Fresh Consulting - full service business consultants focusing on emerging web technologies for business results » Fresh Marketing http://freshconsulting.com/blog Blog Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:15:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 How to Freshen up your Firefox browser http://freshconsulting.com/blog/how-to-freshen-up-your-firefox-browser/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/how-to-freshen-up-your-firefox-browser/#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:34:31 +0000 BenjaminLehrer http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=666 At Fresh Consulting, we manage much of our life and our work on the web in the cloud.  The majority of our software is web-based to accommodate our flexible work for our core local team and our distributed team.  Because we spend so much time with 1 piece of software that connects to all of our applications (like “one ring to rule them all”), we thought it prudent to customize and subtly freshen up our web browser design.

If you’re an avid Firefox user, as we are at Fresh Consulting, you probably know about “Personas for Firefox”, but if not let us school you with some knowledge that will make your Firefox browser look like a work of art.

The Easy Way

1. Go to https://www.getpersonas.com in your Firefox browser and choose from over 100,000 different personas you can have your Firefox browser wear.

2. After you have found the persona that best fits your style, hover your mouse over the persona you wish to use and click “Wear It”.  For example, the Fresh Consulting persona is here.

IT’S THAT SIMPLE!  Now you are ready to show all your friends and colleges your artistic style.

Tip: Use the search at the top to find specific genres or themes you are interested to narrow your persona results.

The Custom Way

1. Go to https://www.getpersonas.com in your Firefox browser and sign up for a New Personas User account.

2. Click “Create Your Own” in the top right hand corner of your browser and read about the dimensions and requirements your custom persona will need to be approved by Firefox.
3. Once you have followed all the directions you can go back to the main personas page and click “My Designs” to view your work.  Hover over your design with your mouse and click “Wear It” and you’re good to go!

If you get artistic or sport a new Persona, let us know in the comments below so we can check them out!

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/how-to-freshen-up-your-firefox-browser/feed/ 0 The Future Battle For Digital Readers Is Not iPad vs Kindle… It’s Vook vs. Book http://freshconsulting.com/blog/the-future-battle-for-digital-readers-is-not-ipad-vs-kindle%e2%80%a6-it%e2%80%99s-vook-vs-book/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/the-future-battle-for-digital-readers-is-not-ipad-vs-kindle%e2%80%a6-it%e2%80%99s-vook-vs-book/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:05:04 +0000 kate@freshconsulting.com http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=544 A few months ago, with the launch of the iPad, the question on everybody’s mind was whether Apple was going to decimate the Kindle with a device that had nerds everywhere salivating with gadget lust.

On that day, Fresh Consulting office was abuzz as everybody gathered in the main space (described as the War Room from a previous post). The lights were dim, and voices were muted. In hushed expectation everybody gathered around a laptop to watch Apple make history.  Fresh had 3 computers stations tracking the event – 2 were livestreaming it via attendees that were holding up their iPhones and others were watching the bloggers real time comments and pictures. Even two clients came to hang out and join the party and enjoy drinks and snacks. This was serious.

And I, old fashioned book lover that I am, am as thrilled with the potential of the iPad as everybody else.

I say this even though let me make one thing clear: I love physical books. I love the weight of them in my hand, love the feel of turning pages with my fingers, love the dusty smell of standing in an independent bookstore looking for forgotten treasures.

But… even with all that, I also want to carry a library in my purse. Want the security of knowing that any time I’m standing in the DMV line, or on the airplane, or getting my prescription filled I have access to pretty much any book ever published in the Western World for the last 100 years. And I want it in 60 seconds. Or less.

So, if  somebody like me wants a digital eReader… well can I just say–paper is pretty much toast. Going the way of vinyl records. (Yes, somebody will always want those, but it won’t be the majority. This is also true because publishing houses as they exist today simply can’t survive financially under the current model.  I mean, when’s the last time you spent $25 on a hardback?)

But all the talk seems to be about which will win out–iPad or a Kindle? Sony Reader vs. Barnes and Noble’s nook? Potatoe or potato? But to me the reading revolution is really more about–do you want your reading experience to be interactive (as in vooks–a combination of video and books) or is the fun of reading seeing text and using your own imagination?

Soon you’ll be probably get an interactive book experience on all eReaders. Because even though Amazon has had a couple of P.R. um… (how shall I say this politely?)… missteps lately what with eliminating the book 1984,  and holding publishers hostage to the $9.99 eBook price, Jeff Bezos is one sharp cookie. Most likely his own amazing version of vooks will be offered on the Kindle and announced  shortly.  (And IMHO–hopefully a sleeker design. That cheap white plastic has got to go!)

So I’m torn… already some of my favorite authors are happily putting together vooks to tell their story.   They are doing this because ultimately people read books to feel emotions, or to gain knowledge, and using music and images is a great way to expand on that experience.

When our Fresh team adds videos to a  website often they can do more for the message in that 1-2  minutes than pages of text and hundreds of still pictures could ever convey. I get that! I really do. But would my favorite books be the same if the images weren’t all created in my own head? On a rainy day am I going to curl up by the fire with Peppermint tea and …turn on the show?

Let us know what YOU think??

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/the-future-battle-for-digital-readers-is-not-ipad-vs-kindle%e2%80%a6-it%e2%80%99s-vook-vs-book/feed/ 8 Social Media 201 Conference at Microsoft’s Conference Center: taking your social media efforts to the next level of engagement, profitability, and ROI http://freshconsulting.com/blog/social-media-201-conference-at-microsoft%e2%80%99s-conference-center-taking-your-social-media-efforts-to-the-next-level-of-engagement-profitability-and-roi/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/social-media-201-conference-at-microsoft%e2%80%99s-conference-center-taking-your-social-media-efforts-to-the-next-level-of-engagement-profitability-and-roi/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:34:47 +0000 Brent Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=527 REDMOND, Wash. March 18th, 2010 – On April 15, 2010 the Social Media 201 Conference will be hosted at Microsoft’s Conference Center in Redmond, Washington. Social Media 201 is designed to help organizations take their social media strategy, tactics, and implementation to the next level of customer engagement, profitability, and ROI. This one day event features powerful keynote presentations, insightful lightning talks, a collaborative round table working session, and a panel discussion from recognized experts in business strategy, customer-relationship building and monetization of social media. These industry experts include:

* Eric Weaver – Account Director and Strategist at Tribal DDB Worldwide
* Dave Hanley – CEO & Principal at Banyan Branch
* Daniel Rasmus – Author of “Listening to the Future”
* Kristen Ruby – CEO, Ruby Media Group
* Dr. Udi Schlessinger – Managing Partner, U Labs
* Darren Williger – President & CEO, Regillo Consulting Group
* Bille Baty – COO & Managing Partner, Phi Concepts
* Jeff Dance – Founder, Fresh Consulting
* Joe Kennedy – Founder of Eastside Entrepreneurs and AKA “The Connector”

Social Media 201 is sponsored by the Microsoft Local Engagement Team and Comcast Business Class. Supporting organizations for Social Media 201 include Fresh Consulting, Eastside Entrepreneurs Social Network, Ruby Media Group, Banyan Branch, Regillo Consulting Group and Tribal DDB Worldwide.

Mike Whitmore, President of Fresh Consulting from Bellevue, Washington explains, “the concept for Social Media 201 stemmed from the Social Media 101 Conference the Eastside Entrepreneurs and Joe Kennedy hosted last September at Microsoft. The 101 Conference helped educate business owners about what social media is and why companies should participate. The new Social Media 201 Conference is designed for those businesses that have begun to delve into social media and want to take it to the next level, find a path to profitability and measure return on investment.”

Registration for the event is available at www.SocialMedia201.com. Use the discount code FRESH to get an additional discount.

Twitter feeds on the event are available from Twitter.com/SM201CONF and you can follow the event tweets via the hashtag #SM201

The Microsoft Conference Center provides free wireless Internet connectivity. A complimentary lunch is provided for attendees thanks to Comcast Business Class.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT

www.SocialMedia201.com

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/social-media-201-conference-at-microsoft%e2%80%99s-conference-center-taking-your-social-media-efforts-to-the-next-level-of-engagement-profitability-and-roi/feed/ 0 Twitter Tools: a conversation about Twitter in 140 characters or less http://freshconsulting.com/blog/twitter-tools-a-conversation-about-twitter-in-140-characters-or-less/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/twitter-tools-a-conversation-about-twitter-in-140-characters-or-less/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:59:48 +0000 Brent Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=473 “Twitter Tools” is the fifth and final part of our 5-part educational series that rolls through a dialogue between Twitter Tina (Twitter fan) and Twitter Tom (Twitter skeptic) in blurbs of 140 characters or less. The fifth part focuses on the available applications to make the most of Twitter.

To learn more, check out the first part, second part, third part, and fourth part of our 5-part series.

To see an even more comprehensive list of Twitter tools, visit Web2Review and click here.

Part Five – A Conversation About Twitter

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/twitter-tools-a-conversation-about-twitter-in-140-characters-or-less/feed/ 2 Seven strategies and tactics: a conversation about Twitter in 140 characters or less http://freshconsulting.com/blog/seven-strategies-and-tactics/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/seven-strategies-and-tactics/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:11:02 +0000 Brent Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=461 “Seven Strategies and Tactics” is the fourth part of our 5-part educational series that rolls through a dialogue between Twitter Tina (Twitter fan) and Twitter Tom (Twitter skeptic) in blurbs of 140 characters or less. The fourth part focuses on various strategies and tactics to make the most of Twitter.

To learn more, check out the first part, second part, and third part of our 5-part series.

Part Four – A Conversation About Twitter

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/seven-strategies-and-tactics/feed/ 1 Using the New Web to Land your Next Opportunity http://freshconsulting.com/blog/using-the-new-web-to-land-your-next-opportunit/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/using-the-new-web-to-land-your-next-opportunit/#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:33:15 +0000 admin http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=442 We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the recent networking event on Thursday, December 11th. We had a great time meeting you all. Hopefully you walked out armed with at least one or two takeaways that will help you capture your next fresh opportunity.

The slides from the presentation and the video recording of the event are being edited right now, so check back here for updates.

We didn’t focus on this, but during the presentation, we mentioned a couple lists that will help you in your job search and in working online to fill any working gaps (and maybe even earn a living).

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/using-the-new-web-to-land-your-next-opportunit/feed/ 3 What’s in it for business? a conversation about Twitter in 140 characters or less http://freshconsulting.com/blog/whats-in-it-for-business/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/whats-in-it-for-business/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:01:15 +0000 Jeff Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=414 A Conversation about Twitter is a 5-part educational series that rolls through a dialogue between Twitter Tina (Twitter fan) and Tom (Twitter skeptic) in blurbs of 140 characters or less. The third part “What’s in it for business?” focuses on the benefits of a business Twitter account.

Part Three – A Conversation About Twitter
]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/whats-in-it-for-business/feed/ 1 Why Should I Join Twitter? in a conversation of 140 characters or less http://freshconsulting.com/blog/why-should-i-join-twitter/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/why-should-i-join-twitter/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:47:41 +0000 Jeff Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=402 Why Should I Join? is the second part of our 5-part educational series that rolls through a dialogue between Twitter Tina (Twitter fan) and Tom (Twitter skeptic) in blurbs of 140 characters or less. This second part focuses on the benefits of a personal Twitter account.

You can view the first part here.

Part Two – A Conversation About Twitter

]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/why-should-i-join-twitter/feed/ 1 What is Twitter? in a conversation of 140 Characters or Less http://freshconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:16:34 +0000 Jeff Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=375
Twitter is silly, yet powerful– simple, yet sophisticated–focused, but broad–local, but worldwide.  Love it or hate it, the fact is it’s often misunderstood.  Hence, the interest in writing a short series that educates the basic to advanced user with greater levels of understanding.

There are dozens of books written on Twitter, but we believed it could be best conveyed through a simple conversation…since conversations are at the core of Twitter.  We wrote our conversation in the context of two birds–Tina and Tom–one that is pro Twitter and one that is either against Twitter or still trying to understand it (To Tweet or Not to Tweet).

The more you understand Twitter, the more you will appreciate it and figure out whether it is for you or not for you.  We hope our five part series does just that.
]]> http://freshconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/feed/ 3 The Fresh Consulting Logo unveils its simple yet sophisticated story http://freshconsulting.com/blog/the-fresh-consulting-logo-unveils-its-sophisticated-story/ http://freshconsulting.com/blog/the-fresh-consulting-logo-unveils-its-sophisticated-story/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:59:09 +0000 Jeff Dance http://freshconsulting.com/blog/?p=208 Our ideal for the Fresh Consulting logo was for it to be simple, yet sophisticated.  In fact, long before we settled on the name Fresh Consulting, we were thinking of naming our group the “Occams Razor Group.” In summary, “Occams Razor” means “simple yet sophisticated.” A beautiful principle and a lofty goal for a logo. Yet, at a far distance, our logo is simply just a green leaf next to logo text to represent the “Fresh” side of Fresh Consulting. Up close however, the intricate leaf patterns suggest a deeper meaning.   There are three primary pillars to Fresh Consulting and we believe they are represented intricately in the logo patterns:

  • 1. Fresh Technology: the left circuit board side of the logo that represents our core focus on emerging web technology
  • 2. Fresh Thinking: the right brain side of the logo which represents the right creative side of our brain and our core focus on innovation and creativity (all that is fresh)
  • 3. Fresh Talent: the stem leaf that brings together both the left side and right side and represents our focus on fresh talent that is both tech/web savvy and creative

A logo shouldn’t need an explanation, but we created a short animation to highlight the significance of our sophisticated side.  The video animation is a whopping 14 seconds!  I think if it would have been over 15 seconds, then our logo explanation would be complicated rather than sophisticated, but the 14 second animation packs it in.

Look forward to your thoughts/feedback on our logo if you think it can be improved. If you like what we’ve done with our logo or animation, let us know if you need help designing a logo or producing some video animation.

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