Simon Middleton loves brands and loves thinking creatively: in fact he loves these two closely related areas so much that he'ss prepared to tackle any question, from anywhere in the
world, free of charge, for one month: from August 10th to September 9th 2006.
I'sve built my business on helping people to think more creatively about their brands, their organisations and their work lives, explains Simon.
One of the things I enjoy most is hearing the stories of people I'sve never met before, and helping them to look afresh at their business challenges so I'sm going to get stuck in and give
a view in response to any question, from anywhere in the world, completely free, for a month, Simon added.
Simon'ss philosophy about brands and branding is simple. It'ss not about the logo he says: but about the meaning of the business or organisation. In fact the collection of meanings in the
hearts and minds of the customers, consumers and other audiences.
Brands don'st really exist actually, except because of a kind of collective collusion by individuals across a society. That 'ssociety's can be as small as a couple who choose to return to
a particular restaurant that they love, or as large and diverse as the world population, Simon explains.
As well as focusing on the particular area of brands, Simon will be trying to help people become more creative in their thinking during the 'sfree advice's month.
None of this is because I think I have any special knowledge about brands or creative thinking: it'ss actually just about giving people access to a second-opinion from a professional with
whom they have no other agenda. In other words the very fact that these will be enquiries from strangers, and probably with minimum information, means that I can give an objective and
intuitive view, which I hope will be really useful, Simon added.
The idea of the 'sfree-access's period has grown over the past few months. In the normal course of events Simon Middleton Company receives a few email enquiries asking for an opinion or
advice each week. Simon always takes time out to try to answer these, and finds the process stimulating and thought-provoking.
So I'sm not just giving away time for free in this exercise, he explains.
In fact each and every enquiry gives me a new way of thinking about my work. I definitely get something back just not money.
Simon is expecting to receive questions on a very wide range of topics, and will try to answer every email he receives within 48 hours. Depending on the level of response he is
considering collecting all the questions and answers into an online document, which will be published for free access (subject to permission being given by each enquirer).
To take advantage of the free advice, enquirers just need to visit Simon'ss website www.simonmiddleton.com and email their question from the
contact-us page. Only emailed enquiries can be dealt with.