World Cup fever grips Berlin...

World Cup 1 - Social Media Marketing 3

The last 6 months have beeb very interesting to say the least and only now am now able to sit and write my first post since December last year...even though I have written and recorded numerous others I just haven’t had the time or the motivation to sit down and finish one. So to those who have been following our escapades in Berlin I do sincerely apologise...

Our winter was wonderful – deep crisp white snow – followed by 6 weeks of typical English weather; rain, rain and more rain. Spring came and went like forked lightening – all to be replaced with the heat of an archetypal Berlin summer and after the last few weeks of rain the 26c degree warmth was hailed by the majority and bemoaned at by others – although the 30c degrees we are expecting this week should separate the men from the boys!

Talking of boys...in January we celebrated a number of birthdays...for Uncle Kuckucks we gathered at Berlin's famous Russian Tea Hous...Utz was thrilled!!



...and on Father's day we all joined Ulf and the Apple Crumble...


And last week Ute was on holiday in Fuerteventura with her best mate Jacqua...

And last Thursday morning in the cool of the early dawn taking our dog 'Boots' for our morning stroll I was greeted by an ensemble of nature – the Nighting Gale, the Black Bird, the Song Thrush, the Cuckoo and his neighbour in the far of distance the Spotted Woodpecker...all with glorious song bringing that something special to our not so little forest by the river Havel...

Boots and I sat on a bench high up on the hill side, watching the sun’s rays move slowly across the forest’s canopy inch by inch - cm by cm; blanketing her rays upon the leaves who’s colours broke into life and changed as though brushed by some magical child’s game transforming the once dark bleak leaves into exquisite fresh colours of apple and lime-greens and golden and bright yellows; colours which one could imagine would be cool to the touch, and the forest clean and fresh; making all around you feel energised and happy, giving all who were there that morning a true sense of renewal.

The vantage spot where we sat looked out through a break in the tree line across to the Berlin river Havel, which looks from where I was sitting as though it has been lifted from England’s lake district and brought across especially for that morning’s enjoyment...the Cuckoo called again and in the distance I could hear the church bells toll calling out to its local congregation.

It was a time to ponder, a time to a moment to reflect on past months and a time to plan for the next 6. These have certainly been interesting times – times of the financial crisis – of government change - of oil disasters and here locally of the slow diminishing value of our Euro...

We are working through these challenges – and upon reflection these are very exciting times. Our business here in Berlin has grown and is moving forward, slowly and gradually, but forward nevertheless.

A number of our contracts are coming to an end and we have grown a few ‘organically’ – however, but more encouragingly our company has been invited to sit down with some interesting organisations hailing from many sectors of industry & commerce – from International airlines to exclusive adventure clubs touring the likes of Africa and South America – from the motor industry to logistics and service providers, and to those within the FTSE 250!

Here in Germany’s capital things are taking shape too – Berlin’s International Airport ("Willy Brandt International") and the typical German efficient international infrastructure that surrounds the billion euro development means those of us here in Berlin have a fabulous opportunity for the future.

Yes the Euro is weak and the financial crisis is hitting very hard those whom have been caught unaware, but there are many sectors which are flourishing and many European’s who are benefiting from this crisis.

Like Google President, Nikesh Arora, who said “we believe Crisis's are wonderful times in a way, because they create scarcity and scarcity is phenomenal because it breeds clarity. When you have scarcity you start worrying about how best to optimise your resources. Interestingly many successful companies were created in the moments of economic crisis”.

Looking towards the clarity, trends and the enormous opportunity facing us all for a few minutes I have put together a few interesting observations; there are 1.2 Billion people on the web today, 250 million on Broadband – European market online represented in 2008, €130 billion in e-commerce – this has tripled in the last 3 years and will double again in the next 4 years. How many companies have their product ‘available’ for consumption on the web? Today 85% of consumers buying goods valued at over €500 will do their research on the product online.

What is very clear is that the recovery - from whatever sector and whatever size organisations – will be marketing lead. And it is with this philosophy we focus all our efforts on building teams of experienced individual who deliver revenue.

These past 6 months here in Berlin have been adventurous and challenging...sitting here gazing upon the undergrowth – taking time to identify the intricate details of the numerous types of plants and trees etc – interspaced with wild boar and deer tracks! I am astounded by the beauty that surrounds our capital city in the heart of Europe. A capital city that is like our forest – bring life, energy and fresh ideas to world.

We have many great opportunities ahead of us – Social media marketing (SMM) is playing a fascinating role in the commercial activities now facing organisations – although still I am flabbergasted by how poor many of those organisations deploy their online communications strategies; there are many leaders in the pack but there are thousands of organisations who are so far off in the desert.

Another exciting date in our calendar is, with a fair wind, my youngest (AKA - tallest) son Jonathan, will be joining us at the end of the month for two weeks as part of his work experience activities.

One of our clients’ who is heavily involved in SMM has asked for a “raw” street orientated video to be deployed for the likes of YouTube etc. We have agreed the theme and .Jonathan will be tasked with managing, producing and recording “this is my Berlin”.

Jonathan is currently producing the sound track, the scrip, content and shoot locations – so we shall wait and see – and see we will too – because once it is completed it will be posted on Youtube. I am sure he is looking forward to a fun couple of weeks. It will be the first time that Jonathan will be here on his own and for a young 15 year old boy in an extremely exciting time of his life...I am sure he will enjoy his time here.

Living here you become instantly aware that Berlin is accessible from all four corners of the globe and it is for this reason we have set up our central location and office here. We commute regularly to and from London and Frankfurt – and in the past Berlin and Singapore...Berlin and Dubai...and if England do well maybe Berlin and Johannesburg!

For short trips the low cost carriers have been a blessing, German Wings and Air Berlin are the local low cost brands and with the likes of internationally renowned Ryan Air and EasyJet connecting into London Luton and London Stanstead. One of my last trips on Ryan Air cost me €16! Excellent stuff for our young company!

On Wednesday last, one of our clients was amazed to hear that I had left our apartment here in Berlin at 8am that morning and sat down with him to discuss his European online marketing strategy at 12noon of the same...I do remember the time (years ago) driving from Birmingham and getting into the city some 3 hours later too...and that was on a good day.

The only issue that irritates me; which is not in any way a criticism of my own mother country (far too many expats do that); is when I travel from my home here in Berlin to Flughafen Schönefeld, it takes approximately 50 minutes and I can use either the S-Bahn (Stadt Bahn) train line which runs every 10mins and the Schönefeld express train which runs every 30. A return trip will cost me €5.80 and I can use the same ticket on the trams, the buses and the underground (U-Bahn) if I so wish. For a similar journey in the UK and same travel time period, connecting London Stanstead with London Liverpool Street or London Luton to London St. Pancras the average fare is £30 to £35 and then you have to pay for the underground!

“Public Viewing” is the buzz word back here in Berlin and it has enthralled the city once again...no this is not some illegal S & M – but football! In key locations all over the city (and throughout Germany) football fans can watch the World Cup on enormous outdoor screens and they have been a massive hit with thousands upon thousands of fans.

Berlin is once again in the grip of football fever – national flags are everywhere – Italian, Greek, Brazilian, Dutch, French, English and German. And the atmosphere is electric; last night at the Olympic stadium over 35,000 passionate football fans watched their national team tear into the Australian defence...although the 1^st goal was a blatant offside – the Olympic stadium was a throng of cheering supporters – celebrating the win and the display of fabulous football that was in my mind simply breathtaking. Germany has stamped their mark on this tournament – the only question I have is, “can our team do the same?” Come on England! Come on England!

This morning’s news is filled with editorial pressure on Angela Merkel to display the same kind of passion, commitment and leadership demonstrated by her national team in far flung Durban.

World cup fever has gripped Berlin like many other cities, towns and villages throughout our world...it is one of the many reasons why we are here – watching over the water, the stunning views, the bird song, the cheap travel, the passion of the people - and of course the beer and the stunning sunsets too...

Good luck to all the teams in South Africa - l do certainly hope (wish - ney PREY) that England can become the team they are crying out to be...

Take care

Duncan