Simon Hickox

Why GenAI is a Game Changer for Aussie Businesses? A recent Forbes article highlights that 81% of Australian C-suite executives view generative AI as critical, with 38% making it their top business focus. Frank Fillmann points out that AI is reshaping the future, but challenges like data quality persist. The launch of Salesforce’s Agentforce is helping companies unlock trapped value through smarter AI integration. ➡️ AI integration is accelerating ➡️ Data remains a key obstacle ➡️ Salesforce tools like #Agentforce are transforming workflows Read the full Forbes Australia article here: https://lnkd.in/g36Mq-UB #AI #Innovation #Leadership #Salesforce #GenAI

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Happy New Year! For those operating on the Australian Financial Year (FY), this is the first week of FY25. Much like the turning of the calendar year, a new FY is met with lots of anticipation and optimism. Many Marketing teams are being asked to do 'more with less' ... so there is no better time to re-read this ripper article by Mark Ritson. > Consumers don’t get tired of ads, only marketers do < There are several actionable takeaways for marketers toward the end of the article, but this one is my favourite: > Save this year's creative budget to spend on media A great tip at a time when budgets are being trimmed while expectations are not. Happy New Year, and may FY25 bring you all much success! https://lnkd.in/gG6pn2xt

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Discover how businesses in Australia and New Zealand like Canva, IRESS, Service NSW, Pet Circle, REA Group and many more boost productivity with Salesforce and Slack. Download this customer playbook to discover the secrets of eight ANZ organisations that have embedded productivity into their core.

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Calling all APJ enterprise marketers! 🇦🇺🇳🇿🇸🇬 Ready to transform your customer engagement, slash acquisition costs, and unlock new revenue streams in the APJ region? Join Emarsys & Annex Cloud for a deep-dive webinar designed specifically for YOU. You'll learn powerful customer loyalty strategies that will skyrocket your sales game! Here's what you'll gain: ⭐ Sales-Boosting Insights: Discover how to leverage loyalty programs to get more opens, clicks, and conversions from your email marketing efforts. ⭐ Reduce Marketing Spend: Learn how to build a loyal customer base and ditch expensive acquisition strategies (like Google Ads). ⭐ Unleash Revenue Potential: Explore the power of co-funded loyalty programs to boost sales and generate income for your retail network. 📅 Wednesday, June 26th ⏰ 10:00 AM AEST | 8:00 AM SGT (convenient for the APJ region!) Register Now: https://bit.ly/3KKgGZc Don't miss this opportunity to take your marketing strategy to the next level!

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In Seismic's latest report, which surveyed 300+ Australian business leaders, we found that enablement continues to expand beyond the sales function. Nearly all (95%) surveyed Australian companies using enablement tech have deployed it across multiple departments, with Marketing as the second-most common department to use enablement tech after Sales. It's clear from the data that enablement's influence is on the rise down under -- learn more and download the full #GenerationEnablement Report on Seismic's website here: https://bit.ly/4cSrnFI ​

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Some very insightful takeaways from a recent Sales Leaders Summit hosted by Seismic in APAC. 💡

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What impact will millennials have on B2B sales strategies? By 2025 75% of the global and Australian workforce will be millennials. Given they are responsible for 73% of buying decisions, this fundamentally challenges the way we sell and engage in the B2B market... 🥸 Join us this week to unpack what's happening in region with the latest research from 📣 Arktic Fox | B2B digiSalesFEST APAC '24 📣 on May 28th, 28th and 30th for just (1) hour each day. This is a new virtual learning event to provide GTM leaders with insight into how brands are adapting and changing to better serve B2B customer needs and deliver on changing expectations in the digital age. Explore the latest B2B buyer trends and where the market is headed over the next 3 - 5 years. Topics will cover: 📍 Powering growth with a digitally immersive selling experience 📍 Understand how B2B buyers are changing and where the market is going 📍 How to meet experience expectations of B2B buyers 📍 Unpack how to use tech to enable more effective buying experience 📍 Understand how AI is changing the sales and tech landscape The impressive speaker line includes: ● Tony Blamey, ex CCO for Domain and CRO for :Different ● Vanya Mariani, Commercial Director, Carsales Mediahouse ● Divya Gupta, Head of Digital Sales, APAC for Maersk ● Alicia Kearns, CMO of Render Networks ● Justin Meyers, Head of Corporate & Mid-Market Sales of Creditor Watch ● Daniel Lodge, VP of Revenue APAC, Seismic ● Along with co-founders from Arktic Fox Teresa Sperti (GAICD) and Petra Sprekos 📣 The good news 📣 Seismic is excited to share we are partnering with B2B digiSalesFEST APAC 2024 as the GOLD sponsor and have access to block of tickets.... Reach out to me to secure your FREE pass (*until allocation is exhausted!) #Seismic #RevenueEnablement #Buyerexperience

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Brand sponsorships present an unparalleled opportunity for marketers to tap into emerging trends and enhance brand engagement. In the next 12 months we will see brands leverage partnerships and exposure of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cricket World Cup, Australian Open, and the Superbowl. Successful brand sponsorships require careful planning and execution…but how do you measure the ROI? 🚀 Traditionally, ROI has been hard to quantify, but the right mix of metrics can help you data-driven approach to sponsorship to optimise strategy, build stronger relationships with partners and ambassadors, and build brand awareness with your target consumers. If you’re interested in learning about how brands can excel at the Olympic Games, you can download Meltwater's The art of transposing brand identity into a global event free report here: https://bit.ly/3Wc5YQr Our wonderful APAC team will also be hosting a webinar to discuss optimising brand sponsorship ROI Winning Strategies: Driving Sponsorship Impact and ROI Date: Tuesday, 30 July 2024 ⏰ 1pm AEST ✅ Register here: https://bit.ly/4cVnlfq We will cover:  🚀 Best practices for optimising your brand's visibility  🚀 How to engage with your target audience through partnerships  🚀 How to have a data-driven approach to sponsorship See you there!

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Is ecommerce close to extinction? For a long time, the 'e' in front of everything - e-mail, e-retail, e-learning - was an important distinction, ensuring that people understood that your business or service offering was electronic - online. As we see a massive wave of digitisation of services and businesses transitioning to a digital first strategy, it feels like it's getting close to time to drop the 'e'. One of the last bastions of this has been B2B services - and it's becoming clearer that the larger organisations like Amazon, eBay and in particular, Alibaba, are making huge pushes into these areas. This is where Commerce Vision takes a big advantage. Focused on B2B eCommerce first, they have taken the view that digitisation in the B2B space is no only inevitable, but is the next frontier in the digital battle ground and has focused on learning from B2C software to make their B2B experience exceptional for it's customers - and consumer like. I'm looking forward to this chat, and hope you can join in. Maybe we can push to drop the letter 'e'. #freelearning #nextwave #ecommerce

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Next best action: ANZ makes tech bets pay as app engagement soars - ANZ Plus is converting marketing acquisitions into engaged customers during the crucial first sixty-day period and nearly half of ANZ Plus customers are now using at least one financial next best action. Click here to learn more https://pe.ga/3zvGIgy

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The Great Place to Work® 2024 Insights Report is Out! With over 144,000 Australian employees surveyed, this year's report reveals the latest strategies transforming workplaces amid economic and cultural shifts. Want to know how top employers are not only keeping Millennials and Gen Z engaged but are leading the charge in redefining work culture? ✨Millennials and Gen Z Now Make Up 67% of the Workforce: These generations expect trust, flexibility, and purpose from their employers, driving companies to innovate like never before. 🎫Trust is the New Competitive Edge: Leadership credibility is non-negotiable. Companies that lead with integrity and transparency are seeing unparalleled engagement, with trust directly linked to employee retention across all age groups. 🌲ESG is Essential: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives are no longer optional—they’re expected. With 69% of Australians wanting companies to act on these values, purpose-driven cultures are proving to be a magnet for top talent. 🤸‍♂️Unmatched Flexibility: Think beyond work-from-home. Leading companies are rolling out "Work From Anywhere" programs, nine-day fortnights, and gender-neutral parental leave, empowering employees to design their work lives. ➕Commitment to Inclusivity and Diversity: Organisations are setting the standard with Indigenous engagement and disability inclusivity initiatives, creating workplaces where every voice is valued. Overall employee satisfaction declined slightly across all company sizes, with the average score decreasing from 80% in 2023 to 78% in 2024. 🔢Engagement by the Numbers: - Large companies maintained a steady satisfaction rate of 62%. - Medium companies saw a dip from 73% to 66%. - Smaller organisations rose in satisfaction from 81% to 83% - Micro-companies slightly down from 95% but still scoring high at 91% Takeaways for Leaders 🏗️Invest in Trust-Building: Transparent leadership isn’t just about open doors—it’s about aligning actions with values. Show your teams that integrity starts at the top. 🔍Focus on Purpose: Millennials and Gen Z want to feel connected to a mission. Amplify your ESG efforts, as employees are increasingly choosing workplaces aligned with their values. 👍Redefine Flexibility: Offer more than just remote work. By enabling flexible arrangements, you empower employees to tailor their work experiences, boosting morale and productivity. 📢Lead Inclusively: Develop initiatives for underrepresented groups and promote a culture where diversity drives innovation. Inclusivity isn't a trend; it's a business imperative. Dive into the full report and see how you can build a workplace where people truly thrive! https://lnkd.in/gSQa6GFE #culture #leadership #greatplacetowork #gptw4all #insights #report

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Nick O'Neill is the greatest sales person in the southern hemisphere! The way he has helped Hype & Dexter | 5x APAC HubSpot Partner of the Year | Part of the Avidly Group grow over the years has been absolutely incredible. If you want to learn a thing or two from one of the experts in HubSpot and sales, tune in to the new RevSpot episode! Listen Here --> https://lnkd.in/e2nWjVGE #revops #crm #sales #ai #marketing #service #hubspot

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We know from our 2024 State of Customer Engagement Report that there's a significant gap between brand perception and consumer sentiment, with Australia demonstrating the largest disparity at 45%. Brands in Australia tend to overestimate the effectiveness of their customer engagement strategies, particularly in terms of personalisation. To understand how to bridge this experience gap, here is our advice for your multichannel marketing strategies. What other strategies is your company using to improve customer engagement? To learn more about the other opportunities for improved customer engagement, download your copy of the report today by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gp-y6a8t

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What are the skills demands and trends that you are seeing in your business?

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Excited to be in Sydney on Thursday for G2 Connect Sydney! We are going to cover anything and everything G2 and help you learn more about: Branding: How to scale your reviews, not just to rank on G2, but also building trust & validation with everyone evaluating you (on average about 84% of your pipeline will research you G2). Inbound: Learn how to use your G2 Badges & G2 Content to increase your lead conversion on your website. Outbound: Learn about how some vendors are sourcing 25-50% of their new business pipeline using Purchase Intent data. Sales: A sales team never said "give me less customer stories". Learn about how your sales team can use your reviews to increase trust and increase close rates. Come join us - registration is in the link below.

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I love watching the innovation coming from companies and governments in ANZ. Here are a few more examples to enjoy. Discover how businesses in Australia and New Zealand like Canva and Pet Circle boost productivity with Slack. Download this customer playbook to discover the secrets of eight ANZ organisations that have embedded productivity into their core.

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Reposting this from our social engine! Give us a like and share once you read what Mina has to say. When it comes to AI, what are some of the most common mistakes companies make? Mina Mousa, Head of Systems Engineering in ANZ at Extreme Networks, says the two mistakes he most often sees are going after low-risk processes and creating an AI strategy without the experience you want to deliver in mind. Read his full insights in In AI Today. 

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Absolutely geed-up to be heading back up to Sydney for the rest of the week to attend and speak at 'Splendour in the SaaS' (best name ever!), presented by Pendula. I'll have the pleasure of joining Christopher Connolly from Twilio on a panel to discuss the Evolution of Omnichannel and the trends that will shape marketing and customer engagement in 2025. This year, Honeycomb Strategy has been building the Digital Insights Series - creating high-impact insights designed to help create an unfair advantage for brands wanting to win in the digital landscape. After the highly popular Brand Beyond Breaches: A Brand Playbook for Privacy Protection, we are back for the next release - Omnichannel Advantage: Capturing Market Share In The Digital Age. We'll be sharing a sneak peek of some of our early insights during the panel, but if you're keen to find out more - subscribe through the link in the comments or DM me to find out more. Time to get SaaS-ey! 😎 #SaaS #CustomerEngagement #AI #MarketingTrends #FutureOfMarketing #Omnichannel

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