Despite a resources boom, mining and resource companies are doing it tough in the current economic climate. Skilled worker shortages, taxation issues, increased scrutiny from the ASX, a market with no appetite for risk, limited off-market debt and political intervention are just some of the major challenges faced by the mining industry that threaten sustainable growth. To raise capital for growth, investors must trust the brand, strategy and leadership of the company and believe in its potential through the highs and lows of market volatility. Read all…

As an active Google Engage agent, Ellis Jones were extended an invitation to attend the Google Engage MasterClass. Known around the office as Ellis Jones’ “digital native” and an avid social media user both professionally and personally, I eagerly accepted the invitation from Google and fronted to the conference held at Docklands on 16th November.

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We are by our very nature, social beings. We thrive on inclusion, relationships, and the ability to contribute and participate in our community. As we grow older and retire, our capacity to engage and maintain networks becomes even more necessary when the social contact that comes from the workforce is gone. Even those who’ve had busy, active social lives for the majority of their life can find that they become socially isolated due to the complexity of later years – relationships decline due to bereavement, reduced physical mobility, poor health and age discrimination.

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In a previous life, I had the pleasure of working for an Australian corporate giant whose fervour for employee training  was matched only by an astonishing lack of imagination when it came to the content and delivery.

The momentary thrill that accompanied the promise of a day spent in casual attire was quickly replaced by dread as the realisation of what lay ahead hit home.

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That time of year is once again upon us. The festive season, or more accurately the silly season, is a time of year in which diets, budgets and all too often common sense are thrown out the window.

We have all heard the story of the ‘friend of a friend’ who, having overindulged at the work Christmas party, informed their boss in no uncertain terms just exactly how they felt about his/her management style.  Once the hangover had passed, unsurprisingly the ‘friend of a friend’ found their position at work was less than tenable. Read all…

Photographs are a vital tool in marketing but not every image is created equal. So when it comes to websites, brochures and annual reports – what source of imagery should you be considering? We get asked this question a lot, so we’re sharing a few tips. Read all…

We live in an age where despite rapid advances of technology, business profitability, and widespread education, our communities are increasingly uncertain, dislocated and, often, less satisfied than ever before.  A simple look to the polls shows that the legitimacy of business and our approval of government actions have simultaneously fallen to levels not seen in recent history. Our political leaders seem unable to outline a vision or fuel the ambition of ordinary people. To make matters worse, effective collaboration between business, government, and community advocates has stagnated at a time when it is needed most. Relationships are continually shaped by ultimatums, bargains, and unilateral agreements. Read all…

“Ratings have been disabled for this video.” That’s what Youtube says when you visit the Chasers’ grimacingly funny take on the dis-ingeniousness of Qantas. I really thought many times about the usefulness of this blog piece but, here I go, let’s dive in. Before the post-mortem, let me just state this is not an attack on Qantas. It’s a cry for common sense and honest communication. A warning to all those PR hacks working diligently on ‘key messages’ that are best left to shiny toothed travelling salesman. Read all…

Last Friday I attended a lunchtime seminar hosted by the Victorian chapter of the IABC on Crisis Communication.  Rhod’s opening  blog focuses on Qantas from a pr perspective already this issue,  so I won’t cover that specific case study here.  One of the observations from the session focusing on social media  talked about  the importance of understanding the difference between having an ‘online presence’ and ‘online engagement’.  The issue with the Qantas team was that they thought an online presence and a cool (?) idea was enough. However, without focusing on stakeholder engagement the campaign sank like a lead A380. A ‘new level of comfort, innovation and style’ indeed.

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While actors are running around filming The Hobbit ‘prequel’ to the famous J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings, collectors are waiting expectantly for an upcoming auction of Tolkien’s personal works in Sydney this weekend, 27th November.

The collision of the art and auction world is common, but the appearance of original J.R.R Tolkien works, complete with the authors’ own handwriting is an occurrence too rare to pass by. Read all…