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Marketing Eye Blog Articles
On Friday I flew to New York to see an old friend, mentor and client of mine who was on a business trip for a few days from Australia.
Niall Cairns is someone I met 15 years ago, and his venture capital business was the reason why I relocated my first company Insomnia Marketing and Communication to Sydney. They were raising a fund and I helped out with marketing and public relations activities for both them and some of their investment companies.
They kindly gave me a few seats in their prominent George Street location which was perfect for me at the time. I so loved being in their office that as I expanded, I moved my staff to another location and only popped in to see them every now and again. Possibly not the best business decision but it worked for me at the time and I was only 25 years old, so I had a lot to learn.
Niall Cairns is someone I met 15 years ago, and his venture capital business was the reason why I relocated my first company Insomnia Marketing and Communication to Sydney. They were raising a fund and I helped out with marketing and public relations activities for both them and some of their investment companies.
They kindly gave me a few seats in their prominent George Street location which was perfect for me at the time. I so loved being in their office that as I expanded, I moved my staff to another location and only popped in to see them every now and again. Possibly not the best business decision but it worked for me at the time and I was only 25 years old, so I had a lot to learn.
Published in Small Business Marketing
In March this year, I was at an entrepreneurs conference in Miami and I met Dr Cory M. Lessner. The other people in the group had mentioned that he was a celebrity Doctor, renowned throughout the US for doing more than 30,000 LASIK eye procedures in his long, 30-year illustrious career.
I was interested in speaking to him because in the past few years my eyesight has deteriorated significantly. Although in my case its not hereditory to have problems with eyesight, I seem to have fallen through the cracks.
I have a set of glasses that I never wear. To be honest, in part it's my vanity that is responsible for this, and the other issue I am faced with is that glasses don't feel comfortable on my face. I simply do not like wearing them.
Over the past few years my eyesight has gotten to a stage where I need to wear glasses fulltime. My friends keep telling me to get contact lenses, but having read up on the fact that it is more dangerous to wear contact lenses than it is to have LASIK surgery, I have shied away from investigating further and thus, I have done nothing.
An ex boyfriend had LASIK surgery and he swears by it and a more current flame had the same and he too cannot imagine life any other way.
I was interested in speaking to him because in the past few years my eyesight has deteriorated significantly. Although in my case its not hereditory to have problems with eyesight, I seem to have fallen through the cracks.
I have a set of glasses that I never wear. To be honest, in part it's my vanity that is responsible for this, and the other issue I am faced with is that glasses don't feel comfortable on my face. I simply do not like wearing them.
Over the past few years my eyesight has gotten to a stage where I need to wear glasses fulltime. My friends keep telling me to get contact lenses, but having read up on the fact that it is more dangerous to wear contact lenses than it is to have LASIK surgery, I have shied away from investigating further and thus, I have done nothing.
An ex boyfriend had LASIK surgery and he swears by it and a more current flame had the same and he too cannot imagine life any other way.
Published in Mellissah Smith
25 Ways To Turn a Startup Into A Million Dollar Business in 12 Months
Sep 16, 2013 Written by Mellissah Smith
What started out as a dream became a reality, much faster than I anticipated.
Many entrepreneurs can attest to having a dream or maybe just something on their bucket list that needs to be crossed off. I am one of those people. I have a dream but most importantly for me, an item on my bucket list that needs to be crossed off by a given time frame.
What once was a dirty word to me, the position of entrepreneur in a fast growing, dynamic company is the most exhilarating career choice I could have every made.
What other job has you jumping out of bed at 5am each morning, dressing in a matter of minutes and rushing off to the office to start your day? For that matter, what other job gives you the highs of an entrepreneur and the flexibility to be exactly who you are?
Many entrepreneurs can attest to having a dream or maybe just something on their bucket list that needs to be crossed off. I am one of those people. I have a dream but most importantly for me, an item on my bucket list that needs to be crossed off by a given time frame.
What once was a dirty word to me, the position of entrepreneur in a fast growing, dynamic company is the most exhilarating career choice I could have every made.
What other job has you jumping out of bed at 5am each morning, dressing in a matter of minutes and rushing off to the office to start your day? For that matter, what other job gives you the highs of an entrepreneur and the flexibility to be exactly who you are?
Published in Small Business Marketing
How do you know its time for a rebrand? Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer tells her story
Sep 09, 2013 Written by Mellissah Smith
Driving back from Hilton Head in South Carolina on the weekend, #24yrold asked me what I thought of the new branding for Yahoo! I hadn't given it much thought and had mainly seen press around the rebrand that was negative - aimed directly at Marissa Mayer.
My thoughts on Marissa Mayer are varied. Firstly, she should be applauded for her career achievements, ambitions and determination to clean up a company of Yahoo!'s magnititude. She is a woman who is held in high esteem amongst most women who want to climb the corporate ladder. The downside of Marissa Mayer is that she comes across as arrogant, dominant and because she makes the hard decisions - not always in good favor with her colleagues.
My thoughts on Marissa Mayer are varied. Firstly, she should be applauded for her career achievements, ambitions and determination to clean up a company of Yahoo!'s magnititude. She is a woman who is held in high esteem amongst most women who want to climb the corporate ladder. The downside of Marissa Mayer is that she comes across as arrogant, dominant and because she makes the hard decisions - not always in good favor with her colleagues.
Published in Marketing
When I am talking successful, I am meaning someone who is really successful. A person who at their disposal, can spend $20 million on a property without blinking an eye lid or pick up their friends and family from wherever they are in the world, in a private jet, just because ... they can.
There are many habits of really successful people - the billionaire type, but here are 5 that come to mind based on my experience in observing their traits:
1. Dominance is in everything they do
They dominate in whatever they do. If they place tennis, only a pro can beat them. If they play golf, it's of 3 or below. If they climb a mountain, its not just any mountain, its Africa's tallest mountain Mt Kilimanjaro or at the very least one of the highest mountains in the world.
In a meeting, they are always two steps ahead of everyone else in the room. They walk in, everyone stops what they are doing and they demand your attention - without saying a word.
If they are doing a business deal, you will always fair better to let them believe they have won, otherwise your head will be spinning at how fast they anilate you in their wake.
2. Family-first - always
Don't every be mistaken the importance of their family. They may have been onto their third or fourth wife, but when it comes to children and their family members, only they can say or do anything that may in any way hurt their feelings or put them in a position that isn't considered first.
3. Discipline across every area of their business and life
They display discipline in everything they do from when they have a conversation, by listening and asking questions first, without talking and playing their cards too early, to setting goals and doing all the steps, working relentlessly to achieve them. They wake up and go to bed at the same time every day and they never let emotion affect any decision they make. They can cut you as fast as you blink an eye lid - because they have trained themselves to understand that "this is business" and you have to do what you have to do.
4. Relationships go way back and are real
They maintain relationships with people that count from their college friends, bankers, suppliers, past employees, key clients and associates. You may not hear from them for a year, but they will make contact even if its just to invite you to their annual Christmas party. They are more likely to remember your birthday, people they have people who help them do so, than your Mother. And if you are doing it tough and you are someone that they respect, they will be the first to lend a hand, go for coffee or find a solution.
5. They don't suffer fools
They don't suffer fools but unlike you and I, they don't make the fool know what they think of them. Instead, they create a divide, so large that the "fool" cannot get within a mile of them. They also in subtle way, ensure that others around them are not bringing them into their sphere.
There are many habits of really successful people - the billionaire type, but here are 5 that come to mind based on my experience in observing their traits:
1. Dominance is in everything they do
They dominate in whatever they do. If they place tennis, only a pro can beat them. If they play golf, it's of 3 or below. If they climb a mountain, its not just any mountain, its Africa's tallest mountain Mt Kilimanjaro or at the very least one of the highest mountains in the world.
In a meeting, they are always two steps ahead of everyone else in the room. They walk in, everyone stops what they are doing and they demand your attention - without saying a word.
If they are doing a business deal, you will always fair better to let them believe they have won, otherwise your head will be spinning at how fast they anilate you in their wake.
2. Family-first - always
Don't every be mistaken the importance of their family. They may have been onto their third or fourth wife, but when it comes to children and their family members, only they can say or do anything that may in any way hurt their feelings or put them in a position that isn't considered first.
3. Discipline across every area of their business and life
They display discipline in everything they do from when they have a conversation, by listening and asking questions first, without talking and playing their cards too early, to setting goals and doing all the steps, working relentlessly to achieve them. They wake up and go to bed at the same time every day and they never let emotion affect any decision they make. They can cut you as fast as you blink an eye lid - because they have trained themselves to understand that "this is business" and you have to do what you have to do.
4. Relationships go way back and are real
They maintain relationships with people that count from their college friends, bankers, suppliers, past employees, key clients and associates. You may not hear from them for a year, but they will make contact even if its just to invite you to their annual Christmas party. They are more likely to remember your birthday, people they have people who help them do so, than your Mother. And if you are doing it tough and you are someone that they respect, they will be the first to lend a hand, go for coffee or find a solution.
5. They don't suffer fools
They don't suffer fools but unlike you and I, they don't make the fool know what they think of them. Instead, they create a divide, so large that the "fool" cannot get within a mile of them. They also in subtle way, ensure that others around them are not bringing them into their sphere.
Published in Mellissah Smith
The forty year old hangover is over. While the sun didn't come out shining today, the world is as it should be and I am fairly pleased about that.
I celebrated my birthday twice. Once in Australian time and the other in US time. Both were equally fabulous and without flaw. I spent the most amazing couple of days in South Beach Miami and just chilled. Somehow all of the expectations of turning 40 disappeared and I enjoyed the "now".
Freaking out about turning 40 was wasting energy that could have been better spent elsewhere. I don't know why I started to look in the mirror and feel 10 years older, nor what started me thinking that my life is so miserable, when in fact, it is truly amazing. I am living the best life I could have ever imagined and I am doing things that I never thought possible.
I celebrated my birthday twice. Once in Australian time and the other in US time. Both were equally fabulous and without flaw. I spent the most amazing couple of days in South Beach Miami and just chilled. Somehow all of the expectations of turning 40 disappeared and I enjoyed the "now".
Freaking out about turning 40 was wasting energy that could have been better spent elsewhere. I don't know why I started to look in the mirror and feel 10 years older, nor what started me thinking that my life is so miserable, when in fact, it is truly amazing. I am living the best life I could have ever imagined and I am doing things that I never thought possible.
Published in Mellissah Smith
When evaluating the marketing budget of our company, it became apparent that printing was a significant cost. As such, when it came to printing our custom published marketing magazine, it was time to do things a little differently.
At first, my design department sourced quotes. They ranged from $18,000 up to $33,000 for exactly the same product. I was fine with paying $18,000 but not so fine to find my normal printers quotation significantly higher at $33,000. It literally had me stopping in my tracks and evaluating what I was doing and whether it was worth it.
Then, as if someone was looking down on me, a company was referred to Marketing Eye to do some of their marketing. It was an online print automation company that specialises in reducing the cost of printing so that marketing departments can reinvest the savings back into their marketing campaigns. I personally worked on this account because I was interested in seeing what they did differently. In the end, I became as passionate about their business, as they became of ours. On top of that, they saved us 45% of our printing costs.
Today, I thought I would give the founder of this business, Mark Alioto a call to talk about what they do differently at ECM.
At first, my design department sourced quotes. They ranged from $18,000 up to $33,000 for exactly the same product. I was fine with paying $18,000 but not so fine to find my normal printers quotation significantly higher at $33,000. It literally had me stopping in my tracks and evaluating what I was doing and whether it was worth it.
Then, as if someone was looking down on me, a company was referred to Marketing Eye to do some of their marketing. It was an online print automation company that specialises in reducing the cost of printing so that marketing departments can reinvest the savings back into their marketing campaigns. I personally worked on this account because I was interested in seeing what they did differently. In the end, I became as passionate about their business, as they became of ours. On top of that, they saved us 45% of our printing costs.
Today, I thought I would give the founder of this business, Mark Alioto a call to talk about what they do differently at ECM.
Published in Marketing
If I could have a dollar for every time I didn't trust my gut instinct, I would be a very rich woman.
Like most entrepreneurs, I have failed more times than I have succeeded and every single time I have failed I have thought back to how I could have done things differently. 9 times out of 10, it was because I didn't trust my gut instinct.
Trusting in yourself and your intuition is important, but if you are anything like me, you second guess what you think you should do and find reasons as to why you should do something a different way. It's not too indifferent from taking a risk. We are all reluctant to take risks but sometimes there is this thing inside us that tells us that we must do it - even though there a thousand reasons why we shouldn't.
Like most entrepreneurs, I have failed more times than I have succeeded and every single time I have failed I have thought back to how I could have done things differently. 9 times out of 10, it was because I didn't trust my gut instinct.
Trusting in yourself and your intuition is important, but if you are anything like me, you second guess what you think you should do and find reasons as to why you should do something a different way. It's not too indifferent from taking a risk. We are all reluctant to take risks but sometimes there is this thing inside us that tells us that we must do it - even though there a thousand reasons why we shouldn't.
Published in Small Business Marketing
As the plane landed, something lifted. I am not sure what it was, but I felt differently. I was home.
Melbourne has been my home for a good part of the past 10 years and although I felt as though I would never quite feel the same about this adopted city as I do of Sydney, somehow without me realizing it, I changed my mind.
Melbourne has been my home for a good part of the past 10 years and although I felt as though I would never quite feel the same about this adopted city as I do of Sydney, somehow without me realizing it, I changed my mind.
Published in Small Business Marketing
A few weeks ago, we met with the delightful Jack Rehm and Karen Larkin of Midsouth Planning in Atlanta. The first thing that struck me about both Jack and Karen is how nice they are. Now, nice isn't a word that many people would like associated with themselves because of the connotations that it has, but its true. They are smart, thoughtful, considerate and nice.
It was a big step for both of them to take to hire a marketing company as it isn't something that they had done before.
It was a big step for both of them to take to hire a marketing company as it isn't something that they had done before.
Published in Small Business Marketing
"Same bed, but it feels a bit bigger now" is the lyrics in the famous Bruno Mars song "When I was your man". An apt description of Marketing Eye's business expansion into the US market. It's the same company, but its a bit bigger now.
What started out as a step to expand the international footprint of our brand, has taken on a whole new dimension. Australian and America have long been tied and now more so than ever. The ebbs of the economy has led to an opportunity for Australian companies that are geared for expansion to leverage the strength of the Australian dollar, and affordable set up costs in the US market without breaking the bank. The downside, is US dollars are not worth as much, as the dollar loses its grip on parity.
What started out as a step to expand the international footprint of our brand, has taken on a whole new dimension. Australian and America have long been tied and now more so than ever. The ebbs of the economy has led to an opportunity for Australian companies that are geared for expansion to leverage the strength of the Australian dollar, and affordable set up costs in the US market without breaking the bank. The downside, is US dollars are not worth as much, as the dollar loses its grip on parity.
Published in Small Business Marketing
We hit the road running in Atlanta and haven't looked back since.
In just six short months, we have embarked on changing the mindsets of many small businesses in Atlanta, that have been pressured by the Global Financial Crisis and are reluctant to ease their way out and invest in marketing.
As we know, many companies that increased their investment in marketing during this period grew significantly. It's just like when everyone is walking one way and you are walking the other. You all of a sudden stand out and people take notice of you. If they like what they see, then you make connections.
The past few months, we have been working with one of the most impressive companies in the US - Accretive Solutions. They provide consulting, staffing and outsourcing solutions to companies and have 11 offices throughout the country.
What impresses me most about Accretive Solutions is their people. If you ask any of their clients, they all say that it's their people that set Accretive Solutions apart from competitors. They don't hire juniors, and instead invest in people with experience and passion for doing challenging, interesting work.
In just six short months, we have embarked on changing the mindsets of many small businesses in Atlanta, that have been pressured by the Global Financial Crisis and are reluctant to ease their way out and invest in marketing.
As we know, many companies that increased their investment in marketing during this period grew significantly. It's just like when everyone is walking one way and you are walking the other. You all of a sudden stand out and people take notice of you. If they like what they see, then you make connections.
The past few months, we have been working with one of the most impressive companies in the US - Accretive Solutions. They provide consulting, staffing and outsourcing solutions to companies and have 11 offices throughout the country.
What impresses me most about Accretive Solutions is their people. If you ask any of their clients, they all say that it's their people that set Accretive Solutions apart from competitors. They don't hire juniors, and instead invest in people with experience and passion for doing challenging, interesting work.
Published in Small Business Marketing
40. It's not exactly something that I have been looking forward to, but without realizing it, it is almost here.
My friends keep telling me that "life begins at 40". To be brutally honest, I am not so sure. How can someone think that is the case, when in your 20's you made all your mistakes but had the time of your life. In your 30's, you made some more, but they were far more manageable and life was pretty good. You had more money than in your 20's, more experience and had fewer issues. You felt as though you were more comfortable in your own skin and you came to terms with your flaws.
Then you started approaching 40. Somehow everything went back a few steps. Firstly, just when you thought you were comfortable in your own skin, you realized that there were a few things you wanted to change. For instance, your appearance. Do those wrinkles really belong to you? Have your eyebrows really drooped that much? Are your boobs really that saggy?
My friends keep telling me that "life begins at 40". To be brutally honest, I am not so sure. How can someone think that is the case, when in your 20's you made all your mistakes but had the time of your life. In your 30's, you made some more, but they were far more manageable and life was pretty good. You had more money than in your 20's, more experience and had fewer issues. You felt as though you were more comfortable in your own skin and you came to terms with your flaws.
Then you started approaching 40. Somehow everything went back a few steps. Firstly, just when you thought you were comfortable in your own skin, you realized that there were a few things you wanted to change. For instance, your appearance. Do those wrinkles really belong to you? Have your eyebrows really drooped that much? Are your boobs really that saggy?
Published in Mellissah Smith
Innovation was a popular word in the office yesterday and as I watched everyone talk about innovation in one way or another, I became enthralled with how excited everyone was just by using the term.
Published in Small Business Marketing
It was eight years ago when I first came up with the idea of producing a custom magazine for my business Marketing Eye.
I put it in my business plan and had every intention of doing it.
I put it in my business plan and had every intention of doing it.
Published in Small Business Marketing
