You Can Shape The Future

We all know that the digital world is taking over our lives and as with all great changes in history, the best thing to do is embrace it and enjoy it.  In fact, if you’re anything like me you'll break into a cold sweat and start twitching at just the thought of going anywhere without your phone. (Except poolside in the sun – I’m all about real books and long cold drinks in that location).

It was only a matter of time then, before some whizz kid used this very modern addiction to do some good. Now, a little perspective is required here... I’m not talking ‘world peace’ good, but I am talking ‘getting rid of market researchers on the High Street’ good.  I can see you secretly smiling right now.

Market research is one of those annoyingly great things; yes, it helps plan better experiences and gives an indication of how our society is growing but man do they always catch you at the worst time! I'm usually in a hurry, laden with bags or just plain old grumpy! 

However, I love the city centre and the idea of moving to a full on Clicks over Bricks is not one I'd ever relish. So therefore the men and women in offices around the land need to know what it is that makes Perth such a great place. It really saddens me to see empty shops and quiet streets and so anything that might help put real information in front of the people who count has got to be a good thing.

This is where it all comes together.  Perth City Centre management is looking for 100 local people to download an app that will ‘record’ their visits into Perth.  The idea is that you just go about your day as normal and the app will capture your location data.

This in turn will give a snapshot of your experience in the city centre giving an insight into how you spend your time in the city centre – everything is important so it doesn’t matter what you do or where you go; shopping, eating out, playing at the park or sitting on the bus, it's all good! 

I know it sounds a bit Big Brothery but the deal is that all data collected is fully anonymous and gathered into tables and charts so it can’t be linked to you personally. Which is a relief, as you’ll know, if you’ve ever popped into Roca Blu for a Friday Tea Timer and bumped into an old pal... Likewise you stick your head in the door to say hi to Lori at Eva Lucia and suddenly, half an hour later, you’re running for your bus with new boots and a shiny new disco dress.  

And this is where the app is so, so much better than traditional research.  You can never give accurate information to these questionnaires because life is never well-planned enough to fit into a choice of five boxes.  And sometimes you really like spending hours in the city centre, and other times you just want to nip in and get out.  

It would be AMAZING if we could muster up 100 Small City readers to take part in this experiment.  All you have to do is download the GeoTask Location Research App, which will run in the background on your smartphone. The App uses minimal battery life and you will never receive any marketing communications.

As a reward for your involvement you will have the chance to win some fabulous cash prizes in the weekly and monthly FREE prize draw. These work by collecting points

Weekly Draw

• Twenty (20) - £1 PayPal cash voucher (Even I can’t dress that up to be fab… So, so funny!)

Monthly Draw (These are a bit more like it!)

• One (1) - £25 House of Fraser e-gift card
• Ten (10) - £5 Marks and Spencer e-gift card
• Ten (5) -  £5 Currys PC World e-gift card
• Seven (7) - £5 Costa Gift vouchers
• Twenty (20) - £2 PayPal cash vouchers

The four simple steps are:

1. GET – Download the GeoTask App. Google Play | Apple App Store
2. GO – Visit the cities shops, events, restaurants and bars as usual. Needing inspiration - check out our events section here on Small City
3. TAKE – Remember to always take your mobile phone with you and the fiendishly clever GeoTask App will do the rest!
4. REWARDS – Sign for entry for a chance to win prizes in the weekly and monthly free draw

You’ll probably have loads of questions – I know I did – and if you pop over to the GEO Task website you’ll be able to find answers to just about all of them. This will also give you all the usual terms and conditions.

I had to think about doing this article; I think sometimes we can give away too much info on our lives and that’s not always a good thing. However, I also know from spending years working with retailers and events in Perth and wider Scotland that things have changed. How we shop, spend leisure time, enjoy a day out… it’s all very different to how it was twenty years ago. 

And if we want our city centre to provide us with the sort of experiences that will enhance our lives and make our city a vibrant place to visit then we’re going to have to tell the people who plan what it is we like to do. 

So why not get involved? Download the Geo Task App and be one of the hundred who help shape the city’s future!  

Google Play | Apple App Store

Many thanks to Invest In Perth for their Scottie Dogs Pics.
Also thanks to Fraser Band and Tanya for our St John's Shopping Centre shot.