Dr. Neil Hair

As is the tradition with the International Colloquium in Relationship Marketing the final day of the conference focuses on practitioner relevance of our theories. I was given the opportunity to start the day off with a presentation on how you monetize relationship marketing activities in social networks like facebook. The event was sponsored by the worlds largest professional marketing body The Chartered Institute of Marketing (my own professional body that grants licenses to practice with chartered status). The event was well attended, over 60 execs from all backgrounds, B2B and B2C. One thing that struck me listening to their questions and concerns about Web 2.0 was that European marketing managers are facing exactly the same questions as their American counterparts. Namely; how can I use essentially a personal platform such as facebook to make money? how do I engage my network to help further both personal AND business ambitions, what works and doesn't work? Why? I covered all of these issues in 40 minutes. Congratulations if you were there – my apologies if you weren't

Autumn 2008 – two days ago – Didcot. Neil celebrates with his two friends the two magnificent victories against his nemisis – the evil – younger brother in the board game Axis and Allies. Whilst his brother faught long and strong, the intellectual superiority of The Master eventually triumphed. With a double Russian / UK mainland European attack through the Ukraine SSR the German war machine (consisting now of mostly men that defend at a roll dice of 2) hiding in the capital – was crushed. With great sadness in his eyes the apprentice handed over Germany's income to The Master – who sat back on the makeshift floor seat, Cuban Siglo II cigar in hand – smiled the ever so subtle smile that says unequivocally – 'I just squashed you like a little flower.' The game was long and the game was hard. In the series of games we played however we are now matched 2 a piece. What was to called 'Neils Troublesome Trip' was saved in the throw of 17 dice that score at 3. A few quick facts for you on the history of our game;

1. I was first introduced to The Board Game in 1986 by a US serviceman living in the house behind us in Grove, Oxfordshire.
2. My mother imported the game for me from the States for the Christmas of 1986. It remains the best present I have ever recieved.
3. My brother started playing at the tender age of 10.
4. He has beaten me 7 times.
5. We have played over 200 games.
6. I do not cheat.
7. He does.
8. He has a tendency to leave his capital open.
9. I do not.
10. Each game takes around 5 hours. This makes the game unpopular with normal people.
11. Starting the game at 10 to midnight is not a good idea.
12. Despite having played the game for over 20 years Greg's interpretation of the rules is imaginative at best.
13. Raised voices throughout the game is perfectly normal. Neighbours need not be concerned.
14. He plays with white dice, I play with red. Never use your opponents dice. Its bad luck.
15. Loosing is genuinely painful. Thankfully he looses more than I do.
16. The decider will be played this November (and we will roll for sides).

Just returned from the 16th ICRM (International Colloquium on Relationship Marketing) 2008 which was held in Swansea in Wales. Three papers being presented – one on B2B web experience with colleagues at Henley, and two poster sessions with former RIT students Ryan Kearns and Melanie Cufio (e-word of mouth and 2-brand communities alike). A very rewarding conference as usual – single track which means everyone presents, listens and comments on your work (far more rewarding than the usual multi track affair). The conference dinner was excellent – we listened to a Welsh Male choir – a first for me – and tucked into rare Welsh lamb cutlets. The relative smallish nature of the colloquium is what makes it so special – in the past it's seen me deep in research conversation with such gurus as Ballantyne, Lobler, Gronroose, Hunt and Gummesson. All of which are demigods in the relationship marketing space. You dont get that at the Summer or Winter AMA's I can tell you. An additional two papers have come out of the conference for me as well – one methodological and one an extension of a survey study into the Asian / Australasian markets. Good to also see the family and especially good now to be home in Rochester (the best thing about travel is coming home).

Welcome to the world new secret research facility! This morning at approximately 10.05am a new facility was built in Facebook to house a motley crew of friends, alums and current students dedicated to offering themselves and their advice to Neil's all important research questions. You too can join this facility and answer occasional survey type questions on what's moving and shaking in the internet marketing area. You will – by contributing – also benefit career wise by being the first to get the results of the efforts. And who wouldn't want to impress the boss with the latest ideas built off the back of some of the worlds finest lab rats. Welcome lab rats to a brave new world of hackademia!

p.s No rats are ever harmed at this facility.