Gracias.

2017 has been a wonderful year! Thank you to all of my clients, friends, family, colleagues and network for being part of it. 2017 has dealt us some challenges and some wonderful opportunities and delivered some wonderful adventures!

From a professional perspective I've witnessed a client bring home a truckload of industry awards, another be brave enough to close once branch and watch revenue soar in her other branch as she focused on her core business. I've watched a client take his start up in the UK onto great things, and I've loved cheering a Queensland company on from the sidelines! I've discovered that Queensland has local group of scientists exporting their wares to the USA, I've mentored up and coming young marketers who have delivered results way beyond their years. I've watched a Queensland based community organisation navigate a merger that will see them manage over $2billion in assets, I've witnessed a local manufacturer hold steady for the past few years and be brave enough to let me tinker with their marketing and bear witness to their growth. I've watched a start up take off and assisted with the early stages of a re-brand of a 130+ year old organisation. All of which I give thanks. Thanks for trusting me to be part of your journey! Thanks for letting me get my hands dirty with yours and thanks for coffee when I arrive, and the friendly handshake when I leave. I have truly felt blessed to be lucky enough to be part of all of this, and more.

When I roll the highlights reel in my mind, I get a tear of pride in my eye. But what I'm most proud of is the inputs. A investment banker once said to me "Rox you can't control the outcome - you think you can, but you can't. What you can control are the inputs." Of course he was right. I like to think I can deliver revenue and profit growth, but these are simply the outcomes. The inputs are something we tend to under-value. It's easy to list off the highlights. It's not as fun and sexy to list the consistency and discipline it takes to achieve them.

The award winning team who bagged the industry awards didn't do this because I helped them with a new logo and new website. They did it because they've been doing bloody great work for decade upon decade. I'd like to think I'm helping spread the word about their business a little further. But the truth is, without great work, my job is redundant. With the right budget, I could invite a million people into a business, but if they don't like how you do what you do - we've got nothing.

So here's to the inputs!

The consistent branding, the attention to detail, the editing and re-editing, the consistent posts, the consistent re-planning, the consistent great work, the consistent customer service, the consistency in excellence, consistently raising the bar. Successful marketing is often very boring. It's consistently staying active, consistently telling your story, consistently aligning your messages with the truth of your brand. That's what delivers results. To those who have allowed me to help you be exciting in the design and boring in the delivery - thank you!

On a personal note, 2018 will be a new adventure for my family and I. We are opening an office in Brisbane, and maintaining our presence in Townsville. I'm looking forward to the adventure! Managing delivery over 2 sites will be challenging and exciting. My husband, Rod will spend a bit more time in the business to ensure we can deliver for our clients and my assistant Teigan (who keeps everything in the universe aligned) will be progressing her career with us. 

Please stay safe over the festive season, whilst enjoying time with friends and family. We will be closing the office on the 22nd December 2017 and re-opening on the 15th January 2018. 

Here's to another round of consistently fabulous inputs in 2018. I truly hope they deliver wonderful results for you! 

Merry Christmas,
Roxy