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October 1, 2013 Transcript of #CommsChat on corporate apps

Last night, we were joined by media expert Stuart Bruce (@stuartbruce) and app developer Amanda Baker (@amandabakes1) in advance of Communicate’s Best Practice: Corporate Apps conference to be held next week. Take a look at some highlighted tweets:

  • @AmandaBakes1 I think most companies chose to develop apps to enhance consumer experience through personilisation.
  • @stuartbruce One benefit of apps for internal comms is that they tap into the prolific use of smartphones and tablets by many employees
  • @PaulCTayla I’m all for apps when they do something a website can’t. Often I don’t think they do
  • @stuartbruce For big corporates future must include internal apps e.g. Delta to use Microsoft Surface 2 in place of paper manuals
  • @kkehrwald I think being available across multiple channels is important, especially when the two are so closely related.
And the full hour:
 
  1. 9h

    please don’t forget Communicate’s Best Practice Corporate Apps conference will be speaking

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  2. 9h

    RT : But before i go, a big thanks to and > And thanks to for running this

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  3. 9h

    and a big thanks to all who joined in tonight. Please feel free to continue the conversation. See you all next week.

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  4. 9h

    . For example peak tablet use is in the evening on the sofa, not necessarily that ‘mobile’ a device

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  5. 9h

    But before i go, a big thanks to and

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  6. 9h

    we’ve got to the top of the hour, which means it’s time for me to get back to writing an 1800 word profile

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  7. 9h

    The future will see both devices combined anyway. Have you seen the size of the new Galaxy Note 3??

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  8. 9h

    There usually is, in my experience. Requirements are different.

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  9. 9h

    I personally haven’t developed a tablet version of my app. I don’t think there’s a need.

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  10. 9h

    . For comms pros key is know your audience and objectives as that will drive decision to prioritise phone or tablet

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  11. 9h

    I think being available across multiple channels is important, especially when the two are so closely related.

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  12. 9h

    . Really needs a techy to answer as they can explain challenges of developing for both tablet and phone

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  13. 9h

    . For big corporates future must include internal apps e.g. Delta to use Microsoft Surface 2 in place of paper manuals

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  14. 9h

    I first got to know about it at a big data event. Now, it’s everywhere. 🙂

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  15. 9h

    One thing we havent discussed is tablet vs phone. Is there a need to develop both?

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  16. 9h

    Or even men! Maybe can help?

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  17. 9h

    it looks like

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  18. 9h

    Haha! I will look into that 😉

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  19. 9h

    . I’ll second need for for middle aged men in need of an affordable fashion boost

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  20. 9h

    Yes, that’s the idea behind responsiveness.

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  21. 9h

    Lets round up the hour by looking forward Topic 6 • What does the future look like for apps and mobile technology?

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  22. 9h

    Great!! The response I’m getting is overwhelming. AND… Coffee has become my new BFF!

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  23. 10h

    “: – it’s an essential. Devices should never be a barrier to content experience.” Don’t forget the # Alex

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  24. 10h

    . But isn’t simply a case of app v. web as good apps work offline, web doesn’t – tube, planes, roaming, rural etc

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  25. 10h

    I wouldn’t say it is an alternative. They are two distinct comms channels.

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  26. 10h

    . Given plethora of different devices responsive web is a must to cater for myriad of needs

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  27. 10h

    I agree! It’s also a cheaper alternative to developing an app.

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  28. 10h

    Can you also develop a for middle aged, slightly overweight men, looking for trendy suit options please?

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  29. 10h

    Thank you! 🙂

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  30. 10h

    A responsive website is a real need these days.

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  31. 10h

    (cont) start generating a revenue. One of my revenue streams will come from ‘HIGHLY TARGETED’ affiliate marketing.

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  32. 10h

    Good luck!

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  33. 10h

    Let’s look at the alternative – what do people think about responsive web? Is it an alternative? Is it an ‘also’ or an ‘and’?

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  34. 10h

    wow – and how has the first week gone?

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  35. 10h

    Yes, they do! I only launched last Tuesday so I still have a very long way to go before I can…

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  36. 10h

    . Think GMP’s iPhone app was early this year and Android very recently – this month? Ask or

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  37. 10h

    RT run some great events for people with ideas for apps seeking investment advice and funding 🙂

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  38. 10h

    run some great events for people with ideas for apps seeking investment advice and funding 🙂

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  39. 10h

    Agreed. Perhaps when it’s a more mainstream practice it’ll really take off.

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  40. 10h

    Such a good use. Has it been in use for long?

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  41. 10h

    RT example of practical app is Manchester Police (GMP) which uses geo-location to provide relevant local information

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  42. 10h

    you mentioned an investor… but presumably they wanted to also see a revenue stream?

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  43. 10h

    that’s OK then. I’ll continue!

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  44. 10h

    My only answer to that is to network, network, network. Someone will know someone who will know someone.

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  45. 10h

    Love your app concept. How have you monetised it?

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  46. 10h

    I think we’re covering both here, Paul

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  47. 10h

    Another example of practical app is Manchester Police (GMP) which uses geo-location to provide relevant local information

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  48. 10h

    oh sorry, ignore my last tweet!

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  49. 10h

    I reckon that has to be difficult at the moment. Maybe not after a few years.

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  50. 10h

    Thank you 🙂 A brand name is VERY important. I learnt that the hard way!

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  51. 10h

    is ROI covered tonight at all? Find it hard to understand how individuals/small biz can make money back on apps.

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  52. 10h

    How do you give them that personal experience through an app?

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  53. 10h

    damn, must try harder. Remember it’s corporate not consumer! Sorry.

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  54. 10h

    Yes. A lot of responsibility and a lot of hard work. But the personal experience you can give to each user is worth it

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  55. 10h

    my last tweet seemed to disappear – Topic 4) Topic 4•How do app developers find funding/sponsorship? One for

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  56. 10h

    RT : exactly, definitely a plus. We have an app for sales ambassadors to use in store. That’s why.

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  57. 10h

    Good name!

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  58. 10h

    Fashionably Skint > 🙂

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  59. 10h

    Shameless plug time – Communicate is hosting a 1/2day conf (inc networking drinks) on corp apps. Only £95

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  60. 10h

    Just to KEEP IT SIMPLE! Cramming too much into such a small real estate will make your app fail its true purpose.

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  61. 10h

    presumably you have a lot of data on users. with that comes a sense of responsibility?

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  62. 10h

    exactly, definitely a plus. We have an app for sales ambassadors to use in store. That’s why.

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  63. 10h

    I wonder about the analytical part, how to measure the effectiveness of the comms provided.

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  64. 10h

    . Not sure, but you’ve touched on one of main benefits of apps – you don’t need an internet connection

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  65. 10h

    What’s its name?

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  66. 10h

    … but from it Givaudan gets a wealth of anonymous data about consumer preferences which is valuable to its clients

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  67. 10h

    RT Can they use the app without a web connection, as I think then that makes good sense!

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  68. 10h

    B2B company Givaudan (ex-client) developed the iPerfumer app to help consumers choose fragrances. It sells to perfume producers..

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  69. 10h

    Can they use the app without a web connection, as I think then that makes good sense!

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  70. 10h

    Yes, I’ve always thought than an app was meant to do something very specific.I’m open though.

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  71. 10h

    Thank you! Hope you like it 🙂

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  72. 10h

    do you feel there is a ‘best practice’, , or is it just about being as creative as poss

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  73. 10h

    I see how B2C communication would work, but I’m not sure about B2B. What do you think?

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  74. 10h

    it’s brilliant concept though – I’ve just downloaded on hearing of the very premise!

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  75. 10h

    Does the industry have a best practice yet, or is it still too much in its infancy

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  76. 10h

    I’m all for apps when they do something a website can’t. Often I don’t think they do.

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  77. 10h

    Topic 3 •What is best practice in apps? corporate and consumer.

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  78. 10h

    . That’s why the sales app includes tools they will want to use, so they see the ‘news’ as a by-product of using it

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  79. 10h

    love that we’re able to cover both consumer and corporate at the same time. we’ll try and make the next topic fit for both too

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  80. 10h

    I was thinking the same. I reckon it’s about apps being seen as ‘cool’.

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  81. 10h

    . I think the idea was to tap into the ‘sexiness’ of apps to pull employees into the internal comms news

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  82. 10h

    Hi, I’m Head of Comms – tech is a big driver. An app is often wanted before people think about purpose

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  83. 10h

    seems many apps were initially printed rports on an app. eg annual rprt on an app, CSR rpt on an app, graduate ltrtr on app etc

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  84. 10h

    The concept of swapping clothes sounds easy and is easy. But when you apply that to an app… It’s extremely complex.

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  85. 10h

    why an app for SAP and not just a mobile friendly intranet?

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  86. 10h

    Problem is, mobile stops working, stops being used.

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  87. 10h

    Not easy. It’s taken 18 months to develop and get the platform right as it’s such a unique concept to apply to an app.

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  88. 10h

    On a mobile an app can also make it easier to offer more complex functionality than a website

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  89. 10h

    I wonder how do you measure effectiveness? I enjoy this area,

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  90. 10h

    . … than Android app with need to work on multiple devices, despite Android audience being larger

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  91. 10h

    Do you think you’ll expand to a website eventually or just stay mobile?

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  92. 10h

    . Often decision to deliver iOS app first is driven by technology as that’s what the developers want to do/is easier…

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  93. 10h

    I guess the challenge here is getting people to use it.

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  94. 10h

    Hmm…Kind of. My investor advised me to focus on just mobile. The concept was originally for a website.

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  95. 10h

    , how easy was it for you to develop the app for your audience?

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  96. 10h

    . And has SAP Now just for salespeople which has the SAP news feed and some specific sales relaetd feeds and tools

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  97. 10h

    If you’re interested in apps (and you probably should at least want to find out more) then it’s worth following ’til 9

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  98. 10h

    Topic 2) •How does technology affect these decisions?

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  99. 10h

    so platform gives greater reach and personalisation. Seems weve started to move into topic 2 territory (coming up now)

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  100. 10h

    . One example is SAP which has an app to deliver SAP News which is a simple RSS feed app

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  101. 10h

    Because this is where my target audience is 100+ times a day. Students live on their mobile phones.

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  102. 10h

    . It’s often hard to find good internal comms examples, as by definition they aren’t public

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  103. 10h

    So apps experience is about platform, personalisation and trendiness?

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  104. 10h

    I’ll see if my boss thinks the same! 🙂

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  105. 10h

    Need to check your app.Interesting that you preferred an app first. Was it a money decision?

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  106. 10h

    Agree with ! Apps are trendy! They’re becoming a necessity to every business.

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  107. 10h

    and are there many instances of internal comms apps? one can make app a closed environment now

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  108. 10h

    . You need to have clear, measurable objectives before deciding to develop an app – for whatever purpose

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  109. 10h

    True, that way the company is always resting in someone’s pocket, ready to be used at will.

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  110. 10h

    Hello, All! Digital marketer, currently in insurance (not for long), and crazy about

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  111. 10h

    Hi Kyle, thanks for joining us.

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  112. 10h

    One benefit of apps for internal comms is that they tap into the prolific use of smartphones and tablets by many employees

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  113. 10h

    I’m Kyle, a college student. I think apps are good for people already interested in the company.

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  114. 10h

    I think most companies chose to develop apps to enhance consumer experience through personilisation.

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  115. 10h

    Hi Amanda… why did you develop on app platform rather than say a great website first?

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  116. 10h

    I can tell that apps are seen as cool. Maybe, they have the means to do it. Wonder about real strategy.

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  117. 10h

    RT : For those that don’t know me. I am who Google says I am

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  118. 10h

    Hi! I’m Amanda, Founder of – A new social app for students that lets them swap clothes on campus.

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  119. 10h

    You can find good examples of corporate apps aimed at a range of audiences – both B2C and B2B

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  120. 10h

    Is it possible to be that specific? Or are apps as ubiquitous now as, say, print – used for internal, investors, customers etc.

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  121. 10h

    So let’s kick off with topic 1 – Why do companies choose to develop apps? For which audiences are they intended?

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  122. 10h

    And we’re off a scintillating hour of on corporate apps. Hello everyone.

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  123. 10h

    : looks at all aspects relating to communications, When: Mondays, 8:00pm UK.

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  124. 10h

    and so saying, I’m Andrew, , the publishing editor of Communicate magazine

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  125. 10h

    Please feel free to join in at will, but try and make your first tweet one of introduction

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  126. 10h

    We’re delighted to have media expert (social and otherwise) & app entrepreneur

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  127. 10h

    Good evening. On tonights commschat we’re talking all things apps.

 


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