The Engaging Brand

Thank you, Advertising Age

I was delighted to see that The Engaging Brand blog has entered the Advertising Age Power 150 blogs!

Wow, not the most professional response I know but it is how I feel!

I often write about recognition and this is living proof that acknowledgement from others can really lift spirits. Thank you to each person who reads this blog....your readership means the world to me.

I started this blog as a way of honouring my fathers memory, I wanted a way of sharing his thoughts and his words that has helped me have a successful leadership career....so really this recognition is Dad's...thanks Dad !

8 Random Things About Me

Another meme! But I love the idea of getting to know people a little better so here I am joining in. I got tagged by the wonderful yet Evil HR Lady who I spoke to earlier this year on my other podcast Middle Age Shed.

1. I am a HUGE Liverpool Football club fan.
2. My favourite food is a close call between cheese and pasta.
3. My middle name is Louise.
4. I have lost 58lbs this year!
5. As a child my arm kept falling out of the shoulder socket
6. I am speaking at the Podcast Expo in Ontario in September.
7. My favourite holiday has been in The Maldives.
8. I love Sunday morning and reading the Sunday Papers in bed

So now I have to tag 8 people so I thought I would mix it up with people I know quite well and people that I have met recently Lewis Green, Heather Gorringe, Krishna De, Robyn McMaster, Michael Seaton, Eileen Brown, Bryan Person, Jory Des Jardins

Miss you Dad

Readers and listeners to the podcast will know what an influence my Dad was on my life. I miss him each day and wondered how to pay tribute to him today. Here is a snippet of the speech I made at his funeral which sums up my feelings. Miss you dad but your ideas and legacy live on!

"It was driving my mum home from hospital that night that the answer to one of the world's great riddles suddenly became clear..'Why on earth would any parent name their newborn son, Horstine!'

You see, I suddenly understood what Gran and Grandad had realised on 12  August 1924, something that we would all see later...that the bundle of joy they held in their arms was no ordinary fellow...this baby was going to be an extraordinary human being with an extraordinary love of people and deserved an extraordinary name. Somehow, the name that he was forced to explain so many times, suddenly meant so much to me.

.....If we are to honour his memory the way he would want, let's hope that all of us here, can show the compassion he showed, make the time for our friends and family the way he did and hopefully that will be a fitting tribute to a man who brought so much love to the world.

Horstine Farmery, a man I feel so honoured to call my dad, an extraordinary man who has left a legacy that will never be forgotten"

Web 2.0 and what it means for your business

For anyone based in or around London, I will be presenting at a Institute of Direct Marketing session on what Web 2.0 means for your business on the evening of June 14, 2007. We will discuss
"What Web 2.0 really is and why you should be interested, which tools you should be looking at and what the real costs are, plus how to convince others of the business case for Web 2.0"

I will be presenting with Heather Gorringe who will present a real life case study of how she has switched her company from traditional advertising to new media.

If you are coming let me know would be great to meet you face to face!

On line Podcasting Expo

Just as a reminder I am speaking at the Online International Podcasting expo on 20-21ST April. I am giving 2 interactive presentations

How to Build an Online Network

What I know now that I wish I knew then - a look at my podcasting learnings from a true non geek!

Should be a great event when you look at the line up of speakers.....if you want to sign up then here is the link Podcasting Expo.

New Tip Jar for Charity

As many of you know I had a wonderful mentor in my dad who was a successful entrepreneur and died just over 3 years ago. I was thinking the other day of how I could find a way of honouring his memory as I use so many of his stories or tips in my blog/podcast. He loved helping others so I have put a tip jar on the blog and any money as well as my advertising money will be donated to dementia (how he died) research - a way that he would love of him continuing to help others. I will post photos and updates of how much we raise to keep you up to date - probably 2 or 3 times a year. Dad, hope you like the idea!

Blogging can change your life and your weight!

Yes that's right...it can change your weight! Well blogging and networking should I say.

I was speaking with Heather my podcasting pal at wiggly wigglers and talking about how I had put on weight, so she came up with a great mmm not the right word, seemed like a great idea at the time idea about committing ourselves to a new year diet. So we have started a blog and a podcast to track our diet - we have 6 stones to lose between us! The weekly podcast will be up this week, but anyone out there who wants to join us, come on the show or just wants some motivation to regain that youthful shape then check it out at MiddleAgeShed. I will let you know when the podcast is up so that you can hear Sgt Major Heather keep me on track with my goal.

Why is this important in terms of engaging people well

1. I would not have started it without some inspiration from another- true at work, inspiration is key to action.
2. It is about a public commitment - our goals are there for all to see (aaahhhh!) but that is true for a company as well...make the goals big, commit big...
3. Networking I found someone with the same values and motivation, a key part of this is doing it with Heather....true at work as well, personal values are key to success.
4. We are using technology - how can you use technology to bring a project alive?
5. The weekly podcast is about tracking progress...keeping us on target, keeping the goal in sight and ensuring that we are on course for success. Do you measure progress?
6. Achieving something together will be fun, it is not who loses most or who has less will power it is about the sharing of the journey. There is no room for blame, it is about support towards a goal.

Heather have you anything to add about how this engages you in achieving your goal?

What NEW YEAR means to me

As we quickly approach 2007 I wanted to write about what the new year means to me and The Engaging Brand

N = New collaborations. January will see me working on collaboration projects to help drive awareness about podcasting....especially in the UK.

E = Explore new areas, explore new parts of the social media world and bring it to you.

W= Working hard to get the very best people onto the podcast, and evolving the show from 2006 in terms of content and audio quality. I don't want the interviews to be for me or the interviewee but for you the listener...any areas you want me to cover just let me know.

Y= You the reader or listener to the podcast are the most important person. I want to drive even more value to you and look at how I can help you create personal success.

E= Encouraging more participation in the blog and the podcast - how I encourage you to add to the conversation.

A= Announce the new Coaching site that will offer you even more content, aimed at helping you develop your personal brand, motivate, inspire and engage people at work.

R= Review my areas of development and ensure that I create an action plan that will play to my strengths and close the gaps on the learning areas. Consistent learning is a must in this quickly evolving world and learning for me is so key to getting the most from all the new technologies.

2006 was a great year, but I feel 2007 will be even better. I believe in setting stretching personal goals, and enjoying the journey. Success is there to be created, it is in your hands...and just waiting for you to achieve it. With all the new technologies around, it is even easier to think about what future you want and then passionately go forward and create it...all the best for 2007 xx

A little update

I just want to apologise for not getting the podcast out this week, and also for slowness in replying to comments, emails etc.....bit of a friends and family nightmare going on with people falling ill - what is it about this time of year??

Joke of the Day

Since my post yesterday on Five Things Meme I have had a glut cluck of e-mails from so called friends about my phobia of chickens! But here is one from my friend's son (who is 12) that did make me laugh

Why did the chicken cross the road?

A poultry excuse to avoid Anna

Anyone got one better!