Date: October 2015

As a small business owner myself, I am always looking for ways to improve what we do. It's a constant struggle to not only be ahead of the times when it comes to professional services delivery, but also to pioneer the future.

Think differently. You read it everywhere and its become such a buzz word, many entrepreneurs are starting to think that it's not as powerful as it once was when we weren't using the word so liberally.

Written by Joyce Shin 

Top brands online have a number of things in common; they post regularly, they are on-brand and they sell the sizzle whether it's using women that are beautiful (and men for that matter), or using the best lighting for each and every product shot.

Anonymity online no matter how much you think that you have created an anonymous account, is no longer the case. With the changes in Australian law and the brilliance of a number of technology experts, finding the source of an anonymous comment on a website is now the norm.

Over a year back I received a call from a tech guy who was out to turn the tables on people who write slander on employers as anonymous people on influential websites. He not only told me what he could do, but actively showed me how you can find out who wrote what on various websites and then trace their whereabouts. It's quite fascinating really and something that at long last brings to the table something all future employers want to know.

The countdown is on and while we are all still enjoying the Spring Racing Carnival, there are a few large retailers who have already put together their Christmas displays and have started their Christmas marketing campaigns.

So what should you do? Do you start early because they have, or do you wait until it is closer to Christmas? Here is your retail marketing “TO DO” list to help you decide.

If truth be told, there is no such thing as a 'best' blog or website, because it all depends on the visitor. If the website doesn't appeal to the person visiting the site, then it is useless. 

It's been over 10 years since Marketing Eye opened its doors and I have to say that I am completely and utterly in love with the business right now.

What keeps you in the game is the ability to constantly change and perhaps, rev it up a bit.

In the past 3 years, we have been focused on change, innovation and revving it up like no tomorrow. Be careful what you wish for because we have also had to put the brakes on a few times and that has been very interesting.

Out of sight, out of mind — it’s an old saying, but it’s especially true about customer relations. We have all been given something with a logo on it, and we often use them every day. But how do you know that what you are doing with your marketing placement is working? How do you continue to ensure that your brand is at the forefront of a customer’s mind, and how do you stand out from the competition? Here we give you 10 good reasons why we believe that every marketing strategy can benefit from including promotional products as part of the overall campaign.

If you have read this blog for a while, you may have realised that I am a country girl. I grew up in rural North Queensland in a small township called Charters Towers, just over an hour west of Townsville. It seems like a million years ago now, as I have been living in big cities for the past 20 years or so. I currently reside mostly in Melbourne and from there I have built a multi million dollar international business. What I have realised about business is that the  more mature my business becomes, the more flexible I am with where I work from. It certainly has got me thinking about where in the world people can build successful businesses from and what are the hurdles that they must overcome if they are not located in a major city.

I've always been aware that I have all the things in life that are necessary to become successful; mentors, learning and development, financial stability, and a community... and the right mindset. But it wasn't always that way, and the first thing that you need to know about being successful is that you have to have the right mindset and belief that anything is possible. It takes so many parts to be successful, but I guess for most of us, it just starts with a dream.

I had a bit of a sleepless night last night and I am not quite sure. I don't have any real worries and life is treating me very well of late. They say if you rid yourself of negativity or people that don't fit your core values whether they are someone you are in a relationship with, friends with, or associates - life becomes a lot more authentic and clean.