Webinars – the New Tool for Doing (Small) Business

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network has presented webinars (web-based) seminars since 2006. Today, more and more small businesses are finding that web-based meetings are a great way to connect with clients, to hold meetings and to do business. The Sydney Morning Herald’s recent article profiled our use of webinars for training and mentoring.

Not only does the ABN use webinars for its monthly web-based learning programs, but also for the platform to deliver much of the training and development in its MentorNet Mentoring program.

Why most companies get it wrong with Twitter

Unless you’ve been under a rock you know that the world is a-buzz with the sound of tweets. The early adopters are wondering what all the fuss is about (and possibly that everyone would just quit acting as though they discovered sliced bread) … but for those who are newbies there is still a big question about why/if they should join the Twitter Army and if so, how does it all work?

On a regular basis business owners ask me if they should join Twitter and if I can tell them how to use it to grow their business.

In this article in BRW magazine I tell why I think most business owners get it wrong when it comes to Twitter.

And, next month I’ll be teaching a class for our members on how to use this technology and communications marvel to grow their business. Details will be on our website from 1 June.

Hold the date: The webinar – Twitter for Business will be on 17 June at 10.30am AEST.

What do you most want to know about Twitter?

How will Twitter help my business? How do I get started with Twitter?

The world is a-flutter with news of microblogging site Twitter.  The early adopters are wondering what all the fuss is about (and possibly that everyone would just quit acting as though they discovered sliced bread) … but for the newbies there is still a big question about why/if they should join the movement and if so, how does it all work?

After many requests from members, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network will present a webinar on why and how to use Twitter to grow your business.

To help us tailor the message to your needs tell us what you’d like to know with this quick one-question poll.

How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business

Date: Wednesday 17 June
Time: 10.15am for 10.30am – 11.30am AEST (Check your local time here.)
Place: The comfort of your own home/office
Investment: ABN Members – Free, Non Members – A$39

Bookings open 1 June. Email us today to reserve your place.

Australia surviving GFC best – international poll

Last month, serviced office provider Servcorp asked 7,500 international businesspeople from more than 24 nations to identity which countries they believe are surviving the crisis best.

Both international and Australian businesspeople voted Australia first, followed by China and Singapore.

The top concerns of Australian businesspeople during the economic downturn were reported as being low morale in the media, followed by the Australian Government’s response to the crisis.

The full results can be obtained from ServCorp.

What makes your business perform at its best?

Many of us have been lucky enough (or have had enough experience) to know that the implementation of a process of system that makes some part of our business turn-key, saves time, money and resources.

Sometimes it’s the ‘boring bits’ that make a big difference to our business performance – the things that we know that, if we do them, improve our business performance.

For instance, while planning marketing may come easily to me – doing budgets is no thrill BUT it gives me a solid plan against which to measure my business performance. So, I do them.

I’m currently compiling the next issue of our newsletter [which is about the Boring Bits that Make a Difference] and would like to include YOUR answers to the question: .

What business processes/systems you have introduced to improve the performance of your business?

Tell us here.

Are you asking killer sales questions?

One of the greatest obstacles to sales is engaging your prospective buyer. For many years I was a reluctant sales person but quickly figured out:  No sales. No business!

The words you use with a prospect make a big difference. So, what do you ask to clarify if your product and service is what your prospect wants?

Ask killer sales questions that get results
In a recent Know-How Now! webinar, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advisory Board Member Leanne Griffiths suggested these killer, open ended, questions. (Leanne describes the search to find what it is that is really important to your prospect that your product/service will help them have/achieve/experience as ‘Digging for Gold’.)

Killer questions begin with:

• What…
• How…
• Why…
• What exactly did you mean by…

Each of these (and you can probably think of more) opens up the conversation and allows you to learn more about the buyer.

Other examples (that are not questions) include:

• Tell me about…
• Explain to me…
• Give me an example of…
• I’d like to understand more about when you said… or…

I have tried these questions/statements and they have effectively provided me with a better understanding of the other person and a better relationship with them.

What’s important to me about a sales situation is  ‘real’ conversations, openness and honesty and value in an exchange of time and energy, whether it results in a sale or not.

Try using one of these today and let me know what happens.

Easy to use time and wages templates for employers

If you employ staff, it makes sense to understand your obligations. Last week, while in a coffee shop, I picked up a postcard promoting www.wo.gov.au - the site for the Australian Workplace Ombudsman. The site has free templates to help employers manage time and wages records and pay slips, as well as employee details. You can also download fact sheets about key workplace relations issues.

I am very grateful for having a new lease on my business and on life

My biggest achievement from participating in MentorNet I think for me was surviving the rollercoaster ride of what it is to have a business and the personal journey has been quite significant.  Having the support of my Pod and my mentor has been outstanding and something that I could never have had without MentorNet.  I have a new lease on my business, a new lease on life, a new perspective.  I’m moving forward.

Sarah Ladyman
Relish This

New Public Consultation Paper – deadline this Friday.

herVoice has just been advised by our friends in Canberra that the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen,  released a public consultation paper last week entitled The Australian Consumer Law – Consultation on draft provisions on unfair contract terms

Interested parties are invited to comment on the draft provisions.

Closing date is this Friday, 22 May.

As  a political advocate from way back, herVoice does wonder why the timeframe is so tight…could there be any precious nuggets in there that the Govt or financial services industry are hoping to gloss over?

Moving on, if you’re interested in the subject and would like to comment,  please click on the link above, which will take you to the relevant page on Treasury’s website.

A report from the 2009 Global Summit of Women

The 19th Global Summit for Women opened today in Santiago, Chile with 28 Ministers – including the first woman Minister (for education) from Saudi Arabia!! We are indeed making progress.
Lead Specialist of the World Bank Group Gender Action Plan, Amanda Ellis sent me this report today. [Amanda and I and a few Australian Businesswomen's Network members attended last year's summit in Vietnam.]

Amanda Ellis | World Bank Group Gender Action Plan

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet formally opened the Summit to a standing ovation from a crowd of around 650, which is pretty good going given the current global financial and economic crisis. President Bachelet recapped some of the positive changes that have been enacted since she was elected Chile’s first woman President. These included:
•    significant increase (tripling) in childcare facilities
•    pension reform in favor of women
•    new code for labor practices taking into account women’s family responsibilities

As Summit President, Irene Natividad, underscored when presenting a leadership award to President Bachelet, she has never forgotten she is a woman as well as a presidebt, and has fought hard to level the playing field for women.

I presented an update to Ministers on the World Bank Group’s Gender Action Plan for women’s economic empowerment and gave a sneak preview of the Women’s Economic Opportunities Index we have been working on with the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Index compares over 100 countries on which provides the best business environment for women to be economically active. There are 6 sub categories, each of which have several components
•    Labour policy
•    Labour practice
•    Credit, property and tax
•    Education and training
•    Social customs and attitudes (these first five are all specifically relating to women)
•    General business environment

No prizes for guessing where the US and Australia currently rank on paid maternity leave!

  Tomorrow the business sessions kick off starting with moderated networking breakfasts.

Amanda Ellis, Lead Specialist World Bank Group Gender Action Plan

Thanks Amanda for keeping us updated on this inspiring event. We look forward to hearing more and to the release of the Women’s Economic Opportunities Index.

You can hear Amanda’s presentation on Social Entrepreneurship from the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Women’s Business Week webinar held in March. (Give the recording a few mins to get going…)

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