A New Definition of Mentoring
April 30, 2010
By Nerida Gill, Admin Bandit
Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/alisdair / CC BY 2.0
Think “small business” and the idea of selling goods or services for profit immediately comes to mind. However, within a few months of establishing Admin Bandit, I realised that running your own business could be about far more than being my own boss and making (hopefully) a wheelbarrow load of money.
What could be better than that?
I had a lightning bolt moment when I participated in a business mentoring program through what is now Canberra BusinessPoint and not long after won a grant to see a private business coach.
Yes, I was still in business to become an entrepreneur and make a livelihood, but I realised my journey was not just about me as an isolated individual trying to get a business off the ground — I was part of a wider community comprised of other small business owners, government advisory services, private consultants, and an array of associations and peak bodies dedicated to supporting people like me.
And every single one was a potential wealth of information to help me grow.
For any ancient history fans, the concept of mentoring harks back to Homer’s The Odyssey, in which the heroic Odysseus (you may know him better by his Roman name, Ulysses) has a wise advisor and trusted friend named Mentor.
Let me suggest a new definition, one that is broader and more collaborative. What if I said mentoring is about engaging with the business community; that is, exchanging information, ideas and resources to the benefit of all involved?
I stress the word “exchanging” because I believe mentoring is a two-way street — just as you receive, it’s important to give. You may not realise it, but you have an abundance of experiences, ideas and skills to share … even providing a willing ear, a burst of humour during a tough time or leaving a comment on a blog is a form of mentoring.
My definition of mentoring leads to an enriched experience for all. Let’s face it, a mad dash for money does not bring happiness, but active and genuine participation in a business community results in better business practice, a sense of fulfillment and increased financial reward (hey, it has to come in somewhere).
I was part of a wider community comprised of other small business owners, government advisory services, private consultants, and an array of associations and peak bodies dedicated to supporting people like me.
What’s more … it’s fun. Given that small business owners in the start-up phase work up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, you might as well enjoy yourself!
Okay, it’s all very good to spout off theories of mentoring, but how does one actually get involved? Here are some easy ideas:
- Google search your local government-run small business advisory service and access their (often free) services, workshops and courses
- Join a club, organisation or peak body that represents your field … and actually go to the meetings and events
- Read blogs … and leave useful comments and click on related links
- Go to seminars, conferences, awards nights, openings, workshops and talks … and pluck up the courage to talk to people
- Become Facebook friends with people you admire, but always send a message first introducing yourself and explaining that you want to keep in touch with what they’re doing.
With any of the above, it goes without saying to carefully match mentoring activity not just with your business, but also with your values and personality — before you jump in, think about the qualities you’re looking for in an organisation, coach or trainee.
And finally, should you pay to be a mentor or to be mentored? For a well-respected professional consultant or business coach, my answer is “yes”. And for anyone else who freely gives of themselves and their time, write a personal “thank you” note, shout coffee or lunch while you gain their wisdom or send a small token of your appreciation afterwards.
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Nerida Gill - Admin BanditNerida Gill is the creator of Admin Bandit, a web-based accounting package designed specifically to make keeping the books easy for volunteer treasurers in community groups. After winning numerous business awards, Admin Bandit is in a growth phase after recently attracting external investment.
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Digital Marketer Aliza Sherman Talks Tech Tips
April 28, 2010
The Wall Street Journal said:
“It’s a man’s world out there in cyberspace – but not if Aliza Sherman has anything to say about it. Her mission: empower women and girls through technology.”
Fifteen years ago, and amazed with what the internet could do, then secretary Aliza Sherman took on board the possibilities that the internet provided, used her computer skills and started to empower others through the use of technology.
In this video interview with ‘the original Cybergrrl’ we look at:
- Why (15 years since the Wall Street quote) there is still a huge need for supporting women to use technology
- Podcasts – are they the right tool for your business?
- Who are blogs and podcasts most suited to?
- Why today’s tools allow us to be on our soapbox in new ways
- The tools Aliza uses to create her podcasts
- The question to ask yourself BEFORE you choose what publishing tool you’ll use
Resources mentioned in this interview:
About Aliza Sherman
Aliza Sherman is the Original Cybergrrl – an Internet thought leader, highly sought-after online marketing expert and passionate evangelist for the Internet, particularly as a valuable and useful tool for our personal and professional lives. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker who has spoken around the world about the Internet, social media, virtual worlds entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
Named by Newsweek as one of the “Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet,” Aliza Sherman is a Web pioneer, online marketing expert, published author, international speaker and regular contributor to national magazines and web sites.
Learn more about Aliza Sherman here:
Tune in to The Digital Marketer weekly podcasts
Featured Podcast: Music Industry’s PR Maven, Ariel Hyatt
April 27, 2010
After being fired Ariel decided she’d take her future into her own hands and started her business 15 years ago.
Her digital pr firm, Cyber PR, is based in New York. Cyber PR helps musicians and authors get the word out about their work as well as educating them about how to use social media to promote themselves.
In this interview Ariel explains:
- How has social media has changed the face of publicity
- Why the power of pr is now with the individual
- How to get PR even if you only have a small social network and
- Why a good idea works regardless of market conditions
Enjoy this interview with Ariel Hyatt.
About Ariel Hyatt
Ariel Hyatt is the founder of Ariel Publicity, a New York based digital PR firm who’s Cyber PR Campaigns place musicians and authors on blogs, podcasts, and Internet radio stations and helps facilitate authentic relationships with key Social Media makers and fans. Over the past 15 years Ariel Publicity has represented over 1,500 musicians of all genres.
Helping creative minds navigate the confusing world of Social Media and Online Marketing is her passion and several times a year, she leads sold-out online and in-person workshops for musicians and music industry professionals and her book: Music Success in Nine Weeks has helped hundreds of musicians do just that.
Her bi-weekly newsletter and weekly YouTube TV series ‘Sound Advice" has over 15,000 subscribers and she is regular blogger at MusicThinkTank.com
Ariel has been a guest speaker at SXSW, CMJ, The Future of Music, The ECMAs, NARAS, The BMI Music Panel Series, and The Taxi Road Rally, and dozens more.
She proudly serves on the boards of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, SoundCtrl, and she is on the advisory board for the New Music Seminar.
Sweet Relief is a non-profit that provides financial assistance to career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness or disability.
SoundCtrl is a music and technology event platform for the convergence of music and digital media that hosts educational events and panels for music industry professionals.
The New Music Seminar is the conference to attend if you are a musician or an industry professional interested in participating in the cutting, bleeding edge of thought leadership for the current music industry.
Website: arielpublicity.com
Blog: arielpublicity.com/category/blog
Follow Ariel on Twitter: @CyberPR
Fan Ariel Publicity on Facebook
Ask a Mentor: What aspect of business should I focus on?
April 27, 2010
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The inaugural question for the new Ask a Mentor series comes from Kate Barber of Big Steps Little Feet. |
Question
“Looking at my business and all the hats I wear, juggle and manage, what should I (wear) focus on and do really well? What should I do with all the other hats?”
Answer
by Megan Tough, Complete Potential
Great question Kate. There is more than one answer, depending on the stage your business is at, your long term goals and your role in the business. This is about getting a team around you that you can trust. Whether you employ them, contract someone to come in x times per week, or outsource – you need to establish this team so you can start removing some of the hats.
Which hat(s) should you focus on?
First – decide where you add the most value in the business. Is it in actual sales and business development? Is it in delivery of your product or service? Is it as true CEO where you focus on future direction and longer term growth while other people look after the day to day? Then think about your personal strengths. Do they match up with where you add the most value? Hopefully yes, so there is a clear benefit in you performing this high value-add activity (because you are best placed to do it). This is where you should be spending your time, once you have decided how to manage the other hats. Don’t just stop wearing the other hats immediately or something will fall through the cracks.
If you wear the same kinds of hats as other businesses, you might be involved in: Administration, technology/IT, marketing, business development, distribution/delivery, service.
In my view, the two hats you can take off most easily are administration and technology. After that, potentially marketing and distribution are easiest to remove.
Administration Hat
First of all, no matter how easy it is for you, doing your own administration is not value adding work. It sucks up time – time that could be better spent wearing other hats. And it doesn’t bring any revenue into the business. This is your number one activity to outsource. Stop spending time doing things like mail, email, filing, bookkeeping etc. It might force you to establish some solid procedures but this should be first on your outsource list.
IT/Technology
Nothing takes up more time than fooling around with technology when we aren’t specialists. The money you spend on hiring someone to support your IT/Network/Website is totally worth it. When you work out what your time is worth (and you are probably undervaluing it) you’ll find you are saving time and money.
Marketing
Get someone to help you with a solid marketing plan and strategy. Find a designer you like and trust and can communicate with virtually to save time.
Delivery/Distribution
If you are the prime deliverer of service, it’s time to document what you do and find other people to deliver it. It’s hard to expand beyond one person when you have to provide the service yourself.
If your business is in start-up phase and your funds are limited, you may be financially constrained in some respects.
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Megan Tough - Complete Potential Pty Ltd
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| Email: | megan@completepotential.com |
| Website: | www.completepotential.com |
| Phone: |
0412 500 663 |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/megantough |
| LinkedIn: | au.linkedin.com/in/megantough |
| Member Profile: | See Megan’s Member Profile |
To submit a question to Ask a Mentor, please email us your question.
3 Tips for New Business Success
April 27, 2010
By Yvette Vignando, www.happychild.com.au
I hope that headline got your attention. It was meant to. I’m learning so much as I get closer to launching my long-awaited website. Here are three business philosophy tips from me to you.
1. Keep Your Eyes on the Goal
Last week I had a Skype conversation with colleague Emma Lo Russo. We chatted about the inevitable obstacles that arise when starting a new business. I said “If it wasn’t for my absolute passion and commitment to being a catalyst for change in the area of kids’ social and emotional education, I would have given up sobbing long ago”.
The number of obstacles that have been thrown my way have been numerous. They’ve included: building a website that was never going to work, insufficient funds, ever-changing parameters when dealing with third parties, uncooperative technology, personal and family challenges and of course the universal ones of sheer exhaustion and not enough hours in the day.
Wisely, Emma referred me to a quote from Henry Ford “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Then this week I listened to the ABN webinar by Daniel Pink about motivation. The webinar confirmed that one of the most effective and powerful motivators is an internal desire to do something of service.
So, that’s my number one tip for new business success – if the entrepreneur behind it keeps her focus on the goal, and is motivated by much more than the usual external rewards (e.g. money), then it’s so much easier to overcome and work through obstacles.
And here are two more important success factors that I think make a new business more likely to succeed. I hope they help you maintain your optimism and determination.
Photo courtesy of Claire Bloomfield at www.freedigitalphotos.net
Photo courtesy of Claire Bloomfield at www.freedigitalphotos.net
2. Be a Lighthouse, Not a Weathervane
This phrase comes from one of my favourite inspirational books – The Other 90%; How to Unlock Your Vast Potential for Leadership & Life by Robert Cooper. The message is that each of us should live according to our own set of values. Cooper writes:
“When our individual values don’t fit with the life we’re leading or the direction we’re moving, we withhold our best and feel empty or stressed. Like those around us, we may soon be likened to a weathervane, going whichever way the wind blows.”
If, on the other hand, we live like a lighthouse then we are shining our own special light on ourselves and others as we walk our chosen path in life.
I try to concentrate on my values and my strengths and show them in how I build my business and how I deal with other people. Because I’m always eager to read more information, it’s easy to become a victim of “bright shiny object” syndrome and want to try every new piece of advice or technology that comes my way. I think that having clarity about my own values keeps me committed to my work and allows me to choose initiatives that are most likely to contribute to the success of my business.
3. Learn from Other People’s Mistakes
I think this is really powerful. I have learned so much from talking to other entrepreneurs and from reading about other business people. Reading business biographies, blogs and links on Twitter has helped me to avoid making some costly decisions when planning my new business.
Here is a post that I really like. It will give you some good examples of what I’m talking about here: ‘7 Teeth-Gnashing Mistakes I Made as an Entrepreneur’.
And here is one more ‘The Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Starting a Business’.
Do you have any other tips for me? Please post them below and share them with all of us.
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Yvette Vignando - www.happychild.com.auYvette is pursuing her passion – to take action that helps children develop great social and emotional skills as a foundation for a happy and successful life. Formerly a lawyer and then successful executive coach specialising in Emotional Intelligence, Yvette was encouraged by her experience of MentorNet to launch her business – a website for parents that publishes practical and engaging information about raising children with emotional intelligence. Yvette looks forward to sharing the challenges and successes of her experience as she navigates her way through the adventures of launching a website, and tackles online sales and marketing, an evolving business plan, and the growing universe of social media. Yvette hopes that by following her personal and professional development as an entrepreneur you will also be inspired to follow your passions.
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Ask A Mentor Contributors
April 23, 2010
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Megan Tough - Complete Potential Pty Ltd
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| Email: | megan@completepotential.com |
| Website: | www.completepotential.com |
| Phone: |
0412 500 663 |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/megantough |
| LinkedIn: | au.linkedin.com/in/megantough |
| Member Profile: | See Megan’s Member Profile |
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Linda McDonald - Corporate Learning
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| Phone: | 02 9416 1576 |
| Email: | linda@corporatelearning.com.au |
| Website: | www.corporatelearning.com.au |
| LinkedIn: | au.linkedin.com/in/lindajunemcdonald |
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Simon Winfield - Planet WholesomePlanet Wholesome are a consultancy focussing on corporate strategy, with the aim of identifying both strategic opportunities as well as possible risks to the business resulting from climate change. Simon Winfield has over 20 years experience working with investors and corporates in evaluating corporate strategy which can help mentornet members in identifying their key competitive advantage.
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Anna Kyriacou - AKA Group
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| Email: | anna@akagroup.com.au |
| Website: | www.akagroup.com.au |
| Phone: |
1300 668 280 |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/akagrp |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/akagroup |
| Member Profile: | See Anna’s Member Profile |
Win, Lose or Synergise?
April 23, 2010
By Cat Matson, Alito
The news has been dominated of late with the Prime Minister’s discussions about health reform … or more accurately, with his attempts to ‘win-over’ the Premiers during heavy-duty negotiations.
Watching the commentary about these negotiations got me wondering … why does he think he needs to ‘negotiate’ a reform system that he obviously thinks is in the best interest of the country? Why is it not a discussion or facilitation or think-tank?
Unfortunately his approach reflects, I think, our adversarial approach to power – not only in federal and state politics, but also in business. As business owners, we often think we need to negotiate with our staff, and negotiate with our suppliers … and goodness knows, our customers and clients often think they need to negotiate with us to get the best deal.
The problem with this approach is it pits the parties against each other … in some kind of competition where someone will win, and someone will lose. Or, if you subscribe to the notion of win-win, where someone will win ‘more’ and the other party will win ‘less’.
What would happen in business if we stopped ‘negotiating’ and started ‘co-creating’?
- There’d be less conflict
- Entering into what is currently seen as ‘difficult’ conversations would be less stressful
- We might create solutions that we hadn’t considered before
- We might actually create something bigger, better, more effective or more enjoyable for everyone
- Synergy
Yes, I appreciate that such a utopian approach isn’t always possible … but I suspect it’s possible more often than we think. Business isn’t really about ‘us vs them’ (whoever the ‘us’ and ‘them’ are) – rather everyone is trying to do their best … to do their best.
If we stop thinking adversarially and start thinking collaboratively … wow, the possibilities are literally quite breathtaking.
Have you been thinking ‘us vs them’ in your business? What would happen if you shifted that thinking?
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Cat Matson - Alito
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| Phone: | 07 3289 7055 |
| Email: | cat@alito.com.au |
| Website: | www.alito.com.au |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/catmatson |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/AlitoFusion |
| LinkedIn: | www.linkedin.com/in/CatMatson |
| Blog: | www.alito.com.au/blog |
| Member Profile: | See Cat’s Member Profile |
The Etiquette of Making a Job Offer
April 22, 2010
By Kristy-Lee Johnston, Footprint Recruitment
Given that I spend much of my day talking to employers and job seekers about their current job placement activities, I guess I hear more than my fair share of – let’s call them interesting – approaches to the process.
One example which came across my desk just this morning sparked me to thinking that perhaps as a culture we are losing our touch when it comes to dealing with candidates during the application process.
We had a candidate call our office in quite a fluster wanting some advice about a position which he had applied for with a local company. His feedback was that he received a job offer from them via SMS! Furthermore the SMS came through at 8am on a Saturday morning offering a substantially lower salary than had been discussed at interview.
Discussing it in the office, our immediate response what WHAT? A text to offer a job? At what stage did that become appropriate? The candidates’ response was fairly equal to ours; he called us to get some advice because he had concerns about the professionalism of the company if this was their approach.
Let’s put aside the time and day of the message, realistically not many people will care if a job offer comes to them outside of work hours. And in regards to the salary discrepancy, sure everything is up for negotiation. But this brings me to my bigger point – isn’t this all something better discussed over the phone?
I wonder how that employer would have felt if this candidate sent a text to him at 8am on a Saturday to say ‘I would like to apply for the job’, I am doubtful he would have been taken too seriously.
The reason for all of this really comes down to preserving your company reputation in the marketplace.
So where do we draw the line between what’s appropriate and what’s plain rude when dealing with job offers? These basic rules will help keep you in good stead:
- If a candidate has made the effort to come in and meet with you for an interview, it is appropriate to advise them if they have been unsuccessful via a phone call, or detailed e mail at the very least. A generic letter just shows the candidate that you did not value their time and effort in the process.
- Candidates who have been interviewed are entitled to some feedback as to why they haven’t been successful. I urge you to use caution here and not open yourself up to any anti-discrimination actions, but certainly telling them about the experience and skills the successful candidate had that perhaps they were lacking in might be most suitable.
- If you are going to offer someone a job – pick up the phone! Even if it is a brief call to let them know you are forwarding them something more formal via e mail. It gives you a chance to judge their reaction to the offer, ask any questions of you, and will demonstrate to you their overall enthusiasm for the role. Above all it shows them that you really want them on the team, having made the effort to pick up the phone and talk to them personally.
- Advise all unsuccessful applicants. I know this can be time consuming but the benefit to your company’s reputation is immeasurable. A simple generic e mail is typically fine for those applicants who were not short listed for interview.
The reason for all of this really comes down to preserving your company reputation in the marketplace. Like with any form of customer service, we all tell more people about a bad experience than a good one, so when you next advertise a role, you would hate your ideal applicant to chose not to apply because of how a friend, colleague or family members was treated during the selection process previously.
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Kristy-Lee Johnston - Footprint Recruitment
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| Phone: | 02 4367 5500 |
| Email: | kristy@footprintrecruitment.com.au |
| Website: | www.footprintrecruitment.com.au |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/footprintcc |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/footprintrecruitment |
| LinkedIn: | au.linkedin.com/in/kristyleejohnston |
| Member Profile: | See Kristy’s Member Profile |
MentorNet Mentoring and Training Program Wins Award
April 21, 2010
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s MentorNet mentoring program has won a Platinum Award for Best Mentoring or Coaching program at the prestigious LearnX Asia Pacific 2010 E-Learning and Training Awards.
MentorNet provides women business owners with six months of business skills training and small-group mentoring.
Mentors (men or women with over five years business experience) provide mentoring to women business owners following a structured and planned approach to business building. The program covers business-skills development training, mentoring and peer collaboration. Subject-matter experts facilitate educational webinars (web seminars) to deliver business-skills training.
As a result of participating in the program mentors and mentorees expand their national networks and make contacts that can provide ongoing support after the completion of the program. The role of the mentor and peer collaboration increases the feedback, commitment and accountability of meeting these targets.
The program was launched in January 2007 and remains the only national mentoring program ever launched and certainly the first to use today’s web and digital technology to deliver education and mentoring. MentorNet uses a combination of online classrooms, blogs, podcasts, a web-community and virtual meetings to provide structured skills training and mentoring to businesswomen.
“We are delighted to have the MentorNet program recognised. MentorNet will continue to provide support to businesswomen in all parts of Australia through its use of technology and innovation.” said Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.
More details about the program as well as Mentoree success stories can be found here.
MentorNet Wins Best Mentoring Program
For more information:
Phone: 1300 720 120
Suzi Dafnis
Community Director
Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Protect you (and your staff) this winter
April 20, 2010
By Catherine Pritchard, Radiance Healthcare Centre
Winter is almost here and for some that equates to a merry go round of colds, flu, antibiotics and time off work.
If you are having antibiotics more than once every five years then your immune system needs some TLC!!
Through the use of specific nutrients and herbs it is possible to boost your immune system and avoid antibiotics this winter.
Whilst antibiotics have their place, it is the overuse of antibiotics that can weaken your immune system in the long term. Research now shows that antibiotics also kill the good bacteria that live in your bowel that have been found to be responsible for 70% of your immune system.
If you are prone to frequent colds or flu then it is important to get to the cause of why your immune system isn’t effectively on surveillance. Through the use of specific nutrients and herbs it is possible to boost your immune system and avoid antibiotics this winter.
Where to start
If you are working long hours, have a history of long term antibiotic use, are prone to colds and flu or are just generally run down then the following nutrients could make a big difference to your health and wellbeing this winter.
Zinc
A mineral that is key to the optimal function of your immune system. Australian soil is deficient in zinc so many people do not have enough zinc in their diet. Foods rich in zinc include egg yolk, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms and oysters. Dosage will depend on the person so ideally consult a practitioner to get the right dose for you.
Vitamin C
One of vitamin C’s key functions is to give your white blood cells fuel to fight bacteria and infection. Take a 1-2 grams /day as maintenance to keep your immune system in good condition.
Andrographis paniculata
One of my favourite herbs when it comes to knocking a cold or the flu on it’s head as it has a long history for use in bacterial and viral infections.
Multi vitamin
Take a good quality multivitamin every day. You will be amazed what this alone can do for your immune system.
Probiotic
These are the “good bugs” that are responsible for the function of around 70% of your immune system. Take a good quality one that is kept in the fridge to help boost your immune system in the long term.
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Catherine Pritchard - Radiance Healthcare CentreCatherine is a scientific naturopath who is experienced in working with business women to increase their energy, motivation and productivity. Her innovative programs are based on the latest research and incorporate simple dietary changes so that you can get the most out of each and every day. Prior to commencing her career as a naturopath almost 10 years ago, Catherine was an industrial chemist in an oil refinery. Her scientific background caused her to seek out the latest technology to assess your health, energy and vitality. In conjunction with a thorough assessment, these state of the art tests allow her to personally prescribe you the most suitable nutrients that will make the greatest impact on your health and wellbeing.
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