An Important Talking Point

Barry Urquhart
Marketing Focus

Never let it be said… men are poor communicators.

Males do communicate and are generally efficient in getting their messages across.

Sadly, all too often the audience is themselves and the sentiment is negative.

Self-talk is calculated to represent more than 90% of the time and effort expended by males in projecting and receiving messages, thoughts and ideas. Women are more inclined to share their time and thoughts.

However, it seems males and females alike are guilty of self-admonishment. “You idiot”, “you fool” and “wrong again” are common verbal and mental reprimands.

The manifestations of this reality are particularly evident in the current business marketplace. A general lack of confidence is one of the marks of negative self-talk, among other contributing factors. This can be a catalyst for many to “retreat into ourselves”.

The good news is that there is truth in the saying, “if I could speak to more people I could sell more and do more business”.

A great place to start this positive, remedial action plan is to sit down and have a “good talk” to yourself. There is generally a good and quick meeting of the mind about whom one should contact to talk business.

And a parting message for humble males, from the female fraternity:

“one thing at a time”.

CLOTHES MAKETH THE MAN

Fashion and style consultants are active in the workplace counselling employees on how to “recession-proof” their jobs.

For males, shorter hair, clean-shaven faces and polished, well-heeled shoes are part of the defensive strategy. Understated clothing, reflective of that worn by bosses, is preferable. And, good news for some, grey hair is chic.

Shorter locks, no tee-shirts and an absence of grey tints for females seem to garner favour amongst employers contemplating a thinning of the ranks.

Interestingly, these fashion and style gurus are advocating compliance with standards. That contention alone must be perplexing for many in the workforce, who have not been inducted into company dress and presentation codes.

Stereotyping, it seems, is coming back into vogue. Bankers are being advised that business suits and ties are appropriate, whereas three-day facial hair is best left to the disciples of Yasser Arafat.

If this all seems to be a distraction, then you registered a key point. Fashions and presentation styles should never be a distraction from the business at hand. Contracts and sales can be lost, relationships fractured and confidence compromised.

Presentation alone will not sustain employment or success. Substance, value and relevance are important.

SPREAD THE WORD

We do encourage you to forward this e-zine onto those who you believe will laugh, enjoy and profit from the commentaries and the article text.

For those who wish to receive future issues, do contact Kate Power at:

kate@marketingfocus.net.au

TAKE TWO – “IT’S CONFIDENCE, STUPID”

It is significant that following the relatively substantial 0.5% reduction in official interest rates in early May, consumer demand throughout Australia has barely altered. It remains flat and patchy.

You may recall that we predicted such in these series of transmissions three editions ago.

The fundamental issue which is impeding an increase in demand is not affordability or capacity. It is confidence, or the lack of it.

Confidence will be best and most rapidly achieved by stability. Consistency in key economic and political variables will facilitate and encourage people, families, businesses and governments to plan and to budget. Most people around the world are currently not seeking to “get ahead of the curve”. Indeed, they will be happy to lag behind any semblance of a trend. That is an atypical marketplace characteristic.

It is difficult for any confidence to evolve and for planning and budgeting to be effected when there is volatility and movement in fundamental independent variables, interest rates in particular.

Moreover, it is probable that any lowering of interest rates in the near future will be interpreted as “things are obviously worse than they predicted”.

One does not need a vivid imagination to be able to envisage the consequences.

ACTIVE JUNE

It was evident from a series of presentations delivered during May, on behalf of financial planners, mortgage brokers and accountancy practices that many people have “idle” money in their accounts and portfolios.

These “liquid” individuals, couples, families and businesses are seeking guidance, assurance and insights on how, where and when to exploit investment opportunities.

This year in particular June will not be a quiet month. For those who are prepared to “shake the tree”, there is a lot of low hanging fruit to be picked.

If we are able to contribute to your endeavours with a relevant customised presentation, please do not hesitate to make contact.

Barry Urquhart
Email: Urquhart@marketingfocus.net.au
Mobile: 041 983 5555
Office Tel: (08) 9257 1777

HAIL, PETER GLEN

Everyone and every business need to move merchandise. It’s imperative for those who value and are keen to increase and bank cashflow.

We have recently reviewed the classic series compact disc set which features Peter Glen of New York. Peter was one of America’s foremost, creative and innovative retailers and merchandising consultants.

“Ideas That Move Merchandising” is a two-disc CD offering which was recorded live at a public seminar in Perth.

Original, theatrical, challenging and compelling, it is a fun learning experience which is appropriate for business owners, managers and staff members.

If you are interested in making an investment of $65.00 (including freight) with the objective of moving merchandise, contact Kate Power at Marketing Focus.

Email: kate@marketingfocus.net.au
Office Tel: (08) 9257 1777
Fax: (08) 9257 1888

Simply provide your name, mailing address and credit card details for an immediate response.

Business is serious.

So too are politics and economics.

All three do and should make us laugh. That is a prime intent of the following article text which has some telling accurate barbs.

Enjoy.

ARTICLE TEXT:
ON THE RADAR SCREEN – TURBULENCE AHEAD

This is your captain speaking.

Welcome aboard this around-the-world flight, visiting some of the globe’s economic and political hot-spots.

Fasten your seat belts. There is turbulence ahead.

We can and will ride it out, but it will be a bit bumpy. It may be necessary to reset our course several times to negotiate the conditions which lie ahead.

Be advised, we will be changing altitudes at various times in an endeavour to find the smoothest possible passage.

Our route on this trip has us tracking north and west. We do not anticipate any tailwinds. Therefore, the engines will need to work at full power and there will be no early arrivals.

Late in the flight do keep your eyes open, because we will probably see the sun setting on a number of countries, as we have known them.

European air-traffic control has issued a warning. There is a heavy flight of capital out of Greece to Germany, creating some congestion and its own slipstream. We will remain mindful of this. However, it should not cause us any major concern or delays. The impact will be relative(s) and should be limited to certain suburbs in metropolitan Melbourne.

Our instruments are showing a drag on the left wing and we expect that to increase over France. We are monitoring the situation closely. The atmosphere in Spain and Portugal may exacerbate conditions.

The global forecast is for a series of storm fronts to gather and stay over Europe for around a decade. There will be flooding in specific localities and businesses will bear substantial costs, many will incur damage (to revenue, sales and growth) and some will be washed out to sea. Analysis at this time has identified much structural damage and the re-building program will be long, complex and costly.

In most instances, there is no insurance cover to off-set the costs and premiums will be regraded. That appears to be a prudent policy, with little risk that it will not occur.

National business, political and economic lexicons will witness additions. Already, there is widespread and conspicuous evidence that the Greeks, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Irish are experiencing difficulty comprehending, articulating and applying simple words like austerity.

We have received word that the volcanic Mt Etna in Italy is active, which is in stark contrast to the national government. The former Prime Minister has been found to be a “Little Emperor” without clothes. He has given up his political party in favour of another bunga-bunga party. Advice is that we should avoid that airspace as a precaution to possible fallout.

A large depression has been identified over Ireland. Yes, that is correct and confirmed… to-be-sure, to-be-sure.

Here is an interesting aside. European business schools, political science facilities and universities are offering new and refresher courses on profits, costs, margin risk and capital management. At this time interest and enrolments are sparse. It seems many of the potential students are otherwise engaged in reclaiming and Occupying The Streets of cities throughout the continent.

The worst of the storms across the Atlantic Ocean over the North America continent have passed and dissipated. A lot of rebuilding is needed, not the least of which is confidence. This will be no tea party.

Regrettably, no one is showing or paying any interest. We will be avoiding that area because wind-shear and down-draughts will make it hard for us to take off and achieve any uplift for some time.

Reports have been received that China is experiencing an unseasonal cold chill, which is affecting the local atmosphere. Movement and air-traffic have slowed appreciably.

There are fears of a pending avalanche which will affect Beijing. We are assured that the Central Communist Party is drafting a most positive forecast…

Our scheduled stopover in India has been cancelled. We have received advice there has been another earthquake which has shaken the country. Five more cricketers have been found to be negotiating to cheat with the bowling of no-balls, wides and donkey-drops.

Hold on. Disregard that advice. It seems the situation is normal. Oh, my goodness!

We have been able to connect with the Australian-owned and sited Jindalee Over The Horizon Radar System and can report we are tracking what appears to be a significant number of well-heeled Australian consumer refugees, who appear to be trekking overseas for relief from high prices, appallingly bad customer service and an incompetent Federal Government.

Ladies, gentleman and children, we anticipate a relatively soft-landing after a somewhat “bumpy” ride.

And so, please sit back, enjoy the spartan service (with due deference to the Greeks) and have faith. There is only one way, and that is up. And at the moment the First Officer is in full flight using the sextant trying to conclude which way that is.