In September, Connecting Images supported the Boroondara Art Market, by publicising the event widely through the media and via the web. An initiative of The Rotary Club Canterbury/Boroondara Sunrise, this event sells ‘pre-loved art’ to raise funds for Belmore School, a special school in Balwyn for children with severe multiple disabilities.

The Boroondara Art Market’s Opening Night was a glam affair and drew an enthusiastic crowd, with many participants bidding eagerly to snap up bargain-priced art at the auction.

The 2006 event will be even bigger, based on the success of 2005.Why not use this great annual opportunity to make money from the sale of your own pre-loved, or recycled artwork while supporting a fantastic cause.You get to keep 60% of the sale of any artworks sold, and the remaining 40% commission will be your personal contribution to the Belmore School.

Social responsibility, good corporate citizenship, triple bottom line!

The commitment behind all these philosophies means a lot at Connecting Images and is an integral part of our culture.

Two years ago, many of our clients generously supported Cal’s fund raising efforts, when his team completed the grueling 100km Oxfam Trailwalk in 32 hours. Cal admits it is fantastic to have done it ONCE and was all for being involved again – but this time on the support team!

In April, Connecting Images and Peak Physiotherapy (specialists in sports injuries and educational rehabilitation for clients including elite sporting teams – Indian Cricket Team, North Melbourne Football Club, Carlton Soccer Club) joined forces, to help raise funds for Oxfam and support the Hartwell Hikers, a team of school teachers from Hartwell Primary School, undertake this monumental challenge.

Muscles were massaged, blisters bandaged and bodies nourished at each checkpoint – including the horror 3am stopover at Mt Evelyn football ground on the first night. After a three-hour kip, the team was on its way again. Our support crew walked along the trail at various times, including the start of the torturous haul up Mt Donna Buang by torchlight on the second night, which lifted morale when the going got really tough.

We were so proud when our four Hikers reached the summit, footsore and weary, but in excellent spirits. Three local Boroondara teams working together have made an impressive contribution to Oxfam this year.

Peak Physiotherapy: (03) 9816 9844

Seeing our long-term marketing strategies unfold is very rewarding. It has certainly paid off for hospitality expert Ken Burgin and his business Profitable Hospitality, provider of hospitality business systems and publications to increase efficiency and profitability.

Our visit to Chicago last year to get to know the local scene and make the right contacts has achieved our objective. Ken Burgin has accepted an invitation from the National Restaurant Association to deliver a keynote address at the NRA Show, the world’s largest hospitality trade fair in May 2005. This opportunity prominently places Ken in front of more than 80,000 key players in the hospitality industry and launches the Profitable Hospitality product range to the US market.

Coordinating Ken’s Chicago presentation, while designing and marketing an international tour for a large number of Australia’s hospitality icons to travel to the NRA Show with him has kept us busy. Back of House tours, hospitality and extra curricular entertainment in Chicago have been arranged, while at the same time we have been promoting and co-ordinating a national roadshow of Profitable Hospitality seminars here in Australia, for more than 500 participants.

Congratulations to Lynda, Cathy and Candice who have managed these projects seamlessly, and achieved some phenomenal product sales for Ken along the way.

Leading business advisors and accountants to owner-managed and family-owned businesses, Grant Thornton has a novel way of building its reputation amongst key media groups.

The International Business Owners Survey (IBOS) is conducted annually amongst more than 6,000 businesses worldwide and provides a valuable comparison of attitudes to a range of important business issues.

Now in its third year, the IBOS results have become a sought after resource amongst mainstream and business media. This year, the increased levels of concern about the lack of a skilled workforce was a key finding and has contributed to a healthy debate about the issue in the media.

Once again, Merilyn, Michele and Cal worked to reinforce Grant Thornton’s reputation as the expert advisor – and at the cutting edge of identifying new trends within the business community.

We have worked together to place many media articles and radio and television interviews nationally, in the first few months of this year.

IBOS is a classic example of the power of a proactive, innovative marketing strategy, which creates a newsworthy story to tell the media.

More and more clients are reaping the benefits of producing interesting and informative newsletters – if circulated regularly this is a most cost effective ‘sales representative’ for your business.

A great way of keeping in touch with key stakeholders, your own newsletter is an effective way to keep your name in front of your customer and communicate your message as you intend it to be presented.

Good communication and building client relationships is behind every successful business. Effective newsletters provide inspiration, ideas and reinforce your customers’ decision to do business with you. They can also be used to generate sales, reinforce your company positioning, communicate changes in your organization and report on your clients’ – and your own – successes and achievements. Corporate newsletters are also valuable and effective vehicles for internal communication, strengthening your company culture, improving staff morale and increasing motivation.

Both electronic and print newsletters have their purpose and place, depending on the audience. While electronic newsletters can be produced quickly and more economically, spam filters are making delivery increasingly unreliable. Many clients are reverting to print newsletters, as they seem to achieve more consistent cut-through. One interesting example is the IT company which prefers fax over email – direct mail or fax increases visibility it seems!