7 Business Leaders share their top tips for success

We’ve picked the brains of several Aussie business leaders to get their top tips for success in 2018 

Tara Commerford, Vice President and Managing Director, GoDaddy ANZ

“Despite Australia having high levels of internet adoption, surprisingly according to our data, 60% of small businesses do not have a web presence. If there is something small business owners should consider in 2018, it would be to take their business online. Going online can help give your business access to a new and digitally savvy customer base, and a professional design can help build your brand image and trust with prospective customers. If it’s time and money that’s putting you off, don’t let it! It’s entirely possible to create a sleek website for an affordable cost, in under an hour!”

Sven Lindell, Chief Marketing Officer, Temple & Webster

“Although most businesses are now online, some still struggle to achieve significant brand growth through SEO. A strong content marketing strategy works to increase SEO, as it crosses the divide between website traffic and customer needs. At Temple & Webster, we focus on creating engaging and informative content, crafted specifically for our audience, which has seen our online presence grow. Tapping into your customer’s emotions through content, can be an effective way to boost customer engagement and grow your brand through digital channels.”

Nati Harpaz, CEO, Catch Group

“Many businesses look at diversification as a key strategy for growth. However, no business is a master of everything. Therefore it is important to understand what your strengths and source of competitive differentiation are before exploring new and unfamiliar markets. Strategic partnerships with complementary businesses are a great way to access the skills and experience you need to enter new markets, while still ensuring your energy and investment is focussed on maintaining the competitive strength of your core business.”

Matthew van der Linden, Managing Director, Flow Power

“2018 is the year that Australian businesses can help transform Australia’s energy future. From the rise of demand  initiatives that reward businesses for powering down to large-scale Renewable Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that secure long term and low-cost renewable energy, Australian businesses can cut their power bills while reducing their demand on the power grid – helping to keep the lights on and costs low for everyone.”

Simon Banks, APAC Managing Director, Hyperwallet

“Digital marketplaces and e-commerce platforms are adapting considerably to the changing landscape. Until now, they have focused on improving the end consumer experience—but as competition increases, these companies will need to do everything they can to attract and retain requires frictionless onboarding, value-added services (e.g., tax assistance), and global currency support.”

Dan Ross, Managing Director, Optimizely ANZ

“Following the arrival of Amazon, 2018 is the year that Australian businesses can benefit adopting a culture of experimentation. Optimizely maintains a culture of experimentation with decentralised teams who don’t rely on the HiPPO (the highest paid person’s opinion), ensuring that their response rate is as rapid as possible and that they innovate ahead of their competitors. This is fast becoming the way forward for all businesses when it comes to decision-making, customer experience, and product innovation.”

Kathleen McCudden, Group HR Director at SEEK

“With one in five employees in the workplace dealing with a mental health challenge, mental wellbeing is a key issue that needs to be addressed in 2018. Our workplaces have an important role to play in supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of employees, and research shows that being employed in the right job and within the right environment is a protective factor against mental health issues. Through a study in partnership with Melbourne Business School, we found that increasing knowledge about mental health via education interventions across our employee population facilitated a more supportive and accessible work environment for those with mental health conditions.

At SEEK, we believe that our people’s mental health should be considered in the same way as we think of their physical health, with an environment that enables open and supportive conversations to take place. We have found that by cultivating a supportive environment at work, this has led to a sustainable culture of high employee engagement, while also creating an environment of innovation and high performance. Given the significant problem that mental health and wellbeing presents for all businesses today, the opportunity to create a more open, positive and supportive environment around this topic is essential in addressing the issue.”

Oops! We could not locate your form.