Increase Your Visibility – How to build your personal brand through networking, social media and publicity
September 3, 2010
National – 20 October
Increasing your visibility is a key goal for many business owners. It’s been said that who knows you is more important than who you know. So, how do you increase your visibility while maintaining your credibility?
Join us on 20 October when for a new webinar where we’ll explore how to raise your profile, both online and offline, without spending a fortune.
Event Details:
Increase Your Visibility - National
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Wednesday, 20 October 2010 10.15am for 10.30am – 11.30am AEST Your home or office. ABN Members – $0 – FREE Non-Members – $39 (*members: login to get your member discount.) Not a member? Join now and save all year. |
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Note: You will need internet access and a headset with microphone. Fee includes tuition. Call costs may apply if you do not use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a web-based seminar. To participate you will need high-speed internet and a USB headset (with microphone). Instructions will be sent to you on receipt of your registration.
Not a member?
Join today and you save hundreds of dollars each year on workshops designed to help you be more successful as a businesswoman. Membership is less than $1 a day! Learn More about Membership Now
Is this event right for you?
This event is suitable for women in all stages of business.
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The StartUp Success Webinar SeriesThis event is part of the StartUp Success series of webinars which are free to all members of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. For details on the benefits of Membership take a look at ourMembership Comparison Chart. For details on other webinars – see the Events section on our website. |
What’s Next?
Register through our secure online shopping system. Upon registration you’ll receive confirmation of your attendance. If you have any questions you can send us an email or, call 1300 720 120. If you are a member, remember to login to get free entry.
Happy At Work – Strategies for a more engaged, productive work life.
September 2, 2010
National – 21 September
If you ask people what they want more of in life, often the answer will somehow relate to happiness.
Happiness at work is not only an option, but a primary goal for many of us. But how do we maintain a high mood level when we’re crushed for time and managing deadlines and business pressures.
Dr Timothy Sharp is one of Australia’s leaders in the exciting new science of Positive Psychology and he’s our guest speaker on 21 September. During a one-hour webinar we’ll look at:
- A powerful approach to creating personal happiness
- Simple daily practices that will perk up your mood
- Ways to spend your time doing what you love and loving what you do
- How to enhance the life you live
- Strategies for creating and maintaining a more positive mind
- The keys to better relationships
We also know that happy workers are more engaged and satisfied, they get on and collaborate better with colleages and clients and ultmately, they’re more productive. So, we’ll look at how to support our teams and colleagues in the pursuit of happiness. And, how to create happy work environments.
Guest Speakers:
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Dr. Timothy Sharp - The Happiness InstituteDr. Sharp has three degrees in psychology (including a Ph.D.) and an impressive record as an academic, clinician and coach. He runs one of Sydney’s largest clinical psychology practices, a highly regarded Executive Coaching practice, and is the founder & CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of The Happiness Institute, Australia’s first organisation devoted solely to enhancing happiness in individuals, families and organisations. |
Event Details:
Happy at Work - National
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Tuesday, 21 September 2010 10.15am for 10.30am – 11.30am AEST Your home or office. ABN Members – $0 – FREE Non-Members – $39 (*members: login to get your member discount.) Not a member? Join now and save all year. |
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Note: You will need internet access and a headset with microphone. Fee includes tuition. Call costs may apply if you do not use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a web-based seminar. To participate you will need high-speed internet and a USB headset (with microphone). Instructions will be sent to you on receipt of your registration.
Not a member?
Join today and you save hundreds of dollars each year on workshops designed to help you be more successful as a businesswoman. Membership is less than $1 a day! Learn More about Membership Now
Is this event right for you?
This event is suitable for women in all stages of business.
|
|
The StartUp Success Webinar SeriesThis event is part of the StartUp Success series of webinars which are free to all members of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. For details on the benefits of Membership take a look at ourMembership Comparison Chart. For details on other webinars – see the Events section on our website. |
What’s Next?
Register through our secure online shopping system. Upon registration you’ll receive confirmation of your attendance. If you have any questions you can send us an email or, call 1300 720 120. If you are a member, remember to login to get free entry.
Tax Concessions revealed as the main draw card for businesswomen to reduce environmental impact
September 1, 2010
More than two fifths (43 per cent) of Australian business women reported that tax concessions are a key factor in reducing the environmental impact of their business, according to a survey released today by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN).
The survey conducted by ABN, a national community of nearly 20,000 businesswomen, is based on the responses of 395 participants and focuses on businesswomen’s views on social, environmental, political and other topical issues impacting women.
According to Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of ABN, minimising environmental impact is a high priority for small business as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“Our survey reveals that 23 per cent of Australian Businesswomen said that education and knowledge is a key factor in reducing the environmental impact of their business and 29 per cent said financial incentives in the form of grants would support them.
Just three per cent of women said penalties would encourage them to minimise their environmental impact.
“Our findings reveal that although minimising environmental impact is a priority for female small business owners, compensation through tax rebates or financial incentives would best assist them to meet obligations. The findings also reveal that businesses could also be better educated about how they can minimise their carbon footprint,” said Dafnis.
Other key findings of the research:
- The highest proportion of participants, more than two fifths [42 per cent] reported that they were not sure if the National Broadband Network would increase their productivity. 31 per cent of women surveyed were not optimistic with just 28 per cent saying they were optimistic.
- The overall confidence of business growth was positive with 23 per cent reporting that they expected their business to increase significantly and 39 per cent reporting that they expected their business to increase marginally.
- Nearly three quarters of Australian business women are using social media as part of their marketing strategy.
- Interestingly, 13 per cent of businesswomen are using social media tools for more than 50 per cent of their marketing initiatives.
The results of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Quarterly Index were analysed and compiled by Tribe Research. www.triberesearch.com.au . This is the first ABN Quarterly Survey.
It was hosted in June 2010 and is an ongoing research project which will be undertaken by the ABN every quarter.
About the Australian Businesswomen’s Network
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network is the peak organisation supporting women in business to provide them with the skills to start, manage and grow their business. With over 20,000 members, the ABN caters to the largest community of women business owners and entrepreneurs in the country. The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides training and mentoring for women across Australia. Its advocacy initiative, herVoice, was created in response to numerous requests for the ABN to take a leading role in public policy development, advocacy and lobbying on issues relating to Australian businesswomen and female entrepreneurs. For more information visit: www.abn.org.au
This media release was prepared by Espresso Communications. Espresso Communications prides itself in bringing a distinct flavour to the way they connect with stakeholders and a fresh approach to communications. Espresso Communications fills a gap in the market place by offering clients the breadth of skills of a large agency, without the overheads. Visit their website for more details: – www.espressocomms.com.au or call 02 9909 113.
42 per cent of Australian Businesswomen unsure if the NBN will increase productivity
August 31, 2010
Despite the Government’s plan to invest more than $43 billion to build the National Broadband Network, more than two fifths [42 per cent] of Australian business women reported that they were not sure if the NBN would increase their productivity at work, according to a survey released today by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN)
The survey conducted by ABN, a national community of nearly 20,000 businesswomen, is based on the responses of 395 participants and focuses on businesswomen’s views on social, environmental, political and other topical issues impacting women.
According to Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of ABN, increasingly business is being carried out online and therefore small businesses rely heavily on the use of the internet everyday for their business to run smoothly and efficiently and progress new opportunities via the internet.
“These figures reveal that although small businesses rely heavily on the internet it is unknown whether faster internet speeds will actually lead to increased productivity. There is naturally a lot of uncertainty about how the NBN will be rolled out given the election, but the research (which was conducted prior to the election campaign) shows that about a 31 per cent of respondents were uncertain as to how they would apply any benefits, another third (28 per cent) were very optimistic about its impact,” said Dafnis.
Other key findings of the research:
- Tax concessions were reported by more than two fifths of the participants as the main incentive to reduce the environmental impact of their business.
- The overall confidence of business growth was positive with 22 per cent reporting that they expected their business to increase significantly and 39 per cent reporting that they expected their business to increase marginally.
- Nearly three quarters of Australian business women are using social media as part of their marketing strategy.
- Interestingly, 13 per cent of businesswomen are using social media tools for more than 50 per cent of their marketing initiatives.
The results of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Quarterly Index were analysed and compiled by Tribe Research. www.triberesearch.com.au . This is the first ABN Quarterly Survey. It was hosted in June 2010 and is an ongoing research project which will be undertaken by the ABN every quarter.
About the Australian Businesswomen’s Network
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network is the peak organisation supporting women in business to provide them with the skills to start, manage and grow their business. With over 20,000 members, the ABN caters to the largest community of women business owners and entrepreneurs in the country. The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides training and mentoring for women across Australia. Its advocacy initiative, herVoice, was created in response to numerous requests for the ABN to take a leading role in public policy development, advocacy and lobbying on issues relating to Australian businesswomen and female entrepreneurs. For more information visit: www.abn.org.au
This media release was prepared by Espresso Communications. Espresso Communications prides itself in bringing a distinct flavour to the way they connect with stakeholders and a fresh approach to communications. Espresso Communications fills a gap in the market place by offering clients the breadth of skills of a large agency, without the overheads. Visit their website for more details: – www.espressocomms.com.au or call 02 9909 113.
Social Media Drives Marketing Strategies for 75 per cent of Business Women
August 30, 2010
Nearly three quarters of Australian businesswomen are using social media as part of their marketing strategy, according to a survey released today by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN).
The survey conducted by ABN, a national community of nearly 20,000 businesswomen, is based on the responses of 395 participants and focuses on businesswomen’s views on social, environmental, political and other topical issues impacting women.
According to Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of ABN, social media tools such as Twitter and LinkedIn are firmly established as an important component of a business’ marketing strategy.
“Our survey reveals 41 per cent of respondents use social media for 10 – 25 per cent of their marketing strategy and 13 per cent use it for 26 – 50 per cent of their marketing strategy.
Interestingly, 13 per cent of businesswomen are using social media tools for more than 50 per cent of their marketing initiatives. This really tells us that social media is providing Australian businesswomen with a low cost and accessible means to reach the wider community,” said Dafnis.
Other key findings of the research:
- Tax concessions were reported by more than two fifths of the participants as the main supporter for them to reduce the environmental impact of their business.
- The overall confidence of business growth was positive with 23% reporting that they expected their business to increase significantly and 39% reporting that they expected their business to increase marginally.
- The highest proportion of participants, more than two fifths [42%] reported that they were not sure if the National Broadband Network would increase their productivity. 31 per cent of women surveyed were not optimistic with just 28 per cent saying they were optimistic.
The results of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Quarterly Index were analysed and compiled by Tribe Research. This is the first ABN Quarterly Survey. It was hosted in June 2010 and is an ongoing research project which will be undertaken by the ABN every quarter.
About the Australian Businesswomen’s Network
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network is the peak organisation supporting women in business to provide them with the skills to start, manage and grow their business. With over 20,000 members, the ABN caters to the largest community of women business owners and entrepreneurs in the country. The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides training and mentoring for women across Australia. Its advocacy initiative, herVoice, was created in response to numerous requests for the ABN to take a leading role in public policy development, advocacy and lobbying on issues relating to Australian businesswomen and female entrepreneurs. For more information visit: www.abn.org.au
This media release was prepared by Espresso Communications. Espresso Communications prides itself in bringing a distinct flavour to the way they connect with stakeholders and a fresh approach to communications. Espresso Communications fills a gap in the market place by offering clients the breadth of skills of a large agency, without the overheads. Visit their website for more details: – www.espressocomms.com.au or call 02 9909 113.
Women in Business – A Community of Sharing
August 27, 2010
This story about the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s award-winning MentorNet program recently appeared in Switzer news. Mentor Leonie Jackson spoke of her experience supporting three women in growing businesses. You can read the story here. The 2011 MentorNet program starts in March.
Not sure if a mentor is the right solution for your business? Ask about our free 30-minute Are You Mentor-Ready consultation.
BOOKED for Lunch – Power Friending by Amber Mac – Free Webinar
August 27, 2010
National – 22 September 2010
When it comes to social media, whether it’s Facebook or Twitter or the latest video blog, the tools evolve quickly, the rules change rapidly, and the technology feels more and more complex. But making social media work for your company doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In Amber Mac’s compact yet thorough guide, Power Friending: Demystifying Social Media to Grow Your Business, she shows you how to effectively harness the online world to grow your business.
Join us on 22 September when Amber Mac takes part in BOOKED for Lunch - Free Webinars with the world’s leading business authors and thinkers.
BOOKED for Lunch Details:
Power Friending: Demystifying Social Media to Grow Your Business - National
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Wednesday, 22 September 2010 12.00pm to 1.00pm AEST approx. (Check your timezone.) Webinar, from the comfort of your home or office. Free |
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Note: You will need internet access to participate in this GoToWebinar. Call costs may apply if you do not use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Learn more about GoToWebinar.
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About the BookPower Friending: Demystifying Social Media to Grow Your Business - NationalWhether you’re a blogger, a small company, a well-known global enterprise, or an aspiring queen of the Internet, Amber Mac shows how to make the most of social networking tools, including:
This isn’t a book of abstract theories or complicated strategies. Mac writes from personal experience: she built a huge fan base through social networking. She also draws on real-life and up-to-date examples to give you the information you really need in order to establish and maintain credibility and meaningful relationships online. |
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About the AuthorAmber MacAmber MacArthur is a new media consultant, speaker, author, and journalist. As co-founder of agency MGImedia.ca, her team has managed social media initiatives for Tony Robbins, Canada Goose, Rogers, the American Dental Association, among other organisations. She is also an exclusive speaker with The Lavin Agency where she keynotes dozens of conferences across North America every year. As a new media journalist, she currently hosts Webnation on CP24, commandN.tv, and net@night with tech guru Leo Laporte. Amber’s book, Power Friending: Social Media Strategies to Grow Your Business, is now in stores. |
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About the BOOKED for Lunch Webinar SeriesThe BOOKED for Lunch webinar series are free lunch-time webinars that feature bestselling business authors and thinkers. Presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and GoToWebinar, these events are open to men and women who seek to expand their business education and to be inspired by thought leaders who will present new trends, big ideas and pose thoughtful questions. To participate, all you need is access to the internet. So, book yourself in for the next BOOKED for Lunch series and get ready for some powerful food for thought. |
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a web-based seminar. To participate, you need internet access. Instructions will be sent to you on receipt of your registration. This webinar is brought to you by GoToWebinar, Web events made easy. Visit GoToWebinar and start your free 30 day trial today.
What’s Next?
Register through our secure online shopping system. Upon registration, you’ll receive confirmation of your attendance. If you have any questions, you can send us an email or, call 1300 720 120.
IMPORTANT – LIMITED SPACES ON THE DAY
Your registration today indicates your intention to attend. This event is a free event. We therefore expect a percentage of those that register to not attend on the day. With this in mind, the ABN/Citrix GotoMeeting will oversell the event. We recommend you login early on the day (lines will open approximately 15 minutes before the webinar commences) for the best chance of securing your place. In the event that you arrive at a time when the capacity has been reached, you will not be able to attend the live session. You will, however, be sent a link to the recording of the webinar.
Does your marketing need a shakeup?
August 24, 2010
Right now I’m reading Marketing Lessons From the Grateful Dead, a new book by David Meerman Scott (author of bestseller “The New Rules of Marketing and PR”) and Brian Halligan (founder of Hubspot).
I’ve learned that:
- I should watch but don’t follow my competitors
- Create a unique business model
- Rethink my marketing department
- Experiment at least 20% of the time
My marketing DOES need a shakeup. NOT because I’m doing anything wrong, but because an innovative approach is what’s needed. And, the book has already given me tips on how to go about shaking things up.
David and Brian have taken the lessons learned from legendary band The Grateful Dead and made these lessons sing with examples from today’s innovative businesses.
The authors are my guests on BOOKED for Lunch, free webinars with the world’s leading business book authors and thinkers.
All the details are here and you can register for free. The session includes a LIVE Q&A where you can ask the authors how YOU can outmarket your competition.
I hope you’ll join me. Call 1300 720 120 to register or register online here.
BOOKED for Lunch are free webinars brought to you by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and GoToWebinar – Webinars Made Easy.
7 Career Myths about Women
August 24, 2010
By Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Why aren’t more women in leadership positions? Why is it, despite there being more women in the workforce than men, there are so few at the top of the corporate ladder?
Women on Boards, an organisation that champions the advancement of women into leadership and board positions recently held a breakfast at which this subject was the topic of discussion.
One of the speakers, Catherine Fox, Deputy Editor of Australian Financial Review’s BOSS magazine presented on the 7 Career Myths.
Below are two parts of a video interview in which we explore these myths and look at why they continue to justify the less-than-equitable state of business in Australia.
Part 1
Part 2
And, below you’ll find a summary of her 7 career myths.
See Catherine Fox Speak at Nice Girls Finish Second
Catherine is part of the panel of speakers at the Nice Girls Finish Second debate which will be held in Sydney on Friday, 27 August. Presented by AIM NSW, the event is a light-hearted and irreverent clash of the minds over fine wine and great food with some of Australia’s leading businesswomen (and a couple of men). Call AIM NSW on 1300 551 776 to register, and quote AIMABN when you book to receive a special ABN price. You can find more details here.
7 Career Myths
1. Work hard and you will be rewarded – workplaces are meritocracies
Most of our business senior ranks are men of a certain age. Meritocracies are made up of people who are the best of what they do. While a natural level of talent exists, it’s not across our business.
It remains, though unfair, that:
- Women are often excluded from informal networks within companies
- Women put more importance on building relationships than men
2. The gender pay gap is grossly exaggerated
The gender gap is at 18% and has not changed in 20 years (calculated on hourly earnings of people doing the same jobs). It broadens the further up you go. Part of this is due to the types of work, the roles that women take on as their expertise. 50% of women work in just three areas.
3. Women have children and choose to lose their jobs or lose interest in their careers
This is a handy way of fibbing off problems about gender. US study shows maternity leave takes up only a couple of years for most women. We still don’t have a viable market of party time jobs so you get off the career track, unfortunately.
“The motherhood penalty” is a situation where mothers are rated as less competent, less committed and less favourable as hires. Catherine talked about a US study where applications for senior roles were discriminated against when the applications had two items changed on them. a) the gender and b) the parental status. That is, when the applicants seemed to be women who were mothers they were overlooked as suitable candidates.
4. If women just behaved more like men at work and stopped being so emotional they would succeed.
Not a good piece of advice. And if it had worked, would we not all be doing it? Women are typically penalised for being aggressive.
5. Programs and targets for women in the workplace are unnecessary and unfair
This is informally rife. We don’t have an equal paying field. What we do when we come together (as women) in this way learn how we can support each other.
6. Women are scarce at the top because there’s not enough of them in the pipeline.
60% of women of working age are employed. More women graduates coming out of schools. We need to look at why educated women are not going up in the ranks.
7. Time will heal all
That has not been proven. And, the longer that we fail to see women in leadership positions the more convinced some will be that women are not suitable for those positions.
Advice: Sharpen your pins and puncture the myths. Set the record straight.
Members Provide Support for Women in Developing Countries
August 23, 2010
Over a year ago the Australian Businesswomen’s Network raised funds to support entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva, an organisation that provides micro-loans. Members contributed donations through a silent auction and a series of business webinars. We recently reinvested the funds that had been repaid by those who had received our original funding. Here are the stories and profiles of the latest recipients of ABN member support.
I share their stories here to demonstrate the parallel between business owners in all countries. Our circumstances may differ (immensely) but our spirit and our goals are often similar. Education, inspiration and networking and connections are the common elements to our success regardless of our location.
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SAYDA MELANIA – STORE OWNER
Sayda Melania is married and has a small store in her home. Her sales provide her gratification since she has a considerable number of customers and satisfactory income. With the help of her husband, she has been able to move forward with determination, hard work, and dedication. Her loan requested will be granted so that she can buy basic grains, candy, detergents, bread, and cookies. Her wish is to increase the number of customers that she serves. |
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HILARIA – ARTISAN WOOL PRODUCTS
At 42 years old, Hilaria is the mother of two children who are already independent. She works selling artisanal products, which she distributes from her home. She is also learning about the production of these crafts in all their possible varieties so that she herself can create them and increase her profit margins. She began making woven wool products such as sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. Hoping one day to have a store, she plans to learn more about artisanal work and use the current loan to buy artisanal crafts to sell. Her biggest dream is to have and rent out her own store and a mototaxi. |
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LILA – BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Lila, 52, is an enterprising woman who works tirelessly to accomplish her dreams. She is single and lives with her sister in her sister’s home. For 4 years she has been selling beauty products, like her sister. The way she works is that she acquires the products from a well-known cosmetics company and offers them through catalogs to her friends and neighbors. They prefer these products because of their good quality and low price. Part of the advantage she has is that she knows the products well, and can suggest to the customers which cosmetics they should choose, and in this way she earns her customer’s loyalty.
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You can make a donation at kiva.org. Or, if you would like us to invest with Kiva on your behalf contact us at info@abn.org.au and we can include you with our next round of support.
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network community initiatives have raised over $40,000 in donations to support women around the world.
