Nzime

Facebook have recently been making a lot of controversial changes adding more privacy settings, changing the UI and overall “improvements”. Initially I wasn’t impressed with the improvements but I have come round and agree with most of them, but disagree with the manner they were introduced.

From a PR perspective releasing a large update was the right thing to do but from a users point of view Facebook should have phased in the new functionality.

One thing Facebook are holding back from the masses is the new profile replacement “Facebook Timeline”. Facebook Developers have been given early access to this wonderful new profile page which is a massive improvement on the previous “profile page”.

The timeline is cleaner, more structured and offers functionality previously not available within Facebook. The most notable changes are the timeline down the right side of the page allowing you to track back throughout the years, the large cover image and the layout of your recent activity.

The timeline has great potential, it will be interesting to see how Facebook uses it.

Nike have made the ‘Air Mag’ after 22 years! Although lacking the auto-lacing system they’re still damn cool and feature on-board lights!

After a recent meeting with Lee Kum Kee where they very kindly gave me bottles of their finest Premium Brand Oyster flavored sauce and a bottle of Double Deluxe Soy sauce I decided to ‘get to know the products’! As the originator of Oyster Sauce (123 years old this year) Lee Kum Kee are one of the worlds largest producers of Chinese sauces and condiments. There products are second to none; my cooking however may not have done it the justice it deserved. Not a bad effort though as I even surprised myself at how good it tasted.

Here’s the recipe I followed…. stir fried beef fillet and leek
I did add Udon noodles which I must admit isn’t typical Chinese but….

According to media sources David Cameron has hinted at the government blocking social networks to prevent further riots. Without going into the details of the technical implications of this process that even China struggles with, it seems that the government hasn’t considered the financial impact of blocking social networking services.

“Prime Minister David Cameron has suggested that the government plans to block social media services like Twitter as a way of preventing further riots.”  Read more: Metro

If the Government were to find a way to remove all UK access to Facebook, Twitter and similar social networking services they would need to block the API’s that mobile devices use to connect to the social networks otherwise the block would be pointless. By blocking the API’s you also block the thousands of businesses from using the authentication methods provided by the likes of Twitter and Facebook.

To make the registration and login process easier for users of online services/businesses, many companies have integrated their services and websites into Facebook and Twitters authentication platforms. These platforms allowing users to use their social media accounts to register/login to sites without having to have a separate login and password for every site/service they use.

For example: James has registered with an online store with his Facebook account and wishes to make a purchase. He adds the items to his basket and proceeds to checkout where he is asked to login. James has registered to the site with his Facebook account so he clicks on the Facebook login to be greeted by our governments social media block and cannot proceed with his order. Depending on the duration of the block and the customer in question, the e-commerce seller has potentially lost a sale. If a large percentage of their customer base use Facebook or Twitter Authentication their business wouldn’t be able to make any sales.

Hopefully I am wrong and any block wouldn’t impact businesses but I won’t hold my breath.

Update: Other areas to consider are: Businesses that employ people to handle their social media, businesses that revolve around social media such as facebook applications and facebook online stores.

Nzime recently attended the launch of the Idolins new album at an intimate gig in central Nottingham. As friends of the Idolins for several years we were more than happy to help them out with a new web site, especially as all proceeds from their latest album goes directly to the Rainbows Childrens Hospice.

Karl McKeever (Brand Director of Visual Thinking) is an influential and well respected visual merchandising specialist who works alongside brands such as Marks & Spencer, Harley-Davidson, John Lewis, Waterstones and many, many more. Check the new site and follow Karl on Twitter for VM industry comment and general chit chat.

We have just finished the K-tech product videos which are being rolled out across all their digital channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Blog and the web site. Even non-motorcyclists will want one after watching these.

Using Google maps we calculated the exact distance from the Billboard locations to our clients location. The creative we can do; the golf we can’t….

Laura has pulled it out of the bag this morning with a surprise birthday cake for Andrew which tastes as good as it looks. What a star; on brand too!

There’s only a small slice left so if you’re passing this way today then pop in…

This doesn’t really need explaining as the emails say it all…

Hi

Never usually bother with things like this but I thought it was worth dropping you an email.

I’ve picked up a pack of your ‘Toast For Cheese’ packs today after purchasing from a local deli in Long Clawson after they were running a free tasting at the counter. Lovely product, lovely packaging but when I opened them I felt let down as it appeared half empty; as I say I wouldn’t usually bother mentioning but because everything else was so perfect….

Working in a creative agency I always over analyse these things but by reducing the pack size slightly this would immediately fix this.

Anyway, just had one with some stilton and lime chutney, perfect.

Hope this is helpful and not deemed as negative/annoying.

Cheers
Andrew

Hello Andrew
It was a kind and generous email- thank you for that.

This is a very new product with technical challenges, particularly cutting it, packing it and transporting it.
Initially we had to design the box and tray with hand made products so size-wise we had to play safe.
The first products we produced on the cutting machine were much thinner and so they filled the tray better but we had a lot of breakages in transit,
so we had to set the cutter to produce thicker slices – which take up less space.
This means that the tray is, as you point out, rather roomy’ but I am thrilled to see an absence of broken’ Toasts’ in the tray.
We are planning to have a tray with a divider soon, and ideally down size the box a touch.
Because the product is by nature fragile I fear we will always look a bit over-packaged but at least that way we will keep damages to a minimum.
(Have you ever watched TNT in action? – suitably named after an explosive)

Anyway I ‘m glad you like the product.  It is expensive to produce ( 60% fruits/nuts and seeds) – so please understand we are not trying to mislead our customers.

Thank you writing – I will send you another variety for you to to try out and spread the  good word….
best wishes
Ann-Marie