James Woudhuysen at Formation Zone’s ‘On Media’ event
James Woudhuysen’s keynote speech: The Challenge of New Media - listen here
We were podcasting from Formation Zone’s ‘On Media’ event at the University of Plymouth last week.
Keynote speaker was James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montford University.
Click . to listen to James’ keynote speech.
An extract from his CV sums it up his work and background:
James helps clients to master new trends in society and innovation, so as to implement major shifts in corporate strategy, marketing, branding and design. He frequently broadcasts about the future of the workplace on Radio 4’s You and Yours, and writes a regular column for IT Week (London) and Novo (Frankfurt). He is also on the editorial boards of New Design and the Journal of Consumer Behaviour.
More information on his website.
Formation Zone
Formation Zone is a dynamic initiative supporting new creative businesses with a wide range of resources, facilities and business expertise.
Located in the new Roland Levinsky building at the University of Plymouth Formation Zone also offers incubation offices to put start-ups at the heart of creative media in the area.
For more information please call Eleanor Butland on 01752 588954 or visit the Formation Zone website.
Eden Project podcast - Sam and Clare pay a visit to the “office”
If you’re the Eden Project and you want to podcast, this is addressed to you
Click . to listen to the podcast.
We think that you’re missing a trick. Audio podcasting is the perfect way to share the passion, experience, wisdom and personality of the people who combine to make the Eden Project happen.
It’s inexpensive, powerful, environmentally-friendly and it’s perfect for telling stories.
We love the Eden project. In fact, it’s our second office. And we’ve made contact with you a couple of times to initiate a conversation about how productive audio podcasting could be in your education and marketing strategies….sadly it seems to have fallen into that ‘it’s all very complicated isn’t it? I think we’re going to do something with it…’ category.
We think that’s a pity. Why? Because it’s not that difficult to get started.
Which is why we’re going down to the Eden Project today to podcast from the Biomes to show you just how easy it is - and how much fun, too.
Equipment needed? £200 mp3 recorder. Free editing software. Unlimited bandwidth audio file hosting £5 per month. Laptop to edit on, broadband connection for uploading. Er. That’s it.
Expertise needed? As a minimum, the ability to get a good recording and conduct and interview. We offer a range of approaches from ‘you record, we edit, post-produce and publish’ to ‘we train you to do it all’ - and a range of training / equipment packages to suit whichever approach you need.
If you’re not the Eden Project but you were looking for an Eden Project Podcast, hope you enjoy ours anyway!
If you’re the Eden Project and you’re interested, we still are ![]()
PayPal customer service gets dripped on in The Mu Show
The Mu Show turns the dripping tap of social media on PayPal for being so bad at listening to its customers.
Welcome to The Mu Show #1 - Sam and Clare’s return to the mics after a few months without podcasting. Every week on the show, we’ll bring you:
a Mu marketing tip
The Dripping Tap - social media water torture for big companies who just don’t listen to their customers
a bit of what we’ve been doing in the Mu News.
Talk to us on our voicemail line 01752 548771. Just leave a message and we’ll put you on next week’s show! Know a business that’s not listening? Let’s see if we can get through.
The mukaumedia rules of podcasting: 1) Have fun 2) Don’t take it too seriously 3) Do it sooner rather than later
How to get good sound on your video
‘mu:kaumedia time-served tips how to get great audio on your video content
For most video makers and podcasters, good vocal recording is a must.
Here’s the priority list of things to do:
1) Buy a video camera with a microphone input. Don’t even consider one without - you will regret it.
2) Buy a Sennheiser Freeport presentation system and use it for all your ’studio’ voice recording.
3) Buy the most expensive. professional camera-mounted shotgun mic or hand-held mic you can afford for on-location interviews and ambient sound.
The rule of vocal recording? Do whatever it takes to get most voice, least ambience. The easiest way to do that is to put a mic right next to the sound source - hence the tie-clip or lavalier mic (as recommended above).
Any further away from the source than that and you’re into unrescuable, ‘boxy’ or simply inaudible voice recording. Here’s an example (in a relatively noisy room).
Recession-beating advice for small businesses in Exeter
TBX1’s ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ was full of good advice for local businessmen and women
Networking events are what The Business Exchange do best, in my opinion - and their ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ events are good examples. Despite their slightly misleading title ( ‘Dragon’s Question Time’ might have been more accurate), the events went down well with Plymouth and Exeter businesses.
We enjoyed podcasting both events - despite being a little under-equipped for the task. In the event, a combination of a good mixing desk, quality mics, lots of experience and a bit of inventiveness resulted in some good podcasts. You can listen to all 16 questions from both events here.
The contributions from the panel on both days was excellent: insightful, challenging and sometimes searingly honest. Both panels were superbly chaired with the result that, in both cases, the events added up to considerably more than the sum of their parts.
Times are hard and they’re going to get harder. But if these events are anything to go by, Devon business is far from pessimistic. In fact, if you listen to these podcasts, you’ll hear the sound of Devon business rising to the challenge.
The general consensus afterwards was “More like this please”.
Q6 from TBX1’s ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ business networking event Plymouth, Devon
More advice on how to manage your business through tough economic times
Image: Cassandra Photography
Q6 : Pete Lovett, Discovery Business Academy - “What are the key elements of geurilla marketing?”
[Click here to listen to the full 52 minute podcast (R-Click to download).]
Business podcast: Plymouth’s business Dragons on beating the recession
Question 5 of 10 from ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ business panel in Plymouth
Image: Cassandra Photography
“Other than networking, what’s the single most effective low-cost way to promote small businesses?” Asks Ash Mashadi of Design Inspiration.
There will be another ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ free event in Exeter on 11th July. More details here.
Click here to download this podcast or use the player (below) to listen now. [Click here to listen to the full 52 minute podcast (R-Click to download).]
Free podcast: How do I reduce my overheads?
Question 4 from TBX1’s ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ business networking event in Plymouth.
Image: Cassandra Photography
“How do I reduce my overheads?” Asks Steve Haggart of InBusiness Commercial Interiors.
There will be another ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ free event in Exeter on 11th July. More details here.
Click here to download this podcast or use the player (below) to listen now. [Click here to listen to the full 52 minute podcast (R-Click to download).]
Free Podcast: ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ in Plymouth
Audio podcast from the business networking even held in Plymouth 20th June 2008
Question 3 of 10: “With strict employment laws putting many businesses off recruiting, what do you think is the best business model for growth: recruiting employees or using contractors?” - Gary of Let’s Face IT
TBX1 are holding another Dragon’s Den free business networking event at the Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford on Friday 11th July. Please book via The Business Exchange website.
To download the audio, R-click here
To listen now, click on the player (below). [Click here to listen to the full 52 minute podcast (R-Click to download).]
Free podcast: TBX1’s ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ business networking events, Devon
The Business Exchange networking event held in Plymouth 20th June 2008
Image: Cassandra Photography
Question 2 of 10: “Bearing in mind that the only way I’m going to make money is to attract customers, how am I going to attract more?” - Chris Menlove-Platt of JSA Development.
Would you like to put a question to the panel at the next ‘Reverse Dragon’s Den’ in Exeter? If so, then please come along to the next event - it’s free and it’s a good networking opportunity, too.
The venue is the Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford on Friday 11th July. Please book via The Business Exchange website.
To download the audio, R-click here. To listen now, click on the player (below)
[Click here to listen to the full 52 minute podcast (R-Click to download).]













