A Message from Nic I don’t know about anyone else, but it has been a while since I’ve been pleasantly surprised with great customer service.  I have to admit, I have become complacent about service in everyday life.  I now expect an average level of service.  I become almost a gushing idiot when I receive even a half-hearted smile from a waitress. So when I recently had an amazing service experience, I was flabbergasted... I was at the Perth airport, waiting to pick up my father.  I was in the two minute car pick up / drop off bay and may have been sitting there a bit longer than two minutes (more like 20 minutes).  As we all know, the airport traffic wardens police that area like their life depends on it.  So at the 20 minute mark (I had kept my car running) when I saw one of the efficient warden’s make a beeline for my car, I knew the gig was up. As my guilt was rising for breaking the rules and the warden (with his long illuminated orange directional stick and bright yellow safety vest) was getting closer I considered my options.  Abandon my position before the warden got to my car (bad luck Dad) or option two; pretend I hadn’t been there for very long.  Normally being a stickler for rules, I would have gone with option one but for some reason, today, I opted for option two.  By the time the warden arrived at my car and tapped on the window (with his orange stick), I had broken into a sweat (take me away, I am guilty!).  I wound the window down and before I could blurt out a pathetic excuse to defend why I was sitting there for so long, the warden smiled and said........“Afternoon, what flight are you waiting for?” I just sat there and looked at him... then stuttered, “the 2.30pm flight from Carnarvon, I am picking up my Dad.”  The warden nodded, smiled again and said, “I will go inside and check on the flight details for you, the flight may have been delayed.”  Before I could respond he had walked back into the airport. I sat in my car totally confused.  What just happened here?  The warden is actually going inside the airport (not a short walk) to check on my flight for me because I can’t leave the car in this zone.  I’m sorry but what the? Still stunned and thinking that he probably won’t come back (I know service pessimist, right?), he had returned to my car and said “Sorry, I think you may have been told the wrong flight time, the plane arrives at 3.30pm.” (Gee thanks Dad)  He then added, “Probably best you find a tree and park under it for a bit then come back in about 40 minutes.” Now feeling more guilt because I thought he wasn’t coming back, I stuttered again, “Yes... yes I will; thank you so much for your help.” NOW that is service and something we can all think about.  What can I personally do to go the extra mile for my clients?  Chat again next edition!                                              Nicolle Jenkins (alias MasterChef) Managing Director PS. Talking about going the extra mile, I was fortunate to be invited by Lush TV to experience an amazing team building business called Matters of Taske Cooking School. If anyone that knows me this in itself is a bit of a laugh, Nicolle cooking, sure. If you are interested in a fun team building opportunity (and don’t need cooking experience) contact Director Tracey Cotterell.  Tracey has a fantastic approach and professional setup which is ideal for group and individual bookings.
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The Hub welcomes Senior Consultant The Hub is pleased to welcome Amy Cargill as Senior Consultant with the firm.    Amy provides 12 years experience in corporate and not-for-profit communications implementation and management, with a career spanning across Perth, Sydney, Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore. Her previous clients include a broad range of lifestyle, arts and Indigenous organisations, including four years as Communications Specialist for peak Aboriginal Body, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, working closely with Traditional Owners to promote native title rights and interests.    Amy’s experience working in the Indigenous sector ensures The Hub continues to grow their Indigenous Hub division, which provides specialised marketing communication services to this sector. "It was important for me to work with a company that approaches Aboriginal culture with respect and understanding, so I'm thrilled to join the team!” Amy said.  “The response has been fantastic and we have a range of new projects already underway. We're connecting Aboriginal businesses with new markets and helping service-providers engage with their audiences.” “I'm excited to be working with our clients to deliver strong communications campaigns, as well as promoting Aboriginal people and culture within the wider community."  Amy said.
The Hub welcomes new Graphic Designer Catherine is a detail-oriented designer providing strong creative direction and a unique design aesthetic across a diverse range of projects including brand development, sales collateral, marketing materials, editorial design, web and multimedia, graphic art and illustration, photography and advertisements. With an academic background in advertising and communications, Catherine has explored a wealth of design inspirations including travelling to Stockholm to prepare an international campaign for WaterAid and winning ‘Best Campaign’ for the pitch execution.  She has also freelanced for numerous advertising and design agencies. With an emphasis on creativity and quality control, Catherine’s inquisitive nature and passion for design enables her to create visual communication which reflects a client’s marketing needs and business direction. Catherine has a Bachelor of Communications (Advertising and Design) from Edith Cowan University.
The Hub’s Heart The Hub is excited to announce its support of Heart magazine, which celebrates and showcases Indigenous women achievements in Australia. The new magazine, Heart, launched late last year, is a first of its kind in Australia.  Clarity Press Managing Director Gina Gray developed the magazine after being inspired by a documentary Inside the Great Magazines which reflected on a magazine's ability to leverage social change. “This magazine tells stories with heart about women with heart!” said Gina Gray, Heart Managing Editor. “Through sharing our stories we learn, we uplift others, we encourage people. It can also break-down barriers and foster greater respect and value for each other,” said Gina. The Hub will provide editorial, graphic design and online web design support for the publication. “What a fantastic initiative!  It was an easy decision for The Hub to be a supporter and partner of such a great magazine with heartening stories of some amazing women,” said Nicolle. The Hub office (138 Stirling Hwy Nedlands) is now a location to purchase Heart magazines. The second edition of Heart magazine is now available. The Heart magazine initiative is not-for-profit, proceeds will be invested into Indigenous Australian projects and communities. To subscribe to the magazine’s online articles go to www.claritypress.com.au.
Honda goes 'Over the Top' The Hub is pleased to announce Honda Australia as naming rights sponsor for client, the Honda Over the Top Expedition, a national initiative to raise funds and awareness for the fight against prostate cancer. The expedition will see a couple of brothers travel across the top of Australia in an 8.6m semi-rigid boat (commonly referred to as a rubber-ducky), starting in Sydney next August 2011 and finishing in Fremantle. The goal of the expedition is to raise awareness for the need for men 40+ to be double tested and to raise $200,000 for the Cancer Council of Australia to continue life saving research into effective prostate cancer detection and treatment. “We are thrilled to have Honda Australia on board for the Expedition.  We want only the best marine products on board and Honda was at the top of our partners list.  They saw our proposal and are excited to partner with a worthy cause in perfect alignment with their key target audiences” said Honda Over the Top Skipper, Peter Jenkins. Honda Australia general manager Vikram Pawah said supporting the expedition was an important decision for Honda, after learning close to 3000 men in Australia die each year from prostate cancer. “Men’s health, particularly prostate cancer, is something rarely spoken about, which is quite strange considering every man could face it at some stage in his life,” Mr Pawah said. “The fact the majority of Honda customers – right across its cars, motorcycles, power equipment and marine divisions – are males, the expedition is a perfect fit with Honda’s global view on social responsibility. “The Honda Over The Top Expedition celebrates the Aussie adventurous spirit and outdoor culture, at the same time spreading an important message about one of the most common cancers in men in Australia, second only to skin cancer.” The Hub also welcomes other sponsors Furuno, BLA, Oceanic Trailers, Club Marine, Jet Torque Marine, Toll Energy Logistics, Geon Printing Group, Bullet Signs & Print, Webhouse Group, Christian Fletcher Photography, Sandman PR and Willie Creek Pearls. Cancer Council Western Australia Education and Research Director, Terry Slevin, believes the unique event will help raise awareness on the importance of men to seek medical help in the early signs of disease and to have regular medical check-ups. “There is no doubt we still have a lot to learn about how to prevent, identify, diagnose and treat many cancers. But blokes in particular have a lot to learn about looking after themselves,” Terry said. “Do what you can to reduce your cancer risk, and don’t delay when early signs of health problems crop up,” he said.
The Hub goes multi-lingual  The Hub was appointed to develop five multi-lingual fact sheets focusing on waste management for the Mindarie Regional Council.  The Council (representing the cities of Joondalup, Perth, Stirling and Wanneroo and the towns of Cambridge, Victoria Park and Vincent) aims to set the standard for minimising the impact of waste on the environment, for the benefit of its 590,000 residents in Perth’s northern metropolitan region.   The fact sheets, written and designed by The Hub, provide information to residents on how to recycle and dispose of waste efficiently.  “We consulted with residents from different cultural background and languages to provide translations.  We then researched each culture to ensure the fact sheets were culturally appropriate before placing the text into the design,” Nicolle said.    The Hub has completed the Chinese fact sheet and will progress onto the next language next month.
Hub helps to launch new tourism destination    The Hub is developing a new tourism brand, copy and associated marketing collateral for the soon to be launched Tasmanian retreat, Vanson’s in the Valley. Boasting stunning Huon valley and river views, The Hub’s branding and key messages aims to reflect its beautiful location and its recently purpose built accommodation as a key point of different from its competitors. “Even though the product is typically in the B&B market, Vanson’s in the Valley is certainly not a normal B&B.  The product is to be positioned as a contemporary retreat, ideal for couples wanting a romantic relaxed escape only 40 minutes from Hobart,” Hub MD, Nicolle said.
It's all a 'Matter of Taste'... The Hub has been selected by Perth Cooking School, Matters of Taste to refresh its branding and create some dynamic marketing materials. Perth's favourite Cooking School provides a range of interactive classes for individuals and corporate groups including demonstrations, hands-on classes and Saturday morning 'quickies'. Hub MD Nicolle Jenkins recently experienced a hands-on class led by Director Tracey Cotterell. "I am not the best cook, so I admit I was a tad apprehensive," Nic said. "I had nothing to worry about, it is more about having fun in a team building atmosphere and I learnt a few tricks of the trade!" Tracey describes the School as 'inspirational teaching to maintain your cooking mojo'.  www.mattersoftaste.com.au
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