Read, Watch, Listen, Learn
Less Admin. More Impact. Better World.
If you had no admin left to do, what would you do with your time? That’s the provocation at the heart of our first episode in a new Inner Ear series: Constructively Critical — a series of short, thoughtful video essays exploring culture, technology and making better choices. In this opening piece, Dougal Perman tackles…
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Unlock Your Creative Business Coach
Ready to take your creative business to the next level? Get instant, tailored guidance with Inner Ear’s free AI-powered Creative Business Coach. It’s designed for creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers and anyone looking to overcome business challenges or unlock new opportunities. Gain clarity, focus, and progress with our AI-powered Creative Business Coach — free…
We Need Disruption, But Make It Human
Inner Ear exists at the intersection of creativity and technology. We welcome change, thrive on innovation and push boundaries. But in his latest piece, Dougal Perman raises an essential question: if disruption is inevitable, how do we ensure it serves humanity rather than eroding it? Disruption is good for the soul. It can be bad…
How AI Can Help You Overcome the Challenge of Doing More with Less
It’s been a hell of a time for culture. For cultural organisations in Scotland, securing Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland recently is a huge achievement. But for many creative companies, the amount awarded is significantly less than what they applied for. This creates a major challenge: how do you continue delivering high-quality cultural work with…
Erica Robinson speaking at Adventures In Marketing 2025 Adventures in Marketing 2025: Lessons, Insights and Challenges
Marketing events can be hit or miss. They can be all show, superficial or even vacuous. They can drag, overwhelm or (greatly) overpromise. I was optimistic about Adventures In Marketing 2024 in Edinburgh because of the way it was described and the quality of the lineup but it surpassed my expectations.
Photo by William White on Unsplash A Culture of Promise: Reflecting on Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2025–26
And breathe. Those of us engaged in creative economy policy activism have held our collective breath recently. The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2025–26 brings long-awaited good news for Scotland’s cultural sector. So we can now breath a little easier. (If you haven’t already, please read my articles on the cultural funding situation in Sceptical.Scot…
Inspiring next generation talent with digital media strategy What If You Could Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap by Inspiring Next Generation Talent?
Reflecting recently on his experience as a senior member of the Creative Industries Leadership Group, Inner Ear Director, Dougal Perman, starts a new series exploring how creative solutions can be applied to solve problems in specific sectors. First up: manufacturing. In today’s manufacturing landscape, skills shortages are more than an HR issue — they are…
How Can We Save Scotland’s Creative Economy?
Over the past few months, I’ve shared my thoughts on the state of Scotland’s cultural sector through two articles for Sceptical Scot. As a group of cultural practitioners (through our creative work with Radio Magnetic, TRADtv and Walking Heads and a multitude of co-created projects), creative producers and content strategists, Inner Ear has always sat…
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash Scotland’s Creative Future: Resilience & Creative Workforce Reports
Over the past four years, Scotland’s creative industries have been to hell and back. The sector is demanding strategic insights and action. Inner Ear’s director, Dougal Perman, has been a member of the Creative Industries Leadership Group (CILG) since 2018. In 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fair Work and Culture (at the time),…
Photo by Jesus Loves Austin on Unsplash Why Learn Live Streaming? To Help You Communicate Your Message
Live streaming is an essential digital communication tool, largely due to its immediacy and authenticity. If you learn live streaming, you can elevate your brand messaging. Unlike traditional media such as television or radio, live streaming allows for real-time interaction, creating a dynamic and direct connection between the audience and the presenter. With features like…
Photo by on Pexels This is Live Streaming Production: Make Superior Interactive Virtual Experiences
Interactive virtual experiences have exploded since lockdown. The most engaging ones stand out. Live streaming has become an increasingly popular way to connect with your audience and create captivating virtual experiences. Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or simply someone looking to engage with others in real-time, mastering the art of live streaming production…
Inner Ear’s live coverage of Showcase Scotland at Drygate, Glasgow How to Choose: Live Streaming vs Recording for As Live
Live broadcast is exciting. It’s also nerve-wracking. Live streaming vs recording, which is best? Both create a live shared digital experience. One is truly live in the moment. The other one is simulated. So how do you choose? In almost 20 years of producing live audio and video content, I still get nervous every time…