In the lead up to International Women’s Day I was invited to speak to a group of young business people at CBS Interactive. So, I posed the “What’s your superpower?” question to them (along with letting them know that it was okay to NOT know what you want to be when you grow up - I’d left home at 17 and didn’t have a tertiary education but have worked long and hard to improve my skills, encouraged them to try lots of different things that interested them - telling them I assumed that they HAVE a rare gift, that if they chose to share would make them very happy and make a big contribution to others - and I invited them to dare to lead).

CBS Interactive Team

Something I said seemed to stick. I heard, from the lovely woman who coordinated my presentation, that over lunch that day, they talked about what they thought their super-powers are. That made my heart sing.

In Linchpin, Godin says:

“The ’super’ part and the ‘power’ part come note from something you’re born with, but from something you choose to do and, more important, from something you choose to give.”

Choose today.

Warmly,

Suzi

P.S. If you haven’t yet signed up to attend the free webinar with Seth Godin on 23 March at 12.00pm AEDT, here’s a link. I hope you’ll join me.

Hello and welcome to the herBusiness program where we interview inspiring businesswomen and entrepreneurs.

Today’s guest is Sharon Williams, CEO of Taurus Marketing.

Sharon Williams is a pioneer in the Australian agency industry and proof a small business can influence and service the big end of town. Taurus started out of Sharon’s living room in August 1995, just two weeks after the birth of her first daughter. She is celebrating her 15th year of business.

Sharon appears on Kochie’s Business Builders as Channel 7’s marketing and PR expert and is a regular media spokesperson on broadcast media such as SBS and ABC News.

Last year Sharon also became Ninemsn’s leading SME blogger with her weekly blog ‘The Bullseye’.

In this interview we discuss:

• The role of social media in your marketing mix
• Why personal branding is more important today than it has ever been
• We also look at the trends we’re seeing in marketing and some tips and
• Give you some strategies to kickstart your marketing

Enjoy this interview with business woman, Sharon Williams.

More About Sharon Williams

Sharon Williams - CEO and Founder, Taurus Marketing

Sharon Williams is a pioneer in the Australian agency industry and proof a small business can influence and service the big end of town. As the founder and CEO of Taurus Marketing, this year Taurus is celebrating their 15th year of business. This alone stands as a substantial accomplishment within the marketing and PR industry which was hit hard by the recession last year. Taurus has grown to service industry leaders from ASX listed QBE’s global CEO Frank O’Halloran to make-up King Napoleon Perdis.

Starting out of Sharon’s living room in August 1995, just two weeks after the birth of her first daughter, Taurus has expanded consistently year-on-year since inception, and is now one of Australia’s highest profile, privately owned integrated marketing, creative, and public relations agencies.

Sharon was instrumental in helping the KAZ Group go from media obscurity in 1995 to one of Australia’s highest profile and largest information communications technology companies. Last year, Sharon’s vision and expertise saw Taurus launch its new trademarked personal branding service TaurusProfile™ a product that builds the personal profile of CEO’s, business leaders, politicians and celebrities in order to serve business growth.

In 2009, Taurus was engaged to manage the PR and assist the social media strategies for the Bible Society’s Jesus.All about Life campaign. For the first time in the history of the Christian Church in Australia, the campaign utilized modern and traditional media through online, print, outdoor, radio, press and TV advertising to take its message to the community. The Taurus team were delighted to take this ground breaking campaign on board and the results suggested this with over 500 pieces of media coverage gained attracting over $2million worth of media exposure.

Sharon is a highly experienced and entertaining public speaker and trainer on marketing, PR, social media and business issues. Frequently speaking overseas and in Australia her presentations have won praise at conferences, expos and in-house workshops. Sharon has also been the resident marketing expert on Channel 7’s Kochie’s Business Builders, is a regular media spokesperson on broadcast media such as SBS and ABC News. Last year Sharon also became Ninemsn’s leading SME blogger with her weekly blog ‘The Bullseye’.

More recently, Sharon was invited to join both the NSW Council for the Australian British Chamber of Commerce and is also on the American Chamber of Commerce Women in Management committee.

A true testament to Sharon’s belief in a healthy work life balance Sharon is a devoted mother who lives in Sydney with her family and three children. Her love of the beach and swimming gained her an Australian Surf Life Saving Association bronze medallion and on Sunday’s you might catch her patrolling one of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Website: www.taurusmarketing.com.au
Phone: 02 9415 4528
Blog: The Taurus Marketing Blog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TaurusMarketing
Member Directory Profile: See Sharon Williams’ profile

I’m also an avid reader. Whether it’s ebooks, paper books, audio books, I’m lapping up new content and information via book.

That’s why when Citrix GoToWebinar and the Australian Businesswomen’s Network decided to launch a new lunch time webinar series (where we’ll bring the best business authors and their new releases right to you at your desk once a month for free), it was top of my wishlist to invite Seth Godin to be our inaugural speaker.

If you’re a marketer then you probably know Seth Godin (author of Purple Cow, Permission Marketing and many others). If you’re in business and you DON’T know of Seth Godin, then I recommend you look him up!

Here’s a quick video I did about the event on 23 March.

I hope you’ll join us.

You can register right here! Hurry - places WILL fill.

Best wishes,
Suzi

We’ve been conditioned to think that the best way to motivate ourselves and others is through external rewards like money or fame, or by the fear of punishment - the carrot-and-stick approach. That’s a mistake, Daniel H. Pink says in his transformative new book DRIVE - The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Join us on 8 April when Daniel H. Pink takes part in Booked for Lunch - Free Webinars with the world’s leading business authors and thinkers.

Booked for Lunch Details:

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - National

Date:	Thursday, 8 April 2010
Times:	12.00pm to 1.00pm AEST approx. (Check your timezone.)
Venue:	Webinar, from the comfort of your home or office.
Price:	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.

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.

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.

National - 24 March 2010

Today’s major challenge lies in developing a killer marketing strategy in order to cement brands for survival. We exist in an ever-demanding and dynamic landscape of sophisticated consumers, competition and marketplace demands. As choices become vast, the only thing that matters are your relationships with the marketplace.

During this webinar you will learn:

• How to define the needs of your customer/consumer and use these insights to build a basis for effective marketing strategy
• How to differentiate your brand and maximise growth in a competitive landscape with solid and sustainable brands
• How to understand your market, challenge your offering and position it against your core target consumer/customer
• How to define your brand and its strategic role in the business
• The best structure for defining and building your marketing strategy

Your Speaker:

Event Details:

Strategic Marketing - National

DATE:	Wednesday, 24 March 2010
TIME:	10.15am for 10.30am - 12.00pm AEDST (Check your timezone.)
VENUE:	Your home or office.
PRICE:	Growth Members - $0 - FREE
	StartUp Members - $39
	Non-Members - $59
	(*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).

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

]]> http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/events/strategic-marketing-develop-effective-strategic-marketing-and-set-your-business-apart/feed http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/events/marketing-plan-design-how-to-create-a-blueprint-for-powerful-marketing-tactics http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/events/marketing-plan-design-how-to-create-a-blueprint-for-powerful-marketing-tactics#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:16:19 +0000 Suzi Dafnis http://blog.abn.org.au/?p=4049 National - 17 March 2010

A marketing plan sets in place what you’re going to do, how you’re going to do it, who you’re going to do it for and what it is going to cost. But, where do you start?

During this webinar we’ll look at a straight-forward, no-fluff way to create a marketing plan. You’ll have a blueprint (the essential elements of a marketing plan) to complete and some important issues to consider as you develop you strategy for trumping the competition.

Those who attend this webinar will gain an understanding of:

• The benefits of marketing planning in growing your business
• The importance of understanding your products, customers and market
• How to match your services with existing market opportunities
• A simple, step by step marketing planning process – what to tackle first
• When you need to develop or revisit a marketing plan
• The value of leveraging the technology in the process

Your Speaker:

Event Details:

Marketing Plan Design - National

DATE:	Wednesday, 17 March 2010
TIME:	10.15am for 10.30am - 11.30am AEDST (Check your timezone.)
VENUE:	Your home or office.
PRICE:	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).

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

]]> http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/events/marketing-plan-design-how-to-create-a-blueprint-for-powerful-marketing-tactics/feed http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/5-twitter-tips-for-entrepreneurs http://blog.abn.org.au/grow-your-business/5-twitter-tips-for-entrepreneurs#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:15:53 +0000 Yvette Vignando http://blog.abn.org.au/?p=3973 By Yvette Vignando, www.happychild.com.au

Leading up to the launch of a new site, I’m researching everything about the power of social media. Before I catapulted myself into the Twitterverse, I confess I cynically suspected it would be full of people updating me about their breakfast, their political views or be a series of automated marketing pitches.

Well, I was right, and it’s actually fantastic. The power of Twitter is that you can authentically and personably connect with people on the same wavelength. And I love that it’s a platform with fast, 140 character, very digestible pieces of information.

As I get to know people personally, including their breakfast menu, I get a sense of how I can help them and actually build a community of ‘real Tweeple’. Those tweeple might be interested in what I have to say, or have information that is helpful for my own personal and professional growth. Even though I’m not a fan of automated tweeting, I still appreciate the efficient sharing of information by the rich source of tweeple I have met during my 140 character visits to the Twitterverse. And I firmly believe that the quality of your Twitter followers is the key, not the quantity.

5 Twitter Lessons I’ve learnt:

Give to Get

Like most venues in life, on Twitter you need to give to receive value. This means:

• Tweet personable information about yourself that is relevant or has synergy for some of your followers. You can keep this non-identifying but still real. For example @SuziDafnis discloses with a picture that she has a penchant for terrifyingly high heels “Just said no to temptation… I can always change my mind. http://twitpic.com/178vfu”
• Tweet links to interesting blogs and news articles. They don’t need to be all your own.
• Re-tweet the tweets you find funny, useful or informative.
• Keep your self-serving links to a minimum but share the ones you are proud of such as your latest blogpost, or in my case recently: “A link to my 5min pres on why there needs to be more emotional intelligence in school http://bit.ly/b6aTzI #ignite”

Read the #FFs With Interest

On Twitter, #FF stands for Follow (on) Friday. Tweeters post Twitter identities of people they think are worth following. Usually this means they’ll be people of interest to you too. Click on their profiles, read their short description and latest tweets and if you’re interested, follow them.

The power of Twitter is that you can authentically and personably connect with people on the same wavelength.

Re-Edit Your Short Profile

The short profile, limited to 160 characters is what people read when thinking about following you. I’ve amended mine many times and I confess it’s still a work in progress. Be informative, personal and disclose your personal style. If you have feedback on mine, I would really appreciate it. Currently it’s “Publish Parenting Info- Raising Children with Emotional Intelligence. A happy child makes a world of difference. Mum of 3 boys. No, they’re not always happy.” What do you think?

The Best Camera is the One You Have With You

I have totally stolen this line from Andrew Harvey at Ignite - the least I can do is share a link to his presentation. Tweeters develop their online brand by taking a quick photo with their mobile phone. This ranges from a sunrise to a pet rabbit or in @SuziDafnis’ case, a dangerous set of heels! A service you can use for this is Twitpic.

Use a Browser to Avoid Twitter Overload

Twitter can suck you in. If you want to scan through the important stuff quickly, download a Twitter browser to manage your lists of Tweeters. I use Tweetdeck but there are many others. Here are a few to check out: UberTwitter, HootSuite and Seesmic.

Hope that’s useful to you – I’m loving the learning that comes with my entrepreneur’s journey – see you out there in the Twitterverse.

A few minutes into his presentation the room was evacuated when a (false) alarm went off but we were back 20minutes later to hear his great tips again.

I managed to catch up with him quickly and invited him to give some of his strategies for successful blogging.

In summary:

1. Be as useful as you can.
2. Enhance the lives of others.
3. Produce content that others want to share.
4. Put yourself out there and promote your content.
   • Where are your readers gathering online?
5. Interact with your audience as much as you can.
   • Ask questions, start debates, engage with people, highlight your readers’ blogs.
6. Capture people’s details (not just RSS) then you can email them update, drive traffic and promote product to them later.
7. Look at the style you write in and experiment in different voices e.g. humorous, technical, use of video - readers will respond well to some but not others - and helps your style and voice evolve.

PLUS:

Many people often think they need to establish a ‘formal’ mentoring relationship in order to receive the benefits. But I often find mentoring … and the benefits that come with it … can be a bit more organic.

A mentor is considered a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. In the business context, we often look for mentors who are ‘ahead’ of us in their business pursuits … someone from whom we can learn valuable lessons and gain insights based on their experience.

I know I’ve found it hard to find mentors in my time as a business owner … and when I have been ‘partnered’ up with someone ‘older and wiser’ I’ve found the structure of the relationship limiting. For example there was a time when I was paired up with a renown female business leader - literally a leader in her industry. We had a couple of chats over coffee, but I didn’t actually receive a lot of benefit from the ‘chats’. What I really needed was to be able to talk to her more informally - when an idea came to me, or when I hit a snag in my plan … it would have been great to just pick up the phone and have a chat about it.

That experience taught me that there are many ways to be mentored. Just ‘watching’ other people and how they do things is a mentoring experience for me - I ask myself ‘what would happen in my business if I took that approach?’ The different perspective yields interesting responses.

Then there’s the people I hang out with - they wouldn’t necessarily consider themselves my mentors … but I learn an incredible amount by bouncing ideas around with them.

Or there have been times when I’ve looked at high-profile business owners, for example the late Anita Roddick, or Richard Branson and asked myself ‘what would they do in this situation? Of course, it’s largely an exercise in imagination and mind-reading … however if you’re even half the avid-reader I am, you get to learn a lot about Business Leaders just by voyeuristically watching how they run their business.

Then there’s the people I hang out with - they wouldn’t necessarily consider themselves my mentors … but I learn an incredible amount by bouncing ideas around with them. Some of my most valuable insights have come from my clients - the people who are paying me for my expertise - but when I watch their approach I feel I too am being mentored.

There is of course incredible value in creating formal mentoring relationships - I consistently hear amazing things about the ABN’s MentorNet Program and I by all means encourage you to get involved in such programs when you can. But if for whatever reason you can’t establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone, remember you can receive the benefits of mentoring in other ways.

For more information about the MentorNet mentoring program for women business owners, visit the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website.

Your brain is a powerhouse! It requires a large amount of fuel in order to keep it functioning at it’s peak all day long. Stress, poor diet, deadlines and a lack of fresh air can all compromise your brain function. Use the following tips to help keep your brain and memory in tip top shape.

Lecithin granules

Lecithin is rich in phosphatidyl choline which has been found to be beneficial to brain function and memory. Add two tablespoons to your cereal or smoothie at breakfast.

Eat regularly!

Being busy is no excuse for skipping meals and snacks. Since your brain is the greatest consumer of glucose in the body, it is important that you refuel your body every 3-4 hours with good nutritious food.

Fresh air and nature – rich in negative ions

Experience more of the ocean, the mountains and waterfalls as they have been found to generate tens of thousands of negative ions which have a positive impact on mood and brain function. Air conditioning and computer screens emit positive ions which are more likely to contribute to stress levels.

Memory Herb - Gingko Biloba

Studies show that Gingko Biloba helps to increase blood flow to the brain and improves concentration and memory. (Do not use if taking blood thinners or anticoagulant medication such as warfrin).

Good fats

Essential fatty acids are found in high concentrations in the brain and especially involved in our ability to create and maintain memories as well as help to improve circulation. Oily fish, eggs and nuts and seeds are great ways to increase your omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Antioxidants

Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of antioxidants that help to protect the brain from damage from free radicals which tend to cause damage to cells particularly in the brain. Blueberries, raspberries, brussel sprouts and broccoli are some of the key fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. The vitamins A, C and E have also been found to protect the brain and green tea helps to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine which in turn helps to maintain memory.

Replenish lost nutrients from stress

Brain function suffers when we are under stress largely due to the depletion of certain nutrients such as the B vitamins and imbalances in our neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that act as electrical switches in the brain. When you have a memory blank or can’t recall a piece of information it is because there is a short circuit or power failure due to inadequate neurotransmitters. Vitamin B Complex and neurotransmitter precursors such as glutamine, choline, taurine and tyrosine can help to improve memory.

Drink 2 Litres of water each and every day!

Dehdyration affects the ability of the brain to store and retain information.

Meditation

Even 5-10 minutes per day helps to improve brain function.