFC) and a few interesting presentations.

Engaging with other business people is among the best ways to keep creativity blooming, reading is another and last week's launch of the Manchester Literature Festival was pretty good too.

Also did desk work of course.  Had huge amounts of paperwork to get through, I've an event coming up in October which has taken a great deal of thought, planning and preperation.  More of that in a later installment.

Ended the summer with a long weekend camping in Brecon with family, it was great.  Thank you The Boar's Head and The Lounge for welcoming us with our whippet Steve, 'twas a bit soggy to be stood outside!

I hope you had a good summer too?
 

Responsibility Without Power

News International and its leaders have been whirring in the background (and sometimes the foreground) for weeks now.  That story took me way back to cheap beer and “fuelled” debate as I studied the fourth edition of Power Without Responsibility once upon a time. That book talked about the Fourth Estate, here in the 21^st century it’s the leadership (bosses?) under our scrutiny.

Meanwhile, back on the sofa, I settled in to watch BBC 4’s Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words, which started this week.  I was chuffed to bits that they started with Human, All Too Human, which featured many of the people I studied back at Bradford University.  Up popped Stanley Milgram, arguably among our most influential leadership contributors.  His most famous study, known as the Milgram Experiment, investigated the atrocities of the Second World War and asked how they – Nazis – could possibly behave without conscience.  What Milgram discovered is that we – people – can behave that way when told to do so by a figure of authority.

That discovery has informed deployment of authority in organisations ever since, with empowering individuals alongside increased responsibility now the ideal.  With the help of education and, dare I praise it, the Internet, we’ve moved from “Yes, Sir!” to “Here’s what I think” from everyone in around the table.

Then I came online and reached Gill Corkindale on the Harvard Busines Review, top ranked by LinkedIn, who said News International leaders had been challenged with “wilful blindness”, legalese for “ignorance is no excuse”. 

Bosses (leaders?), practically 50 years on from Milgram’s experiment, are still dividing responsibility and power very much in their own interests, creating underperforming organisations with oppressive cultures.

Adrian Gaskell, for the Chartered Management Institute, makes a strong case against the hazards.

Power and responsibility go together like bread and butter, each too strong or too bland on its own.  And still we all know, and can all see, that many people in business end up with crusts.

Thank you to my fellow bloggers, on whose shoulders I wobble.

Some other leadership headlines piqued my interest and, being me, I dug and dug to find their source.  This is the best write-up I’ve managed to find:

http://funnybusiness.typepad.com/funnybusiness/2007/01/another_year_an.html

At present I’m my own boss, and will continue to be supportive, transparent and, as ever, sceptical about The Fourth Estate J

What about you…?

Health, History and Summer Holidays!

Hosted a ladies’ lunch at People’s History Museum last week.  Fantastic place; who wouldn’t want claim to it’s sub-title “Ideas Worth Fighting For”?  The current exhibition is interesting to the social marketer in me; it features banners.  These are the advertising of ideas, and the creativity that goes into them is as lively as the thoughts and feelings behind them and anything seen on our various screens

Anyway, back to lunch.  We made a diverse, chatty bunch, united by being women-in-business.  I took along this timeline to help spark conversation and we enjoyed sharing our thoughts and experiences as 21^st century working women; we are indeed on the shoulders of giants and will continue making strides.

I also had my regular visit to my premature menopause Consultant.  At The Daisy Network Conference in June, I listened carefully to the presentation by Mr Nick Panay and went to my appointment better informed.  I feel empowered by the information I have gained; it is certainly the case that our health is firmly in our own hands.  I will now be asking for a second opinion with confidence.  This is part of why working for The Daisy Network is so rewarding.  My press efforts would have got premature menopause (and me!) into a national paper if News International hadn’t stolen every page!  On this occasion I concede to The Fourth Estate ;-)

I’m rapidly accelerating toward a week in the sun, won in a competition no less!  I have no plans to look this particular gift-horse in the mouth; I’ll be relaxing with my other half and enjoying the day-dreaming time.  I’m now updating my audio device (a rather old award winner) and will end on a cheery musical note; Catboy Slim anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTLgeqCaYMY&feature=player_embedded