Design Experts

Golden Grains teams up with DE

Wed, 02 May 2012 06:51:00 GMT

5 hour journey north of Bendigo where the ground is red and air is dry, you'll find a grain farmer named Kamal.

Kamal got in contact with DE to develop an online solution that will put Golden Grain on the online map and start promoting their business. We are happy to say that DE and Golden Grain are teamed up and its all in full swing.

Tim and I were lucky enough to get a tour of the farm and learn more about the process of making flour and how to harvest almonds.

What an experience, to start off the local dog heads straight to Tim's car lifts one leg and lets us know what he really thinks about us... classic. (Must of been the shiny shoes)

Kamal took us through the process of grinding down the grain and making perfectly fine tuned fresh flour. Kamal found that most indian restaurants through-out Australia source their flour from India, he is making a huge change by pushing his fresh produce to these indian restaurants and keeping the money right here at home.

The machinery used to shake down almond trees and pick them all up is really something else, check out the photos below. Absolutely stunning place.

Design Experts are very excited to complete this project and start spreading the good work of Golden Grain, so keep an eye and ear out and be sure to check it out once it's live!

Augmented reality and Youtube marketing experience

Tue, 01 May 2012 13:07:00 GMT

@ Internet Show Melbourne 2011 - Augmented reality and Youtube marketing experience...

Symphony Orchestra 2011- Presented by Ms Louise O'Donnell, Managing Director, Seed Production

The Youtube Symphony Orchestra created a campaign that allowed Brands to jump in and be part of a innovative online campaign that selected 101 musicians from 33 countries chosen on YouTube to make up the YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011 converged on Sydney for a week long festival of musical collaboration and participation which has been captured here on youtube.com/symphony.

The culmination of the week long festival, was a Grand Finale concert that was streamed live on YouTube from Sydney Opera House.

As part of the presentation we were introduced to Stepan Grytsay, from Salta Argentina who was one of the artists, a touching story, one of many that made up one of the 101 selected musicians.

The concert broke all the records in terms of views, simultaneous live streams and user interaction. The branding was subtle and successful and didn't over power the delivering of the content.

Tourism Australia invited four members of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra to partner with contemporary Australia musicians in a unique musical experiment - Making Tracks.

I then jumped on the Symphony Orchestra 2011 page and started playing around with the

"experiment" tool.

Experiment ♫ is an innovative augmented-reality musical instrument brought to you by Hyundai and YouTube which allows you to "Make music with augmented reality"

It's a little hard to describe and best experience yourself, but in short, I took a photo of a this marker to the right using my iPhone. I then clicked on the "experiment" tab on the Symphony Orchestra 2011 page. By holding up my iphone and displaying the marker to my laptops webcam, I was able to interact with the online instrument and record a few tracks. I then experimented with different sounds and speed and then recorded my own tune...

So what does all this mean for us in regional Australia? Well firstly I'll admit it was a bit fun playing with the technology.

But when I started to think about what could be possible with this sort of mobile technology, coupled with the roll out of the National Broadband I started to think about how it could bring;

Interactive healthcare services
Remote coaching of athletes
Specialised music lessons
Vets assessing dairy cows

My mind did boggle and I get excited about the possibilities of what is installed for us all... And I'm not alone, check out the Health Demonstration below.

You can help make all of this a reality by supporting the NBN4Bendigo.

If you like to know more, you can also ask an Augmented Reality Question below or contact me direct and I'll do my best to explain it further.

FINAL TIP - For those that really want to experience Augmented Reality a little further, then I suggest you download and install the "Layar" Augmented Reality App.

Internet Show Melbourne 2012 Recap

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:57:00 GMT

I had the pleasure of attending the Internet Show in Melbourne on 30th April - 1st May 2012. As part of the show I had the choice of seven conference to immerse myself into;

Social Media World
Content Management World
MAD World (Mobile Advertising World)
The Mobile Show
On-Live Video Show
Planet of the Apps

I decided to head into the "on-line video" and "mobile advertising" worlds to learn from a line up of industry experts. It was humbling to sit in the room and learn about the new trends and examples of these two mediums, so of which was quite new to me.

Over the next few weeks I'll be posting some of the knowledge I gathered from the Internet Show on Design Experts "Buzz" for you to benefit from. I'll do my best to simplify it and provide a few links to delve in deeper.

What is Business Catalyst?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:14:00 GMT

Adobe Business Catalyst is an all-in-one online business communication tool. It is more than just a Content Management Solution that allows you to easily update your website, it has many integrated features including;

A Customer Relationship Management tool (CRM) that allows you to manage your customers information online
eMail Marketing, that allows you to send out personalised email marketing newsletters to your customer database
eCommerce capacity, to let you sell your products or accept payments online
Integrated analytics that give you great insight into your website performance
A Knowledgebase that has a hugh array of training and support materials
BLOGs – you can easily create and post blog articles, just like this one
Power WebApps, that allow you to build custom applications that make managing information easy, a typical example is a directory
An Event Calendar, that you can post events and take bookings
Media Management, that allows you to upload any type of document eg. PDFs and track the downloads it receives
Secure Zones, which allow you to password restrict certain areas of your website
Importing and Exporting data using .csv. In simple terms, you can manage your website using excel spreadsheets
Email Management, set up your own email accounts, log into webmail remotely if required
…and the list could go on forever – view our Business Catalyst Overview Document.

Adobe acquired Business Catalyst in 2011, formerly an Australian based company; Design Experts committed to the software in 2008 and has never looked back.

We love the idea that Adobe takes care of the development of the software and looks after the security of the Data Centre where the solution is hosted. One of the Data Centres is in Sydney, which is great to know and we feel increases the speed and reliability of our client’s solutions.

Once the solution is completed, Design Experts provide extensive training for our clients to go in and “take control” of their Business Catalyst solution. We teach you how to edit your website, send our email marketing newsletters, add products to your shopping cart and understand the web traffic reports.

There are lots of ways you can create a Business Catalyst solution, including a custom build, templated approach and building your own website using the Online Business Builder.

Feel free to jump in the deep end and start using the FREE Trial, view the more detailed Business Catalyst Tour or like hundreds of other businesses, please contact us to help you design a strategy suitable for your business and budget.

Feel free to check out our portfolio of BC solutions.

Contact Design Experts by calling 1300 85 25 82 to get your Business Catalyst Solution started today.

CEB Graduation Ceremony

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:20:00 GMT

On the 15th of February, Aaron attended the Continuing Education Bendigo graduation ceremony and was proud to present Sonya Taylor with the Education Support Studies Award.

In what was a fantastic evening, students graduated from a myriad of courses ranging from life skills to business management.

Design Experts has always been a strong believer in the power of education, and as such sponsored the Education Support Studies category.

Congratulations to Sonya on winning this category.

At Design Experts, our passion is educating you in the power of the web. As such, we continue to hold courses and workshops in conjunction with Continuing Education Bendigo on a range of topics that directly affect you and your business, ranging from "choosing the right website for your business and budget" to Social Media Marketing.

If you would like to view our timetable of workshops and short courses, please click here.

Going online is more than just having a website

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:45:00 GMT

Typically when a new client contacts Design Experts they ask us if we could quote on developing a website for them, and of course we can comply.

It is not until we have the opportunity to quickly educate them that "going online is more than just having a website" do they start understand how everything is connected and an integrated approach will yield more ROI - Return on investment.

These days, although a website is a great start; we must consider whether any other "online tools" could be of benefit to incorporate into our strategy; namely

Simply starting off with an understanding of what online tools are available to use is the first step to developing a long-term vision for your online strategy.

If you'd like to know more or book a workshop or keynote presentation on this topic "eBusiness 101 - Going online is more than just having a website" then please contact Design Experts today.

Whilst on a recent trip to Hay NSW, I had the pleasure of delivering this presentation to 20 local businesses. On route to Hay NSW (20 km to go) I was welcomed by a flock of emu's scuttling across the road, you have to love travelling the open plains in Australia.

Three Cheers - Business Excellence Awards

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:15:00 GMT

On Saturday night, 18th February 2012, Design Experts were thrilled to win the "Fastest Growing Company (Under 10 Employees)" category at the 2012 Australasian Business Excellence Awards. Kylie was also a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category.

The ballroom at the Gold Coast Sofitel was packed with supercharged businesses who were all keen to find out whether they would win one of the many awards presented on the night.

There was awards for Best Customer Service Results, Best Turnaround Company to Best Overall Company (Under 500).

Local Bendigo Businesses we well represented as finalist, including; Glen Loddon Homes, The Green Clean Team, Groundswell Australia and Design Experts. All of these businesses are supercharged by Action Coach Paul Henshall.

The Green Clean Team won "Most Innovative Business" as they work closely with the Department of Human Services and Haven to holistically help clients with clean and hoarding issues.

Winning this award does help to confirm that Design Experts are on the right track.

It was great to meet the founder of Action Coach, Brad Sugar who besides being a Multi-millionaire was inspirational in the topics he delivered.

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Overall, the 2 days to the Gold Coast to listen to Brad and other professional presenters on ways to improve your business was sensational. With pages and pages of notes and actions, one leaves the Gold Coast with a sense of satisfaction, exhaustion and plenty of "to-dos" that will help us to move forward and potentially take out Fastest Growing Company (Under 50) next year...

Asia Pacific Business Awards

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:26:00 GMT

The team at Design Experts are proud to announce that we have been named as finalists in three categories the Asia Pacific Business Awards.

We have been listed as finalists in the following three categories;

Fastest growing business with less than 50 staff
Best overall business with less than 10 staff

Special mention must go to Kylie, who has been nominated as Young entrepreneur. We are all proud of you.

It's at times like this that we like to acknowledge our brilliant clients, partners and suppliers. Without your support none of this would have been possible.

To read more about Design Experts' nominations at the Asia Pacific Business Awards, Click here

Workshops in 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:53:00 GMT

At Design Experts, we specialise in giving you the tools you need to grow your business online.

To do this, we have partnered with Continuing Education Bendigo and Small Business Victoria to host a series of great workshops designed to teach you how you and your business can make the most out of the internet.

Now that 2012 has arrived, we are happy to announce our workshops schedule for the next couple of months.

Make sure that if you want to attend any one of these courses you enrol early. You don't want to miss out on these great resources!

Do-It-Yourself Workshop - 1 of 3	08^th February 2012 0930-1230	CEB, 18 Meyers St, Bendigo	CEB
Choosing The Right Website For Your Business And Budget	14^th February 2012 – 1630-1930	Rochester	CEB
Do-It-Yourself Workshop – 2 of 3	15^th February 2012 0930-1230	CEB, 18 Meyers St, Bendigo	CEB
Your Business Online	15^th February 2012 1730-2100	76 Deakin Avenue, Mildura	SBV
Facebook for Business	16^th February 2012 – 1730-2030	Campaspe College, Echuca	SBV
Do-It-Yourself Workshop – 3 of 3	22^nd February 2012 – 1930-1230	CEB, 18 Meyers St, Bendigo	CEB
Marketing Basics	22^nd February 2012 – 1800-2000	602 Urquhart St, Ballarat	SBV
Hay (TBC)	27^th February 2012 0930-1230	Hay	Hay
Choosing The Right Website For Your Business And Budget	1^st March 2012 1730-2030	CEB, Castlemaine	CEB
How to get Google to find your website	6^th March 2012 – 1730-2000	Rochester	CEB
How to get Google to find your website	14^th March 2012 0930-1230	CEB, 18 Meyers St, Bendigo	CEB
Marketing Basics	20^th March 2012 1800-2100	62 Darlot St, Horsham	SBV
All you need to know to start selling online	21^st March 2012 1730-2030	Rochester	CEB
Online learning for Inductions, Training, Customer service and Sales	28th March 2012 0930-1230	CEB, 18 Meyers St, Bendigo	CEB
Marketing for Growth	29^th March 2012 1800-2100	28 High St, Seymour	SBV

Enrol in a course today and make sure you don't miss out!

To enrol in a CEB run course, please call 54302100, or drop into the CEB office at 22 Mclaren St, Bendigo
To Enrol in an SBV run course, CLICK HERE

FREE eBusiness Webinar - Youtube Explained

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:53:00 GMT

14th December 9.30am-10.30am

"Youtube Explained - Creating your own channel, adding and optimising video"

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Masterclass For Growth

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:34:00 GMT

Last week, Tim graduated from the Small Business Victoria’s “Masterclass For Growth” pilot program for
small business that had experienced Rapid Growth over the past 3 years. 40 businesses, made up of 20
metro and 20 regional were selected to participate.

Delivered by Pyksis, the course consisted of four full day sessions, several special interest sessions and follow up mentoring. Topics included, branding, systems and process, social media, HR, Intellectual Property, carbon tax and financial management.

Since the course Design Experts made some changes to how we do things, including introducing a new
slogan “Get informed, Get Online and Grow your business”, implemented Xero and Workflow Max,
have commenced recruitment for a non executive Board and we now use Fox Personal for all of our
recruitment.

We highly recommend that you consider applying for the course, it subsidised and only cost $950.

You can fill out the Masterclass for Growth application form HERE

Design Experts wins 2011 Small Business of The Year in Bendigo Business Excellence Awards

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:19:00 GMT

We would like to thank our clients, team and the judges (who were not bribed by the way) on helping us to win the Small Business of the Year in the Rotary Bendigo Business Excellence Award. Without your support, we would not have achieved this.

We’d also like to congratulate our Head of Design Gabrielle Quirk who was a finalist in Employee of the Year and Tim Gentle, our Managing Director, who was a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category in the 2011 Campapse Murray Business Awards.

It has been a massive journey and learning curve for the Design Experts team and it was nice to be recognised for all the effort to date.

Check out some pictures of the night on our facebook page.

PC HEALTH CHECK - Customers and Subscribers Offer

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:26:00 GMT

Having a poor performing PC is not only costing you money, but is actually quite easy to fix if you know the right people, and we do!

As part of our commitment to our customers and subscribers, we have organised a FREE PC Health Check for 1 computer and $95p/h to check subsequent computers and/or for travel time outside of Bendigo.

It’s FREE for 1 PC, so don’t make excuses, just make a booking, this is what you get;

Windows updates check
Microsoft security updates
System restore check
Internet security check
Useless program removal, eg. advertising toolbars
Backup check
Suggestions on what areas need to be addressed

To book your Free PC Health Check, call Lawrence a call on (03) 5444 5442 or 0417 033 229 or info@ecopc.com.au

You’ll need to mention “Design Experts” to get the FREE check! Go on, what's stopping you.

NBN4BENDIGO – a much much faster future

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:16:00 GMT

Can you imagine what is possible if the internet is 100 times faster? A hospital could free up valuable beds by monitoring patients in their homes! You could “tele-commute” to your office job in the big smoke whilst never leaving your home in the country!

Design Experts are right behind the push to have Bendigo named in next February’s announcement to receive high speed broadband via the National Broadband Network rollout.

So much so that Tim is on the NBN4Bendigo committee, designed the logo, developed the website and has been involved in several PR initiatives – Check out our the article. Tim was also lucky enough to meet Paul Budde, an NBN Evangelist who recently presented at a business breakfast Echuca on how the NBN will benefit the local community. In his speech he mentioned the example of Gabby driving a large file down from Echuca to Bendigo because it was faster to do that than send it via the web – all that will be a thing of the past!

EVERYONE BENEFITS - If Bendigo is announced to receive the NBN next February, then the vast majority of Design Experts customers will benefit. So please support the bid by registering on www.NBN4Bendigo.com.au and LIKING the NBN4Bendigo Facebook Page.

QR Codes 101

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:31:00 GMT

Technically speaking, a QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) created by Toyota in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process.

The QR code has now become mainstream as is being cleverly used to communicate with Smartphone owners, who make up 60% of the mobile phone market place.

QR codes can be inserted on business cards, printed on mugs, placed in newspaper ads, clothing and signage etc.

Getting started…

(1) You’ll need a SmartPhone

(2) Download and install a “QR reader App” from the SmartPhone app store, eg. Redlaser, ShopSavvy (also a barcode reader)

(3) Using the QR App, scan the QR code

(4) You’ll then be prompted to take the next step.

If you’re a bit of a DIY-er and like to create your own QR code, we recommend using http://goqr.me/

QR Code Exercise

What website do I take you to?

Who do I help you call?

TIP: Barcode reading & price comparison Apps are also in the market place. To learn more on how you can use QR codes, contact Design Experts (03) 5442 6888