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How To Get More Customers Coming Out Of Recession
‘Marketers’ and ‘Business Development Managers’ have got away with hiding behind their trendy suits and budgets for much too long. Sort them out. (Sort yourself out?!) read more
Be Different: Be Disruptive and Make Money
Being disruptive pays. Following the pack does not. At least not for most people. Most marketing activity interrupts. It interrupts evenings in front of the TV, reading the newspaper, walking down the street. However, the interruptions get less effective as the consumer becomes immune to the endless messages. read more
Are You A Zebra?
Trading on the old tag lines no longer works. If all your competitors are competing on the strength of the usual banners (faster, smarter, better value) then why should people bother to buy from you if you are all just the same? Now is the time to look at your business and try to make yourself look different on at least one significant criterion. read more
Dieting & Management
Dieting and business success recipes are sold by the million to unsuspecting innocents (who should know better). Same basic formula. Despite four thousand years of civilisation, we have not yet learnt the basics of how to get on with each other. read more
Enterprise Management Incentives Scheme Update
The enterprise management incentives (EMI) scheme is a tax-favoured share option scheme, designed to assist smaller and/or entrepreneurial companies to recruit, incentivise and retain employees. This is done through the offering of tax-advantaged share options in the company as an alternative to cash rewards such as bonuses. read more
Structuring Employee Rewards Without Using Shares
Employing people is usually the biggest cost and headache for most businesses; for companies to be successful, they need to attract, motivate, reward and retain the key individuals who will make this happen. This takes the form of reward, usually in cash, but a sense of ownership is also a huge incentive for those concerned. read more
Measuring Employee Performance
The success and growth of your business depends on your employees contributing effectively to your business objectives and priorities. Their contribution is a blend of achieving objectives (the ‘what’ of the job) and behaviour (the ‘how’ of the job). Both these aspects need to be based on clarity of what is expected, fair and meaningful measures, and regular feedback. read more
Keeping Your Staff Happy And Motivated
The difficulties in the current job market mean that your employees are less likely to move jobs in a hurry. Most businesses are still trying to keep costs at bay and it’s important to remember that your staff will be motivated by more than just money. read more
The Importance Of Employees Being Earnest
British businesses have faced relentless challenges over the last few years. There has been a constant stream of news about financial problems both locally and globally. In the last month alone, several large British companies have suffered serious issues, with high street giants announcing job cuts and HMV facing administration. read more
Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Fold ‘Em
A few years into the building of blinkx, a very senior person on my team burned out right before my eyes. This person, let’s call him Dave, was (and is) a legendary contributor and one of blinkx’s best secret weapons. One night after work he sent me an email: “Urgent: can we meet early tomorrow morning? Not in the office—the Ferry Building at 8:30?” read more
