A Fool & His Money (Part 1)
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
I’ve been reading with increasing frequency that it’s a fabulous time to negotiate a better interest rate with your lender.
In a world first, Choice has gone one step further by grouping borrowers for a better deal.
Their target was 1000 people prepared to look at switching loans.
In the first [...]
Some exciting changes at the Small Business Owner blog.
No-one goes through their entire life with the same hairstyle – and neither do we here at the Small Business Owner blog. Thanks to you, this blog has been such an incredible success that it’s getting a fabulous new makeover!
The team at MYOB has loved bringing you the latest thoughts from the wordsmith de jour, [...]
Making Stuff Up
We’ve seen how business strap lines can become part of mainstream culture.
How about words?
Hoover, Xerox and Google all went from brand names to generic English terms.
Can we give our brands a similar boost?
Word Up
In almost every book he writes, Seth Godin either invents or takes control of another term, from permission marketing to purple cow [...]
5 Ways I Messed Up Launching My Business
Today we welcome Sheila Smith, author of The Birthday Dragon, which she proudly self-published this year. Sheila candidly shares her experience of launching her own business, and the mistakes she learnt from along the way. Thanks for joining us, Sheila! Emma
As I prepared to self-publish my first book, The Birthday Dragon, I thought [...]
Strap Yourself In!
The ripping response to our elevator pitch debate got me thinking of an even shorter (yet possibly more important) business branding element.
The strap line.
Also called the tag, tag line, end line, slogan and motto, this is a short, memorable phrase designed to connect consumers with a product, campaign or organisation. (Once again, Wikipedia nails it.)
For [...]
Elevate My Mind
Going … Going …
In response to my recent topic struggle, Naomi kindly offered some suggestions.
Top of her list was: Elevator Pitch.
As someone who avoids cities, buildings, elevators, people, hands, eyes and conversations, I’m not the best possible ambassador for this important business tool.
This, however, creates a magnificent opportunity for you to step in.
Definition
Wikipedia’s (Empire-abridged) [...]
What Does Exclusive Mean?
Not with those shoes!
As we’ve gathered a galaxy of brilliant brains to this blog, there’s something I wish to ask.
Something that’s been bugging me for decades:
Does exclusive actually mean anything in business?
I’m not sure it does.
A Lot of it about
Google yields 0.9 billion results for exclusive. That’s thrice more than for bread.
It’s obvious exclusive [...]
Interesting Conflicts
Have you been tempted?
These days, ‘conflict of interest’ seems to mean:
If it’s in my interest, there’s no conflict!
I don’t quite see it that way.
But I have.
Old School
When working for an ad agency, I was surprised to find myself writing for two BIG FIVE* clients in the same week.
I strive to do my best. So unless [...]
What Lovely Teeth You Have!
Do you sing your clients’ praises?
We know it’s vital to make customers feel good.
But how often do we make them feel fantastic – like life is beautiful and the world is a happy, marvellous place?
Too seldom, I’ll wager.
Dear God
I don’t pray often, but once a year I always do.
It’s when I’m stiff with fear [...]
Special Treatment
Some eBayers are less equal than others.
I’m pretty miffed at eBay.
Yet again, a firm has punished my loyalty by excluding me from special deals offered to new customers.
We’ve seen this time and time again.
My latest experience teaches the value of:
Avoiding sudden moves.
Keeping customers informed.
Ensuring your definition of ‘good’ matches theirs.
We’ll also see how ‘online [...]
