Internet giant Yahoo! is quite a different company these days.
Anchored on its four pillars of growth – mobile, social, native advertising, and videos – the California based company focuses more of its energies these days on creating and curating digital content offered through its multiple online and social platforms. By doing so, it seeks to attract more audiences and advertisers.
How do we combine the discipline of media planning with cutting edge developments in the digital age?
Well, Antony Young of the Water Cooler Group seem to have the answer. In the second edition of his book Brand Media Strategy, Antony delves deep into the discipline of integrated communications planning, showing us how we can develop a strategic and holistic plan to drive brand marketing across all media touch points – traditional, experiential, digital and word of mouth.
Do you know that telcos are the most “socially devoted” brands in Singapore? Or that an infant milk powder brand has the greatest engagement rate for its Facebook posts?
These interesting insights and more were revealed by social listening and analytics software as a service provider Social Bakers in their October report charting out Singapore’s social media scene. Delivered in the form of a detailed infographic, Social Bakers’ report highlighted the top industries and brands engaged in Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Source of image
Social media is a double-edged sword.
Put to good use, it can be a salve for humanity’s woes. Social media allows us to share helpful content, seed ideas, connect with long-lost friends, and form communities around specific interests, relationships and affinities. It also lowers the communication barriers for small businesses, solo-preneurs and freelance talents, allowing them to reach their markets at a fraction of the cost.
Unfortunately, social media isn’t always “sugar, spice and everything nice”. Anybody who creates and publishes public content on a blog, YouTube channel, Facebook page or Twitter account know that it comes with the inherent risks of being flamed or criticised.
Do you know that the views and opinions shared by social influencers aren’t always right? In fact, there is a good chance that they may be wrong.
Now wait a minute.
I am not saying that these luminaries aren’t credible or respectable. In fact, they often have them by the truckloads.
Courtesy of Standford Alumni YouTube
Why do some people perform amazingly well while others falter despite starting off at similar positions in life?
The difference, according to eminent Stanford psychologist Dr Carol Dweck, is in the mind. Or more accurately, your mindset.
What should we do when life throws us lemons? After all, we are living in a flawed world and are prone to anxieties, guilt, torment, depression, and all kinds of problems.
The answer, according to Pastor Joseph Prince, is to believe right. In his latest book, The Power of Right Believing, Prince teaches that “right believing always produces right living” and allows us to “let go of a life of defeat and step into a life full of victory, security, and success”. Focusing our thoughts on God’s love and mercy yields far better outcomes than believing in unhealthy emotions which lead to “toxic feelings of guilt, shame, condemnation, and fear” and ultimately negative behaviors, actions and addictions.
Let’s do a little quiz.
How many of you know who Lim Chin Siong or James Puthucheary were?
Or this formidable sounding dude called “The Plen”?
Stumped? Don’t worry. I was just as clueless.
Hopefully that will change with the re-launch of The Battle For Merger. Narrating how our first PM Lee Kuan Yew wrestled control for Singapore from communist insurgents, the book is published jointly by the National Archives of Singapore and Straits Times Press.
Brainchild of DPM Teo Chee Hean, the reprint of The Battle For Merger chronicled the series of radio broadcasts by former PM and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (LKY). Updated from the original edition published way back in 1962, it contains the transcripts of 12 radio talks written and delivered by Mr Lee between 13 September and 9 October 1961.
People photo created by tirachardz – www.freepik.com
The ageing consumer is one of the most profitable yet untapped segment. Every year, billions of dollars are left on the table by companies around the world as they ignore this increasingly influential and affluent group of consumers.
Consider this.
Courtesy of Little Alaska
“Shhhh!”
Ready?
Let’s be still for a moment.
Slow your thoughts down. Calm your jarred nerves.
Stop scrolling endlessly through your smartphone. The world won’t end with one less “like”, comment, Tweet, or Instagrammed pic.
Put that device down. Shut it off or put it on “flight” mode.
Place it in another room.
Walk to the most quiet place you can find.
Close the door. Cool your environment with a fan or air-con.
Dim the lights.
Find a nice comfortable chair. Sit in a restful posture.
Relax.
Breathe. Inhale deeply.
Hold it there for a while.
Then slowly and evenly exhale.
Do this for about 10 times.
When you’re done, let your mind drift.
Allow your senses to wander.
Forget about the cares of this world. Let it all melt away…
Close your eyes. Think tranquil thoughts.
If you wish, you can meditate.
Focus on the people and things which truly matter.
God. Your family. Great friends. Happy memories of past events.
Laughter. Joy. Love. Warmth. Happiness.
Now is also a good time to pray.
Cast your cares upon God. Let Him shoulder your burdens.
Or you can paint a beautiful picture in your mind. Anything that puts you at peace.
Golden sandy beaches. Cascading waterfalls. Turquoise blue oceans. Snow peaked mountains.
Or think of nothing at all.
Relax.
Let serenity and silence envelope your body.
Allow it to percolate your mind and body.
Feel your muscles relax. From the tip of your head to the soles of your feet.
Be one with the environment.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of stillness.
Open your palms. Release that tension. Release that fear. Release that worry.
Visualise the wind blowing them away. Dissolved into harmless nothingness.
Remain in this state of tranquility for as long as you can.
When you’re ready to get back into the world, slowly reawaken your senses.
One by one let it come back.
Move your arm, your leg and your body.
Finally, open your eyes. Calmly. Gently.
Rise and stand. Stretch.
Open the door and face the world.
Refreshed. Recharged. Reinvigorated.
Repeat as often as you can afford to.