Risk Leadership: Social Media - Friend or Foe?

Do you block access to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and a host of other "inappropriate" social media? Should you?

Editorial by

Phillip R Smith  FAICD AII AIM CD

Founding Director of Central Insurance Brokers Perth West Australia

http://www.centralins.com.au/    more about me at http://www.ps.austhai.biz/

Here are my thoughts. However, if this grabs your interest lets benchmark

Social Trends - The workplace is continuously evolving. You may have seen for yourself a new, younger CEO allowing the pent up desire for changes in workplace culture to evolve where the older predecessor did not. In my view there is no doubt social media is a key element of the immediate future of our workplaces. The question is, what should it look like for your organisation?

Risks of allowing access - A few of the most obvious risks include impact on productivity and inappropriate workplace behaviour such as bullying and harassment and damage to corporate reputation. Other risks that may be present include IT security risks as social media sites are havens for the mischievous. Even so, most of these risks are manageable. Time wasting and inappropriate workplace behaviour can occur on Facebook using an employee's smart phone while sitting at their desk as easily as using the organisation provided desktop. IT security can be addressed at some expense. Perhaps it is better to bear some of these risks and actively manage them through access policies and training?

Risks of denying access - If you deny access you are stating that social media does not have a role in the workplace. While this might be true for some organisations where the distraction of social media can be a safety concern, there are many organisations, from leading technology companies to media to the police, using these tools right now. The risk is then two-fold. 1) You may be missing out on much needed talent as many of the younger generation may steer clear of you. 2) You may be missing out on the opportunity to manage parts of your business in a better way because you have not allowed your workforce to explore how social media tools can benefit the organisation.

Opportunities - Managed well, I suggest that even the most conservative organisation can benefit from social media access within the workplace. Social media can be used amongst the workforce to build and foster relationships, share knowledge and mould organisational culture. Twitter can be more effective than SMS for keeping staff and other stakeholders informed during rapidly evolving events. For SMS your staff and customers have to keep you updated regarding a change of number, with Twitter, anyone can follow you.

So, "lead" or "follow", either way I believe most businesses will need to be there sooner than many of us think. 

Related article 

Small Business get with smart Marketing

LinkedIn is now megga stream for business links

Central Insurance Brokers, Perth WA

Google explain how to D.I.Y. SEO (Search Engine optimisation)

Google have published a starter kit for SEO.   It's a beginners guide to the basics of Search Engine Optimization. The guide covers around a dozen common areas that webmasters might consider optimizing.

These include title and description meta tags, URL structure, site navigation, content creation, anchor text, and more. These area would apply to webmasters of all experience levels and sites of all sizes and types.  Throughout the guide many illustrations, pitfalls to avoid, and links to other resources that help expand the understanding of the topics are provided.

The first guide was released about two years ago.  The newest edition contains:
- Glossary to define terms , More example images, Optimize your site for mobile device, Clearer wording .

Here is the online magazine

Open publication - - More start kit

Do you own a Business  - be found in Google

Google changed the name of what was called the “Google Local Business Center” to “Google Places.” The rationale, according to the press, is to better connect Google Place Pages with the place where local business information is claimed, entered and enhanced:
Why? Millions of people use Google every day to find places in the real world, and we want to better connect Place Pages – the way that businesses are being found today – with the tool that enables business owners to manage their presence on Google.

 
read more http://www.web.austhai.biz/Home/free-google-business

Meet your new Personal Travel Assistant

TripIt-Pro helps you tame the chaos and complexity of travel.

Pic left is a summary of the "Pro version" (click on the image to expand the view).

It has all the awesomeness of TripIt for organizing your travel plans, plus a suite of features that keep you in the know, on the go. All for less than the cost of a sandwich lunch at the airport each month.

Here's what happened and why you should know.

TRAVEL PLANNING

lets see ... Co ordinate events with others, set Business with social, sync the events, the people, the places, who has changed what... and keep it all in a folder ...

A folder for Lloyalty cards, flight bookings,  accommodation, calendar of dates, business cards!!Now a need a reminder to take that folder so I don't dejected form the VIP que or locked out of my hotel room when I arrive at some ungodly hour.

A few months ago a friend suggested this FREE software! He said "TRUST me" (I don't, but I'm glad I looked.. it's a WINNER). 

I downloaded the FREE version, gave only a few minutes setting up my profile (I didn't do it properly Doh!) and I was "up and away" (remember the movie "up and away" with George Clooney .. what a beauty).

I immediately hammered it! expecting the software to buckle and thus justify my decision to be impatient setting up the profile!   I emailed it's server my flight and accommodation bookings (without modifying any content) and within a minute or less back came confirmation that my itinerary was updated! 

How did it do that ? I don't know! I don't care! it works.
I have access to the data from my desktop or my mobile device 24/7 - no more paperwork!
Hmmm I was impressed.

I revisited the profile, added key contacts (family and travel colleagues) and they now auto receive notice of my travel including changes. Now, at my leisure,  I check one (1) URL to see which of travel buddies are going where and when.  If needed I change my schedule to catch them at a destination and presto everyone in my inner cycle knows of the changes.

The latest updates: Somehow it knows if their is a better deal on your flights and sends you sans email?  How does that work?  who cares!

I still don't understand how their server (in milli seconds) extracts data from an email and updates my schedule? who cares! it works!

Small Business get free google adds with Google Coupons

It's horrific ..

Just how many businesses are failing to take advantage of the free marketing options in Google.

What's that, you say? Google offers a FREE coupon option?

Image via CrunchBase 

Google introduced the idea of Google Coupons more than a year ago and yet, so few businesses are using this feature to market their business. It's so easy and only a few minutes to upload an offer which might be catalyst driving someone to your business instead of the one down the street.

I'm surprised at how many people either didn't know this or had forgotten.

Google announced the service last year.I've put together a quick tutorial on setting up a Google Coupon offer for your business. Setting up a Google Coupon is pretty easy. In fact, you could do it while you drink your morning coffee.

example of a google coupon

First you'll need to head to the Google Local Business Center. You'll need a FREE google account, then you can update your FREE business listing and/or click on the tab that says "coupons" and head straight into setting up an offer.

Don't worry .. there is loads of "help" and if it's not easy just type in the help issue into google and someone will have created a YouTube video for you to follow

The other option is to contact someone in SME that offers the service and check the fee structure to your budget. Austhai web service offers such a service for Australian market visit www.web.austhai.biz/

All you need to do is figure out what you will offer in terms of an incentive to the consuming market
be it a discount or rebate or some added value benefit and the time frame ie., expire date of the offer and that's it

Business people now enjoy Best Apps for Iphone

The IPhone has undoubtedly become the indisputable platform for the futronics of hand help communication.

For those lucky enough to have been part of this hi-tech culture you gambled well, your ahead of the pack. For others it's just "too much" struggle with transition to another generation or steadfast about "the way it was".

When you step out of the frame "time out" and be objective (view the latest Iphones video) you can't deny the wizardry and proactive insight. Don't give it up, don't turn your back, it's time to get on board.

The new Iphone 4 is going to change the culture all over again! For those stepping up the plate and consuming - "good luck". There is merit in being up with the times but there are some obvious risks about being a Pioneer!

I prefer to be in the second wave, after the inevitable bugs are ironed out. By bugs I don't suggest any faults with the Iphone rather the collaboration of existing 3rd party software. We use a fantastic scanner app and already on 3GS version 4.00 there are bugs so logic suggests there will be others.

Good news
Our network of business friends have pooled intel on what are "Best apps" based on practical use, and with the help the latest P.A. recruits (Thai Students) we've tabled the data for friends and clients to share.

The table of "Best apps" includes Business, Travel, Networking and more.
The table brief and factual based on practical use. The link click here
Thanks sponsors for sourcing clients, covering the cost to collate and publish the data.

Sponsors
1. Central Insurance Brokers - http://www.centralins.com.au/

The Generation of Spenders

My generation was parented by the Menders so I became a Minder, today I see the young generation as "Spenders".. there are so many that have or at least expect every single consumer item known to mankind?

by Peter Melzer

So do we... "MYOB" (mind your own business) or do we throw a life line.  Give them a hand to break the cycle of spending money like there’s no tomorrow.  Buying them “The Barefoot Investor: 5 Steps to Financial Freedom” by Scott Pape.. a book written by someone from their Generation!.

Asean Now the Place to Grow - lets go W.A.

Austrade - Seminar Perth Oct 28, 2009

ASEAN Now! The Place to Grow
Your journey into one of Australia’s largest markets begins here.

Image via Wikipedia

The Duxton’s Seminar facilities were at full capacity attendance from local Industry in Perth West Australia.


Patronage was widespread with sectors of Industry from Technology, Mining, Transport, Importers and exporters.

There is no doubt W.A. has serious trading links with our Asian Neighbour and the announcements by the presenters provide significant opportunities for W.A. business to develop these markets.






With Australia’s largest free trade agreement, the ASEAN*-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, expected to enter into force on 1 January 2010, now is the time to look to ASEAN countries for opportunities to grow your business.



Business confidence in ASEAN is improving, with the major ASEAN economies forecast to grow strongly over the coming years as the global economic recovery takes place.

The message was made loud and clear by the heavyweights of the Asian Trade connection and WA Government


Speakers left to right

Michael Mugliston,

Rod Morehouse,

Adam Denniss,

Steve Arnott.

Titles of office displayed with the speaker topic notes

Speakers and Topics


Introduction:
Adam Denniss, Manager – Export Advisers, Austrade Perth

Introduce speakers, some housekeeping and official launch with via dvd from The Hon. Simon Crean Minister for Trade


Better Business Linkages
Rod Morehouse, Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commission – Asean South, Austrade.


through AANZFTA and Asean Industry team


A footnote – Khun Rod background has roots to Thailand. Educated predominately overseas in Thailand and Canada and later in
Australia at the Universities of Newcastle.





AANZFTA overview and key outcomes
Michael Mugliston, Negotiator , Goods, Asia Trade Task Force, DAFT
Mr Mugliston has lead Australia's free trade agreement negotiations with ASEAN-New Zealand for over four years. Prior to that he served overseas as Deputy Head of Australia's Mission to the EU in Brussels (2001-04) and was Counsellor to Australia's Mission to the GATT in Geneva during the Uruguay Round (1991-94).


Footnote: Michael is a product of UWA

a complex topic: Key tariff reductions/eliminations in sections, rules and Origin.

The information presented by Mr Mugliston was very diverse and complex; consider the achievement of the Australian Government creating a bilateral trade environment between 12 countries. The establishment of a history marking agreement to pave the way for Bilateral Trade Laws, simplifying the way to do business with laws to support the conduct.

Obviously there is going to be some teething problems however it was clear from the confidence and commitment by Mr. Mugliston that this will be done and will be driven by our Government.

I hasten to caution you about website resources, there is now a major legacy of transition of various countries, including Australia to sunset and update their website data; tariffs and the like so if you are serious about your Business then DO contact the appropriate dept., to ratify the validity of the information and ask the next question, what is changing.
For the latest news and presentation media from the Seminars visit this website

Picture right: .. chat after the Seminar

Spiro Politis, Phill Smith (AusWaThai) and Michael Mugliston

Pixel Focus – Spiro Politis
Testimonial to success into the Asian market with acknowledgement of vicarious connections from Austrade.

Spiro delivered practical knowledge about his experience “real time” and identified features that makes the difference - Austrade was and continues to be a key feature of his success. You can read more about Spiro’s success in google – click here


WA Government programs
Mr Steve Arnott, Director Dept., of State Development – WA Government Programs

Image via Wikipedia

Steve acknowledge the enormity of DAFT achievements and the strong Alliance between Austrade and WA.Gov

Quite frankly I never know this entity existed.

During my export endeavours I tended to “D.I.Y” with the admission that when it comes to business enterprise my experience with Government is "cannot see the wood for the trees and cannot see the forest for the trees"

Prov. Cannot perceive the overview or important things because of concentrating too much on details. The information presented in this textbook is so disorganized that I can't see the wood for the trees. The politician's opponents claimed that she couldn't see the forest for the trees, because she spent so much time trying to solve minor problems.

I also acknowledge that my experience shows the opposite with our Government in terms of doing business outside Australia, the likes of:-

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

DFAT Austrade have been quite extraordinary in terms of their achievement and enthusiasm to support enterprise.

Conversely it continues to be my experience with Tourism and trade into W.A. Government is entombed in a manifestation of rules and regulations and of course the mere mention of this will further blacken my path…. Some Ministers need to read and circulate the training module “A complaint is a gift” and get a reframe on the word “Territorial.

I’m not sure how we are suppose to Trade with some Countries when they are not welcomed.

I will now visit the website of the Dept of State Development and update the Directories and

Image via Wikipedia

Networking links on our website http://www.austhai.biz/ – please note: our website has been “in cobwebs” for the past 6 months while we updated our Travel Thailand website.

We then switched our focus to our Travel WA website WITH DISASTERIOUS RESULTS in terms of synergy with Tourism Australia.


Our experience over the last 6 months is Tourism Australia don’t talk, the only TELL (if you get a reply).... it's not good .... so we have moved on to our next medium to help our Community "Business export".

Sadly some workers don't know their employer's "Mission Statement", perhaps they are lazy or bad Management, it's not meant to be a facade. The easy test for this is ask them a few questions or challenge a process and oh boy... so many we have approached about Tourism Australia and I feel like I'm on a certain Aussie airline that show an intolerant view toward customers and Service... oops I say no more

Our Business website – WA and Thailand is now our focus, our monthly visits to Thailand are adding Icons support our Mission statement. The most recent addition, a “Joint Venture” project with SME Bangkok is a website for Aussie Business Execs tours to Bangkok. A draft is on display at http://www.tours.thaibis.com/ .. how does it support our Mission statement ... simple make it easy and attractive for business people to visit, they either see Business Opportunities or that bring back benefits be it business or social. This si what we wanted to do with Tourim for WA but our perception is you can't get in.

Key Points from Seminar
Austrade are absolutely an innovative and entrepreneurial (and very enthusiastic) agency – do

not under estimate their capacity to guide and connect you to markets. The advisers are available for contact to determine viability of your product/service, they have branches in most countries.

Image via Wikipedia

DAFT through their Task Force have creating History, you should be part of it.

Handout Literature – The documentation comprised about 30 pages broken into about 6 sections with diagrams and recital, each is relevant to different markets. It’s very useful information, I’m not sure if it is on any website but simply if you are serious you will and should contact the department. If the energy of the speakers is anything to go by then you will be served well by their workforce.

Rules and Regulations – Transitional – check with the depts. Before you bind your decisions based on the web page data

Image by thaigov via Flickr

Two-way trade between Australia and ASEAN countries reached $88.9 billion in 2008, more than our trade with either Japan or China. Opportunities for business engagement are set to increase when the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) comes into effect. As Australia’s most comprehensive FTA, this milestone agreement will give you greater access to a market of 600 million consumers, with a combined GDP of A$3.1 trillion. It will significantly raise Australia’s profile throughout ASEAN member countries, create direct economic benefits through tariff reductions and greater investment opportunities and provide greater certainty for business. More details on AANZFTA can be found at www.dfat.gov.au/trade/fta/asean/aanzfta.


AANZFTA, together with the resilience of the ASEAN economies, their geographic proximity and our strong business and cultural links, will further enhance opportunities for your business in one of Australia’s most prospective trading markets.
Find out why ASEAN is now the place to grow.

Go to www.austrade.gov.au/asean or call 13 28 78


Please note - we only populate and support news Australia and Thailand




*The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

For all the latest news about Business W.A. and Thailand visit AusWaThai Media

Thailand's Longdo - and so we shall

Translation: Long=try, do=look therefore Longdo means please look or please try

click on photo to expand

Picture of the Longdo website page featuring Founding Directors

Left ภัทระ เกียรติเสวี (Pattara) and right วุฒิชัย อัมพรอร่ามเวทย์ (Vuthichai) with Phill Smith of AusWaThai

Based on Bangkok … What they do

Software development - Online Services
Longdo.COM (Dict, Map, etc.)
Useful information, powerful search, good performance
SimpleThai mobile platform
Products
Map Engine
Web-mapping, Map rasterizing tool
Mobile Platform
Thai language, Mapping, Networking/Bluetooth
Appliance Boxes
Storage module


How does that help relationship between Thailand and West Australia – Easy

They have a very strong focus toward Community, internally and Internationally.

The Map, mobile phone and Language Translation software allow Internationally Communities to interact. We are very proud to be associated Longdo and MetaMedia and acknowledge the eagerness to participate in “Joint Venture” program that will Build Links between Communities. More on the “JV” in the near future.


A simple example of how Longdo are helping Aussie in Thailand, check out this illustration

here we have the Longdo map of Thailand (bangkok) and in the search engine we use the word "aussie" and a collection of Aussie venues are listed in the Directory as well as shown on the map by Location.

Simply click on one or the other.

The location includes notes and comments about the venue, a link to the venues website.

This is a Major attraction for International Travellers and tourists
If you have a Business in Thailand you can connect their maps directing into your website Language is English or Thai.

to see an example of this visit the Busines exec tour - Bangkok - Soi 19 , page down until you see the Heading "Map Soi 19". This is only 1 example, there are more, here is another example where a link to a map is shown in the webpage but the map is shown outside the webpage - example for Wilding Golf - Bangkok

We will be progressing talks with our "JV" friends about ways of making the help notes a little easier so everyone can take full advantage of this totally free service.

Why are these guys are right for job.. easy .. check out the credentials

The company started in 2005 and 2006, Longdo being the later. Current staff are 14 a brisk burst from last year when it was 7 and inspite of the current Economic climate the intray of new client names is climbing

Example of their scope of works

Apart from the wierd and wonderful electronic solutions that dazzle the brain the company makes major (SILENT) contribution to support their Community. The Thai translation and Dictionary modules provide great resource for learning English Language.

We invite, no we request, our readers to distribute news of this resource through their friendship network.

A new and innovative company developing programs and software products to suit the needs of dynamic emerging and companies


Contact details: http://www.londgo.com/





LINKS
Other articles about Longdo (Aussie) and other connections - in the right hand panel click on the tag word Longdo or use the search box at the top of the blog
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WA Honey Exports are sooooo sweet for Thailand

Wescobee eyes sweet spot with export drive -

Thailand says "chorp kong wan maak maak jing jing"

Wescobee Honey, a fixture of the WA landscape for more than 80 years, has flagged a busy year of market expansion and possible acquisitions.

The WA Industry and Export Awards nominee is poised to launch a new organic honey range as soon as supermarkets finalise listings. Chief executive Eduard Planken said Wescobee, which exports about 27 percent of its product, expected Europe and South-East Asia to be the biggest international markets for the organic range.
Speaking from France, where he had handed over his presidency of the International Honey Export Association after 10 years in the job, Mr Planken said the company was set to expand beyond its 20 export markets.

After cracking the Philippines market two months ago with its honey and value-added health products like Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey, Wescobee is finalising its entry into South Africa and hopes to be in Vietnam within the year.

And after posting a full-year profit 10 percent lower than the previous year because of the weaker Australian dollar but “nine times higher than all our major competitors in Australia”, Wescobee is poised to take over other honey companies. “Our board is looking at honey businesses to grow with or take over in the next 12 months” Mr Planken, who has been Chief for 17 years, said.

A global honey shortage and mass disappearances of bee colonies because of extreme weather had pushed wholesale prices up at Wescobee about 50 percent over the past two years, he said.

The company, which is owned by 157 shareholders who are mainly honey producers or former producers, has been forced to eat in to its high-grade honey reserves since June to compensate for the sluggish local supply. Production in the year to June was 400 tonnes below the 1600 tonnes annual average.

Image by autan via Flickr

Mr Planken said innovation at Wescobee, which packs and markets about 80 percent of the State’s commercial honey, was confined mainly to packaging. “Because honey is a base product it limits innovation to packaging, and we’ve got a range of products we’re testing at the minute and one value-added product,” he said.

Over the past two years cheap competition from China and India has forced the company out of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Its key markets are Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East, with Mauritius, Kenya and Bangladesh also big buyers of Wescobee Honey.

The award sponsors include The West Australian.

AUSWATHAI are now Directing knowledge of this Award winning Product and Manufacturer to Thailand

http://www.wescobee.com/

We are seeking expressions of interest for the Thailand Market, options exist for:

WA Exporters agency

or

Thailand Importers and/or Distributors

Please direct queries to Phill Smith AusWaThai

WA Exporters for Thailand market can be assisted by Austhai http://www.austhai.biz/

Austrade (Aust Govt Export support) are the best in the world for Export Initiatives.. try it ..