Appco Group Finance Meeting 2010 discusses important issues

The Appco Group Finance Meeting 2010, held at the Appco Group headquarters in London recently, discussed relevant issues relating to business and finance. The meet was hosted by the Appco Group Finance Academy and offered advice to delegates on efficient techniques to build a financially stable business. Managing Directors and Administrators of Marketing Companies affiliated to the Company took part in the meeting, which had as key speakers Appco Group Chairman Chris Niarchos, Managing Director Mike Blane and Vice Presidents Simon Murphy and Michael Scully. All of them stressed on the need of having interactive sessions and made sure that the meeting had enough of such sessions. The discussions at the meeting took a back-to-basics approach and the emphasis was on the importance of constructing a plan of attack and breaking down goals.

“You should have a regular plan where everyone involved is on the same page. Consequently you will find that you can stop problems before they occur”, said Mike Blane, Managing Director, Appco Group, while speaking about the need for financial planning in order to troubleshoot.

Appco Group US and its Marketing Companies would no doubt get benefited out of such regular meetings, which help company personnel see things from a clearer perspective.

Appco Group Marketing Companies Meeting

Appco Group US is making news by being the most dynamic and result-oriented direct marketing company in the United States. The results, always of the best kind, are made possible by a proper coordination between the Marketing Companies and the sales and marketing guys. Steps are initiated always to make sure the Marketing Companies get to mingle and thus make the best of it all.

Appco Group recently held its Marketing Companies Meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Canary Wharf, London. It was an interactive event and was attended by Managing Directors. Motivational discussions, especially on business challenges, divisional issues and plans for the future made the meeting eventful.

The Company Chairman Christos Niarchos waxed eloquent on the Appco Marketing Companies Meeting- “The quality initiatives and sales training initiatives established three months ago have had a huge effect on the business and driven exponential growth across all of the Divisions in which we operate...We have established a benchmark and the meeting allowed us to elaborate upon it so that it can be followed by the same astounding results in 2011."

"It was an astonishingly successful day and everyone should be congratulated for a job well done”, adds the dynamic Chairman and Founder of the Appco Group.

Appco Group US receives fundraising license for New York operations

Appco Group US has received the fundraising license for operations in New York.

The New York Attorney General recently granted the license, allowing Appco Group US to officially venture into the field for fundraising. Ever since the company began operations in the US, in September, efforts have been on to organize details and plan movements all across America. Immediately after receiving the license, the company started on work for fundraising for its first client in the charities sector, a prominent organization. The cold weather didn't prevent the very energetic and goal-oriented professionals from getting out onto the field.

Of course the company is in its initial stages on American soil, but work is going all smooth and hopes and aims are high. “ This is a relieving end to a very long process. Our focus is now firmly on success in the field and recruitment. I am looking forward to our anniversary in 2015 when we can all remember this 1st day in the field...”, says Kerry Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer, Appco Group, for the Americas.

Appco Group Brazil launched...

Just a few months after the launch of Appco Group US, here's yet another launch on the American continent. Appco Group Brazil has been officially launched.

It's to be noted that the initial sales figures are real good and promising. Andrew Blake, Country Head Brazil and his key people, Katsumi Sakamoto and Jonatha Pires, have seen to it that no stone is left unturned as regards the smooth running of campaigns. They spent three days in the field, testing the Brazilian market, making studies, analysis and all. The results are very much visible, especially in the charities sector. Plans for the future are all well laid out. Appco Group Brazil plans to reach out to more clients in 2011 and also seeks to continue the initial trend of high averages, high quality and amazing growth.

“I am so proud of Brazil’s early success and I know that under the guidance of Andrew Blake, Country Head, the country will go from strength to strength in a very short amount of time.”- says Kerry Johnstone, COO Appco Group Americas.

Appco Group Product Owners meeting held

The Appco Group Product Owners meeting was held recently at the Four Seasons Hotel, Canary Wharf, London.

The event, which proved to be a great success, was attended by Marketing Company Owners and addressed issues of many kinds. There were discussions on business challenges and divisional issues.

The Appco Group Product Owners meeting started off with an encouraging introduction from the Chairman Chris Niarchos, who was very much in favour of having open discussions. He made his introductory speech more of a discussion by stopping at intervals and letting others talk. The rest of the event, led by the Company's dynamic Managing Director Mike Blane, had discussions pertaining to New Initiatives, Media Issues, the success of the Nationally Recognised Qualifications Scheme and a Business Development Update.

"The quality initiatives and sales training initiatives established three months ago had a huge effect on the business. Sales, conversion rates and averages all went up by 25% across all divisions. We established a benchmark and the meeting allowed us to elaborate upon it so that it can be followed by the same astounding results in 2011. It was an astonishingly successful day and everyone should be congratulated for a job well done!”- this is what Chris Niarchos, Appco Group Chairman has to say at the Product Owners meeting.

Appco Group US has a good captain in Chris Rudge

Appco Group US, which has had a smooth take-off, has a good captain in Chris Rudge, the dynamic Country Head.

Chris, who comes from a background of hospitality business management, has always had a natural enthusiasm for sales. That helped much in his progression from Field Representative to Managing Director of his own Company in 2004. From there it was a quick climb, to the topmost rungs of the corporate ladder.

With Chris Rudge in the driver's seat, Appco Group  is now all set to explore new areas in direct marketing. Chris, who is also an Organisational Head, has as his key strength the ability to build relationships and develop people. That has resulted in him being chosen one of the founding Country Heads of the Appco Group’s new venture into the US.

Appco Group Rest and Relaxation week

The Appco Group Rest and Relaxation week was held recently, in October, in Hamilton Island, Australia. More than 300 delegates, including Senior Executives, VPs, Product Owners, Organizational Heads, Assistant Owners, Team Managers, Administrators, and Support Staff took part in the event.

For the Appco fraternity, it was a very informative week of learning from key organizational heads and they also got the chance to meet delegates and team members from Australia and New Zealand. Topics discussed include divisional structure, improvement of training techniques, recruitment and retention, travel schedules, the 2011 meeting and event calendar and of course key strategies to take Australia and New Zealand forward.

Appco Group Chairman and Founder Chris Niarchos and Vice President Shane Ward led the event while Country Head of Greece Howie Seymour, Vice President Asia and Country Head of Malaysia James Greaves and Vice President Tony Fernandez were the special guests. Other than productive workshops, speeches, discussing the success stories of owners and field representatives and discussing strategies in the face of changing environment and consumer habits and needs, there was also the opportunity to mingle freely at an outdoor cocktail function. There was also a group gala dinner that added to the grandeur of the event.

The Rest and Relaxation week provided all at Appco Group an opportunity for learning and networking and also to relax and unwind over the weekend.

Appco Group makes its presence felt at the Third Sector Excellence Awards

Appco Group made its presence felt in a big way at the annual Third Sector Excellence Awards held recently in the Lancaster Hotel, London. The event, which recognises those who have made outstanding contributions to areas such as Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, Governance and Foundations, witnessed Appco Group Supports sponsoring and presenting the Charity Partnership’ award.

Appco Campaign Managers Jen Gould and Michelle Thomas presented the award, recognising the work done by the award winners in the charities sector.

"Sponsoring the award for Charity Partnership seemed like the natural choice for Appco Group Support as the partnerships we have with our charities are absolutely integral to the success of our face to face campaigns. We had a ball, and it was a great privilege to be able to recognise the hard work of these charities".- says Jen Gould, Appco Group Support Campaign Manager.

Appco Group supports 30th International Fundraising Congress

Appco Group makes news by supporting the 30th International Fundraising Congress (IFC).

The IFC, established in 1981, has gained reputation as the world's leading conference on fundraising. The event, which has gained reputation for its learning and networking opportunities, regularly attracts around 900 participants from over 55 countries. Appco Group got noted by being one of the sponsors to the 30th IFC, held recently in the Netherlands. The support was not just in terms on finance; the company represented its international charity partners at the event to discuss the ways charities can benefit from direct marketing.

The 30th IFC had different sessions which included a Masterclass programme and a Core programme. The four-day Masterclass programme had talks on fundraising strategy, team leadership and digital communication and also had in-depth learning sessions . The three day Core programme comprised of shorter workshops and sessions engineered to motivate attendants with their energetic pace and wealth of insights. The sessions included a survival guide for fundraising leaders, talks on finance and working with donors.

Appco Group USA in particular and Appco Group in general has been making considerable contribution towards fund-raising and hence the support that the company has rendered to the 30th IFC deserves special mention.

Appco Group with new iPhone application

Good news for everyone associated with Appco Group US.

The Appco Group has introduced a novel system to enable users share views, news and ideas from wherever they are in the world. This can be done through the Appco Group's iPhone application, aptly named Appco App, which can be downloaded from www.apple.com/itunes.

This would do a lot to the company which believes in growing by sharing views and ideas. News concerning the direct marketing sector too would be communicated all across the world, with photos, videos etc. The application works on all current versions of the iPhone with the iOS 4.0 itunes software update downloaded.

“The Appco App currently works only on the iPhone but an iPad version is on its way in the coming months”- says Andy Hobbs, Web Development Manager, Appco Group.

30 West 21st Street great location for Appco Group U.S

30 West 21st Street, where Appco Group US is based at present, is an ideal location for a company with such an excellent kind of credentials.

“30 West 21st Street is a great location for a fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization with global presence like Appco Group U.S,” said Kevin Comer, Senior Managing Director of Beck Street Capital, the company that has acquired 30 West 21st Street, the 12-story luxury commercial building located between 5th and 6th Avenues. 30 West 21st Street has all kinds of luxury amenities including one of New York City’s only private, landscaped gardens, concierge service, a modern, renovated lobby etc. The most notable thing is the location- at the crossroads of Flatiron, Chelsea, Gramercy and Union Square.

Says Kerry Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer of Appco Group U.S., “30 West 21st Street is a wonderful space for our first U.S. office and headquarters; and we are looking forward to building roots in the U.S. and this is the perfect platform for our expansion.”

Appco US Launch

Here's a first hand account of the launch visit to the Appco Group USA office, based in New York…

"On the 15th September 2010 the start of the American adventure began for us at Appco as we had packed our bags full of dreams and headed off from London on our one way trip to NEW YORK CITY!!!!

As we landed the American adventure began as all around us were yellow cabs and bright lights, we had fun trying to fit Ogo’s seven suitcases in the back of a cab as Will played his favourite Jay-Z track Empire State of mind out loud so everyone knew we had arrived and we were here to stay!

In the last few weeks it has all been happening. Vice President Michael Scully came over for the week to help with the set up and organise the details of setting up a new country with regards to Appco Group's planned movements and expansion across all of America.......we may just be in New York now but we are already thinking and talking about where to expand.

The Appco Group US office, which is beautiful, is now fully furnished and operational; it fits in perfectly with the Manhattan setting, with high ceilings, glass walls and wooden floors, and seeing as its only 5 minutes from the Empire State building it’s not hard to miss!!

We have all moved into our brand new apartment just off Times Square so we can see everything that goes on in NYC and feels like we are living an episode of Friends we are that close to Central Park. We have visited all over Manhattan and New York State, and with over 9 million people here we have plenty of territory!

Over the past weekend we did the tourist trip and went to see all the sights including the Empire State building, Madison Square Garden, the Statue of Liberty and also went to our first Yankees game at Yankee Stadium, they were playing the Boston Red Sox...which we believe is a big deal!

We now have the licence through which means we can officially start pitching and getting in the field and building a country, and all three of us can’t wait to get out there and start a brand new country from fresh. It’s going to be such a great adventure for all of us, and with all our ambitions, drive and goals of what we all want to achieve we can’t wait to get started and build an American empire!"

Cheers!-Chris Rudge, Ogo Ekweozor and Will Lyon, Appco Group

Appco Group plans to expand into more countries

Just as Appco Group US is going strong and expanding into newer sectors and new territories across the United States, the Appco Group is all set with ambitious plans to expand into even more new countries.
The company currently a presence in 25 countries, with country launches in Brazil, America and Russia this year alone and signs are that the company has no intention of slowing down.

Appco Group Managing Director Mike Blane says, “The world is changing. We have grown from being in one country, Australia, 23 years ago, to the massive global reach we now enjoy across 25 countries...It is not enough that we are a world-leading direct marketing company- if we want to continue to thrive then we need to maintain standards as we grow. That is why we are investing our infrastructure, developing initiatives to provide the best possible support to the Field Representatives who are associated to our network, and taking steps to ensure that we continue to deliver the best possible customer service to our clients.”

So, great times ahead for Appco Group as well as for the direct marketing community worldwide.

Appco Group US: Represented in different sectors

Appcogroup US Inc, which was registered on April 8, 2010, is represented in different industrial sectors.

With face-to-face customer acquisition as its forte, Appco Group USA caters to industries like charities, energy, telecommunications, finance and security systems. The company is all set to launch this month its fund raising division, with one of its highly valued global charity clients. It's the most prominent of names in these diverse sectors that form the clientèle for Appco Group US.

In the months and years to come Appcogroup USA aims at rapidly expanding to newer sectors and new geographical territories.

Appcogroup USA - the proactive direct marketing company

Appcogroup, USA dedicates itself to the service of their clients to ensure that their business is as successful as it should be.

Appcogroup USA uses the direct marketing method for new customer acquisition and regain market by providing quality service. The business mode starts with collecting valuable information about the market and other related issues that may pop up as it occurs. The collected information helps them to get a fair idea about the habit of the market and identify the product that moves fast. Getting multiple reports about the market ensures Appcogroup USA to win the trust of their clients and customers and allows them the opportunity to address their requirements better.

Appcogroup’s customer support and service are par beyond excellence, and they have the best strategies for that perfect customer satisfaction. Appcogroup USA works with an array of products and companies and customize their service to the specific needs of the companies and customers.