Posts

New look Tories, in with the totty out with the grey? 16th July 2014 5:21 PM

Can't beat a controversial headline, but doesn't the cabinet reshuffle just scream media/PR makeover and shameless vote grabber?

Genuinely surprised by Hague, actually thought he was one of the strong characters. Definitely time for Ken Clark to go, he's had a good run.

So what's the verdict, is it enough to stem the tide of voter discontent, or looking at Labour are they worrying about nothing? I always thought Blair had presence and was a strong leader, but I just can't get to grips with Ed Miliband. He just seems to come over as uncomfortable and unconvincing, in this politics by media age.

Maybe we will have a UKIP coalition

Googles Secret Quality Rating Guide - shhhhh... 16th July 2014 5:07 PM

Came across this while perusing Search Engine Land.

A current version of Googles super secret quality rating guide has appeared in the public domain, albeit on a pay for access site, and no doubt it will soon disappear.

But a respected marketeer has analysed it and summarised it's content and tells us web site owners exactly what we should or shouldn't be doing!

For those that are unaware, Google uses an army of 3rd party people around the world to laboriously monitor search results and look at websites, grading them appropriately. All these people have to conform to the latest set of internal Google guidelines, and it's not often us common folk get a chance to see what Google is really looking for.

A quick summary shows Google now looks for websites to have E-A-T, a great acronym for:

expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness

In other words if you lack E-A-T you can get marked down.

Other stuff is less surprising, lots of adverts above the page fold, poor page or website design, thin affiliate sites etc.

But an interesting one was a lack of "about us or contact info", so if you don't have an about us page, maybe it's time to get one!

The full article is here and worth a look.

Google Rewrites Quality Rating Guide

Let me know what anyone thinks, any surprises, worries, will you make any changes, or not bothered at all?

Parking madness - is it right to use Facebook/Social Media 15th July 2014 5:22 PM

Reality of dwindling council budgets, fewer coppers and less traffic wardens.

Maybe there should be a scheme where you get Tesco points or Nectar points for every image of bad parking you take and upload to your local parking gestapo sorry traffic warden website

I'll take a few pics if it means I get a few pence knocked off my fuel bill...

iTit 14th July 2014 10:52 PM

lol very good

Thanks for this post:

Thanks from: hdm

New aircraft carrier launched 14th July 2014 10:47 PM

Lets be honest, all government projects spiral out of control cost wise, throw in a military angle and any initial costs will be a finger in the air as a lot of the technology is new, or equipment yet to be designed.

With the slashing of defence budgets over the years, I'm amazed they are still building the two carriers. I heard a rumour it was going to cost nearly as much to cancel the contract as it was to build them, maybe that's an urban myth?

But personally I think its a good military asset, more suited to our smaller mobile armed forces, and shows we still have the ability to build and support major complex military systems.

Plus unless you are a die hard republican, the image of the Queen standing in front of the carrier has to be iconic

Plus gives me an excuse to try out the new video code in our editor

Google Fancy Dress party! 3rd July 2014 4:14 PM

Thanks to Jan for drawing this up for me

Early Friday humour as I'm on my hols tomorrow. Hopefully Mr Cutts has a sense of humour and we won't be banned from Google by the time I get back!

Thanks for this post:

Thanks from: Shakester

Londons skyline set to change 3rd July 2014 3:15 PM

There's some serious building work planned for London in the shape of the Nine Elms development, which has ruffled a few feathers and will add a new cluster of towers and skyscrapers.

Images courtesy of: www.nineelmslondon.com

The Greater London Authority has been hearing evidence relating to it's tall buildings policy.

Great quote from former City of London planner Peter Rees:

"While 27% of people might want to live in tall buildings, 100% of Londoners have to look at them"

Full article on building.co.uk

Must admit, from the above images I think it looks really good

So what does anyone think? Does it really matter, city skylines evolve all the time. Anyone been to Birmingham recently! Unrecognisable from 20 years ago.

Small businesses are the UK's greatest advantage - says FSB Chairman 3rd July 2014 11:39 AM

Nice article from the Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses basically saying that exporting will be the key to growing the UK's economy, and small businesses should be given more help to understand and explore international markets.

Here's a good extract that sums it up nicely:

"Anyone who works closely with small firms would tell you that the enthusiasm and drive of the UK's small and micro business leaders matches that of any CEO from a large corporation.

But there seems to be an ambition gap when it comes to thinking internationally that UK firms will need to overcome if they are going to scale up.

With nearly three quarters of small firms not exporting, it is clear that our small firms need to be more open-minded about the potential of their products or services, and recognise that there's appetite for what they sell beyond the UK." Full article - The Guardian Website

You don't need to be a widget manufacturer to sell overseas, there's no reason why online service based businesses can't expand their horizons. Some of the paperwork can be daunting when dealing with things like the American Inland Revenue System as we are finding out

But the rewards are there, and as it says in the article, if you can sell a product or service in the UK, the chances are there's a good chance you could tap into an overseas audience.

Is anyone successfully doing business abroad? Anyone have any feedback or maybe pitfalls of doing business abroad?

Google - The Ministry of Truth? 3rd July 2014 11:16 AM

Robert Preston the well known economics editor for the BBC seems to have become a victim to the new European legislation "the right to be forgotten" that Google has to now comply with.

But it appears the actual implementation of it seems a little odd, unless it' teething problems or gremlins?

"This morning the BBC received the following notification from Google:

Notice of removal from Google Search: we regret to inform you that we are no longer able to show the following pages from your website in response to certain searches on European versions of Google:

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/thereporters/robertpeston/2007/10/merrills_mess.html

What it means is that a blog I wrote in 2007 will no longer be findable when searching on Google in Europe.

Which means that to all intents and purposes the article has been removed from the public record, given that Google is the route to information and stories for most people.

So why has Google killed this example of my journalism?" - full story: BBC Website

It's an interesting story, and there's no obvious reason why the article in question has been removed, leading to comments about Big Brother and George Orwell.

So maybe conspiracy theory aficionado's are right and Google is becoming the ministry of truth?

First Directs new marketing plan - from Cyberspace to Space Invaders 2nd July 2014 3:35 PM

First Direct have taken a bold step and moved into the physical world. The initial question was why? Then you realise it is a clever marketing ploy.

This is some of the blurb from their press release:

"Twelve first direct branded cash machines will be installed at various railway stations over the next two weeks.

In line with the brand’s positioning as “the unexpected bank”, the ATMs have been designed to resemble the iconic ‘Space Invader’ machines and household scales. Each cash machine will be liveried in the distinctive black and white of first direct.

The railway stations at which the 12 ATMs will be located include: Clapham Junction, Vauxhall, Raynes Park, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Lisa Wood, head of marketing at first direct , said: “As an internet and telephone bank, the ATMs are a great way for us to give the brand a high street presence in some key high-traffic locations."

So stick a Space Invader cash machine in a high footfall area, and you have a talking point, something that's useful, and some great marketing.

Seems quite a good idea, until someone turns up with a forklift truck