Back to basics – 3 top tips for small business marketing

May 12, 2010

I recently prepared these 3 top tips marketing tips for a presentation to small business owners. They’re simple but all too often overlooked when you’re busy running your company.
TIP 1 - Review your current marketing from the point of view of your customers
Harley Davidson doesn’t sell motorbikes. It sells the concept of freedom to middle-aged [...]

Read the full article →

A lot of fuss about St George

April 21, 2010

I’m pleased that England is making much more of a fuss these days about St George’s Day which falls this Friday 23rd April.
It presents a promotional opportunity for companies with brands that take pride in their English roots. A great example of an organisation who has exploited St George’s Day is Wells and Young Brewery. [...]

Read the full article →

The Flat White Phenomenon

April 7, 2010

I have been chuckling lately about the Flat White phenomenon sweeping Starbucks and Costa Coffee shops up and down the country.
Having spent 5 years in Australia, the Flat White is nothing new to me. So I have found it hilarious that the coffee chains have developed such a huge marketing buzz around the Flat White as [...]

Read the full article →

Social media takeouts

March 16, 2010

I was lucky enough to attend the Likeminds conference a couple of weeks ago. It’s a great event for anyone wanting to know more about the rapidly evolving world of social media.
There were many things that I took away from the day and that are still top of mind. Here are a few at the [...]

Read the full article →

How sponsors sailed away from a sporting event

March 8, 2010

As a keen sailor, I’m still feeling jaded about last month’s America’s Cup contest. Sure I was stunned by the staggering speed of the yachts which were the fastest ever in 159-year history of the Cup, but as a world-class event it sucked.
A 2 and 1/2 year legal battle over rules between the American challengers [...]

Read the full article →

Joining up the marketing dots

February 9, 2010

So often in smaller businesses, the focus in on ‘doing’ the business and any marketing activities have been selected more on the basis that they seemed like a good idea at the time rather than because of any strategic reasons. It’s not uncommon to see different versions of logos being used, old brochures handed out [...]

Read the full article →

Twitter for the uninterested

January 28, 2010

The other weekend I had coffee with an old friend. We were discussing mobile phones and technology and got onto the subject of Twitter. She asked me to explain how Twitter works. I did so but instantly knew from her reaction that that was where her knowledge of Twitter would end. She’s a technophobe, a [...]

Read the full article →

What matters now

January 7, 2010

I’m a huge fan of Seth Godin. His blog posts brighten up my day with their wisdom and humanity.
Seth has gathered a team of more than seventy big thinkers to produce this fantastic ebook. Each contributor shares an inspirational idea to help us focus the mind and shake things up for the coming year. [...]

Read the full article →

Taking advantage of growing through outsourcing

October 15, 2009

As signs of increased confidence in the economy start to appear, it’s time for small businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities.
However after tough times, business owners need to take things slowly and stay cautious about investing too much too soon and over extending themselves. Outsourcing offers great opportunities for businesses to grow without committing themselves [...]

Read the full article →

Bare faced cheek or ‘bite you on the bum’ advertising

October 8, 2009

On my recent Tube journeys I’ve been startled and unnerved by the current Dixons’ advertising campaign. Created by M&C Saatchi, the adverts suck you in and then spit you out. A blatant dig at some of our Capital’s greatest stores, the campaign rates highly in the shock value stakes. Clever I admit. But I also [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →