Are you ready to take your business to the next level?
December 15, 2011
MentorNet will help you get there!
Consider the Top 10 Benefits of the MentorNet mentoring and training program for businesswomen:
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Comprehensive Training in Core Business Skills |
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Over a six-month period (with a small time commitment of 1 to 2 hours per week), you will learn the core skills required for growing your business, including Business Planning, Finances, Marketing, Human Resources, Information Technology and Business Performance Management. |
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A Detailed Business Plan |
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Whether you already have a business plan or need help in formulating one, by the end of the program you will have a detailed plan that has been analysed and revised based on input from several trusted professionals. |
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Mentor and Peer Support |
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Over a six-month period (with a small time commitment of 1 to 2 hours per week), you will learn the core skills required for growing your business, including Business Planning, Finances, Marketing, Human Resources, Information Technology and Business Performance Management. |
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Increase Confidence |
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For many participants, the most valuable benefit of MentorNet is their increased sense of confidence as a business leader. Although it’s normal for novice businesswomen to second-guess their daily decisions, a lack of self-confidence often hinders progress. With the clear direction and assurance provided by MentorNet, you can forge ahead with confidence. |
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Maximise Profit |
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A line-by-line review of your budget will eliminate waste and maximise profitability. And don’t worry about privacy when it comes to your budget; all mentors sign a confidentiality agreement. What happens in MentorNet stays in MentorNet. |
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Overcome Obstacles |
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Sometimes all it takes is a fresh point of view to solve long-standing problems (and sometimes we don’t recognise our problems until others point them out). Expert advice from industry leaders and experienced mentors will help you to overcome all obstacles to business growth. |
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Never Leave Your Desk |
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The pioneering MentorNet program was designed for your convenience. Using our innovative web applications, you can view presentations and webinars, interact with mentors and peers, and advance through your training modules — all from the comfort of your home or office! |
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Cutting-Edge Technology |
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As long as you have the Internet, then you’ll have access to our interactive webinars, teleconferences, and MentorNet resources (templates, checklists, private MentorNet website) that will keep you up-to-date on best practices in all areas of business. |
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Community Building |
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Collaboration is key to MentorNet. You will not only collaborate with your mentor and peers, but you will also become part of a larger community of like-minded businesswomen. Many participants leave the program with invaluable contacts for future vendors, employees, or partners. MentorNet makes networking easy. |
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Prepare for Growth |
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MentorNet is much more than a guide for establishing your business. Growth is the goal. By the end of the program, you will be ready to take your business to the next level! |
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You will study the best practises in marketing, business planning, finances, human resources, technology and business development (learning from expert presenters) in a collaborative program designed specifically for women business owners.
The 2012 MentorNet program starts 12 June.
Applications are now being accepted. Learn more about the program here.
ABN Members save a significant amount of $$$ towards their MentorNet tuition.
Not sure if you’re MentorNet ready?
Register now for a free consultation to find out if the program is right for you.
Watch the Me & My Mentor information session webinar.
Alycia Edgar Helps Business Owners Reach ‘Systems Nirvana’
November 10, 2011
Member Alycia Edgar is making the news with her business program Bizfficiency.
Systems can be the making of a small business, but without them everything falters. When it comes to driving their businesses, some owners can be the roadblocks.
As a small business owner and innovator, Alycia Edgar knows this situation very well, but she also found the solution and created the Bizfficiency program to help others achieve complete business systemisation.
The five-week Bizfficiency – Discover the Business of Business teleseminar series reveals the secrets behind business efficiency, based on techniques tried and tested by Alycia herself.
“I run my business using a number of different systems that all work together to drive efficiency and productivity, making me a much better – and happier – business owner. I have reached systems nirvana and want to share my tips with others,” Alycia, who created the award-winning small business accounting system Bookzkeeper, explained.
Bizfficiency graduate Kelly Exeter from Swish Design said she now understood the need for firm systems in business after completing the program last year.
“Creating these systems allowed me to outsource all the jobs I hated the most and freed me up to spend more time doing what I love, and that is being creative. Being creative makes for happy days,” Kelly said.
“In fact, I have applied many of the principles I learned from Alycia to my everyday life and am now using that increased productivity to free up time to spend on myself and with my family, rather than to just ‘do more stuff’. This has given me a better quality of life, and if I am honest, has made me a nicer person!” she added.
Using her own experiences as a small business owner who struggled to keep all the balls in the air before systemising with great results, Alycia launched Bizfficiency with a free call on 2 November 2011.
The series starts on 8 November and covers a different aspect of system implementation every week:
- Weeks One and Two – Personal Productivity System
- Weeks Three and Four – Marketing Systems and Client Systems
- Week Five – Financial Systems, Strategy and Measurement Systems
“Small business owners who commit to systemising their operations now will start 2012 ready to thrive, because they understand the link between their business goals and financial numbers and are armed with productivity tools to drive that success,” Alycia added.
The Bizfficiency program includes five weekly teleseminars, checklists and templates for $397.
For more information about Bizfficiency visit www.bizfficiency.com.
To find our more about Alycia Edgar go to www.bookzkeeper.com.au and www.numbersarelife.com.
Alycia Edgar is one of our herBusiness bloggers.
Enjoy these great posts written by Alycia:
- This year is nearly over… but not yet
- Take a Chance
- Stop! Let me off this train, this wasn’t the ticket I bought!
- I don’t know enough.
- What can you achieve in 90 days?
- Can you care too much about clients?
News: New Google AdWords Information Hub developed to support women in business to get online
October 20, 2011
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network today launched a Google AdWords information hub on its website.
This new multi-page feature provides resources and easy-to-follow details on how Google AdWords can help small businesses drive results.
Within this hub, small business owners can access all the AdWords basics including how to begin, what to expect and how to make the most from advertising dollars (which are often scarce in small business).
“By introducing this new information hub, we hope to provide small-business owners with new tools and skills to harness the power of an engine like Google and to drive the traffic that we know is available to them if they get their business in front of the right eyeballs,” explained Community Director, Suzi Dafnis
“It’s not news that more and more people are looking online to find what they want. We want to be sure our community members are armed with the tool and knowledge to use internet traffic to drive people to their businesses,” says Dafnis.
Google AdWords Information Hub
A few features of the Google AdWords for Small Business Information Hub are:
- Free eGuides show businesswomen how to grow their business with adwords and provide tips for finding new customers online, measuring results, understanding how to pick great keywords for ads and how to write attention-grabbing ads
- Ask a Google expert – Viewers can ask their questions online and Google AdWord’s expert Kate Conroy will reply with customised answers.
- Case Studies – The hub features a number of real stories from small businesses who share their AdWords results and the results they’ve seen since they started using AdWords.
- Free Webinar – The Australian Businesswomen’s Network is offering a free Google AdWords for Small Business webinar in November to give women access to even more resources and education.
Take a look at these resources:
- What is Search Advertising?
- Why Google AdWords Makes Sense for Small Business
- How to Grow Your Business with Google AdWords
- Free Tools and Resources
PLUS – visitors can request a free voucher to try AdWords out. The vouchers, valued at $75 are available to first-time Google AdWords users.
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network looks forward to working with its community members to improve their understanding of Google AdWords and to having them start to get the types of results these small business owners have enjoyed since they started using AdWords.
Kate Ellis’s commitment to EOWA. Why the $11.2 million investment is not enough.
August 23, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
The Australian Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, recently announced $11.2 million funding to update and properly resource the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
For politicians, there are times when it’s worth trumpeting an initiative and times when it’s not. In this case, I believe that overall, the government would have been well served by keeping under the radar with this one. Why? My analysis follows. Please note; the opinions expressed in all my blog posts are my own and do not reflect Australian Businesswomen’s Network policy or perspective.
On a positive note, the announcement indicates that the Gillard government now appears to have recognised the need to implement as part of its equity agenda the policy position that workplace inequities suffered predominantly by women due to their interrupted work patterns will continue, until interrupted work patterns become mainstream across Australia’s workforce.
Targets, quotas, reporting requirements and changes of terminology are only band aid solutions – while they might temporarily cover up the symptoms, they won’t cure the disease. Accordingly, I find it very encouraging that according to the Minister, “The agency will have a new focus on women and men, particularly in relation to caring responsibilities and pay equity.”
Also, in an era of excessive red tape, reporting and regulation (identified by ABN members as a significant public policy issue for small business owners), part of the funding will be used to invest in the EOWA’s IT capacity, so that reporting can be done on line, saving employers time and money. So far, so good.
But the devil is in the detail and when we examine the quantum of funding allocated to this initiative, we find that Minister Ellis’ rhetoric about business and working women benefiting from this “boost from the Australian government” is vastly overshadowed by one fact – that the $11 million the government has allocated to workforce equity is a mere 0.00003% of its total estimated expenditure for 2011-2012 – not even a minimal drop of tokenism in the bucket of indirect discrimination.
With this degree of importance placed on the EOWA and mainstream women’s workplace issues by the Gillard and previous governments, no wonder the agency is languishing under “a quarter-century old framework” that is only now, according to Minister Ellis, in line for “updating and proper resourcing.”
No wonder that the media release reminds us that the agency only has an “educative and advisory role” – with such limited funding, much of which will be doubtless be spent on outsourced IT consulting services and rebranding strategies – there’s not much else it can do.
No wonder this particular tiger won’t have the teeth to force employers to act equitably, instead, having its powers limited to deploying mobile teams to provide advice and assistance to “businesses who (sic) request it,” and improving business’ access to “improved support and advice online… electronic tools, resources and live support.”
Very disappointing and, in my opinion, a kick in the teeth for voters in the workforce who need real, quantifiable and strong government support to carve a new corporate culture in which women and men can enjoy equitable, flexible, working conditions with no adverse impact on their chosen career path.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY SUSAN MCGRATH:
- Businesswomen’s Concerns Represented at Small Business Forum
- “Is that really what you meant to say?” How semantic saboteurs can dumb down your brand.
- Getting on board to overcome professional isolation
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Carbon Pricing – Australia’s Future. The impact on you and your business.
July 13, 2011
By Julie Wise, The Silver Owl
On Sunday, the Australian Government announced the details of its ‘Clean Energy Future’ package.
Suzi Dafnis and I, along with all the ABN’s resources are working hard to bring out the details on how this change will impact the small business owner. This is a complex and fundamental change to our economy and the devil is in the details, that we’re only just going down into.
However, let’s start our journey by first going through the package’s design, the context and the timeline. This special edition post will attempt to look at it in parts, 1) FAQs; 2) what has been announced; 3) economic analysis from our leading analysts and 4) where to now.
Is Australia going in alone on carbon pricing?
No. Carbon pricing schemes have already been introduced into many countries who adopted the Kyoto Protocol earlier than Australia. Carbon pricing has been active in New Zealand (2008) and throughout the European Community since 2005.
It’s a fact that Australia’s institutions and institutional investors – including some superannuation schemes - already trade in carbon credits in these overseas markets just like any other share market.
Is it a price or is it a tax?
Economics define a price as something that is paid ‘once’ for the purchase of a good/commodity/service. While, the definition of a tax is a fee payable on income on a recurring basis. World-wide carbon trading schemes are seen as a price, as users or producers only pay once for each tonne of carbon emissions.
Like other countries, Australia relies on its taxation system to deliver a government’s economic plan. So this is why everyone plays the language – price vs tax - to suit their occasion or opportunity.
What’s the package?
The elements have been widely published (probably to death). Let me do it one more time at a high level so that we’ re on the same page.
The Carbon Pricing Mechanism:
| Fixed price | A start price of $23 from July 1, 2012, rising to $24.15 in 2013 and $25.40 in 2014. |
| Then ETS | On July 1, 2015, carbon price will transition to a fully flexible price under an emissions trading scheme. For the first 3 years, there’ll be a fixed bottom price of $15 and a fixed top price of $20 above expected international price. (there is allowance for inflation) Think of a share market: Companies will have carbon credits for sale & others will need to buy these credits |
| Gases covered | Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons from aluminium smelting. |
| Scheme coverage | Will encompass stationary energy, transport, industrial processes, non-legacy waste and fugitive emissions. 500 companies will be required to comply to the leglisation. These companies are responsible for around 60% of the nation’s emissions. |
| Fuel & Transport | Transport fuels will be excluded. However, the carbon price will be applied through changes in fuel tax excise for domestic aviation, domestic shipping, rail transport and non-transport fuel use. Heavy on-road will be covered from 1 July 2014. |
| International linkage | From the start of the ETS’s flexible price period companies can use approved international credits for up to 50% of their obligations. |
| Carbon Farming Initiative linkage | From the start of the ETS, credits under the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) can be used for compliance subject to a 5% limit. After the start of the floating price, these credits can be used for 100% of your liability. |
| Financial impact on the Aussie Budget | Revenue from sale of permits will raise $7.74bn in the first year with $4.2bn being distributed for the household assistance measures (ie the changes to the tax scales) and $3.0bn for the “support for jobs” program (assistance for people employed in affected industries). |
What are the economic impacts?
Talking to some of the economists inside Australia’s banks and the RBA, their summaries are:
- The introduction of the plan removes some of the uncertainty that has been dogging the Australia economy.
- The policy is broadly neutral in economic terms.
- The compensation packages are very complicated so it is still not clear if all the policy uncertainty has been resolved in all sectors or all industries.
- Smaller impact than the GST: The direct impact is smaller than the introduction of the GST – i.e., it raises just 1/3 of the income that the GST does so the impact on prices should be the same.
- There should be no implications for monetary policy: As the direct impact on prices should be small and transitional, the RBA should look though the temporary spike in inflation. Thus the carbon price has no direct implication for interest rates or money markets.
- Minimal impact on overall economic growth or jobs: This does not mean there may not be significant adjustments within and/or between industries. For example, the estimated carbon price burden on the coal industry appears to be relatively small ($1.80/t) but some mines may face higher cost structures and/or higher emissions burden than the average. So while the coal industry, on average, can still grow at solid rates, not all mines may be able to grow with the industry.
- Compensation: Lower income households will be over compensated, while higher income households (around 10% of households) will receive no compensation at all. It has been estimate that up to 1/3 of households will be worse off after the introduction of the carbon price (i.e., no or under-compensated).
- The compensation payments will be delivered in the 2nd quarter of 2012 (worth around $1.5bn).
Unfortunately, the mountain of debate has overshadowed the significant taxation reforms involved in the package.
The tax-scale changes contained in the package are those many have been calling for and formalised in the Henry Tax Review. Very important to expanding Australia’s workforce is the raising of the tax free threshold from $6,001 to $18,201. Not only does this help to offset the impact of the package, it removes the point that for some ‘benefits were more economical than earning and paying tax.’ In turn, this should help expand our workforce, especially in the areas of skill shortages. It will be particularly relevant for part-time and casual workers.
What’s Next?
- The carbon price scheme will be legislated in September/October (it does appear that the Government has the numbers to secure safe passage of the package through both the House of Representatives and the Senate).
- Obviously, we will continue to see fierce political debate on this issue.
- Australian business will adapt, innovate, improvise and overcome.
As I mentioned, there are many more details to pour through as this is not simple and the real analysis has only just begun. I will update as I learn more.
One thing you and I DO know! What’s said in opposition stays in opposition. A new government will not roll back a revenue raising scheme. Change it yes, roll it back no! And so, just like when Australia introduced decimal currency, the metric system, floated our dollar, the GST and the online revolution, we adapted, learned and now live with the changes. It will be the same with the carbon price scheme.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY JULIE WISE
- Build your Business: Oprah Winfrey Style
- Things I’ve learnt About Business!
- YOU: Your Business’ Most Important Asset
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Julie Wise – The SilverOwlJulie has over 25 years in business operations, strategy and performance improvements. She is an accredited Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Institute of Executive Coaching. She established The SilverOwl specifically to help businesses with their strategies and operational efficiencies. With Julie’s wealth of experience, and network of associates, The SilverOwl provides access to a vast range of business performance solutions and experienced professionals. Julie is on the Australian Business Women’s Network Advisory Board and the NSW Committee for the Australian Women’s Archive Project. In Jan 2010, she joined the Fred Hollows Foundation.
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Survey Reveals Diversity Within the ABN Community
February 23, 2011
In December 2010, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network conducted its Community Survey. Here is the first snapshot of the results from the over 500 people who participated.
The survey included StartUp and Growth members, members of the ABN Community and people connected to the ABN through social media.
Community older than previously
The participants this time were older than in the 2007 survey, with the proportion of participants less than 45 decreasing from 62% to 54%.
30% were born overseas
These 30% were born in 35 different countries and now part of the ABN Community. The main countries were United Kingdom, New Zealand and United States.
43% live in a major city in New South Wales
While the services of the ABN are largely online and Member roundtables are in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, almost half of the participants (47%) live in New South Wales.
39% don’t have children
While 39% of the participants don’t have children, the Australian Census 2006 reports that 25% of 25-54 year olds don’t have children. Are we too busy working in (or on) our business to have a family of our own or will the 2011 Census show an increase in the proportion without children? The ABN plans to do more research in this area.
Of those with school aged children or younger, more than half do not have access to registered or authorised child care and more than a tenth employ a nanny.
57% are fully employed by their own business
The proportion fully employed by their own business has remained the same since 2007. However, the proportion employed by someone else and do not intend to start their own business has increased slightly, and the proportion who have an idea for a business but haven’t started it yet have decreased slightly.
Broad range of business experience
While almost half (48%) of business owners have been in business for less than 4 years, 23% have been in business for more than 10 years, showing the broad range of experience that the community can connect across.
62% use social networks for business
Twitter, Facebook and/or LinkedIn are being used by almost two thirds of the ABN Community to connect their business with others. This is interesting in comparison to Smart Company report of an Optus survey in The 10 next social media trends (October 2010) that only 28% of small businesses used social media to promote their business while 56% had no near-term plans to start. While the comScore State of the Internet in Australia report recently released says that 82% of Australians 15 years or older visit social networking sites (although it doesn’t separate personal and business use).
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Kate Tribe - Tribe ResearchKate Tribe is the founder and Managing Director of Tribe Research. Kate has developed Tribe Research into an innovative and creative company focusing on accessible ways for business, non-profit and government sectors to grow from a better understanding of their tribe. Tribe Research aims for customers to explore their tribes of clients, customers, suppliers and staff, to uncover their views, and drive change in each clients business. Kate understands that as leaders of an organisation you need to be clear-headed about your marketing and business planning priorities and has made this a primary focus of Tribe Research’s solution. Kate believes that getting to know your tribe should be an enjoyable journey of discovery that gives you a clear head and direction to move forward, to drive change in the right direction.
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Alarming Statistics About Australia and Gender Equality
December 24, 2010
By Amy Lyden
I’ve been perusing the Fifth Annual Report on World Gender Equality which was released in October, “The Global Gender Gap Report”– no small task at 334 pages – and have been confronted by some alarming statistics.
What is this Report?
The Global Gender Gap Report is published by the World Economic Forum and was first produced in 2005. The Report analyses four critical areas of inequality between men and women in 130 economies globally, which covers over 92% of the world’s population. The four areas include:
1. Economic participation and opportunity – salaries, work participation, and access to employment
2. Educational attainment – access to basic and higher level education
3. Political empowerment – representation in governments
4. Heath – including life expectancy
I’m sure many of us would assume that Australia would rank higher than most other countries globally (certainly higher than most developing countries) in the areas of Women’s Health, Education, and even political empowerment. Economic participation and opportunity is another story which I blogged about in October.
Big Picture:
Australia scored 72% overall – which is ranked 23rd- not terrible, but lower than I would have thought. Not surprisingly, the Scandinavian countries fared well: Iceland 85%, Norway 84%, Finland 83% and Sweden 80%. Our sibling that is NZ came in above us at 78% (we hate that, don’t we?!)
Other countries that surpassed us included: Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Mozambique. And we beat Cuba, Namibia, and Mongolia only by a whisker (about 0.5%).
Australia is in fact going backward. In 2006, we ranked a much higher 15th.
By categories:
If we break up the categories for 2010 it gets worse:
- Economic participation and opportunity – Australia ranks 24th, after Mongolia, Mozambique, Moldova and Kazakhstan (yes, Kazakhstan!). NZ came in 9th.
- Political empowerment – Australia is ranked 39th. Countries like Mozambique (again!), Bangladesh, Nicaragua (really?), Angola, Nepal and Malawi all rate higher. NZ was 8th.
- Heath and survival – This is the shocker – we are ranked 73rd! In a country that I always thought had high standards of health and higher survival statistics for women we are surpassed by Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Honduras, Mali and Guyana. This is shameful. NZ’s ranking was also very low at 91.
The good news:
- Educational attainment – Australia shares the #1 ranking with 22 other countries including Botswana, France, Iceland, NZ, UK, and the USA. We are investing in our girls and women when it comes to education. This is good. However what is worrying is that the investment in education is not pushing up the rankings of other areas of economic opportunity, political empowerment and health.
What next?
The Report claims that the world is at a unique turning point in history. That never before has there been such momentum around the issue of gender parity on a global stage. The United Nations has created a new entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. Many multinational companies are supporting and providing opportunities for women. There is a strong movement around greater investment in girls’ education in developing countries.
There is a lot of talk about gender equity around the world. The challenge will be translating that into ACTION.
I invite you to consider how YOU might help the gender equity battle. It may be by supporting a charity focused on these issues, creating a more flexible workplace for women with children or educating your kids (boys and girls) about these issues and how they are played out globally.
We each have an opportunity to contribute to a positive change and movement toward gender equity and opportunity. Let’s get going on this now.
Sources: The Global Gender Gap Report and Optimiss Consulting
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Women in Leadership – We’ve NOT come a long way, baby
- ABN – The Political Parties Respond to Your Concerns
- Businesswomen’s Pre-Election Poll Results Reveal Key Issues for Government to Address in the Coming Election
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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs”, by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!”, by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Talk with your customers, not at them. And other tips for more referrals.
November 19, 2010
By Suzi Dafnis
Do you talk TO your customers, or with them? In a day and age when you can no longer assume that you have no control on whether customers refer you, it’s time to take action and discover how to help your business market itself.
I recently read “The Referral Engine” by John Jantsch. It was a powerful and practical way to (as the book subtitle says) – Teach Your Business to Market Itself.
In this audio I invite you to join me next week when I interview John Jantsch during BOOKED for Lunch. (BOOKED for Lunch are free lunchtime webinars with the world’s leading business book authors and thinkers.)
You can register here - BOOKED for Lunch – The Referral Engine. 23 November 2010. 12.00pm AEDT.
I hope you’ll join me.
Suzi
National Small Business Summit – Join us in Brisbane on 8 July
July 1, 2010
Join David Koch, the host of Channel Seven’s Sunrise, and the Kochie’s Business Builders TV team of business experts as they host this year’s COSBOA National Small Business Summit.
I attended last year and found it very beneficial from two perspectives:
• Firstly, Networking. I met numerous contacts that I’ve gone on to do business with. These were excellent quality contacts who were truly there to collaborate and network (I find that to be the case when people are willing to pay a fair price for a conference; the quality of the business is done better).
• Secondly, the speakers this year are looking really good. If’s a very full day of panels and talks (see some of the main ones below). There aren’t many places where small business can come together with big business and government to tackle small business issues.
For these reasons, and because we’ve arranged a special 25% bonus, I recommend you make your way there next week.
Your ABN Discount
Mention ABN when you register to get 25% off the going rate. This discount applies to both the full day event as well as the Gala Dinner. Register here.
About the Small Business Summit
Outstanding small business summit delivering access to emerging business ideas and techniques, including workshops packed with practical tips and tricks to help small businesses boost revenue, find new markets and manage their business more effectively.
Special guests include:
- From the US, social media thought leader Richard Binhammer, who is a core member of Dell’s Social Media Advisory Council and part of the team that has helped Dell adopt social media tools as a profitable business channel and corporate reputation builder.
- Kelly Baker, founder of Edible Blooms and Small Business of the Year Award Winner, who will reveal how she built one of Australia’s fastest growing gift websites.
- Jon Dee, founder and managing director of Do Something, NSW Australian of the Year for 2010 and author of Sustainable Growth, who will share how some of the best in business have achieved their sustainability goals. He will highlight how small business can take this experience and apply it to achieve real dollar savings and a market edge.
- The Kochie’s Business Builders regular team, including marketing expert, Linda Hailey; finance expert, Julia Bickerstaff; growth expert, Natalie Archer; cash flow expert, Matthew Nolan; online marketing expert Dave Chaffey; and technology expert, Pete Blasina.
Here’s a link to details of all these speakers and the program.
It’s a great opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and business owners converging from all over Australia, as well as take home some great ideas and connections to boost your business.
After the main event, there is a networking Gala Dinner spectacular hosted by David Koch that features inspirational Australian small business success stories.
I hope you’ll join me. Come by Stand 19 to say hello!
Sincereley,
Suzi Dafnis
The education side of MentorNet has been inspiring
June 25, 2009
Tracy Bell | Fat Mumma's
I just wanted to say what a great sense of camaraderie I’ve felt throughout the MentorNet process. I came into this feeling completely lost, knowing that there was a lot to learn. I really felt like I was trying to run before I could walk. MentorNet has slowed me down to a nice walking pace. So now I’ve got all this information behind me, I feel like when I’m ready to run I can do it.
Tracy Bell
Fat Mumma’s
