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Are you a second screener?

If you are, according to a recent Nielsen study, you’re part of the 84% of smart phone and tablet wielders using these devices while simultaneously watching television.

Naturally, Ad companies and broadcasters were the first to leverage this behavior out of necessity because of the shift of audience attention away from traditional media to mobile devices and social media.

So what is the significance of this typical Gen X, Gen Y tendency to multitask and what is second screening? Fact checking during a live sports event or award ceremony to check a player stat or artist’s discography is a form of second screening. The rush of corroborating information or filling in the blanks while taking in ‘linear’ live info specifically is one of the key empowering components of the trend from an audience point of view and one of the reasons why it has such significance in the content crazy landscape in which we all now navigate.

Second screening then, can be described as using these mobile devices to add an interactive, real time element to the traditional linear flow of content such as television, live events and yes, meetings. With examples of broadcasters using second screen technology during events like this year’s Superbowl, a similar trend is developing rapidly in the live events and meetings space.

Mobile technology that supports meetings is no longer limited to note taking and making processes paperless. It is becoming widely accepted that mobile has the potential to improve overall effectiveness of communication, information sharing and two-way learning in meetings, a complete paradigm shift compared to previous attitudes toward use of mobile devices in these settings only a few years ago.

What does second screen technology have to offer?

For starters, events and meetings organizers can get more out of their audience and attendees by requesting real-time feedback that can be input into smartphones and tablets. For example, live polls can eliminate guesswork in gauging an audience’s interest when speakers or meeting leaders invite participation but are met with awkward silence and a smattering of responses from only a few gregarious members. This typically overzealous bunch will no doubt dominate the discussion and very likely misrepresent the opinions of the group. Live polls can elicit more accurate, honest responses from members of a meeting or conference than a survey filled out after the meeting is over. Interaction in this way opens the door for more in-depth analytics that can help organizers measure with accuracy, the relevance of certain topics, approaches and delivery of content.

Second screen empowers apathetic audiences who are constantly tethered to their phones and tablets to take part in conversations, share information and engage each other or a speaker around an event or meeting.

Apps like Glisser (from the French ‘to slide’) are taking hold of the trend with a service that allows users to beam slides, engage each other on social media and participate in live polls etc.

Our column, “Let’s talk with the Rostie Group”, features this week, Abigail Bristow or Abi as she is endearingly called.

Abi with her father at Disney Land

What do you do?

I am the business center meeting rooms manager for the Rostie Group. I deal with all outside and inside clients from office spacing, meeting rooms, and the event planning of meeting room spaces.

What do you like about your job?

Everyday is different completely. You could be planning corporate government training today and a fun company social event tomorrow.

What motivates you in life?

I am passionate about building new relationships, discovering new things all the time, and constantly making sure that I am always learning.

What do you strive for in life?

My ambition is to never settle, to never allow myself to come to a point where I am not enjoying what I am doing.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I horse ride. That is something I have done since I was five. It is the ability to work with an animal that stature that I like about it. Horses are beautiful animals. You get to know the animal and it holds a lot of responsibility caring for it. I own horses in the UK but not in Canada. I go to various places; quite a few places inside and out side the city within the GTA for horse back-riding. I miss my horses in the UK!

Where in the UK did you live before moving to Canada?

I grew up in a town called Alresford. It is like a medieval town, an old century village. It is more like country village. I miss the humbleness of living in the country side but I love the excitement of living in a city.

What inspired you to come to Canada?

The reason I came to Canada is because it is a gateway for me to explore a new culture, a new country within the safety of an English speaking environment. I love Canada!

Compare Toronto to Alresford.

Waking up at home in Alresford, you know what you are getting every morning: the green grass, fresh, crispy air. Whereas in the city, every 24 hours is a new day. You are able to get lost in the city. You can be whoever you want to be.

Have you been back to visit? I have been back twice. It was good. It is almost like time stands still there. Everyone is still doing the same thing. It was an inspiration for me to continue in Canada and doing what I am doing here.

What do you do when you feel homesick? I normally would invite my girlfriends for Sunday dinner. We call it Sunday Roast. I would make a traditional English meal. It reminds me that I have family here in Canada.

Where in the city do you live?

I live in Liberty Village. I have lived there for two years. I take the TTC or walk to work.

What do you think of the TTC?

I think the TTC is good, especially along the Queens Quay. It is going be great for the Pan Am Games. It is going to be a key factor especially for our kind of business in bringing people down to the waterfront.

What is your philosophy in life?

My philosophy in life is to always see the good especially if you are in a bad situation, when you think everything is on top of you. I am a big believer in not holding grudges, punishing people for their mistakes.

What do you think of the weather?

It is cold. However it is not as bad as last year. It was a shocking experience. The cold pulls the emotions out of you; it makes you feel down and cold.

Do you have a winter fashion advice?

Don’t be too scared to wrap up warm. So many people under – dress not to look too clumsy. Stay warm all the time. My grandmother always used to tell me, “You make me feel cold just looking at you. Don’t ever be scared to dress warm.”

What do you do to stay active in the winter?

I have started ice-skating. That is my new hobby. It is a great exercise and it is a social activity as well. And it makes me feel more Canadian!

What book are you currently reading and what is it about?

I am reading ‘Nice is just a place in France’. It is about how to reevaluate your thinking towards certain situations. It is a slapstick kind of comedy in how you need to be less nice to make sure you are taken in a serious way. It is really, really funny. It is an hilarious read. If I can take nothing from it, I can take the good humor.

Did you see the Oscars Sunday night?

No. It is shocking for me everyone is so in to the Oscars here. Whereas in the UK it is not seen as a big thing. I would not even know which movies are nominated.

What don’t most people know about you?

One thing people don’t know about me is my diverse music collection. From a small age, I used    to hang out with my dad listening to his old albums to going regular concerts and gigs form the age of 15. I have no favorite genre. My span could be metal punk to rap to decade music. I like the Beatles. The Beatles are like a cult in pop culture that helped almost reform part of English and put us back on the map. When I was small, I sang the entire NeverMind, Nirvana album traveling in a campervan with my Parents from France to Spain. I used to sing in a choir.  

 By MG

When preparing for a client meeting there are some fundamentals that when observed greatly increase the chances of you winning new business, referrals and client confidence. Here are a few tips that we have compiled:

Research your client. He/she will be impressed that you took the time to find out about their industry and their needs. It will prevent you from making unproductive or even embarrassing assumptions and it will give you the professional image you need to instil confidence in the client that you will conduct all aspects of your business just as professionally.

Have an agenda handy and follow it. Clients will want you to take the lead. After all you’re the expert. Prepare for questions that your client may have so he or she gets the right answers and not off the cuff responses that are not well thought out. Having an agenda will bring you closer to achieving a desired goal by the time the meeting is over. Ideally, you and your client should both feel some closure and that the meeting accomplished a clear valuable goal by the time you leave the meeting room.

Be concise and relevant. Since most of the initial meeting will be explaining what you have done in the past for other clients, it is important that you communicate effectively how your past experience is relevant to your client’s current problem. This is why researching your client/prospect and their industry prior to the meeting is so important. Stick to the important points and answer your clients queries precisely and economically and they will be very impressed and grateful.

Location. Location. Location. Impress your client with a professional easy-to-access venue. Meeting in a coffee shop with its many distractions and less than professional atmosphere is far from the ideal. If you want your client or prospect to have confidence in you then you should find a professional business centre which will have a receptionist, waiting area, catering options as well as tech facilities in case you need to make a presentation or simply use the internet.

In November, we posted an article on the commuting habits of those of us who work on the Rostie Group floor. All of the people interviewed took various transportation modes; almost all said their commute included a walk from Union Station. At the time of the interview, the pedestrian bridge wasn’t completed, yet. The only option for walking down from Union to the office at time was on Bay Street. With the bridge completed now, we wanted to know how many people used it. We surveyed 30 people on our floor. This is what we found out from 28 of them. Out of those surveyed, 46% said they used it everyday, 50% sometimes, and 4% never.

 

We like to think the above data is fairly representative of every floor in both office towers at the WaterPark Place. If our data is any indication, people who work in these buildings have found it useful. In a larger context though, what use does the new pedestrian bridge have to the South Core in particular and to downtown in general?

The south end of the bridge in the WaterPark Place building

Walkability is a desired feature in contemporary urban theories. It is the measure of the “health” of an urban area. Moreover, in terms of real estate market, a neighborhood’s value is a function of its walkability as it has health, safety, and economic benefits for residents. By cutting down on gas emission, it also contributes to a healthier environment. Walk Score, a website dedicated to rating neighborhoods’ walkability, gives our area 93%. Any neighborhood with that score according to the website is considered “Walker’s Paradise”, meaning amenities in this area are in a reasonable walking distance. From our experience, too, we found this to be true.

However, the walk in this area is less than appealing. The unattractive sidewalks, traffic noise, construction, long traffic light stops, and unpleasant weather take the fun out of it. Enter the new pedestrian bridge. No one would have to contend with all that unpleasantness. The new bridge adds friendliness and comfort to mere walkability.

A section of the bridge above Harbour Street

Designed by WZMH Architects, the bridge extends from the Air Canada Center, crosses the Harbour Plaza, which is under construction, and ends in the lobby of WaterPark Place. Between the ACC and Harbour Plaza, the bridge is sandwiched between Lake Shore Boulevard West from below and the Gardiner Expressway from above. The extension from the Plaza is suspended above Harbour Street.

The bridge is constructed of concrete, metal, and glass. Unlike the rest of the PATH system which is burried underground, it is filled with natural light and views of the outside. Aesthetically, it possesses a Modernistic character. It also introduces variety to the concrete and asphalt of the highway. With its lights on, its aesthetic appeal is more pronounced at night.

The bridge provides a more convenient connectivity to and within the South Core, which includes the waterfront, major cultural centers, a transportation-hub, mixed use buildings, condos, as well as office towers. It also serves as an extension of the downtown underground pedestrian walkway, PATH system, that starts at the intersection of College and Yonge Streets. In a weather like today, to be able to walk from College and Yonge Streets to Bay and Queens Quay sheltered from the elements and while enjoying the walk is not an easy feat.

The bridge at night

We would be curious to see any change in traffic in warm weather. Out of the 30 people we surveyed, 43% said they would use the pedestrian bridge in all weathers, while the rest 57% said no.

By Mahtot Gebresselassie (www.outlierplan.com)

 

 

 

Coworking, flexible office spaces are not only for young IT professionals as the urban myth might have you believe. Coworking is for anyone who needs flexible office space for a few hours, days, weeks, or long-term. At the Rostie Group, we have a variety of professionals in our co-working space. There are IT professionals (yes, yes, there is truth to the myth), an urban planner, and professionals in sales, marketing, and finance. Some are here for a long-term and others for a season.

Speaking of seasons, it is tax season now! If you are an account, this is your busiest time of year. You might need to hire temp staff to share your load but you may not have extra space. You might be looking for an office where your clients’ information will be secure. You might usually work from home and need an office space with meeting rooms and phone answering service. You might need to teleconference with your clients out of town. You might be considering expanding to an office in downtown even after the tax season is over.

A coworking space at the Rostie Group might be your ideal solution. We provide:

• flexible coworking space at reasonable prices
• Secure personal work space,
• reception and business service amenities,
• a prestigious Bay Street address in a newly renovated office tower, and more.

Our coworking clients have also told us that they like the quality of our space and appreciate the professional service they get from our staff. Check out an article one of our co-workers wrote about our coworking space here. Last but not least, our coworking space offers the perfect opportunity for networking. There are a multiple of businesses on our floor and lots more in the office tower in which we are located.

Do you have specific questions you would like to ask us? Would you like to visit our working space in person? Please give us a call or send us an email. We will be sure to get back to you promptly.