The November BD Round-Up

What do we have in-store in November’s BD Round-Up Blog? 

We have an eclectic mix of articles ranging from relationship building ideas, account management, content marketing strategies, thought leadership marketing for the subject matter expert, tips for women to promote their personal brand and to round things off, some inspiring life lessons from the Co-Founder and Owner of Zoo Republic. 

Let’s get started… 

The November BD Round-up articles

6 ways to build a relationship with customers in the awareness stage – Agility PR Solutions by Brett Clawson 

While this article is focusing on a customer’s retail experience, the 6 ways mentioned are of relevance for any business, namely: listen to a customer’s concerns; go the extra mile; find ways to communicate with them; take time to say ‘thank you’; train your staff to give excellent customer service; and ask for your customer’s opinion.  

Major accounts until death do us part –  by Brian Sullivan 

This article examines: what can you do to increase the likelihood of your major accounts staying with you for life? 

This led me to consider the time and effort some account managers have put into managing an account with a “leading financial institution” only to have been recently removed from their legal panel.  These account managers did all that they could to maintain and grow the account, but the client had other ideas…and these were relationships that had endured 150+ years and advised by procurement that they were no longer on the panel. 

Thought Leadership Marketing for the Subject Matter Expert – Hinge Marketing by Lee Frederiksen 

Do you know the answers to these questions: what does it mean to be a thought leader? How do you become one? Is it in fact a good marketing strategy for the professional services firm? The answers to these questions, and more, are covered in this superb and thorough article.  

How Women Can Develop — and Promote — Their Personal Brand (hbr.org) by Dorie Clark 

In this excellent article, Dorie suggests that personal branding presents some unique challenges for professional women.  Gender norms presume that women should be agreeable and nurturing, and when they violate these norms through self-promotion and decisiveness, they are often penalized for that behaviour in a way that a man would not.  The article guides the reader through this conundrum.  

At The BD Ladder, we do not promote and support women to be “woke,” score “likes” and “followers”. We do it, to support and promote women who are doing important things in business and to amplify their stories and business experiences, which may assist others.   For example, we have done this through our BD Tips from the Inside Series and our support of the Charity Tea NZ.  

8 ways to humanize your content marketing strategy – Agility PR Solutions by Joe Dawson 

The key takeaway, keep creating fresh content that enhances the lives of your audience, ensuring they continue to return.  Content marketing means placing the needs of your audience first, with your own business aims coming in second. 

21 Things I’ve learned in 21 Years Running an Independent Creative Agency – Part 1 (zoorepublic.com.au) 

21 Things I’ve learned in 21 Years Running an Independent Creative Agency – Part 2 (zoorepublic.com.au) by David Lo

In Parts 1 and 2, you will find a collection of life lessons taught to an independent creative agency Owner and Co-founder, as well as quotes that have inspired, motivated, and helped him navigate the best and worst of times. 

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent”. 

The November BD Round-Up Conclusion 

If I were to summarise the highlights of the last 7 months (since I joined The BD Ladder), they would be: 

+ The BD Ladder team’s weekly catch-up meetings which were always fun, inspiring, and full of supportive suggestions to take forward and action; 

+ Formulating a go-to-market campaign currently consisting of fabulously talented women from diverse industries in our BD Tips from the Insider series;  

+ An abundance of learning opportunities – there is always plenty to learn (especially relating to social media); and 

+ That former work colleagues can turn into great referrers, which ultimately leads to work. 

Well, that is a wrap from me and the last of my blog updates for 2021.  What a year it has been!  Certainly never a dull moment. 

Wishing you all a happy, safe, and festive holiday season.