Stationery?

I've been working on letterhead designs since 1989 when I left school. Back then the details on your letterhead where all important. The typeface, the paper, the colour you used. The flasher companies may even use foil blocking or a blind emboss!

And in twenty years not much has changed. As soon as there is a glimmer of a business idea one of the first jobs is to have a logo on a letterhead, business card and compliments slip. All this despite the fact letters are very rarely sent.

The main bit of stationery used these days is the business card.

But what to put on it?

In the old days it was name, title, qualifications (if you need to show off), address, telephone and fax.

But now what should you put on? I bet most business stationery design is still delivered with a fax number. But do you even know where your fax machine is? When was the last time you sent one? So that should go really.

How about your business address? I don't work from the office any more so my home is the office. How often do I get any post? Very rarely thanks to email.

Next up is telephone, well a land line is all very well but how often are you close to it? So how much use is that?

So lets bring this up to date what should be on the stationery? Well the common thought would be: Name, Title, Address, Email, Phone, Mobile.

So does this accurately give all your information? Does it reflect where people can contact you and what you do? How much value does it add to your job?

This post has been hanging round in my mind for ages. I've come to the conclusion that maybe all you need, at least for now if your Twitter account. Everything is connected off this, blog, website, all other social media.

So my next business card should just say - Twitter @coffeenetwork

Do I even need the Twitter?

Starbucks on Street Lane, Roundhay, Leeds

I spent this afternoon working in Starbucks on Street Lane in Roundhay.

It's a really nice place. I'd never used the free broadband before so I asked about how I go about setting it up. One of the Baristas was very helpful. Though they'd run out of cards on the desk, he went into the back to fetch some more. He then came back and gave me the card and explained quickly and clearly how to use it.

I took a seat in the window and sat with my Grande Cappuchino (with Chocolate, vanilla and one sugar) and set up the laptop. Everything worked like a dream no problems at all. The connection was great nice and fast and no downtime or lost connection.

The music was nice if a little too loud. The Christmas music wasn't just the normal Muzak but a nice mix of old and new. The one which stuck out for me was a Mash-up of Jingle Bells and Tomorrow Never Knows. Very odd but it worked well.

Just where's Coffeenetwork going?

I only started this yesterday and as I've no real plan I'm interested where Coffeenetwork could go.

I started this to create a nice informal networking thingy where people could meet up and have a coffee and maybe make some connections and even better than that some friends.

As it's developed, it seems quite quickly, Coffeenetwork is taking on the feeling of a coffee shop promotion too.

And I'm thinking that no bad idea too, why shouldn't it be both? I'd love to hear what you think. So let me know via the Coffeenetwork Twitter Feed.

First "Official" Coffeenetwork meeting

Just got back from the the first "Official" Coffeenetwork "event". Basically went to the Out of the Woods Cafe in Holbeck and had a coffee and a nice chat to Phil Kirby who's a writer among his many jobs.

Really nice to meet Phil and his friend. I don't think he expected me to turn up which actually made it a bit nicer. The element of surprise always works well on a Thursday lunchtime in Leeds!

Coffee was great as was the company, no amazing business deals done. But meeting interesting people is what it's all about and Phil was very nice.

Where will the next Coffeenetwork event be? Who will be there? I don't know. But a first event however small on day one is quite a good result I think.

Where's your favourite coffee shop?

In Leeds there isn't that much of a choice for Coffee shops other than the giants - Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Cafe Nero etc.

Just asked this question on the Coffeenetwork Twitter feed. First vote came back for Out of the Woods in Holbeck. I used to work in Holbeck and it is indeed a great little Coffee Shop.

The website is under construction but they have a great Facebook fan page

Why not add comments on where your favourite shop is and why you love it so much?

Welcome to coffeenetwork

First Rule of Coffeenetwork - tell everyone about Coffeenetwork

Second Rule of Coffeenetwork - drink loads of coffee

Third Rule of Coffeenetwork - tell everyone about Coffeenetwork

So what the hell is Coffeenetwork? Well this morning I read this blog post on Psychotactics.com about Harley Davidson and how they created the HOG with no budget but created a whole community. Well I've been wanting to do something similar for a long time so here we are.

The point of all this is very very simple. Meet up with like-minded people, be it business or pleasure for a coffee.

For business it's a great way to make contacts, meet your customers and create fans for your business.

For pleasure it's a great way to make friends.

What's the catch? Well there isn't one, the only cost is going to be the cost of your coffee. And maybe some will buy it for you, so potentially that's free.

How long will it take, well again as long or short as you like.

Where will it be? Well I'm in Leeds so they'll be here initially. But there's nothing to stop you having one in your own village, town or city.

How will I know when the first one is? Just follow the Twitter Feed for Coffeenetwork