Business
Archived posts from this Category
Use customer service to battle online traders
Posted by MattE on 17 Dec 2011 | Tagged as: Business, consumer engagement, General, Marketing
I have been following some interesting discussions in several web forums about prices we pay in regular bricks and mortar stores compared to online and where the anti-online buying move and misrepresentation on both sides leaves the argument undecided.
Not surprisingly, methods to retain customers were raised, which of course raised the whole can of worms about pricing, how GST influences things so much, that items are cheaper to buy overseas, etc. Of course each of these factors has their merits and counter argument.
There were even proposals that traditional bricks and mortar stores needed to set up online versions of themselves – even to the extent that sales staff could be made redundant and stores operate merely as pick-up points. (Harvey Norman is moving to this is a very limited way – allowing online sales and in-store pickup.)
The secret workaround to slashing mobile global roaming charges
Posted by MattE on 28 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, General, SMS
With the favorable exchange rate it seems every second person is heading overseas on holidays or business travel.
All to often however, people come back and get a nasty surprise – and I am not talking about health related ones 
Just as shocking can be the arrival of the next phone bill with a huge amount for global roaming costs, both for calls made and for those intrusive, well meaning relatives who just want to phone all the time to see ‘how things are going?’
It is not unusual for people to receive a phone bill of several THOUSAND dollars. This soon wipes any advantage of cheap holidays brought about by the high Aussie dollar.
Another business claiming I subscribed to their list
Posted by MattE on 25 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, General
Sorry people at
Channel 1 Creative Media
Level 1 Chandler Arcade, 109 Boronia Rd
Boronia, Vic 3155
But I never subscribed to your list – I would never have any interest in what you have to offer so why would I have subscribed.
Computer backups vital for business and personal computers
Posted by MattE on 24 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, General
In the past week I have had contact with several people who have lost files,or suffered other issues with computers that have caused much anxiety and in some cases, information, or pictures have been lost forever.
While backing up data would seem to be a self evident task for every business, even home computer users need to look seriously at backing up their data.
Take these statistics from a survey of small business in the USA – I am sure they would be similar here in Australia: Continue Reading»
Musings on the NBN rollout public information session
Posted by MattE on 21 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, Communications, Web
Being in one of the first places in Australia earmarked for the National Broadband Network rollout (Toowoomba) I thought it a good idea to go along to the one hour information session to learn more about it.
Presentations weer made by a Govt officer and a rep from NBN co.
The takeaway messages that I share with you are: Continue Reading»
PM Training Concepts – why would I have an interest?
Posted by MattE on 21 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, Communications, Marketing
Today I received an email touting the PM Training Concepts – PMI REP 3147 course.
The thing is despite it being personalised and having an unsubscribe link at the bottom, I have never subscribed to their list (the email used is never used to subscribe to anything – that is what Hotmail and Yahoo accounts are for).
So this means PM Training Concepts must be using trawling to build their lists. This is one black mark as spam.
Black mark two is the fact that the contents of the email did not explain fully what PMP is (there are some fleeting references to project management) – therefore it is not a legitimate business approach as is has no relevance to me.
How to sell more online
Posted by MattE on 17 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Business, Marketing
The ease of shopping on the internet has seen a boom in ecommerce, to the frustration on bricks and mortar outlets. But are businesses their own worst enemy in creating wariness amongst customers?
Increasingly products that have struggled to sell due to customer’s concerns about sizing issues have started to sell well due to a dramatic shift in the way the etailers do business, specifically with returns of products that do not fit.
An example of an online etailer who has removed just about every barrier to shopping online for items where sizing may be an issue is StyleTread Shoes. In one deft swoop, they have turned online shoes sales on their head with their free delivery, 100 day return period, free return shipping and fast refund on returned items.
Nominal Accounting software – more of a total business tool
Posted by MattE on 11 Sep 2011 | Tagged as: Business
I have been very fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Uri, who is the developer of a great Australian software title called Nominal Accounting software.
During my discussions with Uri I have said that he needs to rename the software to something like Nominal Business Suit, because his software does so much more than just handle the books.
Here is what is does: Continue Reading»
Increase your business sales using SMS
Posted by MattE on 08 Aug 2011 | Tagged as: Business, Marketing, SMS
Every business has more sales as one of their main priorities. Often increased sales are pursued with the same mindset as chasing new customers. In fact most businesses see the two as inseparable.
While new customers are great and many efforts to increase sales will bring new customers, communicating with existing customers is a prime way to market to an audience who has already experienced what you have to offer.
One of the best ways to communicate with your market is using SMS. While the costs compared to email are higher, statistics show that on average less than one-quarter of emails on any commercial nature are not opened.
McInnes threatens landlords with store closures – The West Australian
Posted by MattE on 26 Jul 2011 | Tagged as: Business
The challenge has been laid down to shopping centres, and not a moment too soon.
Premier Retail boss Mark McInnes has dangled the threat of widespread store closures over shopping centre landlords in a bid to extract a better deal on rents as his group of fashion businesses joins the throng of retail rivals warning of “challenging” conditions.
Mr McInnes issued the challenge to shopping centre owners yesterday during his first trading update since his appointment as chief executive of Premier Investments’ collection of retail businesses – which include Just Jeans, Dotti and Portmans – in March.
McInnes threatens landlords with store closures – The West Australian.
