Editor’s Note

Hello

Its always fascinating to me that technology has made the world so much smaller by connecting us the way it has. I am writing this newsletter from Brussels as I tour the globe seeking the latest marketing ideas and trying to determine the most effective strategies for business back in Australia. My travels will take me to London, Paris, Dubai and Mumbai – and I cannot wait to unveil the new marketing ideas that await me.

What an exciting month this has been - I have launched a new venture with Weavers, called Marketing for Associations. We offer tailored solutions to member associations and not-for-profit organisations. My new book Effective Publications for Associations was launched on 6 March at the Menzies Hotel. Learn more about this at: www.marketing-for-associations.com.au

For me the last few weeks have been spent writing, writing, writing! I have been finalizing my book while writing my column for BRW magazine and providing marketing advice to readers of CEO Online . I have also been delivering presentations to groups representing various businesses and organisations.

If you believe that your company would benefit from a strategic workshop or in-house presentation, then call me for a chat.

Until next time…
I wish you marketing success!

Rebecca Laskary
www.profilepublicrelations.com.au

In this issue

Awaken the Beauty Within with Fi Haviland

The Art of Communicating

Top 5 Business Tips

Fi Haviland is a make up artist extraordinaire whose career has taken her through Europe and Australia from the catwalk to celebrity dressing rooms and now to corporate women right here in Sydney.

Her mission is to empower women with confidence through image consulting and make up artistry - to help us make the most of the natural beauty we have. What inspires me about this young woman is more than just her ability to make me look and feel more glamorous than I know I am. At the age of 29 she can say that she has been brave enough to take the leap of faith and travel internationally to master her craft. She has spent more than a decade studying the fine form of femininity, teaching and learning how to enhance a woman’s natural beauty...[more...]

http://www.fihaviland.com

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of communication is: “ The art of imparting news and information”. And it is an art. And as with all arts, it can be learned, and refined and analysed and monitored and measured and perhaps eventually perfected.

The art of communication involves the transmission of information from one source to another to convey a specific message in order to elicit a desired reaction or result. Communications strategies and plans therefore focus on delivering messages effectively to obtain specific results.

The success of firms such as yours may be based on developing relationships with clients and other key stakeholders. Respect and exceptional customer service go a long way towards maintaining successful relationships. But the ability to clearly, concisely, precisely and effectively communicate with clients and with each other, as well as to understand other people’s ideas and effectively implement them, is paramount to business success...[more...]

1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be called Key Predictive Indicators. You are more interested in knowing what is happening now, that will impact the future, than what is already past. For example, how full is your order book? Where are the orders coming from? Which stock is or isn’t turning?....Then you can take action.
2. Set your own performance standards and business principles. Do not compromise on them, even if it sometimes means missing out on sales. Others will get to know you for your integrity, and your business will form its own unique character. If your business model stacks up, so your own benchmarks will stand the test of time.
3. Are you in business for the short term or the long term? If it’s for the long term, why would you implement short term solutions? Always try and make decisions that are right for the business in the long run, even if there is a short term cost. When you are unsure which way to go, this should be the deciding factor...[more...]