How to prepare an outrageously successful presentation.
Working with a colleague over Christmas to assist in the development of a presentation that was a really important opportunity to build her personal brand with the audience. Creating presentations that work is a process, and hard work, so to start, we broke...
The ultimate social media platform.
Most would acknowledge that word of mouth is the most effective marketing channel there is, then promptly forget that fact as they set about preparing and implementing their programs. Discounts, bundles, making ads, facebook likes, social media mentions,...
Blogging for small business.
Writing a blog is hard work, great to do as it forces you to think critically, read widely, seek to question your own preconceptions, and expand your own expertise, so it can be intellectually rewarding. It is nevertheless time consuming hard work. As such, it...
Content 1/2 life creates opportunity
"Content Marketing" is the new buzzword, something I consider to be a tarted-up label stuck on a set of activities we have always done, in the hope of adding a few more mirrors to the disappearing hall, so quick talkers can extract a premium for what they are...
13 strategic trends that will drive small business performance in 2015
Small business is at a crossroads as we move into 2015. Either they embrace the opportunities and tools presented by the disruption of the "old ways" by digital technology, or they slowly, and in some cases, quickly, become irrelevant, obsolete and broke as customers...
The marketing job to be done in 2015.
It's been the Christmas and new year period, and over the break some introspection occurred, along with the pud, family connections and some nice wine. One of the insights that emerged was the application of Clayton Christianson's "job to be done" idea to marketing,...
2014 prediction scorecard.
It is new years eve 2015, and being an advocate of accountability, it is only right that I submit myself to scrutiny over the predictions made in January for 2014. Below is a reproduction of the post from January 2014, with a few comments...
Want to survive 2015? Here is a Marketing inventory audit template for you
Taking inventory is one of the most boring things, but necessary things we all need to do. Understanding what you have in stock is fundamental to determining the operational priorities for the future. Taking physical inventory is familiar to everyone, it is an...
Do what is wrong for your competitor, and win.
We spend heaps of time setting out to satisfy customers, do what is right for them, to ensure our success, no argument, but is it enough? To add another dimension to your competitive efforts, ask yourself the simple question "what would really hurt the...
15 ways to ensure strategy fails.
Strategy is one of those alters of organisation to which almost everyone offers lip service, and once a year in the planning cycle, receives mass genuflection. That does not mean we believe, just that it is a part of the duty of organisations, and as such, fails to...