Blogs

There was an interesting television program where the Dutch Almere Self Build District was mentioned. I think it would be a good idea to let Finnish builders know more about this unique project. It's my understanding that this is the biggest self-build experiment in Europe.

Outline history of the site

• This innovative experiment in large scale self build involves a 100 hectare space (250 acre) extension to the south west of the city, in the Poole region. The land was reclaimed from the sea in the 1950’s.
  
  
• The entire area has been master planned by the local authority into a number of districts. Each of which has around 720 self build plots and by early 2012 around 1000 homes had been built; eventually some 3,000 self built homes are planned.
  
  
• Each of the self build districts is themed – for example there are areas for live/work self build homes; there are terraced areas and there is a zone for very sustainable homes. There is also an area set aside for canal side homes, and another for houses with bigger gardens. And there is a zone specifically aimed at housing developers, who assemble collectives of people who want a block of apartments or a terrace of similar homes built for them.
  
  
• Individual plots vary in size from 86 m² to more than 1200m².

It's time to talk about how the sharing economy can build itself on true sharing.

We discussed Open Innovation and Collaboration with Jos Schuurmans today. How could we help our clients to find their way in the social media landscape?

Quite a few are afraid to take their first step towards the "House of Social Media Terror" ;) even though that's the way every single producer and service provider has to take sooner or later.

Finnish companies are reluctant to speak out while being afraid that their competition will learn to much about their products and services.

Effective transfer of tacit knowledge generally requires extensive personal contact, regular interaction^[3] and trust. This kind of knowledge can only be revealed through practice in a particular context and transmitted through social networks.^[4] To some extent it is "captured" when the knowledge holder joins a network or a community of practice.^[3]

The "Keep Quiet, Stay Silent" attitude is huge challenge for those who would like to improve customers Internet and Social Media presence.

Small and Medium Size companies are afraid to disclose valuable information about their IP's, patents, and innovations.

Jos Schuurman's company Cluetail Ltd. promises: "Be found, be seen, be heard! We optimize your web channels, get your message out, and help you to keep improving. Let’s give your brand’s online presence a boost!"

Cluetail is the brain child of Jos Schuurmans (LinkedIn), a seasoned journalist, early Internet adopter, and corporate communications veteran.

Jos has conceptualized, project-managed and run online publishing concepts since the early 1990s. He’s worked for public media, educational institutions as well as in corporate communications settings; for local not-for-profits as well as stock-listed companies. The teams that Jos has worked with have won several communications and media innovation awards.

The name ‘Cluetail’ is derived from the Cluetrain Manifesto and the Long Tail, two ideas that have profoundly influenced our thinking about marketing communication and the Internet.

Credibility. To build a positive brand reputation can take up to 25 years, the equivalence of a new generation growing up. Yet, reputations can be destroyed in the blink of an eye.

For a brand therefore, in expressing itself, credibility is more important than anything.

The way one attends to credibility in communication is by submitting fact and opinion relevant to one’s audience, in a balanced fashion. Cluetail's background in journalism is their asset.