Mar 6
2.1.30 Fabulous Friday 2
Reflections on my week in my world of social value, business need, data driven and digital impact
If last week was Fabulous Friday, then this week was Fantastic Friday Filming
Business Need
Several months ago, we decided to diversify our marketing and communications effort by taking part in a commercial television programme. Golden Marzipan took the lead in producing a documentary piece on digital transformation in the social housing sector. Thank you to both @NickAtkin from Yorkshire Housing and @DavidWing of Wakefield and District Housing for agreeing to both support and take part.
I spent the previous weeks nervously worrying about a range of issues from weather forecasts to my presentation skills.
We now await post-production (get me!) development and the airing of the programme on an obscure Sky channel in about 2–3 months!
Digital Impact
The storyboard for our message was linked to my pride in living and working in the centre of Leeds.
Leeds has a long history of innovation and being able to adapt to changing needs. This was true 150 years ago and it’s true today with a digital revolution and businesses such as Channel4 moving into the city
Our filming took place in the heart of the canal and docks area. 150 years ago, coal from collieries around Rothwell and Wakefield supplied the heavy industry in the business and commerce in Leeds city centre.
And it was also the heart of innovation. The engineering, chemical, leather, clothing, footwear, and printing industries all became successful in Leeds. And in the age of the information revolution, Leeds is at the centre of innovation once again.
Now the surrounding area is the home of countless digital businesses. Leeds is the home of NHS Digital, Channel 4 and over 11,000 digital business employing 54,000 people.
We’ve had an annual Digital Festival since 2016 and the university has its own Innovation Hub, Nexus and we are seen as the health tech capital of the UK.
Social Purpose
January’s social purpose was mainly focussed on getting rid of festive / lockdown pounds with a disciplined regime of avoiding anything tasty and enjoyable.
That sound a bit dull and dreary.
It was! Sorry.
Data Analytics
When we went into lockdown, I set a load of cultural objectives about bettering myself through reading, learning and mindfulness. Most have since fallen by the wayside. I taught my wife to play chess and because I taught her so badly, I beat her nearly every time. And now she won’t play anymore. But latterly I discovered an online chess community through chess.com. I’m now the one who gets beaten nearly every time. But in January I started to improve a little and thanks to the data analytics on the website I’ve become much more aware of where and why my game falls apart — aka “blunders”! But here’s my stats for January:
Anyone fancy a game? There’s a 50.8% chance you can beat me!
