Antika - Our blog about stuff

Increasing your Facebook fanbase

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:06:00 +0000

Do you have a facebook page but want to increase your fanbase? That's what Pedigree wanted and they identified that dog lovers are very generous when it comes to helping dogs in need, and they set up the Pedigree Adoption Drive. The Pedigree brand will donate a bowl of food for every new fan on their facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/Pedigree, they have donated 1,095,088 bowls so far.

Make sure you add your Facebook page to all your marketing materials (have you created a unique username - http://www.facebook.com/username to make it easy to remember?). Offer competitions for your Facebook fans only so people have to like your page to enter, offer captivating content that your audience will want to share - always draw them back to your Facebook page. Connect with your Twitter followers and LinkedIn network.

Above all, have fun with it and offer something that's perfect for your audience. if you're not sure what is perfect for them, ask them!

How do I set up a Facebook business page?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:54:00 +0000

First of all, why do you need a Facebook page? If you haven’t yet grasped the social media concept – it’s like this – social media is a fast growing media channel that many businesses, and organisations are already utilising. One of the benefits, is its viral and sharing capabilities – if you offer something useful and valuable to your market they are likely to share it and spread the word for you. Be a leading authority in your field and share some of your knowledge, offer tips and advice, provide entertaining content. Ask yourself, would you want to share it with others? It’s important to consider what you are providing through your Facebook page and what you want people to do with.

Some retailers are using it for customer service interaction. Brand reputation is such a delicate balance to achieve, so to get the opportunity to successfully resolve any problems through a public channel like Facebook helps build customer loyalty and satisfaction. It is also already working for the likes of the Boots No7 brand - http://www.facebook.com/No7ProtectandPerfect which includes videos of user guides and discussions, and Musicians such as Goldfrapp have found big success - http://www.facebook.com/Goldfrapp promoting events and competitions.

So, to set up a Facebook page you will first need to set up a personal account – go to the Facebook.com and fill in the form (follow the easy instructions), then visit this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php to set up the business page. Once you have 25+ fans (or people that ‘Like’ your page) you can create a unique address like this www.facebook.com/dell, so that you can use the easy to remember address on other marketing materials. Go to this link to set up the unique username. http://www.facebook.com/username.

Once set up fill your page with content that is valuable to your audience, offer free tips, advice, a place to voice their thoughts about your products/service. Most of all have some fun with it because this is social media with an emphasis on the ‘social’.

Offshore Web Development

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:08:00 +0000

I get email like this nearly every day. This ones a classic... Should we use them?

Hello Antika,
We are INDIA based leading ISO 9001:2000 Certified Company, located at Vadodara, Gujarat, working as an offshore web design & development company (we are more than offshore company) from past 10 years and have completed 2500+ project efficiently.
But we do not want to lay an image of spammer therefore can we approach your esteemed company for business synergy in much affordable price?
Based on your permission only, I would like to you more details regarding Jagtap InfoTech P Ltd.
I am listening carefully your response provided it negative or positive.
Thanking you & with best regards.

Art Exhibition at The Loft Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Walkden) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:34:00 +0000

Antika's creative director, Vicki Walkden, is exhibiting her new paintings and prints at The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 25 March – 4 April.

Vicki, like a lot of creatives, seems unable to just kick back at weekends, and thus spends her spare time painting, generally dabbling and always creating. Her inspiration is predominantly taken from landscapes and nature. She plays with colour and form to create a sense of space and tranquility; and, by working with a range of different mediums including acrylic, watercolour and digital art, Vicki maintains an experimental approach.

Exploring colour is a particular focus for Vicki, who descibes herself as a colourist painter/artist. By combining beautiful colours taken from everyday scenes and objects, she aims to emanate calm and beauty.

For details on The Loft Theatre click here
For more info on Vicki's artwork click here

Law of Attraction

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Walkden) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:51:00 +0000

The Law of Attraction

What is this law of attraction? I hear you say. Or maybe you’ve heard of it and currently putting it into practise. Either way, word is out and whether you do it consciously or unconsciously, there seems to be something to it, especially when you read all the testimonials (see links below…)

So…let’s see…I manifest what I focus on. If I don’t want something but think of it, I’m focussing on it and thus manifesting it. Mmm…okay, cool. So I need to focus only on things I want.

(Maybe it will take a bit of practise but I’m willing to give it a try).

ALSO, it’s important to FEEL GOOD about what you want to manifest, and one way of doing that is to feel grateful for it. (As if you already have it)

My interpretation of this is when I used to check my lottery ticket, I used to feel disappointment but if you KNOW you’ll win (whatever amount you’ve wished for) you won’t feel disappointment just EXCITEMENT. You’ve just got to keep that belief. And don’t tell anyone they might think you’re mad and effect your beliefs – tell them when you’ve won. I just use this as an example, because of course there are many things to manifest like great relationships etc.

Well, I for one am manifesting, and I’ve decided to keep a track of things I’m manifesting on this blog.

See http://www.whatanicewebsite.com/faces/testimonials.htm

http://www.abraham-hicks.com

In my mind if you are still missing or needing things in your life, or having a feeling your life could be so much better, then surely it’s worth a try?

I’ll be back with all my good news.

V x ☺

Dexter

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Walkden) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:29:00 +0000

I’m not usually one to write about a TV show, especially one about a serial killer, and a killer who is a likeable protagonist. But how brilliant is that? To actually make the viewer empathise with this serial killer is a feat worth mentioning. I must point out that I am not a crime/murder kind of girl. No, I prefer America’s next top model and Will and Grace, and period dramas, oh, and even a bit of Colin Fry (don’t shoot me!) But Dexter?! It’s topping my favourite TV show list by far at the moment. And no, I don’t normally have a TV list but I feel I need one now.

Unfortunately I haven’t read the book. Or maybe that’s a good thing so I didn’t have preconceptions. I love the fact that Dexter was taught by his foster father to channel his urge to kill and only to kill people that deserve to be killed. How on earth do you decide who should be killed? This is such a fantastic moral question, especially in some states of America where people do decide with the death penalty still going strong. Dexter spends time monitoring his victims-to-be to determine whether they should die. In one case he even became the patient of a killer psychiatrist to confirm his suspicions and acquire the relevant evidence. And he got it, on camera and in person. So, was his death deserved? Mmm…good question. It’s funny because Dexter explains repeatedly to the viewer that he’s emotionless and doesn’t feel anything, and has to pretend that he’s a real human to other people on a daily basis. Therefore, the fact that he’s killing people from an objective point of view rather than from an emotional perspective, does it make it easier to accept? For me, I don’t support the death penalty because how can you ever be one hundred percent sure you have the right person? I’m not saying Dexter shouldn’t kill people but rather I empathise with his feelings for wanting to hurt them (not kill them). It reminds me of someone saying something that everyone else is thinking but too afraid to voice. Haven’t we all wanted to hurt someone who hurt us or has brutally abused a small child for example? Okay, Dexter takes the whole concept a fundamentally big step further as he does have a desire to kill. But his foster father taught him to channel this propensity rather than trying to suppress it and it then inevitably going off the rails. And with his fathers help he developed a conscience and a set of values both good and bad. The fact that he acts out some of them clearly differentiates him from the average guy. But this guy is actually pretty likeable and that’s down to excellent writing, acting and production.
And I’m so glad there’s a second series!
Official site http://www.sho.com/site/dexter/home.do

PLATFORM 01 Art Exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Walkden) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:21:00 +0000

Antika is proud to present PLATFORM 01 Art Exhibition...

PLATFORM 01 Art Exhibition is being held at The Gallery in the Custard Factory, Birmingham B9 4AA 4-9th March.

PLATFORM 01 is a multi-media collection of work by predominantly local artists, and features contributions from painters, ceramicists, photographers, sculptors, printmakers and digital media artists, some of whom have been featured in Elle Deco, presented work internationally, worked with Supergrass and The Young Knives, exhibited at the Tate, and won numerous awards. The diversity of techniques alongside the potential audience results in a wide spectrum of artists, art, and collectors representative of Birmingham's rapidly expanding art scene.

All profit is going to Breast Cancer Care http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/

PLATFORM 01 runs 4th - 9th March. Opening times Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-2pm.

http://www.platformartexhibition.co.uk

Antika becomes Certified Vodafone re-seller

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:15:00 +0000

As a Certified Vodafone re-seller, Antika is proud to offer attractive rates on mobile handsets, data and voice contracts for business.

Antika chose Vodafone as a leading mobile phone network to help it support the roll out of its new CRM software (ASC IT SYSTEMS) for the heating, electrical and servicing market. Hand held computers (PDA's) for engineers are a new and exciting move for this industry as they generate less paperwork, mileage and administration.

ASC IT SYSTEMS has a PDA module to allow engineers to complete forms such as CP12’s instantly and remotely. The entire system is designed to significantly speed up the efficiency and productivity of servicing companies.

For more information on ASC IT SYSTEMS and to see how it has benefited others, please email ascenquiries@antika.co.uk or phone us on the number below.

For more information on how we can assist you with Vodafone products, please email info@antika.co.uk or phone us on the number below.

Saving the planet, one tree at a time...

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:09:00 +0000

Just a quick update, I'm really busy but wanted to share this one.

Found a really good website at http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.html. Does what it says really; enter in your annual gas, electricity and transport costs and it spits back your carbon footprint. It also gives the option to ease you conscience by paying to plant trees, invest in cleaner technology or even refine waste products. And you get a certificate at the end! Brilliant!

Schools Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Fri, 11 May 2007 12:09:00 +0000

Just got back from serving on the UCE/tic review panel. Blimey! A really eye-opening event for me, I learnt a huge amount about what goes into designing, running and modifying modern Degree courses and gained a real insite into how education estabishments develop and run their courses.

When I was at university I felt my course was cobbled together using a formula based on who was around and what resources we're available. These days (well going by what I experienced during this process) , courses are developed with a clear intention of providing essential, up-to-date skills that will serve the student so well in the modern IT & media sectors.

I had been asked to participate in the approval of two new degree courses, the re-approval of two existing ones and the approval of five new Foundation courses. A group of 'outsiders' from industry and other education estabishments were preseted with a huge pile of documentation relating to each course. Over two days we toured the facilities, attended presentations and interviewed members of the Faculty. we needed to know about the courses, their content, student support, objectives etc and formed an opinion about each one. We also proposed additions or reccomendations about each course based on our own experiences and expectations. Some pretty heavy stuff!

I won't ramble on too much, but I'd really like to thank UCE and the tic for giving me this opportunity to be 'on the other side of the fence'. And, more importantly, I'd like to congratulate them on having some wonderful facilities in which to provide some much needed industry skills.

Well done chaps!

Everything in Moderation...

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:55:00 +0000

I dunno..., set up a blog then don't post anything on it for a month! Well, things have slowly started to settle down at Antika Towers and we're freeing up some time to get on with our housekeeping chores.

The biggest news over the last month (for me, at least) is that I've been asked to act as an External Moderator for the University of Central England! I'll be spending a couple of days over at Millennium Point working with the Faculty and other industry types to review and approve a couple of BSC degree courses.

I'm still trawling though the accompanying documentation - a 3 inch high pile of A4 booklets, so I'm still not sure *exactly* what I'm going to be doing yet, but I'm still really honoured to be asked.

The courses are Music Technology, Sound & Multimedia, Broadcast Technology & Production and Media for Mobile Devices.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Cheers
Nick

St. Patrick's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 10:12:00 +0000

The St. Patrick's Day celebrations over the weekend reminded me of story my Uncle told me just last year, about when my family were growing up in Ireland.

Back then we had a farm, one of many in the small rural town. While this farm, and others around the area managed OK, one had a particular problem. Whilst all the other farms had excellent land for grazing and planting, this particular one had nothing but rocks.

The family were good people, but there was nothing anyone could do with the farm to make it work. There was just no way turing a profit. Eventually, the farm became run down and the farmer died.

Then someone had an idea. "What can we do with this farm of rocks?" - Sell them!

And they did.

And this simple idea became the basis for a huge construction company.

I'm not a philosopher in anyway, but even I can get some form of moral from this one. There's opportunity everywhere, you just need to look around for it.

On the subject of the Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Walkden) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:49:00 +0000

I now have my own personal website displaying my abstract paintings. These are inspired by nature and landscapes, and a desire to portray the beauty of nature in its most simplistic, colourful form.

The website also includes work by my mother who paints more traditional watercolour paintings.

Take a visit if you get the chance, http://www.thestonewalkgallery.co.uk

Vicki

How much is your website worth?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:24:00 +0000

Here's a fun tool that I came across last week - http://www.dnscoop.com/

Enter your url and it'll work out the value of your website by looking up various factors; age, inbound links, etc. Don't know how realistic the actual values are but it's a fun way to compare sites. Oh, and before you look up www.antika.co.uk it's currently only 490 bucks! Do we have an offer for 500...?

Vix Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:15:00 +0000

Odd. While setting up this blog it turns out we created one way back in 2001 and never used it. Even stranger is that the only real post was this beautiful poem that Vicki wrote.

jump now
grab the opportunity
poise yourself
ignore the scrutiny

touch your senses
choke on happiness
it can last forever
accept no less

Lovely isn't it?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Whitehouse) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:53:00 +0000

Welcome to what will hopefully become a fun addition to the antika website. Here's where we plan on adding bits that don't really fit with the rest of the 'corporate' site. So be prepared stuff that makes us laugh, maybe some gossip and perhaps even some sensible design and development advice.

Stay tuned....