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If you are in business it’s important to spend some time building a great business connection base, but how are you currently doing it?

If you are still networking your way across all of the golf courses throughout the country, and attending as many networking functions as possible in the evenings, there maybe a smarter way to meet new business contacts, and probably more your target market. LinkedIn.

I‘ve written many articles on building your connection base and networking within the groups on LinkedIn in the past, so let’s take a look at a way that you may not have thought about. Read more

There’s an old adage: It’s not what you know—it’s who you know. But when we are starting out in business, our networks are often limited, consisting of former colleagues, friends and family. And while these people will help get you on your way, very few of us can rely entirely on them for business success. That’s where networking comes in. Read more

Are you a new citizen of the Twitterverse or struggling to get started?  There are a few governing ordinances that you need to have in place to truly become native. Twitter is not the new kid on the block, but it is a vital part of the social marketing mix.

Be a Real Person

The ideal Twitter profile is extremely personable. Just like in the real world, people like talking to people. The follower counts and improved click-through rates tell us so. This also means having your profile as a picture, rather than your business logo.  Unless you are already very well known, it is a hard slog to get traction on Twitter while being an ‘anonymous’ brand profile. Read more

Flight of fancy *

Last month I did myself out of another $6000.

I hate it when that happens.

This chain of events (and my associated reasons and decisions) may save you from similar financial embarrassment. Read more

Self-help books are extremely popular. They’re a great friend of New Year resolutions, but with so much help around it’s a wonder that there is still so much help needed.

Turns out a lot of these publications and workshop handouts become what’s termed in the industry as ‘shelf help’ books. That’s because people buy them, collect them and then store them… never to look at them again. Read more

What’s your social profile worth? Have you even thought about it? Is it growing in value? When you talk, do people listen?

With social reputation becoming more and more of a relevant form of currency, there are powers at play that are looking to exploit this new medium. In the past, it has all been about celebrity endorsement – getting the star of the day to put their name to a product. As the celebrity space becomes more and more distributed, thought the wonders of the increasingly social internet, a new generation of celebrities with social credibility are sprouting up. Read more

A novel way to target clients.*

You may think it odd to discuss an online tank game in a business blog.

Yet this product holds the Guinness World Record for player (read ‘customer’) engagement.

A feat achieved in its first year.

If we captured clients like this crew, we’d be sunning ourselves in the Bahamas right now.

Plus, it’s Russian!

So let’s take a look … Read more

With the countdown to the end of Financial Year officially on (just 52 sleeps to go!), it’s time for business owners around the nation to ensure all their books and accounts are in order so they start off FY2012-13 in tip top shape.  It’s also time for many to get prepared for the year ahead, and that includes preparing for several changes to tax compliance.

So are we ready?

It appears not.  During our recent business owner and management insights panel, we found that Australian business owners have significant knowledge ‘black spots’ about the many compliance updates being introduced in the new financial year (that’s right, the one that kicks off in under two months!), putting relationships with their employees and the ATO at risk. Read more

Give your customers a moving experience.*

Many thanks for your responses to Part 1.

Your input really supercharges these everyday topics.

Now for the chequered flag!

Form guide

I thanked Neil for his technical update.

I then asked why my car was surging, gurgling and gasping if it wasn’t due to the things I described.

Neil politely posited another Delphic insight: that I used standard unleaded fuel.

Correct again. Read more

Flowers? Chocolates? A day of pampering? Not on my birthday wish list today… Nope, this year, I’ve decided that for my birthday, I’m doing the giving.

During my Grateful in April campaign last month, I really love the feeling of regularly giving to others. I felt happy, invigorated and had a renewed sense of meaning.

As a pleasing side effect, the benefits of feeling so good also translated into some great business opportunities. Read more