Women in Business – A Community of Sharing

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.

Authors tell businesses owners to break rules and lose control to get ahead!

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network will host Marketing gurus and lifelong ‘Deadheads’ David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan, authors of new book Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead, on a free webinar session: BOOKED for Lunch on 26 August.

Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead discusses how the unique approach used by The Grateful Dead, one of the most iconic bands in history, was ahead of its time and revolutionised the music industry.

The band pioneered many social media and inbound marketing concepts, which are successfully used by businesses across all industries today.

You can tune in from the comfort of your home or office, and discover some key insights and innovations that could be applicable to your business including:

• How to turn your customers into evangelists
• How to bypass traditional business channels and ‘go direct’ and
• How to out-market the competition

Find out how a band became a brand and learn valuable marketing lessons by joining BOOKED for Lunch.

Date:  Thursday, 26 August 2010
Time:  12.00pm to 1.00pm (AEST)
Venue:  Webinar
Price:  Free

For more information or to sign up, contact the Australian Businesswomen’s Network on www.abn.org.au or call 1 300 720 120.

BOOKED for Lunch are free lunch-time web-seminars that feature the world’s best business book authors and thinkers. BOOKED for Lunch is presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and GoToWebinar – Webinars Made Easy.

Which businesswomen’s network is right for you?

Recently the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN) was part of an article titled “Which Businesswomen’s Network is Right for You?”, written by Valerie Khoo as part of her Small Business blog in the Sydney Morning Herald and associated papers.

Each of the three networks profiled offers different benefits for women and all are worth checking out.

Here’s a link to the full article. And, here below is the piece about the ABN.

As a membership organisation the Australian Businesswomen’s Network develops programs and resource to benefits its paying members. Additionally it provides free resources (webinars with inspiring authors, articles, podcasts, videos), all designed to provide education, inspiration and networking for its national community.

• Learn more about how you can grow your business network through membership.
• Sign up to be a community member (free) to receive news of events and the weekly Women in Business eNewsletter.
• Check out the interviews in the ABN’s iTunes Channel.
• Watch video interviews with inspiring businesswomen.
• Tap into hundreds of videos, articles, and podcasts.

iPad. It’s not just a boy’s toy

Not only is the iPad not just a boy’s toy – but it’s not just a toy. Recently I was interviewed by The Herald Sun for a story titled: IPad not just a boy’s toy.

Since I got my first iPad (confession – I have two) it’s allowed me to be more mobile and productive. Unlike a laptop it fires up in a few seconds, has an exceptional battery life, fits in the most girly of handbags and has been adopted by may businesses as a way to better connect with clients, streamline work flow processes and market their businesses.

FREE WEBINAR – IPAD AND SMALL BUSINESS

On 17 August at 10.30am the Australian Businesswomen’s Network presents iPad: The Impact and Opportunities for Small Business, a free 90-minute webinar, designed to show small businesses how to make the most of this flashy new device, with practical examples of how it’s becoming a ‘must-have’ business tool.

Learn more about the webinar, and register, here.

New Free Webinar Explores the iPad’s Impact and Opportunities for Small Business

12 August 2010

For Immediate Release

New Free Webinar Explores the iPad’s Impact and Opportunities for Small Business

It’s been called a game-changer, but why is it that the iPad is a must-have tool for small business? On 17 August, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network presents a free 90-minute webinar that explores how small businesses can use the iPad to be engage clients, improve productivity and processes, free them up and leverage their efforts.

“Small businesses are usually under-resourced. So when a tool comes along that can affordably allow them to do business better, it’s important to let them know how to make the most of this new tool and to provide sound examples. For this special webinar, we’ve pulled together experts and small businesses who are already making huge gains using the iPad,” explained the ABN’s Community Director, Suzi Dafnis.

The free webinar, sponsored by Optus Business, will be held from 10.30am – 12.00pm. Small business owners can participate from anywhere in Australia. Already over 450 small business owners have registered to attend.

“The way we work has changed forever. iPad: The Impact and Opportunities for Small Business looks at the power of this fast-selling device and gives practical examples of how to use the iPad for the success of your business. We can interact with customers in new ways.” – Suzi Dafnis, Community Director

Guest Speakers:

Ed Dale – The Challenge

Ed Dale is an internationally recognised marketing expert with a specialty in Internet marketing. Ed has always been involved in technology and has had successes in publishing and retail computing.

Aimee Buchanan – Client Service Director, MPG (Global Media Agency)

Amy will talk about how media is changing, and what the best ways to engage people using the iPad are.

Webinar Details

Date: Tuesday 17 August 2010

Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm AEST

Cost: FREE

For more information and to register: 1300 720 120   www.abn.org.au

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides online training and mentoring from women (and men) across Australia. An early adopter of new media and technologies, the ABN is a leader in the delivery of web-based seminars (webinars) and a mentoring program all built on social media platforms.

For interviews and more details — Suzi Dafnis  — suzi@abn.org.au — 0413 704 560

Women Masters of Marketing to Share Latest Ways to Direct Change and Growth

11 August 2010

For Immediate Release

Women Masters of Marketing to Share Latest Ways to Direct Change and Growth

How is marketing best used to direct change and growth in business? What methods are most effective, and how do we put these methods to practical use in our business?

On 18 August, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network presents Masters of Marketing, a one-hour webinar which brings together three inspiring businesswomen who will represent different areas of exemplary marketing and share the strategies that have worked for them that any small business can implement effectively.

“Marketing remains the key to growth and success for any small business. What worked yesterday, does not necessarily work today. The three women presenting at this webinar are experts in their field and have the up-to-the-minute experience of what works online, in retail, wholesale, services and product marketing.” explained Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network

Guest Speakers:

Lucinda Barlow – Google Australia and New Zealand – Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

Lucinda is responsible for Google communications in Australia and New Zealand. She brings ten years experience working in Internet and mobile in Asia, the US and UK.

Sharon McGlinchey – MV Organic Skincare – Winner of the 2010 InStyle Magazine’s Women of Style Award

A true skincare artisan, Sharon McGlinchey has set a new precedent in the fields of natural and organic skin care formulation and holistic skin therapy.

Liz Courtney – The Wardrobe Store

Marketing Communication Specialist turned film director, Liz has used her business acumen to bring together a marriage of sorts between her marketing and love of film making while combining her passion for sustainability.

Masters of Marketing – National

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

$39.00

For More information and to register:                        Phone – 1300 720 120                        www.abn.org.au

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides online training and mentoring from women (and men) across Australia. An early adopter of new media and technologies, the ABN is a leader in the delivery of web-based seminars (webinars) and a mentoring program all built on social media platforms.

Businesswomen’s Pre-Election Poll Results Reveal Key Issues for Government to Address in the Coming Election

By Amy Lyden

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN), a community of 20,000 women in business across Australia, has today released the latest results to a pre-election poll it conducted with members to identify key issues they would like the next government to address.

The top issues identified by the national community of businesswomen are:

1.    50.7% of respondents identified government support for small businesses, including grants and training and education, as the top concern.
2.    46% of respondents identified reduction in red tape and compliance for small business as the second highest concern.
3.    Not surprisingly, 35.4% of members identified gender imbalance in executive management and boards as the third highest concern.

“With a vast community of voters, it is important to understand what each party’s policies are towards women and business so that our members can make an informed choice at the polls.  The ABN has requested that each of the major parties outline how they will address these important issues, and we are currently awaiting their responses to share this with our members,” explained ABN’s Advocacy Ambassador, Amy Lyden.

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s herVoice campaign aggregates the opinions and concerns of its national community and presents those issues to the relevant government contacts. “Individuals in small business don’t have the resources to act on their own behalf to make changes, so ABN is a vehicle for their important voices to be heard.”

Childcare cost/incentives are a major concern for many working mums. 30.8% of respondents ranked tax deductibility or greater incentives for all kinds of childcare, including family day care and nannies, as important.  An additional 17.9% identified the cost of childcare as an issue.

Other issues that were ranked as a top concern include the Fair Work Workplace Relations (identified by 27% of respondents), the super gap between women and men (28%) and the lack of aged care options (19%).

A detailed breakdown of the survey is attached. Responses represented top 3 issues identified by businesswomen as important, and therefore, total percentages exceed 100%.

For More Information or Interviews:

Amy Lyden – Advocacy Ambassador, amy.lyden@abn.org.au 0414 745 289
Suzi Dafnis – Community Director, suzi@abn.org.au 0413 704 560

MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN

• Pre-Election Results Reveal the Issues Women Want Government to Act on
• Paid Parental Leave – Article: Maybe Baby: Juggling Home, Work and Family Life.
• Tony Abbott vs Craig Emerson – Live from COSBOA’s National Small Business Summit, 8 July

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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s Network An 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. Email: amy.lyden@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/amylyden LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amylyden Member Profile: See Amy’s Member Profile

MentorNet Mentoring and Training Program Wins Award

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s MentorNet mentoring program has won a Platinum Award for Best Mentoring or Coaching program at the prestigious LearnX Asia Pacific 2010 E-Learning and Training Awards.

MentorNet provides women business owners with six months of business skills training and small-group mentoring.

Mentors (men or women with over five years business experience) provide mentoring to women business owners following a structured and planned approach to business building. The program covers business-skills development training, mentoring and peer collaboration. Subject-matter experts facilitate educational webinars (web seminars) to deliver business-skills training.

As a result of participating in the program mentors and mentorees expand their national networks and make contacts that can provide ongoing support after the completion of the program. The role of the mentor and peer collaboration increases the feedback, commitment and accountability of meeting these targets.

The program was launched in January 2007 and remains the only national mentoring program ever launched and certainly the first to use today’s web and digital technology to deliver education and mentoring. MentorNet uses a combination of online classrooms, blogs, podcasts, a web-community and virtual meetings to provide structured skills training and mentoring to businesswomen.

“We are delighted to have the MentorNet program recognised. MentorNet will continue to provide support to businesswomen in all parts of Australia through its use of technology and innovation.” said Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

More details about the program as well as Mentoree success stories can be found here.

For more information:

Phone: 1300 720 120

Suzi Dafnis
Community Director
Australian Businesswomen’s Network

Women stride forth in confidence… Pink Magazine

Aussie blogger Lesley-Ann Trow writes for the top US businesswomen’s magazine, Pink. In a recent article she leads into her interview with Suzi Dafnis this way…. “let me take a moment to show you what we Aussies are up to in the Innovation and Collaboration stakes - we might be Down Under but we’re On Top when it comes to teaching our girls to fish – thanks to Suzi Dafnis and the ABN. “

Read the Pink Magazine interview with Suzi Dafnis, Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Lesley-Ann Trow is Founder of Gorgeous Things – the pink guide to being green and gorgeous.

Learn more about Pink Magazine here.

Do women bosses play dirtier than men? The Apprentice tells a story. But is it real?

The Apprentice (the Aussie version) has seen women behaving badly according to a journalist who called the Australian Businesswomen’s Network last week to ask if the behaviour (women being catty and playing ‘dirtier than the men’ was what we consider normal behaviour).

In our experience, it’s not reality… but here’s a link to the story so that you can see what others have said.

Maybe our experience is not the same for all women however a contrived environment, with a big prize at stake as well as an editing team keen to get good ratings (and who would blame them) can well make the difference between reality and reality TV.

It was good to be able to voice our opinion of working women.

Suzi

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