Category: Marketing
Does business English communicate?
So the question to ask ourselves is whether “business English” really work in business, or whether it is more a burden than a benefit. Are we really communicating when we verbally regurgitate dictionaries at people in the hope they will be impressed enough to want to do business with us because we appear smart?
Who do you share your ideas with?
It was 2007. I had just started using Facebook and received an invite to Gmail from Vinny Lingham, whom I wanted to help by contributing to the Sekamo local custom search engine. I then happened upon the website for The Pavilion, a shopping mall here in Durban. The website was horrible. It lacked clear direction [...]
Get high on your own supply
The rap group NWA released their debut full length album in 1987. The album contained a very catchy song titled “Dopeman”. The catchiest line of that entire song is “To be a dopeman boy you must qualify. Don’t get high on your own supply”. I heard that song for the first time in 1988, learnt [...]
Why still do email marketing when we have social media?
In 1997, after a 1-year stint self-funding and publishing an underground hiphop magazine, I decided to make the switch to digital. I launched a “virtual community” called URBANTAINMENT. At that time the best – in fact the only – way I could see myself reaching the same amount of people I reached in print, and [...]
Brand ANC fails the future today
I’m a child of the 80s. Born in 1972 and grew up during the 70s, but mostly during the 80s because that’s when I started becoming aware of things. Yes I witnessed the 1976 unrest, but I was only 4 years old and had no idea what was really going on. All I knew was [...]
SCHMooZ 2.0 – Durban business goes Social
We have a guest speaker (who’s very well known in Durban business circles) coming through that will speak to us on a topic of great interest and one that causes loads of confusion especially among young business people. Fluence New Marketing is also sponsoring welcome drinks on arrival and a possible gift bag when you leave (gift bags not confirmed at time of posting). I will personally expound on one of the rather important aspects of marketing today and we will also introduce you to some of the young powerbrokers in Durban’s business and social elite.
I like to Mova Mova
When she was done, she once again beckoned me across to the chair I sat in when she cut my hair, and rubbed some white stuff on my head that smells divine. Another 3 minutes of that “oooohh” feeling. She finished off with a smile and a thank you. I got to the guy I’m supposed to pay and when he reckoned I pay R10 more than the price I had budgeted, there wasn’t room for getting mad or anything even close. All I can say is that was the best use of that kinda money on a haircut – ever.
My take on the Durban SMME Fair 2010
The one breath of fresh air I did see was the stand of former Durban Chamber of Commerce Marketing Executive turned entrepreneur Zama Phakhati’s company Splendid Marketing (I sadly did not get a picture. was awestruck). The booth looked good, and she was there herself to speak to people and answer whatever questions people had. That was great.
All in all I think if Durban-based small business owners wanted an innovative way to flush R800 some odd rands down the toilet, then there was no better way than to exhibit at Durban SMME Fair 2010.
Influence is Everything
A sale is the ultimate goal, but without a level of influence there is no sale. In advertising training facilities they have a plethora of words for this. In fact if you read a lot of social media blogs, you’ll come across a truckload there too. Pay it no mind, especially in traditional advertising and when engaging with people trained in colleges and creative schools. Most of what they say is fluff anyway. It all boils down to how much you can influence doing what you do.
A brand is a brand is a brand
Forget about the logo, the office address, the packaging.. Make sure you work on how you or your company will be perceived by your customer. Perception is so much more important that reality and facts. At the end of the day it is the customer’s perception of you that will form your BRAND.
Arthur Charles Van Wyk is the CEO of Fluence New Marketing, a digital ad agency based in Durban, South Africa. He is also a brand evangelist, speaker, digital marketing consultant and impassioned spokesperson for internet-enabled marketing. 
