The 26 most annoying things about working in an office

To almost brighten up your day, Buzzfeed UK has compiled a list of the 26 most annoying things about working in an office.

The list spoke to us at The Think Tank so much that we had to share it with you.

Buzzfeed built the list from this BBC article and this thread on Facebook.

Some of our 'favourite' points are:

• People leaving the kitchen in a mess
• Endless Birthday whip-rounds (and when it's your turn)
• Stupid Buzzwords

Take a look at the full list here, and let us know which speaks to you the most.

How PR stunts can go horribly wrong

German advertising agency Sassenbach came up with what appeared to be a great idea to create awareness for the 'wind and weather proof' messaging for the Mini Cooper.

The problem is that the stunt involved paying to name the cold front, now sweeping Europe, 'Cooper' after the Mini Cooper - a cold front that has claimed many lives.

Germany's meteorology institute allows the sponsorship of weather systems and the advertising agency says on its website that naming the front after the open-air vehicle was a "wind- and weather-proof idea".

It encouraged people to follow the path of the weather on meteorological websites and has also named a warmer weather front that will follow this one "Minnie".

This just shows how careful you need to be with PR stunts and how they can back fire! A great shame as it was a good idea.

By the way, can you get weather insurance for naming a weather front?

Click here for more info on the BBC

'Trendfear' and how it's impacting upon communications

There was a great article on the BBC website earlier this week by Tom de Castella looking at ‘Trendfear’ – the nagging anxiety at the back of your mind that you are missing out on something.   

While marketers traditionally referred to such groups as early adopters, in the digital world, where many of us find ourselves now living and working, just keeping up with what’s new is often a challenge. There is a potential for information overload, and conversely for only sharing information within or between specific groups.   

Tom cites the circumstance of finding yourself baffled by the rise of ‘dual screening’ – ie watching television and posting instant reactions on Twitter. However, for ardent fans (or critics) of a programme it's probably just the outlet they have been looking for.  What if you do feel left behind when you read a story in the newspaper when you could have been watching it unfold through digital media?

In communication terms it adds a layer of complexity to how we, as professionals, need to approach media strategies. But as consumers we also becoming more aware that trends, like some products we may have experienced, can fail to live up to the hype? 

For example, we’re keeping a watching brief on Pinterest* here at The Think Tank, and we think it will be great for sharing design ideas and inspirations. We’ll keep you updated.  

*An online pinboard where you can post images and inspiration (already in the top 10 social networks in the USA). Find out more here.

Opinion: the 2012 Olympics artists posters

Art and design critics have questioned whether the posters unveiled last week to celebrate next year’s London Olympics truly represent the best of British creativity.

Mark Hudson of The Telegraph says that “overall, there are more hits than misses” among the posters by twelve leading British artists. He points to Fiona Banner’s work as the standout example, claiming its typographic combination of evocative phrases “feels appropriate to these challenging times.”

The Guardian‘s Jonathan Glancey also praises Banner’s design, describing it as “the most introspective, serious and moving of all these posters,” while questioning whether some of the designs are “aimed at art fans or athletics fans.” Patrick Burgoyne of UK visual communication magazine Creative Review reports that members of the graphic design community were disappointed not to be given the chance to participate in the design process but is unconvinced that the results would have been much better given such an open brief. The BBC‘s arts editor Will Gompertz says that the abstract nature of the posters means they lack context, adding “with this collection, you wouldn’t know where the games are being held. Maybe that in itself is a statement.”

Since their release the posters have received much more negative press and than positive. This doesn't bode well on top of widespread disappointment over the logo, typeface and mascots, followed by the dreary ticketing advertising campaign. Instead of providing a vehicle to celebrate Britain's creative industries, there is a very real danger that the 2012 Games will forever be remembered by the visual communications community as a missed opportunity of truly Olympian proportions.

To read more or to see opinions and comments about the posters visit Dezeen or Creative Review.

Junk mail crackdown to see launch of website

According to a BBC Report yesterday, ministers say it will be easier for people to stop junk mail being put through letterboxes under new plans.

The public will be able to opt out from receiving unsolicited flyers by contacting a single website rather than three different services at the moment. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said this would give people across the UK "more control" over what they get.  It has already been agreed that all adverts will be fully recyclable in the future as part of an initiative with the direct marketing industry. However, the voluntary decision only applies to members of the Direct Marketing Association - generally larger firms - and is unlikely to stop small, local companies such as restaurants and decorators from carrying out their mail shots. The average UK household receives more than 370 items of unsolicited paper mail a year, the majority of it unaddressed.

The Direct Marketing Association said its goal was to "eliminate" unwanted mail entirely. It said it would seek to persuade more firms to use "suppression lists" - which follow people's opt-out requests - and stop mail being delivered to addresses once inhabitants have moved or died. "We know that many types of advertising mail are welcomed by customers such as supermarket discount offers," Mike Lordan, the organisation's chief of operations, said. "Of course, untargeted and irrelevant advertising mail is not welcome. We are keen to ensure people are able to make an informed choice about whether or not they want to receive advertising mail.

To read the full article visit BBC News or to find out more about the initiative see the DMA website.

How will the new EU Directive on Internet Privacy affect your web site?

An EU Directive has recently come into force affecting the use of web site cookies to collect user information. Many companies in the past have used Privacy Policies in their web sites to cover the collection of information through the use of cookies. However, this new directive means that in future web site owners will need the explicit consent of the visitor to collect information about them and thus to place a cookie in their browser.

From 25 May, European law dictates that "explicit consent" must be gathered from web users who are being tracked via text files called "cookies".

The directive demands that users be fully informed about the information being stored in cookies and told why they see particular adverts.  This will impact upon, for example, the automatic registration of visitors to sites or tracking to provide relevant marketing to visitors, both of which use either Session or Persistent Cookies to recognise visitors and simplify their experience. The Directive does, however, specifically exclude use of cookies that track items that are placed in shopping carts.  

However, all is not lost. The Directive says that it may be possible for a user's consent to be provided by their use of appropriate browser settings.

 “…Where it is technically possible and effective, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Directive 95/46/EC, the user’s consent to processing may be expressed by using the appropriate settings of a browser or other application. The enforcement of these requirements should be made more effective by way of enhanced powers granted to the relevant national authorities.”   

Directive page L 337/20, paragraph 66

This may appear good news, however not everyone will visit a web site through a browser that allows these settings to be adapted. For example, browsing using a mobile phone or older versions of browsers.

“At present, most browser settings are not sophisticated enough to allow you to assume that the user has given their consent to allow your website to set a cookie. Also, not everyone who visits your site will do so using a browser. They may, for example, have used an application on their mobile device. So, for now we are advising organisations which use cookies or other means of storing information on a user’s equipment that they have to gain consent some other way.”

UK ICO

In an attempt to help businesses in the UK to prepare for and comply with the EU Directive the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued guidance, aligning UK law with the EU Directive in the belief that a browser setting signifies consent. 

“(3A) For the purposes of paragraph (2), consent may be signified by a subscriber who amends or sets controls on the internet browser which the subscriber uses or by using another application or programme to signify consent.” 

In addition, the ICO explains that those cookies that are “strictly necessary” to providing a service are exempt from the new rules. The ICO also adds;

“At present, most browser settings are not sophisticated enough to allow you to assume that the user has given their consent to allow your website to set a cookie. Also, not everyone who visits your site will do so using a browser. They may, for example, have used an application on their mobile device. So, for now we are advising organisations which use cookies or other means of storing information on a user’s equipment that they have to gain consent some other way.” 

The BBC has recently reported; “The government has formed a working group with browser manufacturers to see if a browser-based solution to the issue can be found.   Microsoft’s IE9 and the latest version of Mozilla’s Firefox already offer a setting to protect users from services which collect and harvest browser data and Google is working at integrating so-called ‘Do Not Track’ technologies into their Chrome browser.   As part of its work to comply with the directive, the IAB has created a site that explains how behavioural advertising works and lets people opt out of it.”

So what does this mean for businesses that run web sites; well, if you use cookies to track your visitors you cannot assume that they have expressly agreed to the use of cookies through their browser settings.

In the short term additional 'opt ins' or information communicating the use of cookies may be required upon registration to a web site where the user agrees to the specific use of cookies.

In the medium to long-term it is hoped that a person's browser settings will provide the consent required to overcome this additional opt in by web site users and maintain the benefits provided to the user by the use of cookies.

The law is far from clear at present and The Think Tank is unable to offer legal advice however this is a topic that should be on the radar of web site owners and if you are worried about your web site and the use of cookies we advise that you speak with your legal representative to clarify your personal circumstances.

Disclaimer: The Think Tank is not a legal adviser and is only commenting upon this subject. We do not accept any liability for any actions taken upon the information contained in this article.