There are some marketing consultants out there who like to make marketing very complex. Lots of words, lots of pages, lots of complexity. Whereas I like to make it simple. And let’s face it, if we make marketing too complicated, how will the poor old target market ever be able to follow it?

I think there are really only three steps to any good marketing strategy:

Everyone wants to have a great day . No one wakes up and consciously thinks "I want to have a terrible day today!” But having worked with thousands of staff and managers over the last 20 years, it is obvious that very few people decide they are going to have a great day. In fact most people don’t even know how it starts.

Most people set up their day poorly. In my productivity workshops, when I ask people when they are most effective, the vast majority will say in the morning. But people rarely capitalise on this. Mornings are unproductive affairs - and here’s what the average morning looks like:

Booking a professional speaker for your next conference or event can seem overwhelming, and it is a decision that will determine not only the success of a conference but also the success of an organisation's culture, performance and productivity long after the event is over.

By Michelle Watts, SANE EVENTS GROUP

There’s very little that good PCO’s don’t cover in the realm of services these days, but it’s worthwhile knowing there’s an yawning chasm of difference between delivering logistics and adding value to your business bottom line.  Whilst every program has differing objectives, there’s a few things that take your event from being ‘just an event’ to an experience that they’ll talk about for years to come.

We'll shortly be announcing our first speaker showcase for 2017. If you've never joined us, it's an experience enjoyed by all. Set in the best event venues around, with a sumptuous breakfast and headlined by some of the foremost thought-leaders Australia has to offer, it's sure to make your event-planning year an easy win!

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about, why not check out our Melbourne Speaker Showcase?

Who's trending for 2017? 

A trending new face could be a hit with a younger event demographic, while a seasoned pro will ensure your conference success. We've carefully curated the top 10 speakers we think will really make an impact in 2017!

Could you be our new events co-ordinator?

Our friends at Golden Door have put together an amazing offer for clients of Ovations. If you've never experienced the indulgence and relaxation of a Golden Door retreat, now's your best chance to do so!

Bounce back with IQ and resilience quotient

CIOs and their teams should display a greater sense of tenacity while facing tough challenges, says resilience expert Michael Licenblat in this video for CEO.in

Amid the widespread post-financial crisis soul searching in managerial capitalism, leading thinker Professor Gary Hamel argues bluntly that most big organisational structures aren’t fit for the future.

This is taken from an extract in The Australian from Narelle Hooper's recently published new book - "New Women, New Men, New Economy". 

Read more on The Australian

If you’d like to get up to speed on disruption, discover the inspirational story of Tim and Judy Sharp or find out how to make human nature work for your business, we've got a chapter or seven for you!

How can you ensure your business isn’t on the wrong side of history?

Meet the extraordinary Aussies who triumph in the face of incredible challenges

At a time when the recent budget from Treasurer Joe Hockey is being seen as unfair by the general population and is also facing problems passing through the Senate, the issue of economic leadership is brought into sharp focus by Stephen Koukoulas.

Brett King is the world's foremost promponent of disruptive banking. King does more than just talk - he's put his money where his mouth is (literally!) as the founder of maverick banking startup, Moven.

A multi-bestselling author, Brett King's latest book is the insider's guide to re-booting banking. It's a 'must read' for anyone in the financial services industry, because this is your future.

To give you a sneak peak at Breaking Bank$, we've arranged for you to download a sample chapter!.

Watch Brett King on Fox News "Tech Knowledge" segment after the 'read more'...

Click! Colours is fast becoming THE industry tool for improving relationships, teamwork and decision-making. Created by David Koutsoukis and Greg Barnes, themselves leading professional speakers and facilitators, Click! Colours is a fast-track to facilitation success.

David and Greg will be personally facilitating this course, so you'll be in great hands!

Bestselling author, speaker and mental health and wellbeing advocate Matthew Johnstone has been invited to Geneva to deliver a keynote for the World Health Organisation.

Matthew, a survivor of the perfectionism and workaholic tendencies typical of the advertising industry he was once a part of, he is now a writer, illustrator and speaker. Four of his (self-illustrated) seven books have become international best sellers , these books help explain the fragility of mental health, how to develop resilience, mental fortitude and wellbeing. His first book, I Had a Black Dog, dealt with a subject so few of us are willing to discuss: depression.

WATCH I HAD A BLACK DOG: 

Vivid Sydney is an event unique to Sydney. A festival of light, music, art and technology, it's where high-tech brains meet the creative soul. 

Who else would paint the sails of the Sydney Opera House in spectacular lightshows as part of their public art installations?

It's also a festival for those who approach commerce creatively - something Dare Jennings knows a thing or two about...

Whether you're planning your first conference or a seasoned events professional, the Event App Bible is an indispensable tool for ensuring that your event comes in on time, under budget and runs smoothly.

Written by passionate events industry blogger Julius Solaris, the Event App Bible is in its second edition and features price guides, strategy tips and the results of research with over 500 event professionals.

As a bonus, Julian Solaris was kind enough to answer a few questions on the new era of app-run event management:

Leadership is a talent that can't be quantified until it's tested.

Whether it's the highly visible leadership of politicians, the quiet assurance of an airline pilot or the need for courage under fire during military action, leaders are as diverse as the occupations that attract them.

A truly great leader isn't measured by ordinary events. This is a celebration of the extraordinary leaders that emerge when rising to the challenges of business, sport, war, politics and life.