Tag: KONA Group

CMO Show Interview

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
The CMO Show

This week, Glenn Dobson, Managing Director of the KONA Group and Hawaii Ironman triathlete, is interviewed by co-hosts Mark Jones and JV Douglas about why HRs current obsession with ’empowerment’ is a “management cop out”; staying motivated; and how setting new goals and challenges can help you achieve way beyond your own expectations.

“Business people today face so many distractions that it’s increasingly difficult to strike a balance between work and life, setting and achieving goals and maintaining focus and motivation.”

Yet Glenn’s ability to structure his week around the four “big rocks” in his life – work, training, family and sales training & coaching – have allowed him to pursue his dreams of becoming a Hawaii Ironman triathlete in KONA, and international sales coach. (Immediately after this interview he was getting on a plane to train businesses in Johannesburg, Dubai, Dallas and New Zealand)

This structure, he says, is integral to keeping himself motivated and avoiding the burnout that so many marketers and executives experience.

“People often say, ‘how do you fit it all in?’ I train 16 hours a week for an Ironman race and still spend a huge amount of time with my family.

I run a business and spend vast amounts of time with clients.

However I don’t get bogged down in the minutia, and the little low value tasks that can take up time.”

To listen to this excellent interview from CMO on your drive to or from work please click on

https://www.filteredmedia.com.au/the-cmo-show-motivation-for-marketing/

For more information on KONA’s Sales Training or Call Centre Training please telephone Glenn on 0425 200 883 or email Glenn@KONA.com.au

10 Tips to Make Your Trade Events a Success Part 2

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
10 Tips to Make Your Trade Events a Success Part 2, by Robert Savellis of the KONA Group In last week’s blog we discussed why and how successful Trade Events and Australian sales training workshops need consistent focus and expertise (If you haven’t read part 1 please go to the blog below) https://kona.com.au/10-Tips-to-Make-Your-Trade-Events-a-Success-Part-1 In KONA’s Sales Management training programs we often hear Managers lament that past trade events haven’t been successful and/or generated a poor ROI Therefore part 2 of How to Make Your Trade Events a Success includes the following key recommendations:
  1. Training staff on new products – there is nothing worse than staff being shown the product on the morning of the show and testing their knowledge on live customers. So ensure you train all attendees on new products prior to the show, as well as refreshers on more well established products or services
In addition, if you have ‘none sales people’ manning the stand ensure you give them sales training on how to approach and engage with customers as well as product training
  1. Speaking spot – make the most of the show and try to get a speakers spot
Many trade events have international speakers who draw a strong audience however they often are looking for ‘backup speakers’ or fill in speakers if someone doesn’t show up or pulls out. Promote the event to your customer base.
  1. Staff Roster – ensure that there is a roster prepared and agreed to by all managers outlining shift starting and finishing times and meal times. Make sure that you take into account that you need to split the shifts to enable staff to return calls, return e-mails and meet with customers.
  2. Pre and post briefing – Most companies spend a lot of money on attending an event where the ultimate goal was to generate leads and/or sales. So what next?
It is crucial to develop a lead distribution and management process. Otherwise all of those business cards your team gathered at the event will end up lost or wasted. (If you are in doubt of this divide the total costs of the event by the number of leads and sales you generate)
  1. Post-mortem analysis – investigate and learn from the event, document what has worked, what needs changing, what was the ROI, and what are you going to do going forward.
Robert Savellis is a Sales and Marketing Performance Specialist as the KONA Group If Robert can help you and your organisation to develop more opportunities, increase sales and grow profits please telephone 1300 611 288, or email info@KONA.com.au Alternatively go to: https://kona.com.au/Hearts-and-Minds-Sales-Training

10 Tips to Make Your Trade Events a Success Part 1

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
10 Tips to Make Your Trade Events a Success Part 1, by Robert Savellis of the KONA Group Successful trade events need focus and expertise Very often clients are reluctant to invest in trade events as they have “been there, done that and the return on investment was not worth it.” In all cases the post-mortem revealed that lack of proper planning was at the top of the list as to reasons why the event was not a success. Follow the below list and the results will follow.
  1. Event organiser – have a discussion with the event organiser and identify if this is the event for you, do not rely on a glossy brochure.
  2. Booth positioning – Just like a retail store the key principle at an event is position, position and position
The position and size of your stand plays an important role in the success of the event so always consider the impact on ROI between the positions of a slightly more expensive stand, compared to a cheaper but out of the way stand.
  1. Stand design – your stand needs to reflect your brand identity. Your design should be completed early to ensure all goes well and be sure to understand the limitations
Many events have restrictions in regards to height of banners and rigging, serving customers beverages etc. All venues have different restrictions so make sure you review the terms and conditions.
  1. Feature Products – decide what products you will be showing, a good start will be with your product roadmap.
Always have a plan ‘B’ as delays may occur if your product is being shipped from overseas or is still undergoing testing production phase.
  1. Demonstrations – when running demonstrations on products note what utilities and restrictions are in place that may affect or close down your demonstration.
  • Sound restrictions,
  • Electricity (what phase is required),
  • Water, drainage availability
  • WIFI (most shows are saturated with WIFI signals which may affect your demonstrations).
For Tips 6 – 10 please check out next week’s blog Robert Savellis as a Sales and Marketing Performance Specialist as the KONA Group If Robert can help you and your organisation to develop more opportunities and increase your ROI and sales from your upcoming events please telephone him on 1300 611 288, or email info@KONA.com.au

March 2015: KONA Group helps raise $452,000 for disabled young Australians

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
On March the 8th, after 9 days in the saddle, we finally rode across the finish line in Sydney to be greeted by family, friends, the young disabled people and staff from Fighting Chance, Members of Parliament and sponsors It had been a marvelous week where we had averaged over 120 kms a day and battled with very sore backsides, headwinds, high and low temperatures, huge trucks and grey nomads puling caravans, potholes, flat tyres and a multitude of other daily challenges However this was all worthwhile as last week the final numbers came in and with the assistance of a vast array of contacts, colleagues and friends we’ve raised an incredible $452,905 through the Tour. 2015 Tour photo This is an amazing amount of money that will enable Fighting Chance to create a huge number of opportunities for young adults with a disability and take the number of people FC care for from 40 to 120! In 2014, we raised $345,000 so in only 2 short year we have raised over a $750,000 and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support, donations and goodwill, as you have certainly helped us to make a difference Best regards, Glenn Check out Fighting Chance COO Jordan O’Reilly discussing how your donations will make a difference at

10 Tips to Overcome the Sales and Marketing Alignment Dilemma – Part 1

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
10 Tips to Overcome the Sales and Marketing Alignment Dilemma – Part 1, by Robert Savellis of the KONA Group The importance of Sales and Marketing alignment The role of a Channel Marketing Manager is tough as they need to be experts in many areas. Firstly, they need to able to produce material to motivate and educate their distributors that have different business models. Secondly, they need to be able to produce material to motivate, educate and support their resellers who also address different segments of the market in different ways, and Thirdly they need to understand the varying buying cycles and requirements of the end user. In my current field of Sales Training and Marketing coach and trainer a common theme arises more often than not and is called Sales and Marketing alignment. In order to offer my 10 important steps to align sales and marketing we must look at the symptoms. Symptoms
  • “We have a room full of marketing material and sales have not done their job in distributing the material to their customers.”
  • “Sales staff should stick to their job and stop telling Marketing what to do.”
  • “Distributors supply credit they do not generate sales.”
  • “That’s a sales function.”
  • “Trade events are not successful as sales do not follow up”
With these symptoms in mind, here are the first 5 of 10 Tips
  1. Sales and marketing should be on the same team and efforts of both need to be aligned. So start with both Heads of Sales and Marketing having the same Revenue and Profit Target
  2. Create a role of Sales and Marketing Director to better align both teams (as long as the Candidate has the required expertise. Being a good at Sales doesn’t make you good at Marketing, and vice versa)
  3. Marketers do not rely on a brief from sales to understand the customer. Both sales and marketing teams must understand the sales process starting from distributor to the end-user buying habits.
  4. Do not rely only on industry publications. How often does your Marketing team actually meet with your top ten partners, in their offices, to better understand how they can add value to their business through your marketing efforts? Is it enough?
  5. Marketing must present to the sales team their strategic plans and marketing calendar outlining their key activities, and then agreement needs to be met on what will work and add value, and then most importantly articulate the strategy and support required from sales.
For Tips 6 – 10 please check out next week’s blog Robert Savellis as a Sales and Marketing Performance Specialist as the KONA Group If Robert can help you and your organisation to develop more opportunities, increase sales and grow profits please telephone 1300 611 288, or email info@KONA.com.au Alternatively go to: https://kona.com.au//Hearts-and-Minds-Sales-Training https://kona.com.au//Marketing-Strategy https://kona.com.au//sales-management-training-and-coaching https://kona.com.au/call-centre-training-in-australia

3 Weeks to Go to Make a Real Difference to Someone’s Life

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
In under 3 weeks I’ll be joining a group of 22 cyclists to ride 1,100 kms from Brisbane to Sydney to raise money to purchase equipment for young Australians with major disabilities. Training is going well and before or after work I am trying to get a ride in most days, plus with a lot of leg strength work in the gym. We will average about 120kms a day and one big advantage is the ride doesn’t include a 4km swim before and a 42 kms Marathon run after each day’s ride as I do in an Ironman Plus Brisbane to Sydney is down hill!! We set off early on Saturday 28 February from Brisbane, arriving in Sydney on Sunday March 8 and if you would like to join us we have one place left. Please just call Glenn on 0425 200883 or email me on Glenn@KONA.com.au If you can’t join us on the ride could you please support the cause and donate at https://www.tourdechance.com.au/glenndobson Every dollar will go to these young people in the video below Many people have asked why are we putting ourselves through 9 days of sweat, aching bodies and sore backsides I am doing the ride to raise money for Fighting Chance, who provide innovative work programs for youths and young adults with disabilities. Unfortunately far too many young and adult Australians with significant disabilities continue to lack opportunities to engage in purposeful and fulfilling education, skill development and work experience activities. To create these opportunities, Fighting Chance has developed a unique and individualised model of work hubs to get people of all abilities working. These work hubs focus on designing work programs suitable to each person’s individual skills and abilities. All the money raised by the Tour de Chance will used to triple the numbers of people with a disability employed within the Fighting Chance social enterprises from 40 to 120. People like Lia, Jo and Nick in this video My personal target is to raise $10,000 for Fighting Chance and to achieve this I would love your support for this worthiest of causes by sponsoring me for the ride. To sponsor me (which is fully tax deductible), please just follow this link: https://www.tourdechance.com.au/glenndobson. You will receive a tax receipt and the funds will be forwarded directly to Fighting Chance and from that site you can also learn more about the amazing opportunities that Fighting Chance creates. In addition, the KONA Group is donating 10% from every training and coaching program booked in February or March for one of their Call Centre Training, Sales Training, Sales Management Training  and Coaching and customised Customer Service training courses On behalf of the KONA Group, Tour de Chance and the Fighting Chance teams, thank you again for your support.

KONA Group helps raise $345,000 for young Australians with disabilities

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
In 2015 KONA Group will be again raising funds for young people with significant disabilities. In February Managing Director Glenn Dobson will cycle 1,100 kms from Brisbane to Sydney to raise funds for young people with significant disabilities including cerebral palsy and autism. Last year KONA helped raise over $345,000 which DOUBLED the number of young people Fighting Chance, a local Australian Charity, were able to support as well as purchase equipment, adapted wheel chairs, vehicles and other much needed resources If you can’t join us on the ride can you please support the cause and donate at https://www.tourdechance.com.au/#/glenndobson Every dollar will go to these young people Fighting Chance For more information on Fighting Chance please check out https://www.tourdechance.com.au/#/cause

KONA Group is riding Brisbane to Sydney to support Fighting Chance, by Glenn Dobson

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson

On 27 February 2014, I will be cycling 1,000 kms from Brisbane to Sydney to raise more than $250,000 for Fighting Chance – a charity that creates opportunities for young adults with significant physical disabilities to access employment and social participation programs.

Along with 14 other riders the reason I’m attempting the 1000 kms Brisbane to Sydney ride is that I’ve been fortunate to be able to conquer some of the world’s major sporting challenges, however, I’m inspired by the amazing work Fighting Chance do on a daily basis.

In 2012, I fulfilled a 13 year dream and completed the Hawaii Ironman, in Kona. In 2011, I ran 250 kms across the Sahara Desert before representing Australia in the Triathlon World Championships in Las Vegas. Then, in 2010 I fought Heavy Weight boxing champion John Hopoate, then 6 days later ran 475 kms across the Simpson Desert to raise $32,000 for Breast Cancer patients.

The Fighting Chance team help people with disabilities to live a better life, when every day is a challenge that makes the Sahara and Hawaii Ironman pale into significance, and for that reason the KONA Group want to help in our own small way to make a difference to their work.

So can I ask you to please help me raise funds for this great cause and donate what you can at https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/DobsonG

(Your donation is tax deductible).

To get more information on the ride and what Fighting Chance plans to do with the funds you donate please go to  https://www.tourdechance.com.au/fighting-chance/

Thank you very much for your support as we all genuinely appreciate it and please take a minute or two to think about friends in your network that you might feel comfortable sharing this email with.

Don’t be a Business Ostrich

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
Hiding in the corner of your business is a costly and growing problem and it’s time it was addressed. With 60-65% of the population affected you could call it an epidemic and it’s causing decreased productivity, and increasing sick leave and insurance costs. Combining obesity with increased depression, work stress, inactivity, 80% of the population will or have suffered neck or back pain and we have a cocktail of failure. For millions of years people were upright and mobile and now continual sitting and inactivity is accepted as normal and we are asking workers to do something the body was never designed for. In a sporting environment under performing members are relegated or released, yet with the above statistics it appears the business world is accepting poor performance. Business has embraced sedentary producing technology and therefore shoulders much of the responsibility; technology is here to stay and the innovative companies are planning for the future with health programs. Here are a few suggestions to start a health program and increase productivity…
  1. Add a health and fitness aspect to the widely accepted pre screening psychological testing.
  2. Take steps to creating a healthy culture with healthy eating days and encouraging alcohol in moderation.
  3. Ask your OH&S committee to address health in the workplace.
Sporting teams and athletes are able to perform at incredible levels by concentrating on health and fitness and your team will improve their performance with a similar focus. A healthy and productive business begins with healthy people. For more information please contact Timothy Kitching at the KONA Group on 1300 611 288 or email info@kona.com.au

Faustina Agolley from ‘The Voice’ and KONA Group’s Glenn Dobson

Posted on | by Sienna Anderson
  TV personality Faustina Agolley from ‘The Voice’ and KONA Group’s Glenn Dobson are supporting the Wall of Hands charity to help the ALNFAustralian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation develop literacy programs for Indigenous children in the Northern Territories. Check out Wall of Hands