Blue is regarded as an intellectual colour. Blue is a masculine colour; according to studies, it is highly accepted among males. Dark blue is associated with depth, expertise, and stability; it is a preferred colour for corporate identity.

Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm.
Negative: Coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.

Look at our Pinterest board on Colour your marketing, blue!

Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world’s favourite colour. However, it can be perceived as cold, unemotional and unfriendly.

You can use blue to promote products and services related to cleanliness (water purification filters, cleaning liquids, vodka), air and sky (airlines, airports, air conditioners), water and sea (sea voyages, mineral water).

As opposed to emotionally warm colours like red, orange, and yellow; blue is linked to consciousness and intellect.

The Color Marketing Group, an American company, specialises in colour research, consultancy and
projections.

Their research tells us that:
• colour increases brand perception up to 80%
• colour widens readership by up to 40%
• colour ads are read up to 43% more than the same ads in black and white
• colour may influence the customer’s buying decision by up to 85%.

Related posts:

1. Colour your marketing, red!
2. Branded merchandise delivers results!
3. Promotional Work Wear – why buy?

After a difficult decision, as both charities were worthy of our support, we chose St Basils Charity.

St Basils helps prevent youth homelessness by offering accommodation and support services.

Homelessness is a complex issue and has many causes but some of the issues that most effect young people are overcrowding, abuse and family breakdown.

A summary of the services that are offered -

• St Basils works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• St Basils does a lot of work to prevent youth homelessness with a helpline (Youthline), Housing aid and advice service (the Youth Hub), a Schools training and mentoring project (STAMP) and a Family Mediation Service
• St Basils has 27 supported accommodation projects, 24 in Birmingham and 3 in North Worcestershire
• St Basils can accommodate 400 young people per night
• St Basils helps 4000 young people per year
• St Basils has 2 emergency accommodation projects and is funded to provide Crash Pads
• St Basils has 2 designated mother and baby units
• St Basils can offer accredited Life Skills courses to young residents
• St Basils has extensive Learning, Skills and Work Programmes
• St Basils has a Youth Advisory Board and other involvement opportunities

St Basils works across Birmingham, Solihull and North Worcestershire to prevent youth homelessness by providing a range of support services and supported accommodation. They work with young people aged 16 – 25 including some young mums and dads, so at any time housed within our projects there may be babies, toddlers and young children as well.

If you would like to know more about the work St Basils does or you would like to offer your support, please visit their website – http://www.stbasils.org.uk

They also have an extensive diary of activities to get involved with this year – Diary of Events 2012

Related posts:

1. Where will we be in February 2012?
2. Where will we be in March 2012?
3. Where will we be in April 2012?

Some people dread conference planning, while others thrive on the challenge. Following a few pointers will help organise your thoughts regarding the beginning stages of the planning process.

The feeling of achievement and exhilaration you’ll get at the end of a successful conference is amazing. After months of conference and event planning, your delegates go home motivated and empowered.

Here are a few ideas  of what characteristics make a  successful conference organisation-

Determine your conference objectives
Think carefully about what you want to achieve, then determine the best way to get there.

Spend time to create a clear objective of what the delegates will leave the event with – knowledge, information, contacts, promotional products, notes …

Plan carefully
A successful conference planner allows plenty of time and breaks planning into manageable chunks.

What will the first impression of the conference be from their arrival? Do you need branded polo shirts, roller banners,  printed information, name badges, lanyards, conference folders?

What do you need to run each session – notepads, pens, highlighters, sticky notes?

Will the delegates take home information – will this be printed, on a USB memory stick or a credit card drive?

Do you need to supply goody bags? Will the events sponsors be adding products to your goody bag? Good ideas for conference products are pen pots, mouse mats, cotton shoppers, pen set, stress balls, mugs – the possibilities are endless, check out the conference and exhibitions ideas list.

Build contingency plans into your conference planning
Always build in contingency time and budget.

Choose the right venue and invest in the relationship
The right conference venue is a powerful ally when planning your event – the first impression of your event will be from the moment your intended delegates receive the information about where the event is to be held.

Invest in the relationship early and share your plans with your venue and ensure that they are able to support and help you facilitate all the aspects of your plans.

Choose appropriate presentation techniques
To hold delegates’ attention, building in variety is essential when planning conferences.

Everyone learns in different ways and to ensure everyone is engaged different styles of presentation is important.

Balance conference events with relaxation
For a one-day event or a week-long conference, delegates and presenters get more out of conferences if you build in regular relaxation.

Feed the inner conference delegate well
Conference delegates benefit from delicious food and refreshments (perhaps tailored to the special needs of international audiences).

Capture feedback and act on it
There’s always something to learn from planning a conference. Encourage feedback use it a a learning tool for yourself.

 More images on our Pinterest Funky Pin Board

Related posts:

1. Ashford Conference Bag
2. Calculator A4 Conference Folder
3. Biking and Business

Monday 2nd March -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Tuesday 3rd April -  Pint After Work (PAW)

From 5.30pm at Graham’s Place in Wollaston, Stourbridge.

Contact izabelasztalinger@talbotslaw.co.uk to book.

Thursday 5th April – Dudley Breakfast Club at The Copthorne Hotel from 7.45 – 9.45am – £15.

Speaker is Leigh White from The Ruskin Glass Centre, Stourbridge. Organised  by Events with the Edge -  www.eventswiththeedge.co.uk

The Waterfront
Level Street
Brierley Hill
Dudley
DY5 1UR

Thursday 12th April  - Fryday with Griffiths and Pegg and Griffin and King at Hagley Golf Club. 12.30 – 2.30 pm £15 for a drink and fish and chips followed by a dessert.

Contact janet.peacock@griffinandking.co.uk to book, or for more information.

Wednesday 18th April - Stourbridge Football Club Business  Club – held at Stourbridge Football Club – £5 to attend as a guest.

Contact me and come along as my guest – email sjw@funkyconcepts.com

Wednesday 18th April – No Frills Stour Valley Networking -  AGM but meeting as usual,held at Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge -  7 – 10pm

£5 to attend and an extra £5 to exhibit  – www.stourvalleynetworking.co.uk

Canal Street
Stourbridge
DY8 4LU

Monday 16th April -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

If you are interested in attending, or being a guest, at any of the events please contact shelley.jacksonwoodall@funkyconcepts.com

The map below shows where we’ll be ‘at a glance’.

View Funky Concepts Networking Locations in a larger map

Related posts:

1. April Event Dates
2. Where will we be in March 2012?
3. Where will we be in February 2012?

Red is a powerful colour, it grabs our attention first. Its effect is physical as it stimulates us and raises our pulse rate. Pure red is the simplest colour, with no subtlety, it is stimulating, lively and very friendly. At the same time, it can be perceived as demanding and aggressive.

Positive: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, ‘fight or flight’, stimulation, masculinity, excitement.

Negative: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain.

The Color Marketing Group, an American company, specialises in colour research, consultancy and
projections.

Their research tells us that:
• colour increases brand perception up to 80%
• colour widens readership by up to 40%
• colour ads are read up to 43% more than the same ads in black and white
• colour may influence the customer’s buying decision by up to 85%.

Related posts:

1. Colour your marketing, blue!
2. Branded merchandise delivers results!
3. Biking and Business

Monday 5th March -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Tuesday 6th March -  Pint After Work (PAW)

From 5.30pm at Graham’s Place in Wollaston, Stourbridge.

Contact izabelasztalinger@talbotslaw.co.uk to book.

Tuesday 13th March – No Frills Stour Valley Networking – held at Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge -  7 – 10pm

£5 to attend and an extra £5 to exhibit  – www.stourvalleynetworking.co.uk

Canal Street
Stourbridge
DY8 4LU

Wednesday 21st March - Stourbridge Football Club Business  Club – held at Stourbridge Football Club – £5 to attend as a guest.

Contact me and come along as my guest – email sjw@funkyconcepts.com

Monday 19th March -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

If you are interested in attending, or being a guest, at any of the events please contact shelley.jacksonwoodall@funkyconcepts.com

The map below shows where we’ll be ‘at a glance’.

View Funky Concepts Networking Locations in a larger map

Related posts:

1. Where will we be in April 2012?
2. Where will we be in February 2012?
3. Where will we be in January 2012?

So what are flash sales?

Flash sales are a time-limited offer of high discounts.

The system is a win-win for both retailers and consumers: retailers can build brand loyalty and offer their customers fantastic opportunities to save money.

Our flash sale items include a one colour print, printed in one position and delivered to 1 UK mainland address.

The price does not include VAT or artwork design.

Related posts:

1. What is a customer avatar?
2. The Top Five Reasons Businesses Use Promotional Items
3. What can I do with a loop fob?

Wednesday 1st  February – An Evening with the Best of Stourbridge 6-9pm

Evening event held at Dunsley Hall, Hotel with Best of Stourbridge. Focussing on sales and cleaning up your behaviours.

Contact Phil Fellows – http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/stourbridge/contact

Thursday 2nd February – St Basils, North Worcestershire Development Committee Meeting held at Hagley Hall.

Planning forth coming events for St Basils – look what’s planned so far – What’s on?

Saturday 4th February – No Frills Expo – held at Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge -  9am – 1pm

Networking, stands and seminars …

Three 20 minute seminars with an opportunity for questions and answers:

10am – Networking or Notworking?

11am – Simply Selling or Selling Simply?

12noon – PR without Tears.

£1 entrance fee donated to West Midlands Disability Swimming Squad  – www.nofrillsnetworking.com

Canal Street
Stourbridge
DY8 4LU

Monday 6th February -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Wednesday 8th February – No Frills Stour Valley Networking – held at Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge -  7 – 10pm

£5 to attend and an extra £5 to exhibit  – www.stourvalleynetworking.co.uk

Canal Street
Stourbridge
DY8 4LU

Wednesday 15^th February - Stourbridge Football Club Business  Club – held at Stourbridge Football Club – £5 to attend as a guest.

Contact me and come along as my guest – email sjw@funkyconcepts.com

Monday 20th February -  Stourbridge Speakers Club

Club Evaluation Competition

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

February is the month of romance? Or, it could be the month of networking!

If you are interested in attending, or being a guest, at any of the events please contact shelley.jacksonwoodall@funkyconcepts.com

Related posts:

1. Where will we be in January 2012?
2. Where will we be in March 2012?
3. Where will we be in April 2012?

Tuesday 10th January – No Frills Stour Valley Networking

Held at Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge -  7 – 10pm

£5 to attend and an extra £5 to exhibit  – www.stourvalleynetworking.co.uk

Canal Street
Stourbridge
DY8 4LU

Friday 13th January  - Fryday with Griffiths and Pegg and Griffin and King at Hagley Golf Club. 12.30 – 2.30 pm £15 for a drink and fish and chips followed by a dessert.

Contact janet.peacock@griffinandking.co.uk to book, or for more information.

Wednesday 18th January - Stourbridge Football Club Business  Club – held at Stourbridge Football Club – £5 to attend as a guest.

Contact me and come along as my guest!  sjw@funkyconcepts.com

Monday 23rd January  – Stourbridge Speakers Club

If you are nervous of speaking in public or just want to improve your speaking and presenting skills come along!

www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk/

From 7.45pm at The Talbot Hotel, Stourbridge.

Contact sjw@funkyconcepts.com for more information.

Come along and network in January to improve business opportunities for 2012

If you are interested in attending, or being a guest, at any of the events please contact shelley.jacksonwoodall@funkyconcepts.com

The map below shows where we’ll be ‘at a glance’.

View Funky Concepts Networking Locations in a larger map

Related posts:

1. Where will we be in February 2012?
2. Where will we be in March 2012?
3. November Networking and Event Dates

A recent survey from the bpma on perceptions of those receiving branded gifts showed some powerful results, particularly against other advertising spend.

Promotional merchandise can deliver a higher or equal ROI than most forms of advertising.

• 66% of respondents said they could remember the brand on the promotional product they received during the last year
•  79% said they were likely to do business with the company in the future
•  8 out of 10 (84%) respondents said that a branded promotional gift increases brand awareness
•  56% of respondents said their opinion of the brand/company was more favourable after receiving the promotional product

Promotional merchandise can deliver!

The survey also found that the USB stick comes top of the list as most useful promotional item, followed by electrical items and writing instruments.

And most interesting of all, is how long recipients keep promotional items for particularly if they are useful. Consider how this compares with other advertising messages that are often short lived.

So if you are planning campaigns for next year or considering a gift for your clients, think about the value that promotional items can add to this.

So when you speak to us, consider using promotional items for maximum effectiveness on…

• Advertising
• Awards
• Rewards
• Brand awareness
• Rebrand
• Cause awareness
• Direct mail
• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Outside events
• Fundraising
• Health and safety recycle schemes
• Incentives
• Product launches
• New branch openings
• Workwear and uniforms
• Retail
• Souvenirs
• Club and school identification

Call us for a quote or guidance on how promotional merchandise can be effective in your campaign!

01384 221655
contact@funkyconcepts.com

Related posts:

1. The Top Five Reasons Businesses Use Promotional Items
2. A branded mouse mat for every promotion!
3. Eco Promotional Products