# NevilleHobson .com

> nevillehobson.com


## Posts

- [NevilleHobson.com is Now an Archive](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/03/09/nevillehobson-com-is-now-an-archive/): After more than 18 years of writing and publishing here, it’s time for a new chapter. As of today, NevilleHobson.com is no longer being updated. Instead, this site will remain online as an archive of my thinking and writing on communication, technology, and business over the years. Now you’ll find my latest writing, insights, and perspectives at Studio6 by Neville Hobson – my new online home at nevillehobson.io. This move reflects a shift in how I approach writing and engagement – focusing on thoughtful, less algorithm-driven content in a space designed for conversation and deeper reflection. While this archive will […]
- [Letting Go of SEO and Writing for Engagement](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/03/02/letting-go-of-seo-and-writing-for-engagement/): For years, search engine optimisation (SEO) was a key consideration in my approach to blogging. Like many people, I optimised WordPress with metadata, lightweight themes, and SEO plugins. But as I transition from self-hosted WordPress to hosted Ghost, I find myself questioning how much SEO really matters to me now. An article by Carolyn Shelby in Search Engine Journal last month highlights the reality of WordPress and SEO today. It busts some long-standing misconceptions, reinforcing a few points that resonate with me, especially as I finalise my move to a new platform. WordPress & SEO: The Myths That Persist Shelby’s […]
- [AI and the End of Billable Hours](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/02/28/ai-and-the-end-of-billable-hours/): The public relations industry is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by the rapid rise of AI-powered tools that automate and accelerate many core functions of agency work. In our recent FIR Interviews podcast, Steve Rubel – a pioneer in digital communication – shared his perspective on how AI is challenging traditional agency business models, particularly the reliance on billable hours. One of the biggest forces driving this change is the proliferation of enterprise-grade AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT Enterprise. These technologies streamline research, automate reporting, and generate strategic recommendations at unprecedented speeds. In doing so, they […]
- [Whatever Happened to Offline Blog Editors?](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/02/20/whatever-happened-to-offline-blog-editors/): There was a time when blogging tools weren’t just about writing in a web browser. Fifteen years ago, the landscape of third-party blog editors was full of promise. Programs like Ecto, BlogJet, Qumana, and BlogDesk gave bloggers using the Windows operating system the freedom to write offline, refine their drafts, and then publish directly to blogging platforms like WordPress, TypePad, Drupal, and others. Microsoft got in on the action with Windows Live Writer, a writing and publishing tool for Windows, succeeded by the open-source and stand-out Open Live Writer. I used all of these editing tools, and more, between 2002 […]
- [Completing the Move From WordPress to Ghost](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/02/14/completing-the-move-from-wordpress-to-ghost/): Over the past few months, I’ve been on a journey to transition my blog from self-hosted WordPress, where it has lived for nearly two decades, to hosted Ghost Pro, a platform designed for a more streamlined, distraction-free writing and publishing experience. With the launch of my new site, Studio6, now firmly on the horizon, I wanted to share an update on the final stages of this migration and what’s next. The Migration: A Technical Success with a Few Challenges One of the biggest hurdles in moving a site that spans over 5,500 posts and pages (and a similar number of […]
- [Lush, Social Media, and the Case for Walking Away](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/02/10/lush-social-media-and-the-case-for-walking-away/): In early January, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced a major shift in Meta’s content moderation policy, starting in the United States with significantly scaling back efforts to combat misinformation and harmful content. At the time, I said this decision raises profound concerns about the direction of social platforms. It also serves as a stark vindication of the decision in 2021 by British cosmetics retailer Lush to walk away from social media, stating that they would leave Meta properties Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plus Snapchat and TikTok, “until these platforms can provide a safer environment for their users.” Lush Cosmetics operates […]
- [Can a PHEV Change my Mind about PHEVs?](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/02/02/can-a-phev-change-my-mind-about-phevs/): In 2020, I bought a Toyota Corolla Excel self-charging hybrid hatchback – known today as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) – and it has been a delight to drive. The welcome attributes of this car, such as exceptional fuel economy, low emissions, and Toyota’s renowned reliability, have made it an easy car to live with. The 10-year hybrid battery warranty is a reassuring bonus. The self-charging hybrid approach championed by Toyota has always made sense to me: it captures energy through the internal combustion engine charging the battery, and from regenerative braking, rather than relying on external charging. After a […]
- [Bluesky’s Growth Surge: A Social Media Phenomenon in Progress](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/30/blueskys-growth-surge-a-social-media-phenomenon-in-progress/): Bluesky continues to impress as the social network’s user count reaches 30 million. This marks a significant leap from the platform’s already notable growth when I last wrote about Bluesky in November 2024. Then, it hit 20 million users following the US election, up from 7 million just a few months earlier. The question now is whether Bluesky can sustain this remarkable momentum and establish itself as a dominant force in the evolving social media landscape. This was a significant discussion topic for Shel Holtz and me in the long-form monthly episode 447 for January of the For Immediate Release […]
- [Why Simplicity Still Wins in Digital Communication](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/26/why-simplicity-still-wins-in-digital-communication/): Recently, I found myself wading through a dense 50-page PDF report. The convoluted text, lengthy paragraphs, lack of meaningful visuals, and unclear messaging turned what could have been a straightforward read into a real headache. Even ChatGPT struggled when I asked it to summarise the report. It struck me how much more impactful the document could have been with simpler, more structured writing and a compelling presentation. In an era of endless distractions and information overload, simplicity in digital communication remains a winning strategy. While trends and technologies evolve, the ability to deliver clear, concise, and engaging messages cuts through […]
- [Ghost Embraces ActivityPub and the Fediverse](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/17/ghost-embraces-activitypub-and-the-fediverse/): Yesterday, I shared my decision to move from WordPress to Ghost, a platform designed for writing and blogging simplicity and focus. In this follow-up post, I want to talk about an exciting feature of Ghost that sets it apart from most other blogging and CMS platforms: its active support for ActivityPub and the Fediverse, technologies that promise to redefine how we connect and engage online. At the heart of this shift lies the potential for more open and interconnected digital communities. But what does this mean for Ghost users? Let’s explore. What is the Fediverse? The Fediverse — short for […]
- [From WordPress to Ghost: Embracing Simplicity in Blogging](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/16/from-wordpress-to-ghost-embracing-simplicity-in-blogging/): For nearly two decades, my online home has been WordPress. But now, it feels like the right time to move on, so I’m preparing for a move to Ghost, a platform that is a compelling alternative to WordPress. WordPress has been a remarkable platform since I discovered it in 2004 when blogging for business was not yet in the mainstream. I had started blogging on BlogSpot, then TypePad, some years earlier before moving to WordPress in 2006. Over the years, I’ve written 5,500 articles, experimented with many features, and watched my site evolve. It’s played an instrumental role in connecting […]
- [Meta’s Moderation and An Uncomfortable Truth About Social Networks](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/12/metas-moderation-and-an-uncomfortable-truth-about-social-networks/): On 7 January, Mark Zuckerberg announced sweeping changes to content moderation and fact-checking across Meta’s platforms – Facebook, Instagram and Threads – sparking widespread reaction and debate about the future of online discourse and the role of social networks in shaping global conversations. This overhaul is just one part of a broader story focused on the dramatic changes across the societal landscape in the United States that are expected once Donald Trump takes up the reins of power in his second term as President on 20 January. While the immediate implications of Meta’s moves are tied to the US, these […]
- [20 Years of FIR: A Podcasting Journey](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/05/20-years-of-fir-a-podcasting-journey/): Two decades ago, podcasting was a nascent experiment. Today, it’s a mainstream medium that shapes conversations, elections, and industries. For Shel Holtz and me, our For Immediate Release podcast has been both a witness to and a driver of that transformation. Our anniversary episode – aptly titled From RSS to ChatGPT: FIR’s 20-Year Tech Communications Chronicle – was both a look back and a nod to what’s ahead. It reminded me how FIR has evolved, thrived, and adapted since we launched our first episode on 3 January 2005. As we marked this milestone in episode 443, we took the opportunity […]
- [Collaborating with ChatGPT Plus on a LinkedIn Refresh](https://nevillehobson.com/2025/01/02/chatgpt-plus-linkedin/): After 20 years on LinkedIn, I decided it was time for a complete refresh and to create a profile that better reflects who I am today and where I’m heading, professionally and personally. How often do you update or change your LinkedIn profile? Probably when you change your job or get a different role. That’s what I’ve done since I joined LinkedIn in June 2004 – updated things now and again because of a milestone event like a job change. But, it meant that while I updated who I was working for and when, it didn’t accurately reflect what I […]
- [The Ethics of PR: Lessons from the Blake Lively Smear Campaign](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/30/the-ethics-of-pr-blake-lively/): Astroturfing, smear campaigns, and social media manipulation — ethically dubious tactics that not only overshadow the valuable work of PR professionals but also erode public trust and challenge the very integrity of our industry. This could describe the controversy surrounding actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the set of their film It Ends With Us, which led to Lively filing a lawsuit in December 2024 against Baldoni and others. It offers a troubling case study in PR ethics and the profession’s reputation, as The New York Times, BBC, and other media outlets have reported at length. While centred in […]
- [Using ChatGPT with WhatsApp](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/19/using-chatgpt-with-whatsapp/): OpenAI has introduced 1-800-ChatGPT, enabling users to interact with ChatGPT via phone calls or WhatsApp messages without requiring a ChatGPT account. By calling 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) from a US or Canada number, or messaging the same number on WhatsApp from supported countries, users can access ChatGPT’s services. I was most interested in the WhatsApp integration as it is likely a service I would use for quick Q&As with the chatbot. For my first message using WhatsApp on my Android phone, I decided to ask it a simple question: What are the pros and cons of engaging with you via WhatsApp? The quick […]
- [A Journey Through Time at Montacute House](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/15/a-journey-through-time-at-montacute-house/): Yesterday, my wife and I visited Montacute House, a late-16th-century mansion in south Somerset, about eight miles from our new home. Known as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture in England, this extraordinary house and its grounds offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Our visit inspired me to share my experience and a selection of photographs that capture its timeless beauty. A Brief History of Montacute House Montacute House was built in the late 1500s by Sir Edward Phelips, a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament, who served as Master of the Rolls during the reign […]
- [The Future of Work: Exploring Agentic AI](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/14/the-future-of-work-exploring-agentic-ai/): Artificial intelligence continues to evolve, bringing transformative technologies that reshape the workplace. Among the most exciting advancements is Agentic AI, a step beyond traditional AI systems. Unlike generative AI models like ChatGPT, which excel at creating content, agentic AI introduces a new paradigm: proactiveness and autonomy. As workplaces grapple with increasing complexity and rapid technological advancements, agentic AI offers a path to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and spark innovation. This next frontier in AI goes beyond assisting humans — it proactively solves problems and drives results. In episode 439 of our For Immediate Release podcast, published on 13 December, Shel […]
- [Intentional Aspirations and Work-Life Balance](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/08/intentional-aspirations-and-work-life-balance/): Imagine this: a modern garden studio nestled in the idyllic Somerset countryside, its Deep Brunswick Green exterior blending harmoniously with the lush surroundings, crowned by a soft-red tiled roof that echoes the charm of the nearby house. Through the studio’s expansive windows, you glimpse a workspace meticulously arranged with a state-of-the-art podcasting setup, a sleek laptop, and a microphone poised for creativity. A subtly hidden fibre optic cable winds its way from the house, silently enabling seamless connectivity for all manner of modern work pursuits. Outside, a neat green lawn presents a picture of tidiness, and vibrant flower beds bloom […]
- [How to Edit Wikipedia the Right Way: Insights for Communicators](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/12/04/how-to-edit-wikipedia-the-right-way/): Wikipedia is undeniably one of the most important digital resources in existence. As the fifth most visited website globally, it shapes public perception, informs billions of users, and serves as a vital repository for AI training models. Its open, collaborative nature is a testament to the power of collective knowledge. In a time where AI tools and language models increasingly depend on Wikipedia for training data, and misinformation spreads rapidly, ensuring ethical engagement with the platform is more critical than ever. However, for communicators and PR professionals, navigating Wikipedia’s strict guidelines and policies on creating and editing content in any […]
- [Why a Simple “Hello Bluesky!” Makes a Difference](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/11/27/why-a-simple-hello-bluesky-makes-a-difference/): Over the past week, I’ve been delighted to see a significant increase in followers on Bluesky — thank you to everyone who has connected! It’s exciting to witness the platform’s growth (approaching 23 million users now) and the many new faces joining the conversation. That said, I’ve noticed a curious pattern among some of these new accounts: quite a few have no bio information, no posts, and are following a large number of people. This makes sense in a way — perhaps these newcomers are observing for now, getting a feel for the Bluesky vibe before diving in. It’s worth […]
- [Bluesky’s Boom: Are We Watching the Next Big Shift?](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/11/22/blueskys-boom-are-we-watching-the-next-big-shift/): Bluesky has hit a milestone that feels genuinely exciting — over 20 million users on the social network and growing fast. That’s a dramatic leap from just 7 million three months ago. As an early adopter who joined Bluesky’s private beta in May 2023, I’ve been watching this platform closely, and I can’t help but feel we’re seeing something special take shape. It reminds me of the early days of Twitter, around 2008 — back when it felt fresh, personal, and untainted by trolls, grifters, and algorithms pushing agendas. These days, it’s hard not to draw a line between the […]
- [A Garden Studio Opens a New Chapter for Work-Life Balance](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/11/19/a-new-chapter-garden-studio/): This year, my wife and I made a bold move: downsizing our home and rightsizing our lives to embrace family, nature, and a new way of working in Somerset. Earlier this year, when we began decluttering in preparation for our move, we knew we were embarking on more than just a change of address. For the first time in 25 years, we decided to “rightsize”, moving to a smaller house, more manageable, and better aligned with our current lifestyle. The move would bring us closer to family — our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren live nearby — and to the […]
- [Donald Trump's America: Reflections on a Country in Flux](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/11/10/donald-trumps-america-reflections-on-a-country-in-flux/): In a world closely watching the US political landscape, the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election has left many stunned — not only by Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory but by the speed and clarity with which it was achieved. This wasn’t just a win but a sweeping statement of voter sentiment that has starkly reshaped the American political landscape. As we consider what this outcome means, we’re left with a deeper question: where does America go from here? In many ways, this election is a litmus test of American democracy. It raises profound questions about the electorate’s priorities and the […]
- [Public Relations is at the Crossroads of Measurement and Standards](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/11/01/public-relations-is-at-the-crossroads-of-measurement-and-standards/): In the landscape of public relations, two critical issues continue to challenge our profession: the persistent use of Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) as a measurement metric, and the ongoing debate about licensing PR practitioners. These seemingly disparate topics are, in fact, closely intertwined, both speaking to the fundamental question of how we define and maintain professional standards in PR. In this post, I’ll explore these issues, their interconnections, and what they mean for the future of our industry A few days ago, Philippe Borremans published a critique of AVE on LinkedIn, which he describes as a metric that stubbornly persists […]
- [Perspectives on Industry Trends and Implications for Communicators](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/10/29/perspectives-on-industry-trends-and-implications-for-communicators/): In the October monthly episode 432 of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel and I delve into six timely and thought-provoking topics relevant to communication professionals. The topics we discussed span the evolving roles of social media platforms in crisis communication, to ethical concerns in journalism, and the challenges of workplace connectivity in the post-pandemic era. In this post, I’ve added concise summaries of what we see as actionable takeaways for communicators. To start, we explore Reddit’s emerging potential as a channel for crisis communication, examining how government agencies and businesses leverage this platform to engage with stakeholders. We then […]
- [The Ever-Expanding C-Suite and Its Impact on Business Efficiency](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/10/24/the-ever-expanding-c-suite-and-its-impact-on-business-efficiency/): In recent years, the corporate landscape has seen an explosion of new C-suite job titles, adding layers to executive teams and fundamentally shifting the way businesses approach leadership. Titles like Chief Culture Officer, Chief AI Officer, Chief Wellness Officer, and even Chief Crisis Officer are becoming common. But with these new roles comes a pressing question: Where will it all end? Shel and I tackled this topic earlier this year in episode 389 of our For Immediate Release podcast. We talked about the rising number of CxO titles and speculated on the value—or burden—these roles bring to organisations. One new […]
- [Helping Executives Shine on Social Networks](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/10/21/helping-executives-shine-on-social-networks/): In today’s digital-first world, the expectations on senior executives to be active and authentic on social networks—especially LinkedIn—are higher than ever. Over the past five years, the Financial Times reports that there has been a 35 per cent increase in C-suite professionals in the US on LinkedIn, reflecting the growing importance of online leadership visibility. It’s no longer just about sharing corporate updates. Executives are now expected to offer a more personal touch, often revealing snippets of their private lives while speaking out on societal issues. The challenge for many leaders, however, is balancing this transparency while maintaining professionalism. A […]
- [Fresh FIR Podcast Conversations on the Horizon](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/10/10/fresh-fir-podcast-conversations-on-the-horizon/): If you’ve been wondering why the For Immediate Release podcast has been a little quiet lately, there’s a simple reason. Both Shel and I have been caught up with major work and life events over the past few weeks. Shel is doing a lot of travelling for business, which will keep him on the move over the coming weeks. As for me, I’ve just moved into a new house in Somerset. Anyone who’s experienced a move knows how time-consuming it can be – between packing, unpacking and organising everything, it’s an all-consuming task. On top of that, I’m also in […]
- [NotebookLM Drives AI Audio Conversations That Feel Human](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/09/26/notebooklm-drives-ai-audio-conversations-that-feel-human/): Imagine having a personalised AI collaborator at your side who helps you do your best thinking. After sharing your documents with your personal AI, it becomes an instant expert in those sources so you can read, take notes, and collaborate with it to refine and organise your ideas. This has been the core functionality behind Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, since it launched in early access in July 2023. NotebookLM is designed to help you synthesise information from your own notes and documents. Integrating a language model (hence the “LM” in NotebookLM), the assistant aims to provide […]
- [It's Time To Be Honest About Security Alerts](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/09/19/its-time-to-be-honest-about-security-alerts/): In the past 24 hours, I’ve received 26 security alerts from Microsoft, each containing a different one-time login code for my Microsoft account. Each email reads, “We’ve received your request for a single-use code to use with your Microsoft account.” They go on to state, “If you didn’t request this code, you can safely ignore this email. Someone else might have typed your email address by mistake.” The idea that someone mistakenly typed my email address 26 times in quick succession, overnight while I was asleep, stretches credulity to the breaking point. Is it not more plausible that this is […]
- [Genuine Pitch or Just Spam?](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/09/12/genuine-pitch-or-just-spam/): If you’ve been writing a blog for a long time, you’re probably familiar with unsolicited pitches from people looking to publish guest posts or content to gain exposure. It’s almost become part of the job description for SEO marketers and others looking for advantage and influence in niche audiences. But now and then, an email arrives in your inbox that makes you pause. That happened to me earlier today. The email subject line, ‘High Quality Content For Your Site,’ seemed like the typical pitch. The request was short and to the point, but what caught my attention was the email’s […]
- [Simplifying Digital Parenting: The Case for Feature Phones](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/09/01/simplifying-digital-parenting-the-case-for-feature-phones/): As EE, one of the UK’s largest mobile network providers, advises parents against giving primary school-aged children their own smartphones, a nostalgic but potential solution comes to mind. In my almost completed home decluttering project this weekend, I stumbled upon two Samsung feature phones from the early 2000s, tucked away in a cupboard for nearly 20 years. Pictured above, the Samsung SGH-S100 from 2002 (left) and the Samsung SGH-ZV10 from 2005 (right) brought back memories of a simpler time, before the iPhone arrived in 2007 to disrupt and revolutionise the mobile landscape. But can such vintage devices still serve a […]
- [From Fediverse to Harris and Gen Z: Key Takeaways from FIR podcast 425](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/31/takeaways-from-fir-podcast-425/): In long-form episode 425 of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz and I explore the implications of several significant and shifting trends in business, communication, and technology. During a 90-minute discussion, we dive into six pressing and timely topics: 1: Fediverse and Sovereignty of Social Media Platforms We kicked off the episode with discussion of Andy Piper’s idea of creating a sovereign-owned and operated Mastodon instance for the UK Parliament he calls a “Fediverse for Freedom”. This is inspired by the growing disillusionment with platforms like X following social unrest in the UK, which saw several MPs abandoning the […]
- [Discussing Toyota's Engine of Controversy](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/28/discussing-toyotas-engine-of-controversy/): In a discussion on Threads, the new social network from Meta, a lively debate unfolded around Toyota’s new internal combustion engine (ICE), which reportedly will fend off electric vehicles (EV) for years to come. The engine – a collaboration between Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda announced in May – has been touted for its ability to burn any fuel type and generate more power while consuming less fuel. It sparked a heated conversation among EV enthusiasts and critics alike on a post I published on Threads on 27 August. The main topic of discussion on Threads is with regard to the […]
- [Benks ArmorGo Power Bank: A Compact Wireless Charging Companion](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/26/benks-armorgo-power-bank-a-compact-wireless-charging-companion/): In today’s digital world, portable devices have become integral to our daily lives, especially smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. With the rapid advancement of technology, such devices have become more sophisticated and powerful, enabling us to stay connected, productive, and entertained on the go. This increased functionality and usage have also led to a growing need for power on demand. No longer can we afford to be tethered to a wall outlet; our devices require a reliable and portable power source to keep up with our busy lifestyles. I’ve been testing one such device for charging smartphones (and tablets) that stands […]
- [The Rise of the Hybrid CCO](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/22/the-rise-of-the-hybrid-cco/): The evolving role of the Chief Communication Officer (CCO) is taking centre stage in today’s corporate landscape. In our For Immediate Release podcast episode 424, Shel Holtz and I explore a new survey report from the Observatory on Corporate Reputation (OCR) highlighting the expanding responsibilities of CCOs. The findings from research among Fortune 1000 companies show that CCOs are increasingly taking on additional business functions, giving rise to the ‘CCO-Plus’ title and role. Such roles are already integrating various functions among the Fortune 1000, according to OCR, including: The survey found that CCO-Plus roles have increased by 88% since 2019, […]
- [Finally, the Unravelling of  X](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/15/finally-the-unravelling-of-x/): In the wake of Elon Musk’s public spat with Keir Starmer in recent weeks, which saw the X owner spread falsehoods and insults about the UK riots that took place from late July into the first week of August, a growing number of users have begun to abandon the platform formerly known as Twitter. We’ve witnessed a steady stream of departures, with many flocking to alternative social networks like Threads and Bluesky. Every day over the past week and more, my Threads feed has been overflowing with people setting up their handles and joining Meta’s alternative offering that launched in […]
- [Why It's Time to End 'Retirement' as We Know It](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/08/05/why-its-time-to-end-retirement-as-we-know-it/): The traditional concept of retirement and working age is facing a significant shift. As people live longer and pension ages rise, the idea of a fixed working age bracket is becoming increasingly irrelevant. In OECD countries, an average of 23% of people aged 65-69 are still working, highlighting the need for a more dynamic approach to defining working life. Writing in The Conversation last week, Sajia Ferdous argues that ‘working age’ as a measure fails to take in the complexities of people’s lives. This trend is not new, though, and some have been advocating for a more age-agnostic approach to […]
- [NATO's Vision for Gen Z](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/30/natos-vision-for-gen-z/): The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has taken an innovative approach to engaging with younger audiences through the creation of a graphic novel, “NATO 2099”. Published this year, 75 years after NATO’s founding, and set 75 years into the future, “NATO 2099” projects a future that envisions brewing conflicts and takes readers on a journey to the moon with its heroine. This adventure story was written by 35 science fiction authors from across NATO Alliance countries. It imagines what the organisation might look like in the year 2099, tackling themes such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and space as a […]
- [Embracing Minimalism, Simplicity and Clarity](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/29/embracing-minimalism-simplicity-and-clarity/): Hello, readers! I’m excited to unveil a fresh new look for NevilleHobson.com. The new minimalist design offers a cleaner, more intuitive interface. You’ll find it easier to navigate and access the content that matters most to you. By decluttering the design, I’m putting the spotlight firmly on the content – the insights, analysis, and discussions that are at the heart of this website. Informal feedback from readers who subscribe to my newsletter has been a helpful influence in making such changes. What’s New I’ve rewritten the About page that will make it clearer who I am, what the blog is […]
- [The Rise of Shadow AI is a Double-Edged Sword for Corporate Innovation](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/25/shadow-ai/): In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate technology, a new phenomenon is emerging that’s both thrilling and concerning: Shadow AI. This term refers to the growing trend of employees using consumer-grade AI tools without official company approval, a practice that’s rapidly gaining traction across industries. A report published earlier this year by Cyberhaven, an AI-powered data security company, has shed light on the scale of this trend. In just one year, the amount of sensitive corporate data being input into AI tools by employees has skyrocketed from 10.7% to 27.4%. This data includes everything from customer support information to source code […]
- [Lessons From the CrowdStrike Crisis That Paralysed Our Digital World](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/21/crowdstrike-crisis-lessons/): Many users of Windows computers are familiar with the term ‘blue screen of death’, or BSOD. That’s what you get on your screen when the computer suddenly crashes (stops) due to an unexpected event on the PC. So the computer slams to a halt, throws its hands up in the air and shows you a BSOD. It’s part of computing life from the very early days when hardware and software were more likely than not to give up the ghost for one reason or another. Today, BSODs are still part of computing life but are relatively rare on workhorse PCs […]
- [How to Enhance Brand Measurement with the New 'Share of Model' Marketing Metric](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/18/share-of-model-marketing-metric/): A compelling new concept in marketing metrics could be the next level in marketing measurement as AI adoption grows: the “share of model.” This AI-focused metric measures brand visibility and associations within AI-generated content by tracking brand mentions in the data sets of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Meta’s Llama 2. Initially introduced by Jack Smyth earlier this year, and expanded upon by Tom Roach last week – both men are executives at Jellyfish – it is tailored for the AI era and could be a game changer if marketers can link the new metric to market share. […]
- [How Keir Starmer's Labour Landslide Will Reshape British Politics](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/07/keir-starmer-labour-landslide/): The results of the 2024 UK general election on 4 July have sent shockwaves across the British political landscape. The Labour Party led by Sir Keir Starmer, pictured above, won a landslide victory, securing 412 seats and an overwhelming working majority in the House of Commons of 181. The results mark a dramatic end to 14 years of Conservative rule, with the party securing only 121 seats and losing over 250. Since 2010, the Conservatives have presided over a period of stagnation and decline in many areas of British life. From crumbling public services to economic instability, the party has […]
- [When Ethics and Values Became Mere Words at the Post Office](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/07/04/when-ethics-and-values-became-mere-words-at-the-post-office/): The Post Office Horizon IT scandal, widely regarded as one of the gravest injustices in British legal history, exposed a profound crisis of ethics at the heart of a trusted institution. The scandal, which ruined the lives of over 700 sub-postmasters over more than two decades, stemmed from faulty accounting software called Horizon from Japanese IT giant Fujitsu, used in post offices throughout the UK, leading to wrongful accusations, prosecutions and convictions of fraud. Some went to jail, some committed suicide, and livelihoods were completely ruined, but a culture of total denial in the Post Office and among its leadership meant […]
- [Threads of Connection](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/06/25/threads-of-connection/): I like Threads, it’s a good social network to be active in and to engage with others. Or to listen, I find that appealing too. The desktop and mobile apps are good, although all lack some features that may come sooner or later. For me, one niggle is the icon to indicate likes or other activities and with a red dot whenever there’s new activity you haven’t viewed yet. This indicator, though, is a bit confusing as the red dot comes and goes with no visible connection to changes in actual activity. Let me add some poetic license to my […]
- [Just How Risky are Fake LinkedIn Profiles and What Can You Do About It?](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/06/10/just-how-risky-are-fake-linkedin-profiles-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/): In 2022, the business social network LinkedIn removed over 80 million fake profiles, according to data from Allure Security, a firm that offers online brand protection-as-a-service and handles such takedowns every day. If that sounds a lot (it is!), then consider this – Allure says it’s an increase of 152 per cent over the previous year. Fake or fraudulent LinkedIn profiles present significant potential risks, such as reputational damage, data theft, and fraudulent activity. It’s the focus of episode 410 of the For Immediate Release podcast, where Shel Holtz and I discuss this partly in the context of the communication […]
- [Clash of the Would-Be Next PMs in First TV Election Debate](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/06/05/clash-of-the-would-be-next-pms-in-first-tv-election-debate/): On the night of 4 June, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced off in the first televised debate of the 2024 UK general election campaign. My wife and I watched it, broadcast live on ITV. I thought it was a very good use of the medium to enable the two primary contenders for leading the next government to show us what they’ve got, their personalities, and their authenticity, in a game or quiz show-type setting where credible one-liners and sound bites are the takeaways people will remember afterwards. Did they succeed? Let’s look at the […]
- [Insights on podcasting from The Podcast Show 2024](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/05/30/insights-on-podcasting-from-the-podcast-show-2024/): Last week, I joined thousands of others for the first day of The Podcast Show 2024 at the Business Design Centre in London. This third annual consumer event is a major gathering for the podcasting industry, probably the most significant such event outside the US. It’s a showcase not only for the industry but also for individual podcasters, the mainstream media, equipment vendors, hosting services, advertising and monetization promoters, and more. It was a great place to connect with other podcasters, including the podcasting OG – the first person I saw when I arrived at the venue was Todd Cochrane, […]
- [Can Labour End the Tory Reign?](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/05/24/can-labour-end-the-tory-reign/): The forthcoming UK general election on 4 July, announced by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 22 May (outside No 10 Downing Street, in the pouring rain), will be a pivotal moment in UK politics. According to opinion polls, Labour currently enjoys at least a 20-point lead over the Conservatives, maintaining the momentum that’s been building throughout this year. Labour is obviously looking to convert voting intentions into actual victory with a majority presence in Parliament. Its strong polling position and voter willingness to give it a chance to deliver on key issues give it a significant edge. The Conservatives […]
- [Looking Through Windows](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/05/12/looking-through-windows/): There’s something uniquely nostalgic about rummaging through old boxes. It’s like flipping through pages of a dusty photo album, where each item stirs a long-forgotten memory. Yesterday, as I delved into boxes at the back of my garage, trying to make some progress with our de-cluttering project, I unearthed a relic from the digital age of the first decade of this century – an installation DVD for Windows Vista. This discovery was not just a piece of tech from 17 years ago but a portal to my past experiences with Windows, dating back to Windows 2.0 in 1987. I saw […]
- [Understanding AI in the Context of History](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/05/10/understanding-ai-in-the-context-of-history/): It often seems that you can’t visit a website, read a newspaper, or use your smartphone without the touch of artificial intelligence. Everywhere you look, there is an article, an opinion, a video, or a blog post about AI and its good or bad impact on society. Utopia or dystopia awaits, it seems; take your pick. In this concise post, I’ll explore AI’s history and why it matters, its current impact, and take a look at its future potential. As it’s a topic of keen interest to me, I spend a great deal of time reading, watching, listening and thinking […]
- [How AI is Changing the Consulting Game](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/05/01/how-ai-is-changing-the-consulting-game/): As artificial intelligence transforms the consulting industry, the traditional pricing model based on billable hours is quickly becoming obsolete. With AI cutting the time needed for many consulting tasks, clients are demanding a shift to value-based pricing. That’s the essential premise of a thought-provoking article last month by Tracey Shirtcliff that I stumbled upon via a post on LinkedIn. The Billable Hours Model is Under Pressure Shirtcliff – CEO of CPQ pricing platform SCOPE Better – argues that AI’s ability to automate and speed up many consulting tasks means the old model of charging clients based on billable hours no […]
- [Creating a Unified Voice](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/04/30/creating-a-unified-voice/): When I started this blog in 2020, I intended it as a companion site to my main blog, a sandbox to write about wider-ranging topics and my experiments with WordPress themes not quite fit for the main stage. This site has served its purpose admirably, providing a space for explorations beyond the business, communications, and tech discussions that define my primary blog. But I’ve been thinking recently about what value this actually has. For me, it’s a good way to talk about things that interest me beyond the biz/comms/tech intersection that characterises the main blog. Some people find the content […]
- [Not Using AI Could Become a Matter of Negligence](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/04/30/not-using-ai-could-become-a-matter-of-negligence/): In FIR podcast episode 403 of our For Immediate Release podcast, the long-form monthly edition for April, Shel Holtz and I discussed a range of compelling subjects over the course of an 82-minute conversation. I’d like to talk about one of our topics in particular: the remarkable keynote address that Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, Head of Civil Justice, and the second-most senior judge in the UK, gave to the Manchester Law Society’s AI Conference in March. The conference centred around the theme “AI: Transforming the Work of Lawyers and Judges,” highlighting the increasing importance of artificial intelligence […]
- [How AI is Changing the Game for Intellectual Property and Trademark Law](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/04/19/how-ai-is-changing-the-game-for-intellectual-property-and-trademark-law/): The relentless and transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the professional sphere is nowhere more evident than in the complex world of intellectual property (IP) and trademark law. In episode 8 in Season 3 of the Ideas to Innovation podcast I host for Clarivate, we explore the intersection of these three elements. With two experts in the field—Jay Myers, Director of Innovation for the Intellectual Property Practice Group at the Seyfarth Shaw international law firm; and Arun Hill, Senior Consultant at The Clarivate Center for IP and Innovation Research—we delved into how AI is reshaping legal practices, highlighting both […]
- [To Spring Forward or Not, That Is the Question](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/03/31/to-spring-forward-or-not-that-is-the-question/): In the small hours of this Sunday, 31 March, across the United Kingdom and the European mainland, an age-old ritual unfolded almost magically. In unison at 1 a.m. GMT/UTC, as if by the command of Chronos himself, we have “sprung forward,” adjusting our clocks and watches to steal an hour from the morning and gift it to the evening. As we bask—or perhaps balk—at the newfound stretch of evening light, a whimsical musing bubbles to the surface: Is it time to retire this twice-yearly twist in our temporal fabric? The genesis of this time-honoured tradition is as fascinating as time […]
- [The Evolution of Search in the Age of AI Chatbots](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/03/28/the-evolution-of-search-in-the-age-of-ai-chatbots/): Today, we’re witnessing a pivotal transformation in how we search for and interact with information online. With established AI chatbots like ChatGPT and new entrants like Perplexity gaining prominence, the narrative of search is rapidly evolving, presenting a mix of opportunities and challenges for giants and newcomers in the search industry. This transformation is spurred by emerging AI technologies and strategic moves by major companies like Microsoft and Baidu, indicating a shift towards more conversational, AI-driven search experiences. Google has been the primary gateway to the Internet for the last 20 years, processing around 100,000 web searches every second. But […]
- [First Looks at the iContact Camera Pro Webcam](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/03/18/first-looks-at-the-icontact-camera-pro-webcam/): Over the past couple of years, I’ve tried out a variety of webcams that offer features to enable you to look the other person in the eye, at their eye level, when connecting live via Teams, Zoom, etc. They also let you look your audience in the eye, so to speak, if you’re making a group presentation via webcam or recording a video for later use. Plenty of research findings have been published in recent years that set out the measurable benefits and advantages of making direct eye contact when engaging with someone in a video call. Webcams that I’ve […]
- [Wikipedia and PR: Navigating a Complex Relationship](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/03/11/wikipedia-and-pr-navigating-a-complex-relationship/): In an interview on the FIR Interviews podcast published last week, guest Bill Beutler told Shel Holtz and I that it’s essential for the PR industry to re-engage with the principles of ethical Wikipedia engagement. His insights serve as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of digital communication platforms and the intricate relationship between Wikipedia and the public relations industry, as we explored the changes in that relationship over the past two decades and the current state of affairs in 2024. Bill Beutler is founder and president of Beutler Ink, a digital agency with a unique focus on Wikipedia engagement, […]
- [A Balanced Approach to AI Integration: Lessons From Klarna's Customer Service Success](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/03/04/lessons-from-klarna-ai-customer-service-success/): Klarna, a Swedish international fintech company, has introduced an AI assistant developed in collaboration with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. Klarna says it has significantly transformed its customer service operations. In a press release on 27 February, Klarna itemised an impressive list of achievements in just one month of the global deployment of the AI assistent, essentially a chatbot: While the AI assistant has led to operational efficiencies and is projected to contribute $40 million in profit improvements for Klarna in 2024, it also raises concerns about job displacement. What isn’t clear is whether this move to AI has resulted […]
- [Navigating Democracy's Discontent in 2024](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/02/29/navigating-democracys-discontent-in-2024/): A recent report from the Pew Research Center reveals that while representative democracy remains a popular ideal globally, public satisfaction with its implementation has declined. The study, published this week, surveyed 24 countries in 2023. It found that majorities in each country still endorse this system of democracy where representatives are elected by the public – a system in place in nearly all Western-style democracies – as a good way to govern. But enthusiasm has waned since 2017 when Pew last conducted such research. The study’s findings highlight significant criticisms of the way democracy is working: The study is well […]
- [The Promise and Peril of Sora Text-to-Video](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/02/26/the-promise-and-peril-of-sora-text-to-video/): In the constantly-evolving landscape of AI-assisted content creation, OpenAI’s latest innovation, Sora, represents a seismic shift. This text-to-video generative AI creator is not just another step forward; it’s a leap into a future where the boundaries between imagination and reality blur. Sora enables creators to make vivid, dynamic videos just by typing a simple text prompt, a development that is as exciting as it is alarming. The examples of Sora’s capabilities are nothing short of breathtaking. From intricate scenes featuring multiple characters and complex motions to detailed backgrounds that feel palpably real – such as the image above, a still […]
- [Digital Walls: Boundaries in the Evolution of the Public Square](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/02/07/evolution-of-the-public-square/): Imagine a modern Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London, a public square that traditionally is a symbol of free speech and public discourse, now surrounded by towering walls made of digital screens displaying algorithmically-generated content. Individuals inside the walls are wholly focused on their personal devices, isolated in their own digital bubbles. The historic podium, once a bustling hub of lively debate and discussion, stands neglected in the centre, symbolising the shift from public, open dialogue to private, fragmented communication in the digital age. The contrast between the vibrant, communal past and the isolated, algorithm-driven present is stark, highlighting the […]
- [The Future of Online Search: A Closer Look at Perplexity AI](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/02/05/the-future-of-online-search-a-closer-look-at-perplexity-ai/): When I search online for the most relevant, comprehensive, and accurate information I’m looking for, I find it’s typically a hit-or-miss procedure. Traditional search engines will give you results but heavily weighted to sponsored listings or paid ads, thus making it hard to determine what’s trustworthy and worth my attention. In fact, ‘listing’ is the key word as what you get is precisely that, a listing of links that might match all or some of the keywords in your search term. Google has dominated the search space for much of the past two decades, shaping how we discover, learn, and […]
- [Unmet Expectations with iContact](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/01/19/unmet-expectations-with-icontact/): Updated 18 March 2024. Not long after I posted my late-January update, I learned from iContact Support that they and DHL had concluded that my package had been “lost in UK customs.” I engaged in an email discussion with iContact Support and accepted their offer to ship a replacement camera free of charge instead of requesting a refund. In spite of my misgivings about their history to date, I decided to give it one more shot. They told me the new camera would arrive in February but it actually arrived in mid-March. Another unmet expectation, but this time there was […]
- [FIR at 19: A Milestone in Podcasting](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/01/07/fir-at-19-a-milestone-in-podcasting/): Nineteen years ago this past week, Shel Holtz and I founded and launched the For Immediate Release podcast. Back then, podcasting was in its infancy and we began a journey at a time when it was more of an experiment than a mainstream platform. Our foray into this medium that began on 3 January 2005 with episode 1 of The Hobson & Holtz Report, as it was first known, was driven by a desire to explore the potential of digital audio in enhancing business communication. As we noted in a post and test audio on 21 December 2004 introducing the forthcoming […]
- [Key Themes in my Writing Agenda for 2024](https://nevillehobson.com/2024/01/03/writing-focus-for-2024/): During the Christmas/New Year break, as I considered what topics I might explore in this blog in 2024, I reflected back to remind myself of what I’ve been writing about in 2023. Given the blog’s broad embrace of being “at the intersection of business, communication, and technology”, it was no surprise to see that I wrote and published thirty-five articles during the past year across that broad spectrum, an average of just under three per month. It won’t come as much surprise either when I tell you that my trusted assistant, ChatGPT Plus, analysed that sum total and spectrum and, […]
- [Wrapping up a Year of Innovation](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/12/29/wrapping-up-a-year-of-innovation/): As 2023 draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the journey we’ve travelled this year at Ideas to Innovation, a business podcast I host for Clarivate. This year, we’ve delved into a diverse array of topics, from the intricacies of life sciences to the expanses of ocean research, exploring how curiosity meets ingenuity, and how innovation goes from ideas to fruition. We told these stories in 15 episodes throughout the year. In this year-end episode 5 in Season 3, we revisit three powerful examples of these stories that epitomise our strong commitment to showcasing innovation and […]
- [The Musk X effect, and other marketing stories](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/12/20/the-musk-x-effect-and-other-marketing-stories/): Published this week on the Socially Unacceptable podcast is an episode where I joined the hosts, Chris Norton and Will Ockenden, as their guest. We recorded this episode in early October, now some two and a half months ago. There has been quite a lot of water under the bridge in that time, including my quitting X a week after we recorded, and continuing tremors and eruptions from the actions of X’s capricious proprietor. These relevant post-conversation events add some additional perspective to what we discussed in the podcast. We explored several intriguing topics: In sum, this episode offers a […]
- [How to achieve audio excellence in podcasting](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/12/14/how-to-achieve-audio-excellence-in-podcasting/): When I started podcasting in January 2005, anyone’s expectations about audio quality didn’t matter much. Unless you were a radio station with a studio, what you could expect was pretty rough and ready audio quality, especially if you wanted to record remotely. Nearly twenty years later, the picture could not be more different. From its humble beginnings, where enthusiasts and amateurs alike shared their voices through rudimentary setups, podcasting has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it stands at the forefront of digital storytelling, with studio-quality audio no longer a luxury but a baseline expectation among discerning listeners. This seismic shift […]
- [Unveiling the layers in the Covid-19 inquiry](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/27/unveiling-the-layers-in-the-covid-19-inquiry/): In the wake of the Covid-19 global health crisis in 2020-22 that reshaped our world, the United Kingdom has embarked on an ambitious and crucial endeavour: the Covid-19 public inquiry. Announced in May 2021 by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this independent public inquiry delves into the UK government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, aiming to unearth lessons for the future. Led by Heather Hallett, a retired judge at the Court of Appeal, the inquiry scrutinises various aspects including the government’s preparedness, the implementation of lockdowns, and the management of healthcare systems across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland??. As […]
- [The OpenAI upheaval: decoding the Sam Altman episode](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/20/the-openai-upheaval-decoding-the-sam-altman-episode/): Last Friday 17 November marked a pivotal moment in the AI industry, with the unexpected announcement by OpenAI that its CEO, Sam Altman, had been fired by the company’s board of directors. The surprise event has since spiralled into a media maelstrom. Over the weekend, rumours and speculation flooded both social and mainstream media, with reports and opinions about negotiations for Altman’s potential return to the helm. According to some reports, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, is mediating negotiations over the return of both Altman and his fellow co-founder, Greg Brockman, who also departed on Friday. Reports say that other investors […]
- [The hate speech problem on X: a test of conscience for users and brands](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/18/the-hate-speech-problem-on-x-a-test-of-conscience-for-users-and-brands/): I’ve often wondered what event would happen, or what tipping point would be reached, for people to abandon ship on X formerly known as Twitter. Since being acquired by Elon Musk in October 2022, the social network’s decline that has been going on for a number of years has accelerated in terms of, well, everything: number of users, usage of the platform, advertising revenue, trustworthiness… About all that has increased is the volume of toxic content and the increasing numbers of people using the platform who have previously been banned for hate speech and more. Yet while trickles of influential […]
- [With GPT Builder you can create your own personalised ChatGPT](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/13/with-gpt-builder-you-can-create-your-own-personalised-chatgpt/): In the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, generative AI tools like ChatGPT have emerged as frontrunners, captivating the imagination of technophiles and business leaders alike. The allure of these AI marvels lies in their remarkable ability to simulate human-like interactions, offering insights, generating ideas, and even composing literary pieces. This growing demand reflects a broader trend in technology: the quest for personalised digital experiences that resonate with individual needs and aspirations. Now, generative AI tools have taken a leap up to the next level with GPT Builder, a groundbreaking development in the realm of generative AI from ChatGPT creator, OpenAI, […]
- [The Pebble phoenix and the X effect](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/06/the-pebble-phoenix-and-the-x-effect/): If there’s one thing that’s certain in the tumult of social networks today, it is that nothing is certain. Things change, often in unexpected ways, and change fast. The latest illustration of how fast is Pebble. Two weeks ago, the social network startup announced that it was shutting down on November 1, just shy of a year since it launched as T2 for users with an invitation code. And shut down it did to become the first major casualty in the landscape of alternatives if not successors to X formerly known as Twitter. Opinions vary widely as to what was […]
- [Recognition in 2023 Top 10 PR Blogs ranking](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/11/02/recognition-in-2023-top-10-pr-blogs-ranking/): For most people, it’s pleasing to receive unsolicited recognition for an achievement or piece of work that demonstrates excellence in one form or another, as perceived by those who give the recognition. That applies to me, as I’m thrilled to see that this blog, nevillehobson.com, has been recognised in the 2023 Top 10 PR Blogs ranking from Vuelio, just published. Part of the thrill for me is that this is the ninth consecutive year that such recognition has been bestowed on this blog. Thank you, Vuelio. So how did this blog get so much recognition over the years? It would […]
- [A wizard setup for a WordPress block theme](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/10/30/a-wizard-setup-for-a-wordpress-block-theme/): Since I first got to know WordPress with version 1.2 back in 2004, I must have installed, set up and used well over 30 themes in my quest for the subjective “great look and feel” for my websites. At least ten were themes I paid money for. I’m not a WordPress developer, simply a keen and enthusiastic user who is always willing to try out new experiences with WordPress, diving into PHP and CSS on a relatively simple level (CSS Hero has been my BFF for years!). The learning curve has never been onerous although at times exceedingly frustrating. Improving […]
- [Calling Time on X](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/10/17/calling-time-on-x/): Something has changed recently with regard to X, the social network that used to be Twitter until Elon Musk arbitrarily rebranded it to X last July. Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter closed in October 2022, the social network has endured constant upheaval and chaos as Musk set about dismantling its structure and remaking it in his own image. During the whole time since then, there has been strong and growing criticism of the platform and Musk in particular over its stance on extremism, disinformation, fake news and more unsavoury characteristics now prevalent on X. FUD for users and advertisers reigns […]
- [X, Moral Bankruptcy, and the Business of Hate](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/10/08/x-moral-bankruptcy-and-the-business-of-hate/): An opinion article by Dave Lee published on Bloomberg on 5 October has ignited a conversation about the ethical implications of using X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. Despite the platform’s increasing notoriety for promoting violent and divisive content and its prominent role in the spread of fakery, disinformation, and hate, millions of people continue to engage with it daily even though user numbers are declining since Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 according to reports. Lee shares an unvarnished perspective on why he believes X is now a place to avoid. And it raises the […]
- [Customizing social media icons display with ChatGPT](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/10/02/customizing-social-media-icons-display-with-chatgpt/): For some time, I’ve wanted to update the social network icons on my primary blog to use icons that accurately represent the social networks concerned. There have been many changes this year – not the least being Twitter’s change to X – plus the emergence of new social networks like Pebble, Bluesky, and Threads. As my sites all run on WordPress, I use some pretty good free plugins for features such as linking to social networks, and sharing content with social networks. These are two separate functions. Whatever the function, the presentation of each social network uses icons to indicate […]
- [The hashtag needs a refresh, says the man who created it](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/09/26/the-hashtag-needs-a-refresh/): The hashtag has become ubiquitous on social media as a means of connecting conversations, topics and events. But 16 years after its invention, Chris Messina, the man who started it all, believes it’s time for an upgrade. In episode 355 of the For Immediate Release podcast I co-host with Shel Holtz (who’s away at present), I discuss proposals Chris published in a Medium post last month to address problems like spam, abuse and manipulation, and improve the user experience. He lays out six ideas to simplify hashtags, enhance their discoverability, and give more control to creators. With hashtags now a […]
- [The sound of silence](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/09/18/the-sound-of-silence/): As a podcaster, I’m conscious of the need for ambient quiet in the room where I record audio and video. That’s my home office. It’s not a formal recording studio with sound-absorbing panels, etc, just a room with a view, desks, a picture or two, a bookcase, some knick-knacks, and three computers with monitors. A few weeks ago, I bought a new microphone, a Rode PodMic USB that also has XLR connectors for using it with a mixer such as a Vocaster One that’s connected to my primary desktop PC, a highly-spec’d Dell XPS 8940 I’d bought in early 2022. […]
- [Claude Pro: First impressions of Anthropic's paid AI chatbot](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/09/13/claude-pro-first-impressions-of-anthropics-paid-ai-chatbot/): Artificial intelligence is all over the news right now with information, narratives and opinions plentiful if not bountiful on the pros and cons of AI. The hottest topic is generative AI, the subset of AI that, broadly speaking, is a form of machine learning that’s able to produce text, video, images, and other types of content based on user-given text prompts or dialogue. Essentially, you chat with a bot. ChatGPT and DALL-E are examples of generative AI applications that produce text or images respectively. Last month, I published an article that compared four of the primary gen-AI applications that can […]
- [AI-generated disinformation: A new battleground for elections in 2024](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/09/08/ai-generated-disinformation-a-new-battleground-for-elections-in-2024/): In countries around the world, 2024 will bring elections. And something new is causing a lot of worry – disinformation generated by AI. How worried should we be about AI disrupting elections? This was a terrific topic for Shel and me to discuss in a short midweek episode of our For Immediate Release podcast, which we did in episode 352 on 5 September. In the past, disinformation has always been created by humans. Advances in generative artificial intelligence, or Gen AI mean there are models that can spit out sophisticated essays and create realistic images from text prompts. This makes […]
- [Benks new Z Flip5 case: sleek and grippable](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/09/03/benks-new-z-flip5-case-sleek-and-grippable/): In July I bought a new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable phone. Since it arrived at the beginning of August I’ve been delighted with it and enjoy using it daily. At the time, I said it was a giant leap forward in foldable smartphones. I still hold that view, perhaps more so, especially because of its large front cover screen, the Flex Window, and what you can do with it. Today, though, I want to talk about protective cases. If ever an expensive mobile device needed protection from damage, accidental or otherwise, it’s the Z Flip 5. It’s lovely […]
- [ChatGPT, Claude, Bing, or Bard?](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/08/29/chatgpt-claude-bing-or-bard/): How do four of the most prominent AI chatbots compare? That question was put to me recently by a friend who has a fair amount of scepticism about AI chatbots and was keen to know which one is best. Inevitably, a question like that will get an “It depends…” answer. I’ve been using four chatbots for quite some time, each one depending on the type of information I’m seeking. I find each of them invaluable research assistants who are significant helpers in my work and my personal interests. I use at least one of them several times a day. So, […]
- [A scientific sleuth leads the fight against fake data and images in science research](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/08/24/research-scientific-sleuth/): Believing that what you see, read and hear is real and truthful has never been under such a challenge as it is today. While technology plays a big role in creating this state of affairs, most egregious is the human faker, someone who sets out to deceive and profit with methods that long pre-date today’s sophisticated technology, like AI. In scientific research, this manifests itself in areas like data and image falsification. Uncovering such dishonesty isn’t easy. When you do, challenging it can be tricky as well. So how do you combat it? To find out, I had the pleasure […]
- [Where do we go from X?](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/08/21/where-do-we-go-from-x/): For as long as many of us can remember, the Internet has been a single entity, a vast digital sea where we could navigate freely between its various islands. Social networks stood tall and united, giving us separate but unified spaces to connect and share. Yet, it seems that unfettered freedom of expression and connecting openly with others on the assumption of trust in the pursuit of sharing information and opinion that expands the overall human experience – the era of the social Internet these past twenty years we’ve grown so fond of – is coming to an end. This […]
- [Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: A giant leap forward](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/08/15/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-5-a-giant-leap-forward/): It’s hard to avoid the hype and buzz about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable smartphone that’s been building over the past few months. It reached a crescendo before, during and in the days following Samsung’s huge “Galaxy Unpacked” launch event in Seoul, South Korea, on July 26, when it went on pre-order in a dozen countries. That buzz is building again now that the device went on general worldwide sale on August 11. I pre-ordered a Z Flip 5 in July and I’ve spent the past ten days experimenting and test piloting as I got to know the […]
- [Bye bye Twitter bird](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/07/31/bye-bye-twitter-bird/): Are you still on Twitter? I am although I’m becoming more and more exasperated with the vandalism I see being done by Elon Musk as he continues to remake Twitter in his own image. Just a week ago, Musk posted a series of tweets indicating that the very name of the social network would be changed to ‘X’ with imminent effect. In one fell swoop (pun not intended) the social network was thrown into confusion and uncertainty. The roll-out of this re-branding began in haste that, over the course of this past week, saw the name changed to X (just […]
- [Tony Blair's Vision for Election Success](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/07/30/tony-blairs-vision-for-election-success/): I first voted for Labour in 1997 when Tony Blair stood as the leader of New Labour, the moniker of a rebranded Labour Party that stormed the general election that year to win the biggest majority in the House of Commons (179) in the Party’s history. It was far from a perfect project, but New Labour lasted until 2010 when the Conservatives under David Cameron won the general election that year. This paved the way for the Conservative Party’s 13-year tenure holding the reigns of power in the UK. In an interview by Andrew Marr in The New Statesman on […]
- [A Word About Themes](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/07/24/a-word-about-themes/): In the world of digital content creation, WordPress stands as a beacon of versatility and user-friendliness. One of the platform’s most compelling features is its vast array of themes, each offering a unique aesthetic and functional twist to your website or blog. Look-and-feel is the first thing visitors notice when they land on your blog. This is the first touchpoint of a visit: the theme sets the tone, creates an atmosphere, and can significantly influence a visitor’s first impression. A well-chosen theme can captivate your audience, encouraging them to stay longer and explore more of your content. In contrast, a […]
- [Digital PR: Recognising excellence](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/07/16/digital-pr-recognising-excellence/): I was honoured to present some of the awards to winners of the UK Digital PR Awards 2023 contest at a dinner and ceremony in London on 12 July. The awards recognise excellence in digital PR across more than 25 categories. The judging process was rigorous, with an expert panel of judges (I was one) reviewing and scoring long lists of entries. An overall list was then reviewed by the judges to discuss and agree a shortlist of winners who were chosen and announced at the awards ceremony. The awards were a great opportunity to celebrate the breadth and depth […]
- [T2: a new microblogging champion](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/07/03/t2-a-new-microblogging-champion/): When Twitter first appeared in 2006, it marked the start of enablement and empowerment of people who wanted a means of communication that was unfiltered, uncontrolled and unfettered. It would let you chat with your friends and engage in sharing news and information on a small scale, something that met the wishes of many looking for such an outlet. It extended the appeal of blogs which were gaining a lot of attention at that time. Indeed, Twitter billed itself originally as a “microblogging platform” – rather than publishing long-form articles in a blog, Twitter would be a place for sharing […]
- [AI for global good](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/06/28/ai-for-global-good/): Artificial intelligence is the buzzword of the moment, sparking curiosity, excitement, and a fair share of apprehension. It’s everywhere – from media outlets to social networks, from corporate boardrooms to government offices worldwide. Companies are grappling with defining AI and its best applications within their operations. Beyond the business world, there’s growing interest in harnessing AI’s power to address global issues like poverty eradication and climate change. This is where Jaron Porciello comes in. As the guest on the latest episode of Season 2 of the Ideas to Innovation business podcast that I host for Clarivate, Jaron shares her passion […]
- [Jingle and Mingle should be the Tories' epitaph](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/06/20/jingle-and-mingle-should-be-the-tories-epitaph/): The recent chaos in the political landscape in the UK reached an apogee of sorts this week with a vote in the House of Commons in which members approved the censure of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his literal ex-communication from the seat of power. Last week, Johnson resigned as a member of Parliament just before the public release of a report by a parliamentary committee that set out the findings of a year-long investigation into his behaviour and role in rule-breaking activities in Downing Street during the Covid pandemic in 2020. The vote by MPs on June 19 […]
- [Early days experiences on Bluesky](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/06/06/early-days-experiences-on-bluesky/): Just over three weeks ago, I signed up for Bluesky, the new social networking service started by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and currently in private beta for users who join via an invitation code from someone who already signed up. The company will open a public beta on a currently-unknown date in the future for which you can add your name now to a waitlist. Since the Bluesky private beta opened in February 2023, it’s become one of the most desired online destinations with high-profile users and a few celebrities piling in – so much so that invitation codes are […]
- [Podcasting in the mainstream on show in London](https://nevillehobson.com/2023/05/31/podcasting-in-the-mainstream-on-show-in-london/): Podcasting in the UK is very much alive and well if even half of what I heard and saw at The Podcast Show 2023 in London last week is any indicator. Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, this conference and exhibition event ran throughout the week with the main show itself on 24-25 May. It was heavily supported by some prominent mainstream industry names as partners – Acast, Amazon Music, AudioBoom, BBC Sounds, Dolby, Libsyn, Sky News, Sony Music, Spotify, Wondery, YMU, the list goes on – along with nearly 50 exhibitors. Podcasting is very much a huge […]

## Pages

- [Welcome to my Digital Playground](https://nevillehobson.com/about/): I’m Neville Hobson, a communication professional based in the UK with over four decades of experience in organisational communication and emerging technologies. During this time, I’ve been riding the waves of digital transformation, helping businesses and other professionals navigate the ever-changing seas of corporate communication and technology. What I Offer I pay a lot of attention to current and emerging trends, especially in communication tech, social media and AI.  My blog serves as a hub for business professionals seeking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital communication. Here, you’ll find: A Bit of Background I’ve worn many hats – from […]
- [A Voice of Experience](https://nevillehobson.com/businesspodcasting/): I am proud to have been at the forefront of the podcasting revolution since its inception in the early 2000s and to have witnessed its growth into a key medium for communication among individuals and organisations of all sizes. From Fortune and FTSE 100 companies to small businesses, from non-profits to government agencies, podcasting has become an essential tool for sharing knowledge, stories, and ideas. For Immediate Release: The Business Communication Podcast My journey into the podcasting world began in January 2005 with the launch of For Immediate Release (FIR), originally a weekly podcast that I co-founded with Shel Holtz […]
- [Neville Hobson Biography](https://nevillehobson.com/biography/): Neville Hobson is a UK-based social strategist, communicator, writer, and podcaster with a significant presence in the digital and social media landscape. His career spans several decades, during which he has been deeply involved in the evolution of digital communication, social media, and podcasting. Hobson’s work focuses on consulting with organizations to help them create and build foundations for authentic engagement, reach, and influence. He has significant experience working with enterprise businesses and clients, notably in a global role from 2018 to 2020 working as Director of Digital Marketing and the Social Media Strategist at the Internet Society, a non-profit […]
- [AI Use](https://nevillehobson.com/ai-use/): With artificial intelligence (AI) front of mind for many, especially concerning generative AI and how it’s used, I want to set out a clear statement of my own use of AI as an aid to help you understand it and to avoid any doubt about its role in helping me create the content you read here. I employ artificial intelligence as a research assistant to help me dig deep into topics I’m passionate about writing. The AI isn’t penning any articles or posts — that’s all me. What it does is respond to my prompts by sifting through lots of […]
- [Social Connections](https://nevillehobson.com/social-2/): Neville Hobson Social strategist, consultant, advisor, podcaster. On new adventures. nevillehobson.com | nevillehobson.fyi Also, see linktr.ee/nevillehobson for social connections, or scan the QR code: In October 2023, I quit X formerly known as Twitter, the reason why no link appears here. The account still exists (my handle is @jangles) if you’re looking for some specific past messaging since I joined Twitter in 2006. But please don’t message me there as I no longer use the account.
- [Ollie Profile](https://nevillehobson.com/profile/)
- [AI Use](https://nevillehobson.com/ai-use-2/): I updated my AI explainer in December 2023; please visit https://nevillehobson.com/ai-use/ for the latest information.
- [Friends](https://nevillehobson.com/friends/): Hi Friend! Do you know any of my friends? Maybe you want to become friends with them as well? I have connected with my friends using WordPress and the Friends plugin. This means I can share private posts with just my friends while keeping my data under control. If you also have a WordPress site with the friends plugin, you can send me a friend request. If not, get your own WordPress now, install the Friends plugin, and follow me!
- [Connecting on Bluesky](https://nevillehobson.com/connecting-on-bluesky/): Thanks for visiting. You were probably expecting my Bluesky profile and this isn’t it. This is an extra step as the link you clicked or tapped brought you here instead. Bluesky is a new social network that I’m experimenting with. Many people would like it to be a replacement for Twitter. We’ll see if that happens. You can read my initial assessment of it here. Please click or tap this link to go to my Bluesky profile, or to the Bluesky home page if you don’t have a Bluesky account: https://bsky.app/profile/airstrip1.uk Thanks!Posted 26/5/23.
- [About Neville Hobson](https://nevillehobson.com/extabout/): I’ve been online since 1988 starting with CIX, Demon Internet and CompuServe. I declined AOL. In 1992, not long after the web was born I started writing online, creating my first website that year. Hand-coded HTML! Fast forward a decade to more modern times and the advent of blogging and the wider social media landscape it heralded. I started my first blog in 2002. Since then, I’ve written and published over 5,000 articles on a wide range of topics that intersect the broad themes of business, communication and technology. See the latest articles and take a look in the Library […]
- [Connections](https://nevillehobson.com/connections/): You’ll find me on a range of social networks. There’s a full list on Linktree, or use the QR code: I’m mostly here: I ceased using X in October 2023. Occasionally I’m here: You can email me here: If you’d like to get email notification every time something new is posted, you can do that here: If you’d like to subscribe via RSS, here’s the link: And if you want to see my primary blog, it’s here: https://nevillehobson.com I host one business podcast and co-host two others, details here: https://nevillehobson.com/podcasts/
- [Welcome #2](https://nevillehobson.com/welcome2-2/): Welcome to my website. I’m a believer in an Internet for everyone, decentralized and accessible to all. Yet still half the planet has no access. I’m an early adopter and player with social media, yet mostly seeing how it works to benefit platforms and advertisers who show little genuine care for the rights and privacy of the users of those platforms. And I’m an experimenter with Web 3, trying to balance the enormous possibilities with the risks in order to see what’s next. Here – at the intersection of business, communication and technology – I analyze and discuss trends, behaviours […]
- [Welcome](https://nevillehobson.com/welcome2/): Welcome to my website. I’m a believer in an Internet for everyone, decentralized and accessible to all. Yet still half the planet has no access. I’m an early adopter and player with social media, yet mostly seeing how it works to benefit platforms and advertisers who show little genuine care for the rights and privacy of the users of those platforms. And I’m an experimenter with Web 3, trying to balance the enormous possibilities with the risks in order to see what’s next. Here – at the intersection of business, communication and technology – I analyze and discuss trends, behaviours […]
- [Sample Page](https://nevillehobson.com/sample-page/): This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I’m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin’ caught in the rain.) …or something like this: The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, […]
- [Blog](https://nevillehobson.com/blog/)
- [Blog](https://nevillehobson.com/blog-2-2/)
- [Podcasts](https://nevillehobson.com/podcasts/): Of all the social media tools that have emerged since the turn of the century, one of the most exciting is podcasting. Podcasting first started in 2004 with audio and has become a medium of communication used by individuals and organizations of all types and sizes – Fortune 100 companies in the US, FTSE 100 in the UK, non-profits, governments, small- to medium-size businesses, the mainstream media… you name it, today they’re podcasting in one form or another. I’ve been involved in podcasting since 2004, currently hosting two business podcasts: For Immediate Release Originally known as ‘The Hobson and Holtz Report,’ […]
- [Home](https://nevillehobson.com/home/): Test piloting shiny new objects to see what’s coming next As a Communicator, Social Strategist, Consultant, Digital Change Agent, Writer, and Podcaster, I have a strong curiosity for technology and how it’s used helping people and organizations to find their authentic voices in today’s distrusting world. I am a believer in an Internet for everyone yet still half the planet has no access. A believer in Web 3 for everyone yet what I see is a land grab that is far from that. An early adopter and player with social media yet mostly seeing how it works more for platforms […]
- [About](https://nevillehobson.com/about-2/): Welcome to my blog of asides. I’m Neville Hobson, a social strategist, communicator, writer and podcaster based in the UK. I’ve been writing at my primary site NevilleHobson.com since 2002. I started this blog – originally called ‘Outbox’ – in 2020 as a means of extending my online reach with content that’s typically much shorter form than I usually write, or wider in scope in terms of topics, and posted a handful of times a month or so. It had a hiatus during 2021 and emerged again at the start of 2022. In essence, this is mostly a writing experiment […]
- [Blog Feed](https://nevillehobson.com/blog-feed/)
- [Home](https://nevillehobson.com/blog-2/): Follow Outbox Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
- [Privacy Policy](https://nevillehobson.com/privacy-policy/): Who we are Our website address is: https://nevillehobson.com. The site is edited and managed by Neville Hobson. What personal data we collect and why we collect it Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your […]
- [GDPR - Request personal data](https://nevillehobson.com/gdpr-request-personal-data/): [REQ_CRED_FORM]
- [Library](https://nevillehobson.com/content-library/): Looking for something specific? Search through all the content in this site published since February 2006 via the links below. If you know what to look for, try the Tags list first. Or use key words and phrases in the search box. Tags Articles by Category Articles by Month A Long Time Ago… You can also look back to 2002 via the NevOn content archive of articles between then and 2006:> www.nevon.net – commentary and conversations in 1,500 posts from 2002 – 2006
- [Social Streams](https://nevillehobson.com/social-streams/): Tweets by jangles Neville Hobson Facebook My Facebook account is not public so I can’t display posts here. If you’re on Facebook and you’d like to connect, you can follow me there. Hobson’s Choice magazine on Flipboard Neville Hobson Instagram [instagram-feed]
- [Explore](https://nevillehobson.com/explore/)
- [Welcome [old]](https://nevillehobson.com/welcome/): When the only certainty is change, communicator, blogger and podcaster Neville Hobson analyses and discusses trends, behaviours and practices in social and digital communication to help you understand what they mean for people and organizations. Five latest posts: [hungryfeed url=”https://nevillehobson.com/feed/” feed_fields=”” item_fields=”title,description,date” max_items=”5″] Popular on the blog during the past 30 days: [wpp range=monthly stats_views=1 order_by=views] More in the blog. Selected content from the FIR Podcast Network Each week, I co-host For Immediate Release: The Hobson & Holtz Report, a business podcast that my podcasting partner Shel Holtz and I started in 2005. We began evolving FIR to another level when we […]
- [The FIR Podcast Network](https://nevillehobson.com/business/podcasting/fir/): I first heard about podcasting in September 2004 when Rex Hammock mentioned it. That’s when I discovered podcasting pioneers like Todd Cochrane, Adam Curry and Eric Rice. The following January 2005, I started co-presenting a business podcast called For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report with my friend and colleague Shel Holtz. At that time, I lived in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; with Shel in California, USA, we connected and recorded our podcast via Skype. Since that first episode in January 2005, we built FIR into a series with six distinct podcasts: FIR: The Hobson & Holtz Report – a weekly […]
- [Podcasting](https://nevillehobson.com/business/podcasting/): Of all the social media tools that have emerged since the turn of the century, one of the most exciting is podcasting. Podcasting first started in 2004 with audio; in much less than a decade, it’s become a medium of communication used by individuals and organizations of all types and sizes – Fortune 100 companies in the US, FTSE 100 in the UK, non-profits, governments, small- to medium-size businesses, the mainstream media… you name it, today they’re podcasting in one form or another. Such growth has been driven primarily by these factors: Because it is easy: to create a podcast, […]
- [Speaking](https://nevillehobson.com/business/speaking/): I invest time in speaking and participating at conferences and other public events in Europe and North America, as well as online in webinars and other virtual events. What I aim to achieve in such activities is to offer people actionable insight into a world of possibilities for them to improve their collaborative working and communication effectiveness. At the same time, I look for ways to get to that “light bulb moment” – the moment when, as a presenter or discussion facilitator, you just know everyone is getting engaged with the topic or theme you’re talking about. Not only do […]
- [Writing](https://nevillehobson.com/business/writing/): While my primary business area is consulting, I’m also a freelance writer, blogger, copywriter and podcaster creating articles, blog posts, white papers, audio podcasts and other online content, especially on technology topics to explain often-complex concepts in simple terms. With my blog and weekly business podcast (For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report, now in its ninth year and part of the FIR Podcast Network), I analyse and discuss trends, behaviours and practices in digital communication to help you understand what they mean for people and organizations. I do occasionally write directly for publications and create guest posts for […]
- [Business](https://nevillehobson.com/business/): I work with individuals and organizations in four specific areas: Consulting Writing Speaking Podcasting Overall, what I aim to achieve for those I work with is to provide them with expert advice, knowledge, skills, confidence, or tangible content that helps them achieve a specific and measurable business objective. If you have a business need, I’m open to conversation. +44 20 7558 8222 hello@nevillehobson.com @jangles (If you’re thinking of contacting me to ask about writing guest posts to publish in this blog, read this first before you do.) And if you’d care to connect on LinkedIn, here I am:
- [Consulting](https://nevillehobson.com/business/consulting/): Although I have a passion for technology, my business is about communication. It’s about using technology as a means to a communication end – enabling people to connect with and understand each other, and helping organizations realize the measurable benefits from a social approach to communication and doing business. If you’re looking to connect with a communicator who can help you and your business understand how to build and develop genuine relationships with the people you want to connect with – whether those people are customers, employees, shareholders, journalists… anyone else you can think of – then we should talk. […]
- [Social](https://nevillehobson.com/social/): Tweets by @jangles PlanCast Pinterest Follow Neville Hobson’s board Infographics on Pinterest. Flipboard View my Flipboard Magazine. Slideshare
- [About Cookies](https://nevillehobson.com/about-cookies/): Introduction and Explanation In May 2011, a law – known as Directive 2009/136/EC – came into effect throughout the European Union on the use of cookies on websites, requiring a website owner to seek visitors’ consent to cookies being saved to their computers when they visit a website (more on cookies). Implementing the law in the UK was delayed for a year to give businesses time to become compliant. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – responsible for policing the implementation of the UK-specific version of the EU law – has detailed information about the so called ‘cookie law’ and related […]
- [Calculating your risks](https://nevillehobson.com/calculating-your-risks/): With all the talk you hear about Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+ and other social places online – you name it, people talk about them when they mention social media – it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to think that social media is all about Facebook, Twitter and the others. Yet it’s not. Social media isn’t about the tools and the channels – the software or the technology. It’s all about what people do with the technology, the software, the tools and the channels: sharing pictures and video, writing product reviews, collecting content, connecting with old friends, sharing […]
- [Speaking Policy](https://nevillehobson.com/business/speaking/speaking-policy/): Part of my connectivity with people includes speaking at events like conferences and workshops. During the past decade, I have developed a wide range of knowledge and some expertise in the broad area of social media, its impact on business and communication, and how organizations can best use new media channels to foster and develop true engagement between people. Take a stroll through this site, review all the content you’ll find and see if you agree. Like many of my peers in the organizational communication field, I receive invitations to participate in conferences, etc, as a speaker. I’m always happy […]
- [Terms of Use of NevilleHobson.com](https://nevillehobson.com/terms/): Version 3.1 August 19, 2017 I publish this website with three primary goals in mind: Write commentary and express opinion on topical issues related to business, communication and technology. Engage with visitors in conversation and debate via the site’s commenting functionality, and via the various means of communication indicated in various places in the website. Provide general information about my business services and activities. With the blog, I intend it to be primarily a place on the internet that contains my writings and audio commentaries. If you find this content of interest, then I hope it is also a place […]
- [User Tips](https://nevillehobson.com/tips/): About This Site and Tips on Using It I launched this site in February 2006 when I moved from TypePad where I’d been blogging since 2004. The old site remains as an archive. NevilleHobson.com runs on WordPress and uses the Canvas theme, offering sites owners and visitors alike a rich interactive experience. The site itself is hosted on a DreamHost server somewhere in the US. I’ve been with DreamHost since 2006 and, overall, I’m happy with their service especially since I moved everything to a Virtual Private Server in late 2009. And I especially like their green credentials. So I’m pleased to recommend DreamHost […]
- [Archives](https://nevillehobson.com/archives/): Looking for something specific? Search through all the content in this site published since February 2006 via the links below. Or use key words and phrases in the search box. [archives type=monthly limit=12]


[comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)