Marketing and sales are essential to building a fast-growing business. Read marketing insights on essential topics like closing the sale, getting the marketing mix right, and building your brand. Don't miss Peter Switzer's essential business tips for building your marketing knowledge.
The views presented in these articles are not Optus' views. This article contains general information only and is not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business needs.
Australian companies spend the majority of their time trying to find the best way to convert occasional customers into loyal devotees. And while it sounds like a tall order, changing customer behaviour isn't as difficult as you might think.
In the last 12 months, Australian companies such as CommSec, Qantas, Pizza Hut and Officeworks have all released their own applications, while smaller web-based businesses such as Lasoo.com and Catch of the Day have also developed their own apps.
It takes time for a brand to develop and become well known among consumers. Satisfying your customer's needs is an important part of this.
It's that time of the year again - with only so many sleeps until Christmas, it's time for online retailers to start panicking about their key selling period.
Are you in business, but often think to yourself that you're not in sales - perhaps you can't stand selling and have decided that you can't sell? If this is the case, then you need to take a good hard look at yourself - because, guess what?
Ensuring your business is different from the rest will ensure it stands out and will hopefully make it a success, especially during tough times.
It's a question many business owners have when they decide to hire a full time sales person. How should they be paid; on a base plus incentive package, or just on a percentage, and with or without expenses?
Knowing what not to do when selling is just as important as knowing how to sell...
Social networking giant Twitter has grown from an internet gimmick into a full-blown marketing tool. For SMEs, being able to spread your message and sell to millions of people with no cash required is an offer too good to refuse.
One of the greatest influences on the growth of a business is something that is often under-rated, ignored or totally misunderstood and this might shock you -- it's called business communication.
I have a sole goal, and that's to be the lateral thinker for you. The articles I write and the tips I give emanate from my own experience as a business owner and an employer and from my regular access to outrageously successful business people.
Networking is not something that can be underestimated in today's business world. The old adage rings true - it's not what you know, but instead who you know that often helps you get to where you need to be business-wise.
When bringing a brand to a new market, research is key. Is there a hole in the market shaped just like your brand? Or are you merely contributing to an already-crowded marketplace?
What do McDonald's, Claudia Schiffer and Paul Keating all have in common? All three have been successful? All three have devoted supporters, but do they all have critics? Well, possibly, but the standout characteristic is that they present well.
Finding new clients can often be a difficult process. Smart and successful marketing is essential to any growing business.
The shops along Sydney's Oxford Street are playing up their uniqueness in the battle to win back customers, reports Peter Switzer.
I know a great salesperson told at the beginning of his sales career, that to be successful he'd have to learn how to CLOSE the sale. It sounded mysterious at the time, but now he admits it is the easy part when you know how.
Most business owners at some stage find themselves faced with what I call a growth dilemma. They don't know whether to grow their business or not. Hey, if you don't want to grow a world class business, don't worry, you probably are in a big
We're all being told that what we have to do to make a success out of our businesses is to build a brand. And it has been good advice but one of the world's foremost gurus on advertising is recommending we opt for 'love' as a key tool.
Don't mislead or deceive when selling. You might be passionate about your product or service and you want to make that sale, but don't let this get the better of you when you're selling.
Here's an unusual success story about a business that specialised in a very unlikely product - wall charts.
Researching your target market to find if there are any gaps in the market that can be filled is a great way to grow your business. Good marketing is also crucial.
A good proposal is essential to getting new business. It's important that the proposal shows potential clients exactly what your business can offer them
It really is worth reading everything you can to improve your marketing. And if you've launched a new business or added new products or services, you should be putting together your marketing plan specifically for this.
An important aspect of marketing is being able to set your business apart from the rest of the crowd.
Good businesses targeted to become great businesses have to be subjected to continuous questioning, in particular, are we best practice?
Here are some tips to creating the type of advertising that will catch potential customers or clients attention.
Selling, whether it be products or just marketing your work, is an important part of any business. Here are some tips to ensure you and your staff are at the top of your game.
The legendary American screen actor Rod Steiger once said something to Paul Newman in the movie In The Heat of the Night that all business owners should remember if they want to build a great business brand.
There are three fundamental questions that all businesses have to nail to ensure they become world class performers. By the way, there's nothing wrong with dreaming big and shooting to be the world's best -- it's a great motivation.
Advertising whiz kid Siimon Reynolds (who's now no longer a kid) once wisely told me that everything you do in business is advertising.
Advertising your business is important, but sometimes it's hard to know where to start.
Promoting your brand requires innovative thinking to ensure your business gets noticed.
Do you ever wonder why you choose one product over another?
Exhibiting your business or product at trade shows can be a great way to market it. Here is a Q&A about how to get the best exposure possible.
The art of selling is one worth learning. Here are some tips to help you become a more effective seller that knows what customers want.
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During tough times, cutting back on certain parts of your business may be detrimental.
Donald H. McGannon summed up leadership in a nutshell: "Leadership is action, not position."
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