Firebox.com

Recently had such a good experience with Firebox.com. Their order was perfectly on time (which lets face it is now a necessity) and my items were really well packaged. Also as a little bonus there was a small packet of fun gum sweets at the top of the box as I opened it which I was extremely pleased with.
It would do a lot of companies/retailers good to think about adding these delight factors to customer transactions (while not making it something that is expected) because even though a very simple and cheap thing to do - I am now feeling very favourable about firebox.com and will most certainly be shopping there again.
And no I don't mind that it is a site that sells mainly mens gadgets :p

Onwards and upwards for YouTube

Seems like YouTube are all about innovation at the moment. Not only are they how hosting an O2 academy channel on their website to add to their already wide range of channels including 4od and channel 5, but they are also looking to expand their advertising which may include sponsorship. It looks as though the future is going to be pro-footballers running up and down the pitch with the YouTube logo on their chests. I quite like the idea to be honest. My favourite thing about the website is making information and entertainment more accessible to people. YouTube are also pioneers in allowing people to share videos for free and gives so much power to the consumer and the average Joe. Anyone can be a star on YouTube....need I mention Rebecca Black? But on a serious note. I say well done YouTube – maybe one day you will take over the world by charging people to view video...but for now I am keen to keep an eye on this vastly growing company and can’t wait to see what they do next.

Studious times...

Having returned to university to complete my degree in Business Management and Marketing, I have started working on my dissertation. Mostly at the moment I am just doing a lot of reading and research. I have chosen the topic of motivation in the workplace and trying to define whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic benefits that motivate people in the corporate environment. Also trying to relate this to marketing...still working on that bit...:/ So far the reading is very interesting but I am sure that this feeling is going to slowly wear off. I miss the days of 3,000 word essays... I have now moved on to 9,000 - oh god!!

A miracle..my Zune is ALIVE!

Turns out my Zune is working again! I decided I didn’t want to send it off to the US until I tried to sort it out myself one last time! I had to leave it plugged in via USB to my laptop for over a week – and then one day it just randomly turned on. Perhaps there is something seriously wrong with the battery internally – but for now I don’t care! Its working fine and I have ordered a wall plug charger from Amazon which comes with a car charger for half price ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/INNOV8-Mains-Power-Charger-Microsoft/dp/B0019YR2RK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238401032&sr=8-1 ) and should arrive tomorrow. Hopefully this will never happen again woop!

Alas...My Zune is broken

After many many months of enjoying my 8gb Zune, it is now dead. After researching on many websites such as www.rapidrepair.com and www.zunethings.co.uk , and consulting many Zune enthusiasts is appears that the problem may be the battery. Apparently once completely drained of power, the battery is no longer able to be charged from a USB connection to a laptop. Therefore – I borrowed a fellow Zune users charger – great! And it worked. However...the battery died again...and re-charging it in the same way did not work. Also the battery never lets me know when it is running low. It just dies on me. This has indeed made me very sad as I may have to send it back to the US to be repaired and who knows how long that will take. Sad Sad times... :(

Got my tickets for Michael Jackson!

Pretty damn excited – I’m going to see Michael Jackson in convert at the o2 – I don’t think I ever thought this day would come. It did take a long time to get hold of tickets... and the dates are not until February (when I will be 22!) but I am excited none the less.
No matter what the suspicions and allegations against Michael Jackson.... it is still undisputable that he is one of the most talented artists and dancers of his time. Thriller is the best selling album in the world ever, so the question is (apart from the price of the ticket) who would not want to go see Michael Jackson at the o2 arena! Now we all know that I am a massive o2 fan but it’s not only that... This is bound to be one spectacular show, there will be lights, fireworks, dancers, musicians and of course Wacko Jacko himself. The artist is a staggering 50 years old, who knows if he will ever tour again? Also this is his first tour in the UK in over 10 years. Generations and generations to come will hear Jacksons music and see his raw talent and dancing and will know of him as a legend. I for one want to be one of those people who can say “I saw him live”.

O2 are such a great company!

There have been many instances when I have been extremely impressed with the company, but I felt like highlighting one today.

They text me yesterday saying “it’s your birthday soon, so we thought we would give you 50 free texts. Text Bday to #### free to claim” then after I text them they replied with “enjoy your birthday and make sure everyone spoils you a bit”

I just thought that was such a simple way to keep your customers happy as it hardly costs them anything to provide this service However by doing this the company has left me feeling really positive about the brand and service in general. I am also left with the feeling that I am with the best service provider around, and that they actually genuinely care about their customers!

Well done to o2 for coming up with such a brilliantly simple marketing tool.

Fantasy Birthday Wish-List

It’s by birthday soon and in aid of the celebrations I have decided to create a fantasy birthday wish list!

I’ll start with the most feasible!

A bunch gerbera daisies

Tiffany’s Stirling silver bracelet – £135

http://uk.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=GRP01690&mcat=148204&cid=287458&search_params=s+5-p+4-c+287458-r+201323338-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

New flashy laptop – I would ask my brother for advice on this but here is one I thought looks good (and also shiny....come on I’m a girl)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150331

Bugatti Veyron

But to be more feasible ... this would do

A ride on Aladdin’s magic carpet

Or maybe just a stay in his Palace

A day on a pirate ship :)

The only other things I wanted was a blackberry and I already have that :D lucky meeeee

I know this is an odd list but a girl wants what a girl wants!

Obviously I am extremely lucky as I will be getting exactly what I want for my birthday – which is spending it with friends and family – awww.

I love making lists

My dearest brother - who knows me so well, showed me this brilliant link which I thought I would share. This will improve my productivity so much ! :)

http://printablechecklist.org/

Snow Fun

After my rant about the snow, I felt the need to post up some pictures I took on my phone...(so not great quality) just to show that although I had a little complain - I really enjoyed the weather :)

One is the view out of my bedroom window when I woke up and was all excited by the snow, and the other is me and the snowman I built with a friend in my workplace car park ... isn't he cool :D (as ice)