Management Blog

BMW smells success

BMW has embraced the discipline of scent marketing with the company using its famous 'new car' smell to market vehicle finance products, Marketing Canada reports.

The company's ad agency in conjunction with the scent marketing company Scentisphere has developed the new car fragrance for use in flyers at Canadian car shows.

The new car smell, which has been named 'Joy', reflects the brand's global marketing platform.

The leather scent is said to offer a 'visceral' experience at events like car shows where visitors are generally more interested in car engines than finance matters.

People-focused leaders finish first

New research out of the UK suggests people-centric leaders are more likely to display outstanding performance than tough bosses during difficult economic times, management-issues reports.

The study by the research group the Work Foundation focused on differences between leaders who were perceived as good and those who were seen as outstanding.

Researchers concluded that outstanding leaders were more likely to focus on people, attitudes and engagement; they also sought to understand the motives of their workforce.

Other characteristics of top leaders included the ability to display self-confidence without arrogance and a desire to use their influence to benefit their organisation and its people.

AIM Whitespace: Enterprising avatars - virtual reality in the workplace

It's official. James Cameron's Avatar is now the highest grossing film in Australian box office history. Clearly the story of a wheelchair-bound former solider taking on a virtual reality personality, or avatar, to fight the bad guys has captured the nation's imagination.

While Avatar is a clearly work of science fiction, what if the possibilities it so elegantly presents spilled over into the business world? Could lead character Jake Sully not just shape the future of the fictional world of Pandora but also influence the real-life world of work?

This month's Whitespace investigates the adoption of avatars in business-focused virtual worlds, a development some believe is a workplace eventuality.

The key to creating a fascinating brand

Is your brand 'fascinating' enough to survive today's cluttered media landscape?

Sally Hogshead answers this question in her new book by arguing that marketers need to do more than just impress customers, they need to fascinate people 'beyond the bounds of rationality'.

Fascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation describes a number of cues - including mystique, power and trust - which can help marketers develop profound consumer relationships.

According to Inc.com, Fascinate describes seven triggers using an impressive amount of quantitative research, cool graphics and lively case studies.

For example, the case study for 'mystique' chapter describes the success of an LA restaurant that intrigues customers with a garlic crab dish that's made using a secret recipe in an off-limits kitchen.

Fancy a few new brain cells? Run for it

A Cambridge University study has found that jogging isn't just good for your health, it can also have a positive impact on mental ability, The Age's Executive Style reports.

Researchers say the act of running can lead to the growth of thousands of new brain cells and, as a result, boost a person's ability to recall memories.

The study also suggests that running helps to reduce stress because the brain is unable to produce new brain cells when a person is under mental pressure.

So if you've ever considered introducing a jogging group to your workplace or thought about investing in a treadmill it appears the proof you need to act has arrived.

iPhone payment system gets Squared

A portable iPhone enabled credit card reader has been developed for budget-conscious small businesses, engadget reports.

The sugar cube sized reader called Square, which simply plugs into an iPhone's audio jack, has some big names behind it including Twitter creator Jack Dorsey.

With no sign-up fees, no monthly charges and no contracts, Square could emerge as a popular payment system in the not too distant future.

See the video below for a little background and product demonstration.

Tips on how to be a desirable employer

Being an employer of choice is an accolade every business should aim for, a recent management-issues blog post argues.

To ensure managers are armed with the tools they need to attract and retain the best talent the following tips are offered:

• Training matters - avoid the temptation to move staff into supervisory positions without training them first
• All aboard - put the time and effort into developing a comprehensive onboarding program for new recruits
• Silo smashing - keep an eye out for 'silos' that breed hostility and fear in your organisation or industry
• CSR ASAP - be a green leader in your industry to attract new staff members who want to make a difference
• A policy of diversity - create a truly diverse workforce by employing people with unique skill sets and different backgrounds
• Act on feedback - make a point of developing and implementing a meaningful and rewarding employee suggestion program

Wireless broadband growing rapidly: report

It looks as if mobility really matters to Australian internet users with a new report suggesting wireless broadband services experienced dramatic growth during 2010, Marketing reports.

According to the magazine, the ACMA report found wireless subscriptions increased by 162 per cent in 2008-09, quite possibly due to the burgeoning smartphone market.

It's claimed wireless broadband subscriptions now account for 25 per cent of internet connections, a figure that suggests marketers should start focusing more on mobile communication platforms.

The report also indicates Australians are still buying mobile phones in large numbers. The number of these phones purchased rose by 9.5 per cent meaning there are now more than 24 million mobiles in use.

All this is not great news for fixed line telephone market with the number of these devices dropping to 10.7 million.   

Organic farming leads jobs growth charge

Whether you're keen to embark on a career change in 2010 or merely curious to know how your sector rates, IBISWorld's list of 2010s top jobs is a must read.

According to Smart Company, IBISWorld has identified a number of industries that are set to make an impact in terms of employment growth over the next five years.

Ranked in order of predicted employment gains, the list includes:

• Organic farming
• Investment banking, securities and brokerage
• Nickel and iron ore mining
• Online information services
• Childcare services
• Veterinary services
• Financial planning and investment advice
• Accounting services
• General hospitals
• Biotechnology

Facebook etiquette for work

Is it okay to reject a coworker who has asked to be your Facebook friend? Is it a mistake to post photos or video on social networking sites? Should you avoid writing status updates?

In this short video Yahoo! Weblife editor Heather Cabot has all the answers to ensure you’re up-to-date with the ins and outs of workplace social networking etiquette.