Welcome to my first Newsletter written, specifically for women in business or those considering starting a business.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Rebecca Jones, and I am fortunate to live in a lovely rural area in North Wales. From here, I have run companies linked to training, women in business and business networking.
I now work with women on a one to one basis and through training programmes and on-line coaching, to help them set up and grow a successful business.
My newsletter will keep you up to date with my latest work, give you some free hints and tips for your own business and hopefully make you smile.
Please forward my newsletter to other women who would like to run a successful business.
Best wishes
Top tip of the month from Rebecca
Networking do you don't you?
Over the many years I have been in business people have often asked me about the benefits of joining networking groups. I've been thinking about it lots recently and I have come to the conclusion that while networking is beneficial to many businesses it really does depend on you and your business as to what type of networking you need to do.
If you decide networking is for you, think about the following:
Why am I attending? If you don't know, maybe this isn't for you.
Can I speak well and promote my business in a positive way? If you cant promote yourself and your business, learn to before you try networking, or you could do yourself more harm than good.
Who do I need to meet and which events will they be at? Some events are for focused groups which may suit you best, perhaps all women networks, or all freelance marketing people, or business people in your local area or town.
If I meet other business people, how can I add value to them and their business? Networking isn't about selling and coming away with an order, its about creating links and providing mutual support and contacts. Think first how to help others and reciprocal deals are often the outcome.
Be ready for the questions. Think about what people will ask and have some good clear answers ready. The top question at events, "what do you do?" is often the most poorly answered. They don't want the ins and outs of your business or war and peace; so have two sentences which clearly sum up your business, and check with others that they can understand them and they get a clear idea of what you do.
Main Article from Rebecca Should we be true to ourselves in business?
I know I’m not the shy retiring type, heaven forbid, but some of the business people I meet leave me questioning how real they are. Speaking of 100% growth and possible takeovers when you know for a fact the 100% increase still leaves them in the under £100k turnover bracket and the takeover bid is something they would like but haven’t yet found anyone daft enough to do it, not even their best mate.
You know the types I mean. You’re sure the business is only a small one man band but they put on a show as if they are a threat to Mr Virgin himself. They talk of the office and the team which you have to wonder from the web site and other marketing materials if they are not just him, his dog and the back bedroom.
Now I’m not about to say that you should write on your web site “buy from my company which I run on a shoe string in my spare time from the family PC (that is when my 17 year old daughter isn't on FaceBook”). But ask yourself this, is it fair to clients if we sell them the idea that we are something we are not?
I spend lots of time with business owners in lots of different situations; and sometimes I wonder how true they are to themselves. The ones I have been thinking about are those that are larger than life, they have ‘big personalities’ but we very rarely quiz them on the turnover of their company or who their exciting client list comprises of.
So what to do? Well for a start consider if these are the type of people you would a) want to do business with and b) wish to be associated with. If the answer to these questions is not really then when you come across them smile politely and move on, you will be doing them and youself a big favor. Then consider how others see you, how you portray yourself and the image you wish them to have of you and your company.
Remember the following key points:
People want to trust you; they want to know they are safe using your company. The way you communicate through marketing materials, telephone calls and meetings will either build confidence in you and your company or drive others to question their reasons for working with you.
People want to be associated with people they feel comfortable with.
People want real facts – who buys from you now, what do they think and would they recommend you?
People respect professionalism; in the products you offer, the way you do business, the way you conduct yourself and the service you provide.
I believe most people want to get to know you, your business and your products. If they are good and what they need at a price they are willing to pay, does it matter if you run your business from a swanky office block or your kitchen table? Being professional and true to yourself will help you gain a long term client base who in turn will be loyal to you and are likely to tell others to do business with you also.
As for our bigger than real life business personalities, they may talk the talk, but consider this, if the business was doing that well they wouldn't need to shout about it so much, we would already know. .
Rebecca Recommends
I have been working recently with a company called CJV Digital. They create digital marketing solutions and I particularly like their Digital Stationary. So much so I use it myself, as its a cost effective way of keeping all my communications on brand.
Recognising the challenges for business owners in todays current economic climate, Andy from CJV digital has offered to run a free webinar entitled "Sales Lead Solutions For Woman Business Owners".
With new technology comes new opportunities and CJV brings to you a unique suite of revenue generators though converging digital technologies. This not-to-be-missed webinar is applicable to any business of any size and will demonstrate numerous ways to improve overall business performance.
This webinar will show you how you can create multiple new income revenues using some new calls-to-action and routes-to-market, and reduce business operating costs by adopting a digital marketing strategy.
To register simply click the button below and set aside 30-40 minutes in front of your PC on Thursday 4th December at 11am
When I'm out at business events everyone seems keen to exchange business cards, is this good practice? - Sarah, Brighton.
Hi Sarah, in general its not good practice to give out your cards without some connection. Some business clubs and groups leave cards laying on the table for people to help themselves to and others promote free exchange of cards. It really will depend on your business. I have always found that exchanging cards works best when I have made contact with a person and we feel there could be a way to work together and we wish to re-establish contact sometime soon. Sometimes I exchange cards with someone I just like, and wonder if in the future we could do business together.
You don't want to be a business card collector, thats a hobby. If you want to establish good business contacts for your business think carefully about how you promote you and your business, and your card is part of that. I usually write a note to myself on the back of a business card to remind me why I wanted to speak to that person again.
Rebecca's last thoughts
This month sees my annual Christmas shopping and general planning panic set in. I don't know why it is a surprise to me, that as always, I am less than ready for next months on set of Christmas activities, parties and events. As always I haven't even considered my Christmas pudding or Santa's list, I shun the Christmas decorations until the very last day and panic buy food, cards and wrapping paper in copious amounts.
Preparing for Christmas needs a bit of good planning just like any business so I think I'll start my Christmas Plan this week and in it I will consider my target audience, the business focus, my USP, my skills and strategies to achieving the targets and my exit strategy when things become too much.
Just hope Santa has also considered his business plan. If you are thinking of writing your business plan I will soon be launching my step by step guide to business planning on the web site www.rebecca-jones.co.uk/ I may consider a Christmas Planning one for next year, any volunteers to try it out!!!
If you want to use this or other articles by Rebecca in your Newsletter or web site you can; but
please also include the following statement with any of my material:-
Taken from 'The Have it all Business Woman' Newsletter by Rebecca Jones. Published monthly, the newsletter for women in, or starting in, business.
For more information visit www.rebecca-jones.co.uk
You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up on my web site or a mutual contact has forwarded it to you.
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Rebecca opened her first business at 19 and has since been a successful entrepreneur, wife and mum. Her years of experience as a woman in business and working as a business consultant has led her to develop her own coaching and business consultancy aimed at women starting or already running a business who need a bit of help and support to see them flourish.
Rebecca takes on personal coaching clients at various stages of business start up growth and development as well as running workshops for women in business and women in leadership roles.
