I’m really into the Pecha-Kucha (said “Pechachka”) style of presentations. The ones that I’ve seen, particularly those by my business partner Jon Foster-Pedley, have been remarkably engaging and informative in a very short space of time.
Here’s a good one from Dan Pink on the subject of “Emotionally Intelligent Signage”. Interesting idea, I’m going to apply it to my websites in any way I can.
It gives enough information to raise awareness of some key issues around the subject it’s addressing, and it leaves me interested enough to explore the subject further.
As a result, we’re having a bunch of Pecha-Kucha sessions on Nomadic Marketing, for all the really interesting subjects which don’t comprise “core syllabus”.
As you may know, I direct a programme at UCT Graduate School of Business called Nomadic Marketing, which has come to be known as South Africa’s leading Social-Media primer for marketing executives.
The concept of Nomadic Markets was born out of a growing awareness that the statically defined “markets” we traditionally targetted were rapidly becoming more diverse and fragmented. Also, the idea that a person is a passive receptacle of marketing information is past it’s sell-by date. The markets of today are on the move.
So Nomadic Marketing, addresses these three core issues and presents a more dynamic approach to marketing, which necessitates engagement, conversation, and a more dynamic, responsive approach to marketing planning.
Specifically, we look at a world where the dynamism of markets of the future is most pronounced – the web. We bring in thought-leaders and innovators in the space. Not just people who can talk the talk, but people who have proven success in taking their concepts to market.
The technical component of the programme equips delegates with the resources, tools and know-how to execute comprehensive online campaigns incorporating email, blogs, wikis, social-networks, podcasts, widgets, tagging, Search Engines, Social Media Optimization, and Mobile applications. Tactically, we give people case-studies and information around the reach and effectiveness of these tools in the South African and international context; issues around Law and Licensing, and issues around corporate security. Strategically, we engage top thinkers in the space around innovative communication strategies for the future; provide case-studies for inspiration; and facilitate processes that allow delegates to tap into their own creativity to pull together brilliant campaigns in this space.
Lecturers on the programme give superb notes, and approach the content in an engaging way – as per UCT GSB’s “Alchemical Learning” model, which emphasises conversation over didactic teaching. They are also advised to look at the subject from a critical, rather than descriptive angle, which gives more depth to the content than would typically be found in a conference on the subject.
Past delegates have mentioned that the content on the programme was matched by the value of the networking and new contacts made through the it – not only with the faculty, but with the other delegates. Due to this, we are pioneering a new approach to executive education where not only do the delegates co-create the material in class, but we nurture an ongoing community of past-delegates who will meet once every two months on an ongoing basis to share reflections on their learnings and progress. There are also a host of web-based services that we make available only to lecturers, delegates and alumni.
If you’d like to know more, you can check out the course blog HERE, or get in contact with Junita ( Abrahams@gsb.uct.ac.za or 021 406 1323 ).
If you are a blogger, reporter, podcaster, or otherwise involved in the media, let me know if you would like more info or would like an interview with myself or any of the faculty – info@daveduarte.co.za
We’ve just launched a new Huddlemind Learning project, Huddlemind.net
It’s a network for people who want to improve their skills and ability in digital media. We will specifically focus on topics such as social-media, e-marketing and mobile marketing.
Through it we hope to directly connect members with other leading thinkers and doers in business education and digital marketing.
It is also a space to explore questions and issues of importance around business education, teaching methodologies, and learning technologies – especially as they relate to developing skills and leadership in digital media and marketing.
I think this network and movement is important to anyone in leadership and management today who is experiencing challenges in communicating new concepts to overworked or distracted employees.
Please check it out and let me know your feedback!
There’s been alotofonlinebuzzaroundtheWeb 2.0segment that showed on Carte Blanche last week. I haven’t been able to jump in, because I’ve had a week of back-to-back speaking engagements (in fact, as the segment was showing, I was participating in Talking Heads with The Heavy Chefs, and Mr. Cherry). Interestingly – I mentioned to someone that I was bleak to have missed it, and they assured me that someone would post the video online before I got home – and sure enough, Tyler had the scoop that same evening!
I think I can clear up at least a small part of the debate regarding the depth of the show, who was “chosen”, and whether Web2.0 was well represented or not…
In July last year, the independent producer of the segment, Barbara Folscher, attended Nomadic Marketing at the GSB with me. About 3 months later she told me about her idea for the show, and we discussed how it could be portrayed.
In February this year, after Barbara had spent a significant time back-and-forthing around the story-line, researching, and refining the content for Carte Blanche, all the filming took place in a whirlwind 3 days.
Carte Blanch segments need to be positioned around issues of importance for ordinary South Africans. i.e. it wasn’t trying to summarize what the Web 2.0 industry in South Africa is all about, but rather how is affecting people’s lives.
Overall, the aim for the show was to raise Web 2.0 and the Mobile web as an emergent issue for people in SA. It was meant to give people a sense that things are changing quickly, perhaps too quickly. This was meant to be a little scary for some, and exciting for others. It was not meant to be in-depth analysis of new media in SA, but a primer to spark interest in the subject among regular viewers.
Like all good television, it also needs to be entertaining. To be entertaining around a subject which also needs alot of explaining is no mean feat. So a protagonist was needed – someone to develop the story around.
The first person I thought of was Rafiq, because he is fluent and active around the both the web and mobile web. I think he was perfect in this role, he spoke intelligently, clearly and with integrity.
Saatchi Creative Head, Allan Kent, was identified for the Ad industry commentator, but he graciously deferred the role to his CEO, Gail Curtis due to her high level vision around the subject and the industry (and the fact that she happened to be in Cape Town around the time of filming).
All the people selected to be involved in the segment needed to be in Cape Town because the actually shooting needed to happen within 3 days, and the crew needed to get between Rafiq and the other interviewees quickly.
I really enjoyed being a part of it, although I must say that being interviewed by John Webb was nerve-racking! So much to say, so little time!
Finally, here’s the clip for those who missed it, courtesy of Zoopy.com:
p.s. A follow-up email I just received from Barbara tells me that Carte Blanche “have had a fantastic reaction from the viewers” about the programme:)
I'm a Digital Media and Marketing educator based in Cape Town, South Africa.
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