The greatest words in the English language: "your oder has shipped" ?

Amazon are making a huge push in the Australian market and I just recently made my first order. "Amazon has been the talk of the entire Australian retail industry after it confirmed its plans to expand down under." (source: ordermomentum.com)

I hosted my website for a while on Amazon Web Services but this is my first retail order with the e-commerce giant, from a recommendation from a friend. The process was as good as I've had online.

I'll update this blog when it arrives so I can share all the awesome goodies I ordered with you all



This article was first published on June 24, 2019 at 05:22PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2019/06/my-first-order-on-amazon-australia.html

I recently came across an article that asks a very important question: are marketing degrees worth it?

Source: https://trafficjammedia.co/do-you-need-marketing-qualifications-and-degrees/

As someone who studied at a 4 year university, I felt that uni helped prepare me for the professional world. But in modern marketing environments where skill sets such as UX design are all the rage, it made me think that this question may not be so easy to answer.

Anyways I figured I'd share this though on my blog to see what you all think. Let me know in the comments!
This article was first published on March 19, 2019 at 08:45PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2019/03/is-marketing-degree-worth-it.html

For any organization to be successful, it needs to be realized that the backbone of a business is its workforce.

The driving force behind all operations and the smooth running of the organization are the employees and it is very crucial for the management to realize the importance of keeping employees motivated.

While there are many widely used methods of motivating employees, such as bonuses or fringe benefits, there is one method that is frequently overlooked; keeping the employees involved.

Taking feedback from workers and encouraging two-communication is one of the most effective measure a company can take to ensure the satisfaction and motivation of their employees because when they are asked for their opinions on certain business decisions, it makes them feel valued and thus, instills a sense of belonging towards the organization.

Having employees that feel a sense of belonging towards an organization reduces employee turnover and makes it easier for firms to retain experienced employees that are an asset to the firm. Having a good employee retention rate also leads to the improvement of the company’s image in the market and industry and allows for greater opportunities for growth and the greater development of ideas as the employees treat the whole organization as their own.

There are numerous ways in which a company can be more engaged with their employees and how they’re feeling; one that I experimented with recently is a pulse survey.

A Pulse survey is a quicker and simpler version of an engagement survey. As their name suggests, pulse surveys give the management regular, quick check-ins in the health of the workforce. They help emphasize on the aspects that need improvement and measure the level of employee satisfaction. Additionally, they also helped me in evaluating work-relationships and the environment around the organization.

As compared to engagement surveys, I found that pulse surveys are quick and to the point. They not require detailed answers to a wide variety of questions; the ones used in my organization have just under 10 questions. Moreover, they are also conducted more frequently than engagement surveys which allowed the management to recognize and solve arising issues promptly. The small number of questions facilitated the identification of the issue quickly and enabled the management to focus on a particular current goal or target that needs feedback.

Furthermore, employee feedback was more frequently received and appreciated through pulse surveys and they allowed for quicker and more accurate comparisons to be made. They are faster and more comprehensive to complete which is a source of convenience for the employees as well.

Additionally, I found that they can be used to spread awareness about certain issues around the organization which can prove extremely beneficial for the management and the organization as a whole. Pulse surveys are a great way to target a certain group of employees; whether it is for special tasks or for a special localized audit. They make sure that everyone is involved in the business and promote effective communication. However, it is also crucial to have the entire organization on board when it comes to understanding the purpose, requirement, and benefits of using Pulse surveys.

This article was first published on March 12, 2019 at 08:49PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2019/03/my-experience-with-staff-surveys.html

I thoroughly enjoyed this article by Blake Smith on startupgrowth.com titled "Startup’s Guide to Hiring First Marketing Staff"

I found this section to be particularly interesting:

Different audiences make purchasing decisions based on different appealing factors and criteria, and it is essential to work with marketers who understand your audience (example) and their needs. 

They don’t need to be an absolute expert in your sector, but they should demonstrate the ability to identify your target audience and develop innovate means of growing it.

It should also go without saying that marketers with experience in your field will find it easier to create comprehensive marketing materials for you – your business’s domain comes naturally to them and their efforts are thereby less contrived.

This was a timely message for me and something I 100% agree with. I have recently been working on more projects that align with my personal interests, and found that the "work" is much more enjoyable and the finished product was great!

This article was first published on January 14, 2019 at 01:51PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2019/01/hiring-your-first-marketing-team.html

This one reminded me of my days working in retail as a teenager. ? It was a while ago (not THAT long though) but I can still remember crumbling under the pressure of giving the correct change to a customer in a timely manner LOL those were the days!


This is what I look like trying to work out how much change I need to give a customer…

Source: This is what I look like trying to work out how much change I need to give a customer…

This article was first published on November 28, 2018 at 11:51AM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/11/i-had-good-giggle-over-this.html

So if you read my last update, I've been in a bit of an upskilling phase lately. First, I was working on my spreadsheet skills... but now i'm on my way to becoming a full-fledged computer programmer.

Well not exactly, but my good friend Luke Smith is helping me learn coding (Javascript) to help my customise my Wordpress website (coming soon).



I already know some basic HTML, but this is a whole 'nother level from a technical perspective. It's great though, because I know it will save me a lot in development costs down the line.

It has been a bit of an uphill battle, and I've consumed plenty of these  in the process, but Luke has been especially patient with me while I get comfortable learning a new language.



Do I speak fluent Javascript yet? No...

But I know enough to be dangerous! I even learnt how to set up custom Javascript in my Google Tag Manager account to track all of you lovely blog readers and what you're clicking on my website :)

Keep up to date on my progress with this this mootools page



This article was first published on September 02, 2018 at 08:17PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/09/upping-my-skills.html

I'm currently learning (well, re-learning to be more precise) how to use Microsoft Excel.

I've found my daily tasks, both professional and at home, could benefit from being a bit more proficient in everyone's favourite spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel.

Also, here's the current sitch in the workplace:



This journey started when I found myself watching several YouTube videos after searching for "how to *insert intermediate MS Excel task*"and came across this one:



This article was first published on July 17, 2018 at 04:29PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/07/learning-to-spreadsheet.html

Image via LatteLindsay.com I've started doing these tips from Latte Lindsay. They're great for when you’re not really in the mood to head down to the gym! I would highly recommend trying these: Take up a meditation practice Start journaling Visualise and write out your perfect day in detail Since i've started visualizing and writing about my day, I've strung together a LOT of good days in a row. Also as Lindsay states: Various researchers have come to the conclusion that meditation changes the structure of parts of the brain, and is associated with an improved sense of wellbeing, awareness, and calm, in addition to other things. What habits have you made for yourself that are based on "self-improvement"?

This article was first published on May 09, 2018 at 03:16PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/05/self-improvement-hobbies-im-trying.html

One of my closest friends (Jill) is getting married in August, and I’m one of her bridesmaids!

Although I think the world of Jill, I did hesitate for a split second when she asked me. I’ve been a bridesmaid a few other times and it can be stressful! Especially if you have small children and you’re trying to juggle work and study at the same time.

But so far, so good - since we’ve already found the perfect shoes.

This is no small feat, considering there are three other bridesmaids and we’re all different shapes and sizes!

Billini in Parramatta was the first store we walked into and the last. We found everything we wanted there. This is my dream come true, since I actually loathe shoe shopping with a violent passion. But we had so much time to spare; I even found a pair of gorgeous suede boots. I plan to wear these with two cute dresses I purchased from Fresh Soul Clothing (also in Parramatta, conveniently).

Jill told us all we could choose different shoes (as long as they’re a nude colour) but we ended up going for the same shoe that suited us all perfectly. It has an open-toe and isn’t ridiculously high. I felt comfortable walking around the store, although I could probably use some more practise, since I don’t often wear heels. The last thing I want is to trip down the aisle!

How to choose the perfect high heel:

I’m no expert on shoe shopping, which ironically makes me the perfect person to tell you what to look out for, since I love to feel comfortable.

If you’re buying heels for a special occasion, chances are you’re looking for shoes that compliment an outfit you already have in mind.

A pair of simple black or nude coloured heels works best with clothes that have a lot of colour or embellishment, so that your outfit stands out, instead of competing with your shoes. But if you're wearing all black, or something simple, you have more freedom to choose bright colours and patterns.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and buy a vibrant heel that you wouldn’t normally choose. Having said this, it’s always handy to know how to match different colours to your outfits.

A good tip is to bring a photo (or even the outfit) into the store, so you can see how the colours work together.

Practise makes perfect

High heels may elongate your legs and add the final touch to your outfit, but there’s no point buying a pair if you look like a baby giraffe learning how to walk while wearing them.

It’s important to make sure you can actually walk (and stand) in your heels, before making the commitment.

There are a few tricks to finding the perfect fit:

• Assess how your toes feel in the shoes - is there enough wriggle room or are they squashed? If it’s a bit cramped in there, go up a size or opt for a different style (unless you don’t mind blisters!).
• Cushioning in the shoe will lower the pressure on the ball of your foot.
• Choose a pair of heels with a platform under the toe area to minimise the angle and reduce pressure.
• Go for chunkier heels if you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking or dancing, since they give you more stability.
• Heels between 3 cm and 9 cm tend to be most comfortable to walk in.

Practice walking around the store while wearing the heels. Close your eyes and focus on how your feet feel. Can you feel slight pinches or any discomfort? If so, these are not the pair for you.

Look for quality

If you’re planning on getting a lot of wear out of your new heels, you may want to spend more on options that last longer. Shoes made out of leather or high-quality vegan materials last for years and mould to your foot shape (which prevents chafing), while synthetic materials (like nylon and plastic) fall apart a lot quicker.

Other tips:

Wear your new pair of heels around the house before taking them out for the day, so you can break them in.

If the soles of your new shoes are smooth, then rub them against sandpaper or rough surfaces to boost traction and reduce the chances of slipping and falling.

You can get insoles to reduce the pressure on the ball of your feet, if your shoes don’t have enough cushioning.

Other things I need to do before the wedding:

Organise the hen’s night!!!

This will be in July, but we can’t decide what to do. Tiffany (maid of “honour”) is pushing for male strippers and novelty straws that make grandmothers blush. I’m going to suggest a night of Latin dancing at a Sydney club instead.

Personal grooming

Going to the beauty salon is pretty expensive! The bridesmaids and I are organising a “spa treatment” day at one of our houses. We’re going to have facials and paint each other’s nails. I’ve also ordered a wax kit, so we’re going to have a go at waxing our legs from home. I hesitate to do this, because it seems messy, but Catherine (one of the other bridesmaids) swears that you can’t go wrong with the Auswax kit.



Prepare my body for a night of dancing

I recently injured my lower back while shovelling mulch in the garden (nothing major, but still). My friend swears by her physio. Considering I’m going to be in Sydney so much over the next few months, I’m planning on having a few sessions before the big day. Hopefully I’ll be able to dance the night away, without worrying about making my back worse!

Go for our final fittings

Jill found an awesome dressmaker to design our dresses and we have two more fittings to make sure everything is looks perfect. I can’t wait to see the final results!
This article was first published on March 22, 2018 at 07:55PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/03/my-surprising-shoe-shopping-adventure.html

New year. New me. New home? I've been thinking about some styling changes to our home. In this post, I've decided to compile the best resources I've found online for DIY home styling advice for wanna-be interior designers like myself. I hope you find them as useful as I did!

Forget New Year New You, Give Your Home Your Full Attention by EVE MORGAN 

It can be so overwhelming in January. Everyone is going on about losing the holiday weight, not drinking for a month while they detox all of the lovely beverages and cheese they ate for weeks on end blaming the festivities and Christmas. But while a little self-improvement and love is not a bad thing at all, I also feel that this time of year is the perfect opportunity to get your home in order and organised. 

 How To Have A Harmonious Home by MAKE IT SHABBY

This article is to encourage you to use the energy of the New Year to get your home in ship shape condition… and offers a four-step process to create a harmonious home environment for you and your family:

Quick And Easy Ways To Add A Touch Of Luxury To Your Home by skirtgirlie.com

 Adding a splash of luxury to your home can be a quick and easy way to give yourself a little something to look forward to at home after a long day. Below are some ideas for the more regularly used rooms in your home.

Turn Your Bedroom Into A Relaxing Retreat by SARAH JAYNE POTTER

Our home should be a relaxing and refreshing place to come after a long day or week in the office. It should be a calming retreat for you and your family to enjoy each other’s company and entertain friends. Arguably, the most important room in your home is your bedroom. It is where you spend at least a third of each day, and needs to be the most relaxing place in your home.

USING LUXURY HOME TOUCHES TO ADD AN ELEMENT OF CLASS by LAUREN RONEY

 

With the likes of Pinterest and the many home magazines that we all browse through on a regular basis, it’s all there for the taking. But sometimes, it’s just too much. So much so that you find yourself overwhelmed when it comes to creating a look that you love. But when this happens, you need to forget the clutter and stick to something that counts - class. And to create an air of class in your home, you’re going to want to add the right luxury touches.

Simple Bathroom to Luxurious Spa in 4 Easy Steps by mumswinehq.com

When you get back in after a long day, the idea of visiting a spa is a dream come true for many people. Unfortunately, this isn’t a realistic option for most of us, mainly due to the practicality and expense. The ideal solution to this problem would be to transform your bathroom into a spa room. And you can do this without spending vast sums of money - you just need to think of ways to engage all five sense and get yourself feeling calm and relaxed.

 5 Essentials You Need For A Luxury Bathroom by Istin

 

Luxury means different things to different people. For some luxury might mean opulence and extravagance. For others, luxury might refer to the feeling you get when you’re surrounded by high-end features and facilities. A bathroom that is built to a very high standard could be exactly what you’re looking for. Add some carefully selected details, some high-tech facilities, and a touch of opulence, and you might be enjoying your very own luxury bathroom.

 2018 Interior Design Trends by Lauren Kinghorn

This article explores some of the most popular trends we can expect to see in 2018… but in all honesty, particular as a busy mother, it can be very time consuming and expensive to always stay on trend, and when it comes furniture fashion is always changing.

This article was first published on March 12, 2018 at 06:02PM at http://www.corelmag.com/2018/03/8-luxury-home-styling-tips-for-mums-in.html