How podcasting is changing the world by Christopher Penn
Christoper Penn is one of the most well known (and respected) podcasters and social media gurus around. The following is a video of a couple of stories he told at a recent podcasting conference, that really demonstrates how podcasting is changing the world.
Posted in: General
Ipsos Mori UK Study Highlights Big Growth in Podcast usage
A new UK study by Ipsos Mori has identified some interesting trends in podcast usage, these include:
- Podcast listening occurs throughout the day, with an evening peak when 44% of podcast users click on the play button. A total of 38% of podcast users now listen to content that is more than a week old
- Since November 2007 there has been a 37% increase in the number of people who have downloaded a podcast in the UK and a 98% increase in the number of people who listen to a podcast each week
- The average podcast user subscribes to 3.6 podcasts and spends just over an hour a week listening to them
- iTunes remains the preferred software for almost three-quarters of users who subscribe to podcasts, while a fifth simply download directly from the website via their browser
- 79% of people listen to podcasts on their home computer and 66% listen via a portable audio player
One really fascinating finding from the study, suggests that podcasting can also grow traditional radio audiences. Although 10% of those surveyed said they listened to less live radio after starting to download podcasts, 15% said they listened to more live radio since downloading podcasts. 39% said they were listening to radio programs they did not listen to previously.
It’s interesting to see that by embracing podcasting, radio stations can actually grow their audiences.
Posted in: General
Podcasting to be taught in UK schools
If there was any doubt about the future of podcasting, an announcement in The Guardian this week that podcasting is to be taught in UK schools from September, indicates that it is fast becoming ‘mainstream’.
A vocational qualification in internet broadcasting will allow students to understand the concepts of podcasting, as well as learning how to plan and produce podcasts.
The qualification is a NCFE level 1 in podcasting and David Grailey, the NCFE’s Chief Exec said "Podcasting is fast becoming part of everyday life – vicars are delivering sermons via podcasts, police departments are delivering ‘crimewatch’ video podcasts and schools and colleges are recording lessons via podcasts. It’s therefore vital that we offer people both an understanding and the skills to utilise this technology.
The qualification has also allowed us, as an organisation, to look at the benefits of podcasts within the education market and consider future plans to deliver our qualifications and syllabus through different mediums – including podcasts."
As evangelists of this powerful form of communication, we’re delighted that more people are recognising it’s huge potential.
Posted in: General
Enhance E-learning with a Podcast
I had a really interesting meeting this week with an organisation who specialise in e-learning. They have developed a terrific ‘Dynamic Learning Environment’ product based on the Open Source software ‘Moodle‘ and it’s great to see how web 2.0 technology is being used in this way.
There is no agreed definition of e-learning, but the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) describe it as ‘Learning that is delivered, enabled or mediated using electronic technology for the explicit purpose of training in organisations’.
In a recent CIPD Learning and Development Survey, more that 57% of respondents reported that they are already using e-learning and a further 27% said that they plan to do so over the next year – this strongly suggests that e-learning is becoming ‘mainstream’.
In our opinion, if you’re using or considering using e-learning, think about incorporating podcasts into your programmes – they’re a powerful way to enhance the effectiveness of your e-learning environment.
Posted in: General
Using Social Media to Promote Democratic Engagement
The day after the excitement of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, we recorded a podcast at an event very close by, where over 130 elected members representing the new shadow authorities in Cheshire were gathered.
It was the first joint meeting of all the newly elected Councillors since their election on 1st May and one of the key messages of the event, was the importance of communicating well with local constituents.
The guest speaker was Dame Jane Roberts, author of the Councillor’s Commission Report which makes over 60 recommendations for improvements to the current systems. In her interview with us, she talked about how the newer digital technologies (podcasts, blogs, wikis and social networks etc) can be used by local authorities to help communities understand and engage with local politics.
From our own experience, we can see that the level of interest amongst local authorities in using web 2.0 as a means of communication is growing dramatically and therefore support Jane’s views.
Posted in: General
Podcasting in Plain English
We’ve blogged about the team at Common Craft before when they published their fab video explaining Twitter. They’ve now produced one that explains podcasting, check it out below.
Posted in: General
Listen to an exclusive podcast interview with Alan Duncan MP
I’ve just published the latest Business Ears podcast show that features an interview with Alan Duncan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (The old DTI).
In the interview, Alan outlines The Conservative Party’s plans for UK business, which given the latest opinion polls and Boris’s mayoral victory in London, seem increasingly likely to become reality.
It was fascinating going to Portcullis House to record the interview – it’s the large building right next to Westminster, where MP’s have their offices. The reception has to be one of the most secure places in the UK and every other face was one I recognised – I even saw my own MP – small world!
To listen to the interview visit www.businessears.co.uk
Posted in: General
Exclusive Tips on Corporate Blogging from Debbie Weil
One of the most common questions I get asked by current and prospective clients is “Why should my business be blogging?”
I can recount numerous compelling commercial reasons like higher Google rankings, increased levels of customer satisfaction and employee engagement, improved brand perception…the list goes on.
But don’t just take my word for it, listen to the latest Business Ears podcast interview with Debbie Weil, the US based Corporate and CEO blogging consultant, globally recognised as ‘The Expert’ on corporate blogging.
In the exclusive interview, which lasts about 12 minutes, Debbie clearly explains what corporate blogging is all about, she highlights some of the major benefits that blogging can bring to your business and shares some top tips on how to write a great blog.
Debbie is also the author of ‘The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right’, which has even been translated into Mandarin Chinese!
Check out the podcast interview at www.businessears.co.uk
Posted in: General
EmployerCAST to build and promote your Employer Brand
The importance of effective Employer Brand Management is something that savvy organisations are starting to take far more seriously, as they grasp the link between their bottom line profits and what existing and potential employees think about them as an employer.
So how do you go about managing an employer brand then?
From our perspective, more and more clients are asking us to build and promote their employer brands internally and externally using podcasts. These ‘employer broadcasts’ or as we call them ‘EmployerCASTS’ prove incredibly powerful, because they bring an organisation’s employer brand to life.
Let me explain a little more…an EmployerCAST™ is an audio or video podcast, hosted on an intranet or internet site that communicates messages to existing and potential employees. EmployerCASTS™ increase the likelihood that you’ll motivate and retain your existing team and attract and recruit the best new talent. Just imagine hearing the CEO talking passionately about your organisation’s vision and values or your employees waxing lyrical about why someone should join you.
There are numerous resources out there that claim to ‘demystify’ the subject of Employer Branding, for a great overview of best practice, check out the CIPD’s free guide entitled ‘Employer Branding: a no-nonsense approach’ – it’s well worth a read.
Posted in: General
Podcasts aren't just for the young
If you think it’s only ‘Generation Y’ (c.16 to 26 year olds) that listen to podcasts, then you’d be mistaken. Recent research, published in eMarketeer, suggests that podcasts are consumed by all age groups, with the fastest growth amongst 50 to 64 year olds.
The research, which surveyed people that had listened to a podcast in the last 30 days, noted a nearly even gender split between male and female podcast listeners, 25 to 34 year olds making up the largest single age group with 24% representation in the study.
It appears, as I have long believed, that podcasting is for everyone!
Posted in: General
