I recently spent time in New Delhi, India and I was fortunate to be hosted for a lunch at a traditional Indian restaurant. 

When you are in someone else’s country you are effectively in someone else’s culture.  We got to talking about languages and the traditions that surround the use of language.  Over the past 10 years English has become a preferred teaching language in India, to the stage where many parents who can afford it send their children to international schools to ensure their children have exposure to English. 

The interesting point about this is that when a generation is being taught a new language then the gap between the generations becomes wider.  But from talking with my hosts, there is an upside and that is the desire to understand culture has never been greater.  His children want to know and ask a lot of questions about Hindu traditions and they want to learn more about what their parents and grandparents have done in the past.  Is the past considered important enough to the future? 

Read the rest of this entry »

There has been a lot of talk about data and a data base.  How do you value the use of data and what is the return on an actual database? 

There are three levels of databases. Those that have a non-contact component which are generally subscriber based e-mail databases; the next is a part-contact database which involves being able to phone individuals; and the third is a full-contact database which are people that are known one-on-one and their history is also available to recall. 

A non-contact database is generally quite big.  It works on a percentage return of about 3%.  So if you send out 100 e-newsletters you may get an enquiry back from 3 people if they are interested in the product or service that you offer.  

The part-contact database is generally one that may be used by a telemarketer who makes contact directly to try and get an appointment with a potential prospect.  The return on appointment is generally between 6% and 8%.

Read the rest of this entry »

As 2009 draws to a close I start to think about the year that I have had and the year that lye’s ahead. It is my time to take responsibility. What sort of year have I had and how will I take ownership of it? My book deliver is inspired through a letter that I write to myself each year. In 2007 one commitment I made to myself was to complete a book – a collection of writings for me. Little did I know that Deliver my book would be the outcome in April 2009.

I can attribute many achievements and positives from writing my own letter. It is my self ownership. It is my transparent life on paper for me.

I begin to think about my letter now and I will write it prior to the end of the year.

My letter is headed up ‘Dear Carey’. It now has 5 headings I included an additional heading ‘MyPromises’ in 2008

1. 2009 My Year
2. 2010 Family 
3. 2010 Health 
4. 2010 Work
5. 2010 My Promises                     

Then I will open up my letter from last year. I know what it is in that letter but it has remained sealed from the day I signed it. Anything that I do not remember has not been important. I have much to be thankful for in 2009.

Read the rest of this entry »