Google Canada tweeted this week that there are 2 million business in Canada and 1 million of those businesses are not currently online. Many of the responses to those tweets resulted in how agencies like ours will be very busy – we all hope for that. But more importantly is providing businesses with an understanding of the power -on how to leverage the online tools that include social media, mobile, email, search, linking, video etc. – while not having to drop their current offline communications marketing practices -that these said business feel are successful. Total communications means using the offline marketing initiatives, print, pop, television, radio etc. as tools to leverage your online communications and vise versa. Bridging that gap because both worlds still matter. Read the rest of this entry »

There has been a large amount of buzz, articles and info. on businesses getting into mobile. In the last couple of weeks I have personally attended two conferences that had mobile as one of their key topics of discussion. My thoughts come from an article that I just read and will include with this post – about the fashion business and how that industry can make the most of mobile commerce. Coming from the fashion business as my first career it triggered some thoughts.

Most of us, even those of us who still do not have smart phones own phones that provide cameras, texting and email. We take those phones with us everywhere and use them as a beacon to stay connected, informed and give us the answers to the info. we need immediately. This simple deduction makes mobile a key player in how we live our lives day to day. For those that have a smart phone such as myself – apps are a key way to get information from brands, products and services we use and evangelize and keep customers  informed. In some cases these apps allow the purchase of products from a mobile device, other apps provide updates about sales, events, promotions and new product launches. It makes sense in the retail world that finding ways to leverage mobile commerce should be high on the marketing budget and strategy list. Read the rest of this entry »

As mobile continues to grow and more people are now using smartphones – the opportunity to leverage their multi-function applications for marketing of your brand products and services – has become increasingly important. As our world continues to be more connected with social media the ability to use your phone – as your roaming computer – has made information available to you  instantly. I am sure you have seen or heard about QR codes. The black and white matrix embedded in a box shape. By using your camera to take a picture of the matrix – it allows you access to websites, images and text. Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Everyone it has been almost 3 weeks since my last post. For all those who have an RSS feed with SHARE blog I sincerely apologize for the lack of posting. Over a 3 year period I have been able to be dedicated and consistent – regarding our posts week in and week out. A month ago, what is happening to many of us all – happened to me. My father who at 90 has been healthy, mobile and busy with some general illness issues – that anyone with almost a century behind them would accumulate – has become seriously ill. We have had repeated visits to emergency as well as admittance and then releases and then started the process all over again. With him being an hour away – I am finding out what it is like to be a commuter and to be of as much support as I can – as one of the primary care givers for my father.

We believe that or I should say I believed – I was prepared for when this day would come, but when it arrived I was not even close to being ready. I think for all of us, know matter what age our parents are – we are never prepared for them to have to go through the challenges that can come as you age. In our case my father is a fighter and determined to surpass all of these serious issues as soon as possible. It is our job to help support him and negotiate the challenges and find outside support to help us do that as best we can.

In these times what I have learned is that family comes first and then everything must come after that. None of us are super human – especially women who want to take on the world! That by the way would be me!! The result is that the blog has fell behind and so I felt it important to SHARE where I was and hopefully touch someone else who is going through the same experiences as I am! Life is an evolution and we are all on a journey – sometimes SHARING what we are going through helps us as much as it does others!

Looking forward to getting back to the world of social media next week!

Best Nicole

When is the last time that you left your house or office without your cell phone? Or went throughout the entire day leaving your cell phone behind on purpose? For me, my cell is my personal and business lifeline all wrapped up into one. It houses my contact list—the days of remembering a phone number are long gone. My calendar, my email, texts and the internet are all at my finger tips should I need to search something. My social media feeds are there too so I can Tweet and update Facebook as I move throughout my day. My alarm for the morning resides on the phone as well, and yes—it stays by my bed at night when I am asleep!
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For those that follow us on Twitter and Facebook - you know that yesterday I attended The Art of Marketing. It was a great event - but what I really enjoyed was the ability to SHARE with others – some of the many take-aways that I received from each speaker by Tweeting – better yet were the retweets I received from those that loved what I was SHARING. It adds a new dimension to be able to use your mobile device and be connected not just by email but in real-time to the social networks that are part of your day – to – day or I should re phrase that to say my day- to- day life.
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When we created SHARE, it was founded on a basic idea: that as successful, bright, creative women who are key influencers and decision makers for point of purchase (across so many categories and channels), we could really make a difference with our knowledge, based on who we are and the clients we work with. One of the reasons we focus on social media, is because of the ease in which we understand the parallel between social media and the way women naturally connect and engage with one another. Of course, we’re always clear that what is good for women is GREAT for men.
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Social media is no longer a phenomenon for most businesses. Many have yet to jump into the mix, but we no longer need to spell it out for them. That’s progress people! As for where social media is going, we’re looking at web video and mobile, from my perspective. I love videos. They are funny, you get to see someone in real-time, and you can connect with and share them so easily. Many videos are funny or inspiring—and can’t we all use some humour or inspiration now and then?
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I have a one word answer. Women. The Economist suggests that  women in the West are responsible for more than 80% of purchase decisons. That means they are purchasing in every product category—regardless of what many stereotypes suggest. That means not just great bags and shoes, but consumer electronics, cars and their maintenance and parts. That means the “traditional boy toys” are now the domain of the woman purchaser or decision maker that will decide what “boy toy” to buy!
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One of the big questions I get at the end of many of the meetings I attend….is what is next—beyond social media in the next 12 to 24 months? I always answer mobile. The convienience of being able to access information on your phone that’s tailored to your needs—at any time, any place, whenever you want—really speaks to many.
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