■ Flogging A Dead Horse for Pleasure and Profit
October 19, 2018.
Every now and again when the ridiculousness of modern business and government has me throwing up my hands in disbelief – I enjoy reading this and it puts everything into perspective.
“The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, which has been passed down from generation to generation, says that when you discover that you are on a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
However these days many organisations employ far more advanced strategies, such as...
October 19, 2018.
Every now and again when the ridiculousness of modern business and government has me throwing up my hands in disbelief – I enjoy reading this and it puts everything into perspective.
“The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, which has been passed down from generation to generation, says that when you discover that you are on a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
However these days many organisations employ far more advanced strategies, such as...
■ SME owners need to make succession plans in good time
August 2, 2018.
The ramifications for owners who depend on the sale of the business to fund retirement are far too often overlooked until it’s too late by mature age principals that are ‘rusted’ to the helm of their businesses instead of implementing an exit and succession strategy when time is on their side.
There are many reasons for this ‘rusting on’ and ‘fossilisation’ that includes an inability to find an appropriate buyer or uncertain economic conditions forcing business owners to put their sale and exit aspirations on hold.
August 2, 2018.
The ramifications for owners who depend on the sale of the business to fund retirement are far too often overlooked until it’s too late by mature age principals that are ‘rusted’ to the helm of their businesses instead of implementing an exit and succession strategy when time is on their side.
There are many reasons for this ‘rusting on’ and ‘fossilisation’ that includes an inability to find an appropriate buyer or uncertain economic conditions forcing business owners to put their sale and exit aspirations on hold.
■ Big Bang to Batman…or how to be a marketing and sales superhero!
July 14, 2018.
The Big Bang Theory is a very popular TV show about a group of geeks with some great toys and gadgets but no desire to get into a fight.
In contrast, TV and movie superhero Batman has the same toys and gadgets, but unlike the geeks, has the battle scars to prove that he has the courage to use them.
The same applies to modern marketing and sales, you can have the best product in the world, but unless you’re willing to ‘get it out there’ and make those hard, difficult sales calls…then the sales and income aren’t going to just materialise on their own.
July 14, 2018.
The Big Bang Theory is a very popular TV show about a group of geeks with some great toys and gadgets but no desire to get into a fight.
In contrast, TV and movie superhero Batman has the same toys and gadgets, but unlike the geeks, has the battle scars to prove that he has the courage to use them.
The same applies to modern marketing and sales, you can have the best product in the world, but unless you’re willing to ‘get it out there’ and make those hard, difficult sales calls…then the sales and income aren’t going to just materialise on their own.
■ Public relations’ role in exit and succession planning
June 30, 2018.
Most business owners when they implement a business exit and succession plan will set out their goals and direction. This plan often includes organisational restructure, streamlining systems and processes, governance and marketing.
Unfortunately in far too many cases they neglect to include a public relations (PR) communications program as part of their marketing and promotional plans and activities.
There are many reasons for this, but the answer is often very simple...
June 30, 2018.
Most business owners when they implement a business exit and succession plan will set out their goals and direction. This plan often includes organisational restructure, streamlining systems and processes, governance and marketing.
Unfortunately in far too many cases they neglect to include a public relations (PR) communications program as part of their marketing and promotional plans and activities.
There are many reasons for this, but the answer is often very simple...
■ The empty Trojan Horse…or losing new business opportunities by poor marketing!
June 8, 2018.
Can you imagine the outcome of the Trojan War if the Greeks had failed to fill their wooden horse with soldiers?
Instead of a breathtaking innovative strategy gaining victory and putting an end to the 10 year siege – the horse was simply pulled inside the city of Troy. Rather than a Greek victory remembered for millennia, the Trojans instead went on to live happily ever after!
This hypothetical outcome is not dissimilar to real life situations faced by today’s business owners. Failing to keep pace with evolving consumer demands and expectations through the application of modern marketing and communication processes will have Empty Trojan Horse ramifications.
One of the first lessons most business owner receives when they start their self-employed journey is...
June 8, 2018.
Can you imagine the outcome of the Trojan War if the Greeks had failed to fill their wooden horse with soldiers?
Instead of a breathtaking innovative strategy gaining victory and putting an end to the 10 year siege – the horse was simply pulled inside the city of Troy. Rather than a Greek victory remembered for millennia, the Trojans instead went on to live happily ever after!
This hypothetical outcome is not dissimilar to real life situations faced by today’s business owners. Failing to keep pace with evolving consumer demands and expectations through the application of modern marketing and communication processes will have Empty Trojan Horse ramifications.
One of the first lessons most business owner receives when they start their self-employed journey is...
■ Is there really no such thing as bad publicity?
June 3, 2018.
It’s often been said that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Oscar Wilde said the only thing worse than being talked about…is not being talked about. However in today’s commercial world, bad publicity represents reputational and brand damage to the business, its owners and the company’s long term financial interests.
The restaurant meal that resulted in a bad case of...
June 3, 2018.
It’s often been said that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Oscar Wilde said the only thing worse than being talked about…is not being talked about. However in today’s commercial world, bad publicity represents reputational and brand damage to the business, its owners and the company’s long term financial interests.
The restaurant meal that resulted in a bad case of...
■ Getting your PR on point
May 31, 2018.
When a business owner develops their business plan, they often include advertising and overlook public relations (PR), thinking that it’s a high priced process and not relevant for them.
The reality is quite the opposite as it is one of the most cost effective methods for an SME to raise awareness irrespective of size, in startup mode or as an established enterprise that wants to attract more customers, retain existing clients, encourage investors, etc.
May 31, 2018.
When a business owner develops their business plan, they often include advertising and overlook public relations (PR), thinking that it’s a high priced process and not relevant for them.
The reality is quite the opposite as it is one of the most cost effective methods for an SME to raise awareness irrespective of size, in startup mode or as an established enterprise that wants to attract more customers, retain existing clients, encourage investors, etc.