Isle of Man and Channel Islands Online News Site

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There is a new online news service just gone live distributing news across the web available to Isle of Man and Channel Island business’s and organisations. Isle News looks like its just started up, but it looks like a great service and all for free.

If you not up to to speed on the benefits of online PR yet, its all very simple to understand and undertake.

You simply email your news release to the site, if you want you can optimise your news release with some key words or the site can do this for a small charge. The you leave the rest to the site.

The benefits include reaching a new audience and driving traffic to your site, as well as getting listed in key news sites such as Google News and Yahoo News, they help to increase your organic search ranking by building new links to your site!

How good is that!

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Why bad I.T. policies can ruin your brand!

How much has the Isle of Man Government spent on the Freedom to Flourish campaign or whatever they call it?

I think they should invest more time in a robust email policy!

Need I say more…….?

Actual screen shot from an email I received today! Believe me, I have seen far worse, but is this the freedom flourish?

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My top 5 places I shopped on Isle of Man this Christmas

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In no particular order!

1. Island Seafare – fantastic range of fresh local fish and locally smoked salmon. Must have buys are the hot smoked salmon and Manx Queenies, all fantastic. The staff are really freindly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble.

2. Farmers Market – every Saturday at the Villa Marina – great local fresh vegetables all without stupid plastic packaging!

3. Deli 35 – if your looking for that something different, Deli 35 has it.

4. Anagh Coar Butchers – all locally sourced products with the exeption of Crocodile, Ostrich and Kangaroo. Oh and not forgetting the Reindeer burgers that I picked up for my bbq on Boxing Day . Must buys are the pork sausages and Manx Mutton, haven’t had a chance to try the homemade pies, but they look great!

5. Davisons chocolate shop on regent street – if you like chocolate you will love this shop. Friendly staff and all great presentation.

And no I didn’t bother with Woolworths!

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The death of Woolworth’s

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I feel really sad today, and not because we will be seeing the end of Woolworth’s on the high street and the local Strand Street of Douglas. To be honest its was on the cards for years.

What really made me sad was seeing the vultures, the scavengers and the bargain hunters all queueing outside and later inside once the store opened. The queue must have been 40 people long when I walked passed. People with hoards of selection boxes, discount cds other tacky clothes and cheap electrical goods – and all for what?

I know it’s Christmas soon, but I just cannot stand what the human race has become, obsessed by material goods and spending money, and all for what I ask myself?

Call me cynical and baa humbug, but honestly I am not like that. Yeah I like nice clothes, my ipod touch, and my macbook but I just cannot be bothered fighting, queing and squabbling tooth and nail to get my hands on any of it, no matter how much of a bargain it is!

I really think it’s sad, even despite this current recession, doom and gloom that we still think we can buy our way out of it and make our lives that much better. Sorry I just don’t buy it.

One thing is for sure, I wont be fighting over Brussel sprouts in Tesco! Unlike other sad bastards!

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Service with an……. argument?

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I popped in to the Manx Telecom mobile shop along Strand Street on the Saturday before last just to have a look at the latest Blackberry Bold and what a nice piece of kit it is too.

I have been looking for a phone with wifi capability for a little while now plus I really liked my current Blackberry.

It’s also a toss up between a new Blackberry and Apples iphone, so I would regard myself as a reasonably warm to hot customer in terms of selling too.

So here is the scenario.

I walked in to the Manx Telecom shop on Strand Street.

The sales lady came over and asked if I needed any help, to which I answered ” I am an exisitng cusotmer who is interested in the new Blackberry Bold and what were the terms on my contract?”

She went away and checked for me.

I was told that my current contract has several months to expire and if I wanted to have one I would need to pay the full price. I was fine with that and didn’t have an issue with it at all.

I then asked if I could purchase a iPhone at the Manx Telecom shop to which the reply was “we are working on it.” So I replied, “that’s a no then?” At this point the sales person got very uptight and went on the defensive saying that I was wrong to say that! So I asked the question again, “could I purchase an IPhone at the store?” She again repeated the same answer  “we are working on it.” At which point I replied “so that means I can’t buy one now then?”

The person then got all hot and bothered and admitted correctly that I couldn’t buy one but they were working on it in a rather abrubt and aggresive tone. By this time I was rather taken a back by both the level of service and the behaviour of the person in question – I left the store.

Now to me if this situation was to be replayed and I was the sales person I might have done things a little different.

Firstly, I wouldnt have assumed that the because the customer owned a Blackberry already that the IPhone was for them! It might have been a gift?

Next, I would have replied honestly and truthfully and not tried to be clever and simply replied “No they are not on sale at the moment, but we are hoping to get some soon.”

And finally, I would have asked if the cusotmer would like to give me there email address or contact details so that when the Iphones did come into the store they could contact the customer and let them know.

How easy is that, and how pleased would I be with that level of service – pretty chuffed if you ask me!

Sorry Manx Telecom, but you still have a lot to learn… and thats just the basics!

I went for a look in the Sure shop after that.

Since then the Iphone is on sale at Manx Telecom.

Sorry but they won’t be getting my custom after that experience!

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Kaupthing Isle of Man collapse update

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As the winding up by liquidators continues so does the blaming, naming and political sideshow. The process is due to be completed at the end of November and it is likely that everyone who had deposits will get their money back up to the ceiling limit of 50k as per the revised Isle of Man Depositors Compensation Scheme however that is little comfort to those ho deposited amounts over this level! Which will be a considerable number!

The Kaupthing Action group set up by depositors has continued to rally and gain support with a recent appointment of a legal team to assist in claiming money lost.

One things is for sure, the issue will continue for a long time to to come and will have ramifications to the Isle of Man as an offshore jurisdition.

Lets hope that a some positive news comes along soon – it’s not like we don’t need some!

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Isle of Man brands … opportunity?

  

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I was reading a recent article by Bruce Horovitz of USA TODAY about the brands that Barack Obama and his family are associated with by using, wearing or consuming. If Barack happens to wear a type of trainer or eat a certain make of food this can mean amazing increases in awareness and sales of the associated brands. It also got me thinking what MIGHT BE the case for the Manx equivalent here on the island for potential Isle of Man branding opportunities. So here goes with a bit of light hearted fun with the first attempt.

 

 

President of the USA v The Chief Minister of the Isle of Man

1. Clothing/Suits

Barack Obama

Apparently he is a big fan of Hart Schaffner Marx suits — the Gold Trumpeter line, which is 97% worsted wool and 3% cashmere. The suits are made USA, sell for about $1,300 custom-made (his are) or less than $1,000 off-the-rack. Obama is said to have three gray and three navy blue. “He’s certainly generated a lot of interest,” says Hartmarx CEO Homi Patel.

Our Tony

I reckon he is a big fan of the Manx Tarten (well he should be!). Before Tynwald day and special government functions I expect you might find Tony in the Celtic Gold shop in Peel getting fitted out if he hasn’t got one hanging up in his wardrobe already! Before Tony was Chief Minister he would probably have been seen sporting a Browns Electrics polo shirt whilst either serving happy customers in his shop or rewiring a local Manx house or Castletown office. Definatley more exciting than the boring old suit worn by the US president – well in our Tony!

2. Snacks.

Obama

He likes to eat and snack healthy. He likes Planters Trail Mix: Nuts, Seeds and Raisins. Planters has White House links dating to former president (and peanut farmer) Carter, as a sponsor of the Plains, Ga., Peanut Festival, says Laurie Guzzinati, a Kraft Foods spokeswoman.

Our Tony

It has to be that Manx traditional dish of chips, cheese and gravy from either the Terrace Chippy or the Islander. It could even be a tasty Kipper Bap with Manx Kippers from Devereau’s with the fresh white bap from Ramsey Bakery. It sure beats nuts, grains and rabbit food and is much more in tune with the culture and heritage of the Isle of Man!

3. Sweets

Obama

The Obamas are said to eat Fran’s Chocolates, an artisan chocolate brand from Seattle. Barack prefers Fran’s Smoked Sea Salt Caramel in Milk Chocolate ($24 for a 16-piece box) whilst his wife Michelle prefers dark chocolate, says Sean Seedlock, Fran’s marketing chief.

Our Tony

Being a true manx man I reckon Tony likes the clean crisp taste of Manx Knobs and probably pops in to The Port Erin Gaslight & Aerated Waters Company shop in Castletown square to purchase a tin or two to suck on whilst in sitting in the House of Key’s. Other snacks he might like could include a whippy 99 from Davisons ice cream parlour in Peel, probably on a Sunday aftnoon when he has nothing exciting to do!

4. Drinks.

Obama

He is said to be a fan of Black Forest Berry Honest Tea. “It raises the profile of our brand and all organic products,” says Seth Goldman, CEO of Honest Tea. “We’d love for it to be the official drink of the new administration.”

Our Tony

Having sold a few kettles in his time I would think Tony would be a real connoisseur of Manx Tea tea, so it would have to be the Fairy bridge blend or on special occasions the Glen Helen blend. When he is out socialising or winding down after a hard day leading the country I would expect him to have the odd pint of Okells bitter or even a crafty shot of ManX spirit if its been a particulary challenging week!

5. Transport & Vehicles

Obama

The Obama family owns a $34,000 Ford Escape hybrid. Ford is “delighted” the family chose the SUV, “but we won’t be out there actively promoting that,” says Ford spokesman Jay Ward. Once he is settled in to the White House he will of course be flying in Airforce One private jet to the US president.

Our Tony

I really don’t know what vehicle Tony might drive. I reckon something like a Jaguar or even a Peel car? When he has to travel off the island then I don’t think it stretches to a private jet so it could even be a cabin on the Isle of Man Steampacket’s flagship vessel the Ben My Chree.

6. Sports.

Obama

Barack Obama lovesbasketball. Adam Silver, deputy commissioner of the National Basketball Association, says he expects the baseball field on the White House south lawn will be replaced with a hoops court. “Maybe they will pass a law that makes basketball the nation’s official pastime.”

Our Tony

High speed motorcycle road racing would be pretty high up the agenda I reckon followed secondly by the Southern 100 road races around his home circuit of Billown. Football and supporting Castletown FC could also feature fairly high on the agenda?

So you see, there could be some real opportunities for local Manx brands to do well off the back of endorsements and product placement by the Isle of Man Chief Minister.

If anyone does really know what brands Tony wears or endorses or if Tony himself wants to let us know then I am sure we could come up with the real manx equivalent instead of just my take on things!

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Isle of Man Newspapers Awards

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On Thursday night I was lucky enough to be invited to the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence 2008 thanks to the guys at Isle of Man Post.

I must admit the evening was very entertaining as the islands great and the good gathered at the Sefton Hotel and Villa Marina for pre-award drinks and a meal (which was surprisingly good too) before heading through into the fantastic Gaiety Theater for the evenings 18 awards.

The Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for excellence is in its third year now and was the brain child (I think) of Trudi Williamson of Isle of Man Newspapers and Professor Hugh Davidson as part of the islands rather over used not sure what it’s trying to be ‘Freedom to Flourish’ initiative.

The evening was a celebration of excellence in organisations and individuals within the Isle of Man community and it was great to see so many people being recognised for all their dedication and hard work.

The host for the evening was the very ,very, very, very funny and quick witted Graham Davies, with some other memorable moments coming from Anna Goldsmith and Geoff Corkishes Manx rendition of ‘Show me the way to Amirillo’ or was it Peel?

Some of the worthy winners on the night included Volunteer of the year which was awarded to Paula Lunt who has worked incredibly hard to set up Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, after the death of her 25-year-old son Craig from an undetected heart defect in 2005.

Paul McCann was chosen as the Sefton Group’s Public Sector Person of the Year for his dedication as manager of the Noble’s Hospital neo-natal unit

The CMI Personality of the Year winner, was cyclist Mark Cavendish

The Nationwide International Business Person of the Year award winner was Microgaming boss Roger Raatgever.

The Britannia International award winner for Innovation and Independent Thinking went to CVI Optics Ltd, who manufacture high-energy laser optics and are based in Onchan.

The Island’s Aircraft Registry was the winner of the Collins Stewart Public Sector Achievement of the Year award.

Online Regional Travel rightly so won an award with the HSBC Award for Effective Use of Information Technology for their development of the world’s first global flight booking engine that can be used in mobile phones – a really cool product.

As I was a guest courtesy of Isle of Man Post Office, I better do my bit! The Isle of Man Post Office award for Marketing Effectiveness winner was the Isle of Man Creameries and it was good to see Findlay Macleod collect the award I think for the second year running?

There were also many many more great awards and a full list is avaialable on the Isle of Man Newspapers website.

The final award of the evening went to Robin Gibb for Life Time Acheivement, however his mimed rendition of Ellan Vannin was incredibly naff and the fact that he looked to be reading the words from an auto cue did make me ask a few questions albeit in my own head if not anybody elses!

All in all it was a great and memorable night though.

Probably got myself scrubbed of the guest list now for next year but hey I am a turtle and sometimes you have to stick your neck out!

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Rare Manx Sheep spotted!

I took a trip out the other day for a walk and spotted this rare brred of Manx Sheep. The Orange Belly!

mm I wonder what it tastes like! Ha Ha. Even better would make good coats for Highway Board!

Rare Manx Sheep

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Isle of Man a rock in hard place

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The Kaupthing collapse has been making the local news and tv stations again today. The thing is all for the wrong reasons.

Last week it looked like there was some possible avenues that could lead to a positive result for all those saver who lost out. Now it seams that the Isle of Man is the rock between a hard place.

The Labour government hasn’t been been quiet coming forward in saying over the years that it isn’t mad keen on offshore tax havens and you kind of get the feeling that it could well use this credit crunch casualty to be it’s way of squeezing the drop out of last Isle of Man Offshore banking Tax Haven status.

After all the Isle of Man has said it can go on without the help of the UK historically and after all why politically should the UK Governent assist customers who have lost there savings when they don’t really agree with the IOM Tax haven status.

Not very good times.

The Isle of Man government needs to take drastic quick action to find the right resolution.

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