Guests were entertained by a Million Dollar Babes showcase and B105 Breakfast Crew's Stav.

Guests were indluged with a Chalk and Cheese Wine & Tasting, Amstel beer, Nudie drinks and Edible Blooms for a chocoloate dessert.

Here is our Networx Brisbane event in the social pages of 'Image Magazine':

Special thanks to our sponsors: Red PR, Chalk Hotel, Chalk & Cheese, Million Dollar Babes, Austereo (B105 & Triple M), Conrad Treasury, FoxxHouse Design, Aquent, Edible Blooms and Fairchild Multimedia.

Event photography by Iceberg Events.

• Michael Bowers, CEO, Brisbane Lions
• Lachlan Begg, Sales Manager, Qld Cricket
• Fabienne Templeman, Corporate Development Manager, Queensland Theatre Company

If solid relationships are the key to business success, where and how can these be cemented? What is the role for corporate hospitality and how do make this investment deliver a return for your business?

The panel discussed:

• Novel and traditional ideas for corporate entertaining
• Low cost options + guaranteed winners
• How to manage the process to ensure it delivers a true return
• How to ensure your hospitality event is a success for all involved

The networking and panel event was held at The Gabba, Wooloongabba with guests overlooking The Gabba playing field.

This is our event in "Out & About" in The Courier-Mail: 

Thanks to our sponsors: Red Carpet Projects, The Gabba, Brisbane Lions, Michael O'Brien Catering, Aquent, Fairchild Multimedia.

Event photography by Esther Cole, Frollop.

Brisbane's marketing and communication industry got together on Wednesday 28 March 2007 to learn about 'Schmooze or Lose? Corporate Entertaining and Events' with guest speakers:

• Michael Bowers, CEO, Brisbane Lions
• Lachlan Begg, Sales Manager, Qld Cricket
• Fabienne Templeman, Corporate Development Manager, Queensland Theatre Company

If solid relationships are the key to business success, where and how can these be cemented? What is the role for corporate hospitality and how do make this investment deliver a return for your business?

The panel discussed:

• Novel and traditional ideas for corporate entertaining
• Low cost options + guaranteed winners
• How to manage the process to ensure it delivers a true return
• How to ensure your hospitality event is a success for all involved

The networking and panel event was held at The Gabba, Wooloongabba with guests overlooking The Gabba playing field.

Thanks to our sponsors: Red Carpet Projects, The Gabba, Brisbane Lions, Michael O'Brien Catering, Aquent, Fairchild Multimedia.

Event photography by Esther Cole, Frollop.

Brisbane's marketing and communication industry got together on Wednesday 28 March 2007 to learn about 'Schmooze or Lose? Corporate Entertaining and Events' with guest speakers:

• Michael Bowers, CEO, Brisbane Lions
• Lachlan Begg, Sales Manager, Qld Cricket
• Fabienne Templeman, Corporate Development Manager, Queensland Theatre Company

If solid relationships are the key to business success, where and how can these be cemented? What is the role for corporate hospitality and how do make this investment deliver a return for your business?

The panel discussed:

• Novel and traditional ideas for corporate entertaining
• Low cost options + guaranteed winners
• How to manage the process to ensure it delivers a true return
• How to ensure your hospitality event is a success for all involved

The networking and panel event was held at The Gabba, Wooloongabba with guests overlooking The Gabba playing field.

Thanks to our sponsors: Red Carpet Projects, The Gabba, Brisbane Lions, Michael O'Brien Catering, Aquent, Fairchild Multimedia.

Event photography by Esther Cole, Frollop.

Held at the GPO Hotel in Fortitude Valley, the audience heard from the following speakers:

• Emily Griffiths, Public Relations Consultant, Red Carpet Projects
• Elio Marzullo, Fashion Designer & Stylist, Elio Moda
• Natalie Tuffley, Retail Operations Manager, Freedom Fuels

Our "Fanfare, Fashion and Fuel" panel will discuss:

• How to harness positive word of mouth
• What makes something media and discussion worthy
• The role of viral and whisper marketing in the mainstream

This is our Networx Brisbane event featured in 'City News':

Thanks to our sponsors: Red Carpet Projects, Aquent, GPO Hotel, Fairchild Multimedia.

Event photography by Esther Cole, Frollop.

In the last decade we've been given an entirely new set of marketing tools: Banner ads, email marketing, micro sites, social networking, mobile marketing, virtual worlds and online advertising.

How does the new world of online advertising work? What do you need to be aware of? How can you use it effectively?

Technology no longer drives it enables. So what's coming for the next decade? What should you be planning for, but aren't? What is the next big thing in this constantly evolving space?

Our presenters are:

• Adam Penberthy, Director, Fresh! Contemporary Marketing and Training
• Niki Briscoe, State Manager, Fairfax Digital incorporating brisbanetimes.com.au

This is our Networx Brisbane event featured in Business Acumen 'Demystifying the Digital revolution' with Jodie Parker, of Networx:

Thanking our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, Aquent, GPO Hotel, Fairchild Multimedia

The Brisbane networking seminar event was held on Wednesday, 25 July 2007 at the GPO Hotel, Fortitude Valley.

In the last decade we've been given an entirely new set of marketing tools: Banner ads, email marketing, micro sites, social networking, mobile marketing, virtual worlds and online advertising.

How does the new world of online advertising work? What do you need to be aware of? How can you use it effectively?

Technology no longer drives it enables. So what's coming for the next decade? What should you be planning for, but aren't? What is the next big thing in this constantly evolving space?

The audience heard interesting presentations from:

• Adam Penberthy, Fresh! Contemporary Marketing and Training
• Niki Briscoe, brisbanetimes.com.au

Thanking our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, Aquent, GPO Hotel, Fairchild Multimedia

Brisbane's marketing, PR and communications industry learnt how to 'maximis the media':

Are you struggling to get your story noticed by the media? Are you at a loss as to what will get it over the line? Perhaps a stronger 'hook'... a different spokesperson maybe... or is the solution as simple as the actual 'day' you sell it in? Find out what works and what doesn't when it comes to securing editorial coverage.

The panel covered:

• The different criteria radio, television and print journalists use when choosing one story over another
• How to salvage a story that goes horribly wrong
• How to develop a 'win win' radio promotion for your brand
• The common mistakes PR professionals make
• How to nurture media relationships

 Speakers were:

• Emma Blackwood, News Editor, Austereo (Triple M + B105)
• Amanda Fitzgerald, News Journalist and Presenter, Network Ten
• Daniel Sankey, Chief of Staff, Brisbanetimes.com.au
• Heather McWhinnie, Editor,bmagazine
• Sophie Gatward, Promotions and Marketing Director, Austereo (Triple M + B105)

Thanking our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, Aquent, Brisbane Powerhouse, Edible Blooms, Fairchild Multimedia

Held at GPO Hotel, Brisbane's marketing and communications industry discussed 'marketing marketing':

How often have you felt like banging your head against a brick wall due to your company not quite understanding the importance of the marketing role within the organisation?

How often have you heard that marketing is a cost centre and can be referred to as a "nice to have", rather than an "essential" business unit that adds value in a myriad of ways?

How often does your marketing budget get trimmed down due to company cost cuts?

Over the past year, Networx has facilitated many marketing events and when talking to marketers, have recognised that there is a common trend amongst our great Brisbane marketers, they do a fantastic job but very rarely get the kudos that they deserve.

So, to help Brisbane marketing professionals combat some of the issues, we have invited a Marketing Manager from a prestigious city law firm, a CEO froman Information Services firmand a Marketing Agony Aunt who is a specialist consultant in helping marketers "market marketing".

Our experienced panel will talk through a range of different situations they have encountered which will assist in helping Brisbane marketing professionals handle the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

Speakers were:

• Diana Byrne, Director, Nutshell Marketing (Marketing Agony Aunt perspective)
• Kim Collum, Marketing Manager, Flower & Hart Lawyers (Marketing Manager perspective)
• Daryl King, Chief Executive Officer, iReckon (CEO perspective)

Thank you to our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, GPO Hotel, Aquent, Edible Blooms, Fairchild Multimedia

Held at the TCB Centre in Fortitude Valley, the Networx Brisbane 'Fashionistas and Fanfare - Entrepreneur Panel' event was also featured in 'The Courier-Mail' on 27 March 2009, page 76 (pictured right).

Brisbane's marketing and communications industry participated in a panel discussion about:

Do you have creative business ideas? Have you seen something that you could turn into your own business venture?  How did all those successful businesses out there start? Was it purely by chance or a long labour of love?

What does it take to be a success in a crowded market place? How do you motivate yourself to make the leap from job security? What are the thrills and spills you can expect along the way?

Join us for an unique insight into three entrepreneurs as they discuss how they started, where they faulted and how they have turned their entrepreneurial dreams into successful business endeavours.

Speakers were:

• Chris McCallum, Head Designer & Owner, Vein Wear
• Joshua Scacheri, Designer & Owner, SUBFUSCO
• Kristin Devitt, Director, KDPR (Kristin Devitt Public Relations)

Thanks to our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, TCB Centre, MBE STones Corner, Superfox Merchandise, Edible Blooms

Event photography by Chris Winters, Winters Design

'Gender Divide Crossed' - Networx article in 'Brisbane Times'. 

'Gender Divide Crossed Photo Gallery' - Photos from the Networx event in 'Brisbane Times' online photo gallery.

Our Networx 'Gender Marketing' event featured in 'The Courier-Mail', 4 May 2009, page 44:

Below is the Networx event held on 29 April featured in 'Style Magazine (North)', June 2009, page 32: 

Our pannellists were:

• Tami Harriott, Manager Women's Markets - Queensland, Westpac
• Simon Kenworthy-Dell, Director, Straight Edge Marketing & Communications

Brisbane's marketing and communications industry came long to discuss:

Primary Market Segmentation - Male/Female.  Why do it?  How do you market specifically to these segments?  What works and what doesn't?  Could segmenting your market in this way work for your product or service? Do men and women use the internet in the same way?  And what strategies - both traditional and new media - should you use when specifically targeting men or women?

Thanks to our sponsors: LapePhelan Marketing Communications, Exchange Hotel, MBE Stones Corner, Superfox Merchandise, Fairchild Multimedia. 

Event photography by Chris Winters, Winters Design

Here are some quick tips for writing a good brief (they may seem obvious but you would be surprised how many people neglect the right detail):

1. Be clear on the objective of the project. This will set the limit and scope for the creative. If you have KPIs or sales targets etc to fulfil share them with the creative.
2. Describe and know your audience well as this will help dictate the message.
3. Be specific about the personality of the brand- what would or wouldn’t your brand say or do? How do you want your target market to perceive you? (this sets the tone for creative work and ensures you don’t end up with a concept completely ‘OFF’ brand).
4. Ensure you are specific about timing and campaign deadlines.

By Trina McColl
Managing Director
LapePhelan Marketing Communications.

Iceberg Events Managing Director Ms Jodie Parker said after only two years coordinating the popular networking event Networx Brisbane she has felt the full effects of this shift with attendance figures doubling to100 individuals per event.

“I’m proud to admit I’ve relied entirely on networking to grow my business and the success of Networx Brisbane is a testament to the fact networking really works,” Ms Parker said.

“Our clientele range from small business owners to corporate executives, but they all have one thing in common – the desire to succeed – and networking events are often the catalyst for this success.”

Ms Parker said the biggest networking challenge faced by businesses and individuals alike, was understanding how to network properly.

“While there are no hard and fast rules to obey, I do have some tips to improve your networking skills.

“Firstly, be courageous and make the first move; don’t wait for the other person to come to you as, more often than not they won’t.

“Secondly, don’t be a snob - be open to conversing with anyone in the room, no matter what their employment background and you might be surprised by what they can offer your business.”

Ms Parker also suggested focussing on making a few, meaningful exchanges instead of trying to meet everyone in the room.

“The most successful networkers have a ‘how can I help you’, rather than a ‘what can you do for me’ attitude.

“Many people make the mistake of treating networking like a job interview, but the reality is, no one wants to hear your sales pitch within the first five minutes.

“You’re more likely to have success if you pay attention, seem genuinely interested in what the other person has to say and try to offer a helpful suggestion, or referral, whenever possible.      

“And finally, make sure you have plenty of business cards on you at all times. No matter how engaging your conversation may have been neither party can follow-up without swapping contact details.”

Ms Parker also had some tips for choosing the right networking event for you.

“Expect to pay anywhere between $55 and $155 to attend a good networking event but don’t be fooled into thinking the more you pay, the better it will be,” she said.

“Sit-down breakfast events often cost more but I have been to plenty of poorly organised sit-down breakfast that are not worth the paper the invite is printed on. 

“My advice is to do a bit of background research into the organisation hosting the function, its guest speakers and the topic of the event. If you find you’re not happy with the results, don’t attend the event.

“At Networx Brisbane, we aim for informal, yet informative, networking events that don’t cost the earth.

“We provide practical workshops and interactive panels, with handpicked guest speakers to ensure you get value for money and the best networking experience we can possibly provide.”

Networx Brisbane holds functions every month, the upcoming agenda and is listed at www.networxevents.com.au.

For further information or to arrange an interview or images please contact Trina Phelan at
LapePhelan Marketing Communications on 07 3368 1650.

Guest speakers Lisa Butler, Darryl King, Greg Lexiphanic and Clare Lancaster of networking and social media fame will impart their expertise on Facebook etiquette and “tweetiqueete” and brush up attendees’ face-to-face networking skills.

Director of Dot Marketing and Author of “Using Twitter for Business” Clare Lancaster said the event would be a great opportunity for social media addicts as well and newcomers to the trend.

“Despite the buzz about Twitter there are still many people who are yet to take a look at what it is all about,” she said. “The best way to understand how to use social media is to sign-up and starting looking at how others are using the medium.

“For people already using social media it is about assessing how you are using it. It should be about engagement and interacting with people.

“Start considering how you are ‘working’ your virtual room – are you building relationships as you might in the real world?”

Lancaster said she thought most businesses could find a use for some element of social media in its operations.

“There are many tools out there and it is a matter of finding the best one for you. It is about being certain about why you want to use social media, for example, it may be to monitor people’s comments about your business and provide better customer service, or about engaging with others by offering a promotion, or simply about being an opinion leader.”

- Ends -

For media enquiries, please contact Trina McColl at LapePhelan Marketing Communications.

Chambers, TQ’s Director of Digital Marketing, will be joined on the night by a panel of PR and Marketing industry leaders including;

• Des Walsh, Australia & New Zealand manager of PitchEngine an online social media press release platform;
• Trina McColl, Managing Director of LapePhelan Marketing Communications and;
• Richard Slatter, General Manager of Wotnews. 

Chris said having people talk about your product or brand in a positive way online could be far more powerful than traditional advertising. 

“Simply engaging in social networking, or PR, or advertising on their own won’t build ‘buzz’.  It’s the right combination of all three that has the magic effect,” he said.

“Building buzz through social media isn’t just for big business. There are many ways SME’s can harness the power of Facebook and Twitter and I will be discussing these.” 

With each panelist bringing their unique experience and insight to the discussion, guests will have the opportunity to hear tips on how to generate positive word of mouth, the role of PR and viral marketing in mainstream media, how to sustain interest and momentum in a campaign and sourcing news across all media platforms.

For media enquiries:
Lani Pauli, LapePhelan Marketing Communications
P: 07 3368 1650 E: lani@lapephelan.com.au

• What does your company do and what markets does it operate in?
• What is your company’s culture and approach when using merchandise?
• Have you used merchandise previously and has it been effective in achieving ROI?

• What is the overall goal of your campaign and why use merchandise?
• What are you trying to communicate and why? What is your main message?
• Are you trying to sell more products or build awareness of your company/product/service?
• How do you plan to monitor the ROI on this campaign?

• What are your target market’s demographics & psychographics? e.g. the age, gender, income, tastes, views, attitudes, employment, geography, lifestyle of those you want to reach/attract/influence       
• Why do you think merchandise is the best route to influence your particular audience for this campaign?

• What is the overall budget for merchandise for the campaign you’re planning? 
• What is the scope of the campaign overall and what other elements of the marketing mix are you planning?

By Kelly Quinn

Director
Superfox Merchandise
Phone 07 3899 8109
Email kelly@superfox.com.au

Networx Brisbane's 'Cracking the Creative Brief' event - 25 August 2009 at Zuri Bar & Dining.

2. Before you brief a consultant – brief your boss
It’s no good giving a really good, thorough brief to your design consultant and getting things started only to find out later in the process that the powers-that-be aren’t onboard with the concept.  Getting signoff on a brief/concept before you get too far into a project can save you lots of money in unnecessary design hours.

3.  Copy is key
Content is equally as important as the look and feel of a project so ensure if you’re going to spend time and money getting the design right that the copy is also spot on.  Copywriters are cost effective and the better quality the writing is, the better hit rate you will get with the reader.

4. Unnecessary edits = unnecessary cost
Little things like pictures choices/finalizing copy 100% before you are too far into the design process can save you money in unnecessary edits down the track.  If there are several copy changes or the amount of copy changes (either decreases/increases) it can affect the design and reworks mean more time being spent on a project which means increased costs.

By Felicity Corbett

Managing Director
Facet Marketing
Phone 0412 663 244
Email felicity@facetmarketing.com.au

Networx Brisbane's 'Cracking the Creative Brief' event - 25 August 2009 at Zuri Bar & Dining.

2. Be aware of who your target audience is and tailor the content and experience towards them.

3. Give the design agency as much information relating to your brand and business as you can - even if you think it might not be relevant.

4. Know your budget and timeframe for execution - both of these have a significant impact on the project.

5. Remember - spending time on developing a great brief will save you time and frustration in the long run.

By David Steel

Director - Creative
Vivo Group (@vivogroup)
Phone 07 3368 3860
Email david@vivogroup.com.au

Networx Brisbane's 'Cracking the Creative Brief' event - 25 August 2009 at Zuri Bar & Dining.

Principal of eponymous marketing consultancy, Mel Kettle said in her experience the economic downturn had forced businesses to tighten up their spending across the board, not just with marketing budgets, and had made companies more aware of their return-on-investment.

“Evaluation has always been an important part of marketing but now that budgets are tighter companies are focusing more on the bottom line and want to ensure they’re getting their money’s worth,” she said.

“I’m hoping to share three low-cost yet effective ideas people can apply to their marketing strategy which can be evaluated and will bring in an ROI – whether that’s through increased sales, brand awareness or an achievement of specific business goals.”

Guests will also hear advice on proven cost-effective communication tools, what has worked for previously successful low budget campaigns, the art of negotiating partnerships, sponsorships and freebies, and what to do when your client or boss want to cut the marketing budget or postpone a campaign.

For more info about Networx's networking seminar event: Marketing on a Shoestring Budget.

For all media enquiries contact Lyla Lopez at LapePhelan Marketing Communications
on 07 3368 1650 or email lyla@lapephelan.com.au

"Three years ago a spark was lit and now LapePhelan explodes into a new era with a fresh brand... Ignite PR & Marketing.

"We look forward to sparking further growth in your brand" says Trina McColl, Director of Ignite PR on behalf of her PR & marketing team.

We wish Trina and her team all the best!

http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog
(social networking guru)

http://sethgodin.typepad.com
(marketing guru)

www.blackbaud.com.au
(excellent free webinars)

http://socialmediatoday.com
(social media and web 2.0)

www.fundraising123.org
(Learning centre of Network for Good)

www.commoncraft.com
(explanations in plain English)

www.everydayhero.com.au

www.campaignmonitor.com

www.mailchimp.com

www.surveymonkey.com
 

By Madeline Egan
eCommunciations Manager
Mater Foundation

1.  Have a marketing plan

• It doesn’t need to be sophisticated but should at least include:
  - Marketing/business objectives
  - Target market
  - Key messages
  - Communication tactics appropriate for your target market
  - Budget
  - Timeline
  - Evaluation mechanisms
• Work out what marketing you want to do, and when you want to do it – have an action plan – it might only be one activity a month, but make sure your marketing is regular and consistent – this way you won’t be caught out during slower times.
• As a small business owner it is WAY too easy to get caught up in running the business and not thinking about where the next clients are coming from so you need to make sure your marketing is prioritised. Having a plan helps do this.
• Make sure you evaluate what you do so you can see what works and what doesn’t. If your marketing is not working then look at how you can change and improve it.

2.  Know who your target market is

• Your target market is the main group of potential consumers you want to sell your product or service to. It can be defined using demography (e.g. gender, age, income, education etc), geography (where people live/work), lifestyle preferences (also known as psychographic), product use or buying behaviour.
• Saves you marketing $ as you are not wasting it on the wrong people who are less likely to be interested in your product
• Know WHO your target market is as well as where they go to get information, so you can more precisely deliver the messages to the consumer – no point advertising in a golfing magazine if you are selling cricket bats – for example.
• All marketing communication should be designed for a specific target market, created to achieve a specific objective and within a budget constraint.

3.  Use your networks and contacts

• The more people who know what you do, the more likely they are to refer business to you – so get out there and talk to people.
• Networking not only has benefits for your CURRENT role or business, but it is also an investment in the future. The person you don’t meet today could be the person you need to know in a few months.
• There are lots of networking opportunities – from formal networking functions through to social activities.
• Take LOTS of business cards and USE them. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you do – just don’t ram it down people’s throats at social functions!!
• A referral generates 80% more results than a cold call.
• Approximately 70% of all jobs are found through Networking.
• Most people you meet have around 200 contacts.
• Get a contact book or use a database such as MS outlook, and keep the details of all the industry contacts that have helped you along the way. I include everyone in mine – from university lecturers to industry colleagues and associations to my sister-in-law’s family.
• Enter all new contacts in as you get cards or meet people and include a note that reminds you where you met. I write how I meet people on cards as I receive them in case I don’t have a chance to update it in my outlook for a week or two.
• I keep business cards in all my handbags, my wallet, car and my partner’s wallet and car. You never know when you might need one!

• Network smart – target where you go as you can’t go to every event! If you are not comfortable going on your own then take a friend or a colleague. Once you have decided on who your target market is, then go to networking functions that they go to.
• Set some goals for networking so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
• Make sure you give each new contact one of your business cards and ask for one of theirs.
• Try to learn something about the individual – don’t get to an event and pass as many cards around and get as many in return. I hate it when I’m talking to someone who is clearly assessing who they can go and meet next. You are better off meeting five people and finding out something about them so that a relationship can be established, rather than meeting 15 people.
• Be genuine about who you are when you are talking to people and show interest in who they are and what they do. It’s not ALL about you!
• Follow up from that event by an e-mail, phone call, visit. Send them relevant information that is of interest to them.
• Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.
• Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.
• Be careful how much alcohol you drink when at a networking or industry function. It doesn’t take much to ruin a hard-earned reputation.

4.  Go contra

• If you want something and can’t afford it, offer a contra deal. If you believe in what you have to offer, then it has a value that can be exchanged.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. The worst that can happen is the other person will say no.

5.  It's cheaper to market to your existing customers than to get new ones

• Think about the work you are currently doing for your customers – now think about what else you can do for them. Can you work with them on a more permanent basis? Are there other people in their business you can work with? Can you develop a new product or service that will suit them?
• One of my clients was a solicitor in the property sector. A quick bit of client research (done by a market research company) showed that 30% of his clients didn’t know about any other services he provided, which included things everyone needed such as preparing wills, trusts, and a few less needed services such as performing due diligence on business purchases. He wrote to all his clients thanking them for their services and included a short flyer that outlined all the services he provided – which resulted in an increase in business from current clients, and new clients as the existing ones referred him to family and friends for simple services such as wills, trusts and residential conveyancing. 
• Research into why businesses fail to keep customers shows that customers leave because:
  - 1% die
  - 3% move away
  - 5% follow a friend or relative’s advice and switch to their recommended supplier
  - 9% switch due to a better price or better product
  - 14% switch due to product or service dissatisfaction.
  - Whilst the first two may be out of your control, you should be able to do something about the other 28%.
  - However, all of the reasons above still only account for a total of 32%. Why then do the other 68% of customers leave a business? Simply put, they leave because of the indifference of the business – they feel unappreciated, unimportant and taken for granted. Think about how you can make your current customers feel valued .

6. Word of mouth marketing – and asking your customers to work for you

• Word of mouth is possibly the BEST way to promote your business. If your customers are happy with the service you are providing, ASK them to recommend you – they may not act on it immediately, or even at all, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
• You could set up a formal reward or incentive program, but I find a quick phone call and sending a thank you card works equally well. Consider developing a customer retention and appreciation program, including frequent contact and communication. You don’t need to spend much – a phone call that is not business related, an email to say thanks for your business and to provide information about other services you offer, perhaps a small gift at relevant times of the year. 
• Examples of items you could include in this program are a newsletter, greeting cards (Christmas and/or anniversary date your first meeting, or end of tax year), useful information (e.g. clipping of an interesting article or producing a special report) or small gifts.
• Remember, though, that this is a customer contact program. Do NOT make the mistake of sending lots of “sales pitches” and thinking these are your “customer touches”. Send information that value adds.
• Selling to a referred prospect is a lot easier than selling to a new prospect. The referral already knows that you do a great job for the person who gave you their name, plus he/she probably already has a need for your product or service.
• Go after those customers you have already lost or are losing. By tracking customer activity, you will be able to tell when a customer is not using your services. Ask them why they left or are leaving. You might not win them back, but you will learn why they left and hopefully put that information to good use so you don’t lose other clients for the same reason.

7.  Email marketing

• I don’t have to tell you that sending an email is far cheaper than posting a letter – in terms of dollars and your time. It can also generates faster responses and results.
• Everyone should be using their email package to store email addresses for customers and prospects and using online communication wherever appropriate – for example a regular update email, newsletter, to promote an event or to share publicity about your business etc.
• Also don’t forget your website. Make sure you promote it on everything you send out – email signatures, letterhead, brochures, promotional collateral etc etc.
• If you have a bit of money to spend then think about promoting your website using Google AdWords – you can set a monthly budget and review it regularly, depending on how it is working for you.
• BE AWARE OF THE SPAM LEGISLATION. Find out more at www.acma.gov.au

8.  Media and publicity

• Generating your own publicity doesn’t need to be hard.
• Work out your story – if it is newsworthy, journos will want to talk to you. Make sure you talk to the right person – don’t just send a release – ideally call first to pitch the story – if they are not interested then ask what would interest them. Make sure you send them the information they want. Don’t call them unless you have something interesting to pitch! And don’t harass them after you have spoken to them. Make sure you give them your contact details – mobile phone and email – so they can get back to you if they need more information.
• Don’t send a media release out unless you actually have something to say. Some newsworthy examples are:
  - launching your company
  - launching a new product or service
  - you win an award
  - you win a large contract or order
  - you undertake an independent survey that has interesting results for customers or the business community
  - you provide sponsorship or raise money for a charity in a unique way.
• Local and community newspapers/radio/tv are also always on the lookout for local interest stories – again, don’t be afraid to ask!
• Trade mags survive on unpaid contributors – think about a sector you want to target and think about how your business can benefit them. Pitch your ideas to the editor, and if they are interested then all you have to do is write the story. And, depending on what it is, it might work for a few different mags.

9.  Say thank you!

• This is remarkably simple and quite common sense – but something many people don’t do.
• Be sure to thank your customers, thank the people who refer business to you and thank your suppliers. This is one time where an email isn’t the best measure – send a card, send flowers, send chocolates, take them out to lunch (obviously the method you use to say thank you will depend on the value of the business). Just make sure you do it – and regularly! You will be amazed at what you can get in return!

10.  Social media

• Social media is a growing phenomenon that has been embraced by many. It can be defined as web-based or online content that can be easily created by anyone. Also known as user-generated content, it is a new way that people are finding out what is happening in their communities, across their spheres of influence and in the world at large.
• Social media includes blogging, micro-blogging (such as Twitter), social networking (such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Bebo), wikis, social bookmarking or tagging (such as StumbleUpon and Delicious), photo sharing (such as Flickr), video sharing (such as YouTube) and virtual worlds (such as Second Life).

• A blog is a website that is updated regularly with news, commentary, images, video and events. A typical blog incorporates images, text and links to other websites and blogs. Readers are typically able to leave comments on each blog post.
• It is estimated there are more than 200 million blogs and over 133 million indexed on www.technorati.com.
• Two of the more common blogging tools are WordPress.org or WordPress.com and Blogger. Both are free to use.
• Another type of blogging is micro-blogging, which uses very short posts. Twitter is a mico-blog.

• Twitter is a free micro-blog that allows its users to send and receive updates, known as “tweets”, in real time and in posts of up to 140 characters. Users can send and receive tweets via www.twitter.com, SMS on mobile phones and a whole range of 3^rd party applications such as tweetdeck, OpenBeak (formerly Twitterberry) or Ubertwitter – for Blackberry, twitterfeed, tweetie and twitterfon for iPhones and lots more.
• It has a lot of useful business applications as it can be used to share business tips (such as money tips), augment customer services, build you a community of followers, you can follow interesting people who might give you business ideas, you can share and discuss business ideas and useful information in your community, and it can show the human side of your business.
• Ideally your tweets will include a mixture of personal information, business information, replies to tweets and re-tweets of other people’s tweets. A good guide for tweeting is the 70/20/10 rule - 70% sharing, 20% connecting and corresponding, 10% chit chat.
• Standard taxonomy in tweets is important so people can find topics of interest. Using the # to prefix a word (eg #Networx) helps to create groupings on Twitter that can be easily followed by other twitterers.
• Twitter can also be used to share website links and photos.
• Should your business be on twitter? The conversation is happening whether you are there or not. Better to be part of it and manage any adverse reactions.

• Facebook has traditionally been used by people to keep in touch with friends. However, many businesses are now using it another marketing tool to stay in touch with customers, and to generate awareness. It is also useful to:
• Increase your visibility
• Target your niche market – users provide a massive amount of information about themselves that can be readily accessed
• Find business contacts – with more than 250 million users worldwide
• Build relationships by engaging in conversations with current and prospective clients
• In July 2009 Facebook introduced the new vanity URL feature, which is of particularly use to business as it enables businesses (or anyone) to create a custom URL for their page.
• Perhaps the most common way for Facebook to be used as a business tool is by setting up a fan page. This will allow you to promote your business and share ideas with your fans. This can be done at http://www.facebook.com/advertising/#/advertising/?pages.
• Checkout the WarChild Australia fan page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/War-Child-Australia/25033379207?ref=sgm for an example
• Like Twitter, Facebook is free to use (apart from the paid advertising). If used regularly it can be a useful marketing tool.

• LinkedIn has been also called Facebook for business. It currently has over 43 million members in over 200 countries. With LinkedIn you create a profile that summarises your professional experiences and achievements. Users create “connections” who are usually existing contacts, to form part of a network. A network typically includes your connections, your connections’ connections, which has the potential to link you to a huge number of other professionals.
• The advantages of LinkedIn include:
  - It’s free to use
  - You can find out who your connections know and gain an introduction to them
  - It is a great tool for finding new business opportunities
  - There are many business groups that can be joined – including many marketing groups.
  - Share ideas with likeminded professionals in private groups
• Check out Mel Kettle’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/melkettle

11.Use the free resources available to you

• There is a massive amount of information on the web and in books that can help you improve your marketing and give you new ideas. 
• Type cheap marketing ideas into google and you will get over 1.5 million sites to choose from!!
• Go to the library and check out marketing books. A few good ones are:
  - Marketing by Philip Kotler – there is an Australian edition
  - Anything else by Philip Kotler
  - Introduction to Marketing by Susan and Stephen Dann – and they have a new book called Contemporary Internet Marketing that I think came out earlier this year
  - Anything by Seth Godin
• All these can be borrowed from the library, bought from most good bookstores and are available at the Australian Institute of Management library – which is an excellent resource for any of you who are also a member there.
• Online resources that I find useful are:
  -  www.flyingsolo.com.au – free weekly e-newsletter for soloists and small business
  - www.smh.com.au/small-business My Small Business section of Sydney Morning Herald
  - www.womma.org – Word of Mouth Marketing Association
  - www.sourcebottle.com.au – free subscription service that emails 'call outs' for sources from journalists and bloggers
  - www.ragan.com – US corporate and internal comms site with a range of free e-newsletters

12.Partner up

• By partnering with complementary businesses you can expand your circle of influence.
• For example – an accounting firm could partnering up with a lawyer that specialises in trusts, or a financial planner or a stockbroker. All their clients need accountants, and presumable many of your clients can use their services at some stage.

• No single marketing effort works all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary your approach
• Ask for help from friends and colleagues
• Don’t forget your current clients – it costs six times more to make a sale to a new customer than to an existing one?

Don’t be a binge marketer – plan what you will do and be constantly marketing your business. If we think of marketing as an engine, it needs to be ticking over steadily at all times. A quiet spell now often signals a lack of marketing six or nine months ago.

By Mel Kettle
Director, Mel Kettle Communications
Tel:  0404 600 889 | E:  mel@melkettle.com.au | W: www.melkettle.com.au | Twitter: @melkettle

Read Mel Kettle's bio.

I really enjoyed Rob's entertaining and informative presentation.

I thought I'd share his 'Free Toy Box' that you can use for your digital marketing planning:

• Google Anayltics
• Google Insights
• W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)
• W3C Markup Validation Service
• Built With (website anaylsis and SEO optimisation)
• Alexa (free web traffic metrics, top sites lists, site demographics...)

You can check out Rob Hudson's full presentation on 'Digital Marketing Plan 2010'.

Rob also talked about how creativity can make a difference to your marketing project, and how the creative guys from GPYR tested it out!

Yvette's presentation was titled 'Digital Marketing Strategies for 2010' and she gave us all tips on how to find the right balance of the marketing mix for your business.  She looked at the relationship between digital marketing and offline marketing and she also discussed budget allocation. 

Here are some of Yvette Adam's examples of business activities every business should be considering for 2010:

1. Website - Have a website you are proud of and that you are confident works well for you. Be consistently working on it. Ensure it has good navigability and strong calls to action so users are in no doubt what it is you do, and what they should do once on your website.
2. Write more - Am you a writer? Is somebody else in your office? Then continually generate content (content is still king). Submit blog posts, post regular content to your website, pr newswires or article directories. Ensure keyword density and anchor text is appropriate.
3. Social media strategy - Establish a company social media strategy. Start with a company Facebook page and explore the capability of running demographically targeted ad campaigns through Facebook. Explore other social media realms and possibilities i.e. Twitter, You Tube, Linkedin etc.
4. Media kit & media room - Get a media kit or update your existing one. Have a ‘media room’ on your website where you have this info readily available.
5. Key messages - Make sure your marketing features your website and other social media community links ALWAYS and PROMINENTLY and
6. Email signature - Make sure you and your staff have a good email signature with your current offer, social media links, awards etc.
7. SEO - Ensure your website is optimized for words that are in demand, but not too competitive on a page by page basis.
8. Manage your online profile - Set up Google Alerts so you are the first to know when mentions of your company, product or service are made online, be it good or bad coverage. Track competitors too.
9. Have a bullet proof data capture system for all incoming inquiries be they walk ins, fax, phone, email or otherwise whereby you ask for their name, contact number, email and how they heard about you. Ensure you have a system in place that you follow them up systematically until they convert into a paying customer.
10. Revive your de-activated clients – that is people who have not spent money with you in some time. Most businesses are sitting on a gold mine of information and ‘warm’ leads from people who have done business with them in the past, but who they have never since contacted to see if they can get an upsell or cross-sell from a re-contact or even a referral.
11. Research - Conduct research to understand buying motives and barriers to sale.
12. Mix up the medium - Communicate via a frequency and method that is helpful, not annoying and experiment with Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds and more.
13. Get key company documents i.e. templates, forms, contacts, procedures and policies ONLINE utilizing technology such as wikis, Google Docs or otherwise where you can share and collaborate online and mobilize your business. If things are quieter than usual, there is no better time to get this key documentation for your business in place.
14. Tracking - Know down to the lead and the last dollar what marketing activities out there are generating you in terms of inquiries and sales and stop or decrease all marketing activities that are not providing you with a good return on your investment.

Yvette's 'homework' for attendees (you can do this too!):

• Learn how to understand your web stats and review them regularly -
• they should drive your business development
• Work out your cost per inquiry and cost per lead currently
• Re-allocate spend that is not working for 2010
• Ensure tracking is in place and that you run it for a minimum of 3 months (speaking of
• Adwords)
• Develop a marketing plan, which includes your online marketing strategy and social media
• strategy
• Use BUDURL to track click throughs

Full presentation of 'Digital Marketing Strategies for 2010' by Yvette Adam from Creative Collective.

www.thecreativecollective.com.au
Phone 07 5454 1315
Follow on Twitter: @creativecollect

George Patterson Y & R's motto is 'Resist the Usual' © - love it.

Rob illustrated this perfectly by showing us 'The Wicked Sick Project' - made by the GPYR creative team.

So - does creativity make a difference?

These guys bought a BMX on ebay and relisted it with some creativity and it sold for 5 times the purchase price catching everyone's attention in the process.

Check out the 'The Wicked Sick Project' video here:

So next time you think about your marketing, don't forget to put a bit of creativity into it - and stand out!

For those who have been hiding under a rock, Sesame Street is an American Children's TV series that premiered on 10 November 1969 and is the longest running children's program on US television.  The show is produced in the United States by the non-profit organisation Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW), founded by Joan Ganz Cooney and Ralph Rogers.  It's a sophisticated children's program that combines education and entertainment.  Even celebrities have enjoyed guest appearances on Sesame Street over the time (more than 250).  With 122 Emmy Awards and shows in more than 140 countries, it has such a long history. 

After 40 years, Bob McGrath (core part of the show since its inception) describes it as a dream come true on the Sesame Street website:

“[The beginning] was like a magic carpet ride,” he says. “It was a tremendously exciting time. It was just one of total exhilaration. None of us anticipated that it was going to have the impact around the world that it has had. We didn’t have any long-term outlook. It was just a very joyous thing from the get-go. But I think we all had a good gut feeling after that first year that we were on to something special. It was an extraordinary experiment that’s worked out miraculously.”

I have such fond memories of Sesame Street when growing up, who could not forget the wonderful and warm Sesame Street muppet characters, created by Jim Henson.  Some of my favourites were Big Bird, Snuffleupagus, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Oscar and Telly Monster.  I'm talking about wathcing Sesame Street in in the 1980's though!  There's so many  new characters now of course for new generations to enjoy.

When I first started work with Jodie Parker of Iceberg Events (the events company that look after Networx Brisbane), the computers networked on the server were named after Sesame Street characters.  I thought it was the coolest thing. Years later and as the old computers were replaced, we actually ran out of characters that we remembered (and cared for) from Sesame Street, so we then started on Jim Hensen's The Muppet Show.  My computer was aptly called Miss Piggy (because of my constant snacking).  Then we moved to our commercial office space in Milton (Brisbane) and  then did away with our 'childish' ways (sigh).  (Besides, it got a little too confusing trying to remember all the names!). 

So back to my joy when I see that that Google pays tribute to Sesame Street's 40th anniversary with more than one Google Doodle! 

These Google Doodles celebrating Sesame Street's 40th anniversary featured on Google in Australia:

4 November 2009 - Big Bird, Sesame Street:

5 November 2009 - Cookie Monster, Sesame Street:

6 November 2009 - Bert and Ernie, Sesame Street:

7 November 2009 - Oscar, Sesame Street:

8 November 2009 - Elmo, Sesame Street:

9 November 2009 - Count von Count, Sesame Street:

These special Google logos were designed by Dennis Hwang and you can find the complete list of holiday and event Google Doodles here, including the Sesame Street logos that featured in other countries.

And lastly, here are a couple of notable quotes:

“Hello everybodeeeeeeeee! It is I, Grover!”
"À la peanut butter sandwiches!" - The Amazing Mumford
“Hi ho! Kermit the Frog here!”
“I’m too tall to be short” - Big Bird
“I can’t hear you - I’ve got a banana in my ear.” - Ernie

Ms Goddard who is the Director of the Buzan Centre – Australia / New Zealand is uniquely qualified to help people explore their memories and improve them on a practical level, and helps organisations across Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Middle East, South Africa, China and South-East Asia to be more innovative, creative and memorable.

She said memory was an important aspect of business and marketing specifically, as both required a good memory.

“Memory is used to remember clients’ names and faces, facts and figures, and tasks or projects,” she said.  “The success of an organisation is based on its staff having the memory to call a client back and do the urgent tasks as well as the important but not so urgent tasks.

“Memorability on the other hand is about making an impact and being remembered by potential or existing clients – whether it’s your company or a marketing campaign.

“The more memorable you are the more top of mind you become to a client, and if you’re in their mind the more likely they are to turn to you if you can provide a product or service they need.”

Ms Goddard said the most important facts she wanted to leave Networx attendees with was the understanding that memory is a skill, everyone can have an excellent memory and develop their memory further, and there are basic principles that can be applied to “age-proof” one’s brain so it can be simple to remember “that person’s name with their face.”

Guests will also learn about the Twelve Memory Principles and mind maps.

Tickets are $60 per person with group bookings and event packages available. For more information or to book call 07 3876 4911 or online at www.networxevents.com.au/brisbane. 

What:   Networx “Memory and Memorability” industry networking event
When:   Thursday 19th November, 2009
Time:    6.00pm – 8.00 pm
Where:  Press Club, 339 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

For all media enquiries contact Lyla Lopez at
Ignite PR & Marketing on 07 3368 1650 or email lyla@ignitepr.com.au.

Our memory and memorability workshop facilitator is Jennifer Goddard, director of the Buzan Centre – Australia / New Zealand and co-founder of Mindwerx International is she's uniquely qualified to help people explore their memories and improve them on a practical level so that we all can be innovative, creative and memorable.  She will also be sharing the secret to good memory and memorability.

We'll be doing our normal networking game at the start, and then Jennifer will take over and that's where the fun will start.  For one of the networking activities, we'll be working with 'wine whirls'. 

Wine whirls came about when Jennifer's company Mindwerx were doing their annual challenge of doing something different with the Christmas cards.  They wanted to help their clients and supporters stimulate creativity and give something fun for them to do over the festive season.  Wine whirls are coloured beads on a piece of wire (pictured below) and are made by the Vocational Class at St Vincent School for the Deaf in South Africa. You can read the full story of 'Creativity Wired' and St Vincent School for the Deaf.

'Creativity Wired' turned out to be a great exercise in creative marketing.  They blogged about it on their Fuzz2buzz website and invited recipients to send in their photos of their most creative uses for the wine whirls:

Mindwerx International received a lot of positive feedback from this campaign overall and it certianly proved to be memorable.

All Networx attendees for 'Memory & Memorability' will receive one of these wine whirls for one of the networking activities.  What you do with it after the event, is up to you!

Update after the Networx 'Memory and Memorability' networking event:

Here are a couple of photos from the networking with creativity activity:

More photos from the Networx 'Memory and Memorability' networking event.

What:   Networx Brisbane networking seminar event:  “Memory and Memorability”
When:   Thursday 19th November, 2009
Time:    6.00pm – 8.00 pm
Where:  Press Club, 339 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
 

Did you know that:

• Memory is a skill that can be taught
• Memory naturally is designed to improve with age
• The misconception of its decline with age is false
• Everyone has potentially a superb memory!

Everyone wants a better memory, but perhaps even more importantly everyone wants to be more memorable - particularly if it leads to greater success in life.  In this fun and fast paced workshop you will learn to enhance your memory, using the same principles applied by Memory Olympians as well as ordinary people with extra-ordinary memories. 

Building on the flip side of having a great memory you will also learn how to develop the quality or state of being memorable. Memorability is vital for success in almost everything you do. 

Marketing and communication professionals, sales people, business owners, entrepreneurs, job candidates - everyone can achieve greater success by developing the ability to be positively memorable.  Marketing campaigns, business promotions, presentations, in fact any event or organisation that applies memorability principles will be more successful.

Jennifer Goddard, Director of Buzan Centre - Australia/NZ covered:

• How your memory works
• The Twelve Memory Principles
• Mind maps - the perfect memory tool
• How to remember names with faces

Copyright Buzan Centre: Australia/NZ and MindWerx International

The 12 Memory (and Creativity) Principles:

1. Senses
2. Movement
3. Association
4. Self
5. Humour
6. Imagination
7. Numbers
8. Symbols
9. Colour
10. Order
11. Positive
12. Exaggerate

Mind Mapping

Jennifer Goddard also taught us we can take this and learn how to mind map.

So you can turn a boring list...

...into a work of art:

Copyright Buzan Centre: Australia/NZ and MindWerx International

As Jennifer says, mind maps are the 'swiss army knife' for your brain and memory!

Links

• About the speaker: Jennifer Goddard   www.fuzz2buzz.com   www.mindwerx.com    www.buzan.com.au    www.mindgenius.com.au    www.imindmap.com.au

• How to Mind Map

• Event details: 'Memory and Memorability'

• Jennifer Goddard, Director, Buzan Centre: Australia & NZ's presentation notes for: 'Memory and Memorability'

• Ignite PR 's blog post about Networx's 'Memory and Memorability' event

• Networx blog post: Networking with Creativity at Networx's 'Memory and Memorability'

• Networx blog post: Networx Brisbane to share secret to good memory and memorability

Sponsorship vs Community Investment - What is best for my organisation?
Speaker: Julian Moore, Strategic Membership Solutions - our sponsorship expert
Speaker: Phil Hayes St Clair, HSC & Co - our corporate community investment expert
Venue: XXXX Alehouse, Milton

If you have any suggestions for topics, speakers, venues or caterers, please visit our FAQs or contact us.

Please note, whilst every care is taken, the above dates may be subject to change without notice due to availability of speakers and venues.

Time: 6.00pm-8.30pm
Venue: Various funky and unique venues around Brisbane

This year celebrates 5 years of Networx in Brisbane!  Look forward to catching up with you!

Cheers!
Lisa, Jodie, Jasmine & Emma
Networx Brisbane (managed by Iceberg Events)

Interactive Minds looked at predictions from 2009 and gauged from the audience at how much of these have been achieved:

• Social networks advertising becomes scalable
• Privacy continues to be a sensitive issue
• Internet advertising overtakes traditional advertising
• Open Source will continue to dominate
• The rise of Semantic Web
• Mobile Web expected to explode
• Growth of local search marketing + ad platforms
• Behaviour targeting more widespread
• Fear of recession shifts ad budgets to online
• Web and Politics

Panelists (left to right in photo above):

• Panel Facilitator: Genevieve Robey, Editor, Wotnews.com.au (@genrobey)
• Jonathan Kerr, Associate Director ecommerce, A&G Insurance Services (@jonathankerr)
• Peta Ellis, Managing Director, City Publicity (@CITYPUBLICITY)
  
• Lola Weller, Managing Director, Digicon (@digiconwebdev)
• David Smerdon, Managing Director Brisbane, McCann Worldgroup
• Dave Earley, Online News Editor, Seven News Queensland (@earleyedition)

What we've learned (thought all the great tweets on the night summed it up!):

• #IM0912 Twitter Search Results
• Interactive Minds (@IMBrisbane)

Dale Rankine, CEO & Founder, Moket (Flash Lite mobile content):

• Make sure you check that your web site is mobile device friendly. Web sites using Flash can't be seen on many mobile devices (e.g. there is no Flash software on iPhones). For example, see how we created a site for www.clubmoket.com and then also www.clubmoket.com/iphone to target that particular device.
   
• Consider branded mobile applications as a way to extend your brand onto a user’s device (e.g. event guides).

• Extend the reach of campaigns onto mobile by leveraging digital content that is already being created for the web.
   
• User-generated content is what is driving Web 2.0 and social networks. Consider using products like Pikkoo (http://www.pikkoo.com) or Moket’s Mobi Screen Maker (http://moket.com/site/products_msm.cfm) technology to create user-generated mobile content that can further drive your brand.

• Dale has built a mobile application that is basically a guide to Moket’s products and services, so that he could distribute the application to potential clients and partners and demonstrate what they do at the same time.
  
  Attached are two files here that will install this guide onto your phone, and each file is designed to be installed on different devices. Here’s the list of compatible phones for each of the files:
  
  - MoketGuide.SIS - Nokia N96, N95, N95 8GB, N85, N82, N81, N81 GB, N79, N78, N76, E71, E66, E51, 6290, 6220, 6210, 6121, 6120, 6110, 5700, 5320 HTC Touch Diamond, Touch Pro
  
  - MoketGuide.NFL – Nokia 7900, 7610 Supernova, 7500, 7390, 7310, 7210 Supernova, 6600 Slide, 6600 Fold, 6500 Slide, 6500 Classic, 6301, 6300i, 6300, 6267, 5610, 5310, 5220, 3660 Slide
  
  Email support@moket.com if you have a question about installing these applications.

Click here to download a Dale Rankine's presentation in PDF.

Darren Sutton, Managing Director, XCOM Media:

What people are already saying about their brand, products or service and will continue to do across social media…

Millions are using it and its growing quickly:

• It’s fast and cost efficient
• It is quickly becoming a part mainstream media / changing the traditional landscape
• It’s a vehicle for users to shout about what they are passionate about (and what they are not)

Though whilst an eye on the future is good - Don’t forget to look properly at what is happening NOW – using analytics and refine to improve on results – for ever – ongoing – your work is never done – there is always something that can be improved.

• Check which  browsers your users are coming from and make sure your web sites are cross browser compatible friendly (eg. Safari browsers=iphone check).

• Use Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) to receive email updates on the latest relevant Google results (web, news etc)  about your company/brand.
   
• Use YackTrack Chatter  (http://www.yacktrack.com/chatter)  to see who's talking about your company/brand across various social media platforms
   
• Search for Dell HELL (social media zero to hero) now a well documented success story, they’ve moved from ignorance, learned to listen, conversed, and built conversations and communities.
   
• Dell http://www.ideastorm.com
  Example of how Dell now generates product development ideas from customers
   
• Case Study: The Best Job  In The World campaign:
  Website: http://www.islandreefjob.com
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queensland-Australia/26225930097
  Twitter: http://twitter.com/queensland
  Including social networking links in Contact Us web page: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/contact-us.cfm

• Case Study: Southwest Air on Facebook: http://twitter.com/southwestair
  Example of a brand really being very responsive and so human / fun and personable

• Case Study: Papa John's Pizza on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/ctkgmp papajohns did a great campaign facebook only promo where by being a fan you got a free pizza (well kind of) but they grew the fan base substantially in a really short time frame
   
• Case Study: Melbourne, Australia on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/ate4bo
  Example of a major brand missing the train that left the platform way before they even got a ticket! This is not the official tourism Vic site – but how can they possibly catch up with this following already in place?

• Update strategy tips.  Do it regularly, update and tweak as you go – tech changes happen quickly @ least every 6 months.
   
• Look at competitors and case studies – what works, what doesn’t?

• Sign up to free research available – twitter is amazing for this, marketing sherpa, emarketer etc.

• Learn from your own and others mistakes.

• Do something in social media – but work out your business or marketing goals first – then choose channels to suit those goals – a facebook page with 10,000 fans means nothing without engagement.

• Call XCOM to help you - its one of our services!

Yaro Starak, Entrepreneur & Professional Blogger, EntrepreneursJourney.com:

• When looking for influencers in your marketplace you can use the following blog search tools
  http://www.technorati.com
  http://blogsearch.google.com
  
  Also the top 100 Australian Twitter influencers: http://www.shiftedpixels.com.au/blog/2008/10/australias-top-50-twitter-influencers.html
  
  And to search what people are saying about your industry in Twitter: http://search.twitter.com
   
• To get started with blogging use WordPress.ORG
  http://www.wordpress.org
  And shameless self promotion - free videos to set your blog up at http://www.becomeablogger.com
   
• For those who want to start blogging to earn a living, try these resources:
  http://www.Problogger.com (Darren Rowse from Melbourne)
  The archives of http://www.doshdosh.com are good Blog Profits Blueprint free report (http://www.blogmastermind.com) - this is my report
   
• Case Study: www.CarAdvice.com.au 

Speakers' tips on negative comments on Blogs or Forums - 25 February 2009:

From Darren Sutton:

• The lesson was be real!
• Learn and listen
• Engage certain responses responses outside medium - take it private
• Respond to positive and negative feedback - its all good.
• Act quickly – whilst topics are hot!
• Embrace - integrate into communications mix
• Start small and be cautious – crawl before walking, walk before running, run before sprinting!
• Subtle encouragement - soft launch, tweak before full launch
• Track and measure engagement and effectiveness, refine… ongoing
• You have to remember not to over control the conversation. You really have no control over what consumers have to say about your brand. To minimize more negative publicity, you should embrace both positive and negative comments.
• Good example is Dell trying to remove a post about employee sales tactics.

Links

•  
• Entrepreneurs-Journey.com (Yaro Starak): www.Entrepreneurs-Journey.com
• Blog Mastermind (Yaro Starak): www.blogmastermind.com
• Conversion Blogging (Yaro Starak): www.blogmastermind.com/video
• Dale Rankine's blog: www.dalerankine.com
• Moket (Dale Rankine): www.moket.com
• XCOM Media (Darren Sutton): www.xcommedia.com.au
• Follow Yaro Starak on Twitter: @yarostarak
• Follow Dale Rankine on Twitter: @dalerankine
• Follow Darren Sutton on Twitter: @darren_sutton
• Networx Marketers Meetings (Lisa Ma): @networxevents

Please note, whilst every care is taken, the above dates may be subject to change without notice due to availability of speakers and venues.

If you have any suggestions for topics and speakers, please visit our FAQs or contact us.

Look forward to catching up with you!

Cheers!
Iceberg Events team
managers of Networx Brisbane

1. Don’t make assumptions about your market, treat every customer as a one-on-one engagement
2. Create a comprehensive marketing approach and implement a digital method of tracking each individual marketing effort’s effectiveness
3. Ensure your marketing messages are consistent to reinforce TV, radio, print messages, slogans and offers
4. Use social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) to harness primary marketing drivers, not the other way around
5. If you’re using a radio / TV marketing medium, use easy to remember web and phone numbers (makes tracking easier)
6. Put your TV ads on YouTube, upload your radio ads and billboards to the web
7. If you’re using an outdoor marketing medium, use sharp, memorable web addresses and slogans that if searched, rank well in search engines
8. Embed codes in all your email links to track which link has been clicked (your web designer can help out here)
9. Make sure your online offers can be redeemed offline
10. Install Google Analytics!

Links:

• Networx event: 'Integrated Digital Strategy - the Final Piece of the Marketing Puzzle'
• Reload Media's presentation for 'Integrated Digital Strategy - The Final Piece of the Marketing Puzzle'
• #Networx search results on Twitter - updates from attendees
• Follow speakers, sponsors and attendees on Twitter: @networxevents @reloada @MBEStonesCorner @lifeatlucid @MissBlooms @VivoGroup @Reload_Media @ignitePR_ @Tangalooma @QAGGoMA @laundrycreative @tafastrack @kristindahlberg @fader @icodea @Franklin_Adam @teckrabbit @zarraffascoffee @brandrally @KDPRknows @lisama_ @jodieparker @sitemost @rissypm @goldcoastfc @thehangingspace @jason_rose @aliciajohncock @NickyAtDebut @goldyfrocks @LibbyJRobinson @rippleali  Missed someone/change request?

Branding is building a relationship between a product or service and the consumer. It is how we feel about that brand that will determine whether we as consumers want to have a relationship with it or not. So I believe that personal branding is the relationships an individual has with its public essentially personal public relations.

Effective relationships are built by communication. Personal branding is communicating the inner essence of you – your uniqueness, qualities, strengths, skills and passions. It is also about your visual communication. Not only your business communication collateral such as stationery and websites but how you appear through dress, style, personal presence and of course profile.

These people are all famous but they have built their brand and reputation in a variety of ways.  Over the next few months through my newsletter we’ll explore some paths to help build your personal brand and make a positive impression. Who knows you might end up famous too.

Your Inner Personality

The first step to realising our personal brand is to understand ourselves better. What kind of personality do we have, what is the impression others have of us? To do this write out a list of words you think describe you. What adjectives would you choose if you were a journalist and writing a story about you? How would you describe that person?

What about your passions? What is it you really love doing and what is the feeling you get from that? How do others see you? Can you get some feedback from your family, work colleagues and friends? Ask them to choose words to describe you and see what they come up with – good and bad! Did those words match up to your list? If so then you are getting close to your true personality.

Have you some hidden dreams, ambitions that are yet to be realised. Perhaps there’s some negativity or attitudes or behavior that needs to be modified.  It can be hard to self-reflect but is invaluable to really understand yourself more.

Is there a characteristic or talent that sets you apart? For Elle Macpherson it was her amazing figure that launched her career. Kylie Minogue – her singing talent. They had those raw talents but needed to develop other skills, package themselves better and grow as businesswomen to really move on.

Once you have an understanding of your personality and your positive attributes, combine that with your skills and talents and work toward writing a personal brand statement that is just for you – your internal dialogue – then you can use that as a basis for external communication.

Here’s a tip from personal branding expert Lesley Everett from the UK company Walking Tall:

Why not try Wordle, an online website for generating “word clouds” from the text that your provide. It is is a fun way to visualise your personal brand. Simply enter all the words you have come up with such as personal values, strengths and motivators into the site at www.wordle.net.  The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can also tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes then print it out as a visual reminder of your personal brand.

More:

• About Sue Currie:
  Sue Currie is a leading personal branding and impression management consultant, trainer and professional speaker. She is the managing director of Shine Communications an executive development training company providing successful solutions to corporations and independent professionals on enhancing image and brand.
  
  Sue walks her talk. Prior to establishing her consultancy, she was an award-winning public relations consultant, entertainment publicist, former television newsreader and ex fashion model. She delivers keynotes and training on personal branding, corporate image and media communication strategies to shine for success.
  
  Sue is a sought after media commentator, has many articles published and is co-author of 'Apprentice to Business Ace' – your inside-out guide to personal branding. Her clients range from major corporations to leading SMEs, associations and individuals. Sue has spent many years in the public eye, both on and off camera and with her experience certainly has an understanding of how help you define your brand.
   

• Sue Currie's blog

• Sue Currie presented 'Build Personal Brand and Buzz to Boost Business' at the Networx event on 24 March 2010.

If you find the concept of networking distasteful, take heart – you are not alone. Many people are hesitant to network, which is a shame, considering how powerful networking can be. If practiced effectively, networking can be an extremely valuable business, career, leadership and personal development tool. It can save you time, money, stress and make you more productive.

Over the past few years, and with the growth in particular of online networking (the likes of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter spring to mind), networking is becoming more and more significant. But how can we take advantage of the opportunities that networking provides if we don't feel comfortable with it in the first place?

My intention in this article is to prove to you that you can significantly reduce your stress levels when networking, and as a result feel more confident and comfortable and achieve greater value from networking.

I will do this by:
1. Busting some of the common myths about networking which generate hesitancy to network,
2. Discussing how to build your networking skills to increase your confidence and chances of success.

1. Busting the Myths

Below are some of most common myths which I believe create networking hesitancy in many people. Bust these myths, and you will feel more confident when networking, and be able to develop the skills to be more successful.

Myth #1: Networking is selling.
Successful networkers know that the true nature of networking is developing and maintaining genuinely helpful relationships with others. They also know that the focus should be on finding ways to help others. People who focus on selling themselves or their services are taking a short term approach and do not understand the true nature of networking. They will receive negative reactions from those they network with.

Myth #2: You don’t need to build relationships because you are an expert.
Technical ability is the ticket to the game but it doesn‟t mean you will win. Be careful not to make assumptions about why people will buy your services. Don‟t assume that your technical ability speaks for itself and should be enough to get you business. Relationships are key to business success, and networking can help the work come in the door more easily!

Myth #3: It’s pointless to follow up unless there is actual business to discuss.
If you network well, you would have created an opportunity to follow up that is more focused on helping the other person rather than you. This makes it much easier, and less stressful, to follow up appropriately. It‟s also important to recognise that you don‟t always have to have a reason to catch up with people. People accept networking at face value, as long as they can see that you are genuinely interested in helping them.

Myth #4: Networking ability is innate, not learned.
Networking ability is not necessarily innate. Some of the best networkers I have ever met are highly introverted. Networking doesn‟t come naturally for everyone, and it is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice.

Myth #5: Networking is a waste of time – you never get results.
Accept that networking is a long term proposition. Attending networking events is only one avenue to build relationships, and it is what you do afterwards that makes up the majority of your networking effort. Take a strategic approach to networking, and you will find that you are more likely to attend the right things, network with the right people, and maintain contact with those people with ease.

Bust these myths in your own mind and you will find it will be easier to network effectively.
Your barriers to networking can be overcome if you are aware of them, and learn how to address them through learning the skills and techniques of networking, some of which are mentioned below.

2. Building the skills of good networkers

From my research and experience, I have noted that successful networkers effortlessly and confidently meet people, manage conversations, find ways to help people and follow up and maintain contact in an appropriate manner.

They seem to possess four core characteristics. They:
1. have a networking strategy, and keep effective records to track, monitor and maintain regular contact with the people in their network
2. focus on helping others, rather than themselves
3. are genuinely interested in other people and generate positive and memorable impressions
4. interact well with a wide range of people and develop warm and valuable relationships in a short space of time.

I have good news for you - these skills and characteristics can be learned through observation, awareness of techniques and tools, practice, and patience. They will also significantly reduce the amount of time you need to spend networking and selling your business, and the stress involved!

So how can you develop these characteristics? There are many tips and techniques covered in my book. However, here are a couple of tips to get you started (and they don't take a lot of time!):

a) Take a strategic approach. Many people network haphazardly, attending random events with the wrong people. This is a waste of your time, and adds to your burden. It is important to consider why you are networking, and what you hope to achieve from it. Build networking strategies into your business plan, so that you can be certain that you are networking in the right way, in the right places and with the right people to help you achieve your business goals.
You should be spreading your networking effort across a range of different activities with different people. Many people tend to focus their networking efforts on their existing clients – and whilst they are important it is critical you also network with prospective clients, referral sources, advisors and others.

There is so much more to networking than just attending events. This is an avenue to meet people or maintain relationships, however networking is so much more than that. Most of your time in networking should be spent keeping in contact, connecting people, and finding opportunities to help the people in your network.

b) Prepare well. Fortunately, much of your preparation can be delegated (reducing your burden!). Preparation can reduce your networking hesitancy as you will feel more confident and in control. Prepare by conducting some research before you go (for example on the event, the speaker, the people who will be there, current events, industry related information). You can then consider who you want to meet or catch up with, and have some conversation topics and questions to ask. Be prepared physically as well – if you don't look or feel ready to go, chances are you will not look like you really want to be there.

c) Get your Mindset right. If you think positively in any situation you increase your chances of success. As Martin Seligman points out in his book Learned Optimism, people can learn to think optimistically and reap the benefits (Seligman, 1991). Seligman's research showed that you can control your thinking to enhance optimism and reduce pessimism.

Seligman, and also the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Minnesota YOUA) have found that people who are positive, optimistic and have a sense of humour, have healthier, longer and more successful personal and career lives. Interestingly they have fewer heart attacks, a boosted immune system, reduced pain and stress, they live up to 8-10 years longer than their pessimistic colleagues, and they perceive themselves to be happy (Seligman, 1991; Maruta, Colligan & Malinchoc et al, 2000).

When networking be aware of the thoughts that just pop into your head telling you that you “shouldn't go to this networking event because you are tired/overworked/don't feel like it”, or that “it will just be a waste of time” or “I'm not good at these things”.These inner voices often determine the outcome before you even head off to the event. If these voices take over, chances are you will unconsciously display your true thoughts and feelings through your energy and your demeanour.

In summary:

• Successful networking can maximize your success in your business, career, and personal life
• Many people are hesitant to network, or network inappropriately, due to common 'myths' about the nature of networking
• Networking is about building and maintaining genuinely helpful relationships with others
• You should not be selling when you are Networking
• Networking is a life skill as well as a business skill, and it is a skill which can be learned
• Networking should be approached in a strategic manner – you need to consider where you network and who with, and manage your network and keep in contact
• Focus on finding ways to help others
• There are a range of tips and techniques to make it easier.

References:
Maruta, T (MD), Colligan, R, Malinchoc, M, Offord K. Optimists vs pessimists: survival rate amoung medical patients over a 30-year period. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2000; 75:315-318.
Seligman, Martin. 1991, Learned Optimism, Simon and Schuster, New York

The reality and opportunities linked to community investment for companies is clear. Where to begin is the challenge.  Did anyone really understand what corporate social responsibility (CSR) meant when it appeared on the scene in the mid 1990s? Arguably it still remains a mystery to many executives today. The concept itself is not necessarily difficult to grasp.

The real difficulty for business leaders continues to be developing and practically implementing a CSR strategy.  Although companies have embraced CSR to varying degrees, since its inception another trend has emerged from the philosophical and somewhat titanic CSR movement.  The notion of community investment is practical, implementable and results oriented. When structured to complement a company’s commercial focus that delivers shareholder return, this concept helps companies tangibly demonstrate their social responsibility to shareholders, customers, the market and the community.

Get real about community investment

Paring away the altruistic intent of an organisation’s leadership or its people, community investment strategy can enhance reputation or help mitigate risk.

The term ‘investment’ correctly suggests a return - have you ever known a company to ‘give away’ anything? When determining an appropriate return on investment the solid starting point is social outcomes. Social outcomes vary but can mean improved education for marginalised children, finding cures for diseases, addressing environmental challenges or generally helping those less fortunate. It’s these outcomes, when woven into traditional marketing mechanisms and internal cultural initiatives, that enhances reputation (or helps manage risk).

The bottom line is that this adds value to a company, shareholders and the community. 

The opportunity for companies is clear

Realising the benefits of this opportunity begins with identifying an organisation’s intent and the way in which its resources can be applied to enhance reputation using community investment.  The starting point is not selecting a charity to support or hosting an event, these come later. These independent and tactical activities, in the absence of a strategy, usually result in resource-intensive outcomes and people questioning the ‘bang for buck’.

1. Thinking for smaller organisations

The community investment approach taken by these businesses relies on their appetite to explore new ways of leveraging resources to help enable social outcomes.  A conservative approach should initially focus on determining the logical fit of core capabilities (e.g. IT, construction, finance, professional services) with social challenges.

The next steps involve introducing processes and systems needed to mobilise resources and coordinate the presentation of outcomes that comes from the investment in community programs.

Innovative small businesses also undertake activities of their conservative peers and can then look to partner organisations (i.e. inter-sector relationships, suppliers or even peers) for collaboration opportunities. Practically, this can mean agreeing to combine respective skill-sets to tackle specific issues one business cannot do alone.

Key advantages:
1. Experienced providers of systems and process (as noted above) are readily available in market.
2. The appetite of small business to join forces in addressing social issues is increasing.

2. Considerations for large organisations

The emphasis on aligning core capabilities with social challenges is amplified when dealing with larger organisational resources. Increasing size usually suggests geographic and/or cultural divides across the resource base which can lead to challenges associated with focusing effort.

To be successful, an organisation with a conservative approach to community investment should ensure that key strategy enablers are well established and operating effectively across the organisation. These enablers may include infrastructure like endorsed volunteer and probono programs, executive appointment programs¹, workplace (payroll) giving, online collaborative project environments and coordinated fundraising campaigns. The backbone of these enablers is whole-oforganisation policy that helps guide, refine and communicate (internally and externally) the collective benefits.

Key advantage: Leveraging enablers helps large organisations focus effort and demonstrate community intent.

Larger organisations with a focus on innovation can begin exploring new ways of addressing social challenges. Companies operating in this territory usually have a deep and well articulated community engagement history -  usually 10 years or more. With well established and supported key enablers (as noted above), these companies invest in identifying and finding ways to support social enterprises² that bring a strong innovation focus as a means to solving social challenges.

A key differentiating factor for these large organisations is that they are often able to leverage or refine traditional systems to enable them to successful support the start up and survival of younger social enterprises.

Key advantage: Social innovation based community investment is a powerful platform to further enhance reputation.

References:

¹ Placement of staff as directors on non profit organisation boards
² Social enterprise - for profit or non-profit organisations that have a social mission

© HSC & Company - All rights reserved

Learn More...

Phil Hayes St Clair will be presenting at Networx's 'Sponsorship & Community Investment - Both Side of the Coin' on Wednesday, 19 May.  he will be discussing the following:

• Corporate community investment - what does it mean and is it the same as Corporate Social Responsibility? 
• The two key factors that influence organisations to invest in the community: Reputation and Social Impact
• 4 paths that organisations can take to create a compelling community investment strategy 
• The 5 question fact pack every CEO should be armed with that describes their company's corporate community investment strategy

You will learn how to:

• Do a quick audit and assess your organisations community investment program
• Manage unsolicited requests from non-profit organisations
• Tell the story of your organisations community investment activities (and their impact) to different stakeholders

Networx event: Sponsorship & Community Investment - Both Side of the Coin
Wednesday, 19 May 2010, 6.00pm-8.30pm | Event & Booking Information

This is exactly what happened in Australia just months ago when the concept of social enterprise was put into practice. The acquisition by a mission driven organisation is an Australian first which focuses on early childhood education as the means to reduce social disadvantage.

So what happened?

The Australian government-led privatisation of Australian childcare in the1990s resulted in company's building profitable empires of childcare centers. One of these organisations and a key provider of early childhood services, ABC Learning Centers Limited (ABC Learning), was carrying $1.2b worth of debt when it fell victim to the global financial crisis in late 2008.

Private equity professionals quickly identified ABC Learning as a potential acquisition target. So did Australian social visionary Michael Traill. The founder of Social Ventures Australia, a Harvard graduate and former private equity titan, Michael was contacted by entrepreneur Evan Thornley who queried whether converting the ABC Learning business into a 'for purpose' operation would be an option. What ensued was the formation of a unique cross sector, non-profit syndicate called GoodStart Limited.

As Michael explains: “We recognised this as a once in a generation opportunity to significantly change Australia's childcare sector for the better. It is now well documented by Australian and International research that effective early learning is vital to positive social outcomes later on in life regardless of family background. The most important period of learning is the first five years of life.”

Apart from the philanthropic potential of the project, the economics made sense. GoodStart's winning bid - rumoured to be around $100m - for 678 ABC Learning centres beat other private equity bids for the $600m turnover business.

The funding model included:

• National Australia Bank debt package - understood to total in excess of $100m including guarantees
• A $15m loan from the Australian government, and
• Investments from individuals and a group of non profit organisations, including Mission Australia, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Benevolent Society and Social Ventures Australia. The individuals who contributed included numerous well known philanthropists including Robin Crawford, a founding director of Macquarie Bank, Seek founder and BRW Young Rich-lister Matthew Rockman, and former Microsoft boss Daniel Petre.

Traill notes the contribution of individuals and non-profit organisations was critical: “What made this last capital layer so unique was that we structured it to attract these individual investors:
subordinated debt with a commercial, albeit below-market, return”.

GoodStart Limited Chairman Robin Crawford later revealed that the philanthropists would be paid a non guaranteed 12 per cent a year on their unsecured notes (compared with commercial rates of 15 per cent plus) and repaid at the conclusion of the eight year term The government loan was also to be repaid over 7 years at the government's cost of finance (then at 6.4 per cent).

Myself, along with our team at HSC & Company believe GoodStart may very well provide Australia, and indeed other nations, with the blueprint for partnership funding that works to deliver social outcomes practically, not just theoretically.

Traill says that GoodStart is important for three main reasons:

1. It provides evidence that social capital providers represent the emergence of a new financial asset class
   
   The individual philanthropists behind GoodStart are prepared to accept reasonable commercial returns below conventional market rates provided there is clear evidence of social impact.
   
   By building and educating this market it has the potential to unlock substantial additional capital. In particular, if social investment can be defined as a legitimate asset class it will attract not just philanthropists but the mainstream Australian superannuation industry.
    
2. GoodStart represents a model of collaboration and partnership
   
   Emerging global experience in social investment highlights the need for new models of partnership across the sectors to ensure the blend of business and nonprofit sector skills, capital access, government funding and policy engagement. These collaborative models are essential to build largescale innovative organisations that can address entrenched social policy issues.
    
3. Clarity
   
   GoodStart founding members knew they had to apply the strictest business disciplines to run an operation with a $600m turnover. The success or failure of this social venture will depend on its ability to meet twin goals: to ensure returns to capital providers are met and that the enterprise addresses the issues of community need and disadvantage.

Is there a lack of capital for ventures like this?

GoodStart demonstrates that in fact capital is available. Why? Firstly, a commercial return, albeit below market rate, is available. Secondly, partnering with likeminded individuals and organizations is critical to establish a critical mass. Thirdly, GoodStart asked the federal government for a loan – other ABC Learning bidders did not. Finally, a clear and detailed plan demonstrated how the GoodStart syndicate would turn a previously profitable empire into a sustainable, non-profit, social-impacting business.

References
1. Michael Traill, 'Social Ventures Australia'
2. 'A capital idea' (Michael Traill), 'The Australian', 3 March 2010
3. 'Charity takeover of ABC Learning' (Natasha Bita), 'The Australian', 10 December 2009

© HSC & Company - All rights reserved

Learn More...

Phil Hayes St-Clair will be presenting at Networx's 'Sponsorship & Community Investment - Both Side of the Coin' on Wednesday, 19 May.  he will be discussing the following:

• Corporate community investment - what does it mean and is it the same as Corporate Social Responsibility? 
• The two key factors that influence organisations to invest in the community: Reputation and Social Impact
• 4 paths that organisations can take to create a compelling community investment strategy 
• The 5 question fact pack every CEO should be armed with that describes their company's corporate community investment strategy

You will learn how to:

• Do a quick audit and assess your organisations community investment program
• Manage unsolicited requests from non-profit organisations
• Tell the story of your organisations community investment activities (and their impact) to different stakeholders

Networx event: Sponsorship & Community Investment - Both Side of the Coin
Wednesday, 19 May 2010, 6.00pm-8.30pm | Event & Booking Information

• almost 90% of business decisions are based on gut feel;
• it is 20 times more expensive to win a new customer than retain the customer you already have; and
• 60-90% of your business is probably referral based.
   

Your clients can tell you everything you need to know – just ask them!  Market research can appear to be a confusing array of academic methodologies but you can break it down to tools you can utilise in your business …  it is really just about asking intelligent and timely questions.

Learn more:

Sue Holz will be presenting at Networx's 'Taking the Mystery out of Market Research' on Wednesday, 23 June. She will be discussing the following:

Is market research too complicated - or too expensive?  This presentation will peel away the mystery of market research and give you an insight as to how easy it is to use market research and market information to your advantage. 

Learn about the importance of talking to your customers and knowing what your competitors are doing.

Sue will cover:

• How market research can benefit your business and your clients’ businesses
• The different research methodologies that you can utilise in your business or your clients’ businesses
• How to choose the right methodologies to give you the best outcomes
• Quick tips to maintain your market knowledge
• Sources that you can access on a regular basis to stay informed about your business sector

Networx event: Taking the Mystery out of Market Research
Wednesday, 23 June2010, 6.00pm-8.30pm | Event & Booking Information

Expressions Dance Company, Judith Wright Centre and Misinterprotato present revealing tales of sass, sin and secret identities, which emerge in the hidden worlds of the night.

Intimately choreographed by Natalie Weir and fused together with emotionally charged jazz sounds, this performance will have men salivating and women fantasizing.

For the first time, the Judith Wright Centre foyer will transform into a live piano bar, providing stunning pre-show entertainment. Delicious tapas and wine, jazz music and an evening of surprise.

All you have to do is book your cabaret table and prepare to step into a world where the intensity and emotion of cutting edge contemporary dance will take you on a deeply evocative journey.

Book now and be awakened to the world that exists.

Corporate Promotion

We recommend you start the evening in the Judith Wright Centre foyer, which will transform into a live piano bar, with a delectable range of tapas and pre-show drinks on offer.

CORPORATE SPECIAL: Tables of four or more people: $35 pp (save $5 per person) + receive a glass of complimentary champagne on arrival (one glass per person). 

Date: Thu 12 - Sat 21 August 2010
Time: 7.30pm (each night excluding Sunday to Tuesday), Matinee 2pm Saturday 21st, 5pm Sunday 15th
School Preformances: 11.30am Wed18th - Fri 20th
Duration: 80 minutes, including interval
Tickets: Cabaret Seating - Full $40; Conc $35; Groups of 4 per table $35.
Theatre Seating - Full $35; Conc $30

“Weir’s choreography is breathtaking – she moves the human body in ways you haven’t seen it move before…” – ourbrisbane.com

Piano Lounge: For pre-show tapas dining, book through Glass Bar 3252 0533.
Present your ticket to the show and recive a 10% discount on your meal.

Judith Wright Centre

420 Brunswick Street (corner Berwick Street)
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Ticket sales: 07 3872 9000
Enquiries: 07 3872 9018
judithwrightcentre.com

Box Office Opening Hours
9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 90 mins prior to every performance
Visit judithwrightcentre.com for 24/7 bookings