Nestle in Zim - the saga continues

Interesting follow-up to one of my earlier posts. Check this out!!!

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-12-23-nestl-shuts-up-shop-in-zimbabwe

Some time without technology

I have just returned from an awesome trip to Australia. It was so good to meet fellow-bloggers in person, and know something about them!
Tomorrow we are off to Kruger Park, going looking for animals. At the moment, the most appealing part is that I will be leaving some of my technology behind (laptop) but taking the rest with (BlackBerry). At least I haven't set it up yet for emails, so will not bother. Plus, the cellphone coverage is limited to the camps, so I have an excuse not to bother. YEAH!! I will post the best pictures on my blog when I return.

Computerised marking?

I hadn't thought of using computers to mark essays, but in the UK it appears that they are using it. Very interesting article on how the computer marks!

http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iArticleId=5258318

#23 THE END

The title of this blog is actually a misnomer. It's not the end - it's only the start of things to come.
I have realised how easy much of this. I think I have learned not to be intimidated by the technology, but to "jump in" and see what happens. I think I will using Wikis, and blogs. We are using a wiki for a book we are writing - that people can indicate which chapters they would like to write. It really was easier than sending out all those mails!
Twitter and I will last a very short time only. I didn't really think that there was as much value in it as I thought there would be. The same for RSS feeds.
Most of all, I have discovered I can do this - and maybe I can encourage others to explore this also!
Thanks Peter Wags for the idea and visiting the blogs... I really appreciate it.

#22 - nearly there!!

#21 Podcasts

I have a confession to make. I have an iPod - and download podcasts often through iTunes.
Does this disqualify me from the iPod draw?

#20 YouTube videos explained

As you can see, I tend to go a bit overboard. We are told to embed 1 video - and I do 4. So now I have to write 4x as much.
Clip 1 is of Jeremy Taylor. I remember this rather vividly, except of course he sang about nigger balls (those sweets that started out black and eventually went down to nothing... and that changed colour as they went) but we know, that like the golliwogs, they are inherently racist, so that had to get changed.
Clip 2: VW then adapted the jingle for their Volksie Bus.
Clip 3: VW people - a lovely ad that doesn't sell anything, but promotes employees in the organisation. The MD of VWSA is in the ad, and apparently people took time off to have their hair done for the advert. Apparently it was a highlight for many VW employees.
Clip 4: This is an Andre de Villiers song that captures the VW feeling - note all the different VWs the family own.
This was such fun and quite simple to do.
I hope my Australian colleagues who are following this blog will enjoy the SA ads!

Some iconic VW adverts

A nice (old) feel good advert

And, to provide an integrated brand view

YouTube videos

Watch this and see our culture. The full song apparently sold more copies than Elvis.

See what marketers can do with a catchy jingle.

#18 and #19

Well, I decided to go to a totally frivolous website as part of this task. hairmixer.com was my choice. Its a website that let's you see what you would look like with another hairstyle. I uploaded my current picture - problem is I have a fringe... and none of the hairstyles do. I couldn't find an eraser - and I really looked weird.... at least I know for sure that black hair is not for me!! What cheap fun.

Last night technology saved my life

Cute article - talk about technology saving your life (rather than a DJ)

http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iArticleId=5242771

(If you don't understand the comment, you are too young to remember the song!)

Popularity of Twitter

Found a really interesting article - SA is in the Top 10 of countries using Twitter.
Some reasons are suggested in the article. Really interesting.

http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/stuartstobbs/2009/11/11/why-sa-is-the-10th-largest-twitter-users/

#15 The future of marketing and Web 2.0

I know one is supposed to know how to count - but I did #16 before #15. I hope no one notices! I could say it's because I am a marketer!!!!!!
Anyway, I think my students may be onto something. They have been telling me in one of their answers that Web 2.0 doesn't stand alone, but that it integrates as part of the total marketing effort of the organisation. Will the marketing effort change - no doubt. Will humans want to deal with humans - no doubt (even though humans are sometimes more frustrating than machines - I said "sometimes")
Long live technology. Long live human interaction! Long live relationships with people - and networking events (all with humans). Oh, and good coffee breaks

#16

Been thinking about how we could wiki during one of the courses next year. Perhaps on journal articles that can add value.
I also read the blog about Twitter - not finding that it's working all that well. Perhaps persistence is the thing though.

Wikis and the like

I have to confess to liking Wikipedia. There. Now I have said it. While I can't let me students quote from it in assignments, it really is a good place to start on any topic. I tend to use it as a starting place and then move on to "more intellectual" sources. Especially as there are linked websites that provide a more detailed perspective.

Technology on another island

Just in case you thought I had fallen off the planet - or given up on the 23 things.... I am now investigating technology in Hawai'i. It is very interesting to note that Sheraton Hotels are like the Intercontinental in Mauritius. You have to write a blog in the lobby as they don't have free intenet (wireless or cable) in the rooms. Really weird. What is also weird is that you have to queue at times to use the computers in the lobby. Supply and demand should tell us something here....
Beautiful weather and a great conference.

Twittering along

Well, I am now on Twitter also. I am tweeting away (does that make me a twit??). Anyway, again I was surprised how easy it was to do. I will have to see how long I will tweet (twit!) - it all depends.

University of the People

Saw a really interesting article that is about a free university, where there are no course fees etc. All on the Internet. I think this is probably the most interesting way to see how technology has affected education (and will probably in the future).
Check out the article:

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-15-online-university-free-for-all

#5 image generators

Saw this cookie, and in line with my "love" of Nestle, decided to link it to an earlier blog.
Ok, I promised to move onto a new topic

Technology on an Indian Ocean island

Just so you all know - I am doing an island visit to determine the effect of technology on the island of Mauritius. No, actually here for some examination business, but the next blog will focus on this. What is interesting is that at the Intercontinental Hotel (5 star hotel!), you have to pay for internet access in the rooms. Wifi only in the lobby. Makes you wonder whether they have read their market (or not)!! Do they want to attract 5 star guests? They do charge 5 star prices for their accommodation!! Anyway, the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful!!!

Week #4

Read up on RSS feeds (always saw the sign and reckoned it wasn't for me). Found that Seth Goddin has a blog - and there is a website telling you what blogs are regarded as the most influential (what would we do without Google?). Have subscribed to a few - let's see how it works!

Read this comment in a wonderful article on Nestle and blogs. (http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/mummy-bloggers-spit-the-dummy-over-nestles-spoilt-milk-20091007-gmcd.html)

"Responding to the #nestlefamily Twitter storm, Nestle Australia's corporate affairs manager, Fran Hernon, said the reactions were biased and "predictable".
"This just goes to show that the blogosphere is a tough place to try to have a rational argument!," she wrote in an emailed statement."
Hmmm. Is she suggesting customers (and bloggers) aren't rational. Or that they don't express themselves rationally in a blog? Is this "typical" PR spin or is there an underlying dismissive attitude toward the customer being expressed? Or does she just not like the fact that customers are questioning the "almighty" corporate?

Blogging for money

I was reading the other day about a chap who blogs every day - and gets paid to mention various names (He earns more money than most South Africans). Besides admiring his entrepreneurial ability, one has to wonder what effect his WOM has on the success (sales) of the organisation. Plus, what about the measurement of the success? What really is the difference between what advertising does and what he does on his blog?

Information overload #3

Back to technology, a statistic has been quoted about the number of new blogs being added everyday (I don't want to provide a number - people will think I am making it up!). The number of blogs means everyone (including me) gets to express an idea in cyberspace. But how many last? How many people read blogs regularly? What is the life span of a blog? Linked to that, is the question about information overload.
When is what other people write interesting, and when is it too much?

Brands I am boycotting - Nestle

OK,enough of the warm fuzzy stuff. Time to get militant - and use Web 2.0.
Grace Mugabe sells milk off her dairy farms to Nestle (note - plural). How did she get them - ask the farmers who were dispossessed. Nestle admits they buy from her farms, contravening EU sanctions. Their excuse - their headquarters are in Switzerland, and they have "broken no laws". They "just buy on the open market".
My family will not be buying any Nestle brands for the next 3 months. I will have to find new chocolates (or go without)(Aero)and find other coffee (Nescafe) and cat food (Friskies).
I will do without if necessary. I know they don't care. I am sure my actions alone will not impact their profits. But I do care about the morality of business.
Perhaps they will think more morally the next time they "buy in the open market".

See the detailed report at:
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-09-27-grace-mugabes-dairy-farm-in-deal-with-nestl

Braaivleis, rubgy, sunny skies and Chevrolet

While we are on the Heritage track (and 24 September being Heritage day and Braai day), I was reminded of the wonderful jingle we grew up hearing - "braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies and Chevrolet" (repeated a few times of course). For those in consumer behaviour, I wasn't very old (really!) but still remember the lines that follow ("they go together, in the good old RSA"). The images (as in most advertising) showed very happy people driving a Chevrolet (of course)and all singing cheerfully.
It seems that not only did Fray Bentos pies and creme soda taste better, but the jingles were better!

Brands I remember

Today is Heritage day, and I was thinking about the brands I have such positive memories in my mind. Some are still around (creme soda coldrink, though it doesn't taste quite the same) while others are not. The specific one I have been thinking about is Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney pies. I remember my late grandmother (Nana) serving them regularly. It would come in a tin and you would have to take the lid off before baking it in the oven. They were always so nice, with the creme soda coldrink!
Sigh.

Having a holiday

Well, for those eager blogfollowers, sorry to disappoint you all. Tomorrow is a public holiday in SA, and its time to prepare for some time off.
Will have time to think... perhaps.

The challenges of students online

Just to go back the other party in education, if we want to "gently lead a student back to himself" as the task of education, we make a number of assumptions about the party. They must want to be led, they must be able to read (and understand what is said).
So, what's with this "leading". You can only lead someone where you have been. Am I really able to do this? How do I encourage a student to "be led"? What about the attitude of the leader i.e. my attitude to leading others?
Rather challenging I say!!

Working with technology

I read a really interesting comment today about the task of academic - that students can get any information they want online. So what is my job as an academic?
It can't be "the fount of all knowledge" - the Internet has more than I can know. Perhaps Leo Buscaglia's definition of education is appropriate - the process of "gently leading you back to yourself". To me this means enabling students to find what they can apply and how to use the information. This in turn changes the way they see the world.
Definitely sounds idealistic.
More on this tomorrow!!

Less excitement than just now!!

It really is quite something to see one's thoughts online - when you have no idea who may (or may not) read it.
It was really very easy to create.
I have been thinking about Web 2.0 and how easy it is for anyone to say whatever they want - virtually unchallenged. Of course, being a marketer, that means that an organisation has to take care with anyone being able to put up a blog in cyberspace. And to follow the blogs that people are writing.
I have always said this in class to students, really unaware of how easy it all is.
Anyone who is going to join me?

I have done it!!!

Well everyone. Here I am with a presence in cyberspace.
Will anyone find my thoughts interesting??
Time will tell