Archive for the 'Blog' Category



People cannot resist a smile

Even if you are in a bad mood a smile can cheer you up or take the edge off your grumpiness.

In fact a smile is contagious, if you smile at someone, chances are they will return it.  But the smile stays.  For them to spread to others.

So keep that in mind, smile 🙂

June 30th, 2009

The Reverse Long Tail

When you are doing something new, unprecedented or remarkable you encounter the reverse long tail.

reverse-long-tail

Each of your actions have what seem to be small consequences, however over the long run things begin to snowball and consequences increase.

Hence why…. perseverance is genius.

(Orig Picture by Hay Kranen / PD. Modified by Ben Young.)

June 30th, 2009

Expectation Management

It’s like greasing the tyres of a relationship.

If well greased it should be a smooth ride.

If not conflict arises.

It’s not hard either, talk to all parties involved, listen, then adjust accordingly so everyone knows each others expectations.

A little work here will help create amazing results 😉

June 25th, 2009

You are always wrong

#11 of the bwagy marketing manifesto:

You are always wrong, you just need to be less wrong than your competitors.”

It is so true – no matter your stance someone can always come up with a solid reason why you are wrong.

Don’t stress about being 100% right, you just need to be less wrong than those you compete with.

(And take action.)

June 24th, 2009

Do me a favour, please don't (ever) learn the meaning of….

the phrase: “I give up”

June 23rd, 2009

Does it matter what others think?

NO.

June 22nd, 2009

Help Guys buy for Girls

As much as 85% of all consumer purchases are made by females (via TomPeters.com) and I am guessing that the rest is guys buying stuff for the ladies! (joking).

Seriously though as a retailer you should be helping guys buy for girls.

Run a flower shop? Guide guys as to what they should buy.  Same with wine / chocolates.  In fact why isn’t there a store that solves guys problems – you could call it ‘I’m Sorry’ or ‘I Love You’.

Just give guys a guide – what do you want to say with your gift.  Get the girls to help feed the input.

At the very least it says they cared enough to try.  Just a thought, help guys buy for girls.

June 21st, 2009

Charities should build a business case…

Wanting to raise funds for a charity? Build a business case.

If you can convince a company how their support of your charity is going to help build their business – just like any other external proposal they will seriously pay attention.

If you are continuously pitching for charity and donations you are going to be directed to the same person who is turning everyone  else away.  And that’s no help!

Pitch a business case, you will talk to different people and if it is compelling enough they will take you up on it.

Raising money from the general public? Do they same.  Make giving a donation compelling enough that people desire to give you funds.

June 18th, 2009

Who do you hire when you aren't even sure of the problem?

Leaders.

Seth wrote a post a couple of weeks back suggesting what graduates can do if they can’t get into the workplace.  You can read it here.  Essentially he is saying have some fun, learn something new and be interesting.  Jobs will follow.

I couldn’t agree more.

In an evolving business you strike problems or challenges that you cannot even quite describe – let alone find a solution.  What do you do? You can’t place an ad or ask your friends.  You talk to local leaders in that niche.

Have a Twitter problem? You talk to that person whom you see as a thought leader on Twitter.

If you are one of these graduates doing something interesting that’s how you get these jobs.  And at the moment this is a huge market – the market of ill defined problems.

So as critical as people have been on Seth, he couldn’t be more than right, the problems are evolving and so are who we are hiring.

June 17th, 2009

My vendetta with Fax Marketing

A while back I had a new client who wanted to work (within a reasonable budget) to grow their market share.  Like most small businesses they had dabbled in a few bits and pieces.

Their latest attempt was to spend $1800 on Fax Marketing – they got a blast out to every local businesses fax machine.  Not once but twice.  Just to make sure they got it.

First round – return was zip.  Second round – return was zip.

Figured that was the end of it.  Nope.  They then sunk the same amount back into it, in the hope that by annoying people enough they would pick up the phone to order.

Nevertheless this wasn’t a good sign of business aptitude (amongst other signs) so we parted ways.

Since then I have come across others doing Fax Marketing.  Fax Marketing is the worst kind of spam – not only is it rubbish but now you have to physically deal with it – and once you’re on a list they keep coming.  Sure if it was relevant, anticipated and timely it could work, but it’s not.

So please if you’re looking at Fax Marketing give it a miss – pay a student $1800 to play with internet marketing (if you must spend the money) you are more likely to get a solid return – or at least know where your money was wasted.

Even better stick with the marketing basics (talk to your customers, listen to them, obsess about helping them).  The basics build real business.

June 16th, 2009

Psst! Pass it on!

Included in my standard ordering of 100 minicards from moo there is a card at the end which says:

Psst! Pass it on!
I’m a MiniCard from moo.com
MOO prints things with photos
or designs – like StickerBooks,
Postcards and Greeting Cards.

On the flipside is a coupon code for 15% off your first order.

(Mine is 2RB2CK feel free to use it, first in first served).

Not only are the cards themselves a talking point – but they have given me something to give to someone who also thinks they are pretty cool.  Neat huh?

So sit down, map out the customer interaction process, ensure you are leveraging each of those interactions, then implement.

All the small things add up! (You can see Moo is doing a fine job of it.)

June 15th, 2009

Establishing Behaviour

Creating a repetitive behaviour is a surefire way to solidify your product.

Yet how can you establish a new behaviour? Or remind your customers of it?

Slide your product back into their routine with freebies.  Give away a sample of your product in the right place at the right time.

Sell chewing gum? Give a stick of gum with every bill at a restaurant.  Create the routine of paying the bill and getting some gum.

Sell hand sanitiser? Have a free dispenser outside public toilets.  Remind consumers that they need your product.

Sell shoe nugget? Give away free samples with every pair of leather shoes sold.

Sell body wash? Give away samples at the gym.

The list goes on…. apply it to your industry.  The point I am making here is consumers often forget about your product – so give them a kind reminder.  They will appreciate it.

June 14th, 2009

Wouldn't it be cool if….

Finish that sentence.  Now do it!

Chances are you’ve been saying this for years.

You know what’s really cool? If you just do it.

Not the easiest – but it’s the most fun and rewarding thing to do.

June 11th, 2009

Bank hires an extra 100 business managers

A local bank did this earlier in the year.

Smart move as this sends a strong signal to the market, we are here to help you, give you extra services.

In all reality though they could be losing market share or strategically pouncing.  Probably both.

Either way the end result is a strong look on the business banking front, especially to small businesses who are questioning what level of service their bank offers.

You see actions themselves are huge marketing messages.

June 10th, 2009

Patience & Consistency

Patience is a virtue.  Even better Patience & Consistency are a killer duo.

If you are patient in achieving your goals paired with consistency in execution you are sure to reach the pinacle.

You see anyone can do anything now (and they do) if you want to dominate your field of interest, be patient and consistent.  Keep turning up time after time.

For consistency creates momentum, reliability, reinforcement.  It creates results.

If these aren’t something you are good at – start working on it.  Now.

June 9th, 2009

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