Book Review: The Richest Man in Babylon

Been meaning to read this staple of wealth creation literature for quite some time now. I'm glad I did. Written as a series of fables on the road to the golden land of Babylon, it's an entertaining read with simple, powerful and universal lessons

There are many lessons in the book, but here's ten principles for increasing wealth, as relevant now as they ever were.

1. Wanting wealth of any kind starts with commitment to pursuing that wealth (backed by action).
2. Keep at least 10% of your savings from earnings.
3. Pay yourself first.
4. Increase your earning capabilities.
5. Invest in yourself and your abilities.
6. Leverage your investment by reinvesting capital and dividends.
7. Don't spend where you don't need to.
8. Hire good people.
9. Do your research: on your advisers, your businesses and your investments. 
10. Delay gratification. 

With so many get rich quick schemes and distractions for our money this book is a solid base in reaching your financial goals faster. Every one of them can be applied to your business, and your life.

Being such a solid grounding it's available everywhere, and I found the kindle edition an easy read, even on the iPhone.





mcme

The Weekly Rap: Sydney College of Event Management

This week's rap goes to Boris Kelly and the switched on team at the Sydney College of Event Management.

I gave a guest lecture to up and coming event professionals at the college this week on event entertainment.

Apart from being the first and only college specialising solely in event management training, the college gives real world training. That is, you feel like you're in a smart, dynamic event agency from the moment you walk into the space. The students also learn how to successfully plan, produce, organise and manage an event.
They're given weekly access to leading practitioners with offsite visits to events and event management environments.

I firmly believe putting on a successful and memorable event of any kind is both a science and an art.You need to give people an experience, and you often have budget, OH & S and most importantly for me, branding concerns to navigate.

Speaking to Boris after the lecture we both agreed that as event professionals we all need to work creatively within commercial restraints.

Look forward to seeing and working with a new breed of event professionals who are trained in this way of thinking - and working.

For More: http://collegeofeventmanagement.com.au

Give your brand experience

mcme.com.au

Brand Stand: Speaking, Sales and Style

Welcome to this edition of Brand Stand. In this issue we get sales lessons from a personal trainer, offer a limited program to increase the impact of your speaking opportunities, offer more 'secrets of successful marketing' and meet radiant stylist Trish Murray. Your Brand Sam’s a trainer at my gym. A friendly bloke, he often smiles, says hello, sometimes gives me a friendly dig if I’m looking a little slow on the cross-trainer or says ‘nice to have you back,’ if I miss a morning (must confess, I get to the gym regularly).    But this week Sam started up a conversation. He asked how training was going with Anthony, another trainer I’d taken a trial triple pack with on one of the gym’s promotions. Being a little wary of being sold to I said, ‘Yeah good. He’s training down the park now I believe.’ Sam didn’t press or push. He simply asked a few questions about what do I do. ‘Good time to be in marketing,’ he said, ‘help people get their business in gear now as things take an upturn I reckon.’ So I asked Sam how business was for him. ‘Going great guns,’ he said. He’s often training regular clients so I knew there was truth in what he was saying. Why am I telling you this? Because sometimes we make sales harder than they need to be. And yes, I’ve done this myself. We can't be too relaxed or over familiar with sales either. Sales are not just a conversation. They’re a conversation with a goal in mind, a process of discovery to see if business can and will eventuate. Here’s what Sam did, just in case you missed it. He recognised a likely buyer:  someone who’s invested in training before is much more likely to buy than someone who hasn’t. Spotted an opportunity: The potential buyer is now without a trainer. Built rapport: In this case, genuine interactions over time, gentle jibes and spurring a prospect on.  Used good timing: started a conversation when genuine rapport was built.  Listened.  Made positive statements about both our businesses. Sam also let me know he was busy, and just like the restaurant that’s full we’re much more likely to buy from someone who’s in demand. Listened some more. Asked qualifying questions checking to see if I was still working with a trainer.  Listened even harder. Gave an invitation by giving his card, giving me space to find out more In short, Sam worked on building a relationship. In service industries or professions where big ticket items are sold, relationship marketing - and selling - are vital. Your People Colleague Phil Preston and I are holding a pilot program on presentability.  This is not just another presentation skills course. What makes this program unique is our focus on supporting you in being on brand for your business, on message for your audience and increasing the impact of your speaking opportunities. Phil and I bring a unique combination of skills to the design and delivery of the course. Phil is a presenter, analyst and consultant working in organisational change in leading corporations. I've performed and presented for over twenty five years, given tailored presentation skills training to Steensen Varming, RTA, and the RSPCA and personally coach clients on their presentations. Together we've created presentability to give you and your business more personal and organisational impact. When: Tuesday March 6. Where: Cambridge Hotel, Surry Hills How Much: We're offering a one time introductory rate of $97 per person including lunch, refreshments, tailored training and training material (normally $800). How Many: Numbers are limited to give quality training. We have professionals from five leading organisations attending, including World Vision, Habitat, YWCA NSW and Choice, and therefore... We have four spaces available.   Book by Monday February 27 to reserve your place. To find out more about getting the most from your speaking opportunities click here. Secrets of Successful Marketing  Following 'Secrets of Successful Marketing' at Business Enterprise Centre in Paramatta, I'm happy to give another of these on March 14 in Sydney CBD. The workshops are sponsored by BEC, so you receive three hours of training for $75. An ideal workshop for those of you new to your business or looking for cost-effective, high impact marketing strategies to hone, maximise or kick start  your marketing. To find out more click this link. Your Event This fortnight’s featured MC is stylist and founder of YUMMYMUMMYINC, Trish Murray. Trish is an inspiring entrepreneur, mother of two and developer of the national award winning YUMMYMUMMYINC, which is now a staple label in every yummy mummy’s wardrobe. Trish is a regular presenter and styilst for Westfield and has recently been a judge in Who Weekly's 'Who Got It Right?' feature. See the feature. Click here. Find out more about Trish Murray. Give your brand experience            A: PO Box 7119 Alexandria NSW 2015 W: www.mcme.com.au E: info@mcme.com.au P: +61 2 9331 8135

Where's Your Trust?

A potential new client asked me to look at their website recently.

They're in professional services and look like they have a lot to offer in the counseling realm, except for their trust.

The have the word there. They have a very nice stock image of the word in fact, but that's not enough.  

What I'm looking for is how they build my trust.
Why should I trust them?
What evidence is there in their approach, methodology or results with their clients?
How do they counsel me or my loved ones?

Of course, when I say me, I'm not just thinking of myself. I'm thinking about all the visitors that come to that site, sitting there asking themselves those very same questions, and more.

Before you plan to build, rebrand or reconfigure your website, it never hurts to ask yourself the same questions your visitors ask and then look at ways to give them an experience, report, testimonials, evidence of what they;re looking for.

Give them more than a word. Give them compelling reasons to pick up the phone, write you an email, place an order and choose to place their trust in you.

MCME

The Weekly Rap: NSW Trade & Investment

This week's weekly rap goes to NSW Trade & Investment.

I was invited to attend a seminar they gave yesterday on 'PR & Social Media for Beginners,' mainly because I've presented workshops for Small Business September, which NSW T&I also run.

Apart from being great to work with, departments like this are golden resources for micro, small and medium sized business owners.

They provide valuable networking opportunities, great tips and smart advice from an array of business owners and independent professionals.

To give some tips and reminders from the astute panel moderated by Jen Bishop, editor of  Dynamic Business:

1. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the social media or personal profiling you're doing. Are you looking for engagement ? Sales? Increased brand awareness? A way of giving back to your clients? 
2. Social networking is just like face to face networking. Don't go into the room shouting and don't stand in the corner waiting to be noticed. Neither will get you far. Smart conversation starters, giving valuable information, helpful tips and the odd (genuine) compliment will though.
3. Inject your personality into your tweets and facebook posts. Same with LinkedIn and Google +. Although keep your audiences in mind. LinkedIn and Google + are still predominantly professionally oriented, and no matter what you put online you're building a reputation. It's up to you what type of reputation that is. 

I know you might already know all this, but it never hurts to have a refresher from time to time. And that's what yesterday's event was for me. Refreshing.

Re:Brand

Brand Stand

Welcome to this edition of Brand Stand, the fortnightly newsletter dedicated to making your brand, your people and your event an even greater success.

In this issue we unveil a rebrand, give pointers on creating content for your video marketing and highlight a welcoming MC for your kick off conference.

Your Brand

We’ve been working with Gill Rustidge from Zizzi Designs on their rebrand over the past six weeks, and it’s fulfilling to see the revitalised brand and new site come to life. That's the pre-existing site on the right.

In working on the rebrand and new site we identified these main areas for Zizzi:

1.    Revamp the look and feel of Zizzi’s branding to align with fun, flair and affordable luxury of the products.

2.    Gain more attention from the existing clientele and reach a new, younger market.

3.    Make it easier for Zizzi’s stockists and end customers to rave about the products with social media integration.

4.    Create an online shopping cart that’s safe, secure and easy for both retailers and end consumers to use.

5.    Combine a retro feel with leading edge technology such as an iPhone app and smartphone interface to bring out more of the personality inherent in the brand while making it easier (and more enjoyable) to purchase.

 

The Rebrand

Apart from a new logo and new retro look, the key factors here are the consumer experience. It’s fun, fast, easy to buy and reflects the feminine, personable and class of Zizzi (and sister brand Gillian Jones).
When you’re rebranding these are key questions to ask yourself:

1.    What are the benefits you’re giving that your market loves?

2.    How can you give those benefits in a new way to capitalise on your strengths?

3.    How can you reach new markets with this fresh, expanded look and feel?

4.    What opportunities are you missing by having an outdated brand presence?

5.    Who could be potential new market niches to discover?

Check out the new Zizzi site- with a great opening special - for yourself.

Your Video

As promised, here's more on video marketing, in particular generating content for your videos. Some people are unsure where to start, so here’ a list of ways to make the most of video. 
1.    Create a welcome video for your website.
2.    Give people a demo of you, your service or your product.
3.    Put your product or service in a situation to create an atmosphere and tell a story. 
4.    Create an educational video about your product or service.
5.    Interview an expert in your area of expertise or industry or have someone interview you.  
7.    Give your prospects and clients a life in the day of your business to give them quick snapshots behind the scenes.
8.    Create an advertorial to give people a taste of what you do and how you do it.
9.    Ask clients for a testimonial for your site.
10.  Give your tribe (clients, colleagues, and your community) an entertaining gift.
These are just some of the ways you can use video to creatively engage with your brand, and I’ve added links to clients we’ve worked with here to help you see how many ways you can use video in your own video marketing projects.

 

Your Event 

And without further adieu, please meet warm, vivacious and highly experienced MC and Media Presenter, Rosie Netterfield.

Rosie is one of Australia’s leading Media Presenters and Corporate Representatives. As a Media Presenter, Master of Ceremonies and Corporate Spokesperson, Rosie has represented Australia’s leading brands. Her passion and professional commitment to presenting combined with media experience influences audiences and delivers results.

Find Out More About Rosie And See Her Reel Here.

Give your brand experience
 

     

The Weekly Rap: Paul Mitchell Speaker and Author

This week's weekly rap goes to Paul Mitchell, speaker, author and director of the human enterprise.

We've been working with Paul for some time now, however creating a series of videos for Paul this week I was incredibly impressed by his ability to perform eight five minute videos back to back within an hour and a half.

Every one of those videos was solid in content, engaging in delivery and impressive in style.

And all were backed by solid practise. 


Paul's been speaking, coaching and consulting for thirty years. The depth and breadth of his knowledge and expertise showed in his performance. But more than that, he gave his well defined messages and teachings on leadership with ease; much of it due in no short part to his belief in practise over talent. An ethos he obviously practises himself. 

I was impressed. But what was even more impressive was this. Halfway through the shoot he turned to me and said 'got any feedback for me mate?'

That's healthy practice.

mcme