"Social media changes to last our lifetime"

Herd has a lovely post about how things spread from a marketing perspective, and the post links to a WARC report which has some nice stuff about communicating with old and new worlds. New media won't kill off traditonal just yet, as WOM and traditional comms will sit side by side.

Customer services - ping pong champs

The world's most stylish table tennis player is in the video, but isn't in my life (if only). Britain's best customer service ping pong players are, however to show that switching energy provider ain't easy. Indeed, it's down right difficult.

Ping: Serve with lots of topspin. We switch online at price comparison site, fixing our rate until 2009 and saving about 20% on current bills.

Match 1 - Scot versus energy suppliers
Pong: Ball hits edge of table, a hard-to-get fluke. Gas switches, electicity doesn't. New provider contacts me by a wrong email (doesn't snail mail, doesn't call) about electricity supply.

Ping: Contact new energy provider. Blast lots of jargon at me, ask me for details I don't know how to get. Lots of spin on their shot.

Pong: Call old energy supplier. "They should eradicate you with more details of what you'se asking for," - think she meant "elaborate". Then again, maybe not. Does my old energy supplier want to vaporise me? "We can't give you the number of your gas supply, due to (badly explained) data protection." Lots of backhands with heavy slice going on. I ask her to explain, she doesn't. Just go back to your new service provider, they should be able to get it, she bats off.

Ping: Call sales at new energy provider. They crush the ball and go home. They can't be bothered. The game's a bogey. They can't get my number. I'm in electricity limbo until I have a new bill with certain "hard to find and spot" numbers on it.

If Apple can make an internet phone as beautiful as it, how come energy companies can't make switching easier?

Kindness links

It's Acts of Kindness Week, what will you do?

Journalist in 'good news' shocker.

"Kindness has an actual energy and power to change reality."

Creativity news

Deregulating amateur creativity

Teens want a room to express their creativity

Do you have a creative palm? (palm reading)

"Creativity is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." (Sir Ken Robinson)

Imagination news

Chefs encourage people to cook with their imagination

Kindness news

Malaysian students urged to reciprocate kindness to sponsors, schools and parents

US bus driver saves student's packed lunch, freezes it over weekend, and returns it on Monday bus ride.

Tips on teaching kids kindness.

Woman honors neighbours bone marrow donation with an American quilt

Imagination news links

Microsoft asks Gulf students to solve the world's problems with their imagination

Under-priveleged kids in Bangalore harness imagination in painting project

North Lanarkshire Libraries celebrate Poetry Day with comp - strong brace of entries (none printed in the article though)

"The map in popular culture is key to the formation of the collective imagination of the nation."