Management Blog

Networking tips for shy professionals

Are some people born networkers?

A recent New York Times article answers this question by suggesting everyone has the potential to master the art of networking, even the shyest of professionals.

To help bring out your inner networker the following tips are provided:

1. Chill out – don’t feel that networking has to be all about approaching strangers, start off by seeking out familiar faces and kick-start the process by building relationships with acquaintances
2. Think about strategy – have a plan that takes into account what you want to achieve from your networking pursuits and who you ideally want to meet
3. Avoid the hard sell – remember that networking is not about pitching a product or service, it’s about getting to know people
4. Be prepared – before a face-to-face event prepare a list of questions for people you are likely to encounter; relevant questions are always a good ice-breaker
5. Evaluate yourself – after a networking experience think about your performance analytically to determine what is working for you and what isn’t

A happy little new Vegemite

Iconic Australian brand Vegemite is set for its first makeover in 85 years.

According to a recent Age article, Vegemite manufacturer Kraft recently sought the advice of over 300,000 Australians before tinkering with the spread's famous recipe.

Apparently the new version of Vegemite – which carries the working title 'the new Vegemite experience' – looks and smells like traditional Vegemite but will be smoother and easier to spread.

As for the taste, the report suggests the new Vegemite recipe will contain cream cheese – a development Kraft hopes will encourage Australians to consume the spread at all times of the day.

The new Vegemite will hit supermarket shelves in early July. The product will carry a label reading 'Name Me' to encourage consumers to dream up a name for the new version.

Anyone disturbed by the thought of a Vegemite and cream cheese hybrid can relax, Kraft has no plans to stop making the original recipe Vegemite.

Calls made for government SME ad support

The Federal Government should help SMEs pay for advertising to help them ride out the recession, the Australian Association of National Advertisers has postulated.

According to a recent article in The Age, the Association is a couple of months away from pitching its 'stimulus package' for SME advertising support to Canberra.

While some in the industry have dismissed the scheme as a gimmick, recent research by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests advertising in a recession is a good idea.

The study found businesses that held or increased their advertising spend during a recession performed better than those that reduced their ad budgets.

Managers aren't focused on brand protection: study

A new survey suggests the majority of managers understand the importance of maintaining a strong brand during difficult economic times, but few are spending more time on brand protection, management-issues reports.

The British survey by intellectual property firm Marks & Clerk indicates 84 per cent of executives believe brand protection is more important in a recession than during favourable economic conditions.

Paradoxically, the survey also found that just a fifth of respondents are spending more time on brand protection than they were before to the global economic crisis.

The researchers say too many companies only focus on brand protection when their company comes under direct attack from competitors or me-too brands.

It's claimed the costs of brand protection and monitoring are relatively low and have the potential to ensure long-term resilience.

Google offers SMEs a 'stimulus package'

New research by Roy Morgan shows more than 11.9 million Australians use Google's search engine each month, a statistic that suggests businesses can no longer afford to ignore online marketing.

Clearly with this proposition in mind, Google has launched a campaign in which Australian small to medium sized businesses are given up to $75 worth of free online advertising.

The move has impressed the Council of Small Business, which claims Google's Stimulus Package has the potential to kick-start the online strategies of many small businesses.

Not sure how AdWords might work for your business?

Check out this video, a case study from GoogleBusiness on how a small gift retailer is using the service.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a floating logo!

What do you get when you cross a logo with foam? A Flogo, a logo shaped object that floats in mid-air to capture the attention of passers-by.

The Flogo concept is the work of US special effects company Snowmasters, which has achieved this new form of outdoor media by mixing soapy foam with gasses including helium. 

Available in 12, 36 and 48-inch sizes, Flogos have already been adopted by some big names including Lindt, Disney, Mercedes-Benz and Sheraton.

They might seem like a gimmick, but Springwise argues Flogos are part of a wider 'eco-tising' trend as foamy signage has a smaller carbon footprint than many other forms of outdoor media.

Turning Twitter into a Flutter

The news that Oprah Winfrey has embraced Twitter and will discuss the web site's benefits in an upcoming show prove one thing – microblogging is now mainstream.

So where to from here...

Twitter's explosive growth has some wondering what will be the next big thing, could it be micro-micro-blogging as this mockumentary video asks?

Point-of-sale marketing gets noticed

The days when point-of-sale was seen as the poor cousin of other marketing techniques is well and truly over, The Australian reports.

It's claimed a growing number of advertisers are providing in-situ sampling and product demonstrations in order gain the attention of hard to reach consumers.

The article cites research out of the US that suggests 74 per cent of people make at least one out of every four purchasing decisions while shopping.

The wine market is just one area where the tasting trend is gaining momentum.

Wine industry commentators say tighter economic conditions mean many wine purchasers will simply not buy a $15 or $20 bottle of wine without tasting it first.

PR and the GFC

Smart companies won't see public relations as a luxury during the global economic downturn, but as a necessity, according to the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

The PRIA says key stakeholders crave reassurance during periods of economic uncertainly; in response, companies need to communicate how they are being affected and what they are doing.

Speaking to Marketing magazine, PRIA national president Tracy Jones advises:

"By communicating your understanding and your action consistently, you maintain your brand position, your reputation and the confidence of your stakeholders and consumers, ultimately giving you an edge over your competitors."

To achieve this edge, businesses are advised to utilise inexpensive media channels such as blogs, e-bulletins and web content to maintain open and honest communication.

Facebook marketing tips

Facebook has revealed a new look that focuses on real-time posting, a development that's good news for marketers according to Fast Company blogger Kyle Austin.

Austin says brands like Coca-Cola and The New York Times are already embracing the new interface, which is widely seen a response to the growing popularity of Twitter.

But don't let the size of these early adopters fool you, many commentators are suggesting Facebook is also an ideal marketing platform for SMEs.

Here are a few tips from Fast Company to help you make it happen:

• Post regularly - be frequent and always have something interesting to say
• Watch the big players - keep a close eye on Facebook innovators like Coca-Cola to see how they use the medium
• Show off - unlike some other social networking sites, Facebook allows you to upload video... so why not use it?
• Word of mouth - encourage staff to become fans in order to grow your community

And if you're still not convinced about adding a social networking aspect to your marketing mix, you might like to consider a new Nielsen report.

The company's Global Faces and Networked Places [PDF] has found social networks are now the fourth most popular online category, and are now of greater interest to most people than email.