So here we are, 2008. It's already been a milestone year for Conscious. Two weeks ago we moved office, we have some photos online if you're curious. We now have plenty of space for our planned growth. 2007 saw us double the size of our business for the 3rd year in a row. And 2008 seems to be going in the same direction with us already being awarded five new projects since the turn of the year.
If one of your new year's resolutions was to update your firm's website then we'd love to talk to you.
I hope you enjoy this issue's selection of articles. If there are any topics you would like to see more of, please do let me know.
Regs….David.
0117 325 0200
In this issue:
- Do pretty forms mean more people fill them in?
- What advantage is there being higher up in Google?
- People's choice: most irritating ads of 2007
- New Property Website
- Navigating the Downturn
- Interesting Report on Leadership & Effective Change Management
- The Fun Bit at the End - Clever Bit of Flash
Do pretty forms mean more people fill them in?
Well if they do, then the signup form on Zooomr (a photo sharing website) would be right up there with them. Take a look at the form, nothing special, nicely laid out. The fonts are bit big for my liking, but try filling it in, this is where the fun starts. There's no need to actually submit your data, just type some real data into the form. I won't spoil the fun by telling you what actually happens. But suffice to say that filling in this form is FUN!
What advantage is there being higher up in Google?
With shades of the current crop of stories about the loss of personal information mentioned above, you might remember that AOL lost the search results data for 650,000 of its users back in 2006. One enterprising soul thought it would be interesting to provide a tool to calculate the percentage increase or decrease in click-throughs that can be expected in moving from one position in the search engine results to another. As AOL Search is powered by Google there is something to learn here.
People's choice: most irritating ads of 2007
Turns out that for the second year in a row Injurylawyers4u tops Marketing magazine's public poll of irritating ads!! Marketing says "The ads may infuriate some, but as long as they drive sales among the right people, the clients don't care. The ads may not be pretty, but they're working."
New Property Website
Everyone is always looking for the "next big thing". Well I think I might have found it for the property sector, it's called Zoopla. This site automatically estimates the value of any property in the UK using a unique algorithm that the site owners have developed. You can also set what they call a TemptMe! price if you are looking to sell your property. Go on, have a nosey at your neighbourhood!!
Navigating the Downturn
Navigator is a newsletter, produced by LawGroupUK, the law firm network consultancy service provider. It is specifically created to help firms navigate their way through any downturn there may be. It emphasises that there are opportunities in a downturn, as well as tightening up on costs etc, and that "battening down the hatches" isn't the only course of action open to law firms. The first issue focuses on opportunities, and on what firms can do to maximise fees in a downturn. You can download the first issue or contact Barry Dahill at bdahill@lawgroup.co.uk, who will be happy to send you a PDF copy.
Interesting Report on Leadership & Effective Change Management
I've seen a review copy of ARK Group's latest report entitled "Leadership & Effective Change Management in Law Firms". The report deals with managing complex change management initiatives in firms of all sizes. It explains in-depth the guiding principles and details a process that will help managers achieve successful and efficient change in their firm. It's a combination of change management theory (from the author Alan Hodgart) along with some real life case studies. I think it was these I found more interesting. The firms featured include Ricksons and Withy King. Contact Adam Scrimshire on 020 8785 5900 or ascrimshire@ark-group.com and quote AS-D1a to get this report for £95 (a discount of £100 off the full price).
The Fun Bit at the End - Clever Bit of Flash
You will have heard me before ruing the use of Flash on websites, but I like a good bit of animation as much as the next man. This is one that I particularly enjoyed. It helps if you have the sound turned on on your computer.
