Blog

Discover how marketing leaders are transforming event ROI with digital networking tools—from QR-driven engagement to real-time analytics—and leave printed collateral behind.

The future of work is here: AI leads, and humans must adapt. Will you become invisible middleware — or rise as an AI Conductor shaping what comes next?

Every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to either build trust or erode it. In today’s scam-saturated world, even routine outreach — like a friendly phone call or a quick ID verification email — can backfire if handled without care. Let’s explore how well-intentioned engagement practices might undermine trust, and how thoughtful communication can do the opposite: make customers feel safer, boost conversions, and protect your brand’s reputation.

When my co-founders and I started our SaaS business, we were located on three different continents. Remote work wasn’t just a convenience; it was a necessity baked into our company’s DNA. From day one, we set up cloud-based systems, virtual communication channels, and robust collaboration tools. Once we grew the team, we rented an office and worked from it full time as all businesses did. However, due to requests from the team, we started with a hybrid approach, and then a fully remote model from 2016—not out of necessity, as many did during the pandemic, but as a conscious choice.

Brands who want to come across as genuine and pass the smell test, must do more than just talk sustainability – they must ‘walk the talk’.

The future of corporate communications lies in the seamless integration of digital technologies into every aspect of communication strategy. For managers, leading this transformation requires vision, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By embracing digital transformation, organizations can meet the evolving expectations of their stakeholders and gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

The 'follow-up' — the most under-utilized, yet crucial tool, in your networking arsenal. Why is the follow-up so often overlooked? Maybe it’s because we underestimate its importance, or perhaps it’s because we don’t know how to do it effectively. In reality, a well-crafted follow-up can be the difference between a one-off conversation and a lasting professional relationship.

We explore the use of technology & AI to reduce costs and improve the quality of your rebranding exercise.

In the fast-paced and competitive world of work, first impressions can make a significant impact on your career success. Whether you're attending a conference, a networking event, a business meeting or a videoconference, making a good first impression can set the tone for future interactions with potential colleagues, clients or business partners.

The pandemic has shifted the way we work. Working from home means that some people who started a new job over the past 12 months have yet to even meet their colleagues, managers, and clients in person. Conferences and events have moved online, making it challenging to network and create new meaningful relationships with prospective clients. Usage of paper business cards is down 70%, and 67% of people report that they regularly do not answer calls from unrecognized numbers. So how the h$#! Do you make new business connections in 2021?

In a world that is re-opening after the pandemic we are starting to see some key trends emerging as part of the new-normal. One of which being – the traditional handshake and business card exchange are out. Your clients no longer want to be given paper cards, and your staff doesn’t want to take them either. More importantly, for companies with hundreds or thousands of front line staff, taking many cards from their clients/suppliers/business contacts and bringing them back to the office poses a potential health & safety risk. One contaminated card could lead to a whole floor, or office location going into quarantine. In 2020 people don’t need a piece of paper in order to get in touch with you - they just need an easier way to do so.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

Being environmentally friendly is so much easier to do at home, than it is in the corporate office. Once you have an idea, you’ve got to write a business case, cost it, present to management, propose a trial period, collect evidence of improvement, and then, after presenting your findings, you may get your idea implemented - maybe. That is a lot of work, we all wished we had the time for.

It seems like digital business cards are somewhat similar to tangible business cards. However, there are plenty of idiosyncrasies to note. Perhaps more importantly, there are many potential pitfalls to avoid. Let’s examine the “how to” of digital cards with some tips as to exactly what you should key in on and avoid.

The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk, invited us and many others who are in the startup space to City Hall to Launch ‘Startup Spring’. Cat Matson, Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer asked me to share a startup perspective on the events surrounding Startup Spring.

My journey with Haystack started at Brian’s PwC leaving party in 2013, where I ran into Ran (no pun intended) while waiting for Brian’s big entrance. Ran explained me that he’d also left PwC, bought an ice cream shop and was developing an app to replace business cards. I must admit, I had no idea what he was talking about, couldn’t understand how the app would work and more importantly, how it would make any money. We chatted for a while and that was the end of it, for a while…

For the six years before my brothers and I founded Haystack, I was a management consultant with PwC in Brisbane. Our team was full of budding entrepreneurs. We worked on billion dollar mining projects by day and on our own start-up ideas at night. Everyone seemed to be involved in side projects. We had Chris who started an online custom shirt tailoring business – order online, get measured up at your local dry cleaning company (that was inspired) and get your shirts delivered from Hong Kong in a week. Unsurprisingly Chris is now head of strategy (and parties) for Levi Strauss in Europe. We also had Ben, owner of Benfatti fine Italian foods, now in grocery stores all over Australia and Lina, owner of Mama y Bebe, the Australian maternity wear company now also in Europe. We had Kalan, owner of Escobar, the coolest bar/restaurant in Brisbane, and Vish, owner of Xperience Realty, the fastest growing real estate company in Queensland. Take a look at this video if you want to see his unique and hilarious approach to selling houses. We also had a restaurateur, a shoe designer with a factory in Taiwan, a gourmet sauce maker and an importer of electrical safety equipment from Brazil – all of whom have since sold their start-ups and gone on to other things. It was during this time that I started ShliX, our family ice cream business which is still going strong. Reading through this list, I’m amazed we found the time to do any consulting work at all.

I’m not a charity, money don’t come easy (as the song says) and apparently the kids have to be fed, so why did I invest in a free app? It’s a good question. The answer, of course, is not simple. Well, actually it is quite simple, but I’ve been told that I have a thousand words to fill, so before I get to “why a free app”, let me explain “why Haystack”.