Category: Business admin

Social Networking – let’s get physical

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

Ok – so we’ve all worked out that we can now find each other on line. That there’s more people than we thought with similar interests, and that connecting with them can be mutually beneficial.

Now; get off line and get out there.

Get connected physically. Nothing beats facetime and smart social networking organizations are getting back to basics. Creating old school events like business networks such as Rotary have been doing for years. Old is the new new.

If you’re in Melbourne (which I am) get along to the Hive. The Hive is a new entrepreneurs network started by some savvy entrepreneurship students in Melbourne.

the-hive-logo.png

Their premise is simple. Come along, hear some successful entrepreneurs speak, meet other entrepreneurs. Communicate, collaborate and corroborate. It’s free and valuable.

You can check it out here and here. They run a good show for some youngsters.

Pictures

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

I try and use pictures on every blog entry.  

I use pictures every time I do a business presentation.

You might see something my words didn’t tell you.  

My words might tell you something my picture didn’t show you.

wheres-wally.png 

(Where’s wally?)

The silver bullet

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

Big business and Governments the world over constantly search for the big idea, the way forward, the next world beating innovation.  This viewpoint evolves from a mass culture of domination and power to the few. The military industrial complex where large investment, and owning infrastructure can create long term profitability, and ultimately control over constituents. 

If there’s anything to be learned from the internet and media revolution, it’s that the silver bullet has disappeared. It’s not the answer. Fragmentation is inevitable.

 

The answer lies in the aggregation of ‘collective yet differentiated’ resources. Aggregation is how we can overcome and take advantage future fragmentation. This is how the business opportunities of tomorrow will evolve.

 oil-barrel.jpg

The energy / oil / enviro / climate crisis faces the same future…. and I’m betting that the answer isn’t a single substitue for the barrel of oil.    

Rain makers

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

Hippo jobs is a fast growing web startup which focuses on the youth job market. I recently had a coffee with the super successful entrepreneur and General Manager of Hippo.com.au – James Masini.

 hippo.gif 

The discussion found its way towards scaling up and staff requirements and structure.  

Insert startup insight here:  

The majority of his work force are currently in business development roles – read ‘sale people’. He’s currently recruiting a few more staff who’ll also be in Business Development – sale people. 

Not coders, not techies, not marketers, not bean counters, not admin…. rain making, revenue generating, sales people. Simple.  

Why people hate banks

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

People hate banks for lots of reasons. Too many to mention here. But here’s one: They pretend to care. 

Why shock, horror; I actually had a pleasurable banking experience.  

Upon opening a couple of business accounts at the Bank of Queensland in Yarraville and the staff actually did care. We even shared a joke or two. 

The clincher was with a simple statement: When asked how many monthly transactions I’d need at the branch and I replied with I’ll do it all on the net, they replied;  

“That’s a shame, we’d like to see you come in. Remember we’re here if you ever need help or want to come in and discuss any issues.” 

It wasn’t corporate training speak either. The body language and tone told me it was real. We humans can sense these things. Funny how the things that cost nothing, add the most.

If any local business colleagues ask me about banking, guess where I’ll send them?