The April 21 Jotter
It’s been one year since I published the first Monthly Jotter. It started with the line: “to jot is to make a quick short note of something.”
I’ve enjoyed the monthly discipline of collecting inspiring morsels to share with you. I hope one or two things have resonated - and inspired you to think and do.
Thank you very much for reading and sharing. I really do appreciate you taking a look.
Onwards.
01, Branding
01.01
Grant Scott writes brilliantly about branding for photographers. A piece relevant for many small businesses (and maybe larger ones too).
01.02
In a similar vein, Josh Spector tweeted this week: “No one wants a newsletter from a company, but lots of people would like a newsletter from a smart person who works for that company.”
01.03
Conversely, this week we have been subjected to this example of bland corporate speak:
“Our new brand Abrdn builds on our heritage and is modern, dynamic and, most importantly, engaging for all of our client and customer channels.”
What the CEO really means is that the Aberdeen domain name wasn’t available.
02, Book
Many of us enjoy being creative, but question what it means and whether we are qualified to call ourselves ‘creative.’
In 'Creativity - A short and cheerful guide', John Cleese assures us:
"Wherever you can find a way of doing things that is better than what has been done before, you are being creative."
03, Talented Turnbull
Giles Turnbull is a good egg, a very fine writer and a fellow West Wilts Radio DJ.
He publishes a series of musings with a dash of atmospheric monochrome photos. I enjoy reading them. However, he hasn’t published one since 1st March and I would like to see some more. I hope this nudge encourages him to do as I request.
04, The United Nations of Photography
You can tell I’m a new fan of this website as this is the second time I have referred to it this month. It is a goldmine of interesting articles on photographers and photography.
The Photographers Manifesto is based on the beliefs of founder and curator, Grant Scott. I agree with him.
05, What is strategy?
“Strategy is not about adding more and more stuff.
Strategy is about taking stuff away.
Taking away everything, until there’s only one thing left.
One single powerful thought.”
06. Wine.
Good news for all of you wine aficionados. My good friend, Ingrid Bates, has just released her latest batch of English rosé made in Somerset. It tastes very nice.
07, Work.
07.01 The Salcombe Trading Company
Working with The Salcombe Trading Company has a special place in my heart having spent much of my life in both Salcombe and Bath. They sell beautifully designed products for the home and garden.
This month we launched their updated e-commerce website and moved it over to Shopify. I’m pleased to say we have seen a very encouraging increase in sales.
07.02 Wiltshire Wealth
Good news corner.
Dan started his Wiltshire Wealth two months before lockdown. But that hasn’t got in his way, for this week he has opened his new offices in the heart of Bradford on Avon. It’s lovely to see a local success story and lovely that we have contributed in a small way with our new business support.
Thank you for reading this month’s Jotter. The next one will blossom into life at elevenses on Friday 28th May.
Onwards
Andrew
