Thursday, May 22, 2014

Ideal Interface is looking for a part-time administrator

Ideal Interface is a privately owned, strategic digital & eCommerce consultancy based in Bishopton, Renfrewshire. The business consults to a number of household names on all aspects of online sales, marketing and delivery.

Due to continued growth in the business, we now need a part-time administrator to help with key support tasks including:

  • Processing of contractor expenses
  • Creation of monthly invoices
  • Basic client assistance (e.g. website updates)
  • Interaction with suppliers


Skills you will need:

  • Computer literacy (Windows, Excel, Word, etc.)
  • Numeracy
  • Good communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Basic internet (browsing, social media usage, etc.)


What we offer:

  • A flexible working approach
  • A competitive rate
  • An opportunity to be part of a growing company 
  • An opportunity to learn about Digital Marketing and the future eCommerce environment

Note: Because we are flexible, this role might well suit a parent who wants to return to work part-time.

8-16 hours per week.
Non-smoker and own transport preferred.

Monday, May 19, 2014

The first 90 days of the Chief Digital Officer

The first ninety days in any job are important. But in such a new and exciting industry as online & digital, the first 3 months in the role of Chief Digital Officer are key.
Here are my thoughts on what should be the main areas to focus of the CDO during this period:
  1. Understand the overall business strategy
    Any digital strategy created must be completely aligned to what the business is planning (Commercial aims,  new products, marketing, etc.)
  2. Learn the culture
    Every organisation has a "way of doing things" and seeing itself. This doesn't have to perpetuate, but it is good to know what sort of people your peers and team around you do and think. Most important is the appetite for change... which can either be a critical success factor or a big nail in the coffin of a lot of the most forward-thinking digital plans.
  3. Set a benchmark
    Recognize which of your competitors (if any) are doing innovative things, or just doing the same stuff but better! 
  4. Identify your stakeholders and make friends
    From marketing and customer insight through to IT and Operations... if you are going to be an agent for inevitable change, you will need to build allies first.
  5. Research your customers
    It's no good setting yourself up to digitize everything if that's not the correct way forward. And it's no good rolling out smartphone apps if all your potential business is using tablets. You don't have to know everything about every one of them, but being able to classify and segment them into target audiences will help you create the most relevant products and experience for them.
  6. Build your vision
    Create an idea of what success looks like. What is the end game of all this change and how does it help the user and company? (Tip: Then give this vision to your strongest critic and ask them for feedback - this will iron out a lot of the wrinkles)
  7. Create the roadmap
    Draw up and digital roadmap of short and longer-term projects & tactical changes that move the organisation forward towards your vision. 
  8. Justify investment
    Where necessary develop businesses cases that explore the investment required to realise the roadmap.
  9. Deliver something quickly
    Nobody is realistically going to wait for you to see out your initial 3 months without some business improvement. This shouldn't be too difficult for any CDO new to the role, as there are always quick wins to be had
  10. Have fun
Have I missed anything?

Monday, May 5, 2014

How to get your Amazon product images wrong

Whilst researching wearable technology on Amazon, I saw this array of strange images for sale:


Now I'm not that familiar with the latest gadgets, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to attach a kitchen tap and sink to your body.