What's the best way to launch a new product and get e-ttraction?  Is it a huge mainstream media burst to get awareness, creating a funny video you hope will go viral to generate interest or running a once in a life competition to stimulate desire? In my view none of those works as well as influencer marketing.

Do you ever feel that when you want something really really badly, the more you try to make it happen, the more it moves further away as you push? You might be in your own business trying to grow, pushing your clients for more, selling hard but the more you push the less they want to buy? Or you might be in a job you don't like and want a new one that better suits your values. 

Thanks for being a great friend and supporter of me and my business Social Star. As we approach our first birthday (we sent out our invitation last week, so if you missed it connect with us here ), I sat down and looked back at my journey over the past year.

How much do you love your computer?

As Founder and Personal Brand Consultant  at Social Star which specialises in crafting peoples online brands, my computer IS my business. I am pretty much always on my computer. It's where I wrote my book, blogs, look at pictures of my kids and work with my clients.  Even when asleep it is next to me whilst I dream of writing biographies and building websites - sad but true! Those of you who are digital professionals will understand...

If you are lucky enough to live near a ski mountain, take advantage of that white goodness. Great fitness and the kids love it! Sure it can be challenging to get them there, keep them warm and enjoy your turns too; but by following my top 10 ski tips for beginners, you will have a great day at the snow and a life long activity to do with your kids.

Think about the leaders that you admire and respect for a moment. Think about their lives and what draws you to follow them. Is it their strength, honesty, integrity, how much money they made or the perceptive decisions that seemed wrong at the time but turned out right.

Just over a year ago I left the big, safe world of corporate life to start my own business. Scary to say the least and one of the most challenging years I have ever had. I explained why I made the move in my last blog, and now will tell you honestly what it has been like. The ups and downs that you don't see in the movies, plus answer the most important question that I get asked all the time - was it worth it?

A few years ago I took the massive step of quitting my high paying corporate job to start my own personal business. Why? It sure wasn't to work less and earn more! I now work harder than I ever have and earn less than I did 15 year ago, so why risk it all to make this crazy transition? For two very good reasons.

If you run your own business and are looking for a way to structure and grow it to sell, this is the book for you. Written as a story it is simple and clear, but with a powerful message.  It tangibly changed the way I was running my business for the better. I highly recommend you get a copy if you are serious about exiting your business one day. Click on the below image or here to buy via Amazon*. 

I have been making french toast for my boys for the last few years and it always jumps off the plate with no complaints on a Sunday morning. It's easy and quick to make and believe it or not is quite healthy. 

LinkedIn has 300 million members, 6 million in Australia and is the biggest and best social media channel for business. Not convinced? Did you know that 65% of companies acquired B2B leads through LinkedIn or that it drives more traffic to B2B blogs and sites than Twitter, Facebook and Google plus combined! Still need more? 

I came across Roger's work at the same time as I discovered John Demartini. John was the master of values. Both are experts in human behaviour, but Roger's clear system of personality assessment won me over. 

here is a debate amongst entrepreneurs and business people whether a University education is relevant in today's super-fast moving information economy. So I pose a question - Do you support traditional University Degrees as the best start to a career or entrepreneurial courses and work experience?

If you were heading across the world to impress 1,800 of your peers would you pack lycra? That's just what I considered before packing my favourite superman outfit and heading off to Social Media Marketing World in San Diego in March 2014. 

Business in Bali, why would you bother!  Why would you want to work? I know Bali is Australia's favourite holiday destination but let's examine why it could make a great business destination too.

Social Media banners are a vital ingredient in your creating your Powerful Personal Brand.  It's the best real estate you can get on social media to instantly communicate your business and values in one second; as they say a picture tells a thousand words. 

Eat!  It's pretty important for living apparently.  As someone who loves to eat, I believe it's important to not deny yourself sustenance and pleasure. I also believe it's important to eat the food you crave. Surely you jest Andrew, I hear you say. Cravings are BAD!  Well I disagree.