Writesphere Blog - Writesphere

FYI, March 2019: The Internet of Things

14/3/2019

In the March 2019 issue of Business North Harbour's FYI, we aim to offer some joined-up thinking about the Internet of Things (IoT). Our innovation and manufacturing experts share practical insights and tips, and cite real-life examples.

Our business success stories focus on an award-winning design agency and a company at the forefront of smart baggage handling.

There are some great events coming up too.

The magazine is available to read online.

ShoreLines, February/March 2019 - out now

1/2/2019

Because life is not always a picture-perfect rom-com, it's time for a Valentine's Day reality check! In this issue of ShoreLines we offer some practical thoughts about dating in the 21st century - including a guide to modern-day dating slang.

Our dining review takes us to a cosy, family-run ristorante close the beach in Waiake.

And, Pest Free Hibiscus and Bays need your help! Find out how you can help to protect our beautiful corner of the world.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

Merry Christmas from the ShoreLines team!

1/12/2018

We're gearing up for Christmas in the ShoreLines office. In this issue, we find out about the rise and rise of the male grooming industry, and get some top-to-toe tips from local experts. And, as the blokes are notoriously difficult to buy for, there's a gents' gift guide too.

We take a moment to acknowledge one of the Champions of our Community: the perennially effervescent Sally Cargill, and hear all about one young reader's soccer adventures with FC Barcelona.

All this - plus advice about how to (safely) make the most of your Christmas leftovers - is available to read online.

FYI, November 2018: Artificial Intelligence

1/11/2018

In the final 2018 issue of Business North Harbour's FYI, we investigate how artificial intelligence (AI) can make your business smarter.

IBM's Isuru Fernando explains why machine learning could be the future of marketing, and Rachel Kelly talks about the ethics of AI - how we can hold technology (and ourselves) accountable.

Our business success article spotlights Autogrow, a brilliant local company which is pioneering technology to help produce growers in an increasingly urbanised world.

The November 2018 issue is available to read online.

It's astounding... Time is fleeting...

31/10/2018

Here come the clichés: How is it October 31st and not mid-April? Where did the last 10 months go? Why are there less than eight weeks until Christmas?

As a child, I remember so clearly moaning about being bored through the long summer holidays, and wishing time would pass faster - and my mum and granny would tell me how time goes faster the older you get. In that case, I must be about 84 now...

ShoreLines, October/November 2018 - out now

1/10/2018

In the new issue of ShoreLines we go to the very heart of our community, and ask how our village centres can survive and thrive in a world of corporate malls and online shopping.

We meet an amazing chap, for whom a marathon is just a gentle jog! There's some great advice from Kirsten Beaumont at East Coast Bays Veterinary Clinic about how to keep your pets happy during fireworks season, and a heartwarming story of friendship that took two pals more than 6,000 miles across the USA.

ShoreLines' October/November issue is available to read online.

FYI, August 2018: Big Data

1/8/2018

In the August issue of Business North Harbour's FYI, we bring big data down to earth.

Today's technology can be overwhelming and confusing, so we ditch the jargon and put the useful stuff into perspective for our region's businesses. TradeMe and Corrections share how they're using data to enhance their services, and there's some critical information about data handling and compliance.

This month's community focus is on DVFREE, which is helping to improve the workplace response to domestic violence.

You can read the magazine online.

ShoreLines, August/September 2018 - out now

1/8/2018

In this issue we say a heartfelt thank you to Sylvia Durrant "The Bird Lady of Rothesay Bay" who is retiring after more than 30 years of rescuing our feathered friends.

You can find out how Browns Bay's International Friendship group are celebrating 25 years of fun and fellowship, and get our recommendations for a good book to see you through the winter.

We also take a look at the complicated world of organics, and learn why the good life is far from simple.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

ShoreLines - first issue out now!

1/6/2018

ShoreLines - the brand new magazine for Browns Bay is out now. It's published by Pages Print, and is full of local news and opinions.

In our first issue we learn how knitters can help NZ's premature babies, get some good advice for kids - and adults - about to behave around dogs, and try out one of our local curry houses in the dining review.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

FYI, May 2018: On Target

1/5/2018

The May issue of Business North Harbour's FYI is all about meaningful marketing for measurable results.

There's a step-by-step guide to creating and implementing an effective marketing plan, and some fascinating perspectives from two professors of marketing.

Paul Linnell from cemNZ explains the true value of the customer experience, and there's advice for businesses seeking expand into overseas markets.

FYI May 2018 is available to read online.

FYI, March 2018: Invest for Success

1/3/2018

The new issue of Business North Harbour's FYI is out now.

This time we take a look at some smart financial strategies for growing businesses with insights from experts in retail, export, and logistics.

We go beyond the numbers with money psychologist, Lynda Moore, and chat to Peter Dickinson about how to plan and prepare your exit strategy.

The magazine is available to read online.

Courteous and helpful or disinterested and lazy? What kind of employee would your website content be?

24/8/2017

Call it Writesphere's mantra or accuse me of being a broken record, I don't care – as long as you're hearing this message:

See through your customers' eyes, talk your customers' language.

It's a common sense strategy, echoed by any decent marketing practitioner. Which brings me to what occurred at a recent BNI Albany meeting.

Your business probably isn't unique and your USPs almost certainly aren't. Get over it!

28/7/2017

Early last Tuesday morning, I had the deep misfortune of hearing a male member of the Trump dynasty on the BBC radio news. This individual was busy whining about, denying and dodging the various accusations of the day, by declaring that his actions were entirely appropriate with what was "a very unique Presidential campaign." That's it: the (oddly satisfying) final straw. Now I have a legitimate grammatical reason to despise the idiot.

Social media - the agony of a grammar pedant

7/7/2017

I love Facebook. As a British ex-pat in New Zealand, I regard Facebook as an essential line of communication with friends on the other side of the world. Writesphere has a Facebook page, and it's fun to interact with colleagues on there. I recognise the relevance of LinkedIn and Twitter for my business, and for my clients too. So look, I do spend a considerable amount of time on social media. But sometimes, for someone as tragically anal as myself, this can be a challenging and torturous experience. And I'm not just referring to Donald Trump's mind-boggling outbursts.

The Engine fires up in Auckland with free business training for start-ups and SMEs

20/4/2017

The Engine is a new initiative providing practical business support to Auckland's start-ups, and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To celebrate its launch, The Engine is offering free training workshops until the end of May, with proven strategies and practical advice being delivered by experienced business owners.

Why would I want to hire a copywriter?

20/4/2017

Of course, no-one knows more about your business than you. You're like a living encyclopaedia of technical expertise and industry secrets. However, this could actually be a disadvantage.

It's possible to be too close to your product or service, so that you lose your customer by getting too bogged down in minutiae or jargon.

Vampire Weekend were wrong! You really should give a (flip) about the Oxford comma.

22/3/2017

In 2008, Vampire Weekend released the track "Oxford Comma", expressing their, erm, profound disdain for this piece of punctuation. Now a lawsuit in the USA has proved that they really ought to have treated it with a bit more respect.

Why are there so many bad press releases?

28/2/2017

Pour yourself a cuppa and then type the phrase bad press releases into your chosen search engine.

Some of the examples may make you burst out laughing, and others will have you scratching your head.

Blog, blog, blog is not just blah, blah, blah.

25/2/2017

A well-written blog is a great way of maintaining communication with your customers and reaffirming your position as an industry leader.

It can also help to keep you in search engines' good books.

Why? Because a regular blog naturally refreshes your website with relevant content.

The case for case studies

20/10/2016

What is a case study? Yes, it's a write-up of a successful project – but it's also much more than that.

I bang on to my clients that, in order to improve their marketing communications, they need to see through their customers' eyes and talk their customers' language. Well, who better to help you achieve this than… an actual customer!

So, who are you going to approach for your first case study?

Your immediate thought possibly isn't your best thought. Why? If you choose to focus on a job which has gone swimmingly then you're missing a trick.

Blogging for Virgins™ - 10 quick tips from Writesphere

25/2/2016

1. Be yourself
Your blog is your online conversation with your audience.
You want them to identify and connect with you.

2. Be consistent
It's better to aim and achieve one blog per month than to aim and miss at one blog per week.