October 26, 2007
GrandCentral.com - This is amazing!
I've been hearing about a service like this for over a decade and only rarely gotten chances to use it or glimpses of the potential.
then came GrandCentral.com, they put the whole package together very nicely.
Let me know if you want a beta invite, it is closed right now.
GrandCentral: The New Way To Use Your Phones
Wow! The whole thing is free right now for basic services, and that includes a banner like the one below that let's you call me, connected by the service!
October 23, 2007
Part-time work goes mobile and on-demand (in japan)
Otetsudai Networks sends mobilists to jobsFrom Joi.Ito.com via SmartMobs posting about this entry...
""Because of the advanced aging population and the tendency for many of the younger generation to not be in a hurry to lock down full-time jobs, businesses are having an increasingly more difficult time filling posts - so much so that some businesses are having to close down, not because of lack of business, but purely because they can't staff their stores.""
All of the posting copied below here for archival.
October 21, 2007
Otetsudai Networks
23:18 UTC » Japanese Culture - Wireless and Mobile
available to work on a map.
Last week I met Mr. Sunagawa from LocationValue Inc. that runs Otetsudai Networks. Otetsudai Networks is a very cool service that is one of these "perfect for Japan" things.
Because of the advanced aging population and the tendency for many of the younger generation to not be in a hurry to lock down full-time jobs, businesses are having an increasingly more difficult time filling posts - so much so that some businesses are having to close down, not because of lack of business, but purely because they can't staff their stores.
My sister has written about the Japanese youth behavior where less and less stuff is planned - the kids going out and using their mobile devices to meet up or deciding to do things while constantly keeping in touch with each other. These swarming bands of kids are now adults and many of them don't want to be tied down.
These "kids" are not becoming adults. In a recent survey by Otetsudai Networks, most people surveyed cared more about freedom and flexibility than the pay when considering a part-time job.
Enter Otetsudai Networks. With Otetsudai Networks, if you are willing to work, you sign up for the service with your skills and focus, take a GPS reading on your phone and then just hang out. If you are looking for someone for say... 3 hours to man a cash register or help wash dishes, you just send the request to Otetsudai Networks and within minutes, you have a list of people available. The list shows what each person is qualified for, how others have rated their work and exactly how far away they are. Typically you will receive a list of half a dozen or more people within a few minutes.
The businesses are rated too on a per-manager basis so when you're hanging out with your friends and you get a request to go help at the corner convenience shop, you know how your peers have rated that particular guy who's asking you to come and help. You can also counter the request and say you'd go if they paid you 2000 yen / hour instead of 1500.
As more and more people start using this system, it's liable to start filling a very important gap in the workforce. It's also a perfect example of a location based, peer-to-peer reputation based, mobile behavior oriented product for an aging society.
The website is otetsu.jp otet.jp, but most of the functionality is only available on the phone.
Update from Mr. Sunagawa:
1. The English name of the company is LocationValue Inc.
2. Employer will see only the name of applicants rather than all the
available people around. "...you have a list of people available" may sound
inaccurate.
3. primary URL of our web is otet.jp instead of otetsu.jp although otetsu.jp
would also be redirected to our site.
UPDATE 2: They have about 45,000 users with 1,000 new users per week.
October 01, 2007
Ad Industry Survey - need new image!
Survey Says: Ad Industry Needs Image Overhaul
Written on September 24th 2007
The results are in! JWT and Adweek announced their findings from a study conducted that assesses the difference between the media-create perception of the industry and the actual opinions of American adults.
The study, titled “Ad Industry Perception Survey,” showed that only 14% of Americans respect people in the advertising industry. This puts advertisers ahead of “national politicians” with 10%, and “car salesmen” with 5%. The most respected professions come are “teachers” with 71%, “physicians” with 75%, and “military personnel” with 79%.
Only 12% of those surveyed said they had seen “improvement” in a “bottom line” sense according to the release; and 31% of the populous thinks of advertisers as a “necessary good”.
Other results that reflected thoughts on the advertising profession and what ad professionals do include that 74% of people believe that “The Internet helps me make better product choices.” While that’s a positive mark, 84% believed that “Too many things are over-hyped now,” and 72% agreed that “I get tired of people trying to grab my attention and sell me stuff.”
While 39% of those surveyed said that the majority of advertising is persuasive, 61% does not see advertising as persuasive. The blows continued: 52% said “There’s too much advertising – I would support stricter limits,” 47% said “Advertising is background noise,” 42% believe “American advertising has improved in recent years” and 24% said they “recent advertising.”
But there was some good news on the horizon as 82% indicate they had a positive engagement with media overall, 41% consume “interactive” media and 2/3 claimed that “advertising is an important part of the American culture.”
This survey is important for industry professionals to take a look at in its entirety. While there are some things improving in the perception and the advertising industry, there are areas the public has clearly given to work on. Should these issues be taken into consideration, advertising may evolve further into a largely accepted and chosen normative as opposed to a force-fed ill-tasting medicine required to take.
JWT conducted this survey for Adweek online and at random. 966 American adults ages 18 and over, with a gender balance of half women and half men answered.