Behind the Scenes at Global-Roam

Here’s another back-dated post, with a date chosen shortly after Joel’s post to which it refers.  I’ve done this to ensure that these comments are read in context.

My apologies to those for whom this practice offends – as noted before, I believe ICT is an enabler, not an ends in itself (or, to put it another way, I am not interested in form without substance).

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1)     Introduction to Joel’s Post

Back on November 1st, Joel Spolsky made a post for Inc magazine entitled “Does Slow Growth Equal Slow Death?”.

One of the guys in the office found this, and it stimulated a bit of discussion internally about where our bus is headed (on a restricted post).  This was good, as we had commenced our Autopsy 2 process. read more »

No, we’re not dead.  We’re doing decidedly better (even) than an “ex-parrot” nailed to the perch.

1)  Where we are doing well

In fact, just last week the guys in the office put together a document listing a large number of things we have going for us, or are doing right.  Here’s my short summary of what they said:

(A) Business Vision

There was universal agreement that the underlying vision for the business was sound (after all, most employees, and even a few ex-employees, have invested in the company in Round 3 or Round 2).

It was also reiterated that our chosen business model was also one of our advantages.

We are also not afraid to pause for introspection, such as discussed here.

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No, I’m not talking about corona discharge on HV AC power lines – I’m referring to the more esoteric notion of “Buzz Marketing”.

Hang on a sec … just what is Buzz Marketing?

I asked the very same question, the first time I heard the term – a few years ago now.

The best definition I have come across is that it’s just like “Word of Mouth” Marketing/Advertising (i.e. people talking about you) – with the addition that you make a conscious, structured effort to get and sustain people talking about your product.

”Viral Marketing” is another coin termed for the same process .

Buzz Marketing in the energy industry?

Yeah right!

There are probably not many industries that could conjure up (and carry off with good effect) the  marvellous advertisement revolving around the line:

“We’re excited by electricity, even if you’re not”

I did try to find some video-record of this advert, but was somewhat surprised to find that there was nothing recorded on YouTube or elsewhere (or at least none I could find).

Perhaps the advert itself is symbolic – TRUenergy gets all the industry insiders laughing at the joke, but Mr Joe Public – well, is sleeping on.  Certainly it does seem that no one was sufficiently inspired to put a bootleg copy of the advert onto YouTube.

PS – did find this one, later, but it’s not exactly the one I was thinking of… (at 3,379 views currently, it does seem to have woken slumbering Joe Public  – albeit very slightly)

My main point, here, is that there does not seem to be a lot of space in the energy market for a bit of buzz.  Too geeky, too complicated, not sexy enough, or just damn boring?

Well, all’s not lost yet…

Why this article now?

That’s a good question!
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