Just so...

So, just how did the elephant get its trunk or the leopard its spots?

The Elephant’s Child was my favourite of Kipling's Just So Stories.  I was a curious wee creature and this bedtime tale captured my imagination.

Insatiable curiosity

As with many great words, I remember the excitement of learning 'insatiable' and 'curiosity'.  After all, it was the elephant calf’s 'satiable curtiosity' that led to adventure.  Around this time, I was also told I had a 'vivid imagination'.  Yet more excitement!

Being 'blessed' with a curious nature and vivid imagination means I never get bored.  On a professional level, it drives Noble Ox. 

Yes, I always have my schmarketing experience to hand BUT this would be of little use without curiosity and imagination.

Curiosity feeds the interest in discovering all there is to know about a project: the who, why, what and how.  It urges me to ask the right questions and, importantly, listen to the answers.

From there, imagination helps the creative juices flow, exploring and shaping the potential ways in which a brand, concept, product or project can be brought to life.

Variety is the spice

Such focus energises Noble Ox as we work hard with a great variety of projects on the go.  Our client base varies too, as we continue to attract people who want to deliver excellence and connect with target audiences in a meaningful way. 

Just how we like it!

More on the latest projects in the New Year as, one by one, they come to fruition.  Meanwhile, to satisfy your own curiosity, keep an eye on the Noble Ox case studies, track record and the Noble Oxtale archive.

Thank you for your continued support of Noble Ox.

All the best

Charlotte

Illustration credit: Rudyard Kipling: The Elephant's Child, illustration from 'Just So Stories'.  British Library Add. MS 59840, f.35. 
Copyright © The British Library Board


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Oxtales of the riverbank

Grabbed a couple of days' fly fishing up on the River Tay recently.  Such bliss!  

Still very much a novice, I waddle and gallumph along the river in my over-sized waders.   

It has been more than twelve years since my first tentative cast.  Over the seasons, I’ve caught a modest handful of fish, more by luck than judgement, and a fair few tree branches.  Of course, there are also the ones that got away; one time I nearly hooked a Yorkshire Terrier as my line whipped back behind me.

A lesson I learned quickly was to wish 'Tight lines!' to fellow fisher folk.  The angling equivalent of the theatrical term ‘break a leg’, I don’t know the exact meaning but it’s always well-meant.

As you can tell, fly fishing is more of a hobby than a dedicated pursuit.  I love casting my line and thoughts out across the water, letting them flow and take their course downstream.

In full flow

Now, from the aimless relaxation of fly fishing to some focussed business down by the Tweed, the great river which cuts a dash through the Border town of Peebles. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to the Tontine Hotel for an evening with the Business Savvy group.  Noble Ox worked with some Savvy members over the summer including Jenny Changleng, founder of First Aid Borders.  She was there on the night to share the branding project she had been through with Noble Ox.

To my delight, Jenny described the ways she is using her new brand ‘tool’ on a daily basis.  In full flow, she demonstrated how she is now well equipped with the confidence, professionalism and language to present her company, talk to potential clients and win business.  

It was a great evening.  I was touched to see a client’s enthusiasm in showcasing how the Noble Ox approach has brought definition, inspiration and meaning to her business.  The other members of the group had some great feedback on Noble Ox too: 

'I think your service is brilliant.'

 'I did not think I would get the depth of feeling and insight into my business, the wording is so powerful.  Your service is gentle, open and approachable.  Very well led and structured.'

 

'FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!!  I was satisfied 100%'

So, back to the day job

There we have two tales of the riverbank: one intentionally meandering, meaningless but well-meant; the other, full flowing with meaningful intent.

I can confirm that despite the day dreams of escaping to the Highlands to become a ghillie, I’ll be sticking to what I do best for the time being.  

If, however, you happen to know where a short-ish girl with small-ish feet can get some waders to fit…

Tight lines!

Charlotte
www.noble-ox.com

PS  For those who would like to know, the fly accompanying this Noble Oxtale is a Black Fritz Throat Cruncher... blimey!

Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

The antidote to marketing consultants

The truth is, I am as cynical as the next person when it comes to marketing and branding.  Maybe moreso, with over twenty years at the coal face.

Let's face it, there is a lot of nonsense out there.

Danger: Unexploded Myths!

When meeting potential clients for the first time, I enjoy exploding a few myths.  Tho' unexpected, the reassurance is always welcome.

To be honest, as Noble Ox reaches another birthday milestone, we wouldn’t have it any other way.  Noble Ox first strode out in July 2009 and, from the start, I was determined to position the company as the antidote to marketing consultants.  I’m glad I did.

Reputation and recommendation are paramount, as is keeping it real and having some fun along the way.  We really love working with people who strive to deliver excellence and connect with audiences they understand and value.  More often than not, we attract clients who want to enhance the quality of life.

The proof of the pudding

Recent Noble Ox projects with the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) attracted great feedback from Liz Stewart, ELGT's Fundraising & Communications Manager:

"Noble Ox made a real and positive impact on ELGT, guiding us through a branding process to help us come up with a clear picture of who we are and how we wish others to see us."

"Charlotte’s time with us has been hugely valuable, from a strategic perspective, but also on a very practical level, throwing herself into a number of on and offline projects.  She’s been great to work with – practical, insightful, hard-working – and a great deal of fun." 

"We’d recommend Noble Ox to anyone who wants to take a no-nonsense approach to marketing their organisation."

The truth is out there

So as you can see, the truth really is in the name.  Our trusty Noble Ox forges ahead, dedicated to delivering honest, hardworking and imaginative inspiration to drive brands and prosperity.

For an overview of the ELGT project and others, help yourself to the Noble Ox case studies and client testimonials.  And, of course, the Noble Oxtale archive is always there for a little light relief.

Please contact us to find out more about the Noble Ox approach to branding and marketing.

I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved over the last few years.  Thank you for your continued support in helping spread the word.

All the best
Charlotte


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Holy Cow

Holy Cow!  Do I detect a whiff of bull?

According to Andy Warhol, “Making money is art.  And working is art.  And good business is the best art.”

What do you think?

Opinions of Warhol as an artist, some say 'marketeer', can divide a room and, in this instance, I'm not sure I agree with him.

BUT, I do believe we need a serious injection of creativity to counter the encroaching grey imagery and language of business.  If not, we are in danger of alienating, even insulting, the essential target audiences we set out to engage and impress.

Being human is a good thing

At a recent Noble Ox brand workshop for small businesses, I was congratulated for "getting the job done without the aid of bull and jargon."  My guess is this was due to the language I used to stress the importance of remembering that, by definition, there is always another human being involved in any communication.   

In the same week, I challenged myself to write a brief for a client’s ‘corporate’ promo film without actually using the word corporate.  As business jargon, the 'C word' is an over-used adjective behind which much ill-defined meaning can hide.

Essential life and soul

As you can see, I’m on a mission.  Our trusty, hard-working Noble Ox is championing this vital cause; to breathe essential life and soul into the way we communicate and present ourselves.

So, if you know someone in danger of succumbing to the ever-present, dementor-like default of lacklustre grey-wash, please contact Noble Ox Marketing.

Act now, whilst there is still the chance to save them!

All the best

Charlotte


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

The heat is on

Something’s cooking in Scotland and Noble Ox is stoking the fires. 

Noble Ox is driven by a burning desire to help those working to improve the quality of life.  We are proud to announce our partnership in the new Social Innovation Incubation Award.


Hot-housing new talent

Launched by The Melting Pot, Scotland’s centre for social innovation, the Incubation Award is aimed at emerging trailblazers from across Edinburgh, Midlothian and Fife.  As part of a twelve month programme, the winning social innovators enjoy free access to practical resources including workspace, learning, support and advice sessions.

By providing mentoring, marketing support and inspiration, Noble Ox will help the award winners ignite their brands and connect with target audiences in a confident and meaningful way.

The programme starts in July this year and the closing date for TMP-Social Innovation Incubation Award applications is Fri 8 Jun.

Keeping the home fires burning

For Noble Ox, this new partnership is an extension of our existing pro bono marketing surgery and workshop initiatives.  Since November 2010, we have been able to help over forty organisations kick start their brand and marketing activity.

So, contact Noble Ox Marketing to discover how we can create the spark needed to drive your brand, business and prosperity.

All the best
Charlotte


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Three little words

So, how would you describe your brand? 

Tell us without using a jargon-fuelled, USP-laden ‘elevator pitch’ or showing us logos, typefaces, packaging or strap lines.

“Ok, so what are you after, then?”


Well, we would just like to know who you are, what you do and why or how you do it.  Ideally, it would be great if you could sum that up in three words.  And it’s really important you actually mean what you say.  

"Well, I’ll have a go but not sure what this has to do with branding!”

A seed was sown

Many moons ago, during an Ignite your Brand Noble Ox workshop, I shared three words from the Noble Ox Brand DNA; no-nonsense, hardworking, inspiration.

For Heather Gordon from Business Savvy, a seed was sown.  Now with spring around the corner, an inspiring joint project is about to blossom.

Noble Ox has been invited to host a brand event for Business Savvy.

Business Savvy is a member-led community enterprise, a great new initiative to help businesses support each other, strengthening the local economy and community.


Appropriately, the event will take place at the Sunflower restaurant in Peebles on Thu 26 April.  To find out more about Business Savvy and/or the event please contact Heather directly.

Like minds and minds liked

Meeting like minds is such a good thing, so we are always delighted to be approached by like-minded business folk who recognise the strength and confidence effective branding brings to any venture. 

We will keep you posted on the other forthcoming Noble Ox partnerships.  In the meantime, visit www.noble-ox.com to discover how Noble Ox Marketing can help your business grow and prosper.

All the best
Charlotte


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Space Suits

When was the last time you had some space?  

Was it space to think or do?  Or perhaps just the space to be?  

My favourite is usually outdoors, preferably natural, ideally green. 


Finding a space to suit can be a challenge and, whatever your preference, it usually means making time.

Space and time

Noble Ox’s recent success in winning a Vodafone World of Difference award ensures that, from March 2012, we have both time and space to work with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT). 

A local environmental charity, the Trust believes that quality local green spaces can have a positive impact on people’s health and well-being.  Working to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy their natural environment, the Trust collaborates with various partners for the benefit of people, wildlife, landscape and heritage.

Thanks to the World of Difference award, ELGT is able to commission Noble Ox to project manage a range of initiatives in the run up to the Trust’s 21st anniversary celebrations.

So, watch this space and we will keep you posted.

Space race

Back at Noble Ox HQ, the work continues as we create the space our clients need to stand out from the crowd.

Essentially, we help define your brand values, equipping you with the visual identity and on and offline marketing tools to get, then stay ahead.

Contact us to find out how Noble Ox Marketing can help your organisation create its own space in the market place.

All the best
Charlotte


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.

Centre Stage

Do you captivate your audience?  If so, how?  

First, attract attention!  Then, spark an interest...

Finally, ignite the desire to take action.

Now, you are centre stage.

For the first ten years of my marketing career, my job was to attract and develop audiences for the Arts.  'Getting bums on seats' with shoestring budgets was hard work and I loved it. 

My work was inspired by the limitless energy and commitment the artistic teams invested in bringing stories to life.  With such skill and imagination, they harnessed their strong desire to connect and share their story in a way that had a lasting impact on audiences. 

Horse power

A few years ago, Michael Morpurgo met a First World War veteran in his local pub.  The author’s imagination was fired by the stories the old man told of the horses he went to war alongside.  Fast forward to December 2010, I received my own copy of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo for Christmas.  Delighted and excited, I read it with relish.
 
Forward again to December 2011 and the very front row of the stalls at the New London Theatre.  War Horse is alive and kicking, this time right in front of me.  Just inches away from the action, I see, hear and feel every detail of the National Theatre’s truly amazing production, a powerful experience that will stay with me forever.

A glimpse at the ‘Making of War Horse’ documentary reveals the incredible lengths the artistic team go to as they bring the author's words to life.  Now Spielberg is taking his turn to breathe new life into War Horse and the story will be shared with a global audience.

In the spotlight

Whatever your product or service, I believe lessons can be learnt from this creative desire to bring concepts and stories to life.

Are you connecting and making an impact in a way that does justice to what you do and the people with whom you want to do business?  For example, how much energy do you invest in the words you use and the images you present?    

Given the rather grey, grim economic backdrop against which we play, there is no better time to shine the spotlight on what you do and bring your brand to life.

We'd love to help, so contact Noble Ox to discuss how to take centre stage and captivate your audience in the year to come.

Many thanks and all the best
Charlotte

PS Thank you to the National Theatre for kind permission to use Simon Annan's photography. 


Please visit Noble Ox Marketing for detail on Noble Ox Brand Design Marketing Services and view Noble Ox Track Record for more background and client feedback on our work to date. For some extra flavour visit the Noble Oxtales archive. Then, all you need to do is contact Noble Ox.