By Daryl Warren FPRIA

While there’s a temptation in difficult times to put up the shutters and wait it out, history has shown that smart businesses do just the opposite.

Having advised the corporate sector on when and how it should communicate for more than 30 years and through a number of economic cycles, it is apparent that increased strategic communication with staff, business partners, customers and the wider market will not only aid survival but assist in securing new business and building a strong platform for success during the inevitable upturn.

During past weeks, smart businesses immediately impacted by changes to the global economic landscape would have been listening hard to their customers and communicating regularly with their staff, showing firm leadership to their internal stakeholders and demonstrating affinity with their marketplace.

So what are the keys to successful communication in difficult times?

Listen. Understand what your staff, your customers and your competitors are feeling and doing. Use your front-line staff (sales force, service staff) as a source of information. Ask them to note any feedback from customers and clients and provide a mechanism for them to share this information with you and your team to help shape future decisions for your business. Consider undertaking formal research to gauge market sentiment and identify new market opportunities.

Be consistent. The most important component of any communication strategy is consistency of message. Make sure you say the same things to staff, customers and the marketplace so that your organisation is seen to be thinking clearly and acting resolutely in what can often be a confusing environment. Consider controlling your message through direct communication to stakeholders via email, direct mail, newsletters and your website – as well as through the media.

Communicate regularly. A regular presence in the marketplace – and ongoing reminders of support for your customers and business partners – will position you as a constant in what can be a difficult and changing environment, building trust in your brand and relationships for your business.

Communicate leadership. By strongly promoting your people, your products, your business partners and your corporate successes through events, strategic sponsorships, community support and targeted promotion you can show your business is ’getting on with it’. Many of your competitors may not be as focused as you are, so you’re likely to be heard in clear air.

Consistent, strategic communication will build your business’s brand and trust, now and when the good times come again

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How to explain your weaknesses in an interview

I was asked this week whether saying you are a perfectionist is a good answer to provide during a job interview when asked to confess your "weakness".

Ask Kate also appears weekly in 100 News Ltd newspapers.

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Flipboard, an iPad app that turns Twitter and Facebook feeds into magazine-like displays on their devices – as well as provides additional elements to create their own magazines – has been overwhelmed in the last 48 hours by people seeking to download the much-hyped app. However there are reasons to believe that Flipboard is on its way to becoming a sustainable trend – as opposed to being merely a flash-in-the-pan craze that often accompanies new apps.

That is because tablets are providing a new way for people to consume and interact with media, Hubspot writes. "If it is easier for users to consume text, audio and video while on the go, marketers have new opportunities to reach and interact with prospective customers" with social magazines, as Flipboard is calling its creation. The problem, Hubspot said, is that most marketers already have a full plate of tasks – adding another screen to the mix will be a daunting task.

But Hubspot goes on to advise, "as marketers, we need to examine what we are currently doing and determine what we can stop doing to make time and resources available for marketing on tablets and mobile devices."

There are three reasons why social magazine are important to marketers, it said:

1. Noise Reduction. Because social magazines help to filter and better display social streams, it is likely less content will be lost to noise and companies will have better opportunities to connect.

2. A Return to Visuals. Social magazine prioritize the value of powerful images in online storytelling. Pictures now have a greater impact on who reads your content.

3. Social Segmentation. Potential customers are more likely to read the magazines they create instead of the magazines that marketers print and mail to them.

Remember Pulse?

This trend towards news customization by consumers should not comes as a surprise to marketers. If they were paying attention, people also flocked to the Pulse News Reader when it first came out, intrigued by its premise. Developed by two students at the Stanford Institute of Design, Pulse is a simple app that lets users pick which news outlets they want to follow. There are features that let users configure how the articles are organized, as well as social media sharing options.

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Event management opportunity

Financial services giant

CBD location

An outstanding opportunity has arisen to join my prestigious client, a global player in the financial services sector, in this newly created role. As the Junior Events Coordinator you will be working with the Global Event Marketing team who are focussed on developing programmes and events across the organisation. Due to growth they are looking to employ a dynamic individual to join this team.

The position is based in Sydney and your primary focus is to manage executive client events and staff activities from conception through to execution.

Key responsibilities:

Event project management

Manage event budgets and reporting

Ensure appropriate documentation of processed and policies
The successful candidate will have 1-2 years experience within corporate marketing or events, ideally within financial services or an event management company. You will be able to bring your knowledge of the Sydney events market into this role and also be able to think ‘outside the box’ and bring ideas to the table. The ability to communicate effectively at any level is essential, as is flexibility to work after hours to support events when required. Ideally you will have a tertiary qualification in a related subject.

This opportunity will not be around for long. If you have what it takes to do this job please apply online now to be considered.

(Only successful candidates will be contacted)

Apply now

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

12 Month Contract

The Rocks Location

Great Team Environment

QBE Insurance is a highly successful international general insurer. We are a growing, financially sound and results-focused business. From our sponsorship partnerships to our trade exhibits, our Sponsorship and Events team assists to develop and foster business relationships that promote and build awareness of the QBE brand. 

The Sponsorship & Events Team manage QBE’s involvement in a range of events that support our marketing efforts. QBE takes great pride in our sponsorships and we utilise these properties to achieve strong recognition for the company and loyalty of our key customer segments. 

An exciting opportunity is currently available for someone wanting to develop and strengthen their current Marketing career.  We require an organised and passionate professional to support the Sponsorships and Events Team on a 12 month contract.

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited too:

Management of the corporate invitation process;

Acting as a liaison with key business partners such as venues and corporate travel agencies;

Coordination of event logistics such as development of run sheets, ticketing & weekly match day support for sporting sponsorships.

To secure this exciting opportunity you will have Tertiary qualifications in Marketing/Events Management along with some experience in the Events/Exhibit/Conference or Sponsorship industry.  You will have previous exposure working within a corporate brand across promotional mediums and ideally some exposure to B2B Marketing. You will possess excellent communication skills, have the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision and thrive working in a fast paced environment.

If you are currently working in Marketing and are looking for your next step into a Coordinator role to strengthen your career then look no further…

Please apply online following the links below:

Apply now

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

6 Month Contract Role

Chatswood Location

$45,000 + Superannuation

We are seeking a Conference Executive to work and assist in the management and co-ordination of a large exhibition. As the Conference Executive you will be will be managing all aspects of the Exhibition program including sourcing, recruiting and confirming attendees , managing external suppliers, working with company partners, managing the travel and accommodation budget and ensuring all targets are met for the program, managing communication to attendees and ensuring the program runs smoothly at all times.

The role will report to the Event Director. The Conference Executive will work with other members of the team as well as liaise with the external clients and suppliers.

You will need to posses the following skills

2-3 years events experience either a sales or event coordination role.

Excellent customer service skills & exceptional verbal and written communication

Ability to multi task and perform under strict deadlines

Strong organisational and time management skills

General administrative experience

Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) Intermediate to Advance level

Proficiency in web based applications

Strong organisational and time management skills

Exceptional verbal and written communication

Highly Desirable – Knowledge of Events Pro and Events Interactive software

If you are energetic and self-motivated, take this opportunity to demonstrate your skills within this successful and dynamic team.

Please apply on the link below or to speak to a consultant call Prue Ayres on 8244 8428 or Erin-Kate Psaltis on 8244 8436

Apply now

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Global Brand Experience agency with top rankings worldwide

Create Experiences and relationships between brands and people

$120 – $140 Package , city based

Purpose:                      The purpose of this role is to: 

-          Retain and grow our client base 

-          Be a support to all client leads in the business (many of whom are production lead) to ensure that we are: Planning, Growing , Adding strategic value, Have the right resources for them (working with the Heads of Production) to both retain them by doing excellent work and grow them by identifying opportunities and facilitating conversations 

-          Direct  on marketing and contract strategies for active clients 

-          Act as a strategic advisor, mentor and manager to junior client service team members 

-          Drive the business planning and revenue targets for accounts 

-          Support on New Business where appropriate 

-          Be the client lead on a number of key accounts 

-          Work with the team to identify growth potential within newer accounts and where appropriate take them into your portfolio of accountability 

-          You are responsible for optimizing all revenue opportunities. 

Responsibilities & Duties:  

You will work with an internal team to retain and grow clients that are working with us.

For your clients, you will both grow and deepen the agencies relationship with individual clients on a national level by driving innovative creative solutions and by ensuring that we add value at every stage of the process.

For Client Service, your priority is to have a clear plan of account ownership and to support both client leads in better managing their clients and seeking opportunities for growth and working with the junior client service team to help them own and grow their own accounts.

You will have big picture regarding existing clients and their revenue potential for the business and you will plan and manage accordingly.You will support on a grassroots level to manage and mentor client leads.

For New Business, you will continue to support on converting opportunities and proposals. 

To apply please send your CV to Richard Scott by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button below. (Reference Number rs 7)

AustCorp Executive Recruitment: Sales & Marketing – IT & Digital Media – Environmental – Industrial – Manufacturing & Supply Chain – Health Care, if you have a specific enquiry please feel free to contact us.

Apply now

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Melbourne International Film Festival

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is an iconic Melbourne event with a devoted audience. MIFF hosts a feast of cinematic delicacies from over 50 countries for some 17 days each winter, heavily garnished with a range of parties and special events that envelop the CBD. In addition to screening the very best in world cinema, MIFF is Australia’s largest showcase of new Australian cinema and most vocal champion of both emerging and established local filmmaking talent.

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Dolls Bears Toys and Collectables Fair

Australia’s biggest and best Doll Fair. Over 180 traders will be selling dolls, parts, antiques, toys, collectables and bears. Miniatures, artist dolls, bears, prams, furniture, doll houses, fabrics and lace, greenware to make your own porcelain doll. Newborns, Reborns, Modern Barbies and Bratz, books, soft toys, leather doll bodies, eyes, wigs, clothes, shoes. Stands and display cases.

There is a Barbie Dress-up Fashion Parade for five to 10 year olds. Speakers on collecting, demonstrations of doll-making, talk to Doll Artists, you can even bring your doll for identification. Members display – 1950s era dolls, bears and toys. Demonstrations of doll-making by Lex Sorrentino, ACT, using Polymer clay on wire armature and Jenifer Moyse, on Peg Dolls.

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Bribie Island Arts Festival – Bankisias to Beach

The Bribie Islands Arts Festival includes both a large variety of workshops tutored by leading professional artists, and numerous demonstrations and hands-on art experiences presented by local Cooperative Community Colleges will encourage both workshop participants and the general public to explore and improve their skills in a wide variety of arts and crafts.

These creative activities will be complimented by the other activities including musical performances, community singing and community markets.

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Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow – Perth

The Coonawarra wine region packs its bags and is coming to Perth! For the seventh consecutive year, the famous Coonawarra wineries under the banner of the Coonawarra Vignerons Association, will showcase their wares at this very popular and celebrated event. With over 100 wines to enjoy from individual Coonawarra wineries, visitors will have the opportunity to taste the wines and meet the winemakers and owners behind these famous brands.

With 19 different Coonawarra wineries represented, the Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow just keeps getting better. You will have the opportunity to speak to the owners and winemakers behind these famous brands, an experience which is often not available in Cellar Door.

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National Sprint and Distance Championships 2010

The Nationals is Australia’s most prestigious Greyhound Racing Event, attracting the very best chasers and stayers from around Australia. To be held as a twilight meeting, the race meeting feature 12 races on the night, with the two feature races being the 2010 Sprint Championship attracting prize money of AUD75,000.00 and the 2010 Distance Championship also attracting AUD75,000.00.

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