Articles written by Ann Druce

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About me - Ann Druce

One of the great things about getting older is the fact that I've learnt stuff along the way.

I've sold hats in a department store and operated a switchboard on old-fashioned telephone exchange. I've sold overpriced beachfront property off plan and betting

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Travel > Air Travel & Airlines How to travel comfortably in economy: 2 of 20

I love to travel. At one point I used to travel business class, but since I started my own ad agency and am paying my own bills, I always fly economy. But even in economy you can be comfortable. 1. Never carry excess cabin luggage I never cease to be fascinated by people who lug heavy bags onto the plane. Cabin baggage is no...
Business > Entrepreneurship Business networking events: How to maximize networking opportunities: 1 of 6

Man is, by nature, a social animal. Okay, that’s not an entirely accurate translation from the Greek, but it is the usually accepted one. The point is that networking is nothing new; even as long ago as a couple of centuries BC, Aristotle recognised that people need relationships. For generations old boys&r...
Business > Advertising How to choose the right advertising agency for your campaign: 1 of 3

You've decided it's time to advertise and you want to use an agency. But having made the decision, how do you choose the right advertising agency? If you don't know anyone in the industry who can guide you, it isn't easy to choose the right agency. On one hand, you want to know that the one you settle on isn't a fly-by-night...
Business > Marketing Marketing in rough economic times: 3 of 7

There is no doubt that that 2009 is going to be a tough year. And you are going to have to do something special if you want to grow your business, or perhaps even just survive until we move into the next growth cycle. Failing to address the current market circumstances is probably the worst mistake you, as a marketer, could ...
Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving How to set up a budget: 30 of 65

GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCES AND YOUR LIFE So you think that if you have a budget you'll be able to save some money? Well, that depends. A budget that bears no resemblance to your needs and lifestyle is a complete waste of time, and you'll soon abandon it and return to your old spending habits. Your aim should be to present...
Personal Finance > Credit Cards Should teens have credit cards?: 22 of 47

Far too many adults are simply incapable of managing their finances. Otherwise intelligent people, many of whom hold down responsible jobs and present the face of control and competence to the outside world, are making financial choices that leave them stressed and panicked. Escalating debt, often on several credit cards, is...
Business > Advertising High resolution photos in advertising: 1 of 1

I have frequently had clients who want to use their own photography in an ad or a brochure and it often makes a lot of sense. For example, you might have "before", "during" and "after" photographs of a major construction. These aren't the kind of photos that you can reconstruct with a professional photographer after the fact...
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Africa Saving South Africa: 3 of 5

In 1980, at independence, the Zimbabwean dollar was worth slightly more the US Dollar. Roughly US$1.20. Today the Zim dollar is absolutely worthless. Everyone is a billionaire, even the destitute. One hundred billion dollar notes are common currency and all bank notes are printed with an expiry date. Even formal organisation...
Business > Advertising Guide to effective advertising and marketing: 13 of 21

So you've decided you need to do some advertising and you are asking yourself: Should I do it myself or should I hire a professional? Well, some people can fix the dripping faucet, while others need to call in a plumber; the answer depends entirely on you. Do you know anything about planning a campaign, choosing media or exe...
Business > Small & Home Business What you need to know when starting a home business: 22 of 31

Just because your business is small, there is no reason why you can't be as organised and operate as professionally as a big business. And if you find you're missing the safety net of secretaries, office managers and IT support, it's time to sort it out. Working in a small business has never been easier. And even if "the off...