The Marketing Is Us Blog

God Takes The Best: My Tribute to Dean Rodney Kellett

I received some very sad news recently. One of my very special MBA colleagues had passed away suddenly – at age 42 – leaving behind a beautiful wife and two children under 4 years old.

 

It will be awhile before I come to terms with the reality that Dean is no longer with us and I can’t imagine what his family are going through. Dean’s passing has stimulated much reflection, particularly how he  exemplified so perfectly  that in business and in life, it is possible not only to be smart, successful and creative, but to  be really nice too.

 

My first memory of Dean was during the obligatory introductions on the morning of our first workshop.  Dean introduced himself as a financial services marketer, who lived in St Kilda (a cool part of Melbourne) and loved music, art and sport.  As we listened (and assessed) our new colleagues –  I immediately thought: ‘Wow he’s an interesting guy!': well rounded,  immediately extremely personable and likeable. These first impressions held true over the ensuing three years of our study – and were simply developed and reinforced.

 

We all held fairly demanding jobs during our studies, so many Sunday mornings and late week nights were devoted to  our syndicate group work. The intensity of our studies, deadlines and lives – facilitated the privilege of getting to know our colleagues quite deeply. Friendships were formed which continue today.

 

Daniel Goleman’s book ‘Emotional Intelligence’ had just been published and Dean had EI in spades. He was a brilliant chair to our meetings, innovator and mediator. Dean enriched our MBA experience and  made it fun. Most of all, Dean inspired each of us to be better people.

They say God only takes the best – and he’s certainly done so in this case. God’s marketing department has a wonderful new angel.

 

The Australian Consulate is holding a special dinner tonight for Dean in Singapore, Dean and Mandy’s home for the last several years.

We will be thinking of them tonight.  Dean – you  will be in our hearts always.

 

RIP.  We will miss you.

Begin with the End in Mind … Helpful for Inboxes and Strategic Planning

Simpsons Scream

by ~inspirational-dreamson deviantART

 

I am not proud to admit that I spent some considerable time recently cleaning my bulging inbox. Am too embarrassed to admit the exact number, but rest assured a significant number of emails met their cyber maker. As I ploughed through - intensely committed to getting the unwieldy tool organised - I couldn't help but wonder how it got so out of control in the first place. 

 

The process reminded me of editing major papers at university, when a successful afternoon was marked by the elimination of several thousand words. At that time I learnt how useful it was to establish processes and write succinctly at the outset - rather than investing copious amounts of editing time later. The same principle applies to my burgeoning inbox. It would be beneficial in terms of time and computer efficiency if the emails were filed or deleted as they were received, well before my hardworking computer slowed in protest, creeking under their weight.

The adages “Begin with the end in mind” and  “Start out how you wish to continue” remind us of this principle and are applicable to  business. Yet unfortunately many businesses start up or continue to operate without a plan, only taking action when the business has run into difficulty and adversely affected.

 

A good marketing plan is a business’s most cost effective marketing tool. It doesn't need to be cumbersome - indeed it can be presented in a page. But like the time invested in bulging inboxes or shearing words in editing a paper, a plan and its consideration of the market, customers and the shaping of your services to suit, will help avoid ad hoc and unnecessary expenditure in mistimed and ill designed business marketing activities.

Strategic planning is a fundamental business process which will increase  the chances of business success – and to get it right from the beginning. Like unattended inboxes, doing it now will save time and money later. Very beneficial!

Postscript: 

I can take heart from this: Einstein managed his inbox!

And tips from Cory Doctorow in managing email:Cory Doctorow's article

 

And  from the super organised  Get Organized Wizard - Michele Connolly - in Slaying the Inbox Dragon

In Memory of Netscape: The Transformation of Business & Marketing

 

The Tipping Point as Malcolm Gladwell describes – and as author Iggy Pintado notes in his book Connection Generation  – is ‘the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.’

 

 

That point – says Iggy was October 13, 1994 – 15 years ago today – with the public  launch of the Netscape Navigator Web browser, providing access  to the wealth of  information  available on the World Wide Web.  Google’s subsequent introduction  extended access to that information by enabling specific word and phrase search.

 

 

These changes have transformed marketing and business today.  A website is the ultimate cost effective marketing tool, extending market reach for businesses, providing a platform to build relationships with customers, brand awareness and communication.

 

However, although most Australian businesses are online -   a little more than half have a website. If your customers are online then you definitely should be.  25% of the world’s population or more than 1.6 billion people are linked to the web.  And two thirds of Australian households are now online, making a website, a a key marketing tool, and fundamental to business today.

 

 Netscape is no longer with us. The popularity of Microsoft Internet Explorer and subsequent other browsers, led to its demise - with development ceased in late 2007 and cancellation of technical support in March 2008. It's legacy though is certain to live on.

Some LinkedIn Lovin'

I have a confession to make. In the world of social media I came to LinkedIn rather late. I've heard LinkedIn described as the 'buttoned down, suited up version' of social media and after working for more than 20 years in corporate environments - was keen to pursue what I felt were more innovative and relaxed forms. Facebook, Twitter, blogging and LinkedIn are just a few of the social media platforms and as discussed previously, facilitate  strategic marketing by enabling engagement with  customers in one on one conversations, listening and authenticity. It's all about building relationships. And LinkedIn fosters those - in spades. Here are some LinkedIn stats*: * LinkedIn has over 47 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. * A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of all members are from outside the U.S. *Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members Yes it is a slightly more serious form - you post your professional background/resume as a profile and can request recommendations from those with or for whom you’ve worked. But this is just the start - it is so much more! For a Business to Business marketing tool - LinkedIn can be really useful. The following are just five features of LinkedIn relevant to growing your business. 1. Networking LinkedIn is fantastic way to follow up those connections made at networking events. Instead of forwarding the 'it was nice to meet you' emails, you can connect via LinkedIn and in the process still send a message. The person with whom you’re connecting will immediately receive your background and profile. 2. Research LinkedIn has tools enabling to search and identify companies within an industry and location. Extremely useful! 3. Brand Personality Linked n enables you to connect your twitter and blog feeds. You can attach documents and presentations - and even provide book reviews which provide further insight into you and your brand. 4. Groups Joining groups of interest on LinkedIn provides a wonderful way to network, expand contacts and cultivate useful information. 5. SEO Being active on LinkedIn will also help your SEO. You can include your website details on your profile. So don't be a late LinkedIn bloomer. Start lovin' LinkedIn now. Your business will be glad you did!