Category Archives: Change

Mixed marketing metaphors.

I have a mate who is an academic economist, a really smart guy used to arguing a point of view, and with a box of stats on call to support any contention he makes, alternatively to pull down anything that … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Management, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 strategies to be successful, in everything

  In life, and all its aspects, business, social , relationships, there are no shortcuts, just easier and simpler ways of doing things. It is just that it takes time and effort to find the easier, more productive, and value … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Governance, Management, Sales, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barbed wire networking

Man has always found ways to communicate, Social media is not new, it is just the tools we are using today are upgrades of those we used yesterday. Alex Bell patented the telephone in 1876, after many inventors had played … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Communication, Social Media | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

5 classic marketing steps that still work.

In 1968 a seminal Book called “Consumer behaviour”  Engel, Blackwell & Kollat described the 5 steps in the marketing process that dominated marketing thinking for the next 45 years. It is clear that they are still as valid now as … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Customers, Marketing, Small business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Flying pigs and the carbon tax.

Last night (July 29) I watched Rod Simms (ACCC chairman) interviewed on the ABC about the price reductions consumers can expect from the removal of the carbon tax. He was assuring us that consumers will receive these benefits because in … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Governance | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

6 challenges (and 3 rules) of content creation

The single biggest stumbling block I see to successful digital marketing is not the technology, or the money, desire, or need, it is simply the unwillingness or inability to create relevant, engaging content of value that suits the context in … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Communication, Marketing, Small business, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Heston Vs Jamie, a retail bunfight.

  It is fascinating to watch the evolution of the marketing of the two retail gorillas, Coles and Woolworths. It is clear what they are doing, setting out to engage consumers with the freshness, range and provenance of their produce, … Continue reading

Posted in Branding, Change, Marketing, retail | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Digital body language

  Prospecting, lead qualification and nurturing, prospect management and the transaction itself have all changed forever. The salesman with a bag has been relegated, at best,  to the transaction end of the prospect to transaction continuum. In the process, we … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Customers, Marketing, Sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Marketing observations from the club-house

  Last weekend the local tennis club of which I am a member had an open day. We marketed the day pretty heavily to the local community over the course of a couple of weeks, and got a great turnout. … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Marketing, Small business, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Future of Urban Agriculture

  How we deliver good quality food and water to an urbanised and growing population around the world is the challenge of the 21st century. We have gone from a largely subsistence existence to a highly urbanised one in 200 … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Innovation, Marketing, Small business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do you need a telephone?

I asked that question a week or so ago of a group of SME’s, most of whom did not have any digital presence. None said their businesses would survive without a phone. Why is it then that they think they … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Communication, Management, Marketing, Small business, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Energy, Innovation, technical capability, and common sense.

It seems to me that the most important emerging driver of success in the economy that must drive innovation and value delivery, is the intersection of technical capability and power generation. Oil has driven the geo politics of the C … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Governance, Innovation | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Predicting the future Vs leading edge of current

The future prediction business has so far failed to find a sustainable business model, apart from the fun stuff in the tent with the funny lady with the cards and crystal ball. About the only serious people who still profess … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Governance, Marketing, Small business | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

FMCG conga line rides again

Years ago I worked as a junior marketing bloke for Allied Mills, which became Meadow Lea Foods, then Goodman Fielder. I returned  25 years later as a contractor running a specialist unit of the ingredients  division in a pre-sale “polish-up” … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Governance, Leadership, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

6 Steps in Managing Serendipity

“Serendipity” .  Luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for. Websters Dictionary. My old Dad used to say “Son, the harder I work, the luckier I get” and it has usually worked … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Communication, Leadership, Marketing, Small business | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 3 second test of a website.

When my kids were young, stuff always headed towards the floor. If it happened to be a piece of bread, it always landed buttered side down, so we had the “3 second test” Story to the kids was that it … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Management, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Compelling data on what next.

Mitch Joel may have flogged his Twist Image agency to WPP, but hopefully he keeps on writing his blog and alerting us to terrific stuff like this presentation Winners and Losers in the Digital age,  by Scott Galloway. Read the … Continue reading

Posted in Branding, Change, Marketing, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Consumers and FMCG retail control

Retail has changed, very quickly and in a fundamental way, but not for everyone. Retailers, the blokes with the bricks and mortar still hold sway in most markets, but to varying degrees, and can continue to do so if they … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Management, Marketing, retail, Small business | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Slow death of twitter?

The Atlantic has made the call,  at least asked the question. Is Twitter dying? I have no idea, as I am not a real twitter fan, never have been, simply because I do not see the sustainable business model yet, … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Communication, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

4 point strategic rural reality check

There is plenty in the press about the role agriculture will play in the post mining boom era. “Asia’s foodbowl” and other such optimistic clichés get front page coverage. I have been sitting in Armidale (NSW) for a few days, … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Innovation, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment