Directors Cut

LEAD

2010-03-29T16:42:00.002Z

Are you a marketer?
Are you managing a team?
Are you in need of help, direction, inspiration...?
Then the LEAD Programme could be for you.
This exciting programme just for marketers has been put together by CIM and Enterprise4All and will be starting very soon. For CIM and non CIM members, this 10 month intensive programme will give you the tools you need to develop your leadership skills and move forward with confidence. It could even elevate you to Charterd Marketer status!
Find out more today by contacting me - 07813 669305 or dianeearles@cim.co.uk

Should I stay or should I go?

2010-03-22T18:28:00.001Z

I have been very naughty and not updated my blog for a few weeks. It is interesting that no-one has commented on this, but many people have been responding to my tweets. Is this the way to go I wonder?
Your thoughts and suggestions welcomed please.

The Pitch 2010

2010-02-28T12:57:00.002Z

The 23rd Northern student competition happened this week. The Pitch goes from strength to strength with continued support from McCann's for the third year running, for which we are ever grateful.
The event saw 11 teams of three battle it out firstly for a place in the live final on Wednesday, and then Manchester Met team Thinkplant take the title, 12 months free membership of CIM and custody of the coveted CIM Shield for 12 months.
Well done to everyone that took part, congratulations to Thinkplant and the video will shortly be available on YouTube.

Lionheart

2010-02-22T15:06:00.003Z

For those of you that follow my twitterings (www.twitter.com/DianeEarles) will already know that we are working with Lionheart again this year. Lionheart (www.fla.uk.com)is a great experience for the students that take part and for our members that help them. This year we are providing 7 hours category 5 CPD for those members that get involved, which is another great reason to do so!

The events are as follows:
Yorkshire and North East Regional Final - Leeds 30th June
North West Final - Liverpool 2nd July
National Final - York (TBC) 12th July

If you are interested please contact me a.s.a.p. - dianeearles@cim.co.uk or 07813 669305

You heard it here!

2010-02-15T13:54:00.001Z

There are just 12 working days for you to book yourself on the Marketing Show. I have been asked what it is all about so instead of just writing it down I decided to make a podcast, which you can download at www.cim.co.uk/durham
I look forward to seeing you there!

Count down to The Marketing Show

2010-02-08T15:31:00.002Z

It's just 17 working days to The Marketing Show in Durham on 3rd March. The biggest event CIM has done for SMEs in the region with world class speakers, marketing support exhibitions, essential content to help you make the most of your marketing budget and the unique chance to elevate your brand. Basically its a not to be missed event!
Make sure you don't miss out, book your place today at www.cim.co.uk/durham
We look forward to seeing you there.

Well done Sandy!

2010-01-30T08:45:00.001Z

Congratulations to Sandy Lindsay FCIM of Tangerine PR, who won the Digital & Creative category at the North West Women in Business Awards last night. It was the one time I wished I'd had my Blackberry on my on a Friday night!

The Marketing Show

2010-01-26T11:30:00.002Z

This week, and for the coming weeks, we are promoting like mad our brand new event for the North East - The Marketing Show - which is specifically designed for small businesses to make the most of marketing. For more information visit www.cim.co.uk/durham.

South Yorkshire Chartered Marketers sought!

2010-01-21T18:47:00.002Z

The CIM South Yorkshire Team have been so successful in working with local Chambers etc to provide local businesses with support, we need volunteer Chartered Marketers to help out! If you want to increase your CPD point and maintan chartered status here's an ideal way of doing that whilst helping your local economy. For more information contact CIM South Yorkshire Chair, Judith Pigg on judith@accessiblemarketing.co.uk

New decade, new teams

2010-01-18T10:55:00.002Z

Yes, it is a new and exciting decade and to kick start a fresh we have two new regional boards here in the North. Congratulations to the following, who have been elected, and I look forward to working with you over the coming decade to improve CIM North:

Yorkshire & North East

Giovanna Battiston
Joanna Berry
Philip Knowles
Joanne Elliott
Robert Healey
John Gilbert
Judith Pigg
Anne-Marie Ridley
Sally Steadman

To find out more about these people and their roles on the regional board please visit www.cim.co.uk/yorkshire&northeast

North West

Davide de Maestri
Alan Sattenstall
Gill Cosser
Clare Crowther
Cathy Cowin
Leo Aspden
Jan Kelly
Scott Hadden
Lucky Okome

There will be profiles on these people shortly to be found at www.cim.co.uk/northwest

Is it you?

2010-01-07T16:39:00.003Z

Well that fooled you didn't it?
I bet you thought I was going to say Happy New Year and all that.
Well yes, I wish you health, wealth and happiness for 2010 but what I really wish this week is that you get in touch.

Not just anyone mind.

I want to find out who won the 2000 and 2004 CIM North West student competition. If it was you please contact me a.s.a.p dianeearles@cim.co.uk 07813 669305.

Review of the Year 2009

2009-12-18T12:46:00.002Z

Well another year is drawing to a close and I bet, like me, you are going to take the Christmas break to relax, review and reflect...

I thought you might be interested in the 2009 highlights for CIM North:

We ran 46 member events with total attendance numbers in excess of 2000.

We have given out 29 marketing student awards and our industrious members attended careers fairs or gave talks to schools, colleges and universities, engaging with in excess of 500 students.

They also did over 250 FREE one-to-one marketing clinics for small businesses and gave marketing presentations or delivered workshops to some 2000 small business delegates.

We also were involved in the following collaborations, in no particular order:
Business North West
Business Yorkshire
The Northern Marketing Awards
The Drum Marketing Awards
How Do Top 100 North West Brands
Marketing Live
Marketing: The Art Of '09

So no wonder we're all feeling tired!

Thank you to anyone who has been involved in any of the above activities and a very well done!

All of those things are on the cards for 2010 too, so if you have been involved then I'll be in touch again soon! But if you haven't and would like to be involved let me know.

With warm wishes for a Merry Christmas to you all.

Diane

Inspiration needed

2009-12-04T10:31:00.004Z

Are you based in Sheffield? Are you free on Wednesday 9th December? Would you like to give a talk on your career to date for Sheffield Hallam students that will inspire?
If so get in touch - 07813 669305 - dianeearles@cim.co.uk
Only current CIM members need apply.

Thanks giving

2009-11-27T18:15:00.002Z

I agree with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 2 that Thanks Giving as a tradition that we should adopt from America. It is a heartwarming celebration when we can take stock of our blessings. I guess for many people in Cumbria this weekend that might not be too easy but there are some things I am thankful for this week.
* My health, wealth and family
* A successful two days at Business Yorkshire (though my feet might never forgive me!)
* A great Northern Marketing Awards in Newcastle last night

I guess Martin Hall of Newcastle College is thankful too as he was our New Marketer of the Year, who was recognised for his dedication and determination to complete the CIM Diploma - well done Martin!

Migration

2009-11-18T17:39:00.001Z

It is probably a bit late for migrating birds, so it's not that!
I am nearing completion of the migration from www.cimnorth.co.uk to www.cim.co.uk, which has its switch over on 30th November.
This has come about in an effort to streamline our online presence and bring all the great stuff that The Institute has to offer under one virtual umbrella.
I do hope that the new system is looked upon as progress and my efforts over the past couple of weeks are not in vain!
Seriously though, each branch now has its own dedicated page i.e. www.cim.co.uk/cumbria where members, and non members, can find out more about the local activities of CIM and hopefully get more involved.
Take a look!

The Guardian

2009-10-27T23:49:00.002Z

This is not as you might at first think.
At our last Yorkshire & North East regional board meeting one of the team said how The Guardian newspaper had done a very interesting article on sustainability. We discussed how we as a region are moving towards greener practices with online feedback and CPD certificates but perhaps we could do more.
In an effort to achieve this I came up with the idea of having a plant that we would call The Guardian to fix our mind on this topic, which I would be happy to look after and bring to the meetings.
Now our next meeting is on Tuesday and I still haven't bought the plant!
Not because I don't want to but because I don't know what plant to buy.

My first thought was a mini red rose bush, that is lush and transportable and red for CIM, but our PR team think it should be pure green and perhaps grown from a seedling.
I am torn, what do you think?

Preparing for the Marketing Technology Masterclass

2009-10-23T15:04:00.002Z

On the 10th November I am hosting a Marketing Technology Masterclass at Pace in Shipley. We are just preparing the final touches of this and the website will soon list our speakers, who are presenting case studies from AIDC and Brother...

http://www.cim.co.uk/events/eventdetail.aspx?objectid=29020

And the winner is...

2009-10-15T14:31:00.002Z

It was my pleasure to announce the Yorkshire & Humber Award winners at our celebration evening in Leeds on Tuesday.

For those of you that weren't there (and why not?!) here is what you missed:

Introductory Certificate in Marketing
Number of people passed: 8
Nominees: one
Category Winner: Rachael Boswell from Leeds City College

Professional Certificate in Marketing
Number of people passed: 36
Nominees: one
Category Winner: Sarah Redhead from Leeds City College

Professional Diploma in Marketing
Number of people passed: 109
Nominees:
Samantha Ashton from Leeds City College
Simon Wilson from SPA Professional Academy
Philip Cheung from SPA Professional Academy
Stephen Birch from Oxford College of Marketing
Gillian Webb from Leeds City College
Sarah Brown from Leeds City College
Category Winner: Stephen Birch from Oxford College of Marketing

Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing
Number of people passes: 40
Nominees:
Elaina Botham from SPA Professional Academy
Alice Moggridge from SPA Professional Academy
Gwen Thirlwell from Leeds City College
Category Winner: Alice Moggridge from SPA Professional Academy

The Yorkshire & Humber Studying Member of the Year Award
Nominees:
Rachael Boswell from Leeds City College
Sarah Redhead from Leeds City College
Stephen Birch from Oxford College of Marketing
Alice Moggridge from SPA Professional Academy
Winner: Stephen Birch from Oxford College of Marketing

CAM Award
Number of peopled passes: 8
Nominees: one
Winner: Lucy Black from Cambridge Marketing College

Regional Directors Member of the Year Award
Winner: Gillian Shepherd MCIM and Chartered Marketer from Humber Branch

Alan Brownley Award
This is to remember and honour the commitment Alan, from South Yorkshire Branch, showed to the CIM right up until his untimely death in June 2007. We make this award to a member of The Institute who throughout the year has shown
outstanding innovation in promoting the CIM and further enhancing the benefits of
membership.
Nominees:
Tania Robinson MCIM, from ONE North East who has given three presentations for the North East Branch with excellent attendances on each occasion.
Caroline Hitchen MCIM and Chartered Marketer, she has done a fantastic job whilst on the North East Branch improving their member events and relationships with key organizations.
Andrew Earnshaw MCIM and Chartered Marketer, soon to be past chair of Mid Yorkshire but still very active with the SME, construction and new technology groups.
Lorraine Davidson FCIM and Chartered Marketer, who has continuously kept the Durham Tees Valley Branch on track whilst running her own business and family.
Gareth Morgan MCIM and Chartered Marketer, previously a member of Mid Yorkshire and now on the South Yorkshire team he is a passionate representative for The Institute and gives much of his time to help small businesses.
Kevin Parkin FCIM, who opened the doors of his business for South Yorkshire Branch last season, providing an insightful talk and tour of the facilities.
Gillian Shepherd FCIM and Chartered Marketer, who continues to work tirelessly to get more CIM qualifications provision in the Humber area.
Gill Burgess FCIM and Chartered Marketer, director of R//evolution marketing agency in the North East and recently presented at Race for Success in Durham for us with rave reviews.
Michelle Render FCIM and Chartered Marketer, past chair of DTV branch and recently presented at Race for Success in Sheffield for us with rave reviews.
David Lane MCIM and Chartered Marketer, who has worked very hard getting some 1200 Leeds Met students excited about The Institute.
Samantha Meredith MCIM and Chartered Marketer, who recently relocated from another branch outside of the region to North East Branch, lost her job but stayed engaged whilst finding another.
Winner: Andrew Earnshaw

Well done to all of those that passed our qualifications this year and to our award winners. You are what CIM is all about!

New events!

2009-10-09T15:40:00.002Z

Today was the deadline for our Spring events to be sorted, well when I say sorted I mean at least we know what we're doing!

It is shaping up well with more digital marketing topics, selling skills and case studies.

Here is a sneak preview:

* The Pitch is on 24th February in Macclesfield - www.cimnorth.co.uk/thepitch

* We again have a stand at VentureFest on 10th February in York www.venturefestyorkshire.net

* A key SME event on 3rd March in Durham

* Marketing Live on 18th March in Leeds

* The North West Celebration evening in Manchester on 10th June

* Senior Marketers Luncheon on 17th June

Make sure you get your 2010 calendar soon as we will be filling it up for you!

Time to twitter

2009-10-05T08:04:00.003Z

On 1st October I thought it was as good a time as any to get to grips with Twitter.
I have one of my members to thank for that because I was talking about how I need to get messages out to member quickly and she suggested that would be the best tool.
So, if you want to follow me you can at www.twitter.com/DianeEarles
I have really enjoyed the first couple of days, the number of people following me already is great and I have had prompt responses to things when I would have still been ringing around and emailing people!

I will be keeping my blog going though, so don't worry!
The things I have been asking are as follows:

Looking for local Chartered Marketers to represent the CIM at Lloyds TSB events on 13th (Darlington), 15th (Leeds), 19th (Manchester) and 20th (Liverpool) October. And I am looking for local Chartered Marketers to help out at Business Yorkshire on 25th and 26th November.

Please let me know if you're free!

Learn Local

2009-09-23T09:27:00.003Z

I have finally got this project off the ground, so I hope you don't mind me shouting about it!
Learn Local is a national CIM initiative to provide value short development courses to members and SMEs, which is ideally placed given the tightening of purse strings and up-skill currently. We are running courses on Key Account Management and Sales in November across the North West and already have a whole list of additional courses for you to register your interest in for 2010.
For more information visit www.cimnorth.co.uk/learnlocal

The Pitch 2010

2009-09-18T12:09:00.000Z

I am thrilled to announce that we are now taking entries for The Pitch 2010.
If you are currently studying marketing at a higher level i.e. a CIM qualification or degree then don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to shine!
To find out more visit www.cimnorth.co.uk/thepitch

The Guardian

2009-09-10T18:17:00.002Z

Now this may not be what you think!

We had our Yorkshire & North East Regional Board meeting this week, at which one of the members talked about an article in The Guardian about climate change and what organisations could, should, would do about it.
We have already made some headway in reducing our impact on the environment:
we encourage car sharing, have done away with delegate packs where possible, introduced online feedback and pdf CPD certificates.
As a result we have decided to get a plant that will come with me to all the meetings, which will focus our mind on being eco-friendly and we will call it The Guardian.
So, I am now on the hunt for a suitable companion plant. My current favourite is a minature red rose bush - red for CIM - but all realistic suggestions gratefully received!

Bursary available

2009-09-07T11:22:00.002Z

Sorry I'm a bit late in posting but it was a very hectic week last week as we were all over the North with our Race for Success Roadshow. Thank you to all those people that were involved, especially the delegates that fought through some awful weather to attend!

At the Durham event we launched a Bursary for anyone studying the Professional Postgraduate Diploma in the North East of England. If you would like more details please contact me - dianeearles@cim.co.uk or 07813 669305

Communication let me down...

2009-08-28T11:07:00.002Z

...yes, I'm a child of the 80's!

I saw a sign this week stating that the proprietor of the business would very much like customers to raise complaints they may have directly with him in the first instance because 'it is usually a result of failure to communicate'. How true this is.

Why is it that communication is so important yet sometimes so badly handled?

I think I may have mentioned this before, but one member said that their company practices a policy of 'benign intent' - meaning that if a comment can be taken two ways then they most likely meant the one that wasn't going to upset you.
This is my life policy and I believe that most people don't set out to upset, so where does it all go wrong?

Without going into too much detail perhaps it could be based on the following:
* the form of communication - emails are notoriously short, to the point and perhaps curt
* the history between parties - perhaps clouding judgement on the case in hand
* the recipients state of mind - are they just having a bad day?

So, next time you take exception to a communication how about stopping and thinking, or going back to it the next day, and just ask yourself what is the 'benign intent'.
If you still feel upset then I suggest you pick up the phone, or even better, meet that person face-to-face and talk things through. Because, however good technology gets you can't beat seeing the whites of someones eyes to get the true meaning of their communication.