Mount Alexander Business Awards 2017

We Push Buttons is pretty chuffed that are joint winners of the Professional Services Award in the Mount Alexander Business Awards for 2017. The judges found this category a tough one so we shared the award with another great local business, Healing Well.

We heard from a bevy of great speakers on the night and enjoyed the abundant catering from Growing Abundance and Welshman’s Reef Winery. Three piece band, Mood Swing kept the entertainment coming with contemporary jazz tunes.

The staff at We Push Buttons were very proud of the boss, Rob who keeps this business growing from strength to strength with the energy of 10 people. A fantastic leader and role model, Rob’s dedication to our town, local people, business and the arts is something we are all proud of. The quality of work he demands from us while embracing the diverse human element in each of us creates a dynamic and dedicated team.

An award well deserved!

We Push Buttons would like to thank the judges Lisa Rundell of Lost Trades Fair and Tomahawk Marketing + PR, Jason and Belinda Hagan of McIvor Farm Foods, and Frances Macdonald and Paul Goudie from Regional Development Victoria.

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We have been approached by clients to embed Matterport walk throughs into their website allowing visitors to explore architectural spaces in a virtual 3D format.

Matterport is a great digital solution for architects, real estate agents, and builders to showcase internal and external spaces to potential clients. It allows clients to navigate their way around a virtual interior and get a sense of how they would interact within the space of an existing building or floor plan for a future home or workspace. Rather than wait till a piece of realestate comes onto the market for inspection or the plans of architect designs to be built, buyers can get a feel for the internal space off site from anywhere in the world. This allows clients to see how they might occupy the space, modify plans to suit their personal taste, asses the fit of furniture or how they might occupy the layout of a workspace.

A space is scanned with a Matterport Pro 3D Camera, capturing the area in three dimensions and uploaded to a cloud based processor. The high resolution of panoramic images presents accurate detailed and beautiful light filled interiors. The result is just as if you were walking through the interior and looking around from floor to ceiling.

Matterport Scenes mobile capture is an app that is a tool for contractors to capture all or parts of a building or renovation job to record measurements without having to memorise or take notes.

With new navigation technology such as the Wayfinding apps, Google want images of every building inside and out is giving incentives such as better online visibility to companies and businesses that provide 3D walkthroughs of their properties.

Two of our clients have an embedded Matterport product:

Davin Bake Building and Design specialise in residential, commercial, renovations, extensions, high rise developments and shop fit-outs. Davin approached us to embed a Matterport 3D virtual tour on his website to showcase a high end domestic project. The result is a complete walk through of an elegant rural home in Central Victoria. This gives this gives Davin Bake Building and Design an extra edge over their competitors, an almost try before you buy taster, where customers can see the Davin’s craftsmanship, perfection of designed living spaces and mastery of mixed materials. Potential clients get an instant atmospheric feel of how their dream can be realised by employing this building company.

Becklegal is a central Victorian law firm offering a suite of legal services to the community. Beck Legal asked us to embed a Matterport 3D walkthrough of their brand spanking new offices to show off their builder’s work and to give customers a sense of confidence that they could expect a professional service from comfortable well fitted out offices.

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A lot of municipal councils are building community directories into their budget, some of them are quite good, comprehensive and easy to navigate and some are visually messy and confusing to use.

An online directory is a convenient place to search for services, and community groups, and most people hop online for quick access to information these days. It makes sense to have a localised directory based on the needs of your citizens.

A good directory is a knowledge hub that builds connectedness between residents, community groups and services within that society. It empowers community engagement and charts community assets and resources in an online noticeboard that is of benefit to everyone.

What makes a good community directory?

Start with an engaging home page with a short introductory paragraph about the directory and the community it serves.

It should provide free public access to collated quality information, listing all services and community groups in a one stop shop, preferably with consistent and attractive page layouts. Quality images are a bonus.

Your directory should build on the most basic functions for a simple user experience with a straight forward easy to navigate interface, accommodating all community members, even those with limited internet experience. It needs a simple, readable and obvious search and filter bar at the top of the site so users can search by category, organisation or key word to find everything from small volunteer groups to large service organisations. There should be links to useful services per category.

For listings, you need a simple membership form to sign up online at the front end of the directory. Members should be able to submit their information for free and easily manage their profile via their login details. The membership form should provide fields that list name, contact details including address, opening times, listing category and a brief description with links to website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

Each entry needs a small introductory profile, who they service, the areas they service, whether there is disability access and a list of key words. You could get fancy by having an add to favourites button so users can bookmark their most accessed services.

Maximum usability

To maximise usability, email addresses can be rendered as a hyperlink that will generate a new email message for enquiries. Phone numbers can also be rendered to facilitate a click to call on mobile devices and websites can be hyperlinked to open in a new window in the browser. Address information can be rendered as a map and/or as a hyperlink that would allow the address to be viewed in Google Maps (preferably in an external window in the browser).

Scalability

Directories are built to grow and therefore are scalable, expanding with new listings and information as needed. It should be able to be done inhouse by admin staff rather than outsourced to expensive web developers who charge by the hour to do minor updates.

SEO

A good SEO strategy will strengthen your directory, keeping up to date with keyword research and ranking high with search engines. This will increase traffic to the directory thus contributing to the connectivity of your community.

Calendar

A centralised calendar of events can be incorporated into the directory so members can enter events, course dates, council meetings and announcements, and the public can stay informed of happenings and increasing participation rates.

Here’s a few of our favourite directories (click on the image to follow through to the directory):

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Jonathon Hanks explains shared value

We Push Buttons interviewed Jonathon Hanks, founder and Director of Incite, a South African company that provides powerful tools to businesses in emerging markets, to help them build Shared Value and Sustainability best practice business models.

Shared Value is a business strategy that is based on profit generating principles at scale while addressing societal challenges at the same time.

Our valued client ACCSR engaged Jonathon Hanks to run Unlocking Shared Value, an intensive seminar to a small group of entrepreneurs in Melbourne, July of this year. Jonathon presented to a sold out course and outlined how Shared Value is the new paradigm for businesses engaging in emerging markets where the societal challenges are many and require thinking outside the square to deliver positive innovation and change through a business product or service.

The interview with Jonathon Hanks is very interesting and well worth a read. Jonathon gives us a few examples of how innovative entrepreneurs have taken up the challenge of addressing societal issues in South Africa and built growing and inclusive profit pools.

He takes us through the challenges of implementing Shared Value and the industries where this business model needs to be developed.

You can access the transcript of our interview here.

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Silver K at Oz Comic Con Melbourne

This first weekend of July I took my kids to Oz Comic Con in Melbourne.  We went to visit our client Colin Kaye from Silver K Galleries who held a great stall of beautiful hand signed artwork from superheroes.

It was a fabulous day out for the nerdy and the geeky (and me!). There were hundreds of people dressed up as their favourite comic book characters. The kids were goggle eyed at all the super heroes wandering around.  My five-year-old daughter, April couldn’t believe how many princesses there were in one place.

Everywhere we looked there were stalls with fabulous comics and merchandise and there were plenty of artists giving demonstrations.

We were glad to see SilverK was very busy with visitors and buyers in their stall. We Push Buttons staff ramped up a Facebook and Twitter marketing campaign in the weeks prior the Comic Con to build the hype around SilverK’s special new Star Wars releases and the stunning new Goddess of Truth art work to coincide with the release of the Wonder Woman movie Rise of the Warrior.

My wallet was out of my pocket more than in it but all in all it was well spent.

We recommend checking out the great art work at SilverK Galleries. Visit their website to see what’s new and for contact details.

Colin from Silver K Galleries at Oz Comic Con

Out the front of Oz Comic Con – we could have sat there all day watching the characters walk passed.

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Site visit event

We Push Buttons was proud support the launch and site visit of Stage 1 of an exciting new property development beginning in Castlemaine, The Paddock eco village.

On Friday 16 June at 7.30pm at Buda Historic Home and Garden, a full house of interested individuals and families had the opportunity to hear from the project team behind The Paddock eco village. Participants were part of a presentation and workshop outlining stage one of this remarkable new development.

The event was followed up by a site visit the next morning. Visitors were treated to muffins and coffee around a bonfire and walked through the plans for 27 architect designed homes set around areas of shared space and communal gardens.  Around 75% of the total land area will be taken up by food gardens, small wetlands, walkways and recreation areas.  A community centre will sit at the heart of the development.

The Paddock eco village will model a new standard for sustainable community living and is an inspiring model for future housing developments. With each home being smaller than average and drawing power from grid connected solar panels, the village will have low bills and carbon emissions.

“We want to create a new standard for sustainable living that fosters a sense of community and a close connection to nature.” Heather Barret, Hub Foundation.

It was a beautiful morning and the bush was in its full winter glory.

To register for the meetings and/or to find out more to go to The Paddock website.

Phone inquiries may be made between 9am and 11am on weekdays on 0419 327 791.

The post The Paddock Eco Village Castlemaine appeared first on We Push Buttons.

        

We Push Buttons was proud support the launch event in Castlemaine for an exciting new property development beginning in Castlemaine, The Paddock eco village.

On Friday 16 June at 7.30pm at Buda Historic Home and Garden, a full house of interested individuals and families had the opportunity to hear from the project team behind The Paddock eco village. Participants were part of a presentation and workshop outlining stage one of this remarkable new development.

The event was followed up by a site visit the following morning. Visitors were treated to muffins and coffee around a bonfire and walked through the plans for 27 architect designed homes set around areas of shared space and communal gardens.  Around 75% of the total land area will be taken up by food gardens, small wetlands, walkways and recreation areas.  A community centre will sit at the heart of the development.

The Paddock eco village will model a new standard for sustainable community living and is an inspiring model for future housing developments. With each home being smaller than average and drawing power from grid connected solar panels, the village will have low bills and carbon emissions.

“We want to create a new standard for sustainable living that fosters a sense of community and a close connection to nature.”

Heather Barret, one of the project leaders.

It was a beautiful morning and the bush was in its full winter glory.

The Paddock information session – June 3 at Harvest cafe.

To register for the meetings and/or to find out more, readers are invited to go to: thepaddockcastlemaine.com.au. Phone inquiries may be made between 9am and 11am on weekdays on 0419 327 791.

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Three good reasons a professional photographer will add value to your website:

If you want to stand out in the digital space and make a statement about your company vision and values, strong, original images that add to your business story are the best option for your website.

A professional photographer will take the time to capture images that resonate with your audience. While the expense and time may seem unnecessary compared to choosing stock images online, we have three good reasons why a professional photographer is worth the investment.

1. People appreciate the real

How many times have you visited a website and seen the same group of people walking together in business suits with their clipboards clutched in perfectly manicured hands, or noticed the same woman smiling beneath her headset? Exactly! Stock photos have become ubiquitous and rarely add anything of value to a website.

Basically speaking, stock photos are cheap, empty images that don’t enhance your website, and may make your audience assume your company is too lazy or cheap to bother with sourcing original content.

Using a professional photographer means you can use your team and resources to demonstrate the creative strengths of your company and showcase the products and services you provide. A talented photographer will uncover the ‘wonderful’ in your everyday products, and display them in a way that creates interest and admiration.

2. Why look good when you can look great?

If stock photos aren’t your thing, it can be tempting to do it yourself or hire a keen amateur. Before you let your favourite employee loose with a camera – you know the one; that guy who is always doing the Instagram photo a day challenge – stop and remember that every website tells a story. Photos that are badly constructed, poorly lit and over- or underexposed can be just as damaging to your overall business image as badly chosen stock photos.

A professional photographer will have equipment, editing software, experience and most importantly, a portfolio. The importance of viewing the photographer’s portfolio cannot be underestimated. It is essential because you will be able to gauge how well their approach will fit with your vision. A portfolio will also reveal the expertise and scope of their work.

3.    Get the message right

Working with a photographer means you retain creative control of the message your website sends. This means you can set the mood and promote your brand through unique images that complement your content. Keep in mind that the photos you commission will make the first impression on your customers.

Taking the time to find the right photographer who can work to the brief and create an image that reflects your business personality and goals will be worth every marketing dollar you spend, and will also produce a website that attracts the right attention.

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Websites dedicated to health care need not be sanitised digital spaces that remind your clients of a hospital. There is plenty of scope for creating inviting, responsive digital spaces that encourage your customers to engage and discover more about the health care options you have to offer. We have done some digging and found five sites that showcase great design aesthetics.

Better Health Channel

With a full-screen homepage featuring well-placed logos and crisp greens on a background of autumn colours, Better Health Channel has immediate consumer appeal. The Victorian Government site has two options for users to view information: a banner with clear drop-down menus, or simply scroll down until you find what you want.  There are plenty of interactive buttons on the site that allow viewers to upload photos, leave feedback, download free apps or connect via Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

One Medical

This site features high-quality images, beginning with video footage across the homepage of an average One Medical office. Prospective clients will find plenty of information by scrolling through the site, and the primary information for patients who have to visit a doctor quickly, presents in high-visibility ‘call to actions.’ The site has fresh colours and graphics but still feels warm and approachable.

Nudge Psychology

We love this gorgeous site that is so visually attractive we forgive its lack of responsiveness. The images cover the entire screen with a discreet navigation banner across the top of the page. Scroll down or click on navigation menu for a visual feast of fabulous images, contrasting primary colours and geometric shapes. Information is succinct, with contact buttons available on each page. There are also Twitter and Facebook buttons, and a You Tube channel linked to the site.

Redbrick Health

Healthy, outdoorsy images and a colourful vector-based design make Redbrick Health a user-friendly and attractive site to navigate. The homepage has a scrolling full-width bar with ‘call to action’ buttons for each image, making it easy to listen to participant stories, and find out about research and health plans from the moment you land on the site. The site has easy to find Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and RSS Feed buttons, and a drop-down menu that is clearly set out for ease of use.  The site’s certified Redbrick Ready is an innovative example of full device and app integration for an array of health services, including Virtual Health Coaching, assessments, and advice.

Family Psychology Practice

Last, but certainly not least, we showcase one of our website designs for a family and children’s psychology practice. Created with a full-width homepage that feels both homely and uncluttered due to warm, earthy graphics and clearly compartmentalised sections. The site features two blogs and offers a variety of ways to contact the centre, and interact with the information provided. The aim of the design is approachability, achieved through relaxed language and user-friendly navigation.

If you are a health care professional who is launching a website, try to make sure that your web design includes relevant, accessible information, easy to find contact details and credentials, and a responsiveness and style that instills confidence, approachability, and trust. Keeping these basics in mind will help drive more traffic from the web to your practice door.

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Storm season – time to get a backup server

The recent autumn storms that lashed the east coast of Australia are a not too subtle reminder that all businesses, large and small, should have backup servers in a separate location to their main business premises. As well as keeping a backup server, business owners should verify that backups are working successfully, or unexpected natural disasters could leave you without the necessary data you need to run your business.

The difference between the Cloud and offsite backup

Cloud does offer limited backup for companies but it is meant for small files and personal data. The major, and most important, difference between Cloud and off-site backup is ownership. When you store data on Cloud, you are a customer and as such, bound by the terms and conditions of Cloud storage. When you use an offsite backup server, you are the owner of your data, which means you can access it whenever you want. An offsite server also offers greater data protection because it can run twenty-four hours a day with scheduled backups at regular intervals.

Why is an offsite server the best option?

We live in an information age where the most valuable possession a business has is data. If your business was to lose all the company and client data, the costs involved in notifying clients and government agencies, continuing without data (if that is possible) and recreating the lost data would result in loss productivity and possibly, bankruptcy.

Off-site servers are an added layer of insurance against:

• Natural disasters – storms, fire, floods, earthquakes and cyclones
• Hardware failure
• Theft
• Malicious attack – from employees or the internet in the form of virus, worm or trojan

Having a backup server in place means you or your IT manager can travel to the off-site location and immediately retrieve an up-to-date copy of your business information.

How do I set up an offsite backup server?

The complexity and expense of an offsite server will depend on the size and nature of your business. It is best to choose a secure location, out of a flood zone, that is easily accessible. If there is no one within your business that is qualified to set up a backup server, you should seek expert advice to ensure you data is properly protected twenty four hours a day.

Every company suffers data loss at some point or another, so your best defence against the cost and stress of lost data is to commission an offsite backup server, establish a disaster and backup recovery plan, and review your data protection policies every twelve months.

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