2009 – brands, technology, the web and a community
Firstly a very happy New Year to you all!
I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s Eve, and more importantly, a truly superb 2009!
As is customary, this post is looking back at the things I remember from last year. The brands and products that have really stood, what has changed the most in my life, a look at work, and probably the biggest thing in 2009 for me, www.hulldigital.co.uk
Brands
As you know, I’m a bit of a brand snob. I love a good brand. One that most importantly delivers, but if it is nicely designed and had a great look and feel, then even better. Sometimes people think of brands as just logos or design. Maybe ten years ago, but not now.
Seth Godin has recently given his view on what a brand is:
A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another. If the consumer (whether it’s a business, a buyer, a voter or a donor) doesn’t pay a premium, make a selection or spread the word, then no brand value exists for that consumer.
Bang on in my book, especially the part about stories, and relationships. Why? Because you tell other people about stories and relationships. The ultimate WOM or word of mouth (every brand’s goal, as long as it is positive).
If I have a great experience with a person, product or service I tend to blog about it, recommend and tell stories. Here are the stories I was telling in 2009:
A little predictable I know, but without them I would not be able to do what I do every day, or certainly no way near as effectively.
Every day Apple items in use are the iPhone 3G (not upgrading to the 3Gs even though I am out of contract now), MacPro with dual Apple cinema screens, Snow Leopard, and the MacBookAir (SSD V2). Touch wood, I had no problems at all in 2009, and actually did not buy many new Apple items (just iPod Nano 5G and the excellent Magic Mouse).
Cycling really captured by heart in 2009 (and also the wallet). I lost some serious weight with my efforts, and felt better than I have done for many years. I am sure that my love of cycling is helped by the beautiful technology and design that is part of most bike gear, and the Enigma frames / bikes are no exception.
Jim and Mark at Enigma were fantastic when I went to the south coast to meet them and got measured up for a bike. The picture is from their website, but mine looks similar. From the titanium frame to Thomson Masterpiece seatposts, to Campagnolo Record groupsets and Lupine lights, there are companies doing it very right. My experience with Enigma was so good, I sent my old Specialised bike to them and they transferred the wheels and groupset onto their Etape winter frame, so I actually have 2 of their wonderful creations (both with identical seatposts, stems, and saddles – the excellent Fizik Aliante).
A couple of you have asked how I ended up with Enigma. Well I firmly lay the blame at Michael Robertson’s feet. He has a stunning Enigma Eulogy and as a pro photography, knows how to make it look amazing. His blog is superb, you should subscribe if you love cycling. He is also to blame for the other wallet buster in 2009…..
Cycling gear CAN look pretty awful. Dayglo colours with a fraction of the design and looks it could have.
Then there’s Rapha. An upstart brand created in London a few years ago. Superb quality, great customer experience, accessible (I dropped in to see them on one trip to London), keen to engage (I was lucky to be invited to a small screening, and meet the team event in London in November) and looks excellent.
I’m actually wearing more and more Rapha off the bikes as well. It is comfy, warm and looks seriously sharp. Highly recommended.
I like something different. I like items with a story and personality. Things created with a bit of love and soul. Outlier make lovely clothes, especially trousers, and after realising my 10 year Khakis were not really looking terribly smart, 2 pairs were quickly invested in.
So, winging there way from Brooklyn New York, they arrived and I love them. The high tech fabrics work a treat, repelling dirt and water like nothing else. Their design ethos is to wear their clothes on and off the bike, so perfect for cycling to a meeting and then not having to change. An ace idea.
Cycling
Getting on the bike and going for a decent ride was a real highlight in 2009. I managed rides from 15 miles to 50, and never felt better. A big thanks to Richard and Simon for their biking friendship and encouragement.
With the weather being very cold and pretty grim at present, I am so looking forward to the spring when I will be able to get out crank in the miles.
Travel
Skiing rocks. Kate and I had our first ski holiday together in January, and Kate took to it rather well. She was ripping up the slopes at the end of the week! We had some serious snow – the most in 33 years in Sauze, and the powder was just superb – some of the best skiing I’ve ever done.
I managed to get another week in March, snow still good, but lots of sun this time. After that, I went to Stockholm a couple of times, but that was it. Compared to some years I didn’t get away much, mostly because there was a lot going on at with theappleofmyi.
Work
Firstly a massive thanks to my clients and yes, friends. I’m very lucky to have clients who are also friends 
2009 saw a wide variety of projects from email marketing, consulting, websites, training, speaking and social media, all of which I love! It’s just over 2 years since starting the company, and I’ve never looked back, not for a second. Working with clients, and other freelancers who you like, respect and can trust is just amazing.
The best bit though is getting out of bed every single day and genuinely loving what I do, and getting excited about turning on the MacPro and seeing what the next project could be.
Web
The internet. Without it I would be not be doing what I do, and yes, I am addicted to it, in a positive way of course 
Day in, day out I use the web, whether from home, on the iPhone or on the Air. It is a double edged sword though. It can be hugely distracting and a very easy way to waste countless hours. On a more positive note, it enables me to do so much, personally and for my businesses.
The software and webapps that really helped me last year (and continue to do so) are:
Dropbox – nothing better for back up and syncing content between machines. Up to 100Gb and very well priced, and fast. Seriously fast. Makes Mobile Me from Apple look, well, very un-Apple.
Echosign – if you need to get proposals or contracts signed and you are still using post, fax and real signatures, you are wasting your time and money. Use Echosign and get it all done electronically in minutes. Great UI, backed up, transparent and clients love it.
Evernote – use it for notes, files, pdfs etc. Syncs with an online version, so you usually use an app on your Mac, plus their iPhone app is superb too.
Google – Gmail, Reader, Docs, Maps, Calendar and Analytics. I use them all. Every day without fail. Analytics is really impressing me at the moment and I really recommend this book to read.
Twitter – Twitter really accelerated in terms of use in 2009 with it becoming pretty mainstream. I reached the dizzy heights of 1000 followers, so I must be doing something right You should follow me here now. I do advice using a decent client, and Tweetie is my current fave – slick, not too distracting, yet powerful. A must on the iPhone.
Things – I bought this a good while ago when it first came out (beginning of 2009?) and have not really used it. However, I decided I needed to have a central dumping ground for all the things I need to do, whether errands, calls, projects etc and Things fits the bill nicely. I’m using the iPhone app too, but my one concern is duplication. I use the 37signals webapps (see below) all the time, for CRM, projects and planning. I’m concerned that I am going to be entering somethings twice, in fact, I’m certain I am…. will have to see how it goes.
37signals – a monthly expense yes, but so worthwhile. Basecamp for projects with clients, allowing 24/7 access and stopping emails from going missing (it does depend on the client sticking with it, but usually they also see the +++ points!). Highrise for CRM – making notes on conversations, automatically attaching emails to a person’s notes and logging tasks. Lastly Backpack for keeping all manner of things in useful pages.
I think that’s about it for the things I love and could not be without. All using the wonderful web. It’s such a shame the UK is so far behind some other countries and didn’t realise just how important it is to have a superfast digital infrastructure. And speaking of digital …
Hull Digital
Just over a year ago, December 27th 2008 to be precise, I made the decision to create a community. I looked at other cities and there were vibrant communities of techies, designers, geeks and developers.
In Hull? Nothing. Zip. Nada.
So I got my finger out >> The MeetUp group was setup, the fee paid for a year, the website created and the first get together scheduled.
It’s sometimes hard to start something, stick your neck out and do something new / different. It has been so worth it! The first MeetUp day came. Cafe Nero Hull.
“A few people should turn up. Perhaps a few friends and some others. I hope so anyway.”
25 people came along. Yes, it was very encouraging, and from that day on, we have got bigger, better, more organised and more fun!
The best thing about Hull Digital is the community. The people really do make it great!
A wide variety of backgrounds, locations, jobs, interests, skills all make for a wonderful mix that has really added to the enjoyment. We now have over 200 members, but would love to grow this in 2010, so please do spread the word 
Also, do contribute on the website (say hello here, let us know your website / blog, and have the chance to win a howies / HDLive T shirt!).
HDLive09 Conference
With the success of Hull Digital, there was always something else at the back of my mind…. a conference. Something that was professionally organised, had superb speakers and provided real value, excitement and benefit to the city and the attendees. After 5 months planning and hard work, October 14th came round…..
200+ delegates, radio coverage, amazing speakers, a top class AV setup and stage, positive feedback and one other amazing statistic…since launch, www.hdlive09.co.uk has had, …….
over 40,000 unique visitors from around the world!
This has provided much needed publicity for the city, the community, plus has shown that there is a vibrant digital and technology scene here!
The other bit of good news is that the speaker videos are nearly complete and we will be getting them online in the next week or so. Once again, a massive thankyou to all the speakers, partners, sponsors, AV crew, and of course the people who attended.
2010
So it is nearing the end of New Year’s Day. I’m sitting in the “command bunker” writing this and thinking about what 2010 is going to bring. Hull Digital is growing and I have a lot of plans for this year. Bigger, better, more fun and more useful to the community and the city. I’m lucky to be involved in some amazing projects already this year and really looking forward to working with my existing clients, and the new ones.
2010 technology? Well my tips, thoughts and looking forward to items are:
- Yep, the Apple device which is coming soon, whatever it may be!
- A new iPhone – 4G anyone? (not in this country) July I’m thinking, possibly October here (with RFID and a payment system)
- Backup and storage system from Google (a possibility?)
- Location, location, location – Google or Apple doing it right
- Next generation web access becomes a priority for the public but not the government
- Video chat on mobiles (I think Apple will do this first once again)
- Backlash against “web noise” where people just cannot do anything else
- Twitter gets one or two new killer features…
It’s going to be an exciting year, and right now, Apple and Google are looking like they will be continuing to kick ass!
And lastly thanks
Phew, I made it – it’s 23.52pm on 1/1/10 !
2009 was an amazing year. I am so thankful for all the great work I did with clients. I’m so thankful for the support from people with Hull Digital and HDLive.
Most importantly though, I am thankful for the people close to me. My partner Kate, who puts up with my incorrigible neatness and order and love for all things shiny, beautifully designed and techy. My Mum and Dad, who have been so supportive and are always there for me, and lastly my friends, whether here in the UK, in Oz, in the US or right here in Hull. You all know who you are and I am so thankful to have mates like you
Right then, 23.57pm, I had better hit the post button!
Goodbye 2009, you rocked!
>>> Hello 2010, you’re going to be even better!!! <<<
Gmail is down
When Gmail goes down, the world stops…. rare for them to post on their blog. It is quite amazing to realise just how reliant we are on this. I would love to see what is being said at the big G HQ right now!
UPDATE – here is there explanation….
Gmail’s web interface had a widespread outage earlier today, lasting about 100 minutes. We know how many people rely on Gmail for personal and professional communications, and we take it very seriously when there’s a problem with the service. Thus, right up front, I’d like to apologize to all of you — today’s outage was a Big Deal, and we’re treating it as such. We’ve already thoroughly investigated what happened, and we’re currently compiling a list of things we intend to fix or improve as a result of the investigation.
You can read exactly why it happened here. It’s good to see they are taking this so seriously, as they should do, even with a free service.
Taking control of email and using it for your business
Email. Love it or hate it, despair of it, or just manage it, it’s here to stay!
What is also certain is that it can be a right royal nightmare staying on top of it and making sure that you are in control of it, and not the other way round. Personally, I live for email, or rather, I need email for my living. Whether that is theappleofmyi, Hull Digital, or personal email, it all arrives through one conduit, Gmail.
Gmail helps enormously, allowing me to search quickly, archive everything I want, colour code specific topics, set up filters and tag everything for easy reference later. Last week, I was invited onto the Radio Lincolnshire Drivetime Tech slot on Monday evening once again, with William Wright, and we talked about email and the problems it can lead to. We also covered using it correctly for small businesses, something I cover over here on a free mini course I’ve set up for people.
So, here is the radio session we did, so listen and enjoy!
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Very Impressed with Remember The Milk
rememberthemilk.com, originally uploaded by JonnyMoss.
With Gmail adding tasks yesterday, I was reading a few posts about it, and also the general concensus that Remember The Milk (rtm from now on) was better featured……
Having realised I had an account from WAY back, I had a proper look at it again today and I am rather impressed. No, take that back. VERY impressed.
Fully featured
Not only is it fully featured (customisable via tag, location, person, reminders …..) on their web site (very easy to use and configure), but the amount of integration into other web apps and devices is just superb. The killer integration is into Gmail, Gcal and also the iPhone / iPod Touch app.
The latter works perfectly, syncing quickly and efficiently, but is only free for 15 days, and then you will need a pro account, a measly $25 a year (something I paid for straight away – it really is worth it).
Within Gmail
The Gmail service is just as nice, giving you complete control over your tasks, even allowing them to be created from emails when you add a specific label. Coolio. They then show up in your Google Calendar, and they are all editable from there too.
It even works with twitter! You can follow Remember The Milk and then give it commands, and get the app to tweet you reminders – I haven’t looked at this properly yet, but looks promising.
Conclusion
If you need to stay in top of tasks, get reminders and not forget anything, then rtm is for you. It is an excellent web app, and if you use Google’s Calendar and Gmail, then you really are in for a treat and will get maximum benefit from it. Highly recommended!
[Thanks to JA for reminding me about Remember the Milk a few weeks ago].
Big companies love Google Apps
Finances also came into play in their decision to move to Google Apps. Taylor Woodrow estimates that they are saving approximately £1 million on infrastructure and support costs.
You have read that correctly. Taylor Woodrow are saving £1 Million by switching 1800 employees over to Google Apps Premier Edition. That is pretty impressive and makes a lot of sense. A massive amount of sense.
Just think. 1800 people happily using Gmail, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, with zero set up costs in terms of software and hardware. Talk about putting the IT department out of business. Not only do you have cost savings but you have the ease of access to everyone’s files (all in the cloud), all backed up and available 24-7.
Looking into theappleofmyi crystal ball, I can see more and more companies doing this. Less hassle. Less money. Better reliability. What more do you want? Ok, there will be the normal learning curve of people adopting the new technology and software, but most people are getting more and more confident with online web apps. Major kudos to Taylor Woodrow for doing this. Does anyone know of any other big corporate doing this?
