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Never give away everything at once, it's as simple as that.
Too many entrepreneurs get so desperate that they give away the kitchen sink when in fact all their prospect wanted to know was that they could do a good job.
As an entrepreneur, it's hard to start a business and to keep it going year-after-year profitability creating value and jobs. But many do so very successful, and yet those who fail seem to do so falling often on their own sword.
Too many entrepreneurs get so desperate that they give away the kitchen sink when in fact all their prospect wanted to know was that they could do a good job.
As an entrepreneur, it's hard to start a business and to keep it going year-after-year profitability creating value and jobs. But many do so very successful, and yet those who fail seem to do so falling often on their own sword.
Published in
Management
Most entrepreneurs don't listen to anyone but themselves. They trust their gut instinct and often find that their newest great idea, should take precedence over everything else their business is doing.
While that is good and well, this constant need for gratification and results often leads to entrepreneurs missing the mark - and then wondering why they are forging ahead as first thought.
While that is good and well, this constant need for gratification and results often leads to entrepreneurs missing the mark - and then wondering why they are forging ahead as first thought.
Published in
Management
Having siblings often is an essential ingredient in helping a child navigate the world, teaching them how to share, be empathetic, and play well with others. With only children, there is less need to navigate the world as usually parents over compensate for the fact that they are the "one and only" child they have, and help make their lives as smooth and easy as possible. All of their attention goes on the child, and when the child asks for something, its hard to say no - afterall, you only have one child to give your attention to.
As an only child you are more often spoilt then not.
As an only child you are more often spoilt then not.
Published in
Management
15 Things every employee should consider when going for a job interview
Aug 10, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
We have had an abundance of positions available at Marketing Eye lately due to the high growth nature of our business, and our relatively new inside sales model - which is working a treat.
Our team have been interviewing hundreds of candidates and its interesting to see how many of them perform in an interview setting, or as many would say, on the first date.
Here are 15 things to consider when going for an interview:
Our team have been interviewing hundreds of candidates and its interesting to see how many of them perform in an interview setting, or as many would say, on the first date.
Here are 15 things to consider when going for an interview:
Published in
Management
The billable hours challenge for professional services firms
Jul 21, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
Unlike many other professional services firms, I cared less about how much billable hours my employees were doing until the fatal day that it was brought to my attention by my internal accountant that some were "performing" not as good as others and the gap was quite significant.
It is harder to work in a professional services firm than in corporate. Knowing that you have to do a certain number of billable hours can be a lot of pressure for employees, until they actually stop thinking about it.
It is harder to work in a professional services firm than in corporate. Knowing that you have to do a certain number of billable hours can be a lot of pressure for employees, until they actually stop thinking about it.
Published in
Management
In two weeks, I am travelling to Europe for 14 days of work and a little pleasure. I will be writing stories for Marketing Eye, speaking with potential alliance partners and clients. I will also be interviewing people for speaking opportunities at a conference.
Published in
Management
I am in a really good space at the moment. Life is going swimmingly well. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges at work. My social life is busy and fun. I have surrounded myself with good people and there is a lot going on to keep me... interested.
While I can't sit still when it comes to making my life as diverse as possible, I certainly remain focused on the end goal.
While I can't sit still when it comes to making my life as diverse as possible, I certainly remain focused on the end goal.
Published in
Management
It was a small project and even though I knew the result before it started i was proud at what the team accomplished. It had something to do with our company so it was experimental in every sense of the word. But I knew deep down it would fail, and I knew why.
Normally, I would be the first to say "that won't work". However, this wasn't the time. It was a small project and it wouldn't harm anyone by being a failure. Instead, it would be a lesson learned and I was willing to pay the price.
Normally, I would be the first to say "that won't work". However, this wasn't the time. It was a small project and it wouldn't harm anyone by being a failure. Instead, it would be a lesson learned and I was willing to pay the price.
Published in
Management
Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs have experienced a toxic employee. They are the one's whose glass is half empty. They constantly complain, nitpick, bitch, gossip and in general have an underlying mean spirit.
Published in
Management
Bright lights, yellow taxi's, tall buildings, energy and of course business
Jun 12, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
I was in New York sipping champagne courtesy of Waldorf Astoria's fantastic service, mingling with the rich and famous mostly because I was in the right place at the right time, and breathing in all that this fast paced, inspirational city has to offer.
Published in
Management
There hasn't yet been a downside to having family in the business
Jun 01, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
I spent alot of time thinking this through, it was a decision i did not take lightly.18 months ago, I decided to employ my niece who was 18 at the time, to work at the Marketing Eye Sydney office.
I decided that given how young she is, I would have her answer the phone and do administrative duties with the hope she would show aptitude for an area of the business, and we could further train her.
I decided that given how young she is, I would have her answer the phone and do administrative duties with the hope she would show aptitude for an area of the business, and we could further train her.
Published in
Management
Marketing Eye has hit a huge milestone. It's incredible the journey that we have taken over the past few years and where we are heading with a company that is so rich in possibility, that even I pinch myself.
When we expanded to the US, it was a half-arsed approach. We set up "part-time" and employed a few people who were left to their own devices after initial training to make it happen.
The biggest lesson we learned
When we expanded to the US, it was a half-arsed approach. We set up "part-time" and employed a few people who were left to their own devices after initial training to make it happen.
The biggest lesson we learned
Published in
Management
How do you decide on whether or not your company enters a new market?
Apr 05, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
Last week I took a little trip to Bundaberg in regional Queensland, Australia for work. The town has 30k odd people but supports more than 100,000 people at any given time over the entire surround region.
Our client, a highly successful accounting and financial services firm, Ulton Group, needed a "Marketing Eye" to develop their 2015/2016 marketing strategy. I took the opportunity to fly up to Bundaberg because it was close to Easter and a great opportunity to catch up with family in the Sunshine Coast.
Our client, a highly successful accounting and financial services firm, Ulton Group, needed a "Marketing Eye" to develop their 2015/2016 marketing strategy. I took the opportunity to fly up to Bundaberg because it was close to Easter and a great opportunity to catch up with family in the Sunshine Coast.
Published in
Management
As an entrepreneur, is it possible to finish what you start?
Feb 20, 2015 Written by Mellissah Smith
10 Years ago I had a business plan. I believed in it so much, that I took it to others and showed them, looking for affirmation that this plan was the right one to take to market.
The feedback was good. Actually, it was more than good. It was great.
The mentors and entrepreneurs that I showed the plan to liked it so much that they wanted to invest. I gave it a lot of thought as to what I needed to take the business forward and decided that a little investment would help get the business to the first stage of growth, so it would not be a bad idea.
I chose a passive investor, who acted as a mentor but didn't tell me what to do. To be honest, at times I wish he had.
The business model was strong. In fact, I am proving that today. What wasn't strong is my understanding of how to run a startup. My other business Insomnia Marketing and Communication had been successful from the get-go because the brand was built on my capabilities.
But with Marketing Eye, I was trying to do something different. I was attempting to change the business from being about me, to being a true brand that stood alone.
At first I failed. The first years business results were not as big as the first year in Insomnia. In fact, nothing like it. Yet I had more money, resources and people.
The mistakes I made were evident:
The feedback was good. Actually, it was more than good. It was great.
The mentors and entrepreneurs that I showed the plan to liked it so much that they wanted to invest. I gave it a lot of thought as to what I needed to take the business forward and decided that a little investment would help get the business to the first stage of growth, so it would not be a bad idea.
I chose a passive investor, who acted as a mentor but didn't tell me what to do. To be honest, at times I wish he had.
The business model was strong. In fact, I am proving that today. What wasn't strong is my understanding of how to run a startup. My other business Insomnia Marketing and Communication had been successful from the get-go because the brand was built on my capabilities.
But with Marketing Eye, I was trying to do something different. I was attempting to change the business from being about me, to being a true brand that stood alone.
At first I failed. The first years business results were not as big as the first year in Insomnia. In fact, nothing like it. Yet I had more money, resources and people.
The mistakes I made were evident:
Published in
Management
Oscar nominated film Whiplash got me thinking about how far people are willing to go to get the best out of themselves and others.
Is your best good enough or do you strive for better, for more or even to be the best? How far can you actually push yourself and others?
Is your best good enough or do you strive for better, for more or even to be the best? How far can you actually push yourself and others?
Published in
Management
