Author: Kyzson

Whether you're planning a birthday party in a corporate dinner in KL, or a roadshow across Malaysia, the right choice depends on understanding 3 things: the style of magic, the scale of your event, and your realistic budget range.​

This guide helps you match the right magician style to your event type and budget, so that your Budget evaporate like "magic".

Not every event needs a magician and booking one for the wrong setting is how budgets get wasted.
Here's a simple way to think about it: magic works best when your guests have time and space to be surprised. It needs an audience that is relaxed, present, and open to being entertained.
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Events where a magician works exceptionally well:

• Birthday parties (kids and adults)
• Corporate dinners and Dinner & Dance events (D&D)
• Product launches and roadshows
• Trade show booths
• Wedding cocktail receptions
• Family carnivals and festivals
• Client appreciation events
• Team-building activities

The key question is not "can we fit a magician in?" but rather "will our guests have the headspace to enjoy this?" If the answer is yes, the returns are real. Research from Funny Business Agency shows that product launches with live entertainment see 30 -40 % higher social media engagement, and training sessions with entertainment elements increase information retention by up to 25%.

Actually there more, but here lets focus the most well-known 1st. Most people think "magician" is one thing. It isn't. There are at least six distinct styles, each built on a completely different skill set, atmosphere, and audience type. Knowing which style fits your event is the most important decision you'll make before booking.

Mentalist
A mentalist focuses on psychological illusions - mind-reading, telepathy, and seemingly impossible knowledge of personal details. Rather than visual tricks, mentalists "influence" decisions and reveal personal information to create an unsettling, inexplicable experience. This style suits corporate dinners, executive events, and adult-only occasions where the audience appreciates something cerebral and sophisticated. 

Best for: Corporate dinners, adult private events, executive functions

Illusionists
They are the grand-scale performers, the ones with elaborate props, assistants, trapdoors, and theatrical lighting. They specialize in large-scale spectacles, such as making objects appear or disappear, levitating assistants, or escaping from perilous situations. This style demands a proper stage, crew, and significant budget, but delivers the most visually unforgettable impact of any magic style.

Best for: Dinner & Dance events, gala evenings, large corporate showcases

Comedy Magician (My favorite Kind)
This is the crowd-pleaser category. Comedy magicians weave classic magic tricks with witty humor, props, and heavy audience interaction. They are crowd favourites for parties and family-friendly events. If your goal is to get people laughing, talking, and feeling comfortable especially in mixed-age groups, a comedy magician is often your safest and most satisfying choice.

Best for: Birthday parties, family events, office celebrations, team-building days.

Sleight of Hand / Micro-Magic
This is up-close, intimate magic performed in your hands, at your table, within arm's reach. Sleight-of-hand artists spend years perfecting manual dexterity. This category includes "Cardicians", performers who focus entirely on the artistic manipulation of playing cards. This style works best as roving entertainment during cocktail hours or networking sessions, where the magician moves from group to group creating personalized moments.

Best for: Cocktail receptions, networking events, trade show floors, wedding receptions

Escapologist
A niche but high-impact style. Escapologists specialize in freeing themselves from restraints, straitjackets, chains, or locked, water-filled containers. Think Houdini. This style is a spectacle that commands full attention from a large crowd. It works as a centerpiece act at outdoor festivals, roadshows, or anywhere you need to stop a crowd in its tracks.
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Best for: Outdoor events, festivals, roadshows, large public activations.

Tech Magician
The newest and fastest-growing style. Tech magicians integrate modern technology into their routines — using iPads, mobile apps, or artificial intelligence to perform illusions. This style is ideal for technology companies, product launches for digital products, and any brand that wants to signal innovation and modernity.
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Best for: Tech product launches, innovation showcases, startup events, digital brand activations

Pricing varies based on the type of magic performance and the seniority of the magician. Magicians specializing in corporate dinner and dance events charge the most, given the large number of attendees within ballroom settings.

⚠️ Disclosure: These are indicative ranges, not guaranteed quotes. Always request a formal proposal from your chosen performer or agency.

What affects the rate?
Several factors determine what a magician charges: event size (larger crowds mean more work), performance duration (30, 60, or 90 minutes changes the rate significantly), and experience level (years of practice separate newer performers from seasoned professionals).
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Additional cost factors specific to Malaysia:

• Travel — performers based in KL may add surcharges for events in Penang, Johor Bahru, or East Malaysia
• Customization — branded props, company logos integrated into tricks, or bespoke routines cost more
• Equipment — illusion shows requiring sound systems, lighting, and crew members are priced higher
• Booking lead time — last-minute bookings over peak periods (CNY, Hari Raya, year-end) attract premium rates

The business case for live magic is stronger than most event planners realize. It goes well beyond "entertainment."

It drives audience engagement
Professional magicians boost audience participation by up to 20% and improve brand recall by up to 15%. In a world where attendees are glued to their phones during presentations, a magician forces genuine attention.

It makes your event memorable and value added (More Showoff)
The element of surprise and the thrill of the unexpected that come with magic performances keep the audience on their toes. When a magician performs, everyone in the room becomes part of the magic — whether through interactive tricks or acts that unfold in the spectators' own hands.

It breaks social barriers
Magic helps break down the social barriers that exist in corporate settings. It allows guests to engage with one another in a more relaxed and fun manner. A great way to encourage networking and promote conversations that might not happen otherwise.

It boosts trade show performance
Companies using magicians at trade shows report 60% more booth traffic compared to booths without live entertainment. In a crowded exhibition hall, a performer draws a crowd that static displays simply cannot.

It satisfies employees (Work like horse already, atleast let them enjoy lah)
92% of employees report higher job satisfaction when companies host quality holiday and appreciation events. A well-chosen entertainer signals that the company values its people — and that goodwill carries beyond the event itself.

This is one of the most searched questions and the honest answer is: it depends enormously on their level, niche, experience, recognition and hustle.

For context, global benchmarks show:
Side-hustle magicians who occasionally perform at birthday parties, small weddings, and restaurants typically earn between $200 and $1,000 per event. Full-time performers range significantly, from $50,000 up to $250,000 annually

A variance that depends heavily on market, branding, networking (KABLE), and unique skills.

Corporate magicians can earn anywhere from RM3000 to RM8,000+ per event. Those at the top of the field can charge RM40,000 or more for a single night. If a magician books several gigs a month, their annual income adds up quickly.
In Malaysia, the income curve looks broadly similar but compressed to local market rates.

• Part-time / beginner (weekends only) - RM1000 – RM 2,500
• Semi-professional (regular bookings) - RM 3,500 – RM7,000,00
• Full-time professional - RM 8,000 – RM 15,000
• Established / award-winning performer - RM 15,000 – RM 40,000+

⚠️ These Malaysia estimates are illustrative only. No publicly available Malaysian salary surveys for professional magicians exist at the time of writing.

Magic isn't just tricks, it's timing, charisma, confidence, reading people, and controlling a room.

When planning an event, choosing the right performer, emcee, or magician can make a huge difference to your guests' experience. Before hiring, always check their experience, watch videos of actual performances, read reviews, and ensure their style matches your audience. A professional magician is more than just entertainment, they help break the ice, engage guests, create memorable moments, and keep the event atmosphere lively. Whether it's a corporate dinner, product launch, wedding, or private celebration, a skilled magician can turn an ordinary event into an unforgettable experience.

History Background: Started as a tech forum ecosystem in 2002 and evolved into Malaysia’s largest tech + gadget + digital lifestyle publisher, anchored by its influential forum community. Forum remains one of Malaysia’s most active digital communities.
Founder’s Profile: Vijandren Ramadass (digital entrepreneur; built Lowyat from forum roots into a tech media powerhouse).

• Overview: Malaysia’s benchmark for consumer tech, telecom, forums, digital policy, and gadget reviews.
• Year of Debut: 2002
• Content Category / Audience Niche: Tech, gadgets, forums, consumer electronics, internet culture
• Tier Ranking: S-Tier (Reach: 10/10 | Authority: 10/10 | Viral: 8.5/10)

Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/lowyattv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lowyatnet/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lowyatnet
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowyatdotnet/​

Official Website URL: https://www.lowyat.net/

• What Makes It Unique: Massive forum authority + trusted editorial + strong SEO + consumer trust.

• Best For Branding Collaboration: Telcos, gadgets, fintech, PC hardware, software, startups, B2B tech.

History Background:Began as Paul’s personal automotive blog in 2004, later scaling into Malaysia/ASEAN’s leading automotive portal.
Founder’s Profile: Paulvinder Tan Teck Kheong,  respected Malaysian motoring journalist and founder of Driven Communications.
Overview: Automotive benchmark for Malaysia, covering launches, reviews, EVs, policy, and ASEAN mobility.
Year of Debut: 2004
Content Category / Audience Niche: Automotive, EV, policy, reviews
Tier Ranking: S-Tier (Reach: 9.8/10 | Authority: 10/10 | Viral: 8.8/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paultanorg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paultan/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@paultancarsrs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paultanautonews/

Official Website URL: https://paultan.org/

• What Makes It Unique: Automotive trust, industry speed, policy breakdown, car buyer relevance.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: Automotive, EV, lubricants, insurance, aftermarket, mobility apps.

History Background: Built as Malaysia’s social-first viral news publisher focused on trending stories and youth attention. Part of INFLUASIA network.
Founder’s Profile: Co-founded by Chris Khristie and Michelle Tan in 2016. They are part of the digital media group INFLUASIA, which also operates Lobak Merah, NOODOU, and In Real Life,
Overview: One of Malaysia’s strongest viral social news engines.
Year of Debut: 2013
Content Category / Audience Niche: Viral news, social stories, lifestyle, youth culture
Tier Ranking: S-Tier (Reach: 9.7/10 | Authority: 8.5/10 | Viral: 10/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WORLDOFBUZZTV
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldofbuzz/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldofbuzz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldofbuzz/

Official Website URL: https://worldofbuzz.com/

• What Makes It Unique: Viral storytelling + social relatability + youth market penetration.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: FMCG, lifestyle brands, entertainment, youth campaigns, consumer launches.

History Background: Started as a tech blog and matured into a major mobile-tech authority in Malaysia.
Founder’s Profile: Amin Ashaar is the co-founder and CEO of SoyaCincau,
Overview: Strong in smartphones, telcos, EV, and practical tech explainers.
Year of Debut: 2008
Content Category / Audience Niche: Consumer tech, smartphones, telecom
Tier Ranking: A+ Tier (Reach: 9.2/10 | Authority: 9.5/10 | Viral: 8.5/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoyaCincau
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soyacincau/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soyacincau
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soyacincau/

Official Website URL: https://soyacincau.com/

• What Makes It Unique: Mobile-first, practical, consumer purchase decision influence.

• Best For Branding Collaboration: Smartphones, telcos, fintech, EVs, wearables.

History Background: Founded by Hong Kiat Lim, grew from design blog to globally recognized creative resource.
Founder’s Profile: Hong Kiat Lim, a prominent Malaysian blogger, web designer, and developer.
Overview: International-scale design, web dev, productivity, and creative inspiration platform.
Year of Debut: 2007
Content Category / Audience Niche: Design, web development, productivity
Tier Ranking: A+ Tier (Reach: 9/10 | Authority: 9.8/10 | Viral: 7.8/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: NA
• Instagram: NA
• TikTok: NA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkiatcom/

Official Website URL: https://www.hongkiat.com/

• What Makes It Unique: Malaysian-born, global digital creative authority.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: SaaS, design tools, hosting, productivity software.

History Background: Bangsar Babe began as a personal food and lifestyle blog documenting Sue Lynn’s culinary discoveries and evolved into one of Malaysia’s most recognized lifestyle and food platforms. It later expanded into travel, fashion, and digital marketing, becoming one of the country’s earliest professionally monetized blogger brands.
Founder’s Profile: Tiong Sue Lynn known as Bangsar Babe, is a prominent Malaysian food, travel, and lifestyle influencer and blogger based in Kuala Lumpur.
Overview: One of Malaysia’s OG lifestyle bloggers with deep authority in food, restaurant reviews, hospitality, and premium lifestyle experiences. Strong reputation for honest reviews and consistent content longevity.
Year of Debut: 2007
Content Category / Audience Niche: Food reviews, travel, lifestyle, fashion, hospitality
Tier Ranking (Reach / Authority / Viral Potential):
A+ Tier (Reach: 9/10 | Authority: 9.5/10 | Viral Potential: 8.7/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: NA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bangsarbabe/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bangsarbabe​​
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bangsarbabe/

Official Website URL (Verified, Active): https://www.bangsarbabe.com/

• What Makes It Unique: One of Malaysia’s longest-running lifestyle blogs, Strong food credibility and hospitality influence. Trademarked blogger brand (rare in Malaysia)
• Best For Branding Collaboration: ​  Restaurants, cafes, hospitality groups, tourism boards, FMCG food brands, kitchenware, premium lifestyle brands, travel campaigns.

History Background: Vivy Yusof began as one of Malaysia’s earliest high-profile fashion and lifestyle bloggers through her personal blogging platforms (notably Proudduck and Sincerely Vivy), building a strong digital following before transitioning into entrepreneurship.
Founder’s Profile: Malaysian entrepreneur, London School of Economics law graduate, co-founder of FashionValet (2010) and The dUCk Group, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, author, and digital personality.
Overview: A pioneer in Malaysian fashion blogging who transformed personal influence into a multimillion-ringgit business ecosystem, blending aspirational lifestyle, Muslim fashion, entrepreneurship, and social media storytelling.
Year of Debut: Approx. 2008
Content Category / Audience Niche: Fashion, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, modest fashion, motherhood, luxury lifestyle
Tier Ranking (Reach / Authority / Viral Potential):
S-Tier (Reach: 10/10 | Authority: 9.2/10 | Viral Potential: 9.8/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: NA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivyyusof/
• TikTok: NA
• Facebook: NA

Official Website URL (Verified, Active): https://blog.sincerelyvivy.com/

• What Makes the Blogger / Page Unique and Worth Following: Among Malaysia’s earliest blogger-to-business empire success stories. Luxury + modest fashion + founder branding with High aspirational influence among women, fashion followers, and entrepreneurs
• Best For Branding Collaboration: ​Luxury brands, modest fashion labels, women entrepreneurship campaigns, cosmetics, premium lifestyle brands, publishing, startup ecosystems.

History Background: Developed as social content for Malaysia’s social-media generation with youth-focused storytelling.
Founder’s Profile: Khailee Ng -Rev Asia / digital media group roots.
Overview: Social-first mainstream content platform.
Year of Debut: 2012
Content Category / Audience Niche: Lifestyle, youth, viral, social issues
Tier Ranking: A Tier (Reach: 9/10 | Authority: 8/10 | Viral: 9.5/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saysdotcom
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAYS/

Official Website URL: https://says.com/

• What Makes It Unique: Millennial + Gen Z social influence.

• Best For Branding Collaboration: Youth products, entertainment, FMCG, fintech.

History Background: Knowledge hub focused on smarter consumers and entrepreneurs.
Founder’s Profile: ​Jacky Yap / GRVTY Media.
Overview: Business + startup + entrepreneurship content.
Year of Debut: 2014
Content Category / Audience Niche: Startups, entrepreneurship, SME
Tier Ranking: A Tier (Reach: 8.7/10 | Authority: 9/10 | Viral: 7.5/10)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaWNKw-XC8hxhfya9ymspYA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vulcanpostmsia/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vulcanpostmsia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VulcanpostMY/

Official Website URL: https://vulcanpost.com/my/

• What Makes It Unique: SME/startup ecosystem trust.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: SaaS, B2B, startups, grants, education.

History Background: Personal finance comparison and financial literacy platform.
Founder’s Profile: Lee Ching Wei  / Fintech-focused founders.
Overview: Strong finance and consumer money decisions.
Year of Debut: 2012
Content Category / Audience Niche: Personal finance, banking, insurance
Tier Ranking: A Tier (Reach: 8.8/10 | Authority: 9.3/10 | Viral: 6.8/10)
​Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imoneymalaysia5063
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imoney_my/?hl=en
• TikTok: NA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMoney.my/

Official Website URL: https://www.imoney.my/

• What Makes It Unique: Financial literacy + comparison tools.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: Banking, insurance, loans, fintech.

History Background: Siakap Keli is one of the popular news and digital media portals in Malaysia that was established in 2013. It was founded by 3 university students and started as a platform that focused on creating viral content.
Year of Debut: 2014
Content Category / Audience Niche: Audience is primarily Malay-speaking in Malaysia. The audience is concentrated in the 25–44 year old range (approx. 50%+ of users), with a significant secondary base of 18-24 year olds.
Tier Ranking: A Tier (BM Mass Reach Specialist)
​Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo5TWROsmkTHVhzmFUW94oA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siakapkeli/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesiakapkeli
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siakapkeli/?locale=ms_MY

Official Website URL: https://siakapkeli.my/

• What Makes It Unique: BM virality + broad rakyat reach.
• Best For Branding Collaboration: Government campaigns, mass FMCG, public awareness.

Overview: Malay entertainment + celebrity + lifestyle giant.
Founder's Profile: Hafriz Zulpakar
Year of Debut: 2010
Content Category / Audience Niche: Audience is primarily Malay-speaking in Malaysia. The audience is concentrated in
Tier Ranking: A Tier (BM Mass Reach Specialist)
Social Media Presence:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtXpTMSy1iv1lYvOiahD3A
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohbulanofficial/?hl=en
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ohbulanofficial?lang=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohbulanofficialfan/

Official Website URL: https://ohbulan.com/

• What Makes It Unique: ​BM entertainment dominance.

• Best For Branding Collaboration: Beauty, fashion, FMCG, celebrity marketing.

Author: Kyzson

Before we dive in a complete guide about the Ai stuffs, lets discuss about what they are, why to use them, when to be cautious, and what lies ahead.

Artificial intelligence @ Ai has rapidly evolved from a futuristic concept into a daily business tool, I mean look at Will Smith Eating Spaghetti test video!. Today, AI is helping business owners save time, reduce costs, improve marketing performance, generate ideas, and automate repetitive work.

However, while AI tools offer major benefits, relying too heavily on them can create problems such as inaccurate information, poor creativity, and lack of originality.
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This article will explores the top 12 AI tools for business owners, designer and content creators, explains what AI marketing tools are, why humans should use them carefully, and what the future relationship between humans and AI may look like.

AI tools can provide significant advantages when it used properly.

• Save Time - Many tasks that used to take several hours can now be completed in minutes. Examples include writing captions, editing videos, researching keywords, or generating blog outlines.
• Reduce Costs  - Small businesses can use AI instead of hiring large teams for design, writing, customer support, or marketing analysis.
• Increase Productivity - AI allows people to produce more work in less time. A content creator can create multiple blog posts, videos, or social media campaigns faster than before.
• Improve Creativity - AI can help brainstorm ideas, suggest new content directions, and overcome creative blocks.
• Support Better Decision Making - Many AI tools analyze large amounts of data and help business owners understand customer behavior, market trends, and sales performance.

Although AI is powerful, it should never completely replace human thinking.

• AI Can Be Wrong - AI sometimes creates false information, outdated facts, or misleading content. This is often called “AI hallucination.”
• Lack of Human Emotion - AI can imitate emotion, but it does not truly understand human experiences, empathy, culture, or personal values.
• Generic Content Risk - If everyone uses the same AI tools, content can become repetitive, boring, and unoriginal.
• Brand Identity Can Be Lost - Businesses that rely too much on AI-generated content may lose their unique voice and personality, specially when the process of using it by non professional Ai Prompter.
• Overdependence Can Reduce Skills - When people let AI do everything, they may stop improving their own writing, design, marketing, or problem-solving skills.

AI tools are software platforms that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation to help businesses improve their marketing performance.
These tools can:

• Write marketing copy
• Generate images and videos
• Automate email campaigns
• Suggest SEO keywords
• Analyze customer behavior
• Create social media posts
• Build chatbots for customer support
• Improve ad targeting and conversion rates
• Medical Analysis

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Instead of spending hours manually doing repetitive tasks, AI tools can complete them in minutes.

• For business owners, this means saving time and reducing labor costs. Providing data-driven insights to improve decision-making
• For designer, content creators, this means faster production and more consistent content output. accelerating workflows, enhancing creativity, automating repetitive tasks allowing them to focus on strategic, and more high-level creative work.
• For student. providing 24/7 Support (if there are electricity)​, personalized learning experiences, accelerating content comprehension, saving time on assist with brainstorming, solving difficult, step-by-step math problems, and explaining complex subjects instantly.
• For medical industry, provide significant benefits, ranging from improved patient outcomes to increased operational efficiency. Faster and more accurate disease detection through deep learning and computer vision. It can identify subtle patterns in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans that may be missed by human eyes. AI also helps reduce diagnostic errors in fields such as radiology and pathology, with some studies showing cancer detection accuracy rates of 90–95%. In addition, AI can analyze medical images in real time to quickly identify and flag urgent cases.

Not everyone supports the rise of AI. Some people dislike it for several reasons.

• Job displacement fears - Many creative professionals worry that AI tools will erode demand for human writers, designers, and artists (white collar jobs).
• Copyright and intellectual property - AI models are trained on human-created content, raising unresolved questions about attribution and consent.
• Loss of authenticity - Audiences are increasingly able to detect AI-generated content, which can feel hollow or inauthentic.
• Environmental cost - Large AI models consume enormous amounts of energy, contributing to carbon emissions.
• Bias in AI outputs - AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases if not carefully managed.
• Corporate data collection - Inputting business and personal information into AI tools raises questions about where that data goes.
• Unpredictable behaviour - AI tools occasionally produce unexpected, incorrect, or inappropriate outputs.
• Distrust of automation - A principled preference for human craftsmanship over machine efficiency.

AI tools are no longer optional for modern businesses and content creators. If utilize properly the use of Ai Tools, they can save time, assist on repetitive task, reduce cost, and help people produce more content faster.
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However, AI should be treated as an assistant, not a replacement for human skills. The best results happen when humans use AI wisely while still maintaining creativity, originality, emotion, and strategic thinking.

In the future, people who know how to work together with AI tools will have a major advantage over those who ignore them completely.

AI is not here to replace humans. AI is here to help humans become more productive, creative, and efficient. unless some fellow mess up and "Wake" the Skynet Mode... Joking

So, if you want to stay ahead of AI and outperform it, can you create something that a CPU or GPU cannot replicate?

Author: Kyzson

Despite the rapid growth of digital media, paper remains an essential part of everyday life and business operations around the world. From household, office documents, brochures, packaging, books, and magazines to name cards and product labels, paper continues to serve practical, professional, and marketing purposes across many industries. Different paper sizes and materials are designed for specific uses, helping businesses choose the right format for printing, packaging, advertising, and communication.

Understanding the most common paper sizes and materials is important for designers, printers, marketers, and business owners. Standard paper sizes such as A4, A3, Letter, and Legal are widely used for documents and promotional materials, while paper types such as art paper, kraft paper, ivory card, and corrugated board are commonly selected based on durability, appearance, and printing requirements.

1. Bond Paper - Used for office printing, photocopying, reports
2. Art Paper / Coated Paper - Used for brochures, catalogues, magazines
3. Matt Paper - Used for flyers, menus, posters
4. Gloss Paper - Used for marketing materials, photo printing
5. Ivory Card - Used for premium packaging, certificates
6. Simili Paper - Used for cheaper version of flyer, books, notebooks, forms
7. Kraft Paper - Used for packaging, paper bags, wrapping
8. Duplex Board - Used for product boxes, cartons
9. Corrugated Paper Board - Used for packaging or shipping cartons
10. Newsprint - Used for newspapers
11. Tracing Paper - Used for design sketches, architectural tracing
12. Tissue Paper - Used for wrapping, decorative packaging
13. Synthetic Paper - Used for waterproof labels, bunting banner and outdoor signage prints
14. Recycled Paper - Used for eco-friendly printing and packaging

Paper was first developed in ancient China. Early forms existed before the 2nd century BCE, but the Chinese court official Cai Lun is traditionally credited with refining papermaking around 105 CE. He improved the process using tree bark, hemp, old rags, and fishing nets, making paper cheaper and easier to produce than bamboo slips or silk. Paper technology later spread to the Islamic world, then to Europe, eventually becoming one of the most important inventions in human history. 

Modern paper sizes are largely based on the ISO 216 standard, which uses the A, B, and C series. The concept began in 1786 when German scientist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg proposed a paper ratio of 1:√2, which keeps the same proportions when folded in half. Germany later standardized this as DIN 476 in 1922, and it eventually became the international ISO 216 standard in 1975. A4 became the most widely used paper size globally.

Although digital media dominates modern communication through websites, social media, online advertising, and mobile devices, paper still offers advantages that digital platforms cannot fully replace. Printed materials provide a physical experience, stronger brand presence, and higher perceived value. Packaging, catalogues, brochures, menus, business cards, and premium printed materials often create a more lasting impression than digital visuals alone.

​Today, paper and digital media work together rather than compete against each other. Businesses commonly use digital platforms for speed, convenience, and global reach, while paper remains valuable for branding, packaging, retail displays, printed marketing materials, and face-to-face communication. As a result, understanding paper sizes, materials, and their applications remains highly relevant in the current world.

Author: Kyzson

An event backdrop is a large printed graphic display placed behind a stage, booth, or focal area of an event. These backdrops typically feature branding elements, logos, event themes, sponsor graphics, or promotional messaging.
Backdrops can be made from materials such as:

• Tension fabric displays
• Vinyl Tarpaulin or PPH Synthetic banners
• Modular truss display walls
• Printed Shell Scheme panels

They are commonly used at:

• Conferences, workshop and seminars
• Product launches, Exhibitions and trade shows
• Media Press conferences
• Red carpet events
• Corporate presentations

Their primary purpose is to create a visually appealing background that communicates brand identity and event messaging.

One of the biggest advantages of using event backdrops is strong brand exposure. A well-designed backdrop prominently displays your company’s:

• Logo
• Tagline
• Corporate colors
• Marketing visuals

This ensures that your brand remains visible throughout the event, especially in photos, videos, and media coverage.
For example:

• A step-and-repeat backdrop repeatedly displays brand logos during photography sessions.
• A stage backdrop reinforces branding during presentations or speeches.

This continuous exposure helps audiences associate the event experience with your brand identity.
​
Practical and important Tip:
Always place your logo at eye level and ensure high-resolution printing so it remains clear in photos and video recordings.

Professional presentation is essential for corporate events and exhibitions. A well-designed backdrop can transform a plain venue into a visually structured event space.

Without a backdrop, a stage or booth may look incomplete or unorganized. With a backdrop:

• The stage area looks structured
• The environment appears more premium
• The event looks professionally managed

This visual polish is particularly important for:

• Corporate conferences
• Government events
• Product launches
• Media press events

A strong visual environment builds credibility and enhances audience trust in the brand or organizer.
​
Practical and important Tip:
Use consistent colours, fonts, and graphic elements that match your company’s branding guidelines.

Events often generate a large number of photographs and videos, especially during:

• Media coverage
• Award ceremonies
• Networking sessions
• Social media sharing

An event backdrop ensures that every photo taken at the event reinforces your brand.
This is why step-and-repeat walls are commonly used in:

• Red carpet events
• Press conferences
• Corporate award nights

When guests take photos in front of a branded backdrop, the images become free marketing content shared across social media platforms.
​
Practical and important Tip:
Create a dedicated photo area with lighting and a branded backdrop to encourage attendees to take photos and share them online.

Large venues can often appear visually cluttered or confusing. Backdrops help define key event zones and guide audience focus.
For example:

• Stage backdrops help focus attention on speakers and presentations.
• Booth backdrops highlight exhibition and display areas.
• Photo backdrops mark designated photography spots.
• Game backdrops create dedicated spaces for interactive activities and visitor giveaways.

By visually framing important sections, backdrops help audiences understand where to look and wh ere activities are happening.
​
Practical and important Tip:
Use large, bold graphics with clear messaging that can be easily seen from a distance. This improves the overall flow and organization of the event space.

Event backdrops are also valuable marketing tools. They can communicate:

• Campaign slogans
• Product launches
• Event themes
• Sponsor logos
• Promotional messages

Instead of relying solely on brochures or screens, backdrops provide large-scale visual communication that attendees immediately notice.
This is particularly effective for:

• Trade show booths
• Product demonstrations
• Brand activation campaigns

Because backdrops are often placed in central locations, they ensure that key marketing messages remain visible throughout the event.
Practical Tip:
Avoid overcrowding the backdrop design. Focus on one primary message or theme for maximum visual impact.

To maximize the impact of your event backdrop, consider these professional planning tips:

1. Use High-Resolution Graphics, Always design artwork at high resolution (at least 150–300 DPI) to avoid pixelation when printed at large sizes.
2. Maintain Brand Consistency and Ensure colours, fonts, and graphics match your corporate identity or event theme.
3. Consider Viewing Distance - Large venues require bigger text and simplified designs so visuals remain readable from afar.
4. Choose the Right Material, Popular options include: Fabric tension displays (smooth, premium look), Vinyl banners (durable and cost-effective)
5. Modular panels (reusable for multiple events) Example >>
6. Plan Lighting Carefully - Good lighting enhances the appearance of the backdrop and ensures it looks great in photos and videos.

Event backdrops are far more than decorative elements—they are essential tools for branding, communication, and visual impact.
A well-designed backdrop helps:

• Strengthen brand visibility
• Create a professional event atmosphere
• Enhance photography and media exposure
• Define event spaces
• Deliver powerful marketing messages

For event planners and organizers, investing in the right backdrop design can significantly improve the overall presentation and effectiveness of an event.
​
Whether it is a corporate conference, exhibition booth, roadshow, or product launch, a professionally designed event backdrop ensures that your event looks organized, memorable, and brand-focused.

At Ryson Forge, we turn automotive accessories into personalized statements. Specializing in laser engraving customization, we bring your vision to life by engraving logos, signatures, and branding elements with precision and durability.

Whether you’re looking to personalize OEM automotive accessories or add a unique touch to your ride, our state-of-the-art laser technology ensures crisp, long-lasting engravings on a variety of materials. From custom badges and shift knobs to key fobs and trim pieces, we tailor every detail to your exact specifications.

At Ryson Forge, we combine craftsmanship, innovation, and passion for automotive excellence to deliver top-tier customization that stands out. Your car is an extension of your identity—make it truly yours with our premium engraving services.

Your vision. Your brand. Your style.
Ryson Forge

​

Bring out the visibility of your brand with our wall sticker printing service that is a lot better as compared to the conventional painting costs. Also, enhance the look of your home, shop and business office with our excellent and high quality wall sticker printing services.

Most people find that the best thing about vinyl wall stickers is the fact they can be easily attached to almost any wall. Not only are they easy to attach, you can take them down just as easily. The most effective way to display your company message and design.

Our all sticker will usually last 3 years on an exterior surface – a lot longer on an interior wall depending upon the environmental conditions, temperature etc. Our products outperform cheap wall stickers; last longer and look better because our removable wall decals and stickers are manufactured from the highest quality vinyl and adhesives.


Note:For large / bulk order please email us for price negotiation.

Wall Mural Sticker Installation Coverage Area, KL, PJ, Damansara, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas, Shah Alam, Kajang, Seri Kembangan, Putra Jaya, Cyber Jaya, Cheras, Serdang, Bangi, Subang Jaya, Klang, Sri Petaling, Kepong, Ampang, Setapak, Wangsa Maju, Melawati, TTDI, Semenyih, Kajang, Serdang, Batu Cave, Pudu, Bukit Bintang, sungai Besi,

​This is a guest post by Scott Yates. Scott is the CEO of BlogMutt, and is a former writer and PR pro. He also doesn’t like tofu. In the same way that American Airlines and Alcoholics Anonymous are radically different yet share an acronym, now vegetarians and Asian bean curd fans need to share the word “tofu” with marketers using “ToFu.”

It’s short for “Top of Funnel” and MoFu and BoFu then are the middle and bottom of the funnel. It’s the shorthand way of talking about prospects, and where they are in the decision making process. No matter what a company is selling, there are people who are in some stage of making a buying decision, and in nearly all cases the prospects can be divided into those three groups.

How does this relate to PR?
Well, there once was a time when PR was just related to the interplay between an organization and the press. We don’t have to tell you that those days are over. The “press” has been completely turned inside out, so now one customer review on Amazon can have as much impact as a story on the NBC Nightly News.
​
Where success in the old days was clipping out a newspaper article with a favorable mention and taking it to your boss, now PR professionals need to show success that is tightly integrated with your organization’s overall growth goals in mind.
So, here are some tips for each stage of the funnel:

The greatest sales team in the world can’t close deals if they don’t have leads. Every organization needs prospective buyers to find out, at a minimum, the name of the company and what the company is selling.
If you are lucky enough to work for Burger King or Sony then your job is more nuanced. For most of us, the competition isn’t really other companies doing the same thing, it’s potential customers who just want to keep the status quo and not do anything different ever.

And those potential customers can keep the status quo if they don’t know there’s an alternative. That’s why your job is to do great PR. With tremendous effort, careful planning, and exuberant execution, you can pierce the bubble that people create around themselves and let them know that your solutions exist, and that they have a name. This blog is full of tips of how to do all that.
​
When you do, be sure to let your boss know. Do not tell your boss that you had a PR victory, even if you did. Say that you’ve helped fill that Top of the Funnel. That nuanced difference will make all the difference in the company’s view of you.

As someone who can write press releases, you’ve probably also been asked to write blog posts.
Ugh.

​It’s true, writing blog posts is an entirely different animal, and if you can’t do it, fear not! There are content writing services out there.

But don’t underestimate the power of a blog. There are three things that a blog can help you with that nothing else comes close to:

1. Search. All the experts are very clear that blogging is really the only “trick” left in the world of Search Engine Optimization.
2. Small Talk. Prospective customers want to know if you are able to solve their problems, but they also want to know that you are friendly and accessible. When you meet someone in person you don’t launch into a sales pitch… you make some small talk first. A blog is the internet version of that.
3. Currency. Many prospects, when comparing you to competitors, just want to see that you are active and engaged in your business. If your competitor’s blog is three months out of date and you blogged yesterday, you have a huge leg up.

It’s not classic PR, but if you can help those prospects move through the Middle of the Funnel with some great content, you’ll be a valuable part of this crucial aspect of your company’s sales funnel.

Traditionally PR is not involved in closing the sale. That’s just the way it is. Want to be a standout PR person beloved by the sales team? Here’s a tip that will make you a hero.

Once a month or so, just wander over to the desk of a salesperson and ask them this question: “What’s an objection that you get in the sales process, and what’s your response?”

Why do you want to know that? Here’s why: The objection — with a bit of editing — will make a fabulous blog headline. The answer — with your deft hands at the keyboard — will make a great blog post.
​
When the salesperson sees that post, they will look so smart and they will give you lots of credit.

Resources ​https://www.cision.com/us/2014/08/tofu-mofu-bofu-marketing-acronyms-that-help-prs/

​You know how you know Google is Google at an event as large as DSE? Well, they had one of the biggest booths there, but their branding was consistent throughout their entire booth area. All-white kiosks and walls displayed content that was bright and engaging, and scattered across the floor were colorful chairs that matched the iconic logo. When exhibiting, make sure your brand’s theme is consistent across all your design materials, from banners and images to freebies and more.

​ If you want to be remembered, put your name on your product, your booth, your freebies and anything else people can see or hold. See Samsung and Planar? Of course you do—their names are plastered all over their exhibits. They don’t take their instantly recognizable brand names for granted. They make sure you know who and what you’re looking at. Don’t make people search for your company name as they walk by your booth—they certainly won’t ask.

The freelancing industry enjoyed impressive growth in the past several years.

In 2011, the Financial Times (UK) reported a 12% growth in the number of freelancers from 2008. Popular freelance broker site Elance enjoyed consistent growth in past years, with the number of jobs posted rising from around 200,000 in the first quarter of 2012 to 300,000 in the same period in 2013.

In addition to a more flexible work schedule, freelancers tend to be happy. According to the 2012 Freelance Industry Report, 90% of freelancers are happier now than they were before going solo, and nearly half felt no impact from the economic downturn. Perhaps most tellingly, 77% of freelancers were optimistic about their business prospects over the following 12 months.

With freelance work being such an enticing prospect, no one would blame you for giving it some serious thought. However, a common issue is simply not knowing how to start. Fortunately, building a successful freelancing career is easier than it seems — just follow the steps below.

1. Choose Your Craft
Just about everything can be outsourced these days. That's why there's a strong likelihood that the skills on your résumé contain one or more freelancing opportunities.

You may be required to think outside of the box — we're not all graphic designers or programmers. However, you may find that your "secondary" skills can offer up freelancing opportunities. For instance, if you are a strong writer, then you have the potential to develop a freelance writing business.

Don't be paralyzed by a preconception that you do not have the necessary skills or experience — you would be surprised how little experience you need in order to get started. A little faith in your abilities will take you a long way.

2. Create a Brand
If you plan to succeed in the world of freelancing, you will need to create a strong brand that sets you apart from the competition. Your brand is your identity (i.e. your website, blog and social media accounts) and it should clearly communicate your unique selling proposition — what you do that makes you special.

With that in mind, you should narrow down your focus to a specific industry. For instance, as a graphic designer you might choose to do branding work for digital startup businesses only. This form of specialization will make you far more attractive to a specific set of prospective clients and give you a greater chance of success. You can try to cater to all and sundry, but you will probably only provoke indifference.

3. Build a Portfolio and Source Testimonials
The world of freelancing lacks the red tape of the corporate world. Many prospective clients are not concerned with qualifications; they simply want to see what you have done in the past and judge whether it is the right fit for them.

Therefore, if you are good at what you do and can demonstrate your skill through a quality portfolio and positive client testimonials, you have every chance of success. The conundrum, however, is in building a portfolio without experience.

Many freelancers will react to this by picking up the smallest and least lucrative jobs around, but that puts them into a vicious cycle of bargain-basement work. To work for high-paying clients, you need to demonstrate that you are worth big money by doing good work.

So don't be afraid to do pro bono work for the right clients when you are first starting out. The free work you do at this stage can ultimately be priceless when it clearly communicates your worth to future potential clients via an extensive portfolio and glowing testimonials. Also, offering your services at no cost is a gentle introduction into the world of freelancing where you do not feel the pressure of having to deliver a service of requisite value.

4. Start Pitching
You should only seek paying clients when you are able to demonstrate your abilities (and your reputation) with a quality portfolio and testimonials. Once you have done so by working on pro bono jobs, it's time to start pitching.

But whom should you pitch? Well, if you branded yourself correctly then you should know exactly whom to pitch. By having such a narrow focus, potential clients are far more likely to take you seriously than if you offered a generic service. Businesses want to work with freelancers who seemingly came into existence to serve them specifically — you can create this illusion through specialization.

Potential clients can be found everywhere: from Google to social media to your doorstep. The possibilities are endless.

The two keys to successful pitching are relevance and volume. Only pitch those clients who fit the mold of your brand and pitch a lot of them. Ruth Zive of Marketing Wise, a content marketing firm based in Canada, had a "ten before ten" rule when she first started out as a freelance writer — she would make sure to pitch ten prospective clients before 10 a.m. every working day. Those numbers add up quickly.

5. Play the OddsUltimately, securing freelance work is a numbers game — the more prospective clients you contact, the more likely you are to find work. That is the equation you should keep in mind. If you have a reasonable skill set and create a quality brand, there is no reason why you cannot succeed in the world of freelancing like so many others have before you.

By Tom Ewer

Graduation season is upon us, and that means college graduates everywhere are preparing to enter "the real world." But chances are your liberal arts degree, as hard-earned and valuable as it is, doesn't equip you with every digital skill you need.


We've put together a short list of fundamental skills that every college graduate should possess, from simply branding yourself online to learning basic coding. They're guaranteed to increase your overall digital know-how, and you can learn them all on your own.

Did you graduate college a long time ago, or never attended? Don't worry — it's never too late to learn these skills. They're useful to anyone.

1. Setting Up a Wi-Fi Network
These days, most students are lucky enough to go to colleges that already have wireless Internet set up in the dorms. By simply typing in a password on the provided network, the web magically appears on your laptop. But once you graduate, that's no longer the case. To save yourself from this harsh reality, learn what it takes to get working Wi-Fi: setting up the modem, launching a new network and researching local companies and pricing.

2. Backing Up to the Cloud
With all those photos of your friends, your music library and a copy of your 40-page thesis, your entire world exists on the hardware of your computer, phone or tablet. You're going to want to back all of that up to the cloud, either to preserve it, or so you can access your information anywhere. Whether you're interested in iCloud or Dropbox, research the various services that are available and find the one that's right for you.

3. Basic Photo Editing (Photoshop)
Even if you don't plan on using Photoshop regularly after graduation, it doesn't hurt to know the basics. More and more careers require Photoshop skills, whether it's journalism, marketing or even non-profit work. Snag a cheaper copy of Elements and learn your way around a paint brush, layers and color correction.

4. Basic Video Editing (Final Cut Pro)
Just like photo editing, video editing can come in handy, too. Check if a friend or someone well-versed in multimedia at one of your school publications or libraries can teach you the basics of Final Cut Pro. At the very least, you'll be able to cut some sweet YouTube videos.

5. Google Drive and Microsoft Office (Seriously)
These tools may seem obvious, but knowing the ins-and-outs of Google Drive and Microsoft office is a digital skill you shouldn't go without. Learning how to make a proper Excel spreadsheet actually takes effort, and it's still a specific qualification for many job listings. Google Drive includes docs, spreadsheets and forms, and it's easy to collaborate with other users at the same time. Slideshow presentations still haven't gone out of style, so re-familiarize yourself with Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Presentations or other sites like Prezi.

6. HTML and Basic Coding
Since our culture is increasingly web-centric, you should know the basics of crafting online content — and how to control the look and feel of it. HTML5 is the standard markup language used everywhere from web design firms to newsrooms. Other types of coding can help you make programs and easily get information from your computer (check out Codecademy and Khan Academy for beginners' tutorials).

7. Setting Up a Website and Domain
Every college graduate should have a website, whether it's to brand himself (see number 10 on this list), showcase his original work (art portfolio, writing samples, etc.) or just to learn for future instances. Coding can help you out here, but you can also use various website-building services, such as Wordpress and Squarespace.

You should also learn how to create a custom domain: for example, "yourname.com" rather than "yourname.wordpress.com." This looks more professional (and cleaner overall). Namecheap and GoDaddy are two popular domain name services and hosting sites.

8. Converting File Formats
Sometimes you'll have a file format different from the one you need — DOC instead of PDF; WMA instead of MP3 and so on. Knowing how to convert these files is useful, especially when you're trying to send your resume (or at least, getting that movie to play on your Roku USB Media Player). Certain programs, like Microsoft Word, will do the legwork for you, but you can find a variety of file conversion programs for those other tricky file extensions.

9. Online Banking
Who needs to balance a checkbook when you're living in the digital age? Major banks like Bank of America and Chase feature very intuitive online banking systems and mobile apps. You can manage your finances anywhere you have an Internet connection. Instead of waiting in long lines at your local branch, deposit checks and make transfers right from your phone.

10. Branding Yourself
Companies are screening prospective employees through Google searches and social media — and since 94% of users click on the first page of results, it's in your best interest to brand yourself properly before going on any big interviews.

What does this entail? Google your name and see what pops up on the first page. If you see anything problematic, learn how to fix it. In addition to setting up a website and claiming a domain name, you should establish a social media presence, especially on LinkedIn and Twitter, and post positive content. If there's anything you wouldn't want prospective employers to see (e.g., Facebook photos), make sure it's completely private

By Matt Petronzio

There are times where you are just bored or simply just lack in motivation and enthusiasm and want to check some quotes to keep you going. We all get burnt out, so whenever your thinking to yourself: how can I keep going? Just read some of these quotes from the greatest business men in the world.

Here is one to get you started : “A bank is a place which will lend you money when you do not need it.”  The reasoning behind this quote is simple really: banks are just like any other investors, they want to ensure that your idea is unique and profitable. Therefore they only want to invest when they know that the business could potentially be profitable in the near future without taking the banks investment.

1. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts. – Richard Branson
2. The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. – Peter F. Drucker
3. No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others.. or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist. – Calvin Coolidge
4. Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you. – Henry J. Kaiser
5. Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. – Vince Lombardi
6. In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential. It’s no different in the financial realm. – Suze Orman
7. The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. – Confucius
8. The first one gets the oyster the second gets the shell. – Andrew Carnegie
9. Hire character. Train skill. – Peter Schutz
10. The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency. – Bill Gates
11. Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day. – Francis Gray
12. Surviving a failure gives you more self-confidence. Failures are great learning tools.. but they must be kept to a minimum. – Jeffrey Immelt
13. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that, when mixed with definiteness of purpose, and burning desire, can be translated into riches. – Napoleon Hill
14. It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. – Charles Darwin
15. Industry is the soul of business and the keystone of prosperity. –Charles Dickens
16. I don’t pay good wages because I have a lot of money; I have a lot of money because I pay good wages. – Robert Bosch
17. People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps. – Mary Kay Ash
18. In business, I’ve discovered that my purpose is to do my best to my utmost ability every day. That’s my standard. I learned early in my life that I had high standards. – Donald Trump
19. In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later. –Harold Geneen
20. To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. – Thomas Watson, Sr.
21. The absolute fundamental aim is to make money out of satisfying customers. – John Egan
22. There are a lot of things that go into creating success. I don’t like to do just the things I like to do. I like to do things that cause the company to succeed. I don’t spend a lot of time doing my favorite activities. – Michael Dell
23. I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well. – Alan Greenspan
24. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi
25. Let’s be honest. There’s not a business anywhere that is without problems. Business is complicated and imperfect. Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings. –Bob Parsons
26. You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. – Jim Stovall
27. The only way around is through. – Robert Frost
28. You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong. – Warren Buffett
29. The noblest search is the search for excellence – Lyndon B. Johnson
30. The man who does not work for the love of work but only for money is not likely to neither make money nor find much fun in life. –Charles M. Schwab
31. You must remain focused on your journey to greatness. – Les Brown
32. Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. – Theodore Roosevelt
33. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier. –Charles F. Kettering
34. Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right! – Henry Ford
35. You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills. – Jim Rohn
36. Who likes not his business, his business likes not him. – William Hazlitt
37. The new source of power is not money in the hands of a few, but information in the hands of many. – John Naisbitt
38. The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed. – Henry Ford
39. It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path at Dell. There’s always an opportunity to make a difference. – Michael Dell
40. If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours. – Ray Kroc
41. Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating. –Denis Waitley
42. Management is nothing more than motivating other people. – Le Iacocca
43. Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. – Dwight D. Eisenhower
44. The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong question. –Peter Drucker
45. Why did I want to win? Because I didn’t want to lose! – Max Schmelling
46. To succeed in business, to reach the top, an individual must know all it is possible to know about that business. – J. Paul Getty
47. I wasn’t satisfied just to earn a good living. I was looking to make a statement. – Donald Trump
48. To succeed… You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. – Tony Dorsett
49. Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business. – Zig Ziglar
50. To win without risk is to triumph without glory. – Pierre Corneille

By Lee Haxhiu

Do you have any motivational quotes to add? Please comment below and let us know and also remember to follow us on twitter.

According to recent research by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), corporate businesses looking to hire working professionals for new jobs find 10 new talents and skills to be defining traits amongst high performers.

1. Ability to Prioritize
   
2. Works well in teams
   
3. Organizational Awareness
   
4. Effective Problem Solving
   
5. Self-Awareness
   
6. Pro-activite
   
7. Ability to Influence
   
8. Effective Decision Making
   
9. Learning Agility
   
10. Technical savvy
    

Just one problem: The organization notes that this particular skill set is “scarce” and that most “employees lack the ideal mix of skills and competencies to achieve employers’ desired outcome.” This news is hardly reassuring for upper management or your HR department.

Increasingly, lower levels of management are making more hiring and strategic decisions that affect key stakeholders. Therefore, the workplace needs to make major shifts in corporate culture and strategic thinking amongst new hires.

Happily, certain types of job seekers looking to more meaningfully contribute to their organization and grow their careers may be better predisposed to mastering these new success skills and rules of engagement.

Keep the following seven traits in mind when interviewing new hires, to determine whether they’ve got what it takes to be defining members of your team.

1. Communication Skills
The umbrella term “communication skills” includes a trifecta of abilities, including the capacity to listen, write and speak. This is one of the top qualities employers look for in modern-day hires; it's essential for receiving, interpreting and giving direction. Likewise, a sense of social intelligence is also vital: Employees need to be able to understand where peers, colleagues and strategic partners are coming from, not just the words they’re saying, so they can better empathize and act on this information.

2. Multi-Tasking
Chances are your employees will be simultaneously involved in several projects, tasks or initiatives. Therefore, the ability to juggle all with aplomb is a highly-valued skill. Effective multi-tasking is achieved when work is completed both efficiently and correctly, with a minimum of stress. Tomorrow’s workers must be well-equipped to juggle multiple tasks.

3. Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a valuable asset in new hires, as it shows the employee in question is passionate about the tasks he or she is performing for the organization. It goes hand in hand with positivity, and both can make a noticeable difference in what’s often a stressed, strained and/or hectic work environment. Plus, according to Sigal Barsade, professor of management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, positivity is not only contagious, but also has an impact on overall job performance, decision-making, creativity and turnover. A winning attitude can be invaluable and contagious.

4. Decision-Making
Problem solving is a skill that sits somewhere at the nexus of creativity, level-headedness and logic. Those who exhibit it demonstrate a proven ability to objectively interpret incoming signals, and act both thoughtfully and with grace when a solution is needed. Workers with solid problem-solving skills aren’t just strategic thinkers; they should be able to keep a cool head when a situation arises and stay on task without the need for micro-management.

5. Organization
While not a single defining trait, solid organizational skills can be an asset to any worker. They indicate an employee is self-disciplined enough to gather the necessary information and data to keep his or her tasks both well-managed and on schedule — important traits for any leader. Powerful organizational skills alone do not great managers make, but they do help drive job candidates to be more professional, efficient and productive.

6. Integrity
Integrity means being true and honest to oneself and others. It shows that someone knows his or her strengths and weaknesses, isn’t afraid to make mistakes or accept responsibility for doing so, and possesses a high degree of loyalty. Someone with strong integrity can be trusted to show respect, take responsibility and stand by the old adage “honesty is the best policy” — all a boon to your enterprises.

7. Likeability
Chances are your open positions will require employees to cooperate and collaborate seamlessly with others. Therefore, you’ll want someone warm, friendly, easygoing and genuine — a solid team player can help bolster any winning lineup. With teamwork key to business success, look for candidates who are ready and willing to become a meaningful part of your organization.


Scott Steinberg

The marketing mix is made up of the following elements, often referred to as “the four Ps”:

• Product (or service)
• Place (location and distribution)
• Price
• Promotion

For a business to succeed, you need to:

• get all of the elements right
• strike a balance between the elements

Differentiation of your business from your competitors can be achieved through adjusting the elements to make your product/business more attractive. For example, if you wanted to market a high profile brand, you would focus on promotion rather than price.

Product
Satisfying the customer’s needs or wants and in turn making a profit is your aim in providing a product/service. It is essential therefore that you get your product/service right.

There are various ways in which you can make your product stand out and be appealing. Use your senses in evaluating the product: ask yourself how does it feel and look.

Key questions:

1. Attractiveness - is the packaging and the product itself visually appealing?
2. Expectations - does the product meet customer’s expectations? For instance, they may have expectations in terms of product quality.
3. Benefits - does the product have benefits a customer wants or needs? Benefits describe what it is that a customer gets out of a product, and differ from features.
4. Functionality – how well does it do the job it’s supposed to?
5. Competition - how does it fair compared to other similar products?
6. Reliability – is it reliable?

Place
‘Place’ is the mechanism through which goods and/or services are moved from the manufacturer/ service provider to the user or consumer. It is also referred to as distribution, channel or intermediary.

Successful distribution of your product/service is not only dependent on the delivery mechanism. You must also consider your customers – where is it that they would expect to go to find products/services like yours? It is therefore essential that you choose the correct distribution channel(s).

Key questions:

1. From where do your customers expect, or prefer, to buy the product or service?
2. What are the existing distribution channels in your chosen market?
3. Do you want to use direct or indirect channels? (eg 'direct' to a consumer, 'indirect' via an intermediary)
4. Do you want to use single or multiple channels?
5. If using an intermediary:
   Is the intermediary familiar with your target consumers? 
   Is the intermediary appropriate for your business?

Intermediaries include:

• wholesalers
• agents
• retailers
• the Internet
• overseas distributors

Price
You need to know what your customers would be prepared to pay in order to price something effectively.

Compare your products/services with similar ones belonging to your competitors. This should give you some idea of typical prices in the market.

You will then need to decide upon a pricing strategy. For example, you might use cost based pricing where total costs are calculated and a mark up is added to give the required profit. Or you might consider differential pricing, where you charge different segments of your market different prices for the same service. The strategy you choose will have an effect on the success of the product. (For a further discussion of pricing strategies see the link at the bottom of the page.)

Whichever strategy you choose, you need to distinguish between cost and price. To maximise your profits, you should aim to charge the maximum amount that people will pay, while seeking to reduce costs and increase productivity.

Promotion
Promotion is about effectively communicating with your customers so that they are encouraged to buy from you. You need to promote to both existing customers and prospective ones, which may involve promoting to each in different ways.

To promote successfully, you need to take the following into account:

• You need to know as much as possible about your customers and their buying habits.
• You need to identify which are the important questions customers could have about your product/service, eg is this a reliable product? Your promotional activities should answer these questions.
• You need to identify your unique selling point (USP) and communicate it effectively to your customers.
• You need to identify the style of your promotional activities
• You need to decide when you are going to promote.

When you have answers to the above, you are in a stronger position to decide what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and which promotional method(s) to use.

Promotions mix
The ‘promotions mix’ is the combination of promotional elements you use to promote your product/service.

The various elements which can make up the promotions mix include:

• Personal Selling
• Sales Promotion
• Public Relations
• Direct Mail
• Trade Fairs and Exhibitions
• Advertising
• Sponsorship

You would choose the appropriate elements for your product/service and integrate them to form a promotional campaign.

Note: Sometimes you might see the marketing mix described in terms of the 'five Ps', to includePeople. Alternatively, the ‘seven Ps' also include Physical evidence (eg uniforms) and Process(the whole customer experience).


Summary:
PRODUCT
The business has to produce a product that people want to buy. They have to decide which ‘market segment’ they are aiming at – age, income, geographical location etc. They then have to differentiate their product so that it is slightly different from what is on offer at present so that people can be persuaded to ‘give them a try’.

PROMOTION
Customers have to be made aware of the product. The two main considerations are target market and cost. A new business will not be able to afford to advertise on national television, for instance and would not wish to because its market will be local to start with. Leaflets, billboards, advertisements in local newspapers, Yellow Pages and ‘word of mouth’ would be more appropriate.

PRICE
The price must be high enough to cover costs and make a profit but low enough to attract customers. There are a number of possible pricing strategies. The most commonly used are:

• PENETRATION PRICING – charging a low price, possibly not quite covering costs, to gain a position in the market. This is quite popular with new businesses trying to get a ‘toehold’.
• CREAMING – the opposite to penetration pricing, this involves charging a deliberately high price to persuade people that the product is of high quality. Luxury car makers often use this strategy
• COST PLUS PRICING – this is the most common form of pricing. Costs are totalled and a margin is added on for profit to make the total price.

PLACE
The business must have a location that it can afford, and that is convenient and suitable for customers and any supplier.

When you ask a freelancer why he or she started freelancing, you’ll get answers like ‘I wanted to work for myself’, ‘I love being my own boss’, ‘I freelance for the flexibility it provides’ etc. At the heart of it, all those answers mean the same thing: they wanted to escape the cubicle nation.

While freelancers may indeed have escaped ‘imprisonment’ in a cubicle, they can’t completely escape all the things that made their corporate life difficult. Actually because you’re out on your own now (in freelancing), you have to do all the things that your colleagues in their respective departments do on behalf of the company.

In any case, you should know that there are elements that remain the same in both the corporate working life and when you are out of it, and prepare accordingly.


1. Salary/Rate Negotiations
In a corporate job, 9-to-5′ers get a fixed salary and structured pay raise. On the surface, freelancers are the exact opposite. They set their own rates and can raise them whenever they want. In reality however, regular employees negotiate their salary much like how freelancers negotiate their rates with clients.

The only difference is that 9-to-5′ers only do it when accepting a job or negotiating a raise; freelancers do it on a regular, client-by-client basis. So unless you have fixed rates stated on your website, you’re actually negotiating more on your rates than you ever did over your full-time job salary.

2. Accountability
Freelancers boast of not having to be accountable to anyone but themselves. I beg to differ. We’re accountable to our clients. Sure, no one asks us what we’re doing with our time, or checks in on us throughout the day, but on the day of the deadline, the client expect to get their results from you.

Ultimately, a freelancer is accountable to his/her client. Miss a deadline and you can’t simply say ‘Oh sorry, I wasn’t able to meet the deadline.’ Explanations must be given and in most cases, a client is well has the right to dock pay due to your tardiness.

While full-timers report to their superiors, freelancers report to their clients. The accountability cycle is there – it’s just the names and designation of who we report to that has changed.

3. Responsibility
While you might not be completely responsible for a single project or deadline, working in a company gives you a bit of a safety net as far as taking the blame is concerned, when things go wrong. In a corporate setting, the manager takes the rap for a failed project regardless of which of his or her subordinates made the fluke.

In freelancing, congratulations, you get to shoulder ALL the blame regardless of your job function, when things go wrong.

4. Office Politics
Office workers deal with office politics and the different behaviours and personalities of their colleagues on a daily basis. From the passive aggressive co-worker to the know-it-all colleague, the limelight hogger to the boss’ pet. If you have ever worked in an office setting, chances are you have seen them all.

Freelancers see these characters every day too – only instead of co-workers, they experience them in their clients. Gather two or more freelancers together and the topic of client personalities invariably comes up.

5. Working After Hours
If you started freelancing because you wanted the flexibility of working your own hours or less hours, then it probably didn’t take you long to discover that you actually work more hours as a freelancer than you did as a full timer.

Even though plenty of people work after-hours in a corporate job, for freelancers, it’s basically a must. Freelancers often find themselves working nights and even weekends to meet deadlines. If they want to make a success of their freelance business, working long, hard hours is a requirement.

6. Getting A Promotion
In a corporate setting employees get promotions as recognition of their hard work and dedication. For freelancers, it’s pretty much the same, except they give themselves the promotion, or a break, or a raise, or a new gadget etc. Getting a raise in their rates, and handling bigger clients, etc are all part of that promotion.

7. Bigger & Better Opportunities
Whether it’s within the company or with another, corporate employees are always on the lookout for their next big break – be it a new designation, job, benefits or environment. Freelancers are the same.

We’re always on the lookout for our next big client. We’re always looking for bigger and better opportunities that’ll help us earn more. Just as no employee sticks to one company for his entire life, a freelancer doesn’t stick to that one client. It’s simply not in the nature of how a freelance business is done. Sure, every freelancer has clients who retain them but that partnership is not indefinite. Eventually they will move on to other clients.


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So What’s The Difference? If there are so many similarities, are we just fooling ourselves into believing we’re better off as freelancers? Is making the switch from a corporate full-time job to a freelancing business just a change in the scenery?

The answer is no. There is a big difference between a full time corporate job and a freelance one: flexibility and control. In a full-time job, you don’t have flexibility. You can’t start work later if you want to go to the gym in the morning, you can’t take the random afternoon off and you certainly can’t just turn off your computer and leave work to go pick up your kids in the middle of the day.

By Samar Owais