Have you seen the movie Hitchcock yet? Even without hobbits, elves and superheroes it's very entertaining. Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma were a family business, as many people reading this probably are, and it's interesting to watch the movie through that lens... 1. The movie focuses on the making of Psycho. No one else believed in the project, so they mortgaged their house to make it. Sound familiar? 2. They worked best when they worked together. He was the famous one but Alma was clearly important to his success. 3. They made Psycho come alive in the editing room by arguing about the little To View More >>

I know the word "networking" gets bandied about a lot. I used to roll my eyes and put in the same category as "politically correct" and "multi-tasking" but in reality it's where business is today. Once upon a time a photographer could rely on the quality of his images and word of mouth. Maybe a bit of advertising in the Yellow Pages and the odd display in the local mall. Next minute, along comes the internet and screws it all up. Suddenly you have to be on Facebook, Twitter and this that and the other. As a photographer you have a major head start at this. First, you have cool images to show To View More >>

Click here to watch on Vimeo. In the second half of our conversation I talk to Kristie and Brett Harkness about: • dealing with high-end clients • word of mouth • the importance of tangible products • building a relationship with venues • maintaining your business in the the recession • avoiding being a "busy fool" • changing, adapting and diversifying, and • working together as a couple – the last but not the least ;) Oh, and Brett explains why their workshops and DVD aren't for beginners or the advanced, but those in between. Cheers, Ian To View More >>

Click here to watch on Vimeo. We first met Justine at WPPI in 2003, and she's been a good friend ever since. Last year she saw our new Musée there, and I'm pretty sure she really liked it! Given that so many people shake their head in disbelief at the idea of selling a product in this price range, I just had to ask her about its place in her business. She talks to me about how to succeed as a high end studio; where the business comes from; the importance of networks and word of mouth; her secret weapon (her Mom!); how she presents herself to clients; how she prices and sells Musée (what she To View More >>

Tupperware 'fan boys' are everywhere. Prodding the skeptical, hosting Tupperware parties, and enthusiastically trying to convince their peers of the benefits. Their argument: Once you try it, you'll understand. And most people do. The experience of using Tupperware's product is usually enough to quickly switch a sceptic's loyalties, and soon enough they'll be passionately promoting the product themselves. That's (loosely) Tupperware's business model, and you can see how it would have a snowball effect. They've built a brand around positive customer experience and word of mouth marketing.  As To View More >>