Still unsure of how effective your marketing efforts are?

Marketing has changed dramatically over the past few years. There is less ambiguity and uncertainty and more confidence in marketing tactics and strategies nowadays. This is largely due to the increased focus and availability of data to track results.

Client spotlight: Remington Medical is an innovative company that designs, and develops, disposable medical devices. Established in 1992, this company is one of the only family run companies in the disposable device industry. Fred Aycock, President, is lucky to be accompanied by his two sons Attly Aycock and Parker Aycock. Fred believes in a strong company culture and high morale, so from day one he has instilled these beliefs within his staff. As a team, they have been able to excel and stand out from the rest.

Whether it's the second quarter or last quarter of your financial year, you would note that something is going on in the economy and it's creating a lot of uncertainty. 

"The new girl is always prettier than the girl you took to the dance" Canadian-born Australian entrepreneur Jack Cowin once told me when I first decided to expand internationally. As my mentor he was right, and though I listened at the time, I did it anyway. 

In the end, we were both right. Expanding to the United States was singularly the bravest thing I ever did, and it has set me up for profitability in the company in US dollars while the Australian dollar remains weak. Our offices make money and it has been an absolutely amazing journey. I have met some phenomenal people, all of whom have added to my life.

It also lead to a bit of "excitement" in my life. I was at a stage where I needed something to lift my game and expanding into the US market did exactly that. 

Yesterday I was bursting at the seams. Life couldn't get much better. I had a few meetings and they went so well that I literally couldn't stop smiling and that feeling deep inside was one that I haven't felt in a long time.

What a great start to the year! We have a team that is totally pumped and excited about what the future holds for the company, and I have just come back from a few days looking into the operations of the Vanad Group in the Netherlands.

It's amazing what some companies can do in 10 short years, but more importantly, how they empower their people to produce outstanding results year-on-year, completely on-track to the company's overall mission.

I absolutely love hanging around ATV listening to every single tech entrepreneurs story and dream. They all have "Big Dreams" and that is the mandate of being here at Atlanta Tech Village - but there is one problem. Can they make it commercial?

I've been here since the first few people moved in. I was here when they were knocking down walls and renovating. I have seen a lot. Many entrepreneurs come and go and there's a few that made it big like Yik Yak, Bitcoin and Chevy. They were the one's that raised a lot of capital and rolled out their businesses, taking them to the next level. From my knowledge, all with investor buy-in.

When asked today what I think a Marketing Executive would need to have that they may not have needed a few years ago, my answer was simple. "A Marketing Executive must be a social media expert."

A commercial version of Marketing Eye magazine is now complete. It has been a long road and took almost six months to make it publishing ready, but after losing a bit more hair and seeing the ones that I have left go grey (almost), it was worth the effort.

In putting Marketing Eye magazine together, I have learnt a great deal about marketing, about the client services sector and about staying the course, even when the Tough Mudder founders seem to have come along and put insurmountable obstacles in my path.*