Increase Your Visibility – How to build your personal brand through networking, social media and publicity
September 3, 2010
National – 20 October
Increasing your visibility is a key goal for many business owners. It’s been said that who knows you is more important than who you know. So, how do you increase your visibility while maintaining your credibility?
Join us on 20 October when for a new webinar where we’ll explore how to raise your profile, both online and offline, without spending a fortune.
Event Details:
Increase Your Visibility - National
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Wednesday, 20 October 2010 10.15am for 10.30am – 11.30am AEST Your home or office. ABN Members – $0 – FREE Non-Members – $39 (*members: login to get your member discount.) Not a member? Join now and save all year. |
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Note: You will need internet access and a headset with microphone. Fee includes tuition. Call costs may apply if you do not use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a web-based seminar. To participate you will need high-speed internet and a USB headset (with microphone). Instructions will be sent to you on receipt of your registration.
Not a member?
Join today and you save hundreds of dollars each year on workshops designed to help you be more successful as a businesswoman. Membership is less than $1 a day! Learn More about Membership Now
Is this event right for you?
This event is suitable for women in all stages of business.
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The StartUp Success Webinar SeriesThis event is part of the StartUp Success series of webinars which are free to all members of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. For details on the benefits of Membership take a look at ourMembership Comparison Chart. For details on other webinars – see the Events section on our website. |
What’s Next?
Register through our secure online shopping system. Upon registration you’ll receive confirmation of your attendance. If you have any questions you can send us an email or, call 1300 720 120. If you are a member, remember to login to get free entry.
Businesswomen’s Debate – Do Nice Girls Finish Second?
June 30, 2010
by Suzi Dafnis
For the last 12 years, the Australian Institute of Management’s Women in Management Debate has been a great way to network with and learn from sharp business minds.
The 2010 Women in Management Great Debate, titled NICE GIRLS FINISH SECOND, is a light-hearted and irreverent clash of the minds over fine wine and great food with some of Australia’s leading businesswomen (and a couple of men).
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network is proud to be a partner and to offer ABN clients a discount to attend.
The annual sell-out event, in it’s 12th successful year in the ACT, will also be held in Sydney in August.
• Canberra – Friday 2 July
• Sydney – Friday 27 August
More information can be found on our website.
Call AIM NSW on 1300 551 776 to register, and quote coupon code AIMABN to receive your special price.
The speakers will cut straight to the chase on some of the biggest issues facing women in management.
We invite you to attend.
Sincerely,
Suzi Dafnis
Community Director
Ask a Mentor – What habits should a new business owner form?
May 31, 2010
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The latest question from the Ask a Mentor series comes from Ana Lucia Novak. |
Question
“What habits should a new business owner form, such as how to manage operations, finances, marketing, networking, and competitors?”
Answer
by Simon Winfield, Planet Wholesome
The answer to this question could be hundreds of pages long, and entail reading a whole library of business books!
Tom Farmer of Kwikfit, a chain of exhaust and tyre fitters started in Edinburgh, Scotland, recounted the real crux of financial control (and operations) as knowing exactly how many car exhausts he needed to sell each day to reach breakeven.
In a sentence this might address ‘operations, finances and marketing’ in your question above.
In order to breakeven, in addition to analysing your operational costs, you will also need to understand your customers, which in turn will lead you to how to market your product.
A stab at a list of habits a new business owner should form would therefore be:
- Understand the precise cost of making or producing your product or service.
- Understand the flow of cash within your business, especially the length of time that capital is tied up between buying raw materials and being paid for selling the final product. This will also lead you to a better understanding of the financial needs of your growing business.
- Research your market by targeting a conversation with a customer every day. People like being asked their opinion.
- Networking is important, but improve on that by targeting exactly the individual you want to speak with, and plan your route to that individual. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to them directly, and ask them to share their expertise with you.
- Knowing what competitors are doing well, or things they are getting wrong, comes from having conversations with your customers.
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Simon Winfield - Planet WholesomePlanet Wholesome are a consultancy focussing on corporate strategy, with the aim of identifying both strategic opportunities as well as possible risks to the business resulting from climate change. Simon Winfield has over 20 years experience working with investors and corporates in evaluating corporate strategy which can help mentornet members in identifying their key competitive advantage.
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To submit a question to Ask a Mentor, please email us your question.
Networking at an Event – 7 Steps to Make it Fun
February 19, 2010
By Nerida Gill, Admin Bandit
The skill of networking at events takes chutzpah, not to mention practise. But I much prefer jumping off the deep end to twiddling my thumbs in a corner!
Surprise yourself — follow these seven networking tips and discover that meeting new people can be fun and rewarding.
1. Start Slowly
Commit to going to a certain number of events and aim to simply meet one new person at each one. Hosts or guest speakers are easy to approach. Alternatively, ask someone you know to introduce you around.
2. The Art of Conversation
Banish awkward silences by encouraging people to talk about themselves. Ask questions that can’t simply be answered with “yes” or “no” … these usually start with “how”, “why” or “what”. Why did you start your own business? What did you think of the seminar?
3. Remember Names
Imprint a person’s name into your mind by repeating it in your conversation, and don’t be afraid to ask for a name again or check the spelling. After an event, go through the business cards you’ve collected and mentally picture each person. If you really can’t remember, look for their picture on a website or blog, or do a Google image search.
4. Play Your Cards Right
Your business cards, that is. Have plenty on hand and store them in a professional holder — scrabbling for dog-eared cards in your handbag is not a good look.
After, compile any cards you’ve received into a “contacts book”.
5. Shut Up!
Networking isn’t all about you — give people your full attention, listen to what they have to say and look for opportunities to learn. Even better, give people something of value — suggest a useful website address or introduce a friend with similar interests.
6. Ignore the “Brush Off”
Don’t take a cold shoulder personally. You might initially feel angry or humiliated but, chances are, someone who is rude to you is rude to everyone. Besides, anyone who doesn’t realise you are charming and have lots to offer is only hurting themselves and their business in the long run.
7. The Follow-Up
Stay in touch to take new relationships to the next level — send a short email the next day to say you enjoyed your conversation or elect to follow someone on Twitter.
And send a hand-written “thank you” to the host of a particularly valuable or entertaining event — they’ll make a wonderful ally.
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Nerida Gill - Admin BanditNerida 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.
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New Member MeetUps start strong in Sydney
August 22, 2009
Congratulations to members Nancy Georges, Sheryl Cole, Frances Jones, Bianca de Reus, Julie Wise and Isobel Martin who held a Member MeetUp in Sydney’s Leichhardt last week.
Sydney Member MeetUp | Members Networking
Member MeetUps are Australian Businesswomen’s Network member get-togethers and a way for members to meet face to face to talk business, create business opportunities and collaborate around the monthly business focus subjects and other areas of interest.
We know that members value the opportunity to get face-to-face with other members. We also know that you’re not always able to attend pre-scheduled breakfasts, lunches and dinners and that often big networking events don’t serve to provide the intimate, real conversations you’re looking for.
That’s why we’ve introduced a NEW and intimate opportunity for members to meet other members to:
- Discuss business issues
- Talk about areas of interest
- Network and build relationships
- Introduce themselves and their businesses
Member MeetUps are held all over the country and are self-managed by our members in venues and times of their choice.
How to Attend a Member Meet Up
Watch the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website for details on how to attend a Member Meet Up near you! Members will be notified as soon as these events are available. Coming late 2009.
Brush up your Networking skills. Check out the 30 Days of Networking posts and get started with daily tips and resources to grow your network.
Networking ‘across the pond’ provides more opportunities for Aussie women
August 14, 2009
Yesterday I met with the new President of the New York City chapter – National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). NAWBO is a national US organisation for (as the name implies) women business owners.
Pat Ahaesy - NAWBO | Suzi Dafnis
Having lived and worked in the US I know that doing business in Australia is very similar to doing business in the US. The challenges we face as businesswomen, are similar.
For those of us growing a business the main issues remain:
- How do I market my business and improve my sales?
- How do I become a better leader?
- How do I make a profit?
- Where can I go to be with like-minded women?
- What does it take to have work/life balance?
- How to do I navigate legislation that makes doing business hard?
NAWBO, like the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, provides training, networking and access to role models.
So, over a coffee at the well-known Dean and DeLuca cafe at the Rockefeller Centre, Pat Ahersy and I discussed how we can work together to improve services, education and networking opportunities for our members.
And, we talked about how powerful it would be for ABN members to connect with NAWBO members and to cross-network and do business across the Pacific Ocean.
As part of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s commitment initiative to be at the forefront of access to development opportunities for businesswomen we will continue to develop links and find ways to help our community connect with the right people, across the globe.
Stay tuned for developments.
Don’t be THAT person when networking!
August 3, 2009
What person should you NOT be when networking? Let me give you a clue. You DON’T want to be the person that people want to move away from (in person), or block or unfollow (online).
Of course nobody wants to be that person intentionally but there are certain behaviours that tend to turn us off and move us away from people.
We recently asked some of our community: What is it that frustrates you most about networking events?
Here are some of the common themes:
Serial Networkers
Those that rush around as though networking is a numbers game. Their game is to meet as many people as they can.
Hold it! More is not better. Better, is better. Names are not a network. People that you’re connected to who are interested in each other mutually – that’s a network.
Slow down. Be prepared and be focused on what type of people you want to meet and connect with.
Pitchmeisters
These people are in a hurry to tell you about themselves without knowing if you really care/are interested. How does this look online? This is the person who’s tweets/posts are all ‘me, me, me’. Following them quickly gets boring.
Intersperse broadcasting with listening. In the book Twitter means business – How microblogging can help or hurt your business, the author talks about being more like an intercom than a megaphone. The intercom has two way conversation – engagement. The megaphone, well – it can sure be loud, but the information is only going one way.
Card Dealers
Card Dealers
These are the people who hand out their cards as though they were a card dealer at the casino. You’ve seen them. They’ll even approach tables of strangers, not say a word but put their cards down at each person’s place (and probably then hope for a miracle).
The bad news is, nobody wants your card unless they are interested in you. It’s old-school (and a waste of paper) to exchange cards or information before there is an interest in doing so. Exchange a card IF there is reason to follow up. Not every conversation will need a follow up.
Business Cards don’t build relationships. People do. So, start building some real relationships.
So, what are the qualities of good networkers?
Let me quote Aussie author Lisa Butler, who wrote Networking Exposed.
She says:
Good networkers
1. have a networking strategy and keep records to track, monitor and maintain regular contact with the people in their network
2. focus on helping others, rather than themselves
3. are genuinely interested in other peopel and generate positive and memorable impressions
4. interact well with a wide range of peopel and develop warm and valuable relationshiops in a short space of time
In a recall of the childhood show Romper Room… here’s the fundamental Do Bee and Don’t Bees:
Do Bee
- personable, inviting, interested and interesting, engaging
Don’t Bee
- pushy, one-sided, a ‘megaphone’ sending communication in one direction
Day 28 – 30 Days of Networking: Have a Brag!
July 29, 2009
One way to let people know what your doing is to brag. Yep, that’s right. Tell the world how great what you’re doing is.
Ok, before you run for cover… I’ll explain what I mean.
I know that ourtright bragging is looked down on in some cultures and even in Australia (well known for it’s Tall Poppy syndrome) patting yourself on the back in public is not encouraged or rewarded.
(Kudos to our American cousins who I think are fantastic at acknowledging themselves and the success of others… at least that’s what I found in the seven years I lived there.)
Bragging and Networking
A great way to let people know what you do is to tell them. Telling others what you’re doing is a great way to network.
A positive way to acknowledge something you have achieved is to celebrate it (no, not in private, but with others).
Telling others what you do:
- shares information that allows others to know you better (Remember people like to do business with people they know, or feel they know.)
- lets the world know you’re taking action (which, hopefully inspires others to take action)
- could open up opportunities though connections with others
- lets others celebrate your successes with you (I’m no longer surprised by the reinforcement that sharing an achievement draws from others who are truly happy for me.)
Toot Your Own Horn | Brag to Your Network
Are you uncomfortable bragging?
I am not great at ‘tooting my own horn’, but I’m much better at it than I used to be. Whether for cultural (raised in a Greek household), gender (it’s not appropriate for girls to show off), or just plain shyness, I’m often been backward in coming forward about my achievements. Therapy has helped a lot 
… really! My coaches and mentors have helped me ‘get our of my shell’ and acknowledge myself more. (Though at times I STILL need a nudge!)
I KNOW I’m not alone in resisting bragging. A survey conducted by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and Gender Games author Candy Tymson showed that self-promotion was one of the biggest barriers to success for Australian women.
Today, let’s brag.
By bragging I mean, share something you’re proud of having done.
And, so we don’t confuse bragging with arrogance … here’s a definition of PRIDE:
a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated…
TODAY’S TASKS
Acknowledge, publicly, something you’re proud of.
Some ideas:
- Updated my to-do list.
- Called a friend I’d been meaning to talk to.
- Wrote an email to a customer.
- Walked the dog.
- Brainstormed my goals.
- Bragged!
It doesn’t have to be HUGE… The point is to affirm what it is that you are proud of having achieved.
Day 24 – 30 Days of Networking: Business cards 2.0 – Is the business card dead? #30DNet
July 25, 2009
When was the last time you shared a printed business card in order to introduce yourself?
The printed business card is a dinosaur and, much as the printing industry may wish things were different, I figure I’ve probably printed my last batch of business cards, forever.
Why swap cards when you can swap Twitter handles?
In March I was attending a conference and printed up a new batch of business cards (complete with my twitter address) to take along. I think I handed out 2! The rest of the dozens of contacts I made, I made on Twitter.
(Twitter was used throughout the conference to allow audience members to journal/share the highlights from each of the workshops – and in turn those people whose posts interested me I followed and similarly, I got a swag of new followers who found what I posted interesting).
Within weeks of printing my new cards they were obsolete, as I changed my title to Community Director!
Business Card Front | Includes Blog Address
Business Card Back | Includes Twitter address
Old networking habits…
Last week I attended a meeting with a major Australian bank. Those in the meeting exchanged business cards, but it was almost pointless. All those in the meeting had previously exchanged emails and therefore had each other’s information electronically.
Business Card Swap – The 2.0 methods
Include Your Social Networks on Your Card
If you’re going to use a business card, then be sure to have it include the ’spaces’ you hang out at most. e.g If you no longer use a fax machine don’t include that info. If your blog is where you communicate most, then be sure to include your blog details on your business cards.
Make the Most of Virtual Business Cards
Maximise the effectiveness of your social network’s business-card style functions. e.g. Have you customised your Twitter background to include the contact details that you want people to have? Do you include the key contact information (website, office number) in your profiles on LinkedIn and Facebook?
This wasn’t going to be a ‘green’ message but honestly, do we really need to print paper business cards when a contact can send you their v-card from their phone to your phone, which you then synch to your computer, into your contacts. Voila… not a tree damaged in the process!
TODAY’S TASKS
Update your social network spaces to include the contact information you’re will to have followers/friends/contacts see and use.
And, next time you run out of printed business cards consider whether you really need to print more!
Day 19 – 30 Days of Networking: Why you don’t need MORE contacts
July 20, 2009
How many contacts do you need?
Social networking behaviours can lead you to believe that the more followers (Twitter), friends (Facebook) and contacts (LinkedIn) you have the better you’re doing at the game and the more successful you’ll be.
Similarly in ‘old’ marketing people measured their success by the size of their database not by the effectiveness/profitability of their business activities.
This post from a couple of months ago that explains my position on how many contacts you need (and links to a great article I recommend you read) …
How many customers do you really need?
How big should your network be? | 30 Days of Networking
So, How big should your network be?
I believe we already know (and have access to) everyone we need to know to get access to the people and resources we need to do business successfully.
(I’ve been guilty myself of going to a small event and thinking.. ‘hmm, not too many people here to network’ with and conversely, going to 600-strong breakfasts and thinking what a waste of time it was.)
You know everyone you need to know
You probably know at least a hundred people through your work, family, industry, community, church etc. (If you’re a member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network community you are also connected to hundreds of business women through the Member Directory).
Each of your contacts IS connected (by six degrees, or more, or less – but connected) to everyone else you may want to know. The key is to make the connections.
How to make the connections
As simple as it sounds, all you need to do to make the connections is:
- Be someone people want to assist (because you’re generous, you add value to them, you doing interesting things and telling people about them).
- Ask for what you want in a succinct way that makes it easy for people to assist you. (Example below.)
A. Be someone people want to know
A great resource I’d like to recommend is Guerilla Networking by Jay Conrad Levinson and Monroe Mann.
In the book the authors discuss ways to make your self more desirable (i.e. the type of person people want to meet). While much of the advice is common sense I’m surprised how many people still attend events and dish out cards, don’t listen or engage and have a ‘me, me, me’ attitude. Levinson and Mann’s practical tips for increasing your desirability include:
- Be an expert in your field
- Initiate conversations
- Become the go-between
- Acknowledge others
B. Ask for what you want
Instead of saying (to a contact):
“I’m looking to get some publicity for my business.”
be more specific
“I’m looking to get publicity for my new small-business management tool for carpenters in the Carpenter’s Weekly magazine.”
The person you are speaking to will immediately know what it is that you want and whether they, or someone, they know, can help you.
I could really go on for a long time about today’s lesson… but let’s move on. Time to take some action.
TODAY’s TASK
- Ask (specifically) for something you are looking for. Ask using twitter. e.g. you could tweet: “Looking for graphic designer in western suburbs of Sydney. Can you recommend someone?”
- Initiate a conversation
