Springwise

Thanks to Seth for pointing me to Springwise, my new daily fix of new business ideas from across the planet. Like today’s entry about running DIY underground drive in cinemas. Very cool site.

50 ways to save the planet – Vanity Style

Vanity Fair Magazine have just published a list of 50 ways to do your bit to save the planet, as part of their latest "green" issue. 

I'm not sure whether these sorts of lists help or hinder. Do people get green, or get completely overwhelmed when they see a list like this? If you are trying to turn off all the lights while riding your bike to the farmers market and calculating your carbon foorprint all at the same time, it can all seem a bit much.

Having said that, it seems that the green theme is being talked about in more of the mainstream press. Small steps.

(via Total Tactics)

Standing Out :: Whenever, Wherever

Standing Out :: Whenever, Wherever

Spending thousands on billboards, print ads and the like is just not the way to get noticed anymore. Traditional advertising is ineffective, expensive and so 1996. But this doesn't mean that you can't stand out anymore. There are plenty of creative, cheap ideas out there that can help you get you and your brand noticed. You just need to remember to maximise every single exposure that your customer has with your brand.

Take Innocent drinks as an example. Rather than delivering their drinks in boring old vans, they have an excellent fleet of cars like the one pictured here. This van is powered entirely by electricity and covered completely in grass. It sure stands out on a busy street.

Or how about this gift certificate from my favourite bookstore, Magma? Rather than just selling small, lifeless gift certificates, Magma is standing out in gift certificate giving. Their certificate is beautifully designed and about 30cm x 40cm. It's like a gift itself – I got one for Christmas and found it very difficult to part with.

Or why not get noticed by your business cards? Companies like Ideo have come up with some very innovative business card concepts, like this fortune cookie example – so you can Stand out when you Hand out.

And finally – below is a picture of an ad agency car-park I walked past the other day used. This great driveway picture (It says, "Client who hated ideas") is a sure fire way to get your brand noticed, before and after your clients have visited.

These are just a few inspiring ideas to stand out. I'm sure you can think of some more. Here are a few others off the top of my head:

• Your office – Why not do something completely unique within your own walls? Decorate your front door, your reception areas, even your toilet in the name of standing out.

• Your stationery – Make every impact count with letterheads, invoices and all of your other stationery. You can have ever lasting impact by making the most boring things look different.

• Your staff – There are plenty of ideas you could use to make your staff get noticed. Unique uniforms and memorable job titles are just two.

Your mission : Do not sleep until every nook and cranny of your business stands out. Get noticed wherever, whenever and however you can.