Most companies don't have a business plan, so it's hard to expect that they would have a marketing strategy. But most companies just get by. Do you want to be "most companies" or do you want to be a shining star?

Remember when you could only use a keyboard to search on the internet? Those times were so long ago and only two years ago a UK website predicted that more than half of all searches would be done via voice by 2020. While that prediction is off the market, they did have a point and as we move closer to this key milestone, many consumers are realising that it is much easier to talk to your phone then to send a text. While in the office the keyboard still has a prominent role, the significance of the impact of search trends is turning the tables on companies that focus on Google rankings.

It's that time of year when entrepreneurs, business leaders and marketing professionals re-evaluate their businesses on multiple levels. The market has changed and with this fluid transformation companies are needing to draw on data, research and experience to navigate the future.

Marketing department are renowned for "breadcrumbing" their databases, without even realising it.

As a fast growing company, we are hiring new people across marketing, graphic design, software engineering and web development. It's an interesting time as while we have just gotten use to millennials, its now time to dig a little younger and foster growth in graduates.

We are in a hiring phase with our company Marketing Eye and right now I am in Sydney hiring a number of new marketing staff. We are looking for people who can take the business to the next level and are able to fast and efficiently learn how we do business, why we do business and the many things that make up a great marketing resource.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of having a young marketer apply for an internship with Marketing Eye in Sydney. When she walked in the door, other than the fact that she has the stature of a supermodel, I did what I always do when I am around and someone new walks in - I introduced myself.

When it comes to employee appraisals, it is important for the appraisee to look at industry standards, benchmarking and peer group feedback. It's not just managers that know what is happening on the floor and numbers are can never truly reflect an employees contribution to an organisation.

Every marketer has tricks up their sleeve. If they didn't, they are not trying hard enough. Having been a marketing consultant for many years, I have had the pleasure of rolling up my sleeve and showing the world (well, mostly people in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney) how they too can use some of the tricks of the trade to accelerate their marketing reach.