Cause and Effect
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
I’m a mercenary bastard.
I support charities, but chiefly to avert unpleasant dentist experiences.
I’ve supported everyone from The Big Issue to Greenpeace, but only fleetingly, haltingly and superficially.
I’ve read a hundred times that true happiness comes from serving others.
It can also be rather good for business and branding.
So why [...]
A Fool & His Money (Part 2)
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
Thank you for reading Part 1. (If you haven’t, here it is.)
So there I was, clutching my mouse mat with anticipation of my bank’s direct message (DM).
Sure enough, it came through, requesting my contact number.
I replied that, since all prior phone conversations had failed, I’d rather communicate by [...]
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 [...]
Pet Pals
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
We’ve spoken about children at work, and the effects of family illness.
How about critters?
What role (if any) do pets have in business?
Free Range
I figure there are three schools of thought:
Corporate environments in which the prospect of pets is laughable.
Home / small offices that consider critters de rigueur.
Places in [...]
Paper Bag Bandits
Did you hear about the rather lucrative printer cartridge deal?
The highlight for me was the public servant who:
‘… bought enough black toner cartridges to supply the government department for 40 years — despite toner cartridges expiring after two years.’
As my taxes paid this person’s salary, I felt encouraged by her initiative and commitment.
Then I wondered [...]
Paper Runs
I must get a proper NO JUNK MAIL sign.
Each time my home-made one falls off, I have a Brazil moment.
Someone, somewhere, must benefit from this bumf.
But who?!
Client companies?
Ad agencies?
Graphic designers?
Printers?
Paper mills?
Plantation foresters?
Walkers?
Dogs?
Customers?
Australia Post?
Certainly not me. How about you?
Do you like receiving unsolicited print advertising?
Is (or was) it part of your business marketing mix?
Captive Audience
Keep Australia [...]
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em
Here’s a business tip I learnt the hard way:
If you get a gig, job, order, project, piece of work or commission, do it NOW.
If you don’t, it may not be there tomorrow.
For several reasons.
Unkind Cut
A large IT firm gave me 100 recruitment ads to critique.
I toiled for much of Easter, getting 50 done.
Then I rewarded [...]
Sour Cream & the Metagame
We can reasonably describe business as a game.
There are certainly winners and losers.
Gaming is an important analogy.
These days, it’s not enough to merely play the game.
Because chances are, your customers are playing the metagame.
What’s the Metagame?
The metagame comprises all out-of-game elements that affect in-game decisions.
You’re playing the metagame if:
Having learnt from past poker nights [...]
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 [...]
Maybe the problem with business is you
Today we welcome back Malcolm Owens to Small Business Owner. Following some recent experiences and observations Malcolm is keen to share his insights with you and get your thoughts. Welcome back Malcolm.
Please do not complain to me about a tight market, poor sales, dwindling store traffic and reducing profits when the biggest problem in your [...]
