News that Apple's new podcast subscription service is being delayed until June because Apple needs to tweak the Apple Podcasts app is a good reminder of how important the user experience is and ensuring it delivers on expectations. It's also a great illustration of how a market moved. In the early homebrew days of podcasting, it was common for many podcasts to sound like they'd been recorded in the back of a garden shed on a rainy day, or the recording was somehow transmitted from the far … [Read more...] about Moving the podcast market
For Immediate Release
FIR ZoomChat 10: Virtual Tours
Among the topics in this week’s FIR ZoomChat: What services companies have introduced during the coronavirus that may (or may not) still be around after it’s all over. Also, Sherrilynne Starkie shares what her museum clients are doing while nobody is allowed in museums, including virtual tours conducted by curators over Instagram Live. Watch Now (You can also listen to or download the MP3 file) [Updated June 4] We experienced a technical difficulty on June 4 that meant we couldn't … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 10: Virtual Tours
FIR ZoomChat 9: Zoom Better
The ninth weekly ZoomChat conversation with FIR hosts and listeners covered (among other things) how to make Zoom meetings more engaging. As with each of these informal and unstructured chats, we do them live via Zoom, recording each one as we go. You can join us live via Zoom (see below for how to do that); or, after the live event, watch the video on YouTube. Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Join us on Thursday May 28 at 1pm EDT / 6pm UK … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 9: Zoom Better
FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
The eighth weekly Zoom conversation with FIR hosts and listeners covered a lot of ground, including a look at Phil Gomes’ collection of mugs featuring the logos of evil corporations from movies. Not to worry, there was lots of communication-focused conversation, too. Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Join us on Thursday May 21 at 1pm EDT / 6pm UK time for the next episode of FIR Zoom Chat. You’ll need the specific Zoom URL for this meeting: contact … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons
The seventh weekly Zoom Chat featuring listeners and FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz in conversation took place last Thursday. As with each of these informal chats, we do them live via Zoom, recording each one as we go. The recording is published after the live conversation usually within a few days of the event or, as is the case with this episode, quite a few days later. Whether sooner or later, we hope you enjoy these unstructured, unfiltered, authentic conversations. You get … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons
FIR ZoomChat 6: Short Memories
Last Thursday, Shel and I recorded the sixth weekly ZoomChat where we engage in informal discussion with FIR listeners. Each episode is typically up to an hour although I'm usually there only for the first 30 minutes (part of my Zoom fatigue management). This episode is just over the hour. In this episode, the conversation ranged wide as usual, from the fun and games of lockdown life with kids (and without grandkids); views on lockdowns far and wide across the US, in Brazil and in the UK; … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 6: Short Memories
FIR Zoom Chat 5: How We’ll Get Back to Work
The fifth weekly Zoom Chat featuring listeners and FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz. Our primary discussion continues to focus on coronavirus and lockdowns, and how communicators, businesses, and whole industries - automotive and airlines to name but two - are managing, although a shift in focus is emerging: getting back to work once this crisis is on the wane. And what might the new normal look like? Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Links … [Read more...] about FIR Zoom Chat 5: How We’ll Get Back to Work
FIR Zoom Chat 4: Zoom burnout
With so many people using video conferencing tools - especially Zoom - in their new-normal working from home lockdown environment, there's a rise in anxiety and stress when it comes to using a tool like this as your primary method of real-time communication across the work/life divide. It's leading to burnout says Angela Lashbrook writing in OneZero last week: When we’re already forced to conduct our work life via the same means, it’s perfectly reasonable to become overwhelmed when … [Read more...] about FIR Zoom Chat 4: Zoom burnout