Ben Davis

Ben Davis is Operations Manager at Econsultancy. He deals with LAN cables, office politics and the occasional blog. You can contact him at ben.davis@econsultancy.com

Five lovely new features that mean Google Plus is about to take hold

Here's a brief summary of the main G+ improvements in effect today.

We at Econsultancy think it now has the chops to garner more users, and these features may enable the platform to take hold...

by Ben Davis 16 May 2013 12:15pm 17 comments

Digital transformation: what is it to ‘be digital’ and exactly who is?

image: butterflysite.com

Just what exactly, in plain English, is digital transformation? Which companies have already undergone it, and which need to? Have some already missed the boat?

If you trawl the web for stories of large organisations being hauled about-face until they are pointed ‘Due Digital’, you’ll find a mix of stuff.

Google ‘digital transformation’ and you’ll see companies like Deloitte, Capgemini, IBM, all providing services for the burgeoning market needing to quickly start thinking digital.

Some of this content is great, and some is still not quite transparent. Whilst white papers detailing change and success in specific sectors are welcome, videos of consultants talking in generalities and marketing speak are less so.

The problem is, of course, that much of any organisation’s digital strategy is unique, and it’s difficult to define what excellence is, or how it can be reached, without first knowing who one is writing for.

This creates one of the challenges for organisations seeking to understand digital; starting the journey is often the hardest step. It’s difficult to know what needs to be looked at first, especially if you have the erroneous and sinking feeling that ‘everything’ needs to be changed.

You might also be trying to articulate to the board why change is needed, and to do this you need to be able to make clear points.

Over the next few months I’m going to look at how ‘digitally mature’ various sectors and organisations are and what the process of digital transformation entails, not least because Econsultancy is actively helping companies in this area (contact our digital transformation consultants if you need help).

by Ben Davis 14 May 2013 12:53pm 9 comments

A look at Nesta's 'Manifesto for the Creative Economy'

Image taken from Nesta.org.uk

Point eight of Econsultancy's Modern Marketing Manifesto (#MoMaMa) regards creative.

Last month, Nesta published its 'Manifesto for the Creative Economy', so let's take a look through this impressive publication and see where Nesta thinks we're at.

by Ben Davis 02 May 2013 09:48am 0 comments

Three modestly-priced ways brands can become publishers

In an online world, publishers need to become retailers, and brands should think about becoming publishers.

Here are three tools or platforms and some case studies which brands can use, for your enjoyment.

by Ben Davis 26 April 2013 13:39pm 2 comments

Are apps the future of the British Museum?

The British Museum has released a decent app that showcases the current ‘Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ exhibition.

Hopes are that people who can’t get to the museum will download the app and experience the exhibition at home.

I discuss the app (made by Apadmi) below in the context of the British Museum's digital stock.

Testing the market and getting experience with an exhibition app build is undoubtedly a smart move, and a tricky undertaking.

by Ben Davis 22 April 2013 10:56am 3 comments

Good and bad design from PR agency websites

PR and marketing agencies don't have it easy. This crowded B2B market means agencies have to crow loudest, longest and with most meaning.

This is a simple little post marking a few things I've liked looking at on agency websites, and some things I haven't. There's likely a whole host of posts to write on copy alone, web design alone, and content alone, but this is just a snippet to start.

I would be very glad to hear pet hates about agency websites in the comments below (keep it friendly:-).

by Ben Davis 17 April 2013 11:17am 2 comments

Five demoralising Google Trends

Google Trends is a time vacuum. Many a time I’ve been lost, exploring abstruse, spurious and tantalising connections between search terms, instead of doing actual work.

Below, with more than a hint of my own tastes, I’ve screenshot some of what I consider to be dispiriting Google Trends (one of the more fun uses of Trends).

See if you agree with my pseudo-pop-culture laments. Yes, this is a pre-UK holiday post, a bit of fun, but, with the inclusion of YouTube search data in Google Trends as of this week, now is a great time to get stuck in yourselves.

by Ben Davis 28 March 2013 12:38pm 5 comments

A bookmarkable guide for digital marketing newbies

The list below includes links to useful resources that you or new staffers can read in month one of a career in marketing. The list is my idea of what is most important or most eye-opening for those beginning their careers.

I’ve been working at Econsultancy London for three years. When I started I didn’t know what the acronym ‘SEO’ stood for. Our recruitment policy has since been firmed up, but the complexity of working online has increased.

Hopefully, whatever your industry or business size, you can read and bookmark this post, or pass on to new colleagues.

by Ben Davis 18 March 2013 10:39am 2 comments

How big data is changing outdoor media

Seeing an ad outdoors has a greater impact on us than one served to our laptop or phone. We come across it, 'discover it' if you want to be properly cheesy, we trust it more, and the creative is tied to a more unique and memorable set of circumstances.

This is of course debatable; there are lots of caveats, but I believe it to be true.

Bear with me on this post, there is going to be some pontificating on a Brian Cox-esque scale (for non UK readers, he's a TV broadcaster who gets very reflective about the universe).

by Ben Davis 27 February 2013 10:34am 0 comments

Obvious and inspired features to improve your press room

Look at Johannes Gutenberg. His eyes seem to say 'can your press or media room be improved?'.

Here's a list of some obvious stuff to include in your press pages, and some more left-of-field options. I've taken many of the examples from the leisure and heritage sectors, but I think you can adapt them all.

Please let me know of any cool stuff you've seen on your web travels.

by Ben Davis 22 February 2013 11:15am 0 comments