February 07 Newsletter
Hi
, and welcome to a round-up of all that's been going on in the
Studio 2 Online office, and the industry today!
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Client Forum Returns!
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Studio 2 Online are pleased to announce
that their second Client Forum is booked
for May 23rd 2007.
Last year's
forum was a great success and we hope a lot of fun.
It resulted with Studio 2 changing a policy on the management
of projects and also a number of communication methods.
We are also working on a number of small changes that will
make the way we work with our clients more efficient as
a direct result of November's event.
The
May forum will give us much needed feedback on how we're
doing with the improvements and give our clients a voice
to express how pleased you are, changes you would
like to see made and to meet with other clients. It'll
also be an opportunity to share experiences across industry
boundaries and gain knowledge of our products, industry
news and advancements and much, much more – don’t
miss it!
The
forum will provide information, fun and frolics
along with a chance for you to meet the entire
team. Contact Mechelle Harcourt to book
your place now on: 0116 2614485
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Case Study: LMP Consultants |
Quantity surveying and project management consultancy
LMP Consultants commissioned Studio 2 with the re-design
of their website that launched this month and Jane Bridger, Office Manager had this to say:
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"Having attempted DIY web design with a very simple
website package, we soon realised that we needed something
much more professional and wanted to use a local company.
We approached and met with three companies, one of which
was Studio 2 Online.
Throughout
the web design process, we were particularly impressed
with their flexibility and patience as we developed and
changed our ideas. We are very pleased with the end result
- a very crisp clear web site, and we have plans to develop
it further in the future. We also have the facility to
update the website ourselves which will be invaluable
in the future."
Jane Bridger,
Office Manager, LMP Consultants |
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www.lmpconsultants.co.uk |
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 5 FREE upcoming Seminars
Studio
2 are excited to announce 5 FREE seminar dates available for
priority booking via this newsletter – before
the dates are announced by invitation in March.
The seminars
will be on the following dates:
March 28th 2007 |
Increase
your opportunities |
Highpoint
Conference Centre, Leicester |
April
25th 2007 |
101
ways to increase opputunities |
Risley
Hall Hotel, Nottingham/Derbyshire |
June
20th 2007 |
Communication
is key |
Ansty
Hall, Coventry |
September
20th 2007 |
Promote,
Promote, Promote |
Highpoint
Conference Centre, Leicester |
October
24th 2007 |
Increase
your profitability |
Risley
Hall, Nottingham/Derbyshire |
For more information or to book your
place now, call Mechelle Harcourt on: 0116 2614485
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Industry News – Bogus online reviews face EU ban
Story taken from Out-law.com
Business
people who write fake reviews of their own products will fall foul of
new European laws from next year. Laws banning businesses from misleading
consumers will bar the act.
As consumers rely increasingly on online forums and message boards
for impartial advice from other consumers on products and services, business people have started posting fake reviews praising their own
goods.
From Amazon book reviews to travel site hotel write-ups, several
business people have been caught pretending to be consumers
and giving their businesses rave reviews. The new European
laws will outlaw the practice.
The EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices creates new
protection for consumers against the practices of businesses
and introduces a "general duty to trade fairly" for the first
time in the UK.
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New Additions to Our Team
Chris
Booth - Account Manager |
 Our
newsletter revealed last month, as direct feedback from you,
our clients, we have introduced the addition of Account Managers
which will now oversee projects from initial sale to completion
of your site.
It's with great pleasure to introduce you to Chris, our new
Account Manager.
Chris joins us with seven years software & account
management experience - an industry expert you could say. Prior
to committing to the computer/software industry, Chris was
a professional Tennis umpire, covering seven Wimbledons, the
French and Australian open!
Chris will be assigned to new and
existing clients and we are happy to hear that he is on
the ball and been in touch
with some of you already. Welcome Chris!
Dani
Cass - Administration Assistant
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 A
few of you may have called and spoken to her already but Dani
takes on the role of receptionist and accounts administer for
Studio 2 Online, and has already made a huge impact!
Dani
brings with her years of experience from agencies and the service
sector, and we welcome her with a triumphant roar. So
next time you call, say hello to Dani, don't wait for
her to call you!
Krutant
Dave - another Developer, due to demand |
 Due
to the increased amount of work in the studio, we have employed
another developer, Krutant, to help with the work load and
to further his knowledge in the industry. Krutant is fresh
from his BSC at DeMontfort University, but with a little commercial
experience we are certain he will quickly become an invaluable
part of our studio family.
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Case Study: PAL International |
PAL International are
the world’s leading brand and manufacturer of impregnated
wipes, chefs’ headwear & hygiene workwear.
PAL's
new site, launched this month met with their requirements
to add a new range of features to their site and introduced
the ability to purchase their products online.
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www.palinternational.com |
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E-Commerce Club |
A thank you to all that attended this months
E-commerce Club, we were trialling a new venue
this month and settled on the Highpoint Conference
Centre, Glenfield Road and were very pleased with the
venue and service it provided, so much so that this
is the set venue for the coming months.
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Industry News - European Commission will overhaul consumer
law to boost e-commerce
Story
taken from Out-law.com
The European Commission will overhaul European contract
law to make internet selling easier,
more reliable and more efficient. The Commission has
opened consultation on proposed changes that will affect
eight EU Directives.
Recognising that e-commerce is hampered by a mass of conflicting
national laws, the Commission has proposed changes to Directives
which it hopes will, when transferred into national laws, bring
the law into line with technological developments.
"There is an urgent need
for action, the world is moving so fast and Europe risks
lagging behind", said Meglena Kuneva,
the new EU Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, in her
first press conference in Brussels.
"We need a root and branch
review of consumer rules. At the moment, consumers are
not getting a fair deal online, and complex rules are holding
back the next generation of bright business ideas. We must
find new solutions to new challenges."
The Commission believes that online businesses would benefit
significantly if doubts about the legal implications of cross-border
trading were removed. "Consumer
confidence is a key factor determining how and when consumers
spend their money in different sectors of the economy," said
a Commission statement. "All
the evidence is that consumers are not yet comfortable enough
in the digital and online world to seize its full potential.
Only a tiny fraction – 6% of EU consumers – are
currently shopping online cross border."
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New Projects |
 MJ Blinds and Awnings Ltd are online specialists in
just that. They produce high quality products online
and will be working with Studio 2 to produce an updated
version of their existing site.
 Evergreens UK are established specialists
in artificial grass for the domestic and display market
and have selected Studio 2 to design and build their
new website.
"I chose Studio
2 Online as first impressions indicated a bright,
forward thinking organisation with a sense of humour.
I enjoy doing business with people that like to work
hard and have a lust for life.
After meeting with
Giles, I was pleased to find my first impressions
were correct and after tooing and frowing with various
comprehensive website options, decided on the most
expensive! I am looking forward to beginning the
project over the coming weeks."
Andy Driver, Evergreens UK
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Please
note the mailbox this newsletter is sent from is non-responsive,
hence please don’t click reply to send us feedback. All
feedback and enquiries should be sent to newsletter@studio2online.co.uk
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