Comments for Unconsultancy

Comment on The Right Face for Leadership by Margarita Campos

Margarita Campos — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:16:49 +0000

This article really called my attention. I would like to know more about it! I would really appreciate it.

Comment on Pricing Experiments (Part 1) by Chris Knapton

Chris Knapton — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:21:24 +0000

Absolutely fascinating! A major part of our video business is Case Studies – we ask our clients’ customers to tell us how good our clients are and the Case Study videos are used to promote our clients throughout the world. What we discovered early on, and what my BBC friends confirm, is that you can ‘prime’ the most hard nosed of interviewees to give the right answers to your questions – even on film. They will take the easy way out because you have given them the basis of their answer, so they think less about the interview and get on with their job as soon as they can. In many ways I think that the whole Case Study business works so spectacularly well is that they give the viewer a ready made decision to buy and a reliable reference in case they are challenged on that decision.

Comment on Pricing Experiments (Part 1) by Atul Thakrar

Atul Thakrar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:13:40 +0000

Thanks Tim, really enjoyed the article and the TED link.

Comment on 10 Strategy Tools for Smaller Businesses by Atul Thakrar

Atul Thakrar — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:33:27 +0000

Its a great, succinct and clear article. Thanks Tim.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Atul Thakrar

Atul Thakrar — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:44:31 +0000

Hi Tim

Its nice to hear from you.

I’m interested and trying to ponder what I can bring to the party.

I cared very much for my granparents and felt the gap then. More recently, over the last year I’ve been pondering the question in the context of my parents in terms of how to get them more involved within and outside of the immediate family in a way that make “sense” for them. In the past, I’ve thought mainly about social ways (classic film nights plus) of increasing connection and more recently, ways afforded by ipads and similar simpler touchscreen devises for accessing the net. I have related thoughts on social clubs and mobile clubs/events which would bring something of interest to an area/community.

I’d be very interested in discussing/brainstorming ideas to this end (increasing social interaction/mobility, particulary in relation to older people (aren’t we all ?). Having reluctantly accepted the need for varifocals recently, I think I’m less in denial about how important it is to address this matter. Further, I believe that there is a tremendous scope for an unintended but beneficial skills/knowledge/wisdom transfer from the older to the younger generation, as well as a potential transfer in the other direction.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Philip Cooper

Philip Cooper — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:36:49 +0000

I probably know and have used as many or more different networking things online than most, both personally and professionally – there’s a large amount out there, it’s quite likely just a question of pulling together and integrating the right combination together with some appropriate mentoring I think.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Sandra Dillon

Sandra Dillon — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:33:14 +0000

I’m over 60 myself and looking after my mother 97 who has major mobility problems. I have many friends who are in a similar position either with elderly parents living with them or who are still on their own. I see a major problem, not with older people using computers to Skype their grandchildren in Australia or see them on Facebook (I agree with Fred Diaz – most who want to can do this can find out for themselves or are shown by said relatives), but with (automatically) contacting relatives, carers or others in an emergency and using technology to help with everyday tasks.
We’re going to have a big problem – not with 60-70-80 year olds who will be generally fit and able to look after themselves – but the 90-100+ whose physical abilities are diminished. We (as a nation) need to:
1. Make sure people keep fit as well as alive into their 90-100s – maybe subsidise exercise classes at local gyms, walking groups, etc.
2. Invest heavily in equipment / robotics / control technology so frail elderly can manage to be independent longer AND for any carers to manage physically handling clients more easily. (Carers are not allowed to lift clients – there has to be two of them and a hoist to get client from bed to chair to toilet – 7 toilet stops a day – you do the math!)
I could go on… But this seems to be an area which needs massive research and investment. We can’t have armies of carers from a cost, available resources and training and quality of life points of view.
I’m in process of setting up a web site to raise these issues.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Rupert Barnes

Rupert Barnes — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:17:29 +0000

I would certainly be interested in this. I have direct experience of people who would really benefit from some well though-out connectivity. Although I graduated in microbiology, I’ve been running an IT business for 25 years and now I’m looking for projects which have some real usefulness – and they don’t have to be IT projects.

You only to have to look at the products and services offered to older people and you can see they often have an “old person” look – think assisted living for example.

Whatever you’re going to offer it would be refreshing if it had a modern feel to it.

East Midlands is manageable for me although not ideal.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Fred Diaz

Fred Diaz — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:55:13 +0000

I suppose this idea came from a younger person who thinks that “older” people do not know how to start a computer and use Facebook. Don’t waste the money on this and use it to support good product, service or other business ideas (coming from young or old people) as there is nothing to support them at the moment, with the gorvernment cuts.

Comment on Innovative Services Ideas that keep Older Adults Better Connected by Ed Hart

Ed Hart — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:42:06 +0000

Sounds like a great idea. From recent experience, I think the key to winning is to be clear about a target market, and demonstrating what the change (and benefit) to their lives will be.
My contribution as an FD is to assess cost/benefit both of our own activity and of that by our proposed market. With a creative sector background, I know that this is needs to be measured in more than just money.
Hope to join the fun!
Ed