Be The Drop - Investigating Brand Storytelling

This week's episode is ideal for anyone wanting to learn about small business digital marketing. As a small business owner, delivering content marketing and training services, I understand the incredible value in sharing the experience and knowledge from other business owners in this field.  Sam Davies is the founder of Digital Noir, he's the 'Humans Aren't Robots' podcast host and a self-confessed BBQ enthusiast. Coming from a background in design and web development, he started his first marketing business in the UK. When he returned to Adelaide he decided it was time to put more of his own personality into his business. That's when Digital Noir was born.   In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Sam reflects on what it means to be sincere with your business messaging in today's digital world. We compare podcasting journeys and break down the content creation to distribution process whilst also sharing a wide range of small business digital marketing tips! ---- Are you considering starting a podcast? At Narrat

Business founders are hard working, driven people. We commit 100% to our business(es), but with the burden of small business financial pressures, it can often feel like we have to juggle everything ourselves. However, my guest this week understands how important it is for founders to be part of a tribe and share business resources in order to support growth. Peta Ellis knows a thing or two about growth. As CEO of River City Labs, the company grew 550% and post-acquisition expanded into 3 states. Now, as co-founder of Tribe Global and Peak Performance Persona, Peta delivers programs that help business founders to create good personal routines and helps in building healthy business eco-systems, frameworks and infrastructure. In this episode of Be The Drop, Peta discusses issues facing founders in tech and business today, including resources available to help them. She reflects on the most important factors determining business founder success and the power of storytelling in connecting with your tribe. ---- Pet

When you know what you want, decision making is easier. The hard part is figuring out what you want. Embracing the confidence in your decision making, allows you to enjoy wherever your the journey takes you. Someone who knows this through experience, is Australian entrepreneur Nick Crocker, who I had the pleasure of interviewing at Southstart 2019. Nick is a General Partner of Blackbird Ventures. His entrepreneurial tale started when he launched We Are Hunted, software that continuously scanned the Internet to identify the hottest new music. Having caught the startup bug, Nick then launched a digital healthcare company. As someone who was rubbing shoulders with the likes of MySpace, Foursquare, Flickr and Tumblr in 2009's Silicone Valley, and has written a blog posts with almost 900,000 reads, Nick has many stories to share. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Nick reflects on his extraordinary entrepreneurial journey, including selling his business to Twitter. He discusses the huge impact on his career that b

Life as a small business owner and the desire to constantly achieve peak performance, can be hard. When you're an entrepreneur or startup founder, you need to be extremely resilient. What's interesting, and what my guest this week knows only too well, is that often, one of the main things holding us back, is ourselves. Aaron Birkby describes himself as an "eco-system builder". With a background of more than two decades as a successful startup founder, receiving a 2016 Entrepreneur Of The Year award, he is also a public speaker, hackathon facilitator, corporate innovation advisor, cultural-transformation leader, board member, investor, mentor, and "adventure-preneur"! As co-founder of Peak Persona and Tribe Global, Aaron helps startups and individuals to achieve their full potential. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Aaron discusses the importance of small, personalised behaviour changes to our psychology and work habits. He provides numerous top tips that can empower us to become better communicators, health

I turn 40 in 2020, so it's a very exciting year for me. As I get older, my appetite for learning increases and I'm looking forward to achieving more by setting specific new year goals for 2020. To make sure goals are focused and productive, it's important to use a strategic framework or structured approach. Bel Ryan is the founder of Ignite Art Therapies. As a leading art therapist and creative facilitator for more than 15 years, Bel has extensive experience in supporting individuals and teams to be the best they can be.  On the 18th January, Bel is holding an event called Create Your 2020 Vision, to provide clarity and connection to your vision and help make your dreams a reality. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Bel discusses the importance of honestly assessing your current state - the good, the bad and the ugly - before moving forward. She reflects on the power of reflection! And provides helpful tips and techniques for identifying and engaging with your new year goals. ---- Are you considering starting

2019 has been an incredibly exciting year for podcasting, with increasing numbers of people listening to, creating and investing in podcasts. As the number of podcasts increase, it can be hard to decide which one you should listen to - which is why we love podcast recommendations.  According to the 2019 ABC Podcast Survey, word of mouth is the number 1 means of discovering new podcasts. When James Cridland from Podnews is presenting at conferences, he makes a point of recommending a podcast he’s currently loving, so we’ve decided as our Christmas gift to you, to do the same.  In today’s episode of Be The Drop, members of the Narrative Marketing team each share our top 3 podcast recommendations. With recommendations of podcasts from thought provoking to crass humour, there’s something for everyone.

The SA Woman Awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the achievements of women-led businesses within the SA Woman network. I recently had the pleasure of attending these awards, to interview and gain insights from women who are winning in business.  Carly Thompson-Barry is the founder of SA Woman. Through her entrepreneurial journey, she fundamentally understands the difficulties female entrepreneurs and business owners face via societal pressures, family responsibilities and unconscious biases. Carly created the awards night to celebrate women doing amazing things in all industries, in businesses of all sizes. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, we are joined by Carly and winners from the SA Woman Awards night. We discuss the incredible value of a supportive network, and the winners share their top tips for success. Among the guests are Robyn Verrall, Alex Kay, Carolyn Jeffrey, Steph Malan, Megan Hodge, and Bree May. ---- Are you considering starting a podcast? At Narrative Marketing, we deliver a fu

Many factors create culture. History, media and language all play a part in what makes up Australia. But community is perhaps what makes each of us Australians. The Community Broadcast Foundation is committed to help amplify a diverse range of community voices. Businesses should also support these voices, if we're to make a positive impact, socially and commercially. Jon King is the Grants Manager of the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF), a small charity that funds community media projects. The CBF looks after 450 community media initiatives across Australia, giving voices to thousands of everyday people, including many minority voices that may not otherwise be heard. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Jon discusses the place of community media in today's society. He provides extremely valuable tips on how to get started with your community media project and why it's so important to share your story or passion. ---- Narrative Marketing is currently working on a documentary series made possible with supp

I grew up in the agri-business world and cut my teeth in content marketing creating videos on pig farming for my parents' business. I'm now fascinated by the opportunities presented in AgTech. Agriculture and technology - two of the most species-defining human inventions - joining together to create new opportunities for our future. And what better way to explore these new, disruptive ideas than at Southstart with Farmwall co-founder Serena Lee.  Farmwall, is an AgTech startup that designs urban farming technology and experiences to enhance fresh produce accessibility within cities.  With three years in business, Farmwall installs indoor vertical farms. Farmwall dares to imagine that our cities can become food-producing ecosystems and that we can all achieve better wellbeing through sustainability and good nutrition. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Serena discusses the importance of being open to critical evaluation of your product or service. She reflects on the rapid growth of the urban farming movement

As a mum and a marketer, I'm fascinated with how we connect to one another as humans - how we learn, how we relate and how we grow into being the best versions of ourselves. But who defined "best" and how do we instil this desire into our children? As adults, how do we avoid being derailed from that path? John Hunter is an educator of more than 40 years and the inventor of the World Peace Game, a fascinating child-centred, collaborative learning-based board game available in 36 countries. The game encourages children to develop effective communication and conflict resolution skills, while empowering them to experiment and make their own decisions. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, John discusses the importance of teaching children self-empowerment and compassion. He reflects on how his supervisor's unwillingness to tell him what path to take ended up being the space he needed to develop his life's work. ---- This interview was recorded at Annesley Junior School by Narrative Marketing whilst delivering a vide

Leadership and teamwork are highly valued skills in both sport and business. As an elite, team sport athlete, the ability to work together in an effective team, is critical for success. Winning teams are those that effectively draw on the strengths of all players.  Bruce Djite, is the Director of Football at Adelaide United, after retiring from a successful international soccer career. Bruce represented Australia 9 times for the Socceroos, he also served as a member on the Professional Footballers Australia Executive Committee for more than four years and scored a total of 41 goals in 158 games with Adelaide United.  In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Bruce discusses the skills he's learnt playing in teams with diverse cultures, and the value multiple perspectives add to effective teamwork. He also shares his tips on the importance of honesty and managing expectations in order to communicate effectively. ---- If you’re looking to keep up to date with latest podcasting trends I whole-heartedly recommend subscr

It can seem difficult to create a point of difference for your business. There are learned perspectives and attitudes that prevent us from seeing outside traditional viewpoints. However if we allow ourselves to be open to new ideas and ways of thinking, great success can be achieved through creativity in business. Different is nothing to be afraid of, as Finbar O'Hanlon emanates in his daily life, as a musician and creative entrepreneur working with corporate boards and other entrepreneurs. His career experience with composing and technology has led him to speak to a variety of audiences and play in an array of bands, including The Cure and Limp Bizkit. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, different is the new conservative, as Finbar explains risk and tears down the current paradigm of creativity in business. His experience in dealing with both the creative and corporate world gives him great insights into the blending of knowledge between the two. ---- If you’re looking to keep up to date with latest podcastin

Podcasting is the storytelling revolution that empowers the everyday person with the opportunity to create and share their own audio content.t. We all have something to say, but the challenge is to create good content that gets attention in today's media climate. As a podcast producer, Podnews, is my number 1 resource to help navigate the world of podcasting. James Cridland, the editor of Podnews, is a radio futurologist and podcast industry expert, giving commentary and influencing the trajectory of podcasting to keep it in the hands of the people. In publishing his daily news source and podcast resource, James has helped thousands of podcasters find their way in an ever-changing industry. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, James explains the importance of publicly operated media and how to improve the content and popularity of your podcast. Backed by useful statistics and insights, James lends his expertise to answer burning questions of creators and provide useful tips to help share their passions effectiv

When it comes to looking after ourselves, most of us treat symptoms when they appear instead of managing our lifestyle to prevent them from occurring. Stress management is one such issue that stops us from working effectively and enjoying time out of the office, yet most of us don't prevent overload until it's too late. Susie Hopkins is an expert on stress, she knows exactly what the weight of stress feels like whether it be stress from work, family, or your own expectations. Susie's reaction to the stress in her life was to learn how to manage them, and based on the knowledge she built from her journey, she established  Lilo Wellness, a science-based stress management business.  In today’s episode of Be The Drop, we discuss techniques to deal with the hurdles life throws our way. Susie's own stress-inducing journey from nurse to small business owner is one of many examples she uses to explain why we get stressed, what the consequences are, and how we can both manage and prevent stress. ---- When I find somet

TED Talks deliver "ideas worth sharing" but what makes one presentation more captivating than others? When information is presented to us, it's difficult to remember a string of facts, instead, people connect and empathise through the use of story, to teach knowledge and impart wisdom. Jon Yeo, Curator and Licensee of TEDxMelbourne, is a communication expert, a facilitator of growth, and an entrepreneur. Jon has a rich history of helping leaders engage their followers, and for developing speakers to present both TED Talks and business presentations. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Jon explains why we need good communication skills and how to develop them. He shares real examples and relatable analogies to show how stories affect us, and how we can don't do our pitches justice without them. ---- James Cridland, Podnews.net Editor and international podcast speaker is coming to Adelaide on Wednesday 23rd October to present the latest data on podcasting trends from around the world. I’m super excited to host t

Leadership skills are not necessarily innate, like any skill, they require training and practice. Effective leadership can include a broad range of skills and a wide range of management styles; the challenge within this, is to identify your own unique leadership style.  Matt Cesaro and Mia Handshin are the Co-Founders of LeadersHP, a business focused on helping to develop leaders from the inside out. Their mission is to support leaders to develop higher perspective, purpose, and ultimately, to lift their performance in leadership. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Matt and Mia share their stories on how to build positive leadership skills. The dynamic duo focus on their personal growth, share some of their valuable teachings and develop the discussion about storytelling, self-authorship, and setting values. ---- James Cridland, Podnews.net Editor and international podcast speaker is coming to Adelaide on Wednesday 23rd October to present the latest data on podcasting trends from around the world. I’m super

Many factors contribute to building a successful business. Strategy, structures and procedures all contribute to improved performance. Something that is less tangible but arguably more important, is the business relationships that underpin growth. For it's the people within your organisation and the relationships they develop, that actually makes the business successful.  James Sarah, is the Joint Managing Director of the SARAH Group, a third generation family business established in 1961. The Sarah Group comprises of Sarah Constructions, a commercial construction contractor, and Hindmarsh Plumbing, a commercial plumbing, maintenance and water treatment contractor. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, James discusses his role in maintaining the family business values through growth and expansion. He reflects on how an exchange to Japan helped shaped his life learning approach and also shares his top tips to build successful business relationships. --- James Cridland, Podnews.net Editor and international podcas

Startup incubators are catalysts for change. While they don't develop the ideas or make the deals to turn those ideas into reality, they provide a space to nurture the people who have the drive to do great things. So who gets behind a startup incubator and how do you become a catalyst for others? Jason Neave is the inspirational Director of the Moonshine Laboratory, an incubator born of passion out of the Distillery, the digital marketing agency of which Jason is the Managing Director. Through his experience developing business strategies, positioning products, and in developing his own startup Punt Club, Jason is very fluent in the language of entrepreneurs. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, a story of pursuit and passion, Jason describes the difficulty of fostering innovation, and how a startup incubator can help this. Between speaking client dialect, changing customer behaviour, and driving growth by investing in himself, Jason shares many valuable lessons. ---- When I find something useful for my busines

  I’m very excited in this episode to announce a special project that we’re currently working on. With assistance from the Community Broadcasting Fundation, Channel 44 and supporting partners, we are creating an 8 part TV, web and podcast interview series called: Transcending The Gender Narrative. The aim of the series is to provide a diverse viewpoint of the women and men, who are championing diversity and equality. The series will share positive success stories from women as well as insights from the men who are proactive in this space. We will investigate how to shift our conversations from an "us + them" or “he + she” mentality to an inclusive approach, that focuses on us as humans, rather than focus on our gender.   In today’s episode of Be The Drop, I discusses why we are creating this documentary series, and we hear from two of the project team members. I also explain the process we’re going through in order to create content that we hope will help shape change to the limitations of our current gender

Working with mentors and embracing a commitment to life long learning can have significant benefits both in our personal and business life. Understanding different perspectives and building knowledge from others already experienced in our field, helps us build on our strengths and develop our weaknesses. Tim Prosser has a background in IT, is a start-up business mentor at Remarkable and is passionate about reimagining life long learning. His work has connected people, assisted freelancers tackle business problems, and helped social entrepreneurs bring revolutionary and liberating technology to support people with disabilities. In today’s episode of Be The Drop, Tim discusses the progress of entrepreneurialism in Australia. Tim shares his insight into life long learning, what we can do to overcome education challenges in our society, and what our government can do to remove some of these challenges. ---- When I find something useful for my business, I like to share the love! For royalty free music on podcasts