Instagram & Facebook – Why?


A few hours ago I read that Facebook had acquired Instagram for $1bn… aptly enough, this news came to me via my Facebook feed. There’s also an official release here from Mark Zuckerberg My first thought once I checked the legitimacy Read more

Return On Influence: The New ROI


There is not a single activity in business which is exempted from a query regarding return on investment.  Focused strategic planning and expenditure to optimise your e-commerce mix is known to be an investment worth making for product and Read more

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Business Development

What is Viadeo and should you be on it?

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Mike in Business Development, Digital Marketing, Social Media | Leave a comment

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Hot on the heals of our recent post about marketing to women with Pinterest, which seems to have become the hottest website on the planet; we thought we’d remind ourselves and our readers that there are other social platforms out there.. many with a much larger user base than Pinterest. Today’s post is one such site… today we are going to explore Viadeo. Viadeo is a 40 million member social network site. It is available in 7+ languages and is set up on five continents. They claim to ‘network and socialise’ which gives them an edge to LinkedIn, more heavily weighted to networking, and Xing which focuses more on being social. Viadeo provide a strong network system enabling you to get in touch with people you don’t know through people you do, but they also provide a variety of social features; groups; communications; sub-communities; agendas; and chat. Founded in Paris, France in 2004 it actually grew from a different network. A small site called Agregator was started in 2000 aimed at entrepreneurs to exchange experiences, ideas and contacts. However, the creators noticed a niche in the market and so made a more versatile sister company which they named Viadeo. The sister company began to take off and before long they were taking in more new members a month than LinkedIn. To accelerate their growth, Viadeo made many acquisitions changing the new company’s logos/branding but changing them onto the Viadeo platform. They joined with Tianji in China, Apna Circle in India and ICTNet in…


2012 is looking great following a strategic acquisition.

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Kim in Blogging, Business Development, Customers, Digital Marketing, Events, Featured, Online Reputation, Other stuff, Social Media, Web Design, Web News | 1 Comment

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: In December 2011, Generate UK were delighted to complete on the acquisition of Web on High, an 11 year old digital marketing agency based in Newbury, Berkshire. Following this announcement, Generate UK will be moving to new premises at New Greenham Park. Following the acquisition; Generate UK now have over 20 digital specialists ranging from creative designers, an award winning development team, experienced SEO Experts and a wonderful team of Account Managers. When you make a big move like this, it’s hard not to look back and appreciate how far you’ve come. In 2008 the economy was at the start of the recession and whilst this scenario was a concern, the Generate UK Directors, Mike Robinson and Joe Baily stuck to their vision and took a giant leap of faith. They understood that despite the uncertainties, there would be a need for an agency who would help companies bridge the gap through expert knowledge and resource, offering measurable returns through emerging technologies. Our history and our ever growing client basis proves they were both right. It’s hard to believe that Generate UK began as a 2 man team, we’re now over 20 strong! Having a larger team is already proving successful with more ideas and expertise which can be passed on to our clients allowing us to be even more proactive then before. What about the new office? It’s brilliant! We have a nice big open plan office, flatscreen TV’s, a lovely big meeting room and the Director’s are keen to continually invest as they…


The Poppy Factory Website Goes Live

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Kim in Blogging, Business Development, Customers, Web Design, Web News | Leave a comment

Earlier in the year Generate UK were delighted to be selected to design and build a brand new website for www.poppyfactory.org. For nearly 90 years, The Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey, has been making poppies, crosses and wreaths for the Royal Family and the Royal British Legion’s annual Remembrance Day appeal. Since 2007, The Poppy Factory has also been placing wounded, injured or sick veterans of all ages into jobs. Focusing on boosting employment prospects, The Poppy Factory has found and matched employers with clients, and in many cases, part-funded their clients’ first year’s salary, to allow for training into their new role. In June 2011, The Poppy Factory announced its plans to help 500 wounded, injured or sick ex-Service men and women into mainstream employment over the next 5 years. “A great year and all thanks to you…I feel stronger, fitter and more confident than ever expected entirely due to your kindness and help. I couldn’t have made it without you. The Cotswold Canal Project is just one of the jobs that has given me a new lease of life.” Paul , ex-Light Infantry To find out more about the fantastic service they provide visit thier new website at www.poppyfactory.org.    


Generate UK driving traffic to volunteering abroad organisation

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Mike in Business Development, Customers | Leave a comment

Generate UK have recently began working with Inspire; a volunteering abroad organisation and part of the FutureSense Group, which works with over 100 non-profit organisations to support community development across the world. The Foundation’s charity volunteer work targets education, child welfare, livelihoods and other selected areas as a means to address a range of development issues. Charity fundraising is a central component of the Foundation’s work and allows it to invest in marginalised individuals and communities as it works towards:

  • Improving education
  • Relieving poverty
  • Helping create sustainable and secure livelihoods
  • Improving the transfer of vocational and entrepreneurial skills
  • Addressing issues related to health and HIV/AIDS
  • Promoting child welfare
  • Empowering people living with disabilities
  • Enabling voluntary participation and cultural exchange

Generate UK are proud to be associated with this project and look forward to promoting the website using different online marketing activities. If you would like to learn more about this project or to find out how you can help, please do not hesitate to contact us.


The Reading Business Growth Show

Posted on July 28, 2010 by John King in Business Development, Seminars | 2 Comments

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: For the record, I don’t usually make it to events and exhibitions unless it happens to be one of our enlightening seminars simply because I always have something that has to be done. Today was different though, I had managed to complete all of my immediate project work and so Joe was kind enough to invite me to the Business Growth Show in Reading where we were exhibiting. The Business Growth Show, as you may have guessed is a show for businesses to exhibit those products or services that would help an SME to grow. There were numerous exhibitors present offering everything from customised chocolate bars (to replace standard business cards) through to business style consultants which made for an interesting and varied day. Both Joe and I arrived at 7:30am to set up and had to tactically negotiate the Forbury Gardens forecourt whilst manhandling an incredibly heavy presentation table and Matt’s 26” computer screen which I can assure you was no easy task. Once we had successfully navigated our way around the revolving doors, we went through to the main room to set up. Our kit list comprised our attention grabbing Generate UK pop-up banner, the ever so heavy presentation table, Joe’s laptop, Matt’s unreasonably large computer screen and a couple of boxes of chocolate to attract business people of all kinds. Having arrived early, we were able to set up with little interruption and took the time before 9am to meet and greet other exhibitors close by. Directly in front of us…


Business Partnerships Work!

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Ian Fergusson in Business Development, Events | 1 Comment

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: On the 11th March Speed Networking Berkshire partnered with Donnington Grove Country Club and Generate UK to host a networking event which saw 37 business professionals from the Berkshire area meet in unique circumstances in a serene and tranquil environment. Speed Networking is a unique concept which sees individuals meet other individuals through one to one speed meetings. You literally have 90 seconds each to inform each other of your business and to discuss the opportunities or synergies between your two companies. The idea is not to push your business too hard, it’s to engage and see where the potential opportunities lie. It might not be the person in front of you who represents the opportunity; it may well be a business partner, a colleague or friend that denotes the opportunity? After round one where half of the room had met each other there was a break for refreshments as this style of meeting whilst enjoyable can be pretty exhausting. Generate UK were exceptionally proud to partner and sponsor the event and following the break we presented and discussed ways for businesses to increase internet revenues. Throughout the 15 minute presentation Generate UK discussed why online marketing represents such a good option for companies and highlighted the different activities available to help generate more from a website. In summary the presentation focused on: •    Increasing Traffic •    Increasing Reputation •    Increasing Conversation Through increasing your internet footprint via quality content you can significantly increase online traffic and reputation, and through analytics an organisation can set realistic objectives to monitor…


New Google Adwords Exam

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Mike in Business Development, Pay Per Click | 1 Comment

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Towards the end of last year Google updated the exam that was required in order to earn Advertisers Professional status. Previously the exam pass rate was 75% and the questions were based upon your knowledge of the Google Adwords system. This has now changed and you need 85% to pass and the questions are a lot trickier and force you to think about the online advertising concept. This is an interesting move from Google and they are definitely raising the entrance criteria to become an Advertising Professional. No longer is it possible to just take the exam and open up the next day as a PPC Consultant; with this exam you really have to know what you’re doing and actually study. This is a good thing, the previous exam needed to be updated as PPC advertising has evolved and changed over time. There are different concepts to consider, different ways of making your budget work and understanding a return on investment model. There are not a lot of accreditations in the Internet Marketing world and I know a lot of customers think this area is full of dark arts and black magic, which is why Google’s accreditation programmes are a good thing. I’m not saying that you absolutely have to be accredited to know what you’re doing; it’s just another way to help your customer make an informed balanced decision. Anyway, we needed to tidy up our own accreditations and get everything ready for our new website launch later this month, so we recently…


Generate digital marketing agency to expand.

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Ian Fergusson in Business Development, Web News | 3 Comments

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: It’s a new year, a new decade and time for a new start. My name’s Ian Fergusson and I’ve recently joined the team here at Generate UK as a Marketing Executive. I am on a placement year whilst studying Marketing Advertising and communications at the University of Gloucestershire. I am a born and bred Essex boy, but moved to reading in 2009 to become a telemarketer.  I have previously worked as a Marketing Assistant for an International dental company and as a PR assistant for Chelmsford Borough Council. I am extremely privileged to be joining Generate UK at this exciting time of growth. 2009 was such a successful period for the company I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the New Year.  I knew I wanted a career in Marketing since I was 14 years old.  Whilst watching the series ‘Cold Feet’ Helen Baxendale became a career role model for me as her character played a Marketing executive for a publication agency. I have managed to pick up a plethora of skills on my marketing journey and I’m looking forward to learning a ton more at Generate. The team here at Generate are proud of the success we have achieved throughout 2009 and are working hard to make sure 2010 exceeds its high expectations. Joe Baily summarises 2009 by saying: “We’re extremely proud of where we are as a business. Our team have worked incredibly hard over the last 12 months, working to understand our customers as well as we…


Generate UK’s Festive Online Marketing Workshop

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Mike in Business Development, Events | 1 Comment

festive-workshop

WELCOME to Generate UK’s Festive Online Marketing Workshop. Date: 9th December 2009 Time: 9am-12.30pm Venue: Donnington Grove Country Club – click here for directions A workshop designed to help participants understand and embrace a number of key online marketing activities. The workshop will be dynamic and focused on sharing experiences with clients, partners and each other providing the dos and don’ts when it come to implementing a proactive marketing strategy! The workshop will discuss:

  • The principles of SEO – what are they?
  • Business Blogging – to blog or not to blog?
  • An effective website – do you have one?
  • Email marketing –does it work?

The workshop aims to be delivered in an informative yet relaxed atmosphere helping Marketers and business owners become more knowledgeable when looking to contribute to their online marketing strategy for 2010. On top of this you’ll have a chance to network with industry professionals through an hour of speed networking! Plus you’ll be entered into a special draw to win a round of golf or dinner for two! The workshop is limited in numbers so please register here to avoid disappointment or call 01635 550431 to book your space. www.generateuk.co.uk


Top 20 Digital Marketing Ideas – Number 14 – Affiliate Marketing

Posted on November 1, 2009 by Mike in Business Development, Digital Marketing Tips | Leave a comment

The benefit of adopting the affiliate marketing model is that it’s an extremely low risk way to open up new sales channels. The downside is that it works best with a product or service that is more of a commodity than a bespoke solution. Many of the world’s largest organisations operate their own network or belong to an affiliate one.  The main reason for this is that the cost to enter is minimal and the business method is simply that you pay based on performance. This means that as long as the affiliate meets your branding and quality criteria, you are in the beneficial position of only needing to pay once a sale has been completed. There are two ways to approach affiliate marketing; either by joining a larger well established affiliate network, or by creating and managing your own program. Both have their merits and are worth considering in more detail. Econsultancy.com recently predicted the UK market for affiliate marketing to grow to £4bn in online sales in 2009. This is an extraordinary figure and demonstrates the size of the channel available. If you are considering an affiliate marketing scheme we would suggest:

  • Create objectives for setting up an affiliate program.
  • Identify products, services or solutions that could be used.
  • Gap analysis on sales training material available and other sales tools.
  • Explore your own affiliate network or join a larger established one.
  • What are the rewards and criteria for being an affiliate?


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