Welcome to another Sunday!
This week’s Sunday Letter takes you on a ride through new privacy laws in Australia, some trends in content, and some signals from the professions about how things are really moving.
One of the things that strikes me from the last article this week - which is about KPMG’s astonishing growth in the past year - is how smaller businesses are getting ever more niche, while the larger ones are getting ever larger. The important lesson, however, is in value delivery.
This value theme is the same in the two content pieces included this week, though in different ways.
Enjoy the reading, and I’ll catch you next weekend.
~ Leticia Mooney, Queen Pixie at Brutal Pixie
PS. Our incredible case studies deal expires Thursday. More info is at https://brutalpixie.com/case-studies
Tip of the Week
‘To further your relationship, use your technology to write personalized letters to your customers.’ ~ Jack Mitchell, in Hug your Customers
The Sunday Five
As always, if you see a gem that you’d love us to share, email it to hello@brutalpixie.com. We’ll give you credit, of course.
[ Content ] Allan Dib gives us Business 101 at Smart Company
From my perspective, the advice in this article is tired, but if it’s being published as important strategic thinking, then obviously people want to read it. Among Dib’s key points are: Care about your customers, be helpful to your market, avoid trends, and deliver value. He points that this goes for your content too - and he’s right. You can read it at https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/strategy/increase-sales-create-content-build-relationships/
[ Publishing ] Invest in content wisely and it’ll pay off, says Forbes
Where Allan Dib talks about the basics of content for SMEs, this article is talking to brands at the upper end. The advice given here is that high quality content, leveraged as much as possible across a range of platforms - and smartly - is your key to getting on the front foot this year. It’s not really new information, but the miniature case studies about how major brands are doing it is particularly helpful. Read them at https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanpettijohn/2019/02/07/why-every-company-is-a-media-company/#1eae727d7391
[ Privacy ] Josh Bornstein argues that the tech giants are leaving the law for dust
And he’s right. In this excellent article for the Sydney Morning Herald, lawyer Josh Bornstein makes some high-level commentary about the state of privacy laws in Australia. Importantly, he notes that citizens, while becoming aware of how they hand their details over online, are largely unaware of their connection to a giant, invisible database. Think about the data that you collect, and how you can help your customers become more aware of what they’re giving away, while you read it. Jump on this one at https://www.smh.com.au/national/in-this-age-of-surveillance-capitalism-the-law-is-left-for-dust-20190208-p50wh7.html
[ More privacy ] Pay attention to this one if you use Signal for client comms
Because in December last year, the Australian government rush through decryption laws. While this (badly written) article talks about the laws from the perspective of technology and tech access, the unwritten stuff is that even your encrypted client comms are no longer secure. So, if you use applications like Signal, make sure that you, your team, and your clients, are aware that communications may be read by government agencies. Super important if you’re in corporate law, for example. Read this piece at Yahoo: https://au.news.yahoo.com/australia-using-decryption-powers-even-planned-review-053653873--spt.html
[ Professions ] The big accounting consultancies’ gamble into law is paying off
And how! KPMG this week reported a 30% increase in revenues, which they attribute to their legal services arm. Their fast growth is demonstrated in their workforce growth: They’ve added 2,300 headcount globally just in the past year, and more than 20 partners. The firm claims that they’re not just offering law, but that they’ve combined tech and legal managed services with their advisory. Smart, smart move. If you’re in the professions, think about what this might mean for you as the market consolidates. Read this at https://www.accountancyage.com/30-growth-for-kpmg-legal-services/