Get Real in September - To grow or not to grow?
June 30, 2008
The NEXT Get REAL networking lunch topic is:
TO GROW - OR NOT TO GROW - For businesses owners with businesses from all sizes and maturity (or immaturity ) needing to AIR AND SHARE their issues and gain some clarity and perspective.
WHEN: Friday 26th September from 12:30 - 3:00pm
Location: Zulu Communications in Balmain
Time: 12:30 - 3:00pm
Cost: $50 + GST
Get REAL is an open discussion about challenges of self employment and being in business
Being experts in our fields either for a short time or a long stretch does not automatically mean that we are experts at managing the challenges of running our own businesses. As we all know - the world of self employment and small business is fraught with challenges and it’s a hairy, scary rollercoaster ride sometimes.
Some of these challenges are easier to understand and overcome than others and at times we all feel STUCK and just need some friendly ears of understanding and other business brains to bounce off.
Is it time for you to Get Real??
Bookings Essential - click here for more details or contact Zulu to book your place
ZuluQ: How can you help me develop my logo ?
June 29, 2008
Q: I am in process of developing my logo. How can you help?"
Zulu says:
I work with businesses on the strategic side as well as the creative and implementation side of things.
What does this mean? I help businesses establish what their corporate identity should be and how it will reflect their business, products and services - and come up with a clearly defined brief and plan so that you can then take the next step of working with a Graphic Design professional.
Because this is your business and investment - it’s YOU that need to clearly define what your logo and corporate identity should be - NOT the graphic designer’s.
Zulu helps translate your NOTIONS into reality and because of the knowledge and experience we have with working with all sorts of designers through the processes of production - we also act on behalf of the designer to get the brief and scope established so that they can get on with what they do best - DESIGNING.
You can check out the MANY examples of this on the Corporate Identity Page and see the results and case studies in Zulu’s Client Gallery . The case studies that help further define and describe this process.
ZuluQ: Should we align our brand to a parent company?
June 29, 2008
Q: " We are a distributor and have a parent company, we are looking at our logo. Should we align ourselves with them in terms of colour and brand or develop our own?"
Zulu Says:
You need to look at your overall strategy for YOUR business in order to make those decisions.
You may end up distributing products for other companies or different ranges of products - to align yourself too closely to one parent company could be disadvantageous to you and the future growth capacity of your business.
Also consider that your LOGOS will sometimes sit side by side - or perhaps your logo would appear in support of the parent company at times. If they look too similar - it may create some confusion.
I suggest a formal review of your business in relation to your key stakeholder relationships, brands and products in order to make this kind of decision. Being clear on how it all relates will give you more control and confidence about making that critical decision.
ZuluQ: Do I need a logo?
June 29, 2008
Q: Does every business need a logo?
Zulu says:
Do you understand what at logo is and how it will help to differentiate your business and products from ALL that is out there competing for attention?
Having a logo is only PART of your corporate identity which makes up the FACE of your business.
Let’s look at the elements that make up a LOGO
For example: In the case of Zulu’s Logo
- The doll is the icon
- The Zulu text is an icon
- The the name of my business is an element also
- In its entirety - they represent Zulu’s logo
The business name on its own is a version of the Zulu Logo that is used and applied independant of the doll icon . I refer to this as a SUB LOGO and have strict controls over where and how I use and represent both of these elements. The sub logo has ICONIC elements to it ( the ZULU bit)
Many companies choose not to develop and ICON in preferece to just the business or product name. However its HOW you do this and represent it that BECOMES your logo.
The question really is then - does a business or product need an ICON… the answer is - not really. It’s completely up to you.
Just remember - CONSISTENCY is the KEY when you are applying your LOGO, managing and developing your corporate identity.
Have a look at the logos Zulu has created and also read more about developing corporate identity.
Sue Liu presents on Developing Corporate Identity - please contact Sue for further information.
Get creative with your email address
June 27, 2008
Ok - so after my little rant about having your email reflect your business more appropriately.
Larger businesses often have to have these lengthy protocols because they have so many employees to differentiate - but we don’t have to being small businesses!
Here’s a few tips about getting a bit more creative and simplifying your email addresses.
GENERAL EMAIL ADDRESSES
Here are some of the popular general email addresses. There is NOTHING wrong with having these general email addresses - but in my opinion - they’re a bit boring, passive and BEIGE.
- info@
- sales@
- enquire@
Depending on the type of business you operate or services you provide - you could make your email address a bit more descriptive and dynamic by having an email adress like:
- wine@ ( for a liquor store)
- exercise@ ( for a gym or personal trainer
- create@ ( for a designer or artist)
- mortgages@ (for a mortgage broker)
- events@ (for event organiser)
- greathealth@ (for a healthcare business)
YOUR NAME IN YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Having your name in your email address is a great way to introduce yourself to people and get them used to you - the person @ the business. Your name in your email will:
- indicate that you personally will receive your emails rather than it going to a general enquiry account.
- communicate that this is your personal and direct email recieved and read only by you and not lost in a system or read by an assistant
- be easier to remember and is best kept short and simple. If you can lose the (. )and the (-) in your address - it does make it easier for people to remember and get right! Here are some examples:
- kevin@yourbusiness.com
- kevinwalker@yourbusiness.com
- kevinw@yourbusiness.com
- walkerk@yourbusiness.com
- kevin.walker@yourbusiness.com
- kevin-walker@devinewines.com.au
Simple and straight forward is the best - and easier to remember!
The above options are certainly better than ISP and freemail accounts like:
- kevin@hotmail
- kevin@gmail
- kevin@telstra
- kevin@iprimus
What do you think?
Zulu’s Campaign to STOP advertising ISP and “Freemail” in your email
June 27, 2008
I’ve just finished entering email addresses from businesses into my database and a staggering 60% of these businesses are still advertising their ISP or freemail accounts and NOT their business!
STOP IT!!!
The likes of Telcos and "FREEMAIL" services don’t need anymore promotion - it’s your business that does!
Here are some examples of ISP and freemail account emails:
- kevin@hotmail
- kevin@gmail
- kevin@telstra
- kevin@iprimus
You will present a far more professional image by making this simple change - it will reinforce to you your customers and associates that you do MEAN BUSINESS.
kevin@yourbusiness.com.au is MUCH better!
- Using a hotmail or gmail account indicates hestiancy, lack of permanence or committment to your business.
- If you have a domain name (website address)- there is NO excuse to not have your email address consistent with your domain. You should be offered at least 5 mailbox accounts with your hosting - some package even offer up to 100!
- If you don’t yet have a domain name registered for your business- you can register a .com.au domain for as little as $35.00 for two years.
- I’ve found hosting for around $4 a month that provides plenty of server space and more mailboxes than you’ll ever need.
- Setting up your email to be received at home in your inbox is so easy - and you’ll also have webmail access.
- All of these costs are tax deductible as it’s part of the operation of your business
Taking this next small step in your business will make you look and feel so much more professional and it’s part of getting serious about your business.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????
Here are some tips about getting creative with your email addresses:
Sri Lankan Computer Shop named after Sue
June 24, 2008
When I was in Sri Lank back in the first half of 2005 with Bruno doing our Tsunami relief effort - I spent a lot of time talking with him about his aspirations for a future beyond being a tour guide.
The volatile political situation in Sri Lanka means that the tourism industry fluctuates and Bruno is often not able to work for lack of tourists.
I have been mentoring Bruno since 2005 to help him realise his dream of buying a building and setting up a business in his home town of Haputale in the hills of Sri Lanka. Our mentoring has included giving advice on business planning and the practicalities of running a small business, a small business loan to help Bruno secure the premises and the collection of some computer bits, pieces and software to help him get started.
In October 2007, Bruno proudly opened the JBS Liu Computer Centre in Haputale, Sri Lanka
Sue Liu presents on Corporate Identity in Sutherland
June 16, 2008
Sue Liu presented her popular presentation "Developing your Corporate Identity - the Face of your Business" to 100 business owners in the Sutherland Shire.
The presentation a part of the St George and Sutherland BEC Business Marketing Forum on Thursday 26 June 2008 - part of Sutherland Council’s Business Development Week.
Sue’s presentation "Developing your Corporate Identity - the Face of your Business" - a back to basics about what elements make up your corporate identity.
This is great one for anyone who is thinking about venturing into developing a logo and brand or looking to review their existing one.
"Developing your Corporate Identity - the Face of your Business" can be presented as a 1 hour seminar or a 2 hour interactive workshop.
If you would like Sue to help you with the development of your corporate identity or if you are interested in having Sue speak to businesses in your area - please contact Sue.
St George Private raises $1000 with New Hope quilts
June 11, 2008
Fundraising efforts have been led by some very dedicated supporters at the hosptial. Special thanks is due for Ros Berryman ( with Geraldine Cox- right) for her dedication and support with organising the raffles and sales of the 7 New Hope quilts.
Geraldine Cox paid a visit to St George Private Hospital on Valentine’s day 2008 to meet and thank staff for embracing Sunrise Children’s Village as one of their special charities to support.
St George Private Hosptial is one of Zulu’s most treasured clients. Sue has worked closely with CEO Tracey Burton to incorporate Social Responsibility programs supporting a select group of organisations working to help communities overseas.
The hospital’s Christmas 07 campaign included a substantial donation to Sunrise Children’s Village - as a gift on behalf of the Doctors at the Private Hosptial - which went toward feeding 300 children 3 meals a day for a month. The hospital also bought calendars for all their staff and suppliers for Christmas, embracing the spirit of giving and generosity in the truest sense.
Zulu applauds the leadership and generosity of the hospital’s Executive for their contributions and support.
Zulu Donates Quilt to Kogarah Mayor’s Fundraiser
June 11, 2008
Zulu has donated one of the lovely quilts from New Hope for Cambodian Children to Kogarah Council to help raise money at the Mayor’s Ball on 15 August 2008.
Sue is pictured here with Mayor Nick Katris with the quilt which will be auction at the annual black tie ball - to raise money for projects supporting young people in Sydney’s South.
Mayor Katris said " I am totally thrilled that we have been given this beautiful quilt. We are so happy to have this special item to help us raise money for young people in our community. Thank you Sue for this lovely, generous and unique gift to our community and fundraiser"
Kogarah Council is one of Zulu’s valued clients and is proud to have been able to support the Mayor’s fundraising innitatives.
