Mike's musings

Take ten minutes to be better

2011-12-12T07:24:00.001Z

I wanted to share two great blog posts that I read recently. The first from Mark Philips on how to win donors and influence them, taking inspiration from Dale Carnegie’s timeless advice.

The second takes us on two journeys simultaneously. One through Nepal, the second through the typical ‘donor’ experience. Initial wonderment to fatigue. And beyond. Kimberley’s story is one I’ll return to.

Take 10 minutes to read both. Be inspired, and be better at what you do.

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Aberdeen's City Centre

2011-10-08T11:27:00.001Z

I’ve tried to be positive about the City Square/Gardens project, but it’s actually so deeply flawed that it’s difficult to pick the weakest aspect.

They know there’s a plan for “some

kind of performance and exhibition space”, but rather than identifying a need for the city, and trying to find a way to fund it, instead, they’ve decided there should be a space, and now “Locum Consultants – part of the Collier International group – have been hired to find uses for it.”

The whole project has been done backwards – with an idea, and city officials, ACSEF et al frantically scrabbling around to find any justification for it.

We’re building it because it will be great for the city – how? Well, it’ll have things in it, and do stuff.

At an event recently a City Council official told me two telling things.

1. “That a business case should be ready by the end of the year.”

This isn’t how the loan will be repaid by the increase in business rates. “Nothing is entirely risk free”, rather this is what the money being sent will actually bring to the city.

There was a £13m plan, which I quite liked, to build an arts centre into the slopes at the garden, it would have rejuvenated the garden, and would have brought around £3m a year into the local economy. So net gain to the economy after 4 years. (Faster considering that much of the funding came from outside of the area) This plan will cost £140m – with at least £70m coming from the city council*. And the net gain to the economy each year – no-one’s got round to working that out yet.

2. “We can’t be seen to be unable to generate the same amount as has been offered by a private funder”

So, the whole thing is that they don’t want to be seen to turn down (up to) £50m towards a project budgeted at 3 times that. It’s not about the strength of the project, or that this is the best idea, it’s simply that they can’t be seen to be turning down an offer. I’m not sure they realise that all of this offer will be used up in funding the project, they don’t get to spend the money on anything else. (And that’s assuming it’s on budget)

*yes, I know that the loan will be repaid by the increase in business rates – based on the assumption that the increase will cover it – but at best, this increased income is being used to pay for something – it’s not as if the council will be able to spend this on anything but paying back the loan (I’m not sure they understand this)

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Do you buy a lottery ticket to help charity?

2011-10-04T17:06:00.001Z

National lottery and now the new Health lottery both play on their ‘charitable’ angle, but that’s a minor part of their business.

As Kevin says in his blog post;

28p of every £ National Lottery ticket goes to a good cause, and it’s raised millions for good causes over the years.

20p of every Health Lottery ticket will go to charities too. And it may well raise plenty for good causes too.

But £1.25 of every £1 you give to a charity goes to the good cause.

So for every £ you ‘give’ through the national lottery, you effectively ‘lose’ 97p of value to the charity.

The lotteries have been a great source of income for charities, but that’s incidental to making a few people very rich. (Winners and Camelot directors)

Play the lottery if you want (I do from time to time), but do it to win the jackpot. If you want to help a charity, just give them the money yourself.

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A Cause of my own.

2011-08-27T18:20:00.001Z

When someone is affected by a personal tragedy, there is often a strong desire to do something to try to prevent it happening to anyone else.

Indeed a number of charities that are well known today owe their origins to this kind of trigger.

Today, however, with over 200,000 registered charities in the UK alone, is it the right thing to do?

Regardless of how well intentioned, the learning curve for someone wanting to start their own charity can be steep. Some people manage this remarkably well, others do not.

To my mind, the “Amy Winehouse Foundation” illustrates some of the reasons that this isn’t always the best outcome. Initially, someone else registered a web domain, which apparently led to cheques being returned to donors, as they couldn’t be cashed. (?)

As the comments below the article illustrate, there would be nothing to stop the charity from setting up a bank account even if someone else had a web address in the name.

When a tragedy is more public, there is the potential for significant, widespread public support, but if handled badly there’s a risk of alienating support very quickly.

I think there’s great potential here for charities that are already working in the field to step in, setting up specific appeals and funds with involvement from those closest. Balancing a fast reaction with tact may not be easy, but I think the outcomes would be better overall.

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Take the hassle out of branding.

2011-07-09T11:03:00.001Z

You know, building your brand can be hard work.

You have to work out what you represent, and how you’re going to express that to your customers.

You have to work out who your customers are – and who you want to be your customers,

And then you have to work out the best way to reach these customers.

And all that’s on top of just trying to run your business. You know, delivering the things you do.

Now you could put some of that effort into working with a charity partner that reflects your values, boosting both of your businesses (in which case you might want to speak to me at Cause4Effect)

OR, you could make it simple, and use the wheel of Concept. Give it a try, you’ll see just how many other people seem to have done it.

Thanks to Eaon Pritchard for this one

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Malcolm Reading Consultants warning for City Square.

2011-06-27T20:22:00.001Z

Some good reading on the Malcolm Reading Consultants website.

In case you’re wondering, I was looking for more info on the design competition and latest parameters. They were expecting 150 applicants when it launched, we have 55 – but there’s a “record number of collaborations”, so that’s ok.

I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I did find some good advice.

Advice for new projects: Step 6: Find the hidden costs.

“The physical building and its services may account for two-thirds or less of the total project costs.”

But don’t worry.

After all, the “Land acquisition, VAT, professional fees, disruption, management and staff costs as well as the cost of financing and inflation [which] can make up the remaining third”, were all included in the budgeted £140m costs for the City Square.

It’s not as if they were included in the 25 ‘exclusions’ from the technical feasibility study.

Well, apart from Land acquisition, VAT, professional fees, disruption, management and staff costs and inflation.

So of course we’ll end up with something that’s wonderful and amazing and iconic and unlike anything anywhere else in the world and not just another plaza completely on budget.

Bearing in mind that the closest I’ve got to an economic case for spending (ahem) £140m from acsef is ”well our arts centre is bigger than the Peacock one so it’ll bring bigger benefits”*, and you might see my concerns.

*I know, you’d think by now they’d have an economic case for it, but still nothing, so the closest to an economic case I have seen is from last year.

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Online spending may still be increasing, but supermarket shopping in decline.

2011-06-27T20:20:00.001Z

After a decade, the level of grocery shopping done online is only 3.2%. Compared to 10% for all retail sales (European Journal of Marketing). In fact, it’s claimed to be in decline, for a range of reasons, here, here and here.

So as much as I like tools like Giveasyoulive, I still prefer SimplyFundraising.

Whenever I shop in the 2 supermarkets I tend to visit most, a percentage of my bill goes to my favourite charities. It works in a range of other places too. Online, offline, it doesn’t matter.

It really leaves me with just one question. Why don’t you have a SimplyFundraising card?

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An award tells you more about the judges than the contestants.

2011-06-23T09:21:00.001Z

I’m not talking about “Britain’s got an Xfactor talent” shows.

This is the view of Mark Phillips of the “queer ideas blog”. Not sure I agree with it yet.

He’s reporting on the D&AD awards, and in particular relating to their brief for student teams to "present an idea that engages support for Oxfam by triggering shared values and concerns in a wide range of people."

I agree completely with Mark when he says the winner “fails on almost every level”. I don’t want to hear about people who work for Oxfam who dream of doing something completely different. I want the staff at my accountants to love their job, never mind the staff at my world changing charities.

I want to hear about people who work for Oxfam because they’re helping me fulfil my dream of a world without poverty. I want to hear about people like me and how WE are solving problems through Oxfam.

I’d like to see a world that doesn’t need Oxfam, but I don’t want to see the end of Oxfam. They’re not the same thing.

For a while, I thought the problem might be the brief? That “a wide range of people” made the entrants try to appeal to everyone and so no-one. But looking again at the entries, I don’t think they did, I think they picked a broad group and tried to appeal to them.

So perhaps Mark is right – it does say more about the judges than the competitors.

Which is why I was surprised to see that 2 of the 7 judges were from Oxfam.

You should read Mark’s full post

Mark holds up Amy Weston (from Sheffield College) as someone that does understand what motivates people to give. Give. Grow. Gain.

Imagine this, but with an Oxfam online space for sharing tips, pics etc on how your Give Grow Gain is going, what you’re planning to do with them, alongside stories of how the donations are helping.

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AGCC "Genius loci" Visionaries?

2011-06-16T01:08:00.001Z

I’ve had a good read through AGCC’s “genius loci”, and it makes for some interesting reading.

I think it could be more visionary, and I think there could have been an even wider range of contributors. Let’s be honest, some seem not to have approached this as a clean sheet for what can be done to improve the city, but more to further promote their existing plans (we can always expect that to happen) – but let’s set these foibles aside and look at the positive, the interesting thoughts and the bits that challenge the current accepted ‘wisdom’.

Alex Drummond, of Lloyds, and AGCC Council member doubts that the proposed plans for the gardens will bring in tourists and visitors. Something opponents of the city square/garden proposal have long argued.

John Curran of McGrigors tells the city we need to stop fixating on Union Terrace Gardens and wants to see the civic square developed at our best example of local architecture – Marischal College (something that would cost far less than the plan for UTG and leave funds for improvements in other areas). He suggests removing cars from other squares in the city (Golden Square and Bon Accord Square) – this is easy to achieve would open up breathing space in the city for people to spend more time lingering. I think a lot of people would agree this is an excellent idea.

Bob Reid of Halliday Fraser Munro suggests three projects that need to be completed – improving Union Terrace Gardens (though he suggests that maintaining much of the existing gardens may well achieve the same aims), the pedestrianisation (or part) of Union Street and regenerating the Castlegate and linkage to the beach.

He also talks about improving Palmerston road areas and making more of potential business HQ’s in that area.

I’ve long wondered why Aberdeen makes so little of its beach, harbour and River Dee areas. Obviously in industrial terms the harbour is crucial to the city, busy and successful, but as a cityscape it’s a wonderful backdrop no-one seems to seek – am I alone in wanting an office that overlooks the beautiful bustling harbour area?

Lewis MacDonald, MSP, also sees the city’s future as needing to make the most of the rivers and beaches that were so important in the past.

Richard Tinto talks about retaining the gardens, covering the road and rail area, to create easier access to the gardens, retaining an oasis of green beauty. Connectivity and nature. Finally he suggests a bridge from the covered rail to Union Terrace, and the more I think about this, the more I start to believe that done properly, this would be wonderful. Bridges hold a romance as well as a purpose and I can see this becoming a popular meeting and lingering spot.

Councillor John Stewart still seems to think that the only way he gets to see the improvements he hopes for in the city is by creating a superstructure in Union terrace Gardens, more hopefully, he also wants to see improvements made to the harbour area – to bring it more into the ‘city’.

Dr David McLean of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture warns that we must learn from the mistakes of other cities, with their “bleak plazas that failed to live up to the misplaced optimism of the artist’s impression”. Will we listen?

Frank Maughan of ASM isn’t a fan of lifting Union Terrace Gardens to street level either (is anyone?). Although he sees a place for parking underneath the gardens.

To me, the obvious solution is to mix underground parking with removing parking from the city’s other squares. Underground parking of a different sort – rather than driving into and around them, drive up to them, and have the car whisked underground – is increasingly commonplace in countries like Japan. The space taken up on the surface to allow this is minimal, while still providing car parking for those of us who obstinately cling to car-use. A few of these at Golden Square, Bon Accord square would leave us with the same (maybe more) parking, yet a surface almost entirely free of cars, suitable for cafe spaces, civic areas, or whatever we can imagine.

Colin Crosby calls for a wow factor – and I agree – we haven’t seen it proposed yet, but some of the ideas here could deliver it – and if the people of Aberdeen back the idea – it will instil civic pride. Aberdonians might even start to boast!.

Steven Wilson of JCI Aberdeen sees a pedestrianised city centre. I agree that opening up space would make it easy for people to linger and enjoy a city, instead of rushing between key areas.

David Briggs of Robert Gordon’s University sees a free trolleybus service (not trams!) running along Union Street – free public transport – that may even tempt us obstinate car users! He also sees Union Street being covered to deal with our occasional inclement weather. Affordable housing above the shops in the city – another way to bring life into the centre. He sees the Castlegate upgraded – not updated, remaining traditional.

And when it comes to Union Terrace Gardens – he doesn’t see it as having to be fully raised and fully covered - partly raised – again it’s an ‘access’ issue, and while I think the picture he has differs from the picture I have, I think we could find a middle way we’d agree on.

Maitland Mackie wants the Wow factor too – and he thinks that all we’ve been promised so far lacks it. “Another ‘nice’ city centre is not enough” And he’s right. Another ‘nice’ city centre won’t bring in tourists, and won’t keep inhabitants staying there for long. He hits the nail on the head, for me – this has been my main complaint of the City square plans – they’re simply not good enough for the sums being spent – and they won’t deliver on their claims.

He states “The focus should clearly be on the “WOW” factor, the creation of something marvellous that becomes a national and international must see” and I ask if anyone supporting the city square project truly believes that’s what we’re heading towards?

Is a domed ‘hanging garden of Aberdeen’ the way forward? I don’t know – but it’s a lot closer to wow than anything we’ve seen so far.

He’s the second person to mention a monorail (and I ask you, who doesn’t love a monorail?). Renewable energy driven high level monorail transport system linking the city centre – and maybe the airport (and perhaps Altens and Dyce?) – will that happen in Aberdeen – home of the oil industry? I’ll remain hopeful.

Kevin Stewart talks about a bus station being built under the raised city square – even if I hadn’t read it just after Maitland Mackie’s daring dream, I think this is deeply unambitious – certainly it won’t be doing much to boost the city centre.

Rob Wallen of Aberdeen College reminds us that more needs to be made of the education providers the city has – and they need the support of local business to continue to be amongst the best in the world. Attracting talent to an area is the first step in keeping them.

Simpson Buglass talks about raising the bar in terms of civic ambition, and “insist on top-class designs for new buildings going forward.” He doesn’t say that the plans we’ve had for the gardens achieve these.

He also suggests that the city needs “an elected mayor - a person of some ability – directly elected by the townsfolk”

An interesting thought, but could a role lure the right kind of talent, and the right kind of strength of character to be ambitious, and not simply agree to the demands of the city’s unelected ‘big hitters’.

And then we come to the BID. Flawed in execution so far, and while it could probably benefit the city, the utter lack of detail on what the revenues would be spent on in the BID publications leaves me concerned that it may be simply another wasted effort.

Finally, having a tab on the city garden project under ‘visionaries’ is rather unfortunate. Even here the way it is described gives no reason as to why this is the only location for these ideas, what they may be, or how putting them in this place will bring the claimed benefits.

Few of the people quoted see the project as being crucial, or even necessary and many of those who do allude to the benefits it claims to bring seem to realise that the goals could be achieved in other ways – often at a lower cost.

Even John Michie, stalwart backer of the plans to develop Union Terrace Gardens into a building admits that the “alone may not be able to deliver all of the complex conditions for success.” Which does beg the question – why that development at all – could an alternative not provide the same catalyst?

I’d love this to mean the plans were dropped, and the competition parameters expanded to see what could be done on the budget to improve the city – in whatever shape, place or form, but it won’t.

The competition will continue on, and we’ll end up with some designs. I hope that something truly amazing is suggested, and I truly hope that they see much of the gardens being retained. The ‘global buzz’ doesn’t seem to have materialised, as we enter the selection of competitor stage. 55 interested parties isn’t what we were promised at the start – a ‘global buzz of internationally renowned teams’, but I’m trying to set aside negativity.

What I read is not a show of support for the “City Square/Garden” plans we’re moving towards, more a show of support for a plan that is unique to our city and our needs.

Most importantly, I think this should see the dialogue as moving on and looking at the city as a whole, not as having one space in the city that will transform the rest, as if by magic. The press and journal’s coverage of it doesn’t encourage me.

Overall, what do I see coming from this? I think there’s a tilt towards removing the TripleKirks spire in here. I’m not sure how I feel about it – it has sat for too long doing little (although it harbours falcons now), but will those who see it as an obstacle demand that it’s replaced with something worthy of the truly prime spot – or will it be another glass box of an office? At one point Stewart Milne publicly promised space within a development to Peacock Visual Arts. Does the offer still stand, I wonder – and would they be taken by the rather bland designs put forward so far?

I hope that what comes of this, is the people of the city and the people who would shape it taking a look at the city as a whole, and seeing the real opportunities to make the most of what we already have, creating something truly unique to Aberdeen.

Will the authorities be brave enough to stand up to those who see the opportunity for personal gain rather than to make a lasting improvement? Will they be brave enough to step back and look at the bigger picture, taking decisions that result in something truly remarkable, rather than something simply described by its developers as ‘iconic’?

Can we get a real WOW factor, something to make the rest of the country – the world – sit up and notice, something to make even modest Aberdonians boast about our city – something that’s not hype and bluster and PR spin but actual excellence in execution?

As Maitland Mackie said, after all this time and money, “it will be a crying shame if all we finish up with is just a ‘nice plaza’!”

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New Month, New Idea: Ask me anything

2011-06-01T08:40:00.001Z

So I thought I'd try something new.

And I'm calling it "Ask me anything". Which isn't all that new a name.

Simple premise:

Ask me a question about fundraising or charities in general. Maybe you work for a charity and have a problem or challenge you face or maybe there's just something you want to know more about, a burning question, or something that's been nibbling away at you.

Ask me anything and I'll answer it.

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Marathon runners done a runner?

2011-05-06T10:56:00.001Z

There’s an interesting blog post on the third sector website by Lucy Caslon, founder and director of Msizi Africa, a charity feeding orphans in Southern Africa

She says if you take a place in a marathon and don't raise what you pledge, then you should pay the rest yourself.

I agree and disagree. In the cases Lucy shared, it's clear that the charity put in the effort with the runners. However, there are cases though where runners feel isolated and disengaged and so don't bother, and this is where the extra costs of running places exist – managing your running ‘team’.

Engaging the runners in the cause is key. I know of plenty of charities with runners in other events who each raise little if anything, but it's seen as a success because they have so many runners that the overall figure is strong.

The best running fundraisers tend to be those that are doing the challenge because they really want to raise the money first.

Of course, sometimes life takes over and good intentions fade - but it's the charity's responsibility to give a bit of love - and sometimes tough love - to their runners.

For one of my most successful running teams we held a team briefing, early on, where training tips were shared, along with some stories of what the runners efforts would be achieving when they hit their targets.

I had set targets, unlike the other charities in the same race. Our limited numbers of places cost us money, and the runners knew we needed to make that back, and make more besides.

I did have one person who I thought was likely to drop out, so I just spoke to them directly – “if you think you’re not going to manage, don’t feel bad, but tell me now as I have a waiting list of other people who would love a place.” In the end that seemed to help show the value of what they were doing and they beat their target.

From that event we raised 70% as much as another charity that had more than 5 times as many runners.

Lucy said that her ‘runners’ ignored calls and emails, and to me, there would be a point when a letter goes out saying “you’ve got a week to contact us, or the place goes to someone else (worded a bit differently)”. In the case Lucy gave of the banker, food company and celebrity, I’d be tempted to send an invoice!

Having said that there’s a balance to strike. Sometimes people do put in the effort, but simply fail to make it – my credit card certainly couldn’t take a £2000 hit – and in my view it’s wrong to contractually oblige someone to that.

I think a target and underlining the moral obligation is a neater balance. Perhaps a deposit to cover the costs so that worst case, you’re not out of pocket. It also helps with transparency. Some people still think that charities get their places in events like the London Marathon for free. (We WISH) If your runner knows that it’s cost you £1000, so you want them to raise £3000 and put down a deposit for the £1000 they get a better picture of how the charity works and what you’re facing.

Or am I wrong? Runners, marathoners, sponsored cyclers and abseilers. What do you think?

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Not planning on dying for at least a year?

2011-04-11T15:25:00.001Z

Not planning on dying for at least a year? (That’s probably most people)

I have some good news. You might have missed this in the budget with much of the focus being elsewhere, but you can reduce your inheritance tax bill now by donating at least 10% to charity.

As Simon George at fundraising.co.uk puts it:

The proposition is that "if you leave this charity a legacy of 10% of your estate, you will benefit from a 10% reduction in your inheritance tax rate".

Although this sounds better than it really is in financial terms (as 10% of the net estate after deductions will of course be more in cash terms than the reduction in IHT)

So what do you think? Is this an incentive to you to leave 10% (or more) to a charity in your will? Or would you leave (or not leave) anything to charity regardless?

Michael Hodgson
Cause4Effect

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Definition of a Catch-22.

2011-03-31T08:40:00.001Z

Definition of a Catch-22.

Catch 22 are a fabulous charity, this year Will Young is running a marathon to raise money to support their work.

I’m considering supporting him through his justgiving page.

But I find myself in a catch-22 of my own. I’ve found out that Will has said that if he raises £40,000 he’ll do next year’s marathon in a mankini. I’d love him to raise loads of money, but I’m not sure London needs to see him in a mankini.

So should I donate?

I’ve had a look and he’s well on the way – I think he’ll hit the total whether or not I donate, so I might as well do so. Why don’t you too?

Or click here to donate to the charity without boosting Will’s mankini chances.

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Sophisticated gent WLTM fundraising challenge for fun times, maybe more

2011-03-04T11:05:00.001Z

Now that I work for myself (and so on behalf of charities, rather than directly for them), I don’t have the same range of specific fundraising challenge events right in front of me every day. I’ve always donated to any charity that I work for, although I’ve tended not to do sponsored challenges for them or for anyone else so as not to dilute the message I’ve been sharing.

Working with more than one organisation changes that, and all this adds up to a desire to take on a challenge.

A sponsored something as it were, but I can’t decide exactly what.

Cause4Effect is all about engaging people and business with their local community, so I thought I’d open it up to my peeps and tweeps for suggestions.

Any thoughts on what challenge I should take up – and for who?

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RT: Wake up call for leaders: CSR is the future; The Common Purpose blog

2011-03-02T21:49:00.001Z

The following is a guest blog from Natalie Cooper, Editor at Changeboard, as part of Common Purpose’s 21st birthday 21 blogs.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a term that’s been thrown around for a few years. Some leaders get it. The majority don’t. Yet the economy is crying out for a new era of ethical leadership.

I believe leaders can become change champions when they marry the challenges faced by local communities and the developing world; with the increasing number of employees wanting to invest their time – and their career – in organisations that have a social and moral conscience. No longer are talented individuals simply looking to work their fingers to the bone and burn themselves out for leaders who are geared towards making as much profit as possible to line the pockets of the wealthy few; the board, stakeholders and shareholders.

Employees are now seeking out employers who feed their soul and make them feel proud to stand tall in their career. They want a job that gives meaning to their life.

Leaders need to open their eyes to the world of possibilities CSR provides, where they can really link employee engagement and performance management to their vision, and ultimately, positively impact their bottom line. A healthier engaged workforce, high retention and low sickness and absence rates saves vast amounts of revenue and even fuels profit because staff productivity increases. Leaders would be foolish to ignore the longer term benefits of CSR.

Who does it well? Turner Broadcasting

You only have to look at the likes of Turner Broadcasting, which empowers its staff to take part in all sorts of volunteering projects. They see the effect it has on employee morale: no one wants to leave Turner.

Employees at Turner are given the opportunity to change peoples’ lives and make a real difference within their own community or within a third world country. The organisation is not seen as a corporate machine, but as a force for good and a company with a heart.

Partnering with social enterprise

Leaders need to investigate which social enterprises in their area they could lend their support to, which charities they could get involved with, and how they can open up new doors for their employees to engage with new partners – where they can bring social benefit, and to also further their own career by learning new skills while broadening their minds at the same time. Making a difference is rewarding but can also be a life changing experience for both employee and the person or community they are helping.

Most importantly, leaders can construct their organisation to be built on a moral code that taps into the various passions of its employees and where leaders can demonstrate their value and willingness to help address some of the wider societal issues; such as tackling poverty, providing hope to others in need – ethics that everyone can buy into and share. This creates a happy, motivated and loyal workforce while also giving back – everyone has purpose. If every leader of an SME through to a large organisation embraced corporate social responsibility, think of how much good work could be achieved and how many lives improved. We would be a richer world in terms of spreading goodwill and humankind. Following the catastrophe of the banking crisis and MP expenses scandals, the time has come for change. It’s here, it’s now.

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Leaders emerging and breaking out

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via commonpurpose.net

Good article on why your company should be working out your CSR strategy

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Great story on giving from Keith Ferrazzi

2011-03-02T15:32:00.001Z

If you’re a fundraiser, you should know that people *want* to give. Giving makes us happy.

Sometimes though, we forget that while we’re asking someone to help, we’re giving them the opportunity to give.

It makes us happy to make others happy.

Keith Ferrazzi passed on this story, and I think it’s a great one to share with anyone you might encounter who’s still scared to ask, whether a fundraiser or not.

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Gift Aid on raffles? What and why? Your thoughts:

2011-03-01T17:05:00.001Z

I (and I’m not alone) keep seeing raffles at dinners, events and such with a Gift Aid form attached.

Now I was pretty sure that you can’t claim Gift Aid on money given for a raffle ticket, but I’d begun to question myself, and decided to ask about.

And I got some interesting answers.. (sorry but I’ve lost track of who said what)

SO WHY ARE CHARITIES DOING THIS?

1.    Numpties: They don’t know it’s not allowed, and so are merrily trying to maximise Gift Aid without really understanding it.

2.    Naughty naughty: Let’s be honest, will HMRC have the time and ability to track each and every Gift Aid claim? They’re gambling on this, and are claiming absolutely everything.

3.    Need the data: It’s simply data capture. Sure, they won’t claim the gift aid on this, but will use this info to keep systems up to date and maximise eligible claiming.

Can you think of anything other possibilities?

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RocketMan

2011-02-23T12:43:00.001Z

MINI’s latest concept. The Rocketman.

“Makes a really interesting concept”, says the guy towards the end

And we all know ‘interesting’ means, “I’m not sure, it’s ok.” Or “I’m not convinced”, or “I won’t be spending my money on it”.

I like the proportions, but not much of the detailing appeals. Can’t decide on the rear lights, but I think they might grow on me. The same is true for the double hinged doors – which remind me of the original external hinged doors of the first mini.

The thing is, it has iQ style seating, but is longer and wider, and I can’t help but think it’s just not as cute or innovative, although I suspect it’ll be a more engaging drive.

So what do you think, is it more RocketMan, or RocketMan?

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Lottery Winner's Dilemma

2011-02-14T20:12:00.001Z

At some point between October and December, there was a winning jackpot lottery ticket sold in Aberdeen’s Woodside. (Perhaps dazzling news for those of you outside of the Granite City, but this made both local papers today).

By now, if you’re the winner you’ve probably paid off the mortgage or bought a new place, perhaps splashed out on a nice car, taken a holiday and probably had the best Christmas of your live. I imagine you’ve probably spoken to an ‘expert’, and invested much of the money.

As we progress through February though, the euphoria might be wearing off.

Unromantically for Valentine’s Day, many couples who win go their separate ways afterwards, and far from bringing happiness, a big win can actually bring the sense that life has lost it purpose for those that give up work.

Is it all doom and gloom?

As well as potential financial freedom, there’s the opportunity to create a massively positive change to the lives of other people.

You might think that splashing out on that new Aston Martin would make you happier than giving away the £125,000, but research suggests you’d be wrong.

I’ve seen plenty of research that says that giving to charity can make you happier. Similarly research proves that happier people are more likely to give to charity.

So what advice would I offer to a lottery winner looking to give away £100,000?

First: Narrow down the area.

What ‘problem’ do you want to solve? What do you want to give towards, and do you know which charities are really working in that area?

Secondly, think Local, national or global? A donation like this might have a huge effect for a local charity, but a global one might be solving a huge issue. Like eradicating polio or cancer. A national one might have expertise they could build on with your support.

Then, think about the effect of your donation.

Do you know what the charity could do with your donation? How would they spend it, and what problems could it solve? If they’re a smaller charity, could they cope with a donation of that size, and if they suddenly increased the work they do this year, could they maintain it next?

Meet with someone from the charity. Tell them you’re considering making a donation, but want to know what it could do. Ask lots of questions.

Ignore the inputs – ignore things like ‘admin costs’, and look for the outcomes – what will be achieved from the donation?

Finally, if you just don’t know where to start, then remember that there are people who can help you to make sure that the experience is as rewarding as it can be.

Speak to New Philanthropy Capital, or try ACVO, or someone like me.

Donating to a charity doesn’t just change the lives of other people, it can change your life too.

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Who's the top neurological charity in the UK? and why?

2011-02-11T14:12:00.001Z

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Untitled

2011-02-07T15:56:00.001Z

My email server is not receiving incoming mails. Outgoing ones seem unaffected, and apparently the problem is being dealt with. This still bugs me!

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We're not alone?

2011-02-04T11:08:00.001Z

UFO over Jerusalem..

Chris de burgh was right all along?

Thanks to Ivor Smith for the tip.

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Back to the 70s

2011-02-01T10:39:00.001Z

To me, this looks a lot like the Rover SD1. And I did like that car. I just don’t know if we should be going backwards with our car design.

Or was the Rover just that far ahead of its time?

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Don't Panic

2011-01-29T11:25:00.001Z

DON’T PANIC!

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Excellent procrastination-pulveriser!

2011-01-28T16:13:00.001Z

I think this is brilliant – and I might have to start following his vlog now.

Anyone fancy doing this over here?

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Skills and abilities

2011-01-28T12:45:00.001Z

What are the most important skills and abilities that your staff need to develop?

I'm a big fan of developing creative thinking as a skill, but I'm not sure it's top of the list for every role. So what is?

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Beannachar

2011-01-27T22:25:00.001Z

met with some of the students from Beannachar this afternoon. I've never seen anyone speak with such joy about their work, and I know some people who love their work.

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New Gym - Pay more for not using it

2011-01-25T21:59:00.001Z

This is an interesting idea.

Cannons did something this with a health insurer a few years ago – the idea being, I imagine that people using the gym regularly would cost the insurer less, so they were happy to pay the gym fees.

Not sure this will work though – I suspect the model for most gyms is that there are members who don’t wear out the equipment, who help pay for those who do.

One to watch, all the same...

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Manga Dreams - Exhibition

2011-01-25T12:51:00.001Z

London’s Hamilton’s Gallery is running an exhibit called “Manga Dreams” later this month. It’s a collaboration between British-born photographer Jonathan Anderson and Chinese-Malaysian photographer Edwin Low, combining photographs with digital painting.

I love the images on the BBC website, and if I manage to find myself in London while it’s on, I’ll make time to go.

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The best car on Sunday's TopGear

2011-01-24T23:40:00.001Z

watching Sunday's TopGear and as much as I love the Stratos and the Atom V8, I want a Jensen Interceptor. They were cool when my grandad had one, and they still are.

Oh poop, Clarkson likes the Yeti. That puts me off. I’d still pick one anyday over the Countryman

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Charity? Ewww! ??

2011-01-21T09:42:00.001Z

Laurie Pringle, Charity Chatter posts this,

So I ask you, does the word ‘charity’ have more negative than positive connotations?

Mike

See it here or read below

It's NOT Charity!

I am seeing this more and more from... of all places - charities! The great folks at Feed The Children, have a whole video about it. You can see it here:

The organization ACCION uses the URL: http://www.itsnotcharity.org/

Liberty Hill's tagline is "Change. Not Charity."

The word "charity" has always had negative connotations. My grandparents were working poor people. My grandfather was a proud man. One day my grandfathers boss (the owner of a scrap iron facility) heard that my mother and uncles didn't have boots for winter, and he drove to their house with several pairs of boots for them. My grandfather initially refused to take them because he didn't accept charity. The boss convinced him that it was a gift for his 15 years of service. Grumbling, he took the boots and my mom enjoyed dry, warm feet that winter. We hear stuff like this all the time:

"He's a charity case".
"I don't want your charity".

I've even met people who have received help from charities who are embarrassed to discuss it.

Time for a change?

We can't change decades of negative thinking overnight. But if we want to change the perception of charity, perhaps charities should stop piling on and further driving the word into the mud?

Or... maybe we should just accept that charity has negative connotations and start calling ourselves something else? If even charities accept that the word "charity" is a bad thing and are attempting to brand themselves as "not charity"... then it's time to either change perceptions or change the word we use to describe what we do.

I realize this isn't the first time this topic has come up, but we don't seem to take the topic very seriously. In Canada, we're seeing record declines in the number of people donating to charity. In the face of serious and consistent declines in the numbers of charity donors... perhaps it's time for a serious discussion about whether or not the sector as a whole needs to drop the name "Charity".

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Wakeup Call to charities? @KMPR

2011-01-20T22:24:00.001Z

Ken McEwen recently posted on an article by Jane Simms from the Director Magazine entitled “A wake-up call to charities” with the by-line "The third sector must be more businesslike to survive in an era of austerity, spending cuts and donor fatigue".

She’s not the first to say the third sector needs to be more ‘business-like’, and she certainly won’t be the last. She’s right and she’s wrong.

In her article, she points out precisely the two conflicting views that she shares with many people that lead to charities being less effective than they could be. Firstly, she says she wants charities to become more business-like, but then she says “we don't want charities to behave as businesses”.

Charities face this pressure all the time – on the one hand people want them to behave more ‘professionally’, on the other they wouldn’t like to see, for example, charity directors receiving higher pay, or spending ‘too much’ on ‘admin costs’ like advertising or training. At the moment, a CEO moving from the private sector to a similar sized organisation in the third sector is looking at about an 80% pay cut.

Charities investing this year for long term gain are judged by the effect on this year’s “admin cost” figures. Charities need to feel able to make the best long term decisions, without worrying that they’ll end up in the papers under the headline “charity wastes 40% of its money on admin in economic recession”. A headline like that could more than wipe out the gains they’d expected from say investing in a new computer system this year so they can better monitor their work and communicate better with supporters (which would create long term efficiencies and savings), This is despite the fact that admin costs are a rubbish way of judging how good a charity is – New Philanthropy Capital have more to say on this, and I’m not going to get too hung up on that old debate, if you want to look into it, check out Dan Pallotta (here or here) , or NPC here, or even better here.

Jane gave the example of her father getting direct mail asking for donations to old people’s charities – well it depends on the ask. I’ll bet he also gets direct mail asking about stairlifts and shoes for back pain, statistically older people donate to charity more than younger people– much the same as they buy stair-lifts more. Like businesses, charities segment their supporter markets, although I agree it could be done better.

Better understanding of your donors, your supporters and potential supporters does take time. And money. Jane’s right in that charities do need to spend more time in connecting with their donors, but all too often, it’s cheaper (in the short run) to hope that your direct mails are going to the right people, and trust that they’ll contact you if they don’t want to hear from you.

But the fault doesn’t lie entirely with ‘charities’. It’s with all of us. It goes a bit deeper into society than Jane suggests... As she closes, she says that “people want to give, but the easier and more enjoyable it is to give, the more we’ll do it”. I think the second part is true.

There are steps forward being made in making it easier to give. Everyclick – the charity search engine have recently launched the “Give as You Live” application. Brilliantly simple, trying to tap into the growing area of changing behaviour slightly to give to charity while doing much the same. Justgiving, as she mentioned has boosted sponsorship income making it easier to gather and claim the gift aid on it. Interestingly, both of these innovations have been made by private companies – companies willing and able to invest the money into something knowing there’d be a long term return.

Jane says that people want to give, but I’m not so sure. Giving, although slightly increasing in the long term, has remained fairly stagnant as a percentage of GDP since the 60s, at about 1.5% in the UK, 2.5% in the US.

Personally, I no longer believe that people want to give to charity. They want to try to solve problems and change the world, and they do this by giving to a charity that they think can.

There’s a third factor she’s missed. People need to be asked. People don’t tend to give to charity unless they’re asked. It might be a personal ask, or asking through an ad or a piece of direct mail.

I don’t entirely disagree with much of the sentiment Jane’s expressed, but I wouldn’t call it a wake-up call. Charities have been working to find more innovative ways to connect with their supporters since well before I was a fundraiser. Charities have been aware that continuing to do the same thing yields slightly worse results. Face to face fundraising was innovative when it started – now not only do many people dislike it, it’s becoming less effective (it still works rather well, it must be said).

When I first read the article, something jumped out at me, which was the reason I started to write this now lengthy post.

“I'm all for helping worthy causes, but feel uncomfortable asking people to sponsor me to do things that I will thoroughly enjoy and will give me an enormous sense of achievement. So I will fund my adventures myself and/or make a donation to charity”

I think this illustrates where the relationship between the charity and the supporter has gone wrong.

If Jane believes in the work that the charity is doing, then why does she feel uncomfortable asking people to donate to it? Is it because, maybe due to the nature of the challenges –it seems (to her) as if she’s receiving the money, not the charity?

I think the charity in question has slipped up here – and perhaps it just comes back to scarce resources. I wonder, what do they know about Jane?

Do they she feels uncomfortable asking people for sponsorship to do things she’ll enjoy?

Do they know why she supports them?

Do they know her background, roles, and skills?

In Jane, they have the potential for a powerful advocate, and I can only see two reasons she isn’t already. First, she isn’t engaged enough, she can’t tell the story of why she gives. The most effective fundraisers (and I don’t just mean paid staff, I mean people who fundraise), have a fire in their belly or a bee in their bonnet and an utter conviction for what they’re doing.

If Jane’s not engaged enough, she won’t have that – she’ll probably believe that it’s a worthy cause, and will tell people so if asked, but she won’t enjoy telling people about this great organisation she knows

The second reason might be that the charity hasn’t given her ‘permission’. They haven’t spoken to her, kindled this flame, stirred her soul and given her the tools to go out and start evangelising.

It would take time and effort to do this for every donor, for every marathon runner and every Icelandic trekker, but the charities that are spending the time and money doing it, are the ones that are inspiring people to change the world a bit by working with them.

I think the real wakeup call is to the specific charity that has Jane on their Iceland trek list, which can see that she’s not nearly as engaged as she could be.

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What do they teach kids these days?

2011-01-20T17:14:00.001Z

Excellent wee film on the youth of today, and the youth of my era (ish)

http://boards.core77.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23331

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LeonardCheshire accept chunky donation from tobacco company. I know what I think, what do you? Big debate @ThirdSector

2011-01-19T13:22:00.001Z

LeonardCheshire accept chunky donation from tobacco company. I know what I think, what do you? Big debate @ThirdSector

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Pay by results advertising! FAd or future? http://bit.ly/fFu25H

2011-01-18T19:46:00.001Z

I think this is a great idea, but will it work for both parties?

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Burning Bright @falsettosocks #in

2011-01-17T21:32:00.001Z

Somehow, and I’m still not sure how, after living more than two thirds of my life in Scotland (and I’ll bet there are some who know me who are astounded I’m not actually Scottish), I’ve never yet made it to a Burns Supper.

In the interests of research, I’ve been looking on YouTube (how often do you hear that), to find out a wee bitty more, sorry, mair.

Thank you so much, Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre for the new Scottish Enlightenment.

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So will joining twitter destroy my productivity?

2011-01-15T23:38:00.001Z

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Things real people don't say about advertising...

2011-01-14T11:45:00.001Z

Things real people don't say about advertising...

Or should you read this as “things people aren’t saying about your advert...”

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who offers the best productivity / time management training in Scotland?

2011-01-10T19:06:00.001Z

who offers the best productivity / time management training in Scotland?

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Untitled

2011-01-10T19:03:00.001Z

who offers the best productivity / time management training in Scotland?

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Latest car tech from the US

2011-01-10T11:10:00.001Z

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12148736

Only about ten years behind Toyota, but never mind.

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Rolls-Royce concept

2011-01-09T21:45:00.001Z

This unofficial concept by a random design student is possibly best summed up as... random,

It is weird, kinda pretty, some nice features and touches, but mostly weird.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/rolls-royce-apparition-concept-spirit-of-ecstasy-100-2011-01-07

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Tuned 500 Abarth spits out 260bhp - BBC Top Gear

2010-12-23T16:08:00.001Z

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/romeo-ferraris-500-abarth-estremo-2010-12-21?imageNo=0

via topgear.com

heehee, I really want one. 260bhp in a 500!

500 Abarth Estremo! Click through to pic number 4 to see why I reeeaaallly want one of these for Christmas. Santa - it'll pretty much fit under the tree

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A Christmas Advertising Lesson

2010-12-17T14:54:00.001Z

You might know that I’m not a big fan of advertising, if you know me better, you’ll know that half of the reason is that so many are just so bad. I don’t mean badly acted, or produced, or scripted (although most usually are), I mean bad at getting the message across.

Why is this? I think it’s because the agency or company producing the ads don’t understand the company they’re advertising.

Mark at Bluefrog posted this on his blog, from Quietroom. If Santa was a brand....

While it may make you smile, you might want to take some time over Twixtmas to consider your own advertising, and whether it helps your customers to ‘get’ you.

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Beauty and the Beast are back

2010-12-15T19:52:00.001Z

Disnae mean Disney.

Beauty and the Beast

Which would you choose?

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Branson flys Air Asia!?

2010-12-14T15:16:00.001Z

Like this story. True to his word, having lost a bet with rival F1 team owner Tony Fernandes, Richard Branson will be dressed as - and working as – a flight attendant on an Air Asia flight next year. Seats on the flight to be auctioned off in aid of charity

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Voyager - Outer Space

2010-12-14T10:57:00.001Z

As Voyager nears the edge of our Solar System, I thought this might be called for.

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PSN

2010-12-13T20:44:00.001Z

Today’s news that Wood Group have bought PSN, makes me wonder if they’ll be able to retain the company values. Less than 2 weeks ago Bob Keiller was describing how he sees the company’s values driven way of working as being central to a major contract win. (Quite probably competing against Wood Group in the process).

Will the values of PSN permeate WG? I’d love to have Bob back in front of the same group now for more questions!

C4E

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Good Apple?

2010-12-09T10:52:00.001Z

I quite like my iPhone – I don’t love it, which probably places me in a minority group for iPhone owners.

One of several things that bugs me about it is that they don’t allow charities to build in a direct “donate” button to their apps. Ever wondered why there aren’t so many charity apps? This is why

Back in June, eBay asked them to allow the ‘Give at checkout’ function on their app, but it doesn’t seem that they persuaded them. PayPal have managed to get something set up, but it doesn’t give charities the opportunity to engage with the donors. PayPal argue their method means you won’t have “to sign up or worry about being overloaded with marketing materials afterwards”, which sounds nice, but when you donate you want to know it actually DID something. Charities are getting better at communicating with the people that help them (I admit, we’re not perfect yet), and I think that not having access to one button iPhone donations makes it more difficult.

This may all be about to change though. Beth Kanter, US based non-profit social media expert has started a campaign, and I’d like to ask you to join it, by

signing this online petition.

Beth says that if things don’t change, she’ll be switching to android, and I have to say that I was quite impressed by the Windows phone (as much as I don’t like saying those words).

You might not switch phones over it, but please read the message I’ve copied in below, and

sign the online petition.

Subject: Beth Kanter 'calls out' Steve Jobs on Apple's iPhone donation policy

'Stop being a grinch' and be more charityifriendly, says US social non-profit media expert tells Apple boss
Here's a copy of a message I sent to Mr. Jobs with my holiday wish: Make It Easy For People To Donate To Charities With Their iPhones. If you agree, you can send Mr. Jobs a message too by signing this online petition. If Apple doesn't stop being a Grinch to non-profits and change its iPhone donation policy, I'm switching to the Android which way more voluntary-sector friendly.
Dear Mr Jobs,
Apple is a leader when it comes to technology innovation and I have been an Apple fan for years, but at the moment, your company is also making it harder to do good in the world.
Specifically, your iPhone policy discourages people from donating to non-profit organizations. And when non-profits are struggling to raise money for their important programs and donors want to help, why make it so hard for those us who want to iGive to charities on our iPhones?
Voluntary sector organisations here in the UK play a critical role in society and NGOs around the world for that matter, and they need to be able to connect to their supporters using the tools those supporters find most comfortable. At the same time, people want easy ways in which they can help the organizations they believe in. In difficult times, this support is even more important.
By restricting donations from the iPhone so severely, you are suppressing philanthropy on the iPhone: creating a barrier between your customers and the non-profits they care about, hurting the ability of both to create positive change, and stifling philanthropic innovation. That's not being a good corporate citizen!
I understand that Apple does not "want to be held responsible for ensuring that the charitable funds make it to the final destination," but there are technical and logistical solutions to this dilemma. Other companies are using them, and their customers respond every day with their wallets.
Please change your policy on donations: free us to give from our iPhones with one click. By doing so, you empower your customer to change the world: through the good work done by non-profits everywhere.
Sincerely,
Beth Kanter
CEO Zoetica and Co-Author Networked Non-profit

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Lemme ask ya!

2010-12-02T19:47:00.001Z

Well, 2010 is drawing to a chilly close, and I have a question for ya.

How’s the year gone for you?

And if you fancy some more:

What are you most proud of having done this year?

What are you bugged about not getting done?

What would you really love to accomplish next year?

Why do I ask?

I might just know a way to help you achieve that dream of yours.

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Fundraisers days are numbered?

2010-11-29T22:01:00.001Z

Another day, another “business professional” telling us that the days of “fundraising professionals” are numbered.

This time, it’s Philippe Beaudette, of the Wikimedia Foundation. Philippe is overseeing Wikipedia’s annual fundraising campaign.

Did you know they have an annual fundraising campaign?

This year’s campaign is being created by a collaboration of 900 people. 900!
Philippe tells us “Group collaboration is the future of fund raising. Organizations are going to have to work harder for donor dollars, and the ones that will be successful will be the ones that do not involve professional fund raisers. Professional fund raisers are sometimes limited by history and afraid to think outside the box. It is going to take new creative ideas, and the best way to get that is to have a huge number of people thinking.”
So there you have it just get a bundle of people together and bash out something you can all agree on and you won’t need me or any of my ilk.
Or will you?
Let’s look at the evidence. The Wikipedia fundraising campaign is actually a really strong one. This year they’re raising funds faster than before – in the first 4 days, it raised close to $2-million, a total that took 29 days to achieve last year.
This suggests they’re doing something right. But what?
Well, they’re testing. And due to the nature of Wikipedia, they can test A LOT. And quickly. You can find details here. But they’ve been testing since August, every Thursday afternoon for an hour. And they’ve been tweaking their banner ads to try to come up with the best one. Genius.
DOH! Why has no fundraiser ever thought of testing before?
Well, of course we have.
In fact, testing is a crucial part of any cold or warm appeal. Whether a TV ad, a mailing or an email message, professional fundraisers will almost always test their message when they can. If it’s an online appeal we’ll test the landing page too – yup, that’s what Wikipedia are doing.

What Wikipedia have though, through their very existence and reason for being is the ability to run one of the biggest and best tests ever done. They have 400 million monthly readers, people are already on their site to see these banner ads so they can get instant feedback and monitoring – did people click it, did they donate, how much - this is not something that most charities have the luxury of.
Most charities embarking on an appeal will be doing an email or a print one, usually alongside their website. They’ll have limited funds to set up monitoring, and their volunteers, numbering less than 900, may not have the tech-know to be setting up such testing.
Are they doomed to fail? No, because from previous tests, from previous fundraising appeals and campaigns, and from research good fundraisers know what works best. They know what to include, how to lay it out, and the type of pictures to use.
A picture of a boy vs a picture of a girl? Include a PS or no PS in your letter? How should you lay out your landing page? Your donation page?
Sure, they should still test, and consider this for the future, tweaking and adjusting the ‘control’, but you need that starting point.
I’m still impressed by the Wikipedia campaign. It’s working well, but interestingly, it’s the ‘control’ message that’s been working. So what exactly have those 900 collaborators been creating?

Michael Hodgson
Cause4Effect Ltd

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New draft on Scottish tradition warms kilt wearers Metronews - Article

2010-11-24T14:25:00.001Z

|[ \t])+(((http)+(s?)\://){1}\S+)( |[ \t])+((http(s?)\://){1}(\w|\.)+) -->

EDINBURGH, United Kingdom - A true Scotsman is said to never wear anything under his kilt. But now Scots are being warned that the sartorial tradition could be both indecent and unhygienic.
The organization charged with maintaining standards in Highland dress has backed kilt-rental firms who say the age-old custom of "going commando" has got to go.

"We are saying please use common sense and decency as it can be unhygienic and it can be offensive," Brian Wilton of the Scottish Tartans Authority said Tuesday. "If you are out and about in a kilt then remember to show some decorum.

"If you are hiring a kilt, then wear underwear because some of them are left in a horrible state."

The tradition comes from the clansmen warriors of the Highlands who wore little but long kilts that wrapped around the shoulder. The Scottish military took up the idea, and Scots regiments still parade sans underwear to this day.

"My father was a sergeant major in the army and used to clip a car mirror on the end of his pace stick and held it under the kilts of his men to check they were suitably undressed for parades," Wilton said.

Wilton also offered etiquette advice for anyone meeting a man in a kilt: Don't ask too many questions.

"Really you shouldn't ask a Scotsman what he wears under his kilt." he said. "Imagine the offence you would cause if you were to ask the same of a woman."

To bare or not to bare, divides opinion.

Ian Chisholm of the Scottish Kilt Makers' Association said "it's traditional to go without and there is nothing wrong with it."

Howie Nicholsby, of innovative tailoring firm 21st Century Kilts in Edinburgh, has worn only kilts for the last 14 years and does not own trousers. He agrees that underwear is often an asset.

"In my line of work I am very active and the capacity for wardrobe malfunction is endless," he said.

"Men feel pressured not to wear underpants because of this macho culture we have around the kilt. It is silly as you really should wear underpants if you're hiring a kilt.

"But the best thing to do is buy your own — then you are free to do what you want."

via metronews.ca

Go commando, just as soon as you buy your own kilt

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3D TV, 3D iPhone?

2010-11-20T14:09:00.001Z

We’re getting there.

I’m not convinced by the current crop of 3D movies. If there’s a choice, I’ll pick the 2D version of a movie. I reckon you need to sit in the right place in a cinema to get the effects, I find it tiring on my eyes, and don’t think it’s good for you. (Just found out I’m not alone). For some things, like Avatar, I can see the point, but especially when the 3D is added post production, I just think it’s not worth the effort. I know cinemas need something to distinguish themselves from watching on your big screen at home, but since you can get home 3D systems, what’s the point?

And don’t get me started on the stupid glasses. I don’t want to wear glasses when I’m in a film, I feel daft, it’s distracting, ooh, I just don’t like it. And at the end of the day, I want “PROPER 3D.

There’s a way to go, but we’re getting closer.

Keep going techy peeps.

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A thousand Words

2010-11-19T14:54:00.001Z

Original found this for me. Thoughts?

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that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

2010-11-17T22:20:00.001Z

Why are you late again?

Courtesy of PSFK.

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Mini Caddy

2010-11-17T12:19:00.001Z

I quite like the look of this, the Cadillac Ultimate Luxury Concept. It’s “compact and manoeuvrable”, but with the space and luxury of a larger Cadillac. I should say that although I like the shape, and some of the detailing – particularly the lines from behind the front wheel and under the window to the rear lights, I’m not sure about the interior (and American cars are often let down by the quality here anyway), nor do I like the front grille.

So essentially, I want a European or Japanese maker to take the shape, and do it themselves.

I’m not convinced that it’s really a rival to the Aston Martin Cygnet either. The original plan behind the Cygnet was to sell it only to Aston Martin owners who didn’t want to take their DBS (insert gratuitous DBS pic here) into the city centre. The Cygnet is rather obviously based on Toyota’s iQ, and is under 3m in length (2985mm), with a wheelbase of 2000mm. The Caddy is 3835mm long, which is closer in length to the original Honda Jazz (3845mm). Come to think of it, Nissan and Toyota are quite adept at selling rebodied versions of their more unexciting cars in the home market, like Toyota’s 2002 (2002!) Will Cypha, the 1998 Will Vi, and the bB, and the now well-known in the UK Nissan Figaro.

Maybe all I want is for Honda to Jazz up this Caddy.

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NYC Taxis

2010-11-16T15:20:00.001Z

The New York Taxi is almost as iconic as the Black Cab, but its replacement might not be. Three finalists

revealed, and only one is remotely interesting.

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Power of branding

2010-11-15T21:24:00.001Z

This is awful. It’ll probably do modestly well, which is all Nissan are aiming for. Stick a Porsche badge on it, though, and they’d probably sell as many as they could make in Aberdeen..

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Business events

2010-11-08T17:29:00.001Z

There are a huge range of business events out there. Let’s be honest, here in Aberdeen you could probably attend a breakfast, lunch and dinner event every day of the week.

Sure, some are specifically for networking, others provide the opportunity to learn more about a specific business, or industry, while also providing the chance to meet with other professionals. Some are relaxed, others formal.

Given that time and money are limited, how do you decide which of these events are worthwhile? And how do you define “worthwhile” anyway?

Michael Hodgson
Cause4Effect Ltd

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Being true to your values

2010-11-04T15:06:00.001Z

At a time when even Porsche are entering the mini-SUV market, bringing out a car based on an Audi, and the latest models by Land Rover will be available without four wheel drive, it’s good to see some companies are still staying true to their roots and values.

Morgan, I applaud you.

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Creative businesses urged to compete for £5m of funding - Business 7

2010-10-28T14:15:00.001Z

via business7.co.uk

Why is this limited to Edinburgh based companies, rather than being used to promote Scotland-wide creative firms?

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Does it actually change anything?

2010-10-28T11:23:00.001Z

How do I know that my money is actually helping?

Well, to be honest, that’s something that a lot of charities need to improve.

Letting you know what you’ve done.

The good news is that there are a lot of dedicated fundraisers who are pushing and striving to do just that. Charities will continue to get better at showing how you’ve helped. (this can’t be done for free, though)

In most cases, when we donate it has a ripple effect we’ll never see.

This film gives an example of the effect of one small action.

Don’t you want to carry out a small act like that right now?

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Facebook is not for fundraising, according to a Facebook exec.

2010-10-22T15:16:00.001Z

An interesting article taken from one of the seminars at the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands.

Elmer Sotto, head of growth for Facebook Canada, has said that facebook is not an effective tool for fundraising.

He’s wrong of course.

And I’d say the same holds true for business.

Is facebook is an effective tool to get people to buy your product?

I should qualify this, and say that getting someone to ‘like’ you on facebook is not and will never be the same as getting them to buy your product or service, or donate to your charity.

What it IS, is an effective tool to build relationships, help nurture communities, and keep people ‘engaged’ and interested in what your business (or charity) does.

As Seth Godin might put it, it’s a way to build your tribe.

I have to agree with Elmer when he says that charities should make “building up a popular page as the number one task”.

Again, it’s a way to keep people talking to you, for you to be able to listen to them, which ultimately is what fundraising is.

Yes, the aim of fundraising is to get donations, but the way to do it is to converse with people who are interested in you. To keep them interested in you, and to keep interested in them. Show them how what their donation has done, how it’s changed lives, and that will mean that they want to donate again.

Fundraising isn’t just about getting a donation, it’s about engaging supporters, donors and looking after your tribe.

Facebook isn’t an effective way to get a first donation, it’s a tool to keep donors, supporters and members of your tribe engaged.

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The power of advertising (?)

2010-10-11T14:40:00.001Z

I'm not a big fan of adverts. Typically because they're untargeted, or poorly targeted, and they are an interruption.

Who likes unwanted interruptions? Sometimes, though, they can be powerful. I follow Jeff Brooks' blog which regularly covers 'stupid non-profit ads', like this one.

It makes me wonder why some charities get distracted by the fancy things, forgetting they have the strongest possible thing in front of them. A story. A story about a person that has been given, or needs help, and what that help could do. You might have seen this WaterAid ad on TV recently.

Tell me what you think of that one compared to this, which is for an everyday product.

Which has more impact and why?

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National Galleries of Scotland

2010-10-07T14:02:00.001Z

Art - not something that often attracts 'community' fundraising. This might be because it's not seen as being as important to as many people as, say, health charities, such as Cancer Research. Or it might be because it's seen as something that only the wealthy support - are "The Arts" deserving of my small contribution, and would it actually achieve anything?

I think that the groundswell of support for Peacock Visual Arts showed that it can be relevant to a wide range of people, and that the right idea, right motivations can capture people's imaginations and engage them, where the relevance is understood. I suspect Peacock would have been doing a lot more of this kind of fundraising as their project developed, Ironically, now that their amazing project has been binned, they'll likely be working to keep people engaged in supporting them in this way (if they can afford to).

This post isn't about them though, it's about the National Galleries of Scotland, who've just launched a fantastic campaign. I'm not involved with it, but it is essentially an idea I had in mind for PVA - or someone else - to use. The initial concept was sparked for me by my experience in Kanazawa as part of Araki’s* "Faces of Ishikawa" project, exhibited at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (or Marubi, as it's known).

Even though I'm not involved in this campaign, I think that if they capitalise on it properly, it will be a huge success. To me, success will depend on how well they promote the concept. I'm also wondering how well it will travel. While it aims to be a portrait of the nation, and reflect the many faces of the whole of Scotland, I do wonder if this, like so many things, will end up being too Central belt focussed.

*Oh yes, Araki photographed me years before Lady Gaga

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“It’s amazing what you learn in the company of positive people.”

2010-10-06T17:38:00.001Z

“It’s amazing what you learn in the company of positive people.” Not my words, but those of Charan Gill (aka the Curry King)

On Tuesday I spent the day at JCI Scotland’s InspireChange event at Gleneagles. Charan was the opening speaker, with the second session of the morning taken by the Performance Tree, covering Franklin Covey’s ‘Principle Centred Leadership’.

After the quality of buffet lunch you’d expect from Gleneagles - I couldn’t resist 4(four!) courses - the afternoon featured Creative Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Gill Eastgate of NKD clothing, (although not Nicola Mimnagh, 'face of NKD'.

The day rounded off with Mike Southon, FT columnist, and ‘beermat entrepreneur’.

The day lived up to its name –providing me with inspiration, both as a business owner and an individual.

There was far too much covered to go into much detail in a blog, but a few points to mull over:

“If you commit to something, everything else will fall into place” Charan Gill

“Maybe when things are free, we don’t value them enough” Charan Gill (On creating a more entrepreneurial Scotland.)

“Do you get change if you only change the process, but not the perception?” Mel Harris of The Performance Tree

“Our customers boast about our awards far more than we do” Gill Eastgate {sound like being remarkable?}

“[I think that there’s] a critical moment [people face, and that] separates entrepreneurs from civilians” Mike Southon

Mike also suggested three steps to follow for anyone setting out on the journey to entrepreneurship.

Step 1. Find a foil

Step 2. Find a first customer

Step 3. Find a mentor.

All in all, the day was excellent. As a JCI Aberdeen member, the full-day whole shebang cost me only £65, non-members could have been there for £85.

Which left me with only one question – why did I meet so few budding and existing entrepreneurs from Aberdeen on the day?

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JK Rowling boost for desperately needed neurological research.

2010-09-01T18:09:00.001Z

Excellent news picked up in a few places today. JK Rowling is putting £10m into a new neurology research centre in Edinburgh. (Well, the new kitchen's finished, so what else would be next?)

As well as carrying out research into MS (Multiple Sclerosis), which affected her mother, the centre will also look into other degenerative neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Motor Neurone Disease.

Almost everyone has heard the figure that 1 in 3 of us will be affected by cancer, but it's much less known that 1 in 6 will be affected by a neurological condition. Despite this massive need, funding for research and care is currently less than 10% of that of cancer research and care. This means we're not nearly as far along in understanding or treating these conditions as we could and in my view should- be.

We're fortunate in Aberdeen to have a specialist long-term care centre, but it too is over-subscribed and underfunded. The only dedicated respite centre in Scotland is likely to be closed by the end of next year.

Hopefully, as well as providing valuable research, JK's donation will also inspire others to support neurological charities, and push for better neurological care.

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Whisky News of the week

2010-08-27T11:12:00.001Z

Using samples from the Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have developed a method of producing biofuel from two main by-products of the whisky distilling process "pot ale", the liquid from the copper stills, and "draff", the spent grains.

Meanwhile, in England, a Londoner takes the p1ss.

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The next step - Original Post May 26th 2010

2010-08-26T21:06:00.001Z

You may already know, that I have recently left Barnardo’s. I’m sad to go, not least because I didn’t finish everything I wanted to do for the charity.

I want to stress that the work Barnardo’s does with local kids is amazing. The charity works with so many families and children in the area, and still raises far less than it spends. This isn’t sustainable, and the charity desperately needs local people and businesses to rally round it.

Over the last 10 months, I have had 4 bosses, and the latest one doesn’t share my view of the fundraising strategy needed to make grow the charity’s fundraising in the area. I’ve just come to the end of an initial period of contract, and this seems the right time for us to go our separate ways.

Many of the members of ABN have helped Barnardo’s in the past 10 months, and I’d like to thank you all for your support, and encourage you to continue turning around children’s lives in the future.

Personally, I’m now looking for my next challenge. Whether this will be a role working for another charity, back into the 'business world', or striking out on my own, I’m not yet sure.

Time to follow (and share) some great advice I once heard: “When in doubt, take the next step”

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If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen - June 29th 2010

2010-08-26T21:03:00.005Z

I recently asked what word ABNers associated with VW. The results weren't surprising. Reliable, quality (badge - all probably down to the Golf), were the responses.

The same kind of results I got when I asked around.

Thanks to the iconic "if only" Golf ads of the 80's.

According to the latest JD power survey, the Golf's reliability was no better than average. (Although I recall that's an improvement from the earliest surveys.)

The ads helped to cement that image of reliability in people's minds - it reinforced their preconceptions. But reliability is a tricky line to tread. Just ask Toyota. First they were reliable - but DULL. And now...?

Back to VW, I didn't get the same kind of response when I asked some American friends of mine. They point to the Beetle, and use words like 'alternative, fun'.

Maybe that's why VW came up with the Fun Theory, which I love, but it just doesn't ring true to them for me. What it did though, is get people involved.

Now, though, they might have nailed it. Maybe the fun theory was just setting the grounds for this. The fast lane, (driven by fun)

Cos who doesn't want to live life in the Fast Lane? Check out the beautiful product placement at the end of Fast Lane Shopping. Subliminal advertising?

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When I say.... - Original Post June 18th 2010

2010-08-26T21:03:00.003Z

Volkswagen. What image does that create in your mind? Post that word as a comment to this right now.

The first word that popped into your head when you read the word "Volkswagen".

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Know who your customers really are - Original Post June 10th 2010

2010-08-26T21:03:00.001Z

How well do you know your customers?

Are you sure?

Do you even know who they are?

For a long time, LEGO focussed on kids. After all, kids play with LEGO. Then they realised that a huge community of adults enthusiasts had developed.

Instead of trying to take back their 'brand', by pushing the kids side of things, or by trying to impose their ''brand values' on the existing communities, they offered support. They started an ambassador program. They realised that while kids spend maybe $20 a year on LEGO, these adults were averaging $1000.

Check out the Art of the Brick or this film to see some of the work of one of their more extreme fans.

They've been able to take the lessons they've learned from the enthusiasm of the adult fans, and apply it to their younger customers. A savvy move, as some of the young fans of today will become the adult fans of tomorrow.

LEGO aren't the only example of the customer demographic being different than expected. When JK Rowling was writing her first book about a child wizard, I doubt she expected adults to be as keen to read it as children.

In both of these examples, the buyer and end user of a product aren't always the same. There are plenty of others.

Most FMCG goods are (still) bought by women for the men in their lives. Old Spice know this, which in part explains their much talked about latest ads. (I know they were big in the states, and I'm sure I've seen one run here, but I don't tend to watch ads). I might discuss these ads in a future blog, so tell me what you think of them in the meantime.

Today's right question:

Are you targetting the right people in your business?

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Brand yourself - Original Post April 22nd 2010

2010-08-26T21:02:00.005Z

PSFK is a trends and innovation and activation company that inspires its readers, guests and clients to make things better. Apparently.
And along with this they produce a “good brands report”, an annual list of ten brands with a "penchant for imagination, innovation, environmental responsibility and social consciousness."
Much of it is as expected.
#1 Google.
#2 Apple.
Now you might expect #3 to be another word ending in “ull”, or “le”, but you’d be wrong.
#3: Jamie Oliver. Cheeky cheffie chappie.
So, what makes Jamie such a good ‘brand’, and what are the lessons for your business?
My three favourites:
Live Your Brand
Change the Status Quo
Become the Face of Your Brand

See the rest at PFSK.

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Doing good is good for your business - Original Post April 20th 2010

2010-08-26T21:02:00.003Z

Speaking in a recent TV interview
on ABC's "This Week", , former US President (and ex-Junior Chamber International member), Bill Clinton, talked about philanthropy, engaging young people in civic action and how doing good (by working with non-profits and charities) is good for businesses' bottom lines.
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Of course, I've been telling you this for as long as you've known me, but it's nice to see the endorsement.

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So, if you're looking to do some good - for your bottom line, and for your local community, then get in touch.

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HAT tip to the Donor Power Blog for the article.

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The biggest one-day fundraising event in the world - Original Post April 9th 2010

2010-08-26T21:02:00.001Z

That's what they say. And last year it raised £47million.

.

Ever wondered why charities ask for such large targets for their marathon runners? Or how the places are allocated?

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There are a lot of good and bad things about the London marathon, and I think this programme will reveal a few of them.

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It's a Friday night, so I'm sure one or two people will be heading* out, how I love Skyplus at times like this.

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Channel 4's Dispatches will report on the London Marathon and in particular how much money it generates, how much it costs to stage, and how it is used by charities to fundraise.

Journalist Ben Laurance interviews charities to find out how much they pay to take part in the event and the competition amongst charities to gain places. He also talks to charities who do not get a chance to benefit from the UK's largest fundraising event and "the biggest one-day fundraising event in the world".

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Dispatches: Tracing the Marathon's Millions will be broadcast tomorrow, Friday 9 April 2010, at 20.00 on Channel 4. It will be repeated on Friday 16 April on Channel 4 at 03.55.

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Thanks to Howard Lake for the tip.

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*careful how you type beheading.

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Accepting Limitations - Original Post April 6th 2010

2010-08-26T20:59:00.001Z

Seth does it again. This time he’s talking about refusing to accept limitations.

It's absurd to look at a three year old toddler and say, "this kid can't read or do math or even string together a coherent paragraph. He's a dolt and he's never going to amount to anything." No, we don't say that because we know we can teach and motivate and cajole the typical kid to be able to do all of these things.

Why is it okay, then, to look at a teenager and say, "this kid will never be a leader, never run a significant organization, never save a life, never inspire or create..."

In the UK, we tend to do just that. We’ll look at a teenager and say, “She’s a trouble-maker, a layabout, she’ll always steal because she’ll never stop taking drugs”. She’ll never get a proper job.
At Barnardo’s Scotland we don’t say never. We don’t accept limitations, and we believe in the power of potential. I'm lucky to know many of the members of ABN. Many of you run great businesses, many of you have achieved so much and are going to achieve more.
When I'm notI’m working to help kids do the same. Many of them are those kids that others have written off. Teenagers. Toddlers. All children.
If you believe in your potential, and you believe in the potential of others, click here, or come and talk to me at tonight’s face to face networking event. I’ll be the one talking about potential.
Joy comes from using your potential.” Will Schultz

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Tapping a massive resource. Original Post March 31st 2010

2010-08-26T20:58:00.001Z

I stumbled across this the other day, and I think it has a truly other-worldly feel to it.

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Individuals spread across the globe collaborate to create something remarkable.

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It brought to mind Clay Shirky's "Cognitive Surplus". I haven't yet read "Here comes everybody", but it's on my amazon wishlist and near the top.

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I'm a member of JCI Aberdeen, (if you're in your twenties or thirties, you probably should be too), and we are just coming to the end of JCI impact month. The focus of impact month has been "the impact of one".

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I'm sure you'll remember Wilton Knight once told some chap called Michael "one man can make a difference". What it seems society is just starting to wake up to is that you don't need unlimited resources and a black trans am with a turbo boost button.

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Imagine the difference that lots and lots of people (who don't need to be physically in the same space, or even continent) could make. Whether to the world, to the country, or to your business.

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How are you making the most of cognitive surplus?

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For those interested, Eric Whitaker explains how they did the virtual choir on his blog.

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Does price affect consumer behaviour? - Original Post March 15th 2010

2010-08-26T20:57:00.003Z

There’s been a lot in the media recently about Scotland’s relationship with alcohol, along with some proposals to try to deal with some of the problems that come out of it. I’ve even received a leaflet through my door from one of our local MPs asking for my views on this single issue in Aberdeen.
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Minimum pricing is one idea being touted – some support it although some argue it will hit everyone in the pocket and have no effect, while others have claimed (or not), that there could be a serious effect on one of our most famous industries.
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But if alcohol abuse is costing every adult in the country £900, then what would be the problem with a little price hike? You’d have to drink a lot of the cheaper types to be worse off – and if you fall into that category then maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
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Alcohol has never before been so affordable or available, nor conspicuous consumption so acceptable.
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While minimum pricing is likely to have some benefit to some people, I suspect that there would also be those likely to be more harmed by it. Low income families with one or more parents seriously addicted to alcohol would have even less left over to buy other less necessary items. Such as food for their children.
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There are thought to be 65,000 children in Scotland affected by parental alcohol abuse – a number so inconceivably large it makes me think there must be a mistake. A chat over lunch to one of my colleagues in 4Change, however shows just how wrong I seem to be. Similarly, it’s not a problem exclusive to those at the poorer end of the social scale.

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Are there alternatives?
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Imagine the entire month of January being designated a “dry month” during which Scots were discouraged from drinking alcohol? Or turning up to T in the Park and finding out that alcohol was banned from the festival site?
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These are just some of the ideas floated by the Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol, made up of 14 to 22 year olds.
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There are organisations out there helping to deal with the problems that arise from our nation’s pastime, but do we need to do something else to change the way we treat alcohol in the first place. In the Herald article, “Eddie” laments “You can find stuff on for seven to 12-year-olds but nothing for teenagers, and they’re the ones who are going to be out drinking and they’re the ones who get into fights on the street.”
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As I think back to the weekend and how much alcohol I contentedly consumed, I wonder, do we also need to “find stuff” for those of us who are older not wiser to do on our weekends than be out drinking?

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I'd rather be in Geneva. - Original Post March 7th 2010

2010-08-26T20:57:00.001Z

Probably the most significant car at the Geneva Motor Show: The Porsche 918 Spyder.
I’m not the biggest Porsche fan going – in fact, I can’t think of any of their models that would be guaranteed a test drive, if I was looking to buy in that class. But this one is significant. Yes , it’s only a concept, but their concepts almost always make it into production.
I don’t like the front, and I really don’t like those wheels, but this will do over 200mph AND return over 70mpg. Not at the same time, but impressive nonetheless. (It should be at £500,000)
Is it the future of supercars? I’m not sure, it’s a hybrid, but it plugs in to charge, which means the power comes from coal-burning factories – so it’s not really all that green.
But it does show that companies like Porsche are looking ahead at alternatives and trying to make them remotely viable.
Something that IS green, is the Ferrari HY-KERS. They won’t be putting it into production, not yet, but again it shows that even they are looking at alternatives. This one is arguably ‘greener’, (and I don’t just mean the paintjob) than the Porsche, as the hybrid power comes from batteries.
The argument of course, is that the effort involved in producing the batteries outweighs any benefit in using them.
Whichever way you view it, these are important cars....
Also at the show, Lexus revealed their hybrid 1-series rival, the CT200h. I think it’s better looking than the BMW - most things are - but I’m not sure it’ll tempt that many drivers away from their 1’s or A3s. Interesting that the presenter talks about Toyota as being the “hybrid masters”. Just shows you can be first at something (Honda), but someone else can still take the glory.
My favourites?
The Honda EV-N, the cutest. (Honourable mention to the Subaru for the R1 I first saw when at the Tokyo show)
Most desirable? Hispano Suiza. Honourable mention to the Jaguar XKR.
Since they remain well out of my price range for some time, top of my shopping list would be The FT-86 from Toyota. If they can keep it looking like this and get through international regulations. (I’ve been a fan since my own modified Toyota Levin in Japan). Second, on the list possibly Honda’s CR-Z. Which looks much better in red or blue than green or white, ideally the MUGEN version.
Wackiest: Sbarro Autobau concept. Honourable mention to Westfield.
And the worst? It’s a tough call between anything numbered 5 onwards in this rogue’s gallery, the Mansory Rolls Ghost, and these two, which we’ll no doubt be seeing plenty of soon.
Finally, SAAB revealed some excellent news at the show, and I'll be talking about SAAB and marketing in a post soon.

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Innovative vs good - Original Post March 1st 2010

2010-08-26T20:55:00.003Z

Interesting article in Business week, suggesting that companies should strive to be 'good' rather than 'innovative'.

It reminds me of one of the last things I bought in Japan at the end of 2004 - headphones with built in MP3. Now they only had a capacity of about 1GB, but I wanted to avoid the bulkiness and the annoyance of wires of the existing MP3 players.

Unfortunately, the bluddy thing didn't work with macs, wiring it up to my old iBook completely befuddled it, so even once I'd got it plugged in to a good old PC, it wouldn't work.

Which is why everyone else was buying iPods.

But what do you think? Should companies aim to be innovative, or just good

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Everything you know is wrong. - Original Post Feb 24th 2010

2010-08-26T20:55:00.001Z

You might have heard the story of why I first joined Barnardo's.

'Flog young offenders, put them in stocks and pelt them with oranges.' This is a response from a member of the public to a recent government consultation on how to punish young offenders.

That's the way I used to think.

Having grown up in a fairly cushy, supportive, structured slightly strict environment, I just couldn't understand why kids cause serious trouble. Lock em up, I said.

The thing is, this doesn't work. As the Michael in the article points out.

It took a Barnardo's advert to make me stop and think. That advert literally stopped me in my tracks. It made me look into it, and realise that it's not as simple as I'd thought.

And the more I looked into it, the more I realised I wanted to do something about it.

I'm not saying that young offenders are little angels, I'm saying they need a different kind of intervention to change their actions.

I doubt any of us got through our teenage years without getting into trouble a bit - and in my case, that was even with a supportive family, and a cushy environment. For kids growing up in chaotic homes, or with parents who abuse or misuse substances or a host of other reasons, different solutions are needed than just chucking oranges at them.

It's one of many areas that Barnardo's works in, and for as long as I'd be rubbish actually out working with kids, my aim is to keep funds coming in. To pay for the staff to run these services, and all the other services, so that our kids have the future they deserve, and the chance to reach their potential.

The chance to fulfil your potential. What more could anyone ask for?

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Time is more than money. - Original Post Feb 20

2010-08-26T20:54:00.001Z

Time's a valuable resource, and yet according to the Volunteer Centre Network in Scotland around half of us in the last year have volunteered at least once.

So why do we do it?

I'm about to post a host of reasons, but I'd like your input too.

In theory over 350 ABN members volunteered in the last year, so what inspires you to give your time?

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The Blame Game - Original Post Feb 17th 2010

2010-08-26T20:53:00.007Z

It’s not your fault.
The Blame Game. A lot of people play it.
It’s not our fault that the train was cancelled, it was the weather.
It’s not my fault that we told you the trains were running, that’s what we’d been told.
It’s not my fault I didn’t make the meeting, the trains were cancelled.
It's not my fault, it's Head Office's mistake.
Chances are that this month you’ve either heard that phrase, or said it. “It’s not my fault”, but here’s the kicker. No-one cares.
I don’t care if it’s not your fault, I don’t care whose fault it is, I care about getting the broken thing fixed. I care about solving the problem that has arisen. So try a change of tack. When something goes wrong, don’t pass the blame, don’t play the blame game.
Try a new game. Do something to fix it.
The train’s cancelled, I can’t get you there as quickly, but there’s a replacement bus, or you can have a refund.
I couldn’t make the meeting, here are my thoughts on the agenda – send me the minutes and I’ll respond too.
Sorry, someone's made a mistake, let me try to fix it for you.
Does your business help people solve problems that aren’t your fault? Are you the person others turn to when things don’t go according to their plan? If not, why not?
People don’t want problems, they don’t want excuses and they don’t want to play the blame game. If you’re recognised as a problem solver, a fixer, then your customers will find you.
What problems do I solve?
Don't have anything to keep your company visible in the media? I can solve that.
Problems keeping your staff motivated in the new year? I can solve that.
Need an extra goal to keep up your fitness regime? I can solve that.
Feel like you aren't making your mark on the world? I can solve that.
Unbelievably, hundreds of children in the North East are living, invisibly, in fear, in poverty. We're working to solve that. Will you?
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Remarkable doesn't always mean good - Original Post Feb 16th 2010

2010-08-26T20:53:00.005Z

I posted a while back about being remarkable, the example I gave was doing something small, but unexpected to please your customers and get them talking about you.

It's very easy to get this wrong though, and our old pals at CarClinic managed to do just that just the other day.

call with a quote, check,

repairs done speedily, check,

collect car and it's clean and tidy, check.

So what's the problem? Well, it's a wee car, which means it's a wee rear window,which now, unexpectedly, has a biggish sticker on it.

A small and trivial matter.... Small, trivial, but displeasing. A person's car is very personal.(Caution Not safe for work)

A small trivial good thing can make a great difference to your customer, but so can a small trivial bad thing.

More problematic for CarClinic is that a small negative can outweigh a small positive. The adage says that a delighted customer will tell 3 people, but a disappointed one will tell ten.

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Top Ten Toys - Original Post Feb 12th 2010

2010-08-26T20:53:00.003Z

I've just found out that Walter Frederick Morrison - Fred to his friends - has died aged 90.

You may not recognise Fred's name, but he was the inventor of the Frisbee.

Now Frisbee has changed a lot in the intervening years - I think Ultimate Frisbee is even recognised as a sport - but to me, Frisbee is a fun toy enjoyed when I was a kid.

So I thought I'd ask you to help me come up with a list of top ten favourite games or toys from your childhood. Frisbee is possibly third on my list - for the UFO factor alone.

Top of my list would have to be toy cars - I loved them all from Corgi to Dinky, Hot Wheels and even Micro machines. They're also the closest I'm likely to get to owning a 700 car garage of exotics.

Second. Lego, although I never managed anything this complex.

Over to you. What are your top toys and games?

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If your business was a car.... - Original Post Feb 5th 2010

2010-08-26T20:53:00.001Z

Seth Godin recently wrote that your business should have manoeuvrability (although he spelt it strangely).
I'm not sure I agree. Yes, for some being able to respond to changes, to emergencies and to demands rapidly is important. The Red Cross respond fast to emergencies, they don't nned to adapt so quickly when it comes to their admin operations, or possibly, their fundraising..
All businesses need to evolve, to develop to suit the market and their clients, but not every business needs to be able to change direction like a Lotus. Maybe your business needs to be economical, like a Polo Bluemotion. Maybe it needs to be big, brash and bold, like an American Muscle car.
Maybe you need to ability to take your business anywhere and to deal with the rough and the smooth, and life's knocks, so it needs to be rugged like a Landie or maybe it needs to be uber-child-friendly, like a Citroen C3 Picasso.
Perhaps your business isn't for everyone, and is ultra-exclusive. Or it might be all about the image - you can pick your own example here.
If your business was a car, what would it be?
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Speak your customer's language. - Original Post Feb 1st 2010

2010-08-26T20:52:00.005Z

Something I try to do at all times, is speak proper, but I was reminded of the importance of this last week as I received a bemused reply to an email. By "speak proper", I mean of course speak the language of the person I'm dealing with.
Language develops within the groups who speak it. Cockney Rhyming Slang is said to have developed to prevent outsiders from understanding what the local were on about, and the same happens in industries, and companies.
If you're an expert or specialist in your field, then the chances are you suffer from the "curse of knowledge". The curse of knowledge is something I first encountered in a book called "Made to Stick", which I'd recommend if your work involves ever needing to get your message across (and which I'm going to be re-reading soon).
The curse of knowledge is that once you know something it's hard to imagine what it's like not to know it. (I give a great presentation on this subject)
You may know what you mean when you say "data-driven Internet security solution", "gateway threat prevention" or "purchase-led cause related marketing", but does the person you're talking to?
Every industry has them. Even Barnardo's, internally, has a wealth of TLAs (three letter acronyms), CAA, AAD, HOF, F&C (not effing C). We don't use them when we speak to anyone else.
The chances are, I don't care if you "seize real-time technologies", or "morph e-business mindshare", I just want you to stop my computer from filling up with spam. Or keep the swine flu from the door and windows of my computer, or get my customers finding me before they find my competitors.
So if your customer asks you for virus protection, don't think "why would he want to protect viruses?", think, you want me to stop nasty stuff getting into your system? We do that. You might want to add, "we call it....", but the chances are, if your customer is like me, (s)he'll glaze over.
Speak the words your customer wants to hear, that way they'll be your customer.
DON'T use anything that you can create, here. (and see if you can spot the ones I got here too.)
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Think Global, Act Local - Original Post Jan 12th 2010

2010-08-26T20:52:00.003Z

It's a well-known phrase- in fact it's become a cliche. Yet the importance of focussing on local needs is not to be over-estimated. I'm sure we can all think of examples right here in Aberdeen where companies, campaigns or products just don't work - even if they're successful elsewhere. Locally elsewhere, is the Blue coke story (although I'm not entirely sure it's true)
Are we just insular here in Aberdeen (I can hear people saying "we? you're not from round here" as I type), or do we just have different demands? I'd love to hear your views.
Charities are saying that there seems to be a growing trend for people to want to change their own area first, then to change the world. I'm not convinced though that it's a growing trend, or simply a growing awareness of the viewpoint.
While I worked at Sue Ryder Care, someone made a fairly significant donation out of the blue. He told me he did so because he'd just discovered we were helping people in the area. (He added that his wife considered Stonehaven to be 'not local enough'.)
I also encounter people who choose not to support Barnardo's Scotland because we're a national charity. The perception seems to be that if we work across the country, we don't work here. But we do. We are the largest children's charity in the UK because we work in almost every part of the country you can think of.
Wherever there are vulnerable children, we're trying to help. We talk about being a national charity with a local impact, and that's because the needs of kids in one area aren't the same as the needs of kids in another area.
Each child has a different situation, a different background and a different need. In Scotland we run three services called 16+. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeenshire, and while they do the same thing - helping young people aged 15 and above move from local authority care into independent living - they work in very different ways. The Aberdeenshire service - by nature of its geography - simply can't work in the same way. People aren't crossing a city to come and visit us, they can't hop on a bus to come to our centre, we have to go to them.
When a project can be replicated in another area, we do it. Often there needs to be localisation. Always, there needs to be local support. Local support for projects and services is what maintains them, what keeps them helping children now and safeguards their future.
Every penny Barnardo's raise in Scotland, stays in Scotland. Every penny we raise in the North East stays in the North East.
In the coming months, I'm hoping a new campaign will help to bring home the nature of our work here, and the urgent need for the support of local donors, local companies, local people.
For me, though I think there's a more important way to work than "think global act local". It's not about localisation, it's about personalisation. Just as every child we help has a unique need, every donor has a unique reason for supporting us, their own reason for helping, and a personal part of the world they want to change.
If you're looking to work with a charity in 2010 to improve the lives of people in the North East and help your business, Barnardo's Scotland is looking to work with you.
If you want to change a part of the world, we're waiting to help you do it.
That's why I'm here.
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Being Remarkable - Original Post

2010-08-26T20:52:00.001Z

Or standing out. Or those little touches that make the difference.
What do you do that makes you different to your competitors? You're passionate about what you do? So's everyone else. Watch this video, and you may join me in trying not say 'passionate' again.
Do you "go the extra mile" - everyone does that now, to be in front of the crowd, you need to go the extra marathon.
or, you need to do the unexpected.
Yesterday my car went into CarClinic for its service. I wasn't looking forward to it, given the recent orchestra of unidentifiable noises and the constant glowing reminder of the 'service' light. But it wasn't as expensive as I'd feared. Sure, there are a couple of things it will need looked at soon too, but how do they make sure that they get the repeat business, and not someone else? Yes they have to do a good job, yes, they have to leave the wheel without oil and grease so I don't get my hands and sleeves dirty driving home, but that's expected.
He needs to do something to stand out. He needs to do something so that my last memory of Car Clinic is not handing over cash.
Which is why, as I slip back behind the wheel of my pride and joy, I spy on the passenger seat a little pack, with a sticker. "Take care of your car this winter. Car Clinic". In the pack, De-icer, an ice scraper and screen wash. Total cost to them, a fiver, if that. Total value to them - probably whatever the profit they'll make on the next repair.

And yes, that car is a Volvo, sadly, not the Volvo I drive.

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It’s definitely the best thing that could have happened - Original Post Jan 18th 2010

2010-08-26T20:49:00.003Z

From: Michael Hodgson

Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 9:47 PM

Subject: It’s definitely the best thing that could have happened

“I’ve got the family I’ve always wanted. It’s definitely the best thing that could have happened” ~ Lauren, 18, fostered through Barnardo’s.
Across the UK, there are thousands of children waiting for adoptive families, foster carers and short break carers. With over 100 years experience in placing children with families, Barnardo’s ensures our carers receive the support and training they need. We also offer carer allowances so that our carers and children are always fully supported. To discover what it’s like being part of a foster family, view this video case study.
For those interested in becoming a carer, we’re holding information events throughout the UK, where you will be able to talk to members of staff and current carers about fostering or adopting through Barnardo’s, as well as the training and support on offer. Find out when and where these information sessions will be taking place, via Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption website.
The need for additional carers and adopters has seldom been more pressing - 10,000 foster carers and 4,000 adopters are required to provide placements and care for children across the UK.
I'm posting this because today sees the start of Barnardo's Fostering and Adoption Week. Barnardo's Scotland Fostering Aberdeen is only one of the many projects we run in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
I'd also recommend having a wee read of Joy's story.
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Looking for a window cleaner? - Original Post Jan 6th 2010

2010-08-26T20:49:00.001Z

These guys may know a thing or two.
Is there a business lesson here? Of course.
How many window cleaners do I talk about? The ones that I've seen do an awful job, and those guys. Cox Gomyl. They're remarkable.
So, if you want people to talk about your business, and to take 5 minutes to find you, do something remarkable.
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Changing Climates - Original Post Jan 4th 2010

2010-08-26T20:46:00.001Z

CivilSociety now ask - does every charity need to be a climate change campaigner?
Environmental charities can be popular with a range of companies, especially those keen to promote their green credentials, but should every charity promote a climate agenda? Would it be simply jumping on the bandwagon, or would it ultimately harm the beneficiaries of the charity?
I don't think that adding an environmental aspect would bring a charity more supporters, to offset the increased costs of campaigning and working in a new area.
Would you be more likely to help a charity working to turn around children's lives if it also campaigned to recycle?
Would you choose an environmentally friendly cancer support charity over one that may or may not be working to reduce its 'carbon footprint'?
Or if you're passionate abut going green, have you already chosen to support an environmental cause?
But as ever, I appreciate your views.

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That time of year - Charity Calendars are, erm, out. Origianl post on November 19, 2009

2010-08-26T20:41:00.001Z

Once again RyanAir's female cabin crew are stripping off for charity.
Now, people getting their kit off for charity calendars is nothing new. A cursory glance tells me that this year musical men "Only Men Aloud" are doing it for Welsh charity Ty Gobaith. Some London internet entrepreneurs have done it for Take Heart, a youth charity which sets up IT projects in India.
Perhaps most famously the Rylstone and District Women's Institute stripped to raise funds for Leukaemia Research, sparking a plethora of copycats, as well as now the stage show, AND film "Calendar Girls". (The stage show, Calendar Girls is coming to Aberdeen next year, although, not being London, the cast may not include Kelly Brook.)
Nonetheless, they weren't the first to fundraise frock-free, they certainly won't be the last.
Yet none seem to draw the criticism aimed at RyanAir. This is , I believe, the third year that the company have run this campaign, expected to raise about £100,000, with the charity they've chosen from 200 applicants being KIDS.
So why the criticism? Are their staff "too sexy"?
Whether you're considering a 'glamour' calendar, a scenic one, a charity calendar or not - there are plenty of options available, and I've heard no complaints over "The Girls of Hollyoaks", or "Hunky Firefighters" available through Calendar Club or their equivalents.
I'd like to hear your views..
Are the nude calendars cliched and doomed to disappear, or will they remain on the landscape?
Is it acceptable so long as it's men, or perhaps 'not glamorous' or unexpected people stripping?
Should charities accept donations raised in this way?
What's the deal?

Finally, just to set your minds at rest, there will be no nude Michael (or anyone else) featured on Barnardo's Calendars.
There is, of course a full range, including this year's 'A Child's View' Calendar featuring artwork produced by just some of the children and young people who attend Barnardo's projects or the schools we support.

Michael Hodgson
Managing Director
Cause4Effect Ltd

Tel: 07950 807082
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The Future of Bank Accounts? Original posting Nov 16th 2009

2010-08-26T20:40:00.001Z

From Professional Fundraising:
All major banks will offer charity giving accounts "in the not too distant future", according to Coutts & Co's philanthropy chief.
What do you think - are they on the way?
Would you set one up?
Do you already have a 'giving' account?
Do you currently plan the way you personally donate to charity, and would this help?
Although my work focus is corporate fundraising, I'm very interested in individual giving, and how people make their decisions and plan (or don't) the way they support charities. Yes it's true - I'm a fundraising geek.
Coutts are known as being particularly selective in whom they accept as customers*, and of course, expect a minimum of £500,000 in 'disposable funds', so their customers tend to be the type that do plan their charitable giving. Most of us, I think don't tend to plan it at all - despite the fact that planning giving can mean the giving has a greater impact.
Sometimes in the North East, I find that people are reticent to share details about personal donations - who they support and even whether or not they plan their giving, but it would be interesting to find out.
Personally, I have a small range of charities I support monthly, as well as a few ad hoc ones when asked, but it's quite planned. I like the idea of having a single account to put aside some funds regularly into, so that I could make larger ad hoc donations.

*National lottery winners tend to have to settle for one of RBS' other private banks - Drummonds. Those of us living in Scotland have the traditionally Scottish, (personal favourite) Adam and Co.

Michael Hodgson
Managing Director
Cause4Effect Ltd

Tel: 07950 807082
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Guide to Giving - Original Post Nov 30th 2009

2010-08-26T20:37:00.001Z

HMRC have released their latest "Guide to Giving" for businesses.
There's some good information in there, about the ways that you can work with charities and make it efficient. It also outlines the tax implications and rewards of various ways of giving.
It covers advice for businesses that want to:
give money to a charity
sponsor a charity
give shares or land to charity
give some trading stock or equipment to charity
loan employees to work for a charity
encourage employees to volunteer
for a charity
encourage our employees to donate
to charity
invest in improving the urban environment
invest in a disadvantaged community
It doesn't go into details about setting up charity of the year partnerships, or Cause Related Marketing, and t's a little England-centric, as these things tend to be.
I think it's a shame it doesn't give more detail about share-giving either- both for companies and individuals, but it's still a handy wee guide.
What's missing are details for Scottish Business in the Community, and Volunteer Scotland, so there's two handy links for you.

Michael Hodgson
Managing Director
Cause4Effect Ltd

Tel: 07950 807082
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Tactical Nuclear Penguin - original post Nov 27 2009

2010-08-26T20:35:00.001Z

Well, you've got to love the name. It could only be a band, a spark in the imagination of one Mr Izzard, or a beer from Brewdog.
Always courting controversy, always generating publicity, always thinking differently, and usually creating tasty beers. I've long been a bit of a fan, but caution here guys.
Despite the pricetags and their effect on my lowly salary, I've splashed out on occasion and bought and enjoyed several of their pricier brews.
I liked the original Tokyo (no star - 12%) , Paradox is a favourite of mine, and I regularly enjoy Rip Tide, their Punk IPA, and even Trashy Blonde. The first time they launched a £40 Paradox limited edition, I bought a couple, two as an unusual gift for the couple who introduced me to Brewdog, and one for me.
I did try Tokyo* - the 18.2%, but I wasn't enamoured with it. A bit heavy for my tastes - the subtlety of flavour you can get from some of their other brews was lacking. In fact, I still have one at home - haven't found a reason to drink that instead of anything else yet. Beer should be about flavour, not strength.
I don't doubt they'll sell this limited run - the die-hard fans will probably see to that, but for me, since I didn't like the last super-strength one, I think I might give this one a miss.
More importantly, I also wonder how long it will be before they start to alienate their fans.
I've been keeping an eye on them for a couple of years, in fact, visited their brewery, and most of all, I actually like Martin and James.
My concern for the company is that while their products are staying true to their original brand - pushing boundaries and creating unusual drinks, the publicity they're now getting falls into two categories.
The first is all focussed around the strength of their drinks - and that will create a different image in the eyes of many. Instead of being a beer for people who want flavour, will they become seen as a beer for people who want the strongest? Not punks, but drunks.
The second is about their own buzz. For some time they've been creating a lot of publicity and hype about themselves - they're well known because of their ability to generate headlines, but the tide seems to be turning, with some commentating that they only do things to get in the papers.
All publicity may or may not be good publicity, but the best products speak for themselves, and get others speaking about them.
Remember folks, your brand is never what you think it is, it's what everyone else thinks it is.

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The End of History

2010-08-26T17:38:00.001Z

The End of History.

They did it again. I suggested in a post at the end of last year, that Brewdog were at risk of their brand descending into something along the lines of “attention seeking super strong beer makers”.
-
While there’s nothing wrong with positioning yourselves as controversial, most of coverage they were getting focussed almost entirely on the strength of their beers. Short of producing ever stronger beers, which would only fulfil that image, they needed to do something to change the perception people had of them
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And they’ve done it in their usual, unique way.
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A 55% beer, which is packaged in a taxidermy animal. Now, whatever you might think of the packaging you have to admit, it’d moved the discussion away from ‘why such a strong beer?’
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They’ve nailed it with the name and ‘proposition’ too. “The End of history” Apparently, “The name derives from the famous work of philosopher Francis Fukuyama, this is to beer what democracy is to history. Fukuyama defined history as the evolution of the political system and traced this through the ages until we got the Western Democratic paradigm. For Fukuyama this was the end point of man’s political evolution and consequently the end of history.”
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Hmmm <stroky beard>
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This is a bold way of saying – we’ve just brewed an insanely strong beer. Someone *might* brew something stronger, one day, so we’re going to also make it one of the most expensive, and packaged in such an extreme way that regardless, we’ll be remembered. And they limited it to 12.
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And now that the world knows we’ve got the know-how to make the strongest, we’re going to use those skills in everything else. A bit like Cox Gomyl I mentioned in this blog. We do THIS, so we can do anything else.
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I'm curious though, now they’ve set the scene for their next beer to be something other than ‘the strongest’, what will they do to promote it? How many people know, for example, that as well as starting their own pubs, they've recently taken over MUSA, and have already held one "Dog's Dinner"
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More than one commentator has said that these guys seem to think they’re the bad boys of beer.
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Another though compares them to Bowie, and Zappa. Out there pushing the limits, challenging preconceptions, the conceptual artists of beer. Will we see more boundary-pushing, or just a beer called Moon Unit?

-
Whichever it may be, despite their youth, there's much to expect, and learn from Brewdog.

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The man your man could smell like

2010-08-26T16:14:00.001Z

I’ve mentioned the success of the Old Spice ads before, and just as I was about to blog about them, they upped their game.

It would have been all too easy for them to just keep on bringing out a new ad from time to time, upload it to youtube and be ‘doing’ social media. Instead their campaign will become one that is quoted, commented on and copied from now on.

Then, just as I was going to go through and cover why I thought it was so well done, someone else did it for me. I’d highly recommend that you read Scott Monty’s blogpost. Scott is the head of social media for Ford, so he should know what he’s talking about.

I think the temptation will be for companies to try to copy the formula directly. It won’t work for them, and it won’t work for you – not least because the ads themselves were very strong, but also because the first ad broadcast was during the SuperBowl

This kind of campaign doesn’t come cheap. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons all businesses can take from it.

Instead of a single post, this is the introduction to a series of blogposts on lessons from the campaign, and how you could apply some them to your own business.

The next post: Mind your language...

This man might not smell like that man, but don’t say this man isn’t good to you.

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The fail of the creative class?

2010-08-20T16:08:00.001Z

This was an interesting article.... http://www.business7.co.uk/insider-magazine/current-issue-feed/2010/07/19/ian-ritchie-support-agencies-and-art-colleges-missed-a-trick-97298-22423440/

Way back in 2002, an American developmental economist called Richard Florida published a book called The Rise of the Creative Class which argued that the presence of artists, musicians, and other 'bohemians' in a city create a climate which is highly conducive to the development of high technology and other innovative businesses, and he quoted cities such as Boston and San Francisco as examples of this effect.....

Dundee seemed to be succeeding in this, although the sad demise of Realtime Worlds dented this progress. Edinburgh had a great opportunity too, but it seems that they've missed a great opportunity too.

Is there any chance for Aberdeen, considering we recently threw away a £4.3m grant from the Scottish Arts Council, in order to 'see what might happen' with the Ciy square plan?

If Florida's hypothesis in his latest book is right, then will Aberdeen manage to sustain itself in the long term?

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Untitled

2010-08-18T11:19:00.001Z

Interesting artilce on a new potential fuel from whisky.

http://gu.com/p/2j4g4

We'll let the article's inconsistent spelling of 'whisky' slide. For now.

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