Be The Drop

You have probably heard the saying "A picture tells a thousand words" well this week we dive into the world of visual storytelling. This is a very special episode of the Be The Drop podcast because it marks the roll-out of our new visual branding for both Be The Drop and Narrative Marketing!

As you know we are incredibly passionate about brand storytelling, through both our client work and the podcast, we continually investigating the most effective ways to tell your brand story. To find out more about how important it is for brands to use visual cues to connect with their audience, I caught up with Peter Rufus, Brand Strategist at Nicknack, who are the creative genius' behind our new branding, which we will be rolling out over the next few weeks.

For us, there's a clear link between superheroes and business: Superheroes get results; they work hard against all the odds; they're role models and leaders; they stand out from the crowd. These are also the things that we aspire to in business. I truly believe that well articulated brand stories are what will differentiate your brand, from the next. Therefore, brand storytelling is the ultimate superpower for businesses that want to super-charge their marketing strategy.

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Peter discusses brand strategy, visual storytelling, and reveals the secret to his creative process...

This is Peter's version of Be The Drop...

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Beerenberg is one of my favourite brands. An Adelaide Hills girl, I grew up with Beerenberg as local produce and their strawberry jam was always a household favourite! They have an authentic and human brand narrative, beautiful premium products, and a whole lot of heart in their family-run business.

This powerful combination has seen them grow from selling strawberry jam at Adelaide's East End Markets back in the 70's to international distribution and an engaged online community of 27,000 social media followers today. For Marketing Manager Sally Paech, daughter of Grant who started the business 40 years ago, the business is almost another family member. 

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Sally talks about the marketing magic of brand storytelling, shares practical examples of how to engage your staff, and recalls fond memories of how it all began... 

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Today I'm talking with Adelaide theatre aficionado, Ross Vosvotekas, a man of many talents. Card game inventor, app creator, and Director of production company Adapt Enterprises, he is an expert at multi-tasking. Ross is extremely passionate about local creative arts and supporting Adelaide's community of artists and performers.

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Ross talks about living your passion, the power of stories to connect people, he reveals what makes live events so unique and we even touch on smashing watermelons on your head...

This is Ross' version of Be The Drop...

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Amity Dry has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. Now recognised as a talented singer, actress, writer and composer, Amity believes that it is her ability to be honest and vulnerable in telling her stories, that has helped build her successful career. 

It was an absolute pleasure to interview Amity at my recent Modern Storytelling event to raise money for Vinnies SA as part of my participation in the CEO Sleepout. I was really excited to investigate with Amity how we can use stories to create the sort of real human connection that can build into something that earns a living. 

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Amity talks about the difference between fame and credibility in personal branding, we discuss how to resist falling prey to "imposter syndrome", and she reveals the importance of sharing stories that need to be told...  

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The overnight temperature dropped to 5 degrees on Thursday 29th June. The air was cold and hung damp around me as I tried to find comfort lying on wet grass, a piece of cardboard underneath me, and one above me. I scrunched deeper into my sleeping bag seeking warmth but the overwhelming feeling was one of being wrapped in icy fingers of cold.

For me, this was one night of cold and discomfort, for over 105,000 Australians, this is an experience that they face every night. Night after night. 

Understanding the power of first hand experience, Vinnies created the CEO Sleepout. The event brings together influential business men and women to raise not only funds but also awareness of the challenges facing those affected by homelessness. 

To help spread this message, for today's episode of Be The Drop, I interviewed a number of CEOs whilst participating in the event. We discuss what motivates them to give back, why it's important and we also look at what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself...

Elizabeth Donaldson is the founder of Brick + Mortar, a creative retail and co-working space and cafe; where the focus is on creating a destination for local creatives to connect with the community and other businesses in the creative industries.

Having recently turned 2 years old, Brick + Mortar's community was built by Elizabeth from nothing. A brand new concept in a brand new space, it was a huge leap of faith for early adopters. But it's now a vibrant, busy part of the Norwood community, delighting its audience with fresh, interesting and clever locally made products in a design-oriented environment.

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Elizabeth discusses the importance of good coffee, how commercially viable doesn't necessarily mean un-creative, and reveals the value of customer service to build brand loyalty...  

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Culture and change management is something I find really fascinating; I've worked with businesses developing their vision and purpose, and seen the difference it makes to the bottom line when staff understand how they fit into the bigger picture of what that business is trying to achieve and why it exists. So I really enjoyed my chat with Culture and Leadership Consultant, Michelle Holland.

Adding to her long list of talents, Michelle has just written a book called Energy Vampires Suck, which is a personal leadership journey, written using the metaphor of vampires and slayers. 

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Michelle discusses facing your demons, LinkedIn networking, and reveals how to boost your team's productivity...  

Be The Drop is brought to you by Narrative Marketing, the marketing consultancy that exists to help you unlock your storytelling superpower.

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Using the slogan"the happiest place in the world" might seem ambitious and a very bold statement, but after our visit to Dogcity Daycare, a daycare centre for dogs in Adelaide, I think it is 100% appropriate. After our Be The Drop interview, we saw first hand a workplace that was brimming with happiness and a passion to deliver awesome service for customer of both the two legged and four legged variety. 

Dogcity Daycare owners, Alex and Daniel bought the business three and a half years ago, when they were in their mid 20s. With minimal experience at running a business between them, they have turned their love of dogs into two thriving centres for well-adjusted pups of all shapes and sizes, with a third centre on the way! 

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Daniel and Alex talk about the importance of playtime at work, how to motivate and support your staff, and reveal another piece of the puzzle leading us closer to the key to modern storytelling...

Be The Drop is created by Narrative Marketing. 

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Part of being human is our ability to hope, to cultivate positivity out of tragedy. Sonya Ryan knows this better than most. The Carly Ryan Foundation was set up by Sonya in the wake of her daughter Carly's cruel and untimely death, and exists to promote online safety and reduce the abuse of children nationally. Carly's story is the connector or bridge to Sonya's community, and the art of storytelling is therefore invaluable to her. 

From launching their own personal safety app to developing Carly's Law, Sonya and her team embrace the digital world but advocate an educated and empowered approach to its use. An extraordinary woman, Sonya embodies the 110% commitment and focus required to "be the drop" and I was honoured she took time out of her jam-packed schedule to speak to me.  

In today's episode of Be The Drop, Sonya discusses dogged determination, talks about positive connection, and reveals the best way to approach online safety with your children...

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Stories can evoke powerful emotions, inspire change and motivate action. For those of you who are just joining us, Be The Drop is a weekly podcast that investigates the art of communication, specifically storytelling, in today's digital world. By interviewing a wide range of people who have built engaged communities, I investigate and share, the secrets to great communication. 

Be The Drop is not just an outlet for all kinds of stories, but also a battle cry to "be the drop" that creates a waterfall. With courage, focus and commitment, each and every one of us can start something; but together, we can build something.

Today's episode is an update and "take stock" review, as over the past few weeks, I have had a number of "ah-ha" moments on my journey to uncover the common threads within communication that drives action.

In today's episode of Be The Drop, I consider what it really means to Be The Drop and reveal the all new 5 step process Be The Drop Manifesto to help you create a waterfall of your own...

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