The other day I was chatting to friends about a company that has some great products but in the past has been guilty of some real bad marketing goofs. We were debating the latest marketing campaign and the possible futures for this company. It is looking down the barrel of an industry and a world that are pretty unforgiving of mistakes. The strategy for the companies future is unclear with only a handful of people privy to such information. This company has always been the focus of such speculation though, they are used to being second guessed, to having their sometimes bizarre decisions questioned by staff, customers and watchers.

So who am I talking about? It’s got to be Apple, right?

Wrong. I am talking about my former employer who I suppose I should allow to remain nameless. If you are from Merseyside the chances are you will have come across them in one form or another. They have two touring ‘internet road shows’ going to local libraries throughout the region, they have two permanent centres at Liverpool and Birkenhead and they have recently had their new offices officially opened by Prince Andrew. They are undoubtedly the ‘big boys’ on campus.

However, big fish in their own pond they may be, but out in the big wide world they are still relative small fry. And now the company are on the verge of having to fly the warmth of the European funded nest that has sheltered it thus far. European funding has provided the sustenance to fatten it up with an endless stream of students and unemployed people providing a work force that would put a smile on even the most mercenary accountant. However the party could well be about to come to an abrupt end.

The European cash that has been such a key part in the organizations history is soon to become part of it’s glorious past. This is not big news in itself, many watchers have known this would be the case for a long time. However what is interesting is… [Click here to continue reading this article at ‘Meanwhile’]