I know what you’re probably thinking – “just what the radio world needs, another bloody consultant.”  
 
That’s exactly what I thought to myself before I decided to take the plunge and hang out the ‘open for business’ sign with my new company Top of Mind Media. 
 
It seems that radio consultants are like reality TV shows – there’s a new one popping up every day.  And just like reality TV shows some consultants do well, while others disappear to late nights and eventually get axed.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at the Radio Days Europe event I went to in March.  It felt like every second person I met was a consultant.
 
So, why did I decide to go down this path?
 
The last 10 years I have worked extensively with radio groups in Asia, most recently as General Manager of Content for Astro Overseas Limited in China.  During this time I worked on developing relationships with a lot of Asian radio groups, and I know from these contacts there is huge demand for experienced radio professionals.    Countries like China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Myanmar are developing their radio industries, and they need help with content strategies, talent coaching and how to best use social media. Oh, and of course they would love to know how to make more money.
 
The demand is there, both in Asia and also Australia.  Since arriving back in January, I have been talking with radio networks in Australia looking for that great Content Director gig.  I do miss the day to day of running a station and not having to worry about language barriers or whether the hotel shower is hot enough, so when the right job comes up, maybe I’ll jump back into a station, but for now, it’s consultancy.
 
Since coming out from behind the Great Firewall of China I have been keeping busy.  I’ve been working with Steve Ahern (Ahern Media Training), presenting a variety of stakeholder engagement training courses for government and business.  Plus I’ve been writing stories for radioinfo, and even got a chance to speak and present at the recent Radio Asia conference in Myanmar, alongside Steve and CRA’s Joan Warner.  I’m also working on other overseas projects.
 
Until the right full time gig comes along, it’s radio consultancy for me.  Yes, it’s scary going out on your own, but I believe I have a great point of difference from some other consultants.  I have developed a great range of skills over my 20 years, and I know what I’m talking about.  I continue to learn and develop, and I love sharing my knowledge with others and helping people create great content.  But most importantly I have worked in Asia, I know the customs and cultures, and how to work with Asian radio professionals.  Asia is very different to Australia and takes a certain style of management, a style I have spent the last 10 years developing.
 
Let the journey begin.
 
www.topofmindmedia.com.au