2011: a rollercoaster so far

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So far this year has been hard work and I know I'm not the only one – I have clients telling me on almost a daily basis. It seems when you have just made it over one hurdle another one just appear out of the mist. I recently read an article by Patrick Stafford at SmartCompany entitled "Trade credit plunges as businesses worry about getting paid" and it rang very true. It looks like we are just going to have to buckle down, keep cashflow in check, and be more conscious of where we spend our money until the banks are our friends again.

I try to keep some perspective. In the words of my good friend Melanie Bradley of Christchurch NZ (whom I managed to get hold of after seven anxious days) "I have a job, a fabulous family and a car that works so I'm luckier than most." Christchurch is of course not the only place down under to be hit by natural disaster and our thoughts are with friends whose families have endured floods and earthquakes already this year. (Donate to the Red Cross's flood and earthquake appeals here.

Closer to home our friends in the wine industry are have been placed under huge pressure by South Australia's third-wettest summer on record. If you're at a loose end this month why not head out to the Barossa, the Adelaide Hills, and Mclaren Vale and buy some wine? I know I will be!

-- Kelly @ccmkelly

Don't make Facebook the face of your business

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Watching Facebook go from an insignificant little upstart to an industry-dominating juggernaut has been fascinating, as has watching something as inherently geeky as Internet social networking become an accepted and normal part of life and business. Facebook has become an integral part of how some of businesses, including some of my clients, portray themselves to the world.

I don't think that's always a good idea.

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How not to do SMS marketing

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This just arrived on my phone from a number not in my address book - so it just came up as a number rather than a person or company name:

Hi! It's as good as it gets SALE! Our mighty $AUD has power slammed Uncle Sam - prices crashed on all new stock. So so low! This SAT 10-4 be early. SMS NO 2stop.

Boy, they sure crammed a lot of information into that small message. Except for the company name, what they sell, and where they're located. Nice work, unknown marketers!

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