Aussie Rules

(11min 10) One in five people in the Australian workforce are independent contractors. What do we know about the motivation of these people and is it a sensible career choice for you?

Today on BTalk Australia Phil Dobbie talks to Matthew Franceschini, the CEO of Entity Solutions, about an analysis of the sector, compiled with the help of Monash University, called “The Forgotten Workforce”.

Add your thoughts to the Talkback section at the bottom of this post.

Subscribe to BTalk Australia on iTunes.

(19min 12) In the last year Medibank has grown revenue by 10.1% to $3.4 billion, fuelled by high growth in memberships. It was a good result in challenging times, yet circumstances will make the current year considerably harder. How will the health insurer fare with the economic downturn, an ageing and fattening population and a lowering of the Medicare tax threshold?

Today on BTalk Australia Phil Dobbie talks to Medibank’s CEO George Savvides about how he will navigate the business through the next 12 months.

Tell us what you think in the Talkback section at the bottom of this post.

Subscribe to BTalk Australia on iTunes.

This question, posed at the recent 14th Annual International Creativity Conference in Africa,  seems simple to answer at first. Creativity is generally defined as coming up with new and useful ideas and innovation is implementing those ideas. However, we all know it is not that simple.

Kobus Neethling, President of the South African Creativity Foundation cited an international survey (March 2008) which concluded that the factors that are the greatest hindrance to organisation creativity are:

• Time
• Personal authority to initiate new ideas
• An organisational culture that does not support creativity
• Leadership (that is not passionate about creativity)
• Lack of creativity purpose

What do the world’s leading experts recommend we do?

Here some of the key recommendations from the international speakers:

• Build a strategy and culture for sustainable innovation by creating an “Innovation Ecosystem” that includes your leadership, your culture, your partners and your people and their creativity. —Cheryl Perkins, Former Chief Information Officer for Kimberly-Clark
• S.P.R.E.A.D. (Support, Promote, Recognise, Encourage, Apply and Develop) creative thinking by developing creative communities. —Dr Robert Alan Black, USA
• Do more productive thinking (understand challenges, create possibilities and spark action). —Tim Hurson, USA
• Innovation gives a business a price and performance that can be measured: an “Innovation Premium” ––Bill Jarrard, Australia

Let me know if you are interested in more details from the conference.

(12min 40) As part of the plan to drive confidence into the economy the Aussie government is offering up to $21,000 for new home buyers. This on top of the recent 1% drop in interest rates from the Reserve Bank. What does this all mean for house prices?

Today on BTalk Phil Dobbie talks to Noel Dyett, the President of the Real Estate Institute of Australia. Despite the economic outlook and the high level of debt wrapped up in housing he believes there are still reasons to be optimistic about house prices.

Tell us what you think in the Talkback section at the bottom of this post.

For a different view on how where house prices are heading listen to the BTalk podcast with Prof Steve Keen.

Also listen to Alan Moran’s view on how the reserve Bank is doing the wrong thing by lowering rates.

Subscribe to BTalk Australia on iTunes.

(16min 12) Despite the dominant share held by Woolworth and Coles the recent ACCC Inquiry concluded that the grocery market was “workably competitive”. It’s a finding that has angered Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce, who talks to Phil Dobbie on today’s BTalk Australia.

In a lively discussion Barnaby Joyce not only queries the findings of the ACCC Inquiry, he also questions the independence of the national regulator.

Tell us what you think in the Talkback section at the bottom of this post.

Subscribe to BTalk Australia on iTunes.

When I was out walking recently, three separate groups of tourists stopped me and asked that I take their photograph in front of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

As I walked on — assignments duly completed — it dawned on me how I’d taken for granted the view that others wished to retain for posterity. This got me thinking about what else I had stopped ’seeing’, particularly within my work.

For the next twenty minutes or so I was reminded just how fortunate I am. Not only am I surrounded by people who inspire, stretch and amuse me, some of them actually pay me for the privilege.

Then there are the fabulous people who support my business, fellow independent professionals without whom I would be totally lost.

And guess what? I enjoy paying them. I do, I really do.

I am most fortunate to work with such terrific clients and supporters.

Then there are my wonderful partners at Flying Solo, Sam & Peter. Every encounter is stimulating, productive and really fun.

I must have done something quite exceptional in my past life to attract the pair of them.

I could go on and start talking about my private life, but frankly we’d be here forever and it would probably make you nauseous.

With the incessant talk of doom and gloom,  I challenge you to focus less on what’s threatened and instead take a close look at what you have.

(26min 23) Welcome to the 100th episode of BTalk Australia.

Back in June we kicked off a daily podcast, aimed at Aussies but intended to be of interest to BNet users the world over. Today you can hear the variety of topics we have covered so far as we take a soundbite from each of the first 99 stories.

If you missed the early episodes of BTalk go right back to the beginning using this list of all episodes so far. Don’t forget you can also subscribe to BTalk Australia on iTunes.

Tell us what you think of BTalk Australia so far. Which subjects would you like to see us cover? Add comments in the Talkback section at the bottom of this post or email Phil.

The First 100
Don’t Boss Me Around | BTalk Australia - Professor James Sarros from Monash University
Do Older Workers Have the Staying Power? - Grahame Doyle of Hays Recruitment
Is Now a Good Time to Grow Your Business? - ANZ Bank’s Rob Goudswaard
It Pays to be Environmentally Responsible - Amanda McCluskey from Colonial First State Global Asset Management
Early Retirement? You’re Dreamin’ - Michael Davison, CPA Australia’s Superannuation Policy Advisor
IP - See It, Hear It, Just Don’t Touch It - Peter Willimott from IP Australia
Freemales, Spuds and Salary Miners - Graham Plant, Managing Director of Pacific Micromarketing
The Mysterious Art of SEO - Google’s Adam Lasnik
Be Careful What You Promise - Geoff Williams, NSW Regional Director of the ACCC
I’m Outta Here - Peter Wilson, National President of the Australian Human Resources Institute
The Fine Art of Media Planning - Greg Allardice from Media Futures
Non-Compete Clauses. Great If You Like Gardening - business lawyer Peter Townsend
Go It Alone and Escape Corporate Life - Naomi Simson, the founder and CEO of Red Balloon Days
6% Inflation? Let’s Hope Not - Dr Sam Tsiaplias from the Melbourne Institute
Born To Be Global - Peter Leisch, a professor of International Business at the University of Queensland
Brand. Who Needs It? - Dr Stephen Downes, a lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne
Are You Ready to Do Business in Asia? - Paul Tolton, a trainer for The Maura Fay Group.
Success at What Price? - Ron Wood of Pricing Insight
Gone Phishing - James Turner, analyst from IBRS
Retail Advertising Made Simple - Bruce Potter, Creative Director at Streetwise Advertising
Tell Everyone About Your Privacy - Karen Curtis, Australia’s Privacy Commissioner
Customers Who Look After Themselves - Ross Checkley, the Australian MD for NCR
Is Now a Good Time to Buy Shares? - Greg Canavan, Head of Australasian Research at Fat Prophets
Living by Numbers - Noel Pettitt, Teradata’s Vice President, South Pacific
Keep Employees, Look After Their Children - Anna McPhee the Director of Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
Air Today Gone Tomorrow - aviation expert Tom Ballantyne
Head in the Cloud - Doug Farber, Salesforce.com’s APAC Director of Operations
Trapped in Our Capital Cities - Dr Andrew Allen from the University of South Australia
Telstra Needs Threat of Separation - Telco analyst Paul Budde
Which One for the Road? - motoring correspondent David Brown
Don’t Get Mad, Get Managed - corporate psychologist Jasmine Sliger
Unifying Your Voice (Over IP) - Sara Adams, Regional Manager for Small & Medium Business at Cisco
Take Out the Garbage - Matt Glasner, Australian GM of Experian QAS
Get Your Website Right - Tony Redhead of Red Square Productions
I’m Not Here Right Now - John Ogier from 6 Degrees
What Colour Are You? - Greg Dixon, Managing Director of Career Builders
When One and One Make One - Max Coulthard, a senior lecturer at Monash University
Well Done. Now Go Away - Richard Froggatt, a Director of NGT Travel in Melbourne
The Cult of Six Sigma - Alan Skinner, a six sigma “black belt” from the University of Technology in Sydney
Are You Ready For a Career Change? - Alison Haynes. author of “Change: How to Kick Start Your Life and Refresh the Spirit”
Email Marketing Gets Personal - John Merakovsy, the Australian General Manager of Experian CheetahMail
Franchising. Why the Inquiry? - Adrian McFedries, the Managing Director of legal consultancy DC Strategy
Open Yourself Up to Web 2.0 - Simon Van Wyck, a founding partner of Hothouse Interactive
Manage Your Way Out of a Paper Jam - IDC’s Rishi Gai
Aussies’ Online Shopping Therapy - Kevin Mackin, General Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Coremetrics
How Clever Are You With Your Smart Phone? - Dr Kevin McIsaac, an advisor to research consultancy IBRS
Starbucks in a Land of Coffee Snobs - Prof Nick Wailes from the University of Sydney
Mentoring Is a Two-Way Street - Ann Rolfe from Mentoring Works
Start Up Right - Antony Banek, MD of Blue Central
Understanding Y - Clair Hausler, an Industry Analyst from IBIS World
Train and Retain - David Gage, General Manager of Dimension Data Learning Solutions
I Want My MBA - John Edwards from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Talk to the Machine Not the Hand - Paul Magee the Managing Director of VeCommerce
Choosy Job Candidates - Grahame Doyle from Hays Recruitment
Where the Bloody Hell Are They? - Matt Hingerty, the Managing Director of the Australian Tourism Export Council
Corporate Blogs and the Law - Christien Corns from law firm Middletons
Coffee and Other Recreational Drugs - Dr Michael Lyvers from Bond University
When the Going Gets Tough, Women Go Shopping - Marz Ganz, industry manager at IBISWorld
Great Career Move, Shame About the Kids - Gavin Machell, the Vice Principal at the École Mondiale World School in Mumbai
Be The Master of Your Domain - Chris Disspain, the CEO of the Australian Domain Name Administrator (AUDA)
Corporate Twaddlespeak - John Ogier from Six Degrees
Is There Gold at the End of the Olympics? - James Thomson, the editor of Smartcompany.com.au
Privacy Changes For a Digital Age - Professor Les McCrimmon from the Australian Law Reform Commission
Are We Ready For Emissions Trading? - Susan Herron the CEO for AIM Victoria
Is it RIP for the TVC? - Scott Drummond, the online editor for Marketing Magazine
Small Business is Feeling the Hurt - Greg Evans from ACCI
Are We Paying Our Bosses Too Much? - Stephen Cornwell from Deloitte
Getting on Top of Brand Hierarchies - Dr Stephen Downes, a lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne
Is Oil Supply the Elephant in the Room? - Ian Dunlop, Deputy Convenor of the Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil
Are Commodities Hiding the Real Export Story? - Christine Christian, CEO of Dun & Bradstreet
Second’s Best - Guy Cranswick, an advisor for IBRS
DIY Superannuation - Michael Hallinan from Townsends Business Lawyers
Marketing Through Online Social Networks - social network strategist Laurel Papworth
In Business the Family Way - Bill Noye, chairman of KPMG’s Family Business Services
Does Your CFO Know Marketing Lingo? - Roger James, chairman of the Australian Marketing Institute
End of Reporting Season Wrap - Greg Canavan from Fat Prophets
Do We Need an Aussie Mac? - Stephen Kirchner from the Centre for Independent Studies
Who Should Pay for Maternity Leave? - Jessica Brown from the Centre for Independent Studies
Is the Future Chrome? - Steven Noble, a senior analyst at Forrester Research
Work Longer, Live Longer - Peter Peterson, Chief Executive of Adult Learning Australia
Don’t Sell Short - Alan Kohler, the Editor-in-Chief of Business Spectatator
The Intrepid Travel Story - Intrepid Travel co-founder Geoff Manchester
iPhone or Blackberry Bold? - Gadget Guy Peter Blasina
Talking to the Media -Andrew Kirk from Hill and Knowlton
Slash Your Phone Bill - Paul Morris from Consulcom
Hire Someone’s Mum - Leigh Kostiainen from hiremymum.com.au
Communicating When Downsizing - Mandy Thatcher from Melcrum
Fairer IR Laws? - Peter Anderson, the Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Is Your Mail Server the Crime Scene? - Eddie Sheehy, CEO of Nuix
Where Do We Draw the Line on Capitalism? - Telco analyst Paul Budde
Polish Up Your Interview Skills - executive recruiter James Lynch
Australia in 2020 - social researcher Mark McCrindle
How Clever is The Lucky Country? - Glenn Wightwick, the Director of IBM’s Australia Development Laboratory
Brush Up Your Sales Technique - sales coach David Penglase
Creativity Sells - Kym Penhall, Executive Director of Ipsos ASI
Will Debt Drive Us to Depression? - Prof Steve Keen from UWS
Smoking Can Kill Your Business - Natalie Clays from Allen Carr’s Easyway
Get With the 2.0 Program! - Craig Dower, Australian GM of Avanade
Where Did We Go Wrong? - Alan Moran from the Institute of Public Affairs

One easy way to stay in the frame with a prospective new client is when you have a contact the prospect would like to meet. By introducing both parties you stand to strengthen your relationship and grow your profile.

A good example of how simple actions can work for you came up in conversation recently with a coaching client. This person consults on telecoms development to mid-sized businesses in the financial sector.

Earlier that day she had been in conversation with a small, energetic company who look like they may just be going places. Not an ideal client yet, but maybe one day.

We discussed how she might stay in touch without being seen as pushy or irrelevant.

The solution was to act as a networking conduit — introducing the small guy to one or two of her existing clients. She recognised such an introduction would be genuinely useful to both parties. The former can gain an insight into big business; the latter a peek into the mind of a young entrepreneur.

If my client is right and the match is a good one, positive karma from both sides would surely be forthcoming.

Within our businesses we have the opportunity to generate many such introductions and use this to maintain a meaningful connection with our prospects.

So who would you like to stay close to? Who are the people you can move and shake amongst?

In case you’ve missed it in amongst the wealth of great content on BNet, I have started a weekly video feature where I talk to psychologist Jessica Revill from Heartmenders about issues that affect many of us in the workplace. Jessica is a well informed, lively talker which makes for entertaining and insightful videos. So why not check out the first few:

Burning the Midnight Oil
How much overtime can workers put in before they start to become counterproductive?

Being the New Guy
Dr Jess gives some hints on how to handle being the new guy at work.

Working Smarter
You don’t have to stay at work until all hours to get more done.

Broken Hearts
Don’t let the end of a relationship destroy your performance at work.

Enjoy!

In a recent discussion with Mark, a designer friend, he told me he was on the verge of losing it with a client. This is rarely a smart move.

The reason for Mark’s wrath was he was being pushed to discount his services. Sound familiar?

In a competitive market, prospective customers often attempt to get a reduction in fees, while ignoring what’s actually involved in delivering the work. They focus instead on trying to get extra value at our expense.

If we’re not clear, consistent and professional in how we respond to briefs and requests, we can leave ourselves open to such treatment, but this was not the case with Mark.

He’d done everything properly, had quoted very reasonably and yet still found himself drawn down a dark alley to get roughed up. Metaphorically speaking.

He handled the request for discount admirably, responding with suggestions of how the job could be amended to fit the “new” budget.

Unfairly, the client pushed again.

Mark was ready to let rip and had drafted an email brimming with words like “offended” and “disrespectful”. Fortunately he ran it by me first.

Showing our emotions at this critical stage of a project does little to foster a successful, ongoing working relationship. We need to stay calm, stand our ground and not sink to our client’s level.

After talking it over, Mark realised he didn’t need to send the venomous email. He simply needed to stand his ground.

Happily, he won the project and while he may choose to share his feelings sometime in the future (when the relationship can take it), for now he can get on with the work and send out a nice big invoice.

Have you lost it lately and regretted it? Maybe you’ve lost it and loved it. Post a comment and let’s hear it.