Young Social Entrepreneur

We have moved

2010-10-28T14:01:00.003+01:00

This blog post has been redesigned and is no longer in use. To read more on Young Social Enterprise check out www.youngsocialentrepreneur.co.uk

Social Enterprise leaders react to the news of a UK Hung Parliament

2010-05-12T16:07:00.001+01:00

Having read the leaders of the social enterprise movements reaction to the news of the election, I remain confident of the enterprise I manage (Gateway Media) continued growth in the coming years. As City Gateway's longest established social enterprise I'm also pleased to have been referred to very positively by David Cameron last year, hopefully he hasn't forgotten the impact that social enterprises can have if properly supported;

I see a really important role for social enterprises, like City Gateway in Tower Hamlets, which takes young adults from local estates and trains them in the skills our economy will need in the future like web design. These social enterprises have the local knowledge, the human touch, and sensitive understanding of the complex and interconnected problems of educational failure and worklessness and I want to see more City Gateways come in, take this recession by the scruff of the neck and help get people into work.

David Cameron, Prime Minister.

That's twitting fantastic! - A case study on bringing business value using Twitter

2010-03-26T10:41:00.001Z

Here is some proof that Twitter can be successfully used as a business development tool. I gained free marketing exposure and PR through an interaction on the social networking site.

Following the purchase of a new high quality camera stand we Tweeted a photo of the image. The manufacturer of the stand, who already had a presence on the site, viewed the Tweet and got in touch. Here is what the Twitter interaction looked like:

Following a short interaction we put out a joint press release with a photo I had taken and this ended up being used as the cover image for TV technology Europe magazine with a half page spread inside.

So be encouraged, Twitter is a real time way to interact with potential partners, clients and suppliers in a positive way. It has certainly encouraged me to give more attention to the platform. To read the article featuring my interview click here.

Re-designed Gateway Media Newsletter

2010-03-25T14:23:00.004Z

Having used the same e-shot template for a year now I decided that we should give it a redesign to preempt the launch of our new website next month. This is the first edition of the new look version featuring our little Robot pal, click image to view an online version, it was sent out to our database of nearly 3,900 subscribers. If you want to sign up for the next edition click here.

Viral Video - 1 Man, 1 Reason, 100km

2010-03-22T09:56:00.006Z

Double click on the video to go through to Youtube and watch it in High Definition.

Managing a media company specialising in both video production and online media could only lead to one thing, a viral video. I was with a friend a couple of years ago when he had a serious skateboard injury, damaging his skull and needing a air ambulance ride to hospital. Luckily he quickly made a full recovery and since then has been involved with a charity that helps people with similar injuries, Headway East London. I also had a trampoline accident a couple of years ago which left me with post concussion syndrome, basically concussion for an indefinite time. It lasted for 3 months and I know that if I knew of Headway at the time I would have gone to them for advice and guidance.

My friend is now running 10km in 10 days to raise awareness and funds for the charity and I wanted to help his cause by getting a viral video online and seeing how far it would spread. This is a personal video, not work done by Gateway Media. 'Going Viral' is an affordable way to get your message out there, you don't need to spend a lot but you do need to be creative.

Selling with Pain

2010-02-26T11:26:00.008Z

This post was used as a guest blog spot on Dexter Moscow's 'Audience Dynamics' blog, you can view the post here.

It is widely understood that some of the main barriers to selling are:

Lack of Sales Process
Lack of Necessary Skills
Lack of Ongoing Assessment
Lack of Focus
Limiting Beliefs in Yourself

During a recent sales workshop with a leading TV salesman (Dexter Moscow, of the QVC shopping channel), I was introduced to a new method that has made me reassess my approach to sales. Dexter only has seconds to sell products so needs to get to the root of things quickly.

Having been previously told to sell with benefits rather than features, I have now been told to sell on 'pain'. 'Pain', in this instance, is the issue or problem that you are resolving for the person you are trying to influence.

Taking this approach affects your whole sales activity. In a meeting situation to make them really think about the 'pain' you might take them on a journey so that they personally relate to a situation when the pain might arise, this means telling a story.

If your not in a meeting you might, like Dexter only have a few seconds. I am going to focus on how this knowledge has changed my 'elevator' or '30 seconds' pitch. This is when you only have a short time to get someone interested in what you are doing, for example if you get in an elevator with a key decision maker for 30 seconds what would you say? You can see how I have developed my pitch below.

Version one
"I work for Gateway Media, a digital media agency offering video, design and online services to leading companies in the UK. We have had great success in improving our client’s communication and marketing strategy."

Notice how this is too focused on me and my business features and not on the benefits to the client.

Version two
"I help companies to communicate more effectively through the use of creative digital media solutions. We are currently working with some of the top names in construction, banking and the legal sector enabling them to enhance their messages through video, design and online."

This makes more of an effort to specify the benefits to the client, taking the focus away from us and onto the client.

Version three
"I am currently working with business leaders who are having difficulty growing their business in the current economy. They are not being noticed in their markets and don't have the time or skills to tackle the problem. I don't suppose you are suffering these problems in your business?

In bold are the 'pains' (problems) that we have identified and are trying to solve. These can be focused on whoever you are speaking with if you know what their problems might be. This new take on an elevator pitch removes the service offering, features and benefits altogether.

The person I am speaking with does not know what services I am offering but if the problems resonate they will, in their response, give me the information I need to make an offer. If they do not have any of the 'pain' mentioned then you have saved time in finding this out up front.

Remember you are not trying to offer solutions at this stage, just finding out if these issues are relevant to them.

Your aim is to take the person from a place of pain to a place of pleasure.

Premier of our latest promotional video at 11 Downing Street

2009-10-30T11:20:00.012Z

The 28th of October 2009 was an eventful day for Gateway Media and myself. We were able to premier our latest video work at Number 11 Downing Street as part of our parent charity, City Gateway, 10 year celebration. The event was attended by a number of Gateway Media's clients along with other partners of City Gateway and a number of MP's. The video shown was a short promotional video highlighting City Gateway's work followed by another video on how corporate partners could get involved. The video was another first for us as it was shot using a Canon 50D Mk2 which is a high quality DSLR camera rather than our normal video equipment. I was really proud to be a part of the night and how the Gateway Media team and City Gateway were represented (plus I got a pic outside number 10 next door!)

With so many media channels available, why video still wins...

2009-10-02T12:08:00.003+01:00

How Video Helps to Grow Business
An interview with Steve Goodwin, CEO of What’s Up Information and Tilted Disco. Steve is also a Young Ambassador for the Princes Trust. 30th September 2009

Why did you need a video and what issues did it solve for your company?
"We needed a time and cost effective way to push forward our new 'Tilted Disco' project and felt that the most effective way of doing so was visually, to get the best impact. A high quality promotional video gives a really good representation of our business and has the flexibility to be used to warm leads up before business development meetings and as an effective form of online PR. Social media and networking sites make the video easier to distribute to a wider audience than it has been possible to do so before."

In light of the current economic downturn, how important was it that you made the decision to produce the video at this time?
"It was very important for us to commission the video when we did. In these times it is more important than ever to stand out from your competition and Gateway Media give a very cost effective and creative way of doing so, which delivers your message with real impact. Now we have the right tools in place to press ahead with our development."

What types of companies could this service be useful to?
"A promotional video is a really smart way to communicate a product or service. It makes the service or product on offer easier to understand and makes the business seem more 'real' than text ever would. It's a very effective and clean way of representing your business. I think every business could benefit from the use of video, especially as the internet has made it much easier to distribute."

Any last thoughts on your experience of working with Gateway Media?
"The team at Gateway Media were very helpful, being able to come up with a very creative and professional end product and making our budget go a long way. The whole process, from planning through to production, went very smoothly and we were more than happy with the end result."

"If you need a highly professional, well thought out and cost effective video to deliver your message effectively and with lots of impact then I would recommend Gateway Media to keep you ahead of the game."

For more information on Steve's ventures see www.whatsupinformation.com and www.tilteddisco.com

View Tilted Disco / Promotional Video

This motion graphics led promo film showcases Tilted Disco’s new themed night club to festival organisers and the festival-going public. Read more...

Recession means more young people are in need of City Gateway's youth training services

2009-08-20T10:20:00.004+01:00

This month sees an explosion in press coverage of our parent charities youth training scheme. First we had Sir Ian McKellen visit, then ITN and the BBC and now I find out that England Football player Peter Crouch is coming to our youth club on Monday with Sky News. Oh the power of celebrity! We will have to see how much effect it has on gaining the enterprise as well as the charity some real exposure.

The BBC story has been put up on their website so check it out to see how the recession is putting more and more demand on City Gateway's training services, this in turn makes my job of creating unsecured funding through enterprise profits more important than ever. Click the video above to see the BBC coverage, or follow this link to see us on CNN! http://bit.ly/oSlxC

Now that's what I'm talking about, Sir Ian McKellen comes to say hi!

2009-08-18T17:49:00.005+01:00

Last Friday we made a visit to the youth club our parent charity operate to film Sir Ian McKellen (famed for his roles as Magneto in Xmen and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings) judge an art competition. Having previously agreed to do the voiceover for our promo video we though we would try and get him to sit down for a chat on camera to help us gain exposure for the charity, launch an new volunteering initiative to get more office workers down to our centres in their lunch breaks and practice our interview filming skills. We are pleased with the way it has turned out and even managed to get some local press coverage from it. So if your running a social enterprise or charity keep your ear out for any local celebrities or sports people, you never know who might live down the road!

New Dockland Light Railway progress video finished and leading to greater things

2009-08-11T11:20:00.005+01:00

I just delivered the latest construction update to Taylor Woodrow VINCI for their Dockland Light Railway Capacity Enhancement project. This is the third of four videos being produced for the project.

Having done similar videos for the past couple of years we are starting to get noticed by other construction firms for our use of digital media. Our video's are shown at high level presentations with an audience of senior management from contractors, and train operating companies. One such viewing of our video has lead us to book up a workshop with Network Rail's Corporate Governance team to explore ways they can use video so things are really looking up! Watch this space.

Gateway Media starting to make real waves in the construction industry

2009-07-30T13:59:00.006+01:00

We have been working for some time in the construction industry creating record of progress video's, timelapse video's and training videos and have had a very positive response.

Having started with a single newsletter production contract the time spent developing relationships within key accounts lead to new contacts with some of the top construction firms in the UK including VINCI, Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Network Rail. All very exciting when you consider the traditionally slow take up of new technologies for the industry.

In light of our progress I interviewed Fred Garner, the Head of Rail for our largest client VINCI Construction, which is also the largest construction firm in the world.

Top Construction Firm Embraces Digital Communications Revolution

VINCI Construction UK Limited is using digital media agency, Gateway Media London, to support the work they are undertaking for Network Rail as part of the £500m redevelopment of King’s Cross station. The award-winning media agency are producing a series of record-of-progress style video updates to be used for internal and external communication, highlighting the construction industry's move to using digital media as a more effective form of communication.

Fred Garner, Programme Director for the King’s Cross project said, “We understand the benefits of using these new techniques to enhance communication. The industry is moving in this direction to be more dynamic in the current market, and we’re happy to have Gateway Media on board as we move with it.”

Gateway Media, who previously worked with the Company on its Docklands Light Railway Capacity Enhancement Project, will produce a regular progress update for the duration of the project, with plans to compile a full-length documentary on completion in 2011.

Their manager, Simon Baker, is pleased to be continuing the relationship; he said, "Large construction firms are taking advantage of the added value that digital media can bring to the industry. Now more than ever, Project Managers are looking at creative ways to add value to their communications strategies and at using digital media as a source of competitive advantage and cost savings."

Representing UK Social Enterprise to the Japanese Government

2009-07-27T15:40:00.007+01:00

Social Enterprise is a movement that continues to gain momentum both within the UK (with over 55,000 SE's now active) and worldwide. I have recently seen a surge in interest in the sector, it all started with a visit from a group of Irish Entrepreneurs who were on a tour of London based SE's looking to get tips on how to develop their own. Then I had an odd email from a 'fixer' to arrange a meeting between our social enterprise and a delegation of the Japanese Government who were interested in looking at the best examples of social enterprise in the UK. Having not advertised the fact that we are a social enterprise (we try to sell on the quality of our services instead) I was surprised that they had found us, and later learned that it was because we were picked as Social Enterprise London's Social Enterprise of the week. The group that visited were members of the Governments financial institution called the National Life Finance Corporation or NLFC. Their aim was to research how to create a policy to supporting small and micro enterprises through loans and consultancy services, in order that if successful they could solve social problems and assist in community regeneration.

It is encouraging to know that Social Enterprises are being seen as a success around the world and that they are being supported by governments to bring social change. If you would like to arrange a visit to the Gateway Media office then get in touch!

To view an article in which City Gateway's enterprises are hailed as an example of good practice by Ofsted click here.

The Gateway Media Summer eBulletin is now live

2009-07-27T10:56:00.007+01:00

Well it's been a pretty crazy summer with some of our biggest video jobs to date and no number of website development enquiries but I have found the time to pull together some highlights for our Summer eBulletin to try and keep past and prospective clients in the loop and us on their mind. In this months edition we have tried to include something for everyone, 3rd sector, corporate, SME and construction. Also, following the success of last months digital marketing seminar, every reader has the opportunity to sign up for the next one we have planned for mid Septemeber. I hope you enjoy and if you have any comments on what you would like to see in the next newsletter let me know!

VIEW SUMMER NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Your digital marketing strategy: Getting it right first time

2009-07-14T16:12:00.012+01:00

Having attended a number of seminars, workshops, networking events and conferences we decided to put on our own workshop, titled as above. The aim of the workshop is to teach people how, with the right open source software, it can be pretty cheap to set your digital marketing strategy up. As the attendees were all social enterprises or charities this was important. Workshops are also a way of getting the company name out there and improving our rep, although obviously they do take some planning.

Today was the first session and the results were good. I wasn't sure how much detail to go into and what to focus on as digital media is such a broad subject so was pleased that there were only 7 or so businesses present. The topics covered included an overview of digital media, developing your online presence (including Content Managed Websites and Social Media), client relationship management as a backbone of the company (we use Sugar CRM Community edition which is open source) and Promotional strategies. The power point is above, although if you really want to find out more you should attend our next session, click here for more details and some feedback from today's session.

Our new Green Screen Studio is up and running and here is the first video!

2009-07-11T14:36:00.008+01:00

The team was really excited last month when we purchased our own Green screen studio. The idea was to use it on our upcoming training video production for Canary Wharf Construction but we have managed to put it to good use already! Tilted Disco, who tour a club night around UK music festivals, asked us to produce an online promo video to get festival goers and organisers talking. The club night, which has already featured at Glastonbury, is sure to gain more exposure following our efforts. The video was shot frame by frame with a DSLR stills camera and then animated in post production. As I predominantly work in corporate media it was great to be involved in a project that really let the creative juices flow, more of the same please! - Here is what we came up with.

Keeping the business Flexible for Customer Satisfaction - Getting out of the comfort zone

2009-06-29T12:21:00.007+01:00

A key element for customer retention is customer satisfaction. Our clients have shown in feedback that they really value our flexibility and it is this that ensures great levels of satisfaction. This idea was tested this week when one of my largest clients called first thing in the morning and asked to move an agreed deadline forward from a weeks time to 2 hours time(!).

In this situation I think the key is to be as proactive as possible but always managing the clients expectations. The work that needed doing was a video job, we had already produced the final edit but didn't have the DVD menu system designed and our video editor was away for the week. With no previous experience on the software I had to go through a steep learning curve using blogs and online resources to deliver for the client. In doing so we have ensured that our flexibility can be relied upon. Small firms have a flexibility that just isn't present in larger entities, it also means that those involved in managing and working are constantly stretched, accelerating their personal and professional development, which in turn motivates the team. I think if it's a challenge and it's possible then why not go for it.

If you are interested, here's what I learned: A Step-by-step guide to making a autoplay DVD on DVD Studio Pro on a Mac:

1. Export file from final cut:
Export Quicktime File - DV PAL 48 Khz, Anamporphic.
2. Open DVD Studio Pro and Click Import Asset (top left) - import your .mov file
3. Delete the blue 'menu' box
4. Highlight both the video and audio files and drag into center of the Green 'track' box.
5. Set properties of track - click on the Green 'track' box and bottom right box of screen will turn to 'track'
- Set Display mode as 16:9 Pan-Scan & Letterbox
- Rename file if necessary
- Select end jump, from drop down select 'tracks and stories' then select your file and chapter 1.
6. Set properties of disc - click off the Green 'track' button and onto the gray and bottom right box of screen will turn to 'disc'
- DVD Standard - SD DVD
- Video Standard - PAL
- First Play - Drop Down - 'tracks and stories' then select your file and chapter 1.
- Rename if necessary.
7. Test - click simulate on top panel
8. Burn your disc - Select File - Advanced Burn - Build and Format - Check Name is Correct - Select a file for the current build - Don't touch output device - Select Build and Burn.
9. Check the disc on a PC and Mac (please not that when playing you may need to turn on deinterlacing if you see any lines come up from rapid movement on screen, although most DVD playing software and all DVD players should do this automatically).

I launched the Young Social Entrepreneur Linked In Group

2009-06-18T13:39:00.007+01:00

Today I set up the Young Social Entrepreneurs Group on Linked In. I am a member of a lot of the groups on Linked In but realised that there wasn't much aimed specifically at people in my position. Also having become part of the Future Shifters community I think that as one of the leading business networking sites on the net, Linked In is a place that young social entrepreneurs should have a unified presence.

Join the movement - Click here if you would like to join the group.

What is Social Enterprise?

2009-06-12T15:27:00.010+01:00

Do you know? I don't think anyone really knows do they? My view is it’s when a business is run commercially but is also ethically supportive of an element of our society or environment that needs help. Gateway Media is more towards the commercial side of SE, we are trying to get funds for our parent Charity City Gateway through selling our services, but we do not deliver much of the social outputs ourselves. Our sister enterprise, Flavour Gateway, is a catering company which uses lots of economically inactive women to deliver a great quality catering service so they are more socially focused (www.flavourgateway.com).

As all business are individual it's hard to pigeon hole them into a specific definition of Social Enterprise, but for the people working in a Social Enterprise, they know who they are doing it for, in our case the local community instead of a group of shareholders...rock on.

Oxfam also describe it well in the following ad (although Social Enterprise is never actually mentioned you should get the idea!). The video is produced by Benji at Frater (www.fraterfilms.com), who I hope to collaborate with in the future.

Gateway Media May 2009 Newsletter now available online.

2009-06-03T00:00:00.005+01:00

It's been a while in the planning but for once we are doing our very own Newsletter rather than another companies, wonderful. To kick it off this month we have:

Tips from the team - Social Media
Sir Ian McKellen Lord of the Voiceovers
Playing games with Canary Wharf Group
Taylor Woodrow speed up time
City Gateway charity goes mobile

Click the image to go to the online version, I hope you like. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

The City Gateway Blog - Tips on how to improve your blog

2009-05-15T10:17:00.006+01:00

Our parent charity City Gateway had just launched it's 10 year celebration blog, this aims to improve recognition of the charity using big named MP's that are involved. You can view the blog here and watch out for some posts featuring Gateway Media's clients soon.

I believe that people sell to people, that means getting your face out there and being honest and personal. Company blogs are fine but lack that personal touch and therefore if you can get a blog which has good links back to the business but contains enough of your personality then your on to a winner. Here are ten tips on how you could try and improve your personal or company blog to drive more people to your site.javascript:void(0)

1. Find some high ranking blogs, websites, and other sites and start exchanging links on blog roll.
2. Make sure you sign up for Google Analytics and track your web statistics
3. Submit your RSS feed and url to rss and blog directories as well as search engines
4. Comment on other blogs that are within your industry and that has an influence on their readers.
5. Post, post and post at least 3 to 5 times per week. Content is probably the number one reason a blog boost to number one.
6. Be polite by always responding to comments on your blog as well as thanking other bloggers who have linked to you. Also, always site where you got your story lead or content.
7. Don't be afraid to interview other bloggers.
8. Use your blog to get media credentials
9. Get off the computer and network with your targeted audience. Add your blog address to your business card.
10. Promote your blog using social media networks.

New Media Website up and running

2009-05-12T12:29:00.008+01:00

It's been a long time coming but I have just signed off phase one of our new website, the new site has a professional feel to keep in line with our corporate client base but we try where we can to be a bit funky. I went for an interesting menu lay out to differentiate it from other sites, although I know that this might seem a little confusing for first time visitors so I will review it in phase two. Phase two will involve a staff intranet, new footer with subscribe button on every page, new video portfolio and design sections and a blog. Any feedback on the new site to simon.baker@gateway-media.co.uk.

The top tips contained in the Newsletter are the call to action to get people to the site, we have also put a lot of linkable video's to try and drive the traffic and get people to continue reading. The top tips contain information on your brand tone of voice, which I found useful when producing the copy.

A Good site to show the best of Flash and burn a few minutes on a Friday

2009-04-24T13:04:00.005+01:00

I was really impressed with this site and think you will be as well. I particularly like the King of the Bongo Skeleton, check it out!

Time Lapse Video - All or Nothing

2009-04-21T15:34:00.005+01:00

Quite often we create services based on requests from our clients. Sometimes these services go on to be successful but often they are one offs. Our latest client requested new service is time lapse photography and we have already received a second request, this time for a 2 year shoot. From working in media in the construction industry for some time I always expected that we would need to do some of this at some point so had done bits of research in the past. In the end we were all very pleased with the result.

Making a time lapse video is tricky because you need to get the camera set up right for when the subject matter of the shoot is at it's best and in all likely hood you will not be with the camera at that time. We had to film through the day and night and that meant getting some advice from the experts (thanks Dougal www.dougalwaters.com).

The shoot was for Taylor Woodrow, one of our largest clients. They wanted to film the 72 hour extension of East India Dockland Light Railway Station in London. Our set up was a small form factor PC with a Canon 400D and we used canon remote capture at with a delay of 15 seconds between each shot over the 72 hour shoot. We then processed the footage using Quicktime Pro and Final cut pro. The results can be seen below.

Church Hires PR firm press release picked up in the states

2009-04-16T16:34:00.006+01:00

It's time to get some much needed exposure by putting our name into the press. Our first press release is about a church who chose Gateway Media to be their main media provider. I was amazed to find that although it didn't get much coverage in the UK (other than a few local papers), it was in fact picked up on a blog in America.

I aim to put one press release out a month to try to attract traffic to the website. If you are thinking of putting a release out then here are some tips:

Click here to read our article on the US blog.

Press Release Tips

Define your target audience before writing
Define the publications you are aiming at and write in a similar style
Use short easy to read sentences with simple words
Be factual - not a sales pitch
Make sure the release is news worthy from a readers perspective
The Headline must be powerful or they will not read past it
Opening sentence - the who, what, why and when's of it all
Make sure you include detailed information about the event or product
Include corporate info at the bottom of the release about your business
Include complete contact information
Also make sure that you put the entire release on the email as well as an attachment when you send to it to the editor to make it easy to view for them

It's my 26th Birthday and I'm making making 250 salads

2009-04-08T15:13:00.012+01:00

It's nice to have a break from the office, especially on your birthday, but this is not exactly what I had in mind. I was called in to help produce food for one of our catering companies first orders for an Easter event held locally. Since Flavour Gateway's launch at the City Gateway showcase event in Canary Wharf it has been amazing to see what a demand there is for good honest food with a great social output. A lot of the women who will eventually work for FG will come on as volunteers and it will probably be there first job. If you haven't had a chance to visit the new site which Gateway Media designed click the link above.

We bag Sir Ian McKellen for our latest promo video

2009-03-10T10:32:00.014Z

Promo Video's have always been a sore point for me, I always wanted something that was innovative and had that special something but we never have the budget to pull it off. In the end it came down to experimentation with one of our motion graphic artists and insight from Neil our creative director to come up with the idea of using live action with graphics. While the video was under way we were asked to film an event for City Gateway where Sir Ian McKellen and Rapper Akala were launching the Hip Hop Shakespear Company. I had one of those last thing at night brainwaves to try and get Sir Ian to do our voiceover and when we pulled him to one side on the day he did the honours. Check a pic of Sir Ian in action and the finished video.

I found and joined Futureshifters - a network for young social entrepreneurs

2009-01-12T12:40:00.001Z

Visit futureshifters

Motorcycling - a risk taking behaviour

2008-08-11T21:20:00.003+01:00

Taking risks is essential in small business. I believe that taking new opportunities even if they are outside your comfort zone, will normally end up with at lease learning something new and at best with increased growth for the business. Accepting new challenges and then working out how best to achieve them is how Gateway Media grew it's service offering.

This week I took the risk of taking my motorcycle to a track day and if you crash on the track your insurance is void. Luckily I didn't crash and I even got to have a go on a new Ducati Superbike for a test ride which was great. If I had done the clever thing it would have to not take the bike onto the track but where is the fun and experience gained in that? In the end me and my friends who are also track day novices all agree that it was one of the best days of our summer. See an opportunity, calculate the risks then have a crack at it, you won't be disappointed.

Here is a video I put together of my day taken from a few compact digital cameras that were filming (please note this was not produced by Gateway Media).

Greenscreen rebranding

2008-06-15T05:51:00.005+01:00

QuackIT was an IT refurbishment social enterprise that I took management of in early 2008. It specialises in taking large stocks of outdated office hardware and selling it on or giving it to charity. To date I have sold over 200 units and given 100 units to Computer Aide International. My task was to initially sell the current stock we had and then to realign the business in light of the governments Waste Electronic and electrical equipment regulations. After carrying out research into WEEE through attending events and asking clients opinions on the legislation it became apparent that QuackIT could no longer operate in the same way.

Using our resource of apprentices and IT professionals we decided to offer an office moving service to smaller clients in line with and scrap the refurbishment service. I worked with a marketing professional called James Spake to rebrand the business with the aim of updating the brand image to reflect the environmental nature of the business. Greenscreen has now been born and will operate as a secondary business while we focus on Gateway Media. This is a clip of a few of the unwanted PC's going down a long drop at the local dump.

The Bus - Cleveland Estate iMedia Course

2008-06-10T20:00:00.012+01:00

City Gateway (our parent charity) operate a Double Decker Hip Hop Bus used for outreach and engagement to NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) young people in Tower Hamlets. It comprises of a downstairs DJ and chill out area and an upstairs recording studio and teaching area. The Bus originated from Yorkshire 30 years ago and is made by Dennis, it has a 6.8 litre Mercedes engine, and was given to City Gateway and repainted in 2006. At the moment I am the only person trained to drive the Bus which makes for a random yet nice change from being in the office. We also use it as an enterprise tool for local events, during these commercial contracts the Bus is managed by Gateway Media.

This week we successfully won a contract to run a 12 week iMedia course run from the Bus on the local Cleveland Estate for a group of young people. The result will be a community website and accreditation for the participants. Below right is a picture of myself with Jerry our marketing manager and Mokeef and Grant who represented the young people and selected Gateway Media and The Bus.