Google Offers is launching soon, launching in Portland first. I assume that it will take awhile for Google Offers to get to the UK but many people, around the world will be watching with interest.
This great little video has been released to promote the launch of Google Offers, however, I ma intrigued to know whether this service will be any different from the likes of Groupon and Living Social and, if so, whether the public at large with have deal-fatigue.
Time will tell whether the deal phenomenon is over or whether it will go from strength to strength, what do you think?
Over five years ago I launched a project in Fiji, called Tribewanted. The basic idea was to bring together people from around the world, online, in order to create and develop an eco-island on an uninhibited 200 acre island in Fiij. The result of Tribewanted are, humbly, far reaching.
There are people who have met, through tribewanted, and, subsequently, have got married. Babies have been born as a result. Some people have even moved to the other side of the world and, have barely returned. When I came up with the idea of Tribewanted I could never have imagined any of these things, but herein lies the power of potential.
I have recently come across another project, launched this week, by the serial entrepreneur, Ben Way, called ‘Arc Island‘. Launched on kickstarter with the intention of raising an initial $50,000 seed money, the aim is to build a floating island, the size of Manhattan, in what would be the biggest civil engineering project in history. Ben’s goal is that everything, will be built from scratch, and a new structure of civilization will be created.
When I first heard of this project I genuinely thought, ‘what is the point!’ It sounds like a load of cash and for what purpose? However, having thought about this over the course of a week, my thought process has changed. When I launched Tribewanted many people asked, ‘why?’. Some people didn’t get it and for awhile it was in the ‘weird’ section of the press until it became more mainstream and became a tv programme.
When Thomas Edison set about creating the electric lightbulb, was he fully aware of the effect that this would have, what it would become? Did Thomas Edison know that the lightbulb would light homes, streets, workplaces, providing lighting for cars, did he know that it would dramatically improve the lives of so many? Of course he didn’t. The only thing that Thomas Edison knew is that it could be done and he wanted to prove to himself, not necessarily, to anyone else, that it could be done. After 10,000 attempts later the lightbulb was invented and history was changed. Where would we be without the lightbulb? One of the most exciting and fascinating aspects of human life is that we have the power to create, to create whatever it is within our imagination to create.
At the beginning of the week I read about the Arc Island Project and thought, ‘why?’ and now I am thinking, ‘what if it never happened?’ Just like the lightbulb, could the existence of the Arc Island Project radically change our lives in ways that we cannot even conceive right now? Of course it could!
I believe in the Arc Island Project, not because of what I see, but, because of what I don’t see yet, but what I know is there, it’s untapped potential.
So, with this in mind I am contributing to the KickStart Fund and I hope enough people get on board in order to make this happen. Thomas Edison was one person, who made a dramatic contribution, that changed the way that human being’s live their lives. Imagine what a heap of mini Thomas Edison’s could do, by contributing a small amount of money, and making the Arc Island Project happen, and how future generations may be revolutionised by this very project.
Click on the video below to hear more about the Arc Island Project:
Please add your contribution to fund this project via Kickstarter.
So many people find my blog by tying in phases associated to their own fear of failure and rejection that I wanted to point any readers in the direction of this article: How to handle rejection, written by Ryan Born.
This article conveys a simple, positive and effective approach for anyone who struggles with rejection from a guy who has been there, done that, had the rejection and conquered. Check it out!
I just wanted to post an update to my previous Need A Cake Groupon post. Need A Cake had a very difficult period of time during their Groupon deal with Groupon allowing considerable amounts of cupcakes to be ordered, which, this small bespoke company could not cope with.
Initially, Need A Cake, having been inundated with ‘phone calls, e-mails and even abuse in their shop, closed down all forms of communication in order to focus on producing cupcakes and fulfilling the orders. As events spiraled out of control they re-opened their lines of communication realising that social media is an important tool in order to keep the positive image of their 25 year old company alive.
I have spoken to Rachel, the owner of Need A Cake, this week and it is clear that she has really struggled with what, initially, looked like an exciting opportunity for growth for her company through using Groupon. The reality is that Groupon have played a significant role in affecting the reputation of this business which the team are working hard in order to restore.
Need A Cake was doing fine up until the Groupon deal, great business, great growth and repeat customers and then, the Groupon deal. As a result, customers threatened staff in the shop, negative comments have gone online and on Facebook and Rachel’s health has been affected.
I have spoken to Rachel this week and the sad fact of the matter is that this was a great business before Groupon. My perception is that Groupon promised the company every opportunity under the sun and, as a result Need A Cake has been struggling for survivial.
Rachel has put up a great post on her website as a response to this situation and, she has a great team. It is my belief that Need A Cake will grow from this experience, but, I sincerely hope that any business looking to have a deal on Groupon would take advice and heed warning. I am sure Rachel would support me in saying that neither her nor her team would have any other company to go through what Need A Cake has had to deal with.
Much respect to Need A Cake however, they are doing an awesome job!
For me, it is the most liberating thing in the world, to not fear failure. Getting a business or an idea off the ground is not easy. However, our chances of success are limited if we focus on what the result will be if we fail.
I am not afraid of failure. I am not afraid of what others may think if I get it wrong. In worst case scenario I am not afraid of going bankrupt. It is due to the fact that I am not afraid of failure that I try ideas. I see the internet as one big educational playground to learn in. You test an idea, trial it, experiment with it, if it is not working change it, reign it in, mold it, develop it and learn. Of course, I have made mistakes along the way, some of which I regret, however, I would never have learnt these lessons if I was afraid to fail.
One successful British entrepreneur, Peter Jones, (who I am pictured with) is also creator of the TV show American inventor, often states that “there is no such thing as failure, only feedback”. He is right. No matter how many times we get things wrong, we are one step closer to getting it right. The idea or business that we get right, which leads to success may not be the same idea you originally started with, but, the lessons that you have learnt along the way enable you to refine your ideas and make them better, stronger.
I read a quotes yesterday which really inspired me:
“Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed.” – Lloyd Jones
Awesome quote. I always talk about how we ‘live life, once’. There is no way in the world, ever, that I want to regret not taking a risk, because I was afraid to fail.
Now, I hear what many of you may be saying, ‘That’s all very well nice and positive but reality is you don’t have a family, you may not have a mortgage and therefore if I fail I have more to loose’. I certainly hear, respect and appreciate this comment, however, you can take measured risks that are within your means to fail. The fear of loosing face, our pride, can be the greatest fear of all. Come up with an idea, put it online, chase it, see what happens and don’t be afraid to fail. A great case in hand is: Project 1p which I have mentioned previously. This guy ha started with 1p, he is trading it for bigger things and, at the end of the year, he will see what he has. Great idea, why not. Worst that could happen is that nobody wants to trade!
The most exciting thing that I have learn’t, ever, is that when you are not afraid to fail, and so take a risk, whatever the outcome it always leads to opportunity.
When Tribewanted was launched, the worst possible outcome could have been bankruptcy. However, as a result of Tribewanted a number of couples have met and got married, there have even been babies! Alongside the fact that over $2million (Fj) dollars have been invested in the local economy.
When I launched a personal project, the goal being to not drink any alcohol for 12 months, I caved in after 3 months, but, along the way I learnt so much about my body, about my mind, about what I was capable of, and gained support along the way from people who have become good friends. Three months was pretty good going in my eyes!
When I launched thenerve.tv, the wrong idea at the wrong time, which, ultimately, with great sadness, had to be closed down. Nevertheless, literally, as a result of launching thenerve.tv I was offered a job at one of the biggest production companies in the world, Endemol, which gave me an incredible opportunity to gain many contacts and learn. I still have an abundance of friends who originally signed up to this project who I often given advice to regarding their own ideas.
Whilst at Endemol, I launched mission to see if we could convince Channel Five, to hand over an hour of programming to one member of the British public. Channel Five were not convinced, nevertheless, it opened up a huge world of possibility when I was invited in to meet the Channel Five team.
I was thinking about an idea that I had, a few years back, to see whether the public could form and manage a band, from scratch, internet technology had moved on since the original idea and so, I wanted to give it a shot. As a result of now being afraid of failure I was invited on The Difference Engine incubator course, was given start up funds and an incredible opportunity to meet with mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. I would have never had this opportunity if I had not sought to develop the idea from the first time round. I am still in talks with a number of people about this project and, one day, who knows?
As you can see, I have tried a number of things, many entrepreneurs have, you don’t get luck on the first go, or the second, or even the third. However, what I have learnt is this, that failure ALWAYS leads to opportunity, by talking a risk and getting yourself out there you never know what is around the corner, so, never be afraid to fail as you never know what your idea may lead to.