Oct 19, 2016 | case study, Consulting, Social media
Case study – C&K The client The Creche & Kindergarten Association Limited (C&K) is a not for profit organisation with over 400 services providing long day care, kindergarten and family day care programs throughout Queensland. The challenge While...
Sep 15, 2016 | Blogging, Conferences, Consulting, Marketing
Over the weekend I was on the Gold Coast attending the ProBlogger Event, for the fourth consecutive year. The first time I attended to learn more about blogging and how I could improve. The second, third and fourth times I attended primarily to learn more about how to...
Jul 28, 2016 | Consulting, Marketing, personal stuff, workplace wellness
My tenth anniversary since starting Mel Kettle Consulting almost slipped past unnoticed. Which seems sort of wrong given how few small businesses even celebrate one year. On the latest episode of my podcast, A Great Recipe for Life, my friend Warwick Merry reminds me...
Jul 6, 2016 | Consulting, productivity
I used to love talking on the phone. When I was in high school my parents frequently complained of the hours I would spend curled up in the phone nook in the hallway of our home. I always raced to answer the phone when it rang. And I was devastated if I wasn’t...
Jun 28, 2016 | Consulting
Many of my fellow work-from-home friends and colleagues spend an inordinate amount of time working in cafes. At least, judging by the number of people I see with laptops whenever I’m in a cafe. Which is at least 3-4 times a week. There is a cafe etiquette that...
Nov 2, 2015 | Consulting, Organisational culture
I’m just going to come out and say it. I absolutely LOVE working from home. However it is definitely not for everyone. To start with, I’m an introvert. This means I draw my energy from myself. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like to talk, that I...
Oct 29, 2015 | Consulting, Networking, personal stuff
As the demands on my time increase, I’m finding it more and more difficult to fit in exercise. Even finding time for a 30 minute walk is difficult if I don’t do it as soon as I get up in the morning. And walking first thing isn’t always possible. The...
Oct 15, 2015 | Consulting, Networking
I have always valued education and professional development. I wouldn’t have completed three degrees if I didn’t! Or have books exploding from every shelf in my house! As a small business owner I find professional development more important than ever. I...
Sep 30, 2015 | Consulting, Customer Service, Organisational culture
I watched a fabulous TED talk by Margaret Heffernan a few weeks ago and I can’t stop thinking about it. “It’s time to forget the pecking order at work”, referenced chickens and corporate veggie gardens (making me love it instantly!), but more...
Sep 16, 2015 | Blogging, Consulting, Marketing, Networking, Social media
Over the last nine years I have been consulting I have spoken – and written – often about low cost marketing ideas. The advent of social media tools such as Facebook, twitter and Instagram has certainly made a marketing manager’s job easier in many...