Nic's blog...
Branding Basics - How To Build A Powerful Brand - Pt. 1
Wednesday 25th Aug 2010
Why is successful branding so important?
You may be wondering, “Why should we spend valuable time and resources, having someone develop our branding strategy?” Well, while branding is certainly not a new idea, it is perhaps now more important than ever, given the increased access your clients have to information and choices.
Fortune 500 clients often pay US$50,000 to $100,000 for the formulation of their brand strategy. Why? Because failing to craft a brand strategy results in your market forming their own conclusions about your brand (for better or worse).
However, a well thought-out brand strategy can help you:
Entrepreneurship Broken Down – 25 Tips From Australia’s Top Trailblazers
Thursday 19th Aug 2010
Imagine if you could pick the brains of some of Australia’s top entrepreneurs – What would they say about how to treat your customers, grow your business, navigate trying markets and what kind of invaluable learnings could you derive from their mistakes?
Well, now you can get a glimpse into the minds of some of Australia’s most enterprising trailblazers in a handy little e-book produced by SmartCompany, entitled ’25 Tips From Real Entrepreneurs’.
The How-To’s Of Increasing Your Cashflow
Tuesday 10th Aug 2010
Proper forecasting is essential for the long-term success of your business – particularly when it comes to cashflow.
Cashflow is generally cited by the small business owners I work with, as their NUMBER ONE concern. Many are regularly caught unaware by cashflow shortages, a situation which in turn severely restricts their ability to grow their business as they’d like.
The Benefits Of A Nurturing Nature - Boost Sales With A Prospect Nurturing Campaign
Tuesday 3rd Aug 2010
For most businesses, the ‘sales’ process of generating leads, converting prospects and securing ongoing patronage from a client, can be a complex ordeal. In fact, much of the ‘selling’ or ‘securing’ of that client actually happens when they’re not even with you. You see, it’s the ‘in between times’ that count when it comes to keeping customers keen.
Using ‘Group Think’ To Increase Your Profits
Monday 26th Jul 2010
There’s a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group of people come together – you might have even experienced it yourself at one time or other. It works like this: within a group, an individual’s personality begins to blend with the collective’s, such that if the group as a whole feels a certain way about an issue, it’s far easier for an individual to be persuaded to acquire the perception of the group, than it is for them to steadfastly hold onto their own opinion. Generally, the individual will think, ‘Well, they all feel that way so there must be some degree of truth in it.’
So how can you leverage this concept to increase your sales?
The Foundation Of Your Success…How To Maximise Your VEP.
Thursday 22nd Jul 2010
No matter where your business operates in the world, or what it produces – whether you’re a psychologist, builder or futures trader, the foundation of all business success is represented by one simple concept – that of the Valuable Exchangeable Product (VEP).
While incredibly simple in its application, many business owners I coach lose track of their VEP along the path of growing, expanding taking on new staff and diversification. At the root of this concept is the maxim that in order to be successfully exchanged, a product/service must have inherent value. So in essence, a valuable exchangeable product is what your business exchanges with other parties for things that support of your business’ long-term health (generally - money).
Seems like common sense right? Or ‘foundations of commerce 101’ – the thing is, while your business may have a VEP in the form of what it sells or exchanges for money, where it may be losing ground is in failing to apply the concept of VEP to itself.
Food For Thought – How To Bring Creativity To The Table In Your Business
Friday 16th Jul 2010
If you’ve been watching Masterchef on Channel 10 and are familiar with a few of the contestants you might have noticed a common trait that some of the show’s more well-known faces share. It’s something I realised that as business owners we can actually learn from in terms of improving our workplaces and creating happier employees. (Yes, I am suggesting we can learn something from the show other than how to create a glossier macaroon!)
So what do Claire Winton Burn (ex-lawyer), Matthew Caldicott (ex-third-generation accountant) and Alvin Quah (ex-pharmaceutical professional) all have in common?
Passion – The Beating Heart Of Every Business And How To Get More Of It
Thursday 1st Jul 2010
Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.
------- Parker Palmer
There’s really only one thing you need in order to be successful – it doesn’t matter whether you’re an electrician, a CEO or a surgeon. It’s one thing that all successful business people around the world all have in common and one thing that’s absolutely essential if you’re planning on starting (or currently run) your own business. In fact, I believe it’s something that enables you to not only succeed at work, but also in life – you can probably guess what I’m talking about…..
