Above and Beyond Expectation

Are you one to cry at the movies? When watching especially gripping and emotional scenes on television or when at the Theatre how do you react?

​The truth is that it isn't long before I'm welling up at a relationship break-down, some form of injustice or even the death of a vulnerable animal on screen. ​

I have a vivid recollection of how I felt all those years ago when watching the hugely popular and epic movie, Titanic. Mostly, and judging by the reactions of those around me, I remember crying at, what seemed to be, the wrong moment.

My emotions were at their height at Rose's departure from the sinking liner for one of the 20 lifeboats, signalling the probability she would never see her newfound lover ever again. I had no idea I was later to be faced with Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Jack, readying himself for his final breath and then a plunge from view into the freezing Atlantic waters. I was all ‘cried out’ by then!

I can understand why I reacted in the way that I did. Frankly, I was meant to. A lot of work with vast sums of money went into manipulating the emotions of the millions who went to see the movie.

Of course, there will be those who claim not to have been moved at all by the emotionally charged scenes that were based on the true and tragic loss of life that happened in the 1912 maritime disaster. Many families in our home city of Southampton were deeply affected. Still today empty graves at the City’s Old Cemetery are just but markers of those who perished. The City's economy was significantly impacted.

I wonder, what is it that triggers this outpouring of grief and emotion? In the case of the movie, Titanic, virtually all who went to see it had no connection at all with what happened. While the movie was based upon true events it enjoyed huge amounts of artistic licence, thus distancing the audience once again from any association.

Imagine my surprise when I found myself welling up at TV’s James Martin's Saturday Morning. I was watching guest John Williams, Executive Chef at London's The Ritz magically putting the finishing touches to his Dublin Bay Prawns, a recipe with succulent langoustines, cauliflower puree, blanched petite vegetables and court bouillon. It was nothing short of a work of art.

It was while the TV camera operator focused his lens above and around the exquisite dish that I felt moved with delight and sheer astonishment at the Chef's masterpiece.

I pulled myself together and once again began to wonder what it was that created this effect in me. As with Titanic every effort was made by Chef Williams himself and the television production team to cause a reaction, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Being a creative person myself I was soon able to identify what it was that ‘tripped the switch’, that activated the emotions I experienced during the Saturday morning show. A word came to mind: 'aspiration'.

I aspire to deliver above and beyond expectation in the work I do at Future Point 4 Business. I react with intellect and emotion when I see others doing the same. We live in a world where there’s too much ‘slap-dash’, disappointment in the products we buy, an often remote and disinterested customer interface and a ‘that’ll do’ attitude.

Chef Williams is a master, overseeing 65 other chefs daily. People from all over the world visit The Ritz for an exceedingly memorable dining experience. I’m yet to go myself but hope it’ll be all I imagine.

It is with similar passion that we at Future Point 4 Business desire to impress and delight with our own work. Whether during brand coaching, when creative thinking spaces are used to explore ideas, or in meetings when concepts are developed, we work hard to craft solutions that truly work for our clients.

Of course, when it comes to branding components - design, website development, video animation, video production, digital output, online marketing and the like - budgeting constraints apply no matter how small or large the project. But even then, our experience allows us to draw upon reserves that make the most of our clients’ money, time and other resources.

Our passion drives us to supply bespoke solutions that are original to each client. Our avoidance of 'off the peg' services, templates and quick fixes ensures results are both technically and expressively optimised for that all-important return on investment.    

So, now it's out there. I, the Founding Director at Future Point 4 Business sobs and snivels at the movies - and, as it appears, TV cooking shows too! I guess it’s part of who I am, from ‘the way my Dad put my hat on.’
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However, I also apply my intellect and emotion with experience and passion to our brand and branding combinations that meet a wide range of different needs.

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