Increase Your Visibility – How to build your personal brand through networking, social media and publicity

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

DATE: TIME: VENUE: PRICE:

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.

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 Series This 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.

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Happy At Work – Strategies for a more engaged, productive work life.

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:

Dr. Timothy Sharp - The Happiness Institute Dr. 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. Read more about Dr. Timothy Sharp.

Event Details:

Happy at Work - National

DATE: TIME: VENUE: PRICE:

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. Take a look at our 2010 educational webinar outline.

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 Series This 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.

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Business Continuity Plan for a Home-Based Business

By Yvette Vignando, www.happychild.com.au

The subject of organisational resilience and business continuity is not my area of expertise but through my executive coaching clients and colleagues I have learned some of the jargon and theory behind it. You may have heard of business continuity experts – they are people who advise businesses on anything from disaster recovery and insurance to identifying business outputs and risks to them, and how to keep revenue flowing if there is a disaster or crisis. A business continuity plan sets out how your business could recover from a disaster or a major disruption to its operations.

Lately I have been thinking that I should have my own business continuity plan – one that consists of more than just backing up my hard drive from time to time, when I remember. It might sound a bit too grand for a home-based business but I think that a home-based business is particularly vulnerable to catastrophic failure because it usually relies on a small number of people, a limited amount of critical technology and a small number of systems. A house fire, an illness, a house robbery or even a toddler or pet could cause permanent and catastrophic business disruption to most home-based businesses.

If you have not read my ABN blogposts before, I have recently started an online parenting magazine and I am currently running it from home. I have a small number of contractors and volunteers I rely on to develop my business and the vast majority of information I “own” is stored in computer hard drives in my office and in mysterious things called “servers” and ”hosts” on the other side of the world. So I have decided to add a business continuity plan section to my business plan.

For an overview of the elements of a business continuity plan, I found a simple guide on a Queensland Government website . I also found this very helpful pdf guide to Business Continuity Management from the South Australian Government.

It can be expensive to engage a business continuity expert but if you would like to find an expert in Australia, here are two places to look: Continuity Forum and The Australian Chapter of the Business Continuity Institute .

The essential areas that need to be covered are:

Prevention: what do you do now to prevent or reduce risks to your business?

Preparedness: what do you do now to make sure that you could quickly respond to and recover from a business disruption?

Response: when you are confronted with a crisis, what will you do to minimise its impact?

Recovery: what actions would you take to reduce the time it takes for your business to recover from a disaster?

So I have been thinking about my parenting website, the systems behind it, the people I rely on, the insurance I am choosing and the technology I use. I have spoken to a colleague who is an expert in this area and trawled the internet for information. You should consider getting professional advice on some of these individual issues but here’s a quick synthesis of what I have learned:

• Have a plan (and follow it) for regular back-up of your technology-based and hard-copy based information, systems and records. For a great example of what can go horribly wrong, read about Janet Beckers’ experience when her website host went missing.
• Work out where and how you would run your home-based business if your home was no longer available.
• Make sure that you are fully insured against all risks – that usually means comprehensive Professional Indemnity and Public Liability cover and making sure that your home insurance policy covers valuable items in your home office (e.g. your computers, software, cameras, phones). As part of this process, it’s a good idea to make an inventory of the items you own that would require replacement.
• Create a back-up of all the contact information you need for critical service providers to your business and store it off site and/or online in the technological “cloud”. (Some of this may be stored in your computer’s hard drive and some may be in items such as address books or business card folders, for example – and don’t forget to back up/regularly synchronise your mobile phone or PDA. Create a backup of your social media contacts, ‘friends’ and ‘followers’.
• If you have an e-commerce website – make sure that you have reliable back-up of all customer and order information.
• Try to set aside an amount of cash for an emergency; you may need to use it to replace items, obtain urgent services or pay for extra assistance from a consultant.
• Update your business continuity plan regularly and make it a part of your written business plan.

Looks like I have some work ahead of me!

MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY YVETTE VIGNANDO

• Can a Mumpreneur Really Crush It? 5 Tips to Myself.
• 3 Tips for New Business Success
• 5 Twitter Tips for Entrepreneurs

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Yvette Vignando - www.happychild.com.au Yvette 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. Phone: 02 9889 0999 Email: yvette@happychild.com.au Website: www.happychild.com.au Twitter: www.twitter.com/yvettevignando LinkedIn: View her Public Profile Member Profile: See Yvette’s Member Profile

Save Time – Get Help!

By Kristy-Lee Johnston, Footprint Recruitment

Spending the time to recruit properly is vital to the long term success of your business. The right staff will enhance your business and the wrong staff can cause irreparable damage to your reputation and productivity.

Recruiting staff will take between 20 and 24 hours – if not longer – to do yourself. Consider whether you have the time and, if you do, whether this is the best use of your time?

If in doubt, engage a professional!

Here is a detailed breakdown of how long recruitment can take with and without the help of a professional:

Task	Your Time Without Help	Your Time If You Have Help
Preparing Position Description	1-2 Hours	30-60 minutes
Researching advertising options	1-2 Hours	Nil
Writing advertisement	1 Hour	Nil
Total screening ad response time	1 Hour per 10 applicants (for the average role of 50 applicants = 5 Hours)	Nil
Short list to Top 10 applicants	1-2 Hours	Nil
Phone screen top 10	1-2 Hours	Nil
Coordinating 6 x 1st interviews	1 Hour	Nil
Interview 6 candidates	6 Hours	Nil
Short list to top 3	1-2 Hours	Nil
2nd interviews with top 3	3 Hours	3 hours
Do at least 2 references on top 3	1-2 Hours	Nil
Discuss decision	Up to 1 hour	Up to 1 hour
Offer successful candidate	10 – 30 minutes	10 Minutes
Advise unsuccessful applicants in writing	1 Hour per 10 applicants (for the average role of 50 applicants = 5 Hours)	Nil
TOTAL	21-35 Hours	5-6 hours

 

 

Now if you are having any doubts about the value of using a professional to help with your recruiting, think about this – if you had 20-30 hours to spare in your business – how much money could you make if you were doing the things you are great at, and the things that your business is successful for? I am sure your answer is at least twice whatever the cost is to hire some professional help.

Ok, so the numbers stack up, what should you be looking for when seeking help from a professional?

1. Do they usually recruit for these sorts of positions? If not, what skills, experience and knowledge are they bringing to the table which tells you that they can handle what you need?
2. Who else uses them? If you know your competitors are getting great staff from a particular supplier, likelihood is they can help you too! Ask for referrals and recommendations from other business that you know, or ask the Recruiter / HR Consultant for some references you can contact to discuss their service.
3. What service do they offer, does it provide value for money and what’s included? Not all service providers are the same, and there are many out there who promise the world and deliver nothing. Take the time to understand the processes they go through to find you that perfect person, and make sure they follow these processes.
4. Do they offer to come out and meet with you, to gain an understanding of you and your business needs? If they don’t offer, don’t invite them, and find someone else. A good Recruiter / HR Consultant wants to understand you and your business to ensure they find the right person.
5. Are they interviewing all candidates face to face? If they aren’t local to you, the answer is probably no – and if that’s the case what else are you paying them to do?
6. Are they providing copies of the references they have done, the testing the applicants complete and a thorough resume and interview feedback? If not, how can you be sure that they have followed the process they promised?
7. Do you trust them? Like all things it ultimately comes down to gut feel most of the time. Do you trust the consultant you are dealing with and do you believe they have your interests at heart?

MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY KRISTY-LEE JOHNSTON

• Does Your Staff Make Your Business Look Good?
• It Is What They Know, Not Who They Know
• Pay Peanuts – Get Monkeys?

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Kristy-Lee Johnston - Footprint Recruitment Kristy-Lee Johnston is the Director of Footprint Recruitment, a Central Coast based Recruitment and HR agency which is run by locals, for locals. Kristy’s background includes 10 years in Recruitment, as well as 10+ years in a broad range of other customer facing sectors. She possesses Post Graduate qualifications in Psychology, as well as a Masters in Human Resource Management. Kristy is passionate about bringing something unique to the recruitment sector in her local area and wants to see all businesses make the most successful staffing decisions they can. 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

Bouncing Back

By Cat Matson, Alito

I asked a group of managers today how they would describe ‘resilience’. Their respose was ‘how you bounce back’. We then proceeded to have a conversation about maintaining one’s resilience in times of change and stress.

I know from my own experiences of the last few years, resilience can be a resource that slowly wears down. I don’t ‘bounce-back’ as easily as I did 5 years ago, and the conversation got me wondering about we, as Business Leaders and busy women increase our bounce-back-ability.

Rest

For me, a key part of my diminishing ‘elasticity’ is in large part attributed to my new parenting role. My eldest turned five last month, my second and youngest is two and a half. There is rarely a night where I’m not interrupted at least once by at least one of them. The interruptions are short and easily dealt with now, but long gone are the days of a solid eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I’m also guilty of working late into the evening, largely because I want to and I find that I’m quite productive when I do. However this has a knock-on effect in terms of sleep. Late to bed, interrupted and still early-up to meet the day’s commitments. There’s no doubt more sleep would make the world of difference.

In addition to the sleep is of course just ‘down-time’. I know I’m not alone that as working parents (this is no longer a women-only issue) we are always ‘on’ and there is little opportunity for our own rest and rejuvenation. That of course impacts our resilience resources.

Network

Another contributor to our resilience I think is our ability to bounce ideas and share a common reality. Being a business owner can be lonely at times and there are often few people we can ‘unload’ to. This means thoughts, emotions and frustrations are often bottled up or, if you’re like me, continue in a monotous loop of random internal dialogue. If you’re going through a challenging time, this internal dialogue can have a very slow yet profound impact on your state of mind and therefore your resilience. I noticed in the group I was working with today, the very fact they came from the same organisation and had together experienced rapid change at least normalised their feelings, they were all a bit ‘battered and bruised’ but their resilience was as affected as people who go through such experiences on their own.

Physicality

We know the importance of diet, exercise and personal health and well-being. Nothing more needs to be said. Except that it is important for reasons other than our physical health. Our mental health is dramatically affected too. I know my resilience drops when my exercise drops so finding any time for exercise is important.

They’re my random ramblings about improving my own resilience, my mental notes-to-self about improving my ability to bounce-back. I’m therefore curious and keen to share – what do you do? What works for you?

MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY CAT MATSON

• Asking the *Right* Questions to Get the *Right* Answers
• What Every Business Plan Should Have (But Most are Missing)
• Half-Time Address

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Cat Matson - Alito Cat Matson ignites the performance of small business owners, their teams and ultimately their businesses through a range of robust mentoring, coaching and education programs. She is a strong advocate for practical, pithy and ‘real’ business advice and loathes the ‘one-size-fits-all’, ‘you-too-can-be-widely-successful-if-you-just-follow-OUR-system’ approach taken by many ’so-called’ business experts. Cat runs Alito with her husband Keith who provides synergistic and smart accounting expertise to their clients who enjoy having streamlined business advice across all key areas. When not working, Cat enjoys spending time with her two young boys and reading interesting business books and biographies. 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

BE The Difference!

By Lisa Murray, Revive Business Coaching / Bliss Tribe

Do you cringe every time you hear the words ‘What makes you different?’ Do you think ‘Oh no. I still have no idea what my niche is’?

Do the words ‘Unique Selling Proposition’ and ‘Point of Difference’ make you go weak at the knees because in your heart you just know that your business is a lot more ‘same same’ than different to your competitors?

Here’s three secrets that will give you relief from these miserable symptoms of business boringness.

1. Design Multiple Differences

Anyone can copy one or two points of difference – it is the unique combination of multiple factors that will actually make your business different. And the more out of the box and opinionated you are in promoting your differences, the stronger your brand will be… as long as your differences align with your customer’s requirements. So don’t go looking for one big impossible to find point of difference – go looking for 10 or 20 smaller ones that combined make you look like the company your customers have been waiting for!

Find out what they hate about your industry and fix it! Discover their pain points and go beyond their expectations! Use your constraints to create unheard-of solutions. And then be a curator: often it’s what you leave out that leaves the largest impression. Create a combination of differences that is impossible to copy!

2. Be Yourself

It’s common to see new businesses earnestly emulating their more established competitors. No-one is interested in swapping to a clone of their existing supplier. The risk is all on your clients side. In every industry there is space for a wide variety of ice-cream flavours – just because plain vanilla is popular, doesn’t mean all clients will choose it (and often the margins are smaller)! Have a good look at who your ideal clients are. Find the quirky twists that you enjoy and they appreciate and form your brand around these. You’ll create raving fans instead of dutiful dinosaurs – a much more progressive and profitable base to build a business on!

3. Engage Clients Creatively

Once you know how you’re different, show your clients the difference, rather than telling them. Allow your differences to shine through at the client touchpoints which have the most impact or influence. Be willing to be seen as different. When you start getting word of mouth clients regularly, media requests and hearing gossip about your business you’ll know your ‘be the difference’ strategy is working!

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Lisa Murray - Revive Business Coaching/Bliss Tribe Lisa Murray is an experienced business mentor who brings bliss back into your business. Her holistic, unconventional and creative strategies help small business owners design authentic, ease-filled and profitable businesses. Through her BlissTribe community, Lisa is a catalyst for business owners to choose a phenomenal, rich and joyful life without compromise! The sky is not the limit… there are no limits… unless you choose them! Lisa connects the dots for you… she is an idea generator, a sounding board, a skilled facilitator, a strategist, a problem solver and a contribution to the authenticity and potency of you creating the business you truly desire and deserve. What else is possible? Ask and you will receive!! Phone: 0404 063 513 Skype: lj.murray Email: info@revivecoaching.com.au Website: www.revivecoaching.com.au www.blisstribe.com.au Blog: Revive Coaching Blog Bliss Tribe Blog Twitter: www.twitter.com/revivecoaching Facebook: www.facebook.com/blisstribe LinkedIn: See Lisa’s Public Profile Member Profile: See Lisa’s Member Profile

BOOKED for Lunch – Power Friending by Amber Mac – Free Webinar

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

Date: Times: Venue: Price:

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 12.00pm to 1.00pm AEST approx. (Check your timezone.) Webinar, from the comfort of your home or office. Free

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.

About the Book Power Friending: Demystifying Social Media to Grow Your Business - National Whether 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: Targeting the right networks Feeding and seeding a community Authentically engaging with customers and fans Managing your online friendships on a daily basis and on a budget 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.

About the Author Amber Mac Amber 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 Series The 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. Read more about the BOOKED for Lunch webinar series.

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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.

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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.

How to Win Business Awards

By Nerida Gill, Admin Bandit

“And the winner is….”

These four words make me giddy, and not just from nerves or anticipation. Having won a few prestigious awards, I know just how powerfully they speak for your business. Whether from industry, government or peers, this kind of recognition boosts your credibility, corporate image and morale, not to mention provides free publicity and opens new doors.

Here are my tips for winning and capitalising on awards….

Be In It to Win It
Is there an enchanted awards fairy who waves her magic wand over deserving businesses? Fortunately, there is not. Any business can nominate for awards — all it takes is the motivation to address sometimes hefty written selection criteria.

Get yourself in the loop the find awards. Sign up for newsletters and regularly check the following resources:

• Federal, state and local government business portals and advisory services
• Peak bodies and industry associations
• Small business media, including trade magazines, websites and blogs
• Google search “industry awards” and the name of your industry.

Stick to the Rules
Judges are at the top of their fields — they’re busy, in demand and stuck reading a mountain of applications, with a cup of coffee as their only companion. What’s more, their time is donated, so make yourself easy to like:

• Only apply for awards that fit with your business and where you are in the business cycle.
• Answer the questions … don’t ramble or stray off topic. If you don’t know what a question really means, call the award host for help.
• Keep your answers clear and simple … give as much information as you can in as few words as possible, and always choose small words over big, bureaucratic ones.
• Stick to word limits. If none are given, keep to a page per question or, again, call that host.
• Be professional — keep formatting basic and consistent, and pay attention to spelling and grammar.

Show You’re the Best
The essence of an award application is to demonstrate why you should win. Let me scribble the phrase “demonstrate why” so big that you can see it from space!

You need to show the judges that you’re the best by providing specific examples, case studies and statistics. For instance, “Independent tests show our product is three times safer than competing products”, “Here’s how our partnership with XYZ charity shows our commitment to the community”.

Bang the Gong
Tell the whole world when you win! Undertake a publicity campaign, even if the award organisers also do one:

• Send a media release
• Add the award to your email signature and use the phrase “award-winning” in all future marketing materials
• Make announcements on your website, newsletter, Facebook and Twitter
• Celebrate with a sale, or a party for close friends, associates and VIP customers
• Frame or display your award in your premises.

Want evidence that even the smallest snippet of publicity works? Here’s an excerpt from my Facebook page after my friend Claire recently won an award:

Me: Congratulations Claire Connelly!
Friend 1: Why?
Me: Claire from Papercut was crowned Highly Commended
Business Woman of the Year by the ACT Chamber of
Women in Business.
Friend 2: I’m curious – what is Papercut? What an awesome name for
a business. Am Googling now.

You Don’t Have to Win to Grin
So you didn’t win … perhaps you weren’t even short-listed. There are still ways to make that application work to your advantage:

• Attend any associated award social events. Pack your handbag with business cards and schmooze at presentation ceremonies, cocktail parties and sit-down dinners.
• Send hand-written “thank-you” and “congratulations” cards to the organisers and winners … you never know what relationships might develop.
• Learn from the winner and other finalists. Chat in person or look at their marketing materials and website to see what they do that you don’t.
• Awards selection criteria usually relate to core business, so revisit your business plan and fill any gaps.

MORE GREAT POSTS BY NERIDA GILL

• Get Positive: 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Thinking
• Feed Your Business: 4 Delicious Lessons from Tuscan Food
• Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to Achieve Balance

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Nerida Gill - Admin Bandit Nerida 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. Phone: 02 6176 0030 Email: nerida@adminbandit.com.au Website: www.adminbandit.com.au Blog: adminbandit.wordpress.com volunteertreasurernetwork.blogspot.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/neridagill Facebook: See Admin Bandit’s Facebook Page LinkedIn: See Nerida’s Public Profile Member Profile: See Nerida’s Member Profile

Bridging The Generational Gaps in Your Workforce

By Caroline McAuliffe, ExeConnect

I believe all organisations benefit from a mix of generations making up their workforce but it could be argued that the older worker (boomer) is needed more than ever. Their experience and wealth of knowledge provides;

• a transference of invaluable knowledge between the generations;
• a transmission of your company’s purpose, vision and values to new hires;
• excellent mentors for younger employees;
• the know how and expertise to tackle ‘just in time’ special projects outside their usual roles, such as task forces or working committees.

Yet more of these workers are reporting to people younger than they are.

A recent survey conducted by a US Job Site for Mature Workers found that 43 percent of workers ages 35 and older said they currently work for someone younger than them. Breaking down age groups, more than half (53 percent) of workers ages 45 and up said they have a boss younger than them, followed by 69 percent of workers ages 55 and up. This survey was conducted from November 5 and November 23, 2009, among more than 5,200 workers.

This presents unfamiliar challenges that, if ignored, can prevent you from attracting, retaining, and engaging older employees.

Workers report that there are a variety of reasons why working for someone younger than them can be a challenge, including:

• They act like they know more than me when they don’t;
• They act like they’re entitled and didn’t earn their position;
• They micromanage;
• They play favorites with younger workers;
• They don’t give me enough direction.

Leaders that recognise the importance of employees working together to move the business forward, regardless of age, will continue to build success.

Leaders can help younger and older workers to recognise the value that each group brings to the table. By helping them look past their differences and focusing on their strengths, workers of any age can mutually benefit from those around them, creating a more cohesive workplace.

There are a few ways for organisations and younger managers to maximise the value provided by older workers. The key is in recognising that boomers’ needs differ from younger generations (Gen-X, Gen-Y and Millenials) and to adapt your management practices accordingly. A few suggestions:

Understand others’ point of view

Different generations tend to have differing opinions on a variety of topics, from management style to pop culture. Put yourself in the others’ shoes to better understand where they’re coming from.

Adapt your communication

Younger workers tend to favor communicating frequently using technology, such as e-mail and instant messenger. Older workers may prefer more face-to-face contact. Both parties should take this and other communication differences into consideration when interacting.

Keep an open mind

Try not to make assumptions about those who are of a different age group than you. All workers have different skill sets and strengths, so see what you can learn from others rather than making judgments based on their age.

Lead with mission

As employees age, they become more altruistic. Emphasize the positive impact of older workers’ efforts on the world around them.

Forge social connections

Many older employees keep working to maintain social relationships. Offer tasks that require interaction with others.

Provide different benefits

Tailor benefits or incentive schemes such as insurance programs or discounts on older workers’ interests. An emerging trend is for workplace wellness programs with a focus on older employees. Programs that educate older workers and help prevent complex and costly medical interventions help companies contain costs and enhance their employees’ quality of life.

Research

Research who your older workers are, what they want, and how to manage them for maximum value. Ask them what they value.

MORE GREAT POSTS BY CAROLINE MCAULIFFE

• Recruitment for Small Business Growth
• Greening Your Workplace and Skills
• Retaining Your Best People in Challenging Times

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Caroline McAuliffe - ExeConnect and Virtual Angels Caroline is currently founder and director of ExeConnect, a boutique firm specialising in assisting organisations to identify, develop and retain executive and senior management talent. Caroline is also, the founder and director of niche employment firm, Virtual Angels, specialising in the provision of virtual, part-time and permanent business support resources provided to SME clients using a flexible, economical and efficient “Pay as You Grow” model. Phone: 0415 623 122 Email: caroline@execonnect.com.au caroline@virtualangels.com.au Twitter: www.twitter.com/ExeConnectAu Blog: virtualangelsau.blogspot.com www.execonnect.com.au/blog LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/carolinemcauliffe Member Profile: See Caroline’s Member Profile

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